Victoria, BC to Mexico in March?

[Scrabblebiker]

Does anyone know if it's feasible to ride from Victoria, BC to the Mexican border in March? Are there any high mountain passes which might have snow and ice along the I-5? I suppose I could hug the coast and stay in warmer and damper weather until I get to San Francisco but it's much longer. Any advice for a more direct route at that time of year? I'd be in Mexico mid March to late April and start heading home in time for nicer weather.

Any advice and ultra inexpensive accommodation options along the US route would be greatly appreciated.

Michelle
Victoria, BC, Canada
2007 F650GS

[markharf]

Time the weather correctly and you'll be fine. Miss a Weatherchannel update one night and who knows? It's a transitional season, and as you know from living in VIctoria, anything can happen.

The main I-5 pass is in the Siskyous in southern Oregon/Northern California. You can keep an eye on it by webcam, although I'm far from home and don't have the link. There are other minor passes scattered in Oregon which can snow or (more likely) ice up, so be careful. This can mean quitting early in the day or starting late in the morning, even when you've got mileage to cover.

Another spot to watch for is the very mild, moderate Chuckanut Pass south of Bellingham; it gets surprisingly bad, surprisingly fast.

This aside, I-5 is easy, mainly extremely boring, predictable and safe. The coastal route is far more fun, particularly from the southern half of Oregon through as far as L.A. Chose any portion and go for it when I-5 threatens to put you to sleep.

Hope that helps.

Mark

Edit to add: "ultra inexpensive" usually means camping, of which there is plenty either free or cheap. There are also HI hostels, some of them surprisingly comfortable, all along the coast and in a few other spots.

[walkstx]

"Ultra inexpensive." Try the HU Community. Some folks will let you stay with them for free. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/community/

[billy_b57]

Michelle , if you rode I-5 down to Grants pass Oregon and then went West on 199 to Crescent City and go S. on 101 it is worth the time . It might add 1 day to your trip in the long run depending on how and what you ride.
I ride to Az. every spring ( March) and use this route until Sf or perhaps Sacramento , Ca.
I live near Portland,Or. , when are you heading out ?

Drop me an e mail and we'll go from there on accomadations.

Enjoy.

[normw]

Two friends and I rode from Vancouver to Baja during March a couple of years ago. We actually delayed the trip by a week while we waited for the weather to improve but but then headed off anyway for what was a rather cold and wet trip. It snowed (lightly) as we passed through Grant's Pass and really didn't warm up until we reached L.A.

My main advice....heated grips and electric vests were absolutely essential. It would have been utterly miserable without them. Heading for Mexico there is a tendency to think warm which can lead a person to well...forget how cold it might be on the way. A great sigh of relief was heard when we crossed into Mexico. Of course, you could luck out on the way down but if you plan to hit the high passes be prepared.

In Baja, as always, I recommend Las Casitas in Mulege as a most pleasant, motorcyle friendly overnight stop. Good food, not expensive, good chance of chatty, like minded two wheeled travellers.

normw

[Scrabblebiker]

Thanks for all the great replies so far. They pretty much confirm what I suspected. It may or may not be fine. I do have heated grips and electric vest but I simply will not ride on roads covered in snow or ice. I crashed last July and have since been a bit more timid than usual. I'd like to live to ride another day :-)

[markharf]

Living to ride another day is always preferable (in my humble opinion). What might be missing from the accumulated discussion is the fact that for the most part the roads will be fine, the weather tolerable with good clothing and rain gear. You can't give up just because it might not work out or you won't get out of your own driveway until early July. At least, that's the way it works in Bellingham, your neighbor across the border.

[Scrabblebiker]

Oops. I guess I worded that a bit wrong. Snow and ice will not make me cancel the ride. It will just make me take a different route

[markharf]

Not to quibble....but I-5 is the least snowy, least icy route aside from the coast roads 1 and 101. Inland routes involve higher and more frequent passes. Sometimes it's possible to skirt a storm system by heading a ways inland, but usually what happens to me when I try this is I avoid the nice, warm rain and fog in favor of cold sleet, snow and black ice. This is fine, if it's what you want; not so fun on a bike.

Now you know everything I know. Have fun!

Mark

((from chilly El Calafate, 50 degrees south latitude, within striking distance of a glaciated coastal range remarkably similar to the ones in BC and Alaska)