Epic Cross Country – Southern Tier Bike Tour

EPIC Cross Country - Southern Tier Bike Tour

OVERVIEW

We have chosen the Southern Tier of the US from San Diego, CA to St. Augustine, FL as the route for our EPIC Cross Country, Southern Tier Bike Tour for Spring 2023.

Why this route? This is the shortest route from coast to coast at 2885 miles, yet you’ll still have bragging rights of cycling across the country.

The timing will be perfect for those who want to get a big jump on their 2023 miles. As we progress West to East, we should have the best, consistent temperatures ranging from the 60s to perhaps the 80s–perfect cycling conditions.

While we won’t guarantee freshly paved bike trail for the entire route, we will boast that we have sought the most accommodating routes available in the area and you will enjoy scenery to include: seashores, mountains, ranch lands, wildflowers, bayous and citrus groves.

This southern route takes us through wonderfully warm towns in southern California. We climb out of San Diego and head toward the Arizona border, Tucson, Tombstone, and the Chiricahua Mountains before taking on our 3rd state, New Mexico (Land of Enchantment).

Then, we are on to Texas where we will ride 1/3 of our tour crossing TX at its widest part. We enjoy the flat ranches of western TX, the TX Hill Country, just outside of Austin, and on to the rolling hills of east TX.

From there, it’s a few days of riding across Louisiana. Time to enjoy some Cajun cooking. We cross the boot heels of both Mississippi and Alabama, then take a ferry across Mobile Bay to enter FL’s panhandle. North Florida has a varied landscape of strawberry fields, lush Live Oaks, horse farms, small college towns and orange groves, as we move toward the coast. If you are curious, try connecting the dots:

San Diego, CA · Tucson, AZ · Tombstone, AZ · Columbus, NM · El Paso, TX · Del Rio, TX · Austin, TX ·  LaGrange, TX · De Ridder, LA · St. Francisville, LA · Poplarville, MS · Mobile, AL · Dauphin Island, AL · Pensacola, FL · Tallahassee, FL · Gainesville, FL · St. Augustine, FL

We have priced this bicycle tour as a budget tour coming in at $345/day. Cycle of Life Adventures has and always will offer all-inclusive bicycling vacations. We encourage you to compare our cross-country tour to others in the industry. We do not camp, but stay in nice clean hotels and inns. There are no wet, cold tents to set up and break down. There are no cold, clammy showers and outhouses. You are not sharing the cooking and cleaning chores with other cyclists. We eat dinner at nice restaurants in the evenings and sometimes grill out under the stars. We have healthy breakfasts, nutritious fruits, vegetables, snacks and beverages on the van.

Every morning, you simply take your items to the van and we take care of your things from there. Our vans are equipped with Wi-Fi and charging stations. Your family and friends are welcome to visit on our off days or ride along for a day.

We use the Adventure Cycling maps as our basic guide, but do not adhere to them entirely, as we have our own special stops, quaint backroads, amusements and break days planned. The average daily riding mileage is 74. Due to geography and lodging availabilities, there will be several century days scheduled. Along the route, we have 5 layover days scheduled at approximately 7-day intervals.

Final route details and lodging arrangement are being finalized. Please call with your questions. Routes and hotel accommodations will be provided upon registration.

See the blog posts from our 2018 and 2021 rides.

DETAILS

Rider Level

Active to Advanced

Distance

2,885+ miles

Travel

Airline service should be scheduled into San Diego by March 4, 2023 prior to 1 pm. Returning airline service should be scheduled out of Jacksonville, FL, after April 19 at 11 am. Travel insurance is highly recommended due to our refund policies for this tour. Various insurers are available. We suggest Allianz.

Meals
All breakfasts, dinners and picnic lunches on riding days.
Accommodations

All hotels (no camping).

Included
  • Lodging (see above)
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner (see above)
  • Park entry fees
  • Ride with GPS mapping; printed guide sheets, if desired
  • Minimum of 2 guides
  • Mechanic
  • Van support
  • Luggage transports
  • Airport transfers
  • Souvenir jersey
  • Laundry service one day per week
Not Included
  • Airfare
  • Rental bikes
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Bike box shipping fee
  • Lunch and dinner during off days
  • Souvenirs
  • A 12% gratuity is not included but suggested; all gratuities will be divided among all tour support personnel
Special Note

Due to the length and cost of this tour, we ask that each registrant call the office staff personally and discuss the personal goals you desire to achieve from a tour of this magnitude. Prior to Registering, please read the following link to our special tour documents: Cross Country Bike Tour – Waiver and Release/ Safety Procedures

This tour is not sold in segments, but is planned as a complete cross country tour to fulfill your bucket list. Half segments will be offered after August, if space is available at Austin, TX. Half way stop/start date is March 28 for this trip.

Due to extensive long-term planning, special cancellation and refund policies are needed. Because of distance, we suggest that you ride your own bike. Arrangements can be made for pre-shipping, and with provided specifications of your bicycle, we do have parts and supplies with us for emergency repairs, but we are not a retail store. It is highly recommended you bring 2 additional tires, 10-12 tubes, extra spokes, a chain and a well-tuned bicycle.

Spring 2023 Deposit

A non-refundable $500 registration fee is required at sign on.

  • 1/3 is due by September 1, 2022
  • 2nd 1/3 due by November 1, 2022
  • last 1/3 – paid in full by January 1, 2023.
  • Double occupancy registration fees are due at the same time.
  • Fees are paid by check. There will be a 2.25% additional fee for credit card use.
  • Tour is limited to 12 riders and we need a minimum of 6 required prior to December 31, 2022.
Spring 2023 Cancellation Policy
  • $1000 cancellation fee before September 1, 2022
  • $1500 Cancellation fee before November 1, 2022
  • $2500 cancellation fee before December 31, 2022
  • No refunds for any reason after January 1, 2023
  • Please purchase travel insurance for this reason.

DATES

  • March 4 – April 17, 2023
  • March 2 – April 16, 2024
  • 45 total days

PRICING

Per Person
$15,500/person
  • Single Room Supplement - $2600
  • Tour will be limited to 12 guests. Guests traveling solo will be matched with a same gender roommate, if possible. If a roommate is not available, then single room supplement must be charged.
If this "Bucket List" tour is of interest, book this tour now!

Itinerary

Saturday | 03/04/2023 | San Diego, CA

Day 1 | 03/05/23 | Pine Valley, CA | 53 miles
Day 2 | 03/06/23 | El Centro, CA | 81 miles
Day 3 | 03/07/23 | Welton, AZ | 97 miles
Day 4 | 03/08/23 | Gila Bend, AZ | 88 miles
Day 5 | 03/09/23 | Casa Grande, AZ | 67 miles
Day 6 | 03/10/23 | Tucson, AZ | 77 miles
Day 7 | OFF | 03/11/23 | Tucson, AZ | (Saturday) 463 segment miles
Day 8 | 03/12/23 | Benson, AZ | 65 miles
Day 9 | 03/13/23 | Bisbee, AZ | 50 miles
Day 10 | 03/14/23 | Portal, AZ | 84 miles
Day 11 | 03/15/23 | Columbus, NM | 99 miles
Day 12 | 03/16/23 | El Paso, TX | 78 miles
Day 13 | 03/17/23 | Ft. Hancock, TX | 54 miles
Day 14 | 03/18/23 | Van Horn, TX | 73 miles (Saturday)
Day 15 | 03/19/23 | Ft. Davis, TX | 81 miles
Day 16 | OFF | 03/20/23 | Ft. Davis, TX | 584 segment miles
Day 17 | 03/21/23 | Marathon, TX | 54 miles
Day 18 | 03/22/23 | Sanderson, TX | 54 miles
Day 19 | 03/23/23 | Del Rio, TX | 119 miles
Day 20 | 03/24/23 | Camp Wood, TX | 80 miles
Day 21 | 03/25/23 | Ingram, TX | 80 miles (Saturday)
Day 22 | 03/26/23 | Fredericksburg, TX | 37 miles
Day 23 | OFF | 03/27/23 | Fredericksburg, TX | 424 segment miles
Day 24 | 03/28/23 | Austin, TX | 88 miles
Day 25 | 03/29/23 | La Grange, TX | 75 miles
Day 26 | 03/30/23 | Navosta, TX | 67 miles
Day 27 | 03/31/23 | Cleveland, TX | 75 miles
Day 28 | 04/01/23 | Silsbee, TX | 68 miles (Saturday)
Day 29 | 04/02/23 | DeRidder, LA | 76 miles
Day 30 | OFF | 04/03/23 | DeRidder, LA | 449 segment miles
Day 31 | 04/04/23 | Ville Platte, LA | 78 miles
Day 32 | 04/05/23 | St. Francisville, LA | 84 miles
Day 33 | 04/06/23 | Franklinton, LA | 76 miles
Day 34 | 04/07/23 | Wiggins, MS | 81 miles
Day 35 | 04/08/23 | Moss Point, MS | 70 miles (Saturday)
Day 36 | 04/09/23 | Gulf Shores, AL | 68 miles
Day 37 | OFF | 04/10/23 | Gulf Shores, AL | 457 segment miles
Day 38 | 04/11/23 | Ft. Walton Beach, FL | 77 miles
Day 39 | 04/12/23 | Chipley, FL | 86 miles
Day 40 | 04/13/23 | Midway, FL | 78 miles
Day 41 | 04/14/23 | Madison, FL | 76 miles
Day 42 | 04/15/23 | High Springs, FL | 78 miles (Saturday)
Day 43 | 04/16/23 | East Palatka, FL | 70 miles
Day 44 | 04/17/23 | St. Augustine, FL | 43 miles
Day 45 | 04/18/23 | Catch Flights | 508 segment miles | 2885 Total Miles
“Super beautiful, well done! If you are looking for a magical and romantic place then this is a great place to go! I’d recommend this to anyone who loves a good adventure!”
Ali McBeth
Adventurer

More to Explore

Vim quando recteque at, vel amet utinam intellegam ut, quo deleniti democritum ut. Petentium omittantur ad duo, cu phaedrum deserunt.

$2995

/person
25% Off

Hoover Dam

Quisque cursus finibus lectus, at dignissim mi congue ac.

$3995

/person
$10 Discount

Canyon Walk

Duis rhoncus mauris eu nunc dignissim, sed maximus.

$11990

/person
Buy 1 Get 1 Free

Heli Tour

Mauris semper mi est, ut tempus est dapibus nec.
Comments are closed.