Training Location in the states for a couple of Australians

[simon cross]

Hello to all.
We are seeking a training location (and living for 3 months in one spot)  for cycling in the USA. I know that is a big ask, so I will narrow down the question with a few parameters
Why: To ride and train in a beautiful location  for endurance cycling just as importantly to meet new people and all that goes with travel
Who: Couple of australians - live in rural victoria who are passionate about cycling being outside , touring, riding in wilderness locations
Time of Year: March to mid may 2014
Type of cycling: Quiet roads, single and fire trail in the hills preferable at altitude
Accomodation: Small to meduim size town in Tent or van, though if someone said here is a space for rent that would be fantastic,. Very comfortable in bush settings living in tents independently.
If your able to help out with part of the above that is great. We know little about the states in terms of the above and this is our first visit.
Thanks alot
Simon

[JRA]

Hi Simon,
As you know, the US is rather large and I am certainly no expert on ALL of the potential areas that may be suitable for your parameters.  

First off - March - May is the tail end of winter snows in most mountain locations.  Living in a tent would probably not be feasible in many of these areas until late May or June.  

The beach or the desert would work well for your desired dates.  California offers both beach and desert camping year round.  All along the coast of California are campgrounds, many with hot showers available.  Google California State Parks for an overview.  Also look at the National Park Service website, (NPS.gov).  There are many National Parks that offer camping and great cycling opportunities, (though mostly road riding within the parks).  Look at Joshua Tree National Park for a great desert camping experience and relatively quiet roads.

Many of the campgrounds have time limits on how many nights you can stay, 7-14 day limits are common.  So you may need to move around a bit.  Staying in one place for the entire visit may be a bit difficult unless you find someone with space on their own private property.  

Southern Utah is another place that offers great cycling on and off-road, and excellent camping in Utah State Parks and National Parks.  Check out Snow Canyon State Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Zion National Park, Bryce National Park.

Arizona has many opportunities as well, though I'm not quite as familiar with that state.

Best of luck on your visit to our country.  If you have any other specific questions I will try to answer them to the best of my ability.

Rick

[AZTtripper]

Yep AZ has lots to offer and March and April are very nice here in Southern AZ.

You could pick up several segments of the AZT and down here and just keep working north.

Also the Black Canyon Trail is up to about 70 miles of trail complete and great weather that time of year.

Then as things warm up you can move north to Sedona and then Flagstaff.

Tim

[jhl99]

One of your criteria should include what type of weather you want.  As stated early, March and April can mean melting snows and muddy trails at elevation.  Spring time in some parts may include stretches of cold, damp, rainy weather.

You are probably better off in the Southwest... but a location in the eastern US that might fit the bill would be Asheville, North Carolina.  Elevations only go to slightly above 6,000'.  There are nearby National Forests with free camping.. one stipulation is that you can't camp for more than 2 weeks in the same spot.

Asheville is an eclectic medium sized small town with a big music and art scene and is known for outdoor recreation.

There is strong mountain biking presence in western North Carolina.   The Blue Ridge Parkway is a car only road (not trucks) that cuts through the area and offers great scenary for a bike tourists.

As far as  'staying in one spot' while camping almost implies that you would have to stay at a privately run campground.   KOA  (Campgrounds of America) is one chain that may offer longer term accomodations, although the arrangements are definitely not like the outback.  Generally, formal campgrounds, run by a goverment agency, either the Federal Goverment or a State Government generally limit stays to 2 weeks.  If you can be a little more flexible and slightly nomadic, you can probably camp for free for the duration of your stay--by staying in 'dispersed camping areas'.

[wahday]

Hey Simon,

I may have an option for you, though I agree with others that the time of year may be problematic as it relates to snow and general trail conditions. The short of it is we have some land with structures (heated and insulated with solar power) in the Zuni mountains of western New Mexico. Altitude is between about 7000 and 9000 ft (with options to drop down lower in the immediate area). Some singletrack but mostly old logging roads and forest roads. Pretty challenging riding and would be a great training area. There are a number of potential multi-day rides I have plotted but not ridden from the property (including one to a great site with developed singletrack and site of the 24 hours in the enchanted forest event).

I have done some bikepacking in the area. Some images here: http://highaltitudehomestead.blogspot.com/ and another trip nearby in the Chain of Craters Back Country Byway here: http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,4721.msg39932.html#msg39932

24 hours event: http://www.ziarides.com/events/24-hours-in-the-enchanted-forest/

PM me for details if interested.

[jbphilly]

You are probably better off in the Southwest... but a location in the eastern US that might fit the bill would be Asheville, North Carolina.  Elevations only go to slightly above 6,000'.  There are nearby National Forests with free camping.. one stipulation is that you can't camp for more than 2 weeks in the same spot.

Agreed that you're probably better off somewhere in the West, but as an East Coast boy I have to put in a vote for some of our mountain ranges. A ways north of Asheville you'll find George Washington National Forest in the Appalachian Mountains, where again, you can do dispersed camping anywhere as long as you're not in the same spot more than 2 weeks. There's a ton of trails and very legit mountain climbs; you're also near a few small cities (Harrisonburg, VA is great - I went to college there) and a beautiful national park (Shenandoah) as well as the other end of the Blue Ridge Parkway that he mentioned. You're right next to the Shenandoah Valley, which is full of beautiful, pastoral scenery and tons of quiet backroads - fantastic for road cycling, as long as you're ready for lots of hills.

There will also be more groundwater available for purifying than there would be in, say, Arizona. Elevations will be only in the 3000-4000 foot range, though in March and April you'll get some pretty chilly nights (but that's true in all the places suggested so far at high elevations, I think). Daytime weather in April and especially May should be perfect.

[sslos]

Hey Simon,

I may have an option for you, though I agree with others that the time of year may be problematic as it relates to snow and general trail conditions. The short of it is we have some land with structures (heated and insulated with solar power) in the Zuni mountains of western New Mexico. Altitude is between about 7000 and 9000 ft (with options to drop down lower in the immediate area). Some singletrack but mostly old logging roads and forest roads. Pretty challenging riding and would be a great training area. There are a number of potential multi-day rides I have plotted but not ridden from the property (including one to a great site with developed singletrack and site of the 24 hours in the enchanted forest event).

I have done some bikepacking in the area. Some images here: http://highaltitudehomestead.blogspot.com/ and another trip nearby in the Chain of Craters Back Country Byway here: http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,4721.msg39932.html#msg39932

24 hours event: http://www.ziarides.com/events/24-hours-in-the-enchanted-forest/

PM me for details if interested.

I'd go this direction. I love the riding around Gallup, and weather should be solid during your stay.
Here in Idaho, we have a ton of open space and amazing riding opportunities, but the weather might be iffy when you'll be stateside.

Los

[jhl99]

You might try contract this guy:

http://runutsadventures.com/bike/

This guy, Craig Bierly, has been living out a van, mountain biking around the US for a couple of years.... he seems to move as the seasons change.... he will definitely have first hand knowledge regarding climate, trails and camping/van living options.

[simon cross]

Hello
Firstly, thanks so much for your responses.
It has set us up to do further research.... Apologies for the delay in responding, I have been away - work in Outdoor education so often long stints in the bush ....
Cheers
Simon