HERE ARE ABRIDGED POSTS:
"Tucson, Arizona has really beautiful mountain roads,but it's really hot in
the summer.
"San Diego has fabulous weather and there are hills enough nearby. And the
ocean is beautiful.
"Tucson: Biking is great, just stay indoors between 11am and 3pm.
"Not mountainous, but nice and hilly....central Texas hill country does
offer some very fine cycling fare....Fredericksburg, Kerrville and lots of
smaller towns.
"Central Texas. I live in Austin now, and cycling here is great. No long
climbs, but there are plenty of steep ones. There's even the annual Tour das
Hugel, which climbs 9,000 feet in 100 miles, and much of the climbing is
over a 10% grade - with some spots up to 26%.
"Here in the Dallas area, the wind is usually 15-25 mph
daily. Constant wind even if the weather is otherwise nice. Was up near the
Red River
and could only manage 8-10 mph into the wind. North TX is pretty flat with
moderate weather, good for
everyday riding 12 months out of the year, but if you want hills, you will
need to go to the TX Hill Country.
"Wind in CenTex varies a lot, and most of the time it's pretty still. It's
rarely strong, but sometimes plays into rides. Not the 10mph/40mph
upwind/downwind split mentioned in Dallas. It's more of a 16mph/28mph
difference when it's strong.
"It's not as bad as Boulder in April -- I got blown right off of HWY 93.
" I could easily spend a couple months in Maui, but don't think I'd want to
retire there.
But if I did, wonder how often I'd be riding up Haleakala?
http://www.chainreaction.com/haleakala.htm.
"Someone else already suggested central Texas, and that's an area with
pretty much whatever kind of mix you want, as long as the small-town
attitudes aren't a problem. If you like it dry, hot in the summer,
and artsy, then Marfa, TX might be a good choice. Much of northern
California might also fit the bill if you like it damper and cooler, and
Prescott in Arizona is pretty, on a mountain, and has fairly decent weather
though it gets cold in the winter. Not much flat around it, though; unless
you really like climbing, there are probably
better choices. Flagstaff has terrain and atmosphere, and the Grand Canyon
is just a looooong climb uphill through varying types of forest and scrub.
Santa Fe, NM is another potentially good choice IMO. A lot depends on what
kind of weather you consider pleasant. I like
what I've got here in Houston, but my SO considers the summers to be
unmitigated hell.
"I never found South Florida as uncomfortable as Houston.
"Actually New Orleans is a bit hotter than Houston. We noticed it when we
used to go there.
"In Houston, our summer weather is really horrible. I have done too many
races at 6pm in the park when you could steam eggs (frying with high
humidity) on the top tube. Our rides start at 7am and you really need to be
off the road by 11. On the other hand, you can ride for most of the winter
in what most places consider summer jersey and shorts.
We have a number of really terrific bike clubs and there is always an
organized ride to do. In April we have a huge MS150 from Houston to Austin.
There are numerous organized rides that lead up to the MS150.
The roads are reasonable. but Houston is not a bike friendly town. Not like
Seattle. They have a bike culture that is absolutely stunning. The Cascade
club has something like 5,500 members. The scenery is exquisite and the
roads are beautiful. Olympic Peninsula.
"I recommend either here in eastern Pennsylvania, or Maryland/Delaware. We
do have winter to deal with; not too bad. A great selection of rolling
hills, picturesque landscape, and quiet, scenic roads. If you avoid the
Philadelphia area, also, prices are quite reasonable. Riding in Lancaster
County is full of surprises: Amish
buggies/farms, gorgeous creeks and valleys, and surprisingly challenging
hills. Here in Lehigh/Northampton counties, the hills tend to be even
more substantial, but we make up for it with quiet country roads, covered
bridges, and one of the best velodromes in the country.
"The mid-Atlantic region meets most of the specs. Winter is the only issue.
The weather is generally cold for
cycling. I'd investigate something further south for warmer winters.
"If you like hills, I'd pick right here in Blacksburg, VA. If you want a
sample, come to our Cycling Doubleheader
this spring (www.mountainsofmisery.com).
We do have real winter weather, but it's nice in between. It's rarely cold
or icy for more than a few days.
"Northern CA is great too, if you can afford to live well enough there.
"One of the most beautiful places I've been to was the high desert area of
Oregon (which actually extends
up into Washington). Doesn't rain very much there, and it's got mountains,
valleys, you name it. Not too crowded yet, but retiring Californians are
beginning to change that. The lack of jobs helps keep costs reasonable
though.
"Living in eastern Oregon, you'd be a short ways from Western Oregon and the
Willamette Valley, which is wonderful cycling territory in late
spring/summer/fall. (That's where I live now). Not too bad outside of
the very depths of winter, either. If I could somehow afford two houses,
I'd like in Western Oregon April through October and Eastern Oregon November
through March.
" I live in Bend Oregon, which is considered Central Oregon. Biking here is
absolutely fantastic, road and mountain biking, but only from about April
through October. The rest of the year we're apt to have snow on
the ground.
"Come to the UK you will get all weathers and all terrains in the space of a
few days!
"I've been all over the western US, and my favorite *mountain* riding town
is Silver City, NM. Great roads with little traffic, awesome
scenery, sunny mild climate (low 50s in Jan, high 80s in July),
affordable (median house price is currently <$120K), and a good mix of
artists and rednecks. They have probably the best stage race in the
country every year in late April- early May (Tour of the Gila). It's a town
of 10,000 people though, that is about 100 miles from a bigger town.
"Flagstaff and Santa Fe are not very good, because of lots of traffic
and roads with no shoulders. They are also much colder in the winter
than Silver City. Cultural distractions are much more numerous, though.
I also liked the Temecula, CA area and north San Diego county. Great
weather and lots of good roads... but traffic is getting worse all the
time. Also, it's very expensive.
"Tucson? Good in the winter because it is warm... but not for the rest of
the year.
"Hawaii? Nice and warm, but also a good bit of rain (most places)... and
lots of traffic. The roads on Kauai (where I live) are all dangerous...and
the climbing is only good on the SW side.
"SW Virginia really is terrific. There are great cycling towns all through
the mountains of VA, NC, TN, and SC. I've heard Lance Armstrong has a house
in Boone, NC. George Hincapie is from Greenville, SC.
"My parents have lived in Temecula since 1987 and it has rarely been over
100. I ride there year round, it may be warmer than Orange County but it's
considerably cooler than where I live and areas further inland. And
Temecula/Fallbrook has lots of little traveled yet
steep roads, and there are tons of SD north county rides nearby.
"Temecula and Fallbrook are a lot closer to the ocean than you think.
"
Agreed. I have family in Murietta (next door to Temecula), and I'm there a
lot. I don't think I've ever been there when it's over 100. My father
lives in Hemet, which is even farther inland, and it gets over 100 there
only a few days out of the year.
" SC in the Greenville area. A nice selection of terrain from flat near
Greenville to mountainous in the areas north of Pickens. Roads are pretty
good and traffic not too terrible. I visit there every year for a cycling
holiday. Cost of living much lower than places like San Diego. Although
San Diego does have the advantage of
having a nice velodrome with active programs.
"Regarding Temecula: It is pretty hot in the summer. As I recall it can be
over 100 degrees fairly often, but the humidity is very low, and it usually
gets down to
60 at night. The normal weather pattern is for 60 degrees in the early
morning, warming to 90-100 by noon, with a strong and cooling sea breeze
thereafter. Just a few miles to the south or west, the hot temps rarely
happen... north SD county is more ideal. Lots of paved roads
snaking through estate areas with little traffic. Busier roads tend to have
nice shoulders.
"The toughest one to find is a *good* year-round climate for cycling...
pretty much need to go to California, or southern Arizona- New Mexico
for that. The area of the Carolinas near the mountains is cold in the winter
(mid 40s), and precipitation is high all year. I don't know about you, but
I'd rather not be riding in the rain... especially if it's below 50.
"I still think Silver City is tough to beat... *if* cost of living
matters, and you don't mind being a long way from a big town. Ruidoso,
NM is another good choice, and it is close to Alamogordo. Sierra Vista-
Bisbee AZ are good, too.
"The average high temperature in Temecula, CA in July and August is 98 F.
"Fallbrook, CA summer: 84 average high. Absolutely perfect.
"I was thinking somewhere roughly between Greenville, SC and Brevard, NC
might be the ideal. Close enough to the mountains to go ride in the summer,
far enough south that the lowlands should only be snowy or icy 5-10 days a
year.
But not SW Virginia. No, too much snow, roads are too windy and narrow,
traffic density keeps going up, coal trucks. Phone service by (my
uncle's name for it) Intermittent Telephone.
(Former resident of Damascus and Wise).
"Country roads around Blacksburg still offer world class riding. Topography
and good planning will probably keep it that way, despite healthy growth.
No communications problems here either, being a major university town and
high-tech center.It does get a little warmer as you go south, but the
disadvantage of that is more rain and ice instead of snow.
"Not all of SoCal is look-alike suburbs. I would like to move from the city
up to the
hills, some place like Pine Valley, Descanso, or Julian (all in eastern San
Diego County). The elevation is 4000 feet, so even on the two weeks a year
that Temecula is 100 deg these communities are still nice. Development
hasn't gotten there yet and it is (to me) cycling paradise. There are
plenty of quite, well paved country roads with
lots of challenging hills. The only drawback (and this is a big one) is the
cost of housing.
"Silver City, NM. Good medical there too.
"Camarillo CA, Santa Paula, CA, Ojai, CA, Solvang, CA
"Boulder, CO.
"Colorado is beautiful much of the year. if you know how to use fenders
Boulder is a beautiful jumping off point most of the year.
"Fenders? hardly any moisture at all. small bits of snow twice here, lots in
the mtns. High desert, very dry.
"Have a base condo in Baja California's retirement area and a luxury
Motorhome.
"San Luis Obispo and the tri-cities area, CA
"You might consider the Bay Area. The weather is pretty good . The motorists
are relatively benign. Lots of choices in the East Bay and North Bay.
"The Bay Area is nice, but too expensive of an area to retire in. The price
of homes here is outrageous as well as the price of gas and general cost of
living (higher than most states).
"Hudson Bay, Canada?
"Tampa Bay.
"Green Bay, Paper Towel Capital of the World.
"Forget about a house; invest in a luxury motorhome and you can have your
pick of locations. Summer: the Shenandoah or the Adirondacks, how about
Vermont or the Pacific Northwest? And winter, anywhere in the southern
U.S. - or beyond!
"AFAIK foreigners can now legally own land in Mexico. In the past,
ownership was simulated by a loophole system of 99 year leases, etc.
"British Columbia: Toured there this past summer, but it is really a MTBer's
paradise. You know you're in B.C. when the MTBs cost more than the cars....
"Tennessee is better than North Carolina, IMO, but both have enough snow to
have to plow the back roads,
and the potholes that result get pretty bad. NC mountains have some "paved"
roads that make pickup trucks look like bicycles riding the cobblestones in
France and Belgium. The roads in Wake County around the state capital are
some of the best I've ever seen.
Valuable comments all; Thanks!
Jim