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Old 05-20-10, 11:14 PM
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Eclectus
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Cali. no other place is even close. Cali is diverse, but here is a rundown slightly simplified, but not much:

1 SoCal Coastal SB to SD, rideablbe virtually every day of the year. Some winter days you can need a jacket and knickers, maybe a rain shell and pants if you are out for several hours. Between LA and SD, less than between SB and LA. May-October f**k off, if you have two wheels you are the king (queen) of the road..

Central Cal coast, SB to SF a little more warmth is necessary most of the time. Definitely more rain protection in winter.

NorCoast SF to Oregon) requires more warmth and rain protection.

Coastal mountains, dial it up for warmth over coasts. Snow storms can cut you off totally. SoCal lesss than NorCal, but snow blockages occur Dec-April.

Valleys just behind the coastal mountains are a little drier than the coasts in the wet winter season, and they get warmer faster, can get really hot But it's dry heat) in June-Sept. Morning rides are really nice June-Sept. Even into Nov in Corona, Temecula and Escondido.

Central Valley, rideable just about all year north to south. Valley fog occurring sporadically Dec-Apriil (mostly San Joaquin, but Sacto too) can be really dense, not a good time to ride. You don't want to deal with this s**t. But this is not common. June-Sept can be really hot between 12 and 10 PM, mostly dry heat. . Not bad riding at all, but stay hydrated, or ride around the heat.

Mojave High Desert, windy a lot but ridable almost every day of the year, if you can do the wind, and don't mind some "sand-blasting". In July-Sept, ride early in the day, or late at night. Watch out for monsoon, sandstorms mostly happeneing in August.

Coachella?Imperial Valleys, some of the best Nov-April rides anywhere. Summertime gets oppressively hot, ride early (even late night is really hot and even early AM can be like, I got up at 5 AM and it's 85!) Fortunately it's dry heat.

Sierras are totally beautiful. A lot of the passes get closed Nov-April (sometimes May, even June). Winter, you have to dress like Minnesotans. Some passes you have to turn back. Summer, it's kinda cold early AM, but by 11-12 is like take your top off baby, it's warm even hot, but dry. Good till 8 PM easily.

Cascades and Siskyous, pretty much like the Sierras.
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