Warm weather cycling vacation in winter?

[tulip]

I like Tuscon for riding, but I was there in late winter a few years ago and it was not very warm. But it was beautiful and the riding was great.

Austin has great riding, both in town, in the Hill Country, and in the farmland to the east. It's not going to be 80F, but it won't be freezing rain, either.

Too bad Florida is such a bad riding state. It is warm in the winter.

[Chicken Little]

Forget the $$$, blow your IRA and go to Bali. I changed my mind. Life is short.

[crazycanuck]

Forget Bali..It's just an overpriced tourist trap that Australians seem to love and model thier gardens around...

If you're going to spend the $$ to come down this way, why not venture to Western Australia? If you're a mountain biker, we have some awesome trails with the added extra..pea gravel. If not, there are still places to base yourself and enjoy the views.

You could always drive from Perth to Sydney with cool bike stops along the way.

[fallstoclimb]

Haha, I think Bali and Australia might be a bit far for us right now, but I'm definitely adding Tucson to the list of cities to check out. I'm surprised it isn't warmed in Tucson and Austin, I just always assume those southern cities are warm! Are there any places closer to the east coast (and south) that have nice riding also? I don't need crazy hills, just nice scenery, and maybe inn to inn (or hotel to hotel) rides!

[tulip]

As you probably know, winter in the southeast US is iffy. You could have glorious 70-degree days here and there, but mostly you're going to get 40s and rainy. Even in South Carolina and Georgia, the winters are not warm and balmy. I've spent winter holidays in southern Louisiana, and it's warmer, but still rainy.

South Florida has the best winter weather, but too bad it's the worst cycling state in the entire country. They should really do something about that! Just think of all the cyclists from the east coast who would descend on Florida in the winter (and spend money). Something to consider, Florida!

[sfa]

What about the Gulf Coast? It's not as warm as south Florida, but there's beautiful scenery, nice history, and some good inns (this is all hearsay--I've never actually been there but my parents like the area for the history and food). I've read a couple of Crazy Guy journals from people who have toured down there in the winter--services are quite scarce, so day trips are probably best (people had difficulties finding food on self supported tours) but the roads seem nice and pretty safe. Average temperatures along the Gulf Coast in the winter are pretty much what we're getting here now--40's at night and mid-60's during the day. I consider that perfect cycling weather!

Sarah

[fallstoclimb]

The gulf coast could definitely work too....which area specifically did your parents like, do you know? What are these crazy guy journals?