Hey everyone! My boyfriend and I are planning to cycle from
Vancouver to Mexico next year and then work in Canada for a
while. I was just wandering if anyone out there who has done
this trip can give us a few tips. We want to take 2 months
to cycle and need to know the best months to go and whether
we should buy bicycles over there or take our own from
Australia. Any ideas would be appreciated!
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The earliest, you would want to leave Vancouver would be
March, or you run the risk of hitting snow. May would be
better, but then its going to get awful hot by the time you
get into Mexico. You would be better off doing the trip in
reverse, Mexico to Vancouver, because then you could start
in Mexico in April or May and end up in Vancouver in June or
July, hitting good weather all the way. Its best to stick to
the coast. Camping facilities along the California and
especially ther oregon Coast are quite extensive. After July
1st you will be competing with families camping and sites
will be harder to find. I would probably buy bikes over here
and then re-sell them. They are probably cheaper than what
you would get in Oz.
Paul
http://www.vancouver.hm
Either spring or fall would be a good time to do this both because of weather and somewhat lighter traffic.I've done this both in May and Sept. which are great out here. But,you would be foolish to ride this south to north as you would be fighting against headwinds the entire trip. There are loads of books out there on doing this route. Do some checking. I always prefer riding my own bike so just check with the airlines to see what your extra baggage fee will be to see if this makes sense for you.
Gee, that sounds like a great trip. If you want to get a
couple of tandem bikes I would love to come along - although
I refuse to pedal. I have done a little bit of tour cycling,
once for an entire morning. I suggest that the trip from
North to South is direction to go, not only is it all
downhill but you also get to ride with the wind at your
back. Give me a call if you need company - we can all wear
crazy hats - Gazza.
I agree with the first post. April May would be the best
time to bike the W. Coast. Starting in Mexico and finishing
in Canada will def. give you the most comforatble biking
weather. You'll get to see a fantastic variety of scenery
have fun! PS If you plan on going along the highways& roads
it might be an idea to consider getting bike trailers -
they'll keep your baggage width controlled.
If your own bikes are right for the trip consider bringing
them. Buying & reselling can be a hassle, and you'd be on a
strange bike, Check out the retail and resale prices of
bikes you are interested in possibly buying here, it might
be better to bring your own in terms of $$
Almost evey bicylist goes north to south, and that's been my
experience too. The north wind is worth taking deeply
seriously. Not only that, but going north to south you are
on the side of the road closest to the ocean, instead of
viewing it from across 2 or 4 lanes of traffic! Plus the
shoulder is wider on that side too.
As for when: I did this trip in a month, in September.
Great weather! I don't think I had more than a day or two of
rain. Vacation traffic drops dramatically after school
starts, the first of September. Two months should do you
just fine for a magnificent and leisurely tour taking in
everything. After that, fly back to Vancouver (or take
Amtrak, which will take longer but what a great ride).
I say, bring your beloved bike, rather than getting a new
one here and reselling it, because the emotional attachment
counts for something.
Oddball fact: Hitchcock's "The Birds" was filmed in Bodega
Bay, California! Ah, the thrill!!
Finally, the book "Bicyling the Pacific Coast" by Kirkendall
& Spring is mandatory, especially since the new edition has
preumably corrected the multiple typographical errors of the
past.
You're taking one of the great bike trips in the USA and the
world. Marvelous! Good luck!