Originally Posted by
skidder
Christmas/New Years is going to be expensive time to fly (it always is). Another option might be Southern California. Maybe a 8-10 day ride along the coast from San Luis Obispo to San Diego (yeah, its suburban but interesting). Its 'mostly' flat and 40 miles/day should be easy. Fly into LAX then take Amtrak up to SLO, when you return just take Amtrak from San Diego to L.A.(Union Station). .
I will never do that route again. Next time I do the coast I will be stopping at SLO. Just way to crowded and busy in that corridor.. That ride down into Santa Barbara is pretty but not a whole lot of fun and not worth it IMHO.
I still say wait for summer. Another great newbie idea would be the Katy or Great Allegheny Passage / C&O. It does not get much easier than that. Very low stress and a great way to shake out the bugs in your touring plan.