Hi All, I am heading to the US for my first experience in riding out of New Zealand.
The only plans I have is to arrive San Francisco about 19 December, travel through Death Valley to Las Vegas then wander down to New Orleans to fly out around January 8th.
I would like to hear if this is still possible in the US winter (email from bike hire simply said "stick to the coast")
Also any info on MUST SEE places and major sporting events, roads to travel (or not) in these areas around this time.
This will be a solo ride and will be my first experience in riding on the "wrong side" of the road, so all tips and advise will be helpful.
cheers RustyG

It can be done if it dose not snow in the pass and where you go. It will be a bit cool then and the wind chill and bring down the temps even more.
worst case the pass will be closed and you can go down to Mexico and over from there. The pass can be under feet of snow on one day and in 2 days be dry.
Roads to ride will depend on weather and where you are going. The coast most like 1 and 101 but it will rain. Riding back east you may want to ride south a bit on 1 then over to LV you can pick up old 66 for a bit some people like that road. I do not care for "Interstate" roads but to get some miles down not much beat them there the first roads to be cleared. But you are going in a bad time of year for most things many shops will be closed for the year. As far as games there is American Football. not much in the way of major sporting events that I can think of.

If it to bad to ride you can rent a car and use that it may not be the same but much nicer in the snow a 4x4 jeep will be gust the thing.

Thanks for the advise. I don't mind a bit of cold or wet but not keen on riding in snow or ice. Apart from the "pass" (I presume over into Death Valley) is the trip feasable or would you recommend a change of destination altogether. My plans are very flexable at this stage except the time frame. Cheers R

Mountain pass to much snow and they close them you will be going over 2 sets. The Sierra Nevadas in California. Most of that can ridden around more or less by going south near LA then north east to death valley. Then there is the Rocky Mountains bigger colder some of the pass are vary high you may need to stay south and ride New Mexico to get around that but you can still get snow along that whole way. You will have to vary flexible for the whole ride, one storm can change all your plans in a day. You can do the ride but there may be few things that pop up that you need to look out for and even if dose snow you can hire a small pick up moving truck (ute to you I think) for one way and get around many problems that way.

If it looks like the southern pass are to nasty there is Baja Mexico You may hire a new bike in Mexico.

I would like to add that winter storms often follow nearly the same path that you are proposing to take. They spread through Oklahoma and head east. They can be particularly bad with lots of snow. It can get quite cold also, below zero sometimes.

Make sure you have heated clothing as you will need it. It can be done, but timing is the issue. And you never know when a storm will brew, closing not only mountain passes, but many other roads, even sometimes the major interstates.

Now that you have the bad news, here's some good. Many of us ride year round. So don't think it cannot be done. And when you go, let us know so we can offer help should you need a place to stay or whatever. I'm in Central Illinois, so I don't know that you'll be coming this far north. But if you do, let me know.

First, learn to use Fahrenheit so that you can correctly interpret posts like the one above. "Below zero (F)" translates to "below minus 17 (C)."

Second, your will be staying overnight indoors--hotels, maybe a few hostels, people's living room couches. Every night, watch the Weather Channel. Then arrange your schedule and route to avoid the bad weather. And be sure to leave enough time to do so--you might have to hole up for a few days while a storm blows through.

Third, you need a way to stay warm while riding. Also dry, since wet equals cold....and cold equals stupidly unsafe on a bike. I don't use heated gear, but most people who ride during winter seem to do so. I use a lot of clothes and a few specialty items (overboots, Moose Mitts, stocking hats that fit under my helmet, windproof neck gaiters, etc.).

You might luck out and get fine weather. It does happen. You might also run short of luck and get pure misery. But I've been on a loaded bike on unfamiliar roads with bad tires in snow, and I've survived it. Probably so will you.

Of course, any half-sensible person would rent a car instead.

Hope that helps.

Mark

PS: and about riding on the wrong side of the road--it's not so difficult, really. I've driven cars and bikes on your side and survived this, too. The danger is that in panic situations you'll either revert or freeze. It's a good idea to practice visualization exercises of your own devising so that part of your brain, at least, knows what to do. But I find it scarier walking in places where they drive on the wrong side than I do driving. As a pedestrian in London, for example, I'm constantly terrified, while riding a bike in Guyana or driving a car in Zimbabwe cities is fairly straightforward.

You've had some great advice so far. +1 on having heated gear if possible.

I'd carry a laptop with a broadband modem and data plan, or even better an Ipad, to have good quick access to weather.com and google maps throughout my journey. Especially if you decide to nip up into the higher elevations, where weather can change quickly.

But, sometimes mother nature cooperates and some great riding remains accessible.

If you feel like exploring SF while you're there, this may be of interest: 49-mile drive.

BTW, given the amount of time you've budgeted, unless you've ridden the Northern CA coast before I'd start with a good ride up north and back. It won't be warm but there will be no disk of snow or ice. Often December has less of the fog that can take away the views. It's real "Bucket List" material.

Here's a route that takes you up from SF, through the often-missed "Lost Coast" area (Petrolia), then back south starting with the "Avenue of the Giants". I had to stick lots of waypoints to keep the route on the Avenue and off the nearby parallel 101.

Then I have it returning south via 101 just to avoid the repetition, but honestly after the Giants I'd head back to Hwy 1 and retrace my steps south from there: San Francisco, CA to Morro Bay, CA - Google Maps

The bit between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz (with an obligatory stop at Alice's Restaurant of course) is really nice, especially once you get to 236. After that you'll want to stop at Phil's Fish Market in Moss Landing for some Cioppino.

+1 on the advice about Hearst Castle and Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. But beware, google maps has lots of other enticing squiggly lines in that part of CA, that are often unpaved, primitive surface.

That should be a great time of year to visit Death Valley. From there to New Orleans is something I'd probably plan on the fly based on the weather. There are some wonderful roads in AZ and NM, but most of the best can't be counted on in the winter. You may be able to catch the south rim of the Grand Canyon, but only if the weatherman gives you permission.

Here's a route that should be safe:
Morro Bay, CA to Unknown road - Google Maps. Sticking to the southwest, south of the Rockies, all you should need to be concerned with is the occasional freak ice storm. Big Bend National Park should be quite fun.

From there to New Orleans is dues-paying time. Very slabby, through San Antonio and Houston. Depending on the weather and how much time you have left, I'd probably instead explore the Piney Woods of east Texas, or maybe even nip up to northwestern and north central Arkansas for some really great riding.

I hope this helps!

Regards,


King of the ferries!
"Ride To Eat" data Czar

I think he's only got about two weeks total, otherwise I would have suggested going North, weather permitting. The Lost Coast area has the best roads in California. We ride them every year.

Some of the Google routes linked above are dirt roads. I don't think the rental bike is going to do that well on that stuff ... and dirt roads take LOTS OF TIME .... I know cause I've done most of them riding dirt, dual sport and Adventure bikes! There are dozens of routes in these areas. All you need is time and some good maps.

Nacimiento-Ferguson rd, just above Highway One, Big Sur.

Great hiking in Death Valley

Stunning landscapes everywhere you look in Death Valley

Short Cut across the Mojave? Hmmm?


Be sure to stop at The Pinnacles near Trona, between Ridgecrest and Trona. Doable on a street bike.

Great Pics.

The dates he mentioned gives him 20 days, I think that's plenty to include the trip up north. Like you said, Lost coast is something special. Here's some pics from a trip out there.

If the weather cooperated, I'd even add a loop out 36 and back 299.

Are you saying my link included some dirt roads? Not unless I made a mistake with google maps. I've ridden all of that and didn't hit any dirt. Can you tell me what part you're talking about?

Regards,


King of the ferries!
"Ride To Eat" data Czar

Not sure ... as I didn't follow every road you mapped out. But I know in the California City and Ridgecrest areas there are several dirt roads that go cross country, most over to 395. I guess there are now more and more paved ones. Lots of paving in the last ten years. Most are doable on a street bike but some look like the pic I posted.

We do a dirt short cut into Ridgecrest, not too bad, these guys made it OK:





This in March ... and its COLD. (about 50F)