We're touring with our 3 kids (age 3, 5 & 7) from January to August 2013. Starting in Uruguay, ending in the US.
We only have about 1,5 months in the US and would like to choose 1 area to tour at ease
Question n° 1: Where would you head to?
Question n°2: We are considering the Pacific Coast & maybe Part of highway 101. Is this OK in July & August? Is there too much trafic.
Question n°3: How are the states for trains & transporting bikes + luggage?
Any tips are very welcome!
Thanks,
Jonathan & Dominique & Miro+Smilla+Nisse
I live in San Francisco area and have ridden extensively along the California coast. In general, you will want to stay with Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), also called California Highway 1. Highway 101 is a freeway through most of California. The two roads are combines in the Santa Barbara area, so you will be along side this noisy, busy freeway for a few miles. PCH is definitely the pretty route and my favorite.
You should be aware that there are often winds out of the NW in the afternoons in the Summer. So you will experience headwinds going from LA to SF and further north. (For this reason, most bikers ride from north to south.) Its still doable though, especially with someone with your experience.
Best of luck with your adventures.
Paul
I would suggest riding around the great lakes like MIchigan
Michigan has several organized rides thru the League of Michigan Bicylists
look at their web site
We have done the West Shoreline tour and it would be great for you.
It is the first week of August.
If you come to St. Louis on the way you can stay at our Cabin on the MIssissippi river near St. louis.
St. Louis is great and on the way to MIchigan
we are off to france now
Will look into the great lakes option. If you're in Belgium we'd be glad to host you.
Thanks
Will look into the great lakes option. If you're in Belgium we'd be glad to host you.
Thanks
Hi,
Thanks to all for your tips, we've decided to head to Toronto. Partly because coming out of the Caribbean it's a direct flight and going to the Pacific Coast adds another 6500 km flying to our already carbon-heavy footprint.
We'll probably cycle the St Lawrence Seaway to Montréal, hopping bac and forth over the US/Canada border. Any tips are welcome, but I'll post another thread for this part of the trip.
Thanks again!
Enjoy your rides!
Jonathan&Dominique
I would stay away from all states west of missispi river
West of river the average distances to towns, cities is an average of 60 miles or more. and with three children you can't just stop and wild camp (no camp ground)
The eastern states town and cities are much closer. allowing you to stop sonner if needed
Has to the pacific coast and highwat 101. At times just a rolling road. but at many times long climbs. there are more camp grounds and it is a signed bicycle route.but with three children I would say forget it. I have riden nearly all that route and it was not an easy ride but fun
Charles Nighbor Architect
I have ridden the California coast from San Francisco to Los Angeles. It is a beautiful ride but very hilly and very dangerous in certain areas. There are sheer drop-offs in certain places. I would avoid these parts of the coast if possible, especially with small children. This is a very busy road with lots of traffic during the summer months. Plan ahead. Hotels and campgrounds fill up fast. I am planning on doing that ride again around that time. I don't have anyone to do it with so if you want some company and assistance, I would be available for about 7-9 days. BTW, purchase a map from a site such adventure cycling and utilize Google maps. They now have a bicycle route option. Best of luck!