Northern Tier - TransAm

[Simon_m]

Hi there, just wondering if anyone has done the Northern Tier route. I have done the central TransAm through Kansas etc, just wondering what the Northern version is like. Wet, cold and windy? Thanks

 

[HobbesOnTour]

there, just wondering if anyone has done the Northern Tier route. I have done the central TransAm through Kansas etc, just wondering what the Northern version is like. Wet, cold and windy? Thanks

I haven't done it.

If you don't know.....
These are the ACA forums that will have a lot of discussion
https://forums.adventurecycling.org/index.php

And this is CrazyGuyOnABike where there's even more info
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/all/?o=3dU&doctype=journal

I'm intrigued that a trans continental bike ride can be described in three weather related words

 

[postman]

I do believe our wonderful Vernon did attempt this,and for some reason stopped,there was a blog somewhere he met some nice people if I remember.

 

[steve j]

Hi there, just wondering if anyone has done the Northern Tier route. I have done the central TransAm through Kansas etc, just wondering what the Northern version is like. Wet, cold and windy? Thanks

Yes did it in 2021 weather was great it was cold was windy but other than that didn’t get rained on but a couple times too much snow and glacier June 17

 

[HobbesOnTour]

@Simon_m
I don't want to pull your thread off topic but I'm curious as why you want to do this route?
Is it the places along the way that you want to visit or is it because it's a bike route of X distance for Y time or some other reason?

Thanking you

 

[Jameshow]

I drove to grand rapids - michigan before covid!
Wonderful route esp off the motorways.

Weather is usually warm, I didn't notice the prevailing winds, rain was sporadic but often heavy due to proximity to the Great lakes.

 

[Simon_m]

Yes did it in 2021 weather was great it was cold was windy but other than that didn’t get rained on but a couple times too much snow and glacier June 17

wow ok great thanks. I spoke to ACA and they said it can be freezing at high altitudes in the mornings. Thinking of doing it in a couple of years, will prob be doing the france C2C next year, postponed for past few years.

 

[Simon_m]

@Simon_m
I don't want to pull your thread off topic but I'm curious as why you want to do this route?
Is it the places along the way that you want to visit or is it because it's a bike route of X distance for Y time or some other reason?

Thanking you

I've done the TransAm through the middle of America and wanted to do it again, but they have changed the route and part of it is gravel. Would be interesting to see the North of north america.

 

[Simon_m]

I drove to grand rapids - michigan before covid!
Wonderful route esp off the motorways.

Weather is usually warm, I didn't notice the prevailing winds, rain was sporadic but often heavy due to proximity to the Great lakes.

ok cool, looks like an interesting route on ACA site.
https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/northern-tier/

 

[HobbesOnTour]

I've done the TransAm through the middle of America and wanted to do it again, but they have changed the route and part of it is gravel. Would be interesting to see the North of north america.

Thanks!

That's really interesting.

I'm sorry but I have another question or two....

Am I understanding correctly that you'd like to do the same route again..... But they've changed it and you don't want to do gravel?.

Why not do the old route? It can't be hard to put together the "old route"?

It's an interesting concept. I've done some reruns but generally in the opposite direction - they can be fantastic if the landscape is particularly interesting - but not more than a few days. But three months is a long time to retrace steps. Of course, that route would probably be done at a different time too, depending on the direction.

There's a guy on the ACA fora (currently on tour) who specialises in creating routes. He may be able to help you out. PM me for his name. I'd be confident that a lot of people are doing the "old route" - there aren't that many gravel riders hanging out on the ACA fora.

Sorry to bug you but I'm currently spending a lot of time trying to figure out why people choose the routes they do.

Thanks.

 

[Simon_m]

I would do the TransAm again yeah, prob mainly for the Strava points lol, I cant do gravel on my bike. I did the american one with a company and they are not doing the one i did before. It was such an amazing trip with constantly changing scenery. I would hope I would have more time to see the things i missed last time.

Thanks by not really interested as can easily make my own routes such as the French route I have made which have been great.

 

[HobbesOnTour]

I would do the TransAm again yeah, prob mainly for the Strava points lol, I cant do gravel on my bike. I did the american one with a company and they are not doing the one i did before. It was such an amazing trip with constantly changing scenery. I would hope I would have more time to see the things i missed last time.

Thanks by not really interested as can easily make my own routes such as the French route I have made which have been great.

Thanks for the reply. I understand the situation now.

 

[steve j]

Yes did it in 2021 weather was great it was cold was windy but other than that didn’t get rained on but a couple times too much snow and glacier June 17

Hi there, just wondering if anyone has done the Northern Tier route. I have done the central TransAm through Kansas etc, just wondering what the Northern version is like. Wet, cold and windy? Thanks

Wondering if you have your mapping route for the Northern tear for 2023 yet

 

[Simon_m]

Not doing it next year, doing our France trip. I will go with an organised group like ACA - like i did on the TransAm

 

[cwskas]

Hi there, just wondering if anyone has done the Northern Tier route. I have done the central TransAm through Kansas etc, just wondering what the Northern version is like. Wet, cold and windy? Thanks

I enjoyed following Marianne Phillips ride across the Northern US W-E in 2021. I am not sure if her route was strictly Northern Tier or just what she planned, but she posted some good photos and commentary on Strava starting with this post.