jhenke13

Greetings

I'm an old guy who's attempting to ride across this great country. So far I've made it from San Diego to my home in Colorado Springs, and from home to the Mississippi at Hannibal, MO. I will be riding the 3rd and final stage in 2010, but I'm not sure of the best "season" for doing so. The route will most likely be the TransAmerica, or very close, going west to east. I need input, especially from those who have done this, to help me pick the best time of year - spring, summer, or fall.

Thanks in advance,
John

njkayaker

How long are you going to take? Are you camping?

The shoulder seasons will be cooler but there will be more campgrounds open during the summer.

10 Wheels

You can follow Ken Payton's route.

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?...c_id=4767&v=FI

staehpj1

It sounds like he is planning to start from Hannibal, Mo. That being the case that route would be pretty far out of his way. Even the Trans America would a good bit out of the way.

Since the OP mentioned the TA, I will suggest that heat and humidity can be brutal in mid to late Summer. I'd probably start at the beginning of May or so. Hopefully the spring rains will have eased up and the heat and humidity will not have kicked in yet. On our W-E TA we hit MO around the first of August. We hit some really hot and humid weather. It was still fun, but not the optimum weather wise.

BigBlueToe

I like the idea of doing a crossing in stages over 2 or 3 years. For those of us who haven't retired yet, this might be the only way. I'd be interested in reading a journal when you finish. Any plans for a CrazyGuy posting?

Cyclebum

John, I'm an old guy too and crossed in three stages sorta by accident, with no firm plan to do so. Lots of fun on all three. Drug it out over a couple of years and enjoyed the anticipation and planning nearly as much as the riding.

I'm a big fan of fall touring. Less chances for rain, lower humidity, no mosseys, and great nights buried in the sleeping bag. Not to mention the brilliant colors offered by the foliage. I'd do that route starting in mid September and equip for 30 degree nights in the mountains. Layers rule!

jhenke13

Hey, njkayaker
Thanks for the reply. I'll probably just motel it - had trouble finding campgrounds on the first leg, so did motels on part 2 and liked it. Debating between May and September, but leaning toward Sept.
John

njkayaker

How many days are you planning? If about 30 days, then Sept or May would work. If 60 days, Sept might work, depending on the weather in October and the location you are riding.

The ACA TransAmerica route ends up in Virginia. If it's dry, October will likely not be too cold (except, maybe in the mountains).

jhenke13

I'm hoping to do stage 3 in about 2 weeks, plus or minus. I have friends (place to stay) in Kitty Hawk, so would probably bend it south a bit near the coast. After the first 2 legs, I understand how weather and other issues can change plans in a hurry, but .....
Thanks again

staehpj1

Motels tend to be a bit scarcer and more expensive than in the middle of the country, so you may need to plan a bit more than you did in the middle of the country. The Fall can be lovely there. Late Sept and early Oct are likely to be very nice.

staehpj1

That seems to be a popular approach. We met quite a few folks on the TA who were doing it in stages. Most of them did half one year and half the next, but some were doing more bite-sized chunks.