I’m playing around with the idea of a winter bike tour in southern California around the end of January and beginning of February. The route I’m considering would begin in Las Vegas and end in San Diego, although plans can easily change.

How is the cycling in that area, especially the Mojave Desert, at that time of year? Are there places a cyclist may not or should not ride? Are there going to be problems finding water along the way? Do I need to prepare for weather extremes?

I value your advice, wisdom and suggestions.

That's pretty much our rainy season and could get ugly in the desert, on top of that there are really no cycling friendly routes between Vegas and Southern California. There is very little in the way of population or support between barstow and San Bernardino.

Bottom line, I could think of a LOT more routes I'd rather do down here, maybe somebody else can give you competing advice.

Weather will be variable and unpredictable. In Mojave and in the coastal areas, expect highs anywhere between 50 and 80 and lows of 30 to 40. It's technically a rainy season, but most days will be dry. Getting from the desert into the coastal basin is a potential problem, because all roads above 6000' will be covered with snow and winter storms may drop some snow as low as 3000', briefly blocking many passes.

Riding on freeways 8, 15 and 40 is legal but not advisable. There's very little infrastructure (or anything) in the Mojave Desert. There are two main routes you may take from Las Vegas, south on 95 to 78, or north on 160 to 190 to 178. In either case you're looking at several unpopulated 30-50 mile stretches between potential resupply areas, with light traffic and spotty cell coverage.

i assume you've already checked out crazyguyonabike.
are you looking for a direct route or are those just beginning and end points? san diego is a good choice but i'm not so sure about vegas.
how many days/miles are you looking for?

I had used Vegas as the start point simply because it's easily accessible, but at this point, plans are extremely fluid. I've been looking at a couple of weeks off.

Actually, that isn't a bad time of year for the area you're contemplating. There isn't much in the way of rain or snow that you wouldn't be accustomed to, considering the area you are coming from. Wind can be a factor, but is usually from the NE, however, it can be significant in the desert. Likewise, temperatures can vary significantly, but again, nothing you aren't accustomed to in your area, as long as you're prepared. Ten days would be more than adequate following a route similar to the one described below. Though true, there are significant distances between inhabited areas, there is nothing outside the range of touring.

Currently there is some discussion amongst a local rando group to do something along this route for Vegas to Los Angeles in the next couple of months. In part, this route follows the Furnace Creek 508, an annual endurance race from just north of Los Angeles to Twenty Nine Palms in the lower Mojave desert.

Having done the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island a couple years ago myself, you're in for a significant change of environment coming from forested regions of the northwest to the southwest desert. Have fun.

looks good. scootcore and i have what we think are some better routing options through the palmdale area if you interested.

As long as you're touring and exploring, I'd swing further west to Lake Isabella, cut across San Joaquin Valley north of Bakersfield and make my way to Santa Barbara.

I'd fly to Santa Barbara, get a hotel room for two weeks and screw touring.

I'm lazyguyonabike.

+1 Or fly to San Diego, take the Surf Liner train to San Luis Obispo and ride back to San Diego. 4 day bike ride back while riding through Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Long Beach, North San Diego county coastal communities. Great ride if the weather co-operates.

I'll advise you post regarding this on the Touring Forum. Betting dollars to donuts that you'll find people there who can give info based on first-hand experience.

I agree; there are probably a number of better options between Mojave and the SFV. It's still a work in progress. PM me with any routing suggestions, and I'll pass them on to those in charge.

Was hoping you and Scoot would get the Mammoth run together this past summer. Would have been a good year for it.

For a 4-day ride, that's a good choice. If the OP has more time, the original route from Las Vegas would provide more varied scenery than spending all time near the coast.

I'd bypass Ridgecrest via Searles Station Cutoff. You can resupply in Trona (as depressing as that place is), the cutoff saves you 10 miles, and you minimize time spent on the 395 (not fun, too much 18-wheeler traffic).

me too.

i think the main thing on the route was pretty minor, i will post our little detour later when i get a chance to map it

That. We don't really have a rainy season.

Unless you're a very experienced tourer, I'd skip the Mojave Desert. As has been mentioned before - it's very desolate; even if you took Interstate 15. (the main route between Vegas and LA.) Plus - with the freeway traffic, it'll be LOUD.

Good luck, and have fun.

how do you spend your evenings? are you camping? 12+ hours is a long time to spend in camp every day.

Just throwing this into the mix. What about Blythe to Yuma , east side of river south on the az. 95, then back up on the west side on CA 78. Whole area is full of Snowbirds, plus they test the B-2 and Stealth fighter jets out there. Nice weather at that time. Scenic and plenty of mostly empty roads plus no killer mountains just some nice hills and valleys. Could be a great ride.

Thanks, all. I appreciate all the feedback. You've given me a much better understanding than I had before. Your opinions are mixed and I've also gotten in touch with the National Parks people for some more information about the route at that time of the year. I've got a fair amount of touring experience, including some in rather remote areas. Still, every area is different and has its own unique challenges.

Plans and details still have not been finalized, but I'm now able to make an informed decision, which I couldn't do before.

As for the suggestion about riding from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, that was part of last winter's tour, when I started in San Francisco, went into the wine country around Santa Rosa and then rode south to San Diego. I had a wonderful time and when I left, I knew I wanted to do more cycle touring in California.

The best chances for dry weather would be in the low desert of California and Arizona. The big weather problems there are more likely to be wind, since there's nothing to block it. Are you planning to stay in motels or willing to do some rough camping? If you are OK with remote camping, there are some nice hot springs in the Imperial and San Diego county parts of the Salton Trough, and hike & bike sites in the Palm Canyon campground in Borrego Springs.