gnvl12

Hello Guys I need your guys help.

I have a plan cycling from Vancouver where I'm living now to San Francisco on November 1st
and Going all the way to Miami from San Francisco.

But some people told me It's really cold than I thought from Vancouver to San Francisco in that time.

Can you give me some advice like best route or etc about my plan Do I have to skip that part ?

jefnvk

What is your cold threshold? Not sure what the climate is there, but what I consider "too cold" is vastly different than others. SO long as roads aren't iced, it is rarely "too cold" for me. Have you lived there long enough to know what it is like in the PNW in November?

EDIT: Just looked up averages in Portland and Seattle in November. Looks like high 40's, or just a few degrees less than I dealt with every day in Iceland. Probably wouldn't bother me, once again so long as it wasn't icing over on the roads.

fietsbob

I'd Recommend Skipping the parts of northern California that are on fire right now.. there are red flag alerts on the Air quality..

Parts of southern Oregon burned earlier this summer..



OH, and Which Vancouver? BC or WA?





....

Tourist in MSN

You have to decide what cold means. I have toured when it is below freezing in the mornings, but as long as I did not have to worry about ice on the road I did not let that bother me. Windchill on a bike can be a big deal, so think about what clothing you would wear. When I cycled in Iceland, I left the rain cover on my helmet permanently on to cut the wind although I only wore an ear band or stocking cap under the helmet a few times. But if it was so cold that I would need ski goggles, I would not tour in that. But I was born and raised in Minnesota, so my opinion on what is cold might be different than yours. If you do this, make sure you have a plan to keep your toes warm if you use cycle shoes that are designed with venting to maximize cooling.

Weatherspark.com is my favorite to source for planning a trip. But they only have data for locations where there are airports. You would have to check several locations along the route for weather. This is for Astoria.
https://weatherspark.com/y/447/Avera...tes-Year-Round

If you think the far north part of the trip is too cold, perhaps start your trip further south? I started my trip by taking the train to Portland OR, then a shuttle bus to Astoria where I started my cycling.

In 2014, I rode from Astoria to San Fransisco. It was in May and June, so my weather experience might not be that applicable to you. But some of my experiece might be somewhat applicable. I documented my thoughts on the route at this link:
https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/9...l#post16933424

That would be a time of year when there are not many hours of sunlight and even in daytime the sun can be low, so make sure you have good bike lighting so the traffic can see you.

I use these in moderate rain and moderate cold over my cycling shoes for touring.
https://www.rei.com/product/820997/g...ke-shoe-covers
But if it is really cold I wear hiking shoes, but if it is that cold I probably am not bike touring.

FBinNY 

There are very large differences between coastal temps and those only a few miles inland. So you have a choice between cool, though possibly wet conditions on a coastal route, and drier, but colder conditions inland.

Also, keep in mind that long rides in wet conditions are tolerable when it's warm, as are short commutes in cold rain, but long rides in rainy cool conditions are about as miserable as it gets.

I'd check long term forecasts, and if going ahead, plan on enough time that so I could lay up if the weather is intolerable.

indyfabz

Be careful to avoid hypothermia.

spinnaker

I wouldn't be too concerned about temperature alone. I always thought the NW coast was kind of pleasant temp wise in the winter. Or at least a lot better than our winters here in Pittsburgh.

I would be more concerned about being wet. Lots of rain in that area that time of year. And while the temp can be ok when it is dry, it can be miserable if you are wet.

chrisx

Souther teir, San Diego to Miami.

There are many county busses to help speed you through the rain of Oregon. and Washington.
Not a fun ride in November

CliffordK

How are you planning on spending your nights?

I do quite a bit of riding in the rain throughout the northwest winters. Not always fun, but cold isn't an issue.

However, I don't relish the idea of riding all day in the rain, then camping, and riding the next day in the rain.

So, if you could ride and use motels, then you would have an opportunity to dry off and clean up at night, then ready for rain the next day. Or, even doing motels every couple of days to recharge. Or maybe make the choice based on the actual weather.

As far as inland vs coastal. I presume you will also hit a few larger mountains using an inland route. So, for example you might find snow or at least freezing temperatures on Mt Ashland if you go over it.

Another option is to have a flexible start time. If you watch the weather before leaving, you might be able to find a gap of a week or so of good weather that could get you down through Washington and Oregon.

busted knuckles

My mother and I did it nov 1 of 2011. I did not find it cold riding. This year seems colder earlier, Though.

fietsbob

Dropped to 35F overnight.

jimbo.

Time to check out the winter cycling forum. Should be interesting!

fietsbob

National Weather Service

CliffordK

Another thing to keep in mind is FOG.

We had some this morning. It cleared up by mid morning, but it could slow down early departures, or late evening rides.

I think I've often encountered fog driving around Salem, and Grants Pass/Medford can get a lot of winter fog.

I presume a coastal route would have a little less fog.

fietsbob

Yea Willamette Valley fog, none on the coast, this morning, though there is fog on this river valley too. the Columbia.

B. Carfree

Not only will it be somewhat cold and wet, but with those rains come south winds. Be prepared to ride all day into a strong wind with rain being driven into your face.

Three or four days of this is about my limit for finding pleasure in it, then I hunt down a hotel and spend a day or two dry and warm before doing it again. Do you have the gear for riding in day after day of rain? Can you handle the sudden chill that comes with taking a break when you're soaked?

Of course you could catch a break. It may not rain on you, but in that case the temperature will likely be in the 30's instead of the 40's or even low 50's.

I'm not trying to discourage you. I think the coast is a nice ride in late October, though I've never ridden down it in November. Just have the right gear and resources ($$) to deal with issues that may come up and you should be fine. (Part of that gear is definitely a very bright tail-light and a back-up.)

Also, I wouldn't worry about the NorCal fires. If they're not out by November, you'll know about it. Besides, they're all slightly inland (last I looked), so you should be okay on hwy 1.

Tourist in MSN

What are your thoughts?