Pan Americas - Which way round?
Here's a question that I've stumbled across in my initial planning stages for a Pan Am trip in 2011/12 - hopefully the HUBB collective wisdom can sort me out.
Given that I only have 3-4 months to do the trip, is it better to go Alaska to TDF - or TDF to Alaska? And, at which time of the year is best for each option?
I read trip reports south bound - which seem to focus on sept/october departures. And northbound trips, heading off around March.
I've also read reports about the Patagonian winds - and central american rains being worse at certain times of the year (but often they just say summer/winter etc not sure if that means locally or mine?). These will clearly be a factor in my planning.
My gut feeling is to fly into BA, head down to TDF in March, then head to Alaska by around June. That way I'll hit the hardest riding (ruta 40 / carratera austral etc) while both the bike and I are pretty fresh. But I don't want to do that if it means riding through the worst of the winds and rain!
Does that option sound sensible - or has expereince shown a better timing/direction?
Grateful for any insight, as I'll need to start serious planning soon.
Thanks in advance.
Pat
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