Vancouver, BC, Canada to mexico...?
 

I will be leaving in the middle of October and i don't know what to do. Should i travel down the coast 101 or Go down through middle america to the Mississippi. on one hand I worry about the rain on the coast and the traffic, etc...on the other hand i worry about cold elevation and frost in colorodo new mexico, Utah etc..... However, i feel the interior will be less wet and i would very much like to see middle america - i've lived on the coast all my life.

Has anyone made either of these trips and can give me any advice. It will be october!!!!

Hey WW,

October isn't too late, but the weather can be variable at that time as you know from experiencing all those Vancouver autumns.

In general, as long as it's dry-ish, the Oregon coast and the California coast is pretty spectacular so that would be my first choice. Wet weather and fog can change the pleasantness of that ride though.

Next choice would be to stick near the Rockies, again as long as the weather isn't getting too cold and the addition of electric gear can make a big difference. If you have time, you can wait out the worst bits of weather.

Middle America has it's own beauty, less dramatic, but still nice enough. Some consider it a tad boring like the Canadian prairies but others really enjoy it. Sounds like you want to see it though so if it's at the top of your personal list, you won't go wrong by heading that route. Ride safe and have a great trip.

I've just come down the Oregon/Californain coast. It is unbelievably fantasic. (Take a look at my blog). And it didn't rain on me at all. If you go inland you will find it colder in places a guess - especially Colorado.

If you like twisty roads and coastal views go 101.

MM,
I'll be putting a 12volt outlet on my Mule for the electrical devices:vests, gloves, phone, (maybe GPS). I've decided to go the coast. Thanx for the nudge. my first post.....great community!!! thanx MM

Hey LG,
Nice blog and nice trip. Your "Twisties" comment on the coastal ride cemented it for me. I drive a slow bike (klr650), why would i want to be freezing on a strait road without a view. Good luck with your ride.

Thanx guys

Excellent choice!!

I've ridden the coast twice, drove it in a car twice and bicycled it twice. October can still be reasonably nice but do check the weather forecasts regularly.


...Michelle
www.scrabblebiker.com

Coast is a good choice for getting south, where I assume the intent is to go farther into Mexico.
My opinion, but mid October and later is too deep into autumn to be wandering all the way east just to get to Mexico- think of snow on the passes, cold in the northern plains.
If it does turn wet and foggy on US 101 and the coast then you can dodge inland a bit to get into the dryer rainshadow areas like the valley at Yakima, downn thru the Wilamette valley or even a bit farther inland on the edge of the scablands and US 97 and 197 etc. also very scenic.
Save the interior of the continenet for a nice warm summer ride.

Hey Sjoerd,

Right on!!! thanx for the info. You're a scholar and a gentlemen. I can't believe that i was considering riding inland. what a great Site.

Regards,
Wrong Way, aka Troy

The 101 route is nice, but the interior also has its attractions.

The 101 is beautiful, especially the bit between portland and redwoods nat park, around Leggett is great too, huge rock formations coming out of the fog, sweeping turns along the coast, you'll be late enough in the season to miss the worst of the traffic. It can be wet, but thats hit and miss, unlike the spring which tends to just be wet... If you were planning on camping for free, a bit of effort is required

You can also go a bit inland and run the I5, which is what we use for our border to border runs, just superslab the whole way. Lame. But it does get you where you need to go quickly.

Further inland you have options like hwy 97. This is a continuation of the okanagan valley down into the US (areas like Yakima) and then you can follow it down to Crater Lake and the lava beds nat monument. The mountain passes 'can' have foul weather, but, for the most part, you are to the east of a major mountain chain, the sky has dropped most of its moisture getting over the mountains, so the 97 valley is quite dry (a rainy day there is 1-3mm, whereas Vancouver would consider that a sunny day...). The road is really quite fun, much more open and exposed, camping is a breeze due to the lack of population. If you go this way, it'll pop you out at a town called Weed on the I5. Zip down the slab to Red Bluff, then rip off to the west on 36 (fun route) to the coast, onto 101 for the trip through cali (at leggett you want to catch the "1"). you'll miss most of the traffic and see a bit of everything, although it can be a bit longer (3 days unless you really haul ass).

Lots of options further east, but when you start dealing with higher elevations, this time of year its unlikely but possible to get ice/snow.

The mid-west is good riding, but really shouldn't be done later than september, its quite beautiful when all the crops are ripe...

Regardless, remember, it gets pretty damn cold at nights in the desert, you'll want a liner and/or sheet for you sleeping bag (much better than buying a "too-warm-bag", and those damn bikers shouldn't be out driving at this time of year, so load up on that high-vis (gear and decals).

Thanx 463
 

Nice idea. Turns out i'm leaving even later. Was suppose to be out of hear before the leaves on the sumac tree in my front yard turn all red. I'm looking at the Maple tree beside it now. Hoping to head out before the end of the month. Geezzz....The No. 5 might be the way to go for catching up to the sun....we'll see.

Thanx for the info
ww

Hey Wrong way, (or any other riders), I will be leaving Red Bluff on the 28th or 29th, I am going down I-5 all the way to TJ then Baja over to Mazatlan and the coast rout to Guatemala, taking the CA 1 all the way to Panama. Planing on pretty much just driving straight through but can do some diversions as long as not more than a few days at a time. The idea is to REALLY start my trip in South America. I have done the C.A. thing 3 times before but then like I said I can do a few side trips again.

Setting my travel insurance to start Nov 3 which is the time I plan on crossing in Mexico.

Looking to team up with a few others for part or all the way to S.A.

Glenn

Glenn,

I'll keep this in mind and as i get closer to your leaving date i'll let you know if i'm in your area. Enjoy your trip

Regards Troy