Plan my Vacation for me!

[DebW]

Oh yes, I most definitely meant the bike trails!

People seriously bring their bikes on the footpaths? Why would anyone do that? I guess I should stop wondering why people do some of the things they do. It boggles the mind.

I haven't heard of anyone intentionally planning a long bike trek on the AT. Sometimes they just wander off the bike trails or dirt roads, though I'm not sure how they miss all the signs that say "Foot Travel Only". But some of our signs say "Motor Vehicles Prohibited" and maybe they then assume that unmotorized vehicles are OK. The bikers I've encountered have been polite and turned around when I asked them to. The nicest was a young man doing some serious MTBing on Mt. Greylock. I met him where his bike/ski trail crossed the AT, and he carried his bike 100 yards down the AT to another trail. I'm convinced that he would have carried the bike even if I had not been there to remind him.

It's really the ATVs we have major problems with, and that cause major damage to the trail.

[mimitabby]

I absolutely love Seattle. I have heard great things about the San Juan Islands. Is it easy to get to the San Juan Islands without a car? ( I know there is a ferry but once on the islands, is everything pretty walkable until we get bikes?)

Oh the Pacific Cost and Northern California. Sounds beautiful and Very interesting. What is the terrain like? Mostly hills or a good mixture of flat and rolling hills? Any suggestions of a good start point?

Thanks everyone. I'm getting excited.

It's easier to get to the Islands without a car. No lines!! or short lines i should say. sometimes cars have to sit while ferries load and get filled, and have to wait for the next one. bikes never have to wait for the next ferry; and the fares are a lot less expensive .
What do you mean UNTIL you get bikes? won't you be ON bikes?

the terrain is very variable; we have flats, hills, mountains.

[Kathi]

BRAT "Bicycle Ride Across Tennessee" we're doing it this year.

http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/BRAT/

The San Juans are nice for cycling too. Nice little rolling hills, more traffic than expected but probably not as much after Labor Day.

[Crankin]

The last 2 weeks in September are the absolute best cycling weather in New England. You have enough time to see a variety of locations and historical stuff. You might not be able to hit all six states without feeling exhausted, but 3-4 would be doable. Start up north and head south. You can get a nice combination of seashore and mountains.

I just came back from 2 weeks in Quebec. It was one of the nicest places I've ever been, very cycling friendly and yes, it feels like Europe.

[crazycanuck]

Hey,

Have you thought about coming down yonder way? There's some awesome mtn biking on the North & South islands in New Zealand.

How long would your vacation be? If it's only 2 weeks, venturing down here to aust/nz would be a bummer as you wouldn't see tons. However, in saying that you'd could base yourself somewhere like Taupo(north island) & do rides in that area. Otherwise, you could do the queen charlotte track on the south island...

If you plan on Australia-why not do Tassie (tasmania) as you can hike & bike in a really really nice place!!!! This is if you don't mind mountains...

Now, if you want to do Canada...Why not look at www.intrepidtravel.com.au-they have some awesome tours...!!!!(small groups-max 10-12 folks)

Why not do Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba-basically acrross the praries, tons of history,scenic & booooooteaful..

Many thoughts

c

[sulis]

Wow. Thank you to everyone for all the fabulous suggestion. I am very excited about all these possabilities and am actively researching them to see what is feasible money and time wise. I'll definitely give a trip report of where I end up. If only I could take off 4 + months from work and go everywhere.

CrazyCanuk - I can't make it to New Zealand this year but it is definitely at the top of list for places to visit - yes I have an actual hand written list of all the places I dream of visiting before my time on this earth is done. Sigh..maybe in the next year or two.

Thanks again every one. You are amazing and always so helpful!

[Trekhawk]

Ooohh what about this - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natchez_Trace_Parkway

I saw this area listed on the Womens Bike Tours site http://www.womantours.com and thought it would be a great place to ride.

Hmm I was so hoping to win that Womens Bike Tour Competition they had here at TE and Natchez Trace was the ride I would have picked out.


Anyone done this ride?????

[sulis]

Good Morning ladies of the forum
I just wanted to revive my old thread and thank you again for your wonderful suggestions.

My travel buddy and I spent last week in the San Juan Islands and it was beautiful. Everyone kept telling us that we must have brought the good weather with us because just before we had arrived it was raining non-stop. Well we had bright sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 70s. After much research and debate we found that it would be cheaper to rent bikes on the island rather than ship them over. So we rented some hybrids from Island Bicycles in Friday Harbor. Once we were on the road, we were glad we did. The hybrids were better suited for the pressed gravel and dirt roads that we were prone to wandering down. We had a tremendous time biking all over the island - and what a way to see it. Of course, I loved the Specialized Crossroads that I rented so much I am desperately trying to fudge the budget to justify purchasing one. How fun would it be to tool around on the parkway with the niece or for a quick run to the grocery store!

Because of work obligations, my biking buddy could not get more time off. But I still have vacation days to burn so I am dragging my mom away for a much needed vacation. We will be driving to Estes Park to explore Rocky Mountain National Park and will hopefully make it to Mount Rushmore, Rapid City and the Black Hills. Sadly, the weather looks like it might be more grim. But we'll go on and just enjoy ourself anyway. My mom does not really ride (I'm working on her) but I am debating on whether or not I'll take my trusty road bike. It would be fun to get a few rides in if weather permits. Either way I will have a detailed report of both the San Juan Islands and my next road trip, with many lovely pictures upon my return.

Happy Riding!