Has anyone done the southern tier east to west in the starting in the late fall?
I am in between jobs as of 10-20-13, and am thinking of doing the southern tier, maybe starting maybe around November 1st. I have ridden part of it that runs through northern Florida about 8 years ago. What is the weather like in the western half of the route in December and January? Will I need winter camping gear? How about clothing? Here in south Florida it's pretty much still nice weather even in the winter. I know parts of Texas can get snow in the winter.

Thanks

The ST is tourable year round. You'll need clothing/bedding in winter for temps into the teens at higher elevations, and good rain gear. Be prepared to wait out severe wx, mostly in the mountains of NM. Just prepared as it probably won't happen. Pay close attention to wx forecast. High/lows here.

Rather than carry the needed very cold wx gear the entire distance, consider mailing it ahead to somewhere in central Texas and ditching it in AZ.

Cuddle with your water bottles. They will freeze overnight and may not thaw all day. Get yourself warm gloves, wool socks, watch cap, etc. Layer up in the morning and shed as the temps climb. Plastic grocery bags make for cheap, water/wind proof shoe booties. Tap the Warmshowers network, esp The Pecan House in Los Cruces.

Consider New Zealand.

Well, Costa Rica is also nice in winter and a lot closer, as well as some other Latin American destinations.

And they have snakes that do this:

https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/sur...snake-bite-wou

Where? New Zealand has no land snakes, just poisonous sea snakes, like Hawaii. Somehow people manage to tour in the hellhole that is Australia, with tiger snakes, funnel web spiders, cone snails, blue ringed octopi, salt water crocs, 'roos that sneak up behind you and kick you into ponds, bad-tempered koalas, and so on. New Zealand just has evil parrots that rip your car to bits, and I would assume bikes also.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LU-hxANt60

Yes, you should have winter gear during those months. Van Horn, Texas for example, average low in December is 29 F.. However, the RECORD LOW is -5 F, and it's the potential for record lows you have to be prepared for. Deming, NM is similar.

You forgot about the dreaded Drop Bears...