First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone for their input on my previous posts regarding route options (http://www.bikeforums.net/touring/10...l#post18403918 , http://www.bikeforums.net/touring/10...l#post17878186 ). If it wasn't for you I would have either died on a mountain pass or be pissed off and unprepared in Europe.

Second, some background info. For this trip, my first tour, I am allotting myself 6 months. I don't have a lot of saddle time and am a bit out of shape, but I'm stubborn and have a background in tough sports (wrestling, Muay Thai, MMA, etc...) so I figure I'll be averaging 50 miles a day with 5 days a week in the saddle. I hope to have enough flexibility to take a week off here and there in order to explore some national parks and visit friends. I would like a reasonable balance between nature and culture. I have a 2014 26" LHT with a fully loaded setup (handlebar bag, front and rear panniers with a drybag on the rear rack). I plan to wild/stealth camp most of the time with some campgrounds and Warmshowers along the way. I will be setting off on May 1st, 2016 from Flagstaff, AZ and will be using ACA routes/maps to take out some of the guess work, but I'm open to detours/route suggestions.

Here is a map for reference. I basically put together a grand wish list of cities and parks West of the Mississippi and some of the major routes in the region. I, do not plan on visiting/riding all of them. https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?m...wo&usp=sharing

My general plan is to to an Amtrak from Chicago to Flagstaff, AZ. I'll take the Grand Canyon Connector North to the Western Express, take that East to the Great Divide, take that North to the Northern Tier, take that West to the Sierra Cascade, and then take that South with my ending point being Sequoia. I figure that the higher elevation will save me from the extreme heat of the Arizona/Utah deserts. Also, going South to North on the GD during this time frame will give the Northern passes time to clear while saving me from the heat of the south (https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/...page_id=310078 ) while going N to S on the SC later in the season will mean more warmth in the mountains and less heat further South. Plus, arriving in Yosemite and Sequoia in Oct will be late enough to cut down on some of the tourist crowds but early enough for Tiaga pass to still be open.

So... Thoughts? Is this a reasonable plan/route? Am I overlooking anything in regards to weather, passes, or time frames? Are there any cities or parks near this route that I missed on my map that and you would recommend? Any detours?

Before you state the obvious... Yes, I know I picked two of the hardest routes for my first tour. Like I said, I'm young with athletic potential, have a high pain tolerance, the main parks I want to see are on these routes, and I want to experience the most out of the country before going overseas. Yes, I know a fully loaded LHT is not the best suited bike for the GD. I fully understand that I'll be pushing it often, have bolts rattle loose, have lots of flats, and will at least once challenge God to show himself so I can kick his ass in a fit of frustration. Also, I always have the option to switch over to the Trans America for part of it if the GD is too rough. Thanks again in advance.