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#16
07-16-2019, 03:11 PM
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I've lived in New England, Oregon, and California (Bay Area). Here's what I like and don't like about each:
New England: what I love about New England is that there are so many small roads. In many areas, there are virtually limitless ways to get from A to B, with many of the roads having almost no traffic. The biggest downside to me is the weather, with outdoor riding so difficult in the winter. California (Bay Area): the natural terrain here is incredible, as long as you like long climbs--I am particularly fond of the Santa Cruz mountains, climbing through the redwoods. The downside is that car traffic is so bad in many places, and there are relatively few roads connecting many places, forcing cyclists to either share the road with a ****load of cars, or just avoid otherwise excellent rides entirely. Oregon: Probably a compromise between California and New England. Not as many good road options as New England, but probably more than California. Outdoor riding is viable 12 months a year, but sucks for 8 of those months. Pretty good terrain overall. If New England terrain had California weather, that would be my top choice, but for now I'm not ready to move back east. 
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#18
07-16-2019, 03:28 PM
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Quote:
Takes me about 1:15 hr:min to get to this spot on my bike from my front door.  Takes me about 35 minutes in a car to get to one of the great economic centers in the world while crossing one of the most beautiful bridges in the world. Takes me about 40 minutes to get me to a beach where I see seals and I can drink beer doing it. I like the west coast. Instagram doesn’t make me jealous. I’m have found my paradise,
__________________
***IG: mttamgrams*** Last edited by joosttx; 07-17-2019 at 12:18 AM.
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#19
07-17-2019, 12:28 AM
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I've lived in LA for 40.5 years after coming from STL at age 25. So I know about cold and humidity. The only time I don't run outdoors is when the air is bad from fires ( more frequent then in the past unfortunately), or it's a downpour all day (rare).
If I lived back East , I wouldn't be tough enough to brave the winter elements like some friends do, running outside. Pretty certain I'd go with a treadmill. I identify more with the East Coast vibe in Jazz. Mainly the time feel and energy. Many extraordinarily great musicians in LA but NYC and surrounding areas are just different.
__________________
https://soundcloud.com/dave-ferris
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#20
07-17-2019, 02:14 AM
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Quote:
Thanks
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#21
07-17-2019, 05:38 AM
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Lets not forget about fall, nothing compares to the north east. Both coasts are awesome and have their pros and cons. Sorry middle of the country
 But seriously, the only downfall of the north east is winter. Then again, some people love it but just not for me. I do love seeing the snow for a day or 2 then I am over it and the cold. I have lived out west, seattle, for 5 years. PNW is nice but the winter is also brutal for different reasons. I think cali ppl have it good when it comes to that and more than the places and vistas, its what I envy most. As a non US citizen, its pretty beautiful over here no matter where you are
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#22
07-17-2019, 07:45 AM
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Lived in the NE for most my life, NYC for a big chunk of that, but easy access to Nw CT for riding where my parents lived.
Now in Arizona for about two years, it is highly unlikely I will ever be back east for living. The road riding is ok...but the gravel and dirt are infinitely better, IMO, with a zillion miles of gravel to ride. Stunning views, near perfect weather (heat doesn’t bother me), easy access to the beach out west, Vegas nw, and huge mountains in every direction...only ways I go east are no choice or a LOT of money for a few years to fill the coffers to enable returning west for retirement. And now after moving to old town Scottsdale my commute went from good to near perfect with 9 of the 11 miles on a greenway and zero traffic exposure the entire way. Last edited by Likes2ridefar; 07-17-2019 at 07:47 AM.
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#23
07-17-2019, 08:15 AM
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I live in north San Diego County and I'm always envious of other people's ride pictures. People manage to find great rides pretty much everywhere.
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#24
07-17-2019, 08:45 AM
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A few weeks ago I drove through national forest in VT and stopped at an overlook view. The “green mountains” were breathtaking and all worth the 7-8 hr drive.
I’ve been on the west coast and ridden some in San Diego which was very nice. The climate/roads is envious and a great change in scenery too. But I do like copious trees on mountains rather than barren hills. I won’t mentioned Houston but will say Austin is definitely a great place to ride.
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#25
07-17-2019, 08:46 AM
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Having grown up in Pennsylvania, college in Virginia, ski bum then law student in Colorado and now 30 years in the Pacific NW I agree with most of the folks who have already pointed out the pros and cons of east coast - west coast road riding. I have it pretty good on Bainbridge Island - fairly decent roads, relatively fewer asshat drivers - but the rain is tiresome (says the guy watching Le Tour and typing this while looking out the window at another rainy day in July; maybe summer will be here in August).
But from a road riding perspective I think Velotel has us all beat. The longer history and patterns of development that has resulted in the networks of thousands of small roads with little traffic, drivers that are generally either more tolerant, more skilled or both than U.S. drivers, cultures that respect and recognize cycling, your average village bar vs 7-Eleven; if I could figure out how to afford it and to stay in good enough shape I'd rarely ride on the road here and just go to Europe for a couple months each year. The places I've ridden in France and Italy are just that much better.
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#26
07-17-2019, 09:32 PM
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Hey, the middle isn't so bad! Well kind of middle anyway, here in Michigan. Some very nice riding, especially in northern Michigan. Plenty of hills, country roads and some great lake views. There's plenty of good mountain bike trails, like the VASA trail used in the Iceman. Lots of good tours and races. The gravel segment is also very popular here. And if you don't mind the cold and snow, there's some great fat biking. Just wish winter wasn't so long.
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#27
07-17-2019, 09:48 PM
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At $120 or so a square foot, trails/roads/skiing minutes from the front door, 90 mins to Dc/Baltimore, 2 hours to Philadelphia, touch more to NYC, neighborhood elementary, minimal traffic, brew pubs/food galore. I'll take a bit of humidity and seasonal weather.
When Mothra and Godzilla finally face off, the Bay Area is going to be a wreck. NYC or DC? Stay there and leave us alone
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#28
07-17-2019, 10:41 PM
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Quote:
__________________
***IG: mttamgrams***
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#30
07-18-2019, 07:16 PM
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A couple of weeks ago I did a 6 day tour with friends from Seattle to Portland through the Cascades. We rode most of the way along the Snoqualmie, Yakima and Columbia Rivers. I live next to the Blue Ridge mountains and absolutely love the riding and scenery here, but was blown away by the riding and scenery on this trip! Of course, early November I’ll be riding in knee and arm warmers while riding in the Cascades will be a challenge, but maybe that’s what cross country skis are for. However PNW seems a lot more appealing, especially with summers here now starting in late April. Yesterday I rode the Blue Ridge Parkway to beat the heat and it was still 90 degrees at 3000 feet. if I could snap my fingers and live anywhere it would probably be out West, although Italy or France (bike lanes in the Alps!) is on the list as well.
 
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