brentfpage

I recently cycled from New Jersey to New Orleans and am planning to embark again and head towards California in about 2 and a half weeks. I really want to do the Adventure Cycling Western Express route, but I am worried that I will be too late in the season. I was thinking that I could get up to Pueblo, Colorado by late October and then play the weather, avoiding stormy days, and be out of Utah by November tenth. Is this a feasible plan, or am I asking for disaster? I would want to stay in a tent most nights, but could buy a sleeping bag with a good temperature rating.

mtn.cyclist

I have lived in the Rockies for the last 8 years. Some of those years you could have made the ride wirh no real problem. I don't know about this year as it has been so wet. A foot of snow forecast for the high mountains for last night and today. That being said, the sun is going to come out tomorrow and warm up, it might be nice for a while. It will be cold up high pretty much without fail now so be sure you can stay warm. I would check out a long term forecast and try to make it work. Traffic will be light and it will be beautiful in the mountains. Good luck!

andrewclaus

Ditto the above. You may end up holing up for a few days in a storm, but it's generally cool and dry then. Who knows with weather these days? Usually September is the best month in the high country, but definitely not this year. Lots of people in Boulder and Larimer counties will agree.

Sunny days will feel warm at elevation, but be prepared for cold nights!

Konasutra

Here is a pic from yesterday coming through the San Juan's yesterday. The mountains got some good snow the last 2 nights. Traveling in late Oct. could be tuff this year. I would do the Southern Tier route. Rode was rideable at this point but was icy when we got closer to the top of the pass.

brentfpage

Thank you so much for all of your advice. I think I will go for it but have contingency routes to drop down to Route 66 in case the weather seems consistently dangerous.