Route 3

[jurassic]

today we had three people from socal sign on for the run ,and a few calls from virginia .of course they are all in favor of route 3, la to va,and i expect we'll hear from them soon .some good pionts were made,maybe this is the better route,i'm leaning.

[cory]

I finally checked out the routes. Any of them would be great to do. Is it going to be decided by the majority in the end?

[B Wilmarth]

I like route 3,but not because I live in Va.It is very possible(likely) that there will be very cold temps./snow in the Cascades in Sept.
I also think it will be very difficult to go from Ill. to Me. without passing through some major metro areas with crazy drivers,rush hours,people on cell phones etc.Route 3 is in fairly rural, sparcely populated areas of the country,and I think it is best for the safety of the riders.This ride will be difficult enough in the best of conditions.

[Sean "Muncie" Brayton]

    I Like LA to VA. We can use some of old Rt66 We can stay over at the wigwam motel one night

[silentgreyfello]

(09-16-2009 01:22 PM)Sean "Muncie" Brayton Wrote:  I Like LA to VA. We can use some of old Rt66 We can stay over at the wigwam motel one night

Is Pocahontas there? Oh yea, I still need permission from my wife. I don't think we would run into snow in the Cascades (less than a year from now), as it has been eighties all this week. The rain down lower (and snow up higher) doesn't start with any consistancy until October. In route 4, the Cascades wouldn't be a problem going through the Columbia Gorge. However, any way you slice it after that, there are some serious mountains when you get to the Rockies. The northern route through the panhandle of Idaho and then Montana would be next to impossible for the belt drives and single speeds, not to mention dangerous going down the other side. If you were to angle southeast out of Oregon, then Idaho, Utah then east through Wyoming, it would be easier going than up north, but still a few mountain passes that are tough. I think Brad brought up maybe the most valid point of all, though. I am worried about all the traffic from Chicago and east. I think Route 3 is a better overall option than 4, especially if we want everyone to finish. It looks to be a bit shorter as well, not to mention probably better overall weather for this time of year.

[cory]

You can get around some of the steep mountain passes in Idaho and Montana if you meander around a bit. If the route went through Yellowstone at all yer gonna get some steep hills... no doubt about it. I do agree with Jim in that snow problems in September aren't likely. I live in the Rockies and it's still plenty warm up here! I like the routes that are posted and most could be done with a little tweaking. Route #2 that starts in Vancouver would be beautiful but there's at least 3 good passes to hop over before you hit the U.S. border at Idaho or Montana. The southern routes are great but wasn't Milwaukee going to be one of the destinations? Just thinking out loud here. It would be nice if a few more people that are entering can log on to this site and toss around some ideas....