Join us in Fall of 2025 for the adventure of a lifetime. This is an amazing tour that we have refined over the past 20 years to offer a good assortment of deserts, mountains, and cycling through rural America. The route is a fantastic way to ride coast to coast with full support, and whether it is your first crossing or your 10th, going with PAC Tour is the best way to do it. We have the experience of Champion Race Across America Cyclists Lon Haldeman & Susan Notorangelo to give you guidance and support as you conquer this challenge. Ride side by side (figuratively) with an amazing group of riders and find out why we have a 80% return rate. These cross country bike tours, without fail, forge friendships that last a lifetime.

Climbing the mountains leaving San Diego is the first challenge. The first 80 miles are almost all uphill gaining over 4,500 feet to the quaint town of Julian. The next day offers great descents back down to sea level in El Centro. We are now in the center of the desert and temperatures will get warmer throughout the day…usually over 100 degrees.  Fortunately, this is a shorter day and we should be at the hotel in time to go swimming in the heat of the afternoon. The next day the sand dunes near Glamis, California are a popular destination for off-road vehicles. PAC Tour offers plenty of ice and cold drinks at every rest stop during the hottest days. Our experienced cooks provide full lunches for a variety of dietary needs. 

On the fifth day, we start climbing into the mountains of Arizona.  The twisting climbs to Prescott and Cottonwood are challenging but the scenery is some of the best on the tour. The mining town of Jerome clings to the side of the mountain and has 150 years of copper mining history. These days across Arizona rank as some of the most strenuous of the tour but they are always popular with the riders. Our route passes through Winslow and Holbrook and the Petrified Forest in the heart of Navajo Indian territory.  The changing scenery and cultures offer new experiences on this Southern Tour every day.

By the eighth day, we are crossing into New Mexico.  We climb over the Continental Divide at almost 8,000 feet. Although this is the longest day of the tour at 156 miles the tailwinds are usually favorable and most riders finish the day in under 10 hours. The next day we roll into the mountain town of Ruidoso New Mexico and then on to Roswell.  Roswell is famous for the Alien spacecraft that crashed nearby in 1947. We will have time to visit the Alien Museum and and you can believe as much as you want.

During the next two days, we bend northeast through Clovis, New Mexico.  Clovis is the location of some of the oldest Stone Age tools left by ancient civilizations. This prompted the theory that the first settlers came from Alaska over 10,000 years ago. The next day we head into Texas and pass by thousands of cattle in roadside feedlots.  Hopefully, the wind will be in the correct direction. We spend the night in Amarillo, Texas at the Big Texan Stay Ranch Hotel which is famous for offering a free 72 oz steak if eaten in one hour. The live music and huge dining room with 500 guests make this an entertaining night for everyone.

The next few days we will be riding on "Old Route 66”. This is the classic highway first laid out in 1926 that went from Chicago to Los Angeles.  Some of the original cement sections are still in perfect condition.  We will have several Route 66 museums to visit along the way.  Lon might give a presentation about the history of the old road if riders are interested in learning more about this iconic highway.

As we cross Oklahoma we start angling southeast.  We follow lots of little ranch roads that climb the red clay hills of oil well country. Before entering Arkansas we start riding on the Talimena Parkway which is a 50-mile section of steep rolling hills.  Some riders have called this the toughest 50 miles of cycling in America with many 15% grades up and down without a flat section. Our reward is staying at the historic Talimena Lodge on top of the mountain.  The 50-mile view is amazing overlooking the forest below.

Arkansas is the land of thick pine forests. The steepest of the hills are behind us.  The rolling roads through the trees are smooth and scenic.  Gradually we arrive at the flat flood plains of the Mississippi River.  Cotton and rice fields replace the pine trees. Crossing the Great River into Mississippi and another landmark to gauge our progress across the country.

The backroads of Mississippi wind their way across the state past catfish farms. These are probably some of the roughest roads of the tour with coarse chip-seal pavement. That is why bikes with 25mm or 28mm tires are recommended.

Entering Alabama is a relief with some of the best pavement of the tour.  Most of the roads are wide and smooth which makes for fast riding.  The pine trees continue to line the road and the miles roll by as everyone is feeling strong for the finish.  The final state is Georgia and we only have three days to go. Most of the days have shallow grades and the riding is easy if the wind is right.  Our finish on Tybee Island is a classic beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.  The dream of riding coast to coast is finally complete.

Riding across the United States is always an adventure even under perfect conditions.  Riders need to be prepared with several thousand miles of training during the summer before this tour. We suggest everyone follow this 10-week training program to be sure they are ready for this challenging tour, The Goal of 300. Your training is also important to test your equipment and refine your diet during long rides.

PAC Tour takes pride in helping riders prepare for ambitious cycling events. Before the Southern Tour, you will receive over a dozen updates with suggestions about training, equipment, and packing for the tour.  If you have more questions about doing the Southern Tour, please send Lon an email.

As e-bike technology becomes more reliable and efficient, we have seen an increasing number of PAC Tour riders bringing e-bike on tours. Riders who are no longer able to maintain their previous speed and power output appreciate the electric assist to ride full PAC Tour days. Despite the expense and transportation hassles, e-bikes are a great way for cyclists to continue their passion for long-distance riding. An e-bike with three external batteries is recommended for the length and difficulty of the Southern Transcontinental. Read more about bringing an e-bike on PAC Tour.