raybo

I am looking for a place to tour in late April for about 2 weeks.

My first thought was to do a loop out of St. George, UT. But, I'm concerned about the weather and snow on the ground, especially in the canyons and the higher elevations as the loop would involve going up and over Cedar Breaks (11,000 feet).

I have no interest in SF to LA as I've done that half a dozen times already. I've ridden from San Diego to Phoenix on the Southern Tier and can say that riding for days through the desert isn't all that exciting. This is why riding through the Southern California deserts isn't on the list of destinations.

After reading the Arizona during Spring Break thread, I got to wondering about Arizona, New Mexico, West Texas, and Moab. I'd like to stay north of the border and not spend all the time in the desert.

Does anyone have any recommendations for places to tour in late April in these or other areas?

jamawani 

Amigo -

Well, if you want to be warm in late April you almost have to be in the desert.
Unless, of course, you tour in the Deep South during its azalea season.

A) If you're willing to risk chilly nights you could tour northern New Mexico.
Still desert, but lots of Puebloan culture and Route 66 kitsch, too.
Late April is still cool, but fairly dry in northern NM.

B) If you're willing to do a longer flight, the South has some good options - albeit rainy ones.
Have you considered the Natchez Trace? Maybe fly into New Orleans and out of Nashville?
Another option is to fly out to the Atlantic and trace some major Civil Rights locations - Albany, Selma.
The small towns will be resplendent in spring flowers.

Cyclebum

Late April in the Big Bend area of south Texas should be real nice. Lots of interesting stuff there, historically and scenically. You skirted it on the ST. Me and some buds will be going back the end of January for more. Kinda cold there in January.

valygrl

Oh, I have a tour for you!!!

i have done this a couple times as a one week supported tour. We do it in mid-April. It is very very hilly. The section from Alpine to Morenci has 7-8000' climbing and 13,000' descending and no services. It is also one of my favorite pieces of road that I have ever ridden.

I can't tell you about camping b/c we hotel it. Services are far-between, but there is probably just enough if you pay attention.

There are a couple of optional out-and-backs on this, note especially Mt Graham, that you could do w/o your bags.

https://goo.gl/maps/0K8H9

hueyhoolihan

i've recently been over that route from cedar city to points east in late may. it was 28 degrees at 10 a.m. with a lot of snow still on the ground, but the road surface was clear. spectacular scenery, like most of southern/central utah. nice climb out of cedar city and there is a long relatively level road at the top before descending. it's difficult, if not impossible, to get around the north side and then east of capitol reef national park without riding on interstate 70, but you can work your way to the west when north of boulder (utah) to the west and then south. there is some very nice riding there.

i like utah, the people are friendly and it's very inexpensive. don't expect and nightlife though.