Southwest USA HEEEAAAT!
 

It's 113 Faranheit (45 Celcius) today along the Arizona/California/Mexican border here in Yuma, and not going below 110 F until Monday which is predicted at a "cool" 107 F.

Just be aware!!

Thanks for posting that Simon. I think some of our UK members and the EU folks in general forget just HOW hot the desert gets. And now with major global warming screwing up typical patterns, things get hotter, for longer and predictability goes out the window.

I am amazed just how many posts we see where riders want to come visit this area in Summer. Anytime I ride in that sort of heat, its at night, late at night. Heat stroke can be deadly on a bike.

Here in Marin County, just north of San Francisco, its been mid 90's all week. L.A. is even hotter. So after a mostly mild Spring we are thrust into Summer with a vengeance. :Beach: The beach is the place to be.

If riding in this type of serious heat, my advice is to get to high altitude quickly, ride early AM or at night. Mexican highlands are perfect.
Or the Sierra Nevada in California/Nevada. Stay above 2000 meters if possible. Have a plan.

Patrick:mchappy:

When is the best time to ride in California and Mexico?

Depends where you go. Temp changes by 40 to 50f in few 100 miles on the same day are common.

But late spring and early fall is good (most of the time). Winter in the lowland costal areas are fine (most of the time). In high mountins summer is best (most of the time).

Areas in North America are large many people of the EU cant understand the distance or topography. maps can help and look at distance in the US vs. EU.

For much of California, all year is fine. But the Sierra will be closed from about December to April in places. Coastal areas are mostly always mild save the odd heat wave (now). But that does not mean all of Summer is lost. California probably has the best riding weather, over all, in the world.

The Desert is another story. From May to late Sept. it can be dangerously hot. This includes California's Central Valley which runs from Mex border to Oregon and beyond. H O T !! So when its hot, either ride the coast or the mountains. But by Sept. it starts to cool and often you can ride through Winter. It can snow in the Desert too and flash floods happen.

Mexico is another deal, well described by DLbitten above. One thing is, don't forget the rainy season. May to November, roughly. Mostly in the tropical and sub tropical areas. Mostly rains in PM hours or at night. If you must make miles, ride early AM till rains come. If a BIG tropical storm hits, stay put for a few days.

Overall, for much of Mexico, October and November are best. Highlands October, November everyplace else.

Patrick:Beach:

It's high summer here in the UK too. The high wind is blowing the rain horizontal and heavy rain is predicted for the rest of the month. Hypothermia is a real issue.

Just be aware. :(

Come to Maine!
 

:offtopic: Come to Maine, we can't seem to get above 65 degrees, but it has been raining now for over a week! :stormy:

I'll trade you some hypothermia for heat stroke anytime!

newfoundland
 

go to newfoundland left there yesterday in maine now. like to froze the whole time I was there.heading home to florida sure i will warm up by the time i get there.