The SoCal Desert Ramble - Bikepacking.com The SoCal Desert Ramble, Southern California location California, USA We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. It's all about exploring the roads, gravel roads (or groads), and trails less travelled. Well-maintained community trail takes you between Meaford and the sections terminus Thornbury. Soon after Californias stay-at-home order was first announced, the bikepacking community began debating its consequences on planned adventures. Upcoming Rides No upcoming events at the moment Backcountry bivvying options are endless; in some places youll need a permit. Its doable in three days and neither of the two on-route camping options require a reservation, though making it between them might require a push. The various sites that catalog routes don't seem to have much to offer, but hoping the brain trust here has some ideas. A few brave folks have circumnavigated the whole bay using parts of the trail and some busy road riding, but I wouldnt consider that a relaxing bikepacking trip. Three years ago, Johan Cronje, a local bike packer, created the 300-mile JBC that takes in the mountains of Cuyamaca (and beyond), the trails to and from the Pacific Coast, and the sands of the Anza-Borrego Desert. We have everything! Gravel backroads and dirt forest service roads are backbone of these bikepacking routes, but don't expect smooth riding the whole way (and definitely don't bring your road bike). As I was thinking about how much pavement lay ahead of menearly 100 detour miles on highwaya large truck passed by me and its rear-view mirror almost clipped my head. The descent from Idyllwild was frozen, the ascent over Thompson Mountain was steep, and the hero-dirt descent towards Anza gave us all ear-to-ear smiles. Thanks for reading! From Aqua Caliente the route follows the old stagecoach route to Ocotillo Wells passing parched cattle skulls and wind-carved sand dunes, eventually arriving for the requisite burritos in Borrego Springs. And because its full of deep forests and ridges, you can expect fallen trees and washed-out segments of the trail to add some hike a bike to proceedings. Bikepacking.com and others have already developed several routes in this area, and there are many more options waiting to be explored. Hi , Just did my first bikepacking trip riding part of the baldy bruiser and my knees are still angry, lol. Brendan Collier, the founder of the Stagecoach 400, and Meg Knobel, who has taken over the reins as Master of Stoke, decided to move ahead with the race, though with a warning. Routes are mapped and chronicled by a core group of experienced route designers and a thriving group of contributors from around the world. Youll be amazed at how remote this ride feels in places, and how glorious the views are. Many riders cache water beforehand or use support. The mileage may seem short, but the initial climb from the starting point in Indio can be very arduous given the fact its likely to be hot. A few of the climbs are almost definitely too steep to ride, but this is a generally doable ride, even having marker posts in many places. 1. Im an old mountain biker that got his bike stolen about 7 years ago and took up backpacking. Picking the right season is everything, as is planning your transport, knowing where your water is coming from, and knowing how to fix your bike 100 miles from anywhere. The 2020 Stagecoach 400 almost did not happen, not because of the coronavirus (we were a week before the stay at home order) but because of the biblical levels of rain, flooding, and landslides on the course. Gravel Guides; . This 60-mile loop starts in Pasadena and takes you up to the mountains of Angeles National Forest; as you would expect, there is going to be some climbing involved. Many parts of this route are in National Forest areas making dispersed camping pretty easy. There are several ways to approach bikepacking around Lake Tahoe, but all are based at least partly on the famous Tahoe Rim Trail. The official notes describe the trail as strenuous, technical, challenging, complicated and barely existent in some sections. It will certainly be a ride of a lifetime. Theres more where this came from! Wikiloc. on relatively low-traffic road and trail, this newly developed route might be just the thing. Weather is often sunny year-round, and wide-open desert landscapes are good for the soul. De eerste 4 dagen helemaal niemand gezien, niet gek met 3 On the next highway stretch before the steep Mesa Grade, an oncoming pickup truck passed on a double line and came within a foot of our handlebars. Intrepid riders might be tempted to link the Triple Crossover with the Peninsula Traverse mentioned above, leaving just a couple sections on the peninsula that would need to be navigated carefully on busy streets. When I think about how big California is, and how much beautiful public land we have, Im embarrassed that this list is so short. I was over the moon to see my personal project of 2021/22, the 185km East Devon Trail bikepacking loop, was named in Bikepacking.com's 2022 Awards. More here. We visited Catalina Conservancy to pick up our Freewheeler Bike permit ($10 plus a $35 membership to the Conservancy) and talk with the ecologists about their successful programs for protecting the island fox and bald eagles as well as bison contraceptionyes, bisonin 1924 fourteen buffalo were left on the island after the cinema shooting for The Vanishing Americans. It would make a lot of sense to extend that loop to the south and include the famous trails of the Marin Headlands, perhaps linking up with this North Bay Overnighter. The debate was short-lived. AU, Leg 1 - Perth to Adelaide, complete! Though not contiguous, it spans a surprisingly large north-south distance between Big Sur and Santa Barbara, and is more rugged than you would expect. I was donemy legs said yes, but my head was saying no. Theres a varied mix: dirt and pavement, seat bags and panniers, races and leisurely tours, short and long, solitude and good company. The TDLP website contains a wealth of information about the official route, as well as descriptions and GPS tracks for a number of shorter bikepacking routes in the Santa Barbara backcountry. After waffles and coffee at The Pancake Cottage, we pedaled out of town on Stage Road. . We called our trip the TransGabriel Challenge: three days, 78 miles and 18,000 feet of climbing by bike on dirt and gravel . Resources and inspiration to support your wildest dreams: Affiliate Disclosure: This site participates in affiliate programs, including Amazon Associates. The route mostly follows the Old Boboyan Road, which is a management trail through the area. Here are several standout bikepacking routes in Southern California, ordered roughly from north to south. Ranging from 25 to 150 miles wide, it's a stunning landscape of rugged coastlines, beaches, and inland mountains, and this route showcases it spectacularly. While cycling on Catalina is steep in all directions, the amenities available make it very comfortable, even decadent by bike packing standards.. On the morning of our third day we road 17 miles from the West side of the island ascending 2,400 feet on fire roads through the central valley eventually connecting to the coast and the steep descent into Avalon. The Julian Bikepack Challenge (JBC) is worth noting because Cuyamaca is at the heart of the mountain bike sectors of the challenge. Some of the best mountain biking trails close to my home are found in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park (40 miles east of San Diego). Even the legendary Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, which often crests above 10,000ft in its 2,700 miles, fits this category. / 135 km 2 days BT 700 BIKEPACKING - Home Situated in Southwestern Ontario, the BT 700 is a 798 km loop (used to be 700) in southwestern Ontario designed for any rider who revels in unpaved backcountry roads, testy climbs and trails through thick forests. 10 - Bear Growl Gravel Grinder, Greenville. A match made in heaven. Sandy routes reward wider tires (in the range of 2.6 and up), and spikey desert foliage makes tubeless tires a necessity in many cases. Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Canal Towpath (opens in new tab). The whoosh of truck knocked us into the gravel shoulder. The utter bliss of bikepacking in the backcountry. Bikepacking, is the synthesis of mountain biking and minimalist camping, simply put, bikepacking. Bikepacking Central Oregon: High Desert and Volcanic Geology from K Falls to Bend. The mountain loop of the JBC is serious mountain bike terrain over 158 miles with nearly 22,000 feet of climbing. Bring your climbing legs The island may be small but the elevation profile looks mighty. / 235 km 4 days It also overlaps with a good chunk of the Stagecoach 400 route (see below). Your experienced riding buddy in digital form: 140 mobile-friendly pages packed with how to's, problem solving tips, and hard-earned wisdom from the trail and road. . If youve learned a few things or have been entertained, consider becoming a Patreon member. It offers an all-around, Powered by red Starbursts and Fat Tire Amber Ale, 11 of the Most Popular Bikepacking Trails in the US, Colorado Bikepacking Trails A Bikepackers Dreamland, How to Prepare For the C&O Canal and GAP Trail. Southern California, specifically the area to the east of Santa Barbara, LA, and San Diego, is an obvious place to start. This gravel adventure bike features a durable and lightweight alloy frame and a reliable and stylish carbon fork. Sierra Madre Road: As depicted in The Long Traverse film, this is an 80 mile day ride instead of a bikepacking route, but Sierra Madre Road jumps off the map to anyone interested in bikepacking in Central California. I started this route in Santa Rosa and I took the singletrack to cross Robert Stevenson State Park to find the downhill Hill Mine to Calistoga but the singletrack was horrible and the first part of the downhill was horri Ruta mixta a pie y en bicicleta recorriendo los principales lugares tursticos, puente golden gate y sausalito. Resources and inspiration to support your wildest dreams. There is dispersed camping along the way and accommodations at Big Bear Lake. The edition The Wolf Bikepacking 2023 will take place on Friday 21 July 2023 with departure in Two Harbors, County Lake, Minnesota. Based on the same format as the brutally beautiful Hunt 1000, the event aims for a grand finish (on . Orro has equipped it with a fast-shifting Shimano GRX400 2x10-Speed groupset and . California Gravel Ride Recaps, Gravel Race Recaps, Gear Reviews | Ohio Gravel Grinders. I hear the section through Nevada is tough and very sparse on water and resupply options; research before attempting! If youre bikepacking in California and have a route to recommend, please leave a comment at the bottom. Highlights include Big Bear Lake, The Salton Sea, and the Pacific Ocean as well as other unique points of interest. About . Terrain is a challenging mix of dirt, pavement, and singletrack. Warsaw Area Rides & Routes - The Truman Lake Adventure Club has assembled some of the best road, gravel, and trail cycling routes in the region: Epic 60 on the Butterfield, Lincoln 104, Iconium 20, Pomme de Tour 66, Butterfield Stage Expierence, Truman Lake Mountain Bike Park routes, water trails, & more. . Because the weather forecast included more rain and snow for the entire route, Brendan and Meg rerouted us around all of the dirt riding coming into San Diego North County and the trails going east from San Diego towards Alpine. If you're a city dweller in search of a hearty, long weekend adventure, then this is the challenge for you! Bikes are permitted on a majority of the trail, with a notable exception through Desolation and Granite Chief wilderness areas and a few smaller sections. But if you do choose to ride, youll be completely on your own.. Its not a pushover though youll need to plan your logistics well, there are a couple of significant river crossings, and its worth planning to avoid rainy periods the regions infamous bentonite clay is death to drivetrains. After heavy rain there can often be pitted sections of trail, so take care. 5% singletrack. Desert rides should be planned in the spring or fall due to the extreme heat. We share our tips and tricks for a successful bikepacking adventure. Check back regularly. Astonishingly almost all rideable, it takes you on dirt roads and jeep trails from Banff, in Alberta, Canada, to the Mexican border in New Mexico, via British Columbia, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado. Highly recommended! The northernmost section (Arroyo Seco to Gorda) and southernmost section (from New Cuyama to Santa Barbara) are the highlights in my opinion. BikePerfect is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Until then, this list of the 5 Best Bikepacking Routes in Alberta aims to help new bikepackers get started and inspire riders to get outside and explore new areas. All rights reserved. Rides: Specialized Chisel Comp; Canyon Inflite CF SLX; Canyon Aeroad; Roberts custom road bike. Cycle through the best terrain the Peak District has to offer, from gravel tracks to country lanes and stargaze from a giant tepee The route consists of small rural roads, stoney tracks, flagstone paths and ancient trails used by packhorses and drovers. Researched and written by the founder of Bikepacking Scotland, and mostly accessible by public transport, each route includes all the information you need to help you plan your ride, with points of interest along the . Stretching from Banff, Canada, to the US / Mexican border in New Mexico, the Great Divide route travels 2,700 miles along gravel roads and single track trail along the Continental Divide. I think youll like them, but you can unsubscribe at any time. You can find routes created by adventurers across the globe on bikepacking websites. Or toss some spare change inthe PayPal tip jar. Be sure to take the option of the wild endless Porcupine Rim descent down into Moab. You need to be logged in to use these features. Sometimes it feels a bit claustrophobic. Pretty much any long ride is sure to involve some pavement and at least a bit of busy road riding. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. The Bay Area Triple Crossover weekend bikepacking route highlights the diversity of bay ecosystems, where each day feels distinct from the next. Brian and Dave continued to the coaston highway. Go in spring, and you may see the desert bursting into flower. The COLT bikepacking loop is a 450-km mix of rail, ATV and snowmobile trails with some good climbing on loose gravel roads. We watched dolphins surfacing in the harbor before cooking dinner over a campfire as the sunset. Your obvious solution is to base yourself in Moab for at least a fortnight and immerse yourself in the endless riding opportunities. Here are some routes and areas to start with. Its roughly based on a classic extreme motorbike route, around 70% off-road. Sean has old school cycle touring in his blood, with a coast to coast USA ride and a number of month-long European tours in his very relaxed palmares. Available to pre-order soon. May 24, 2019 7 AM PT. It is split up into 4 tiers and 10 segments. I love your blog and appreciate your willingness to share and write about this Awesome sport/ hobby. Tour Divide racer winners may smash the whole route in a fortnight, but most riders would allow at least 6-8 weeks, with time to loll in pools, enjoy company and rest when you need to, and be sanguine about setbacks. Read more The itinerary. Head into the wilds of West Wales; cross remote moorland, descend tranquil valleys, traverse forest tracks and get up high for big sky views. Whats not to love? This is meant to be a growing list, and I add reader suggestions from time to time. / 800 km 10 days The SoCal Desert Ramble, Southern California comment 146 time Mar 10 compose Cass Gilbert USA 112 mi. Trail Length: 150 miles for the GAP and 184.5 miles for the C&O Canal Towpath Days to complete: 4-10 days Riding: Gravel and dirt road. This route boasts giant metal sculptures, narrow canyon walls, with picturesque rocks and geological formations. With an elevation gain of only 1,805 ft, you may think this ride is on the easy side. Puis ces . Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (opens in new tab). I just bought a tour/gravel bike and am stoked for the bikepacking adventures to come. Sardine Lookout Tower Overnighter is a mini adventure that gives riders a taste of the beautiful forests, meadows, and reservoirs around Tahoe National Forest. Mad riders do it as a non-stop ITT; most across multiple nights. Prepare to immerse yourself amongst desert blooms and starry nights, slither your way along sandy washes, linger in counter-culture hangouts, ponder salty, decayed holiday resorts gone wrong, and marvel at the Dr. Seussian splendour of the gangly, anthropomorphic Joshua Tree. Lightweight Bikepacking: 9 Ways to Cut Weight Without Sacrificing Comfort, Bikepacking Tents: What to Look For + Top Picks in Each Category, The Surly Preamble: Thoughts on an Affordable Steel Gateway Bike for Pavement and Gravel Adventures, Bike Routes Across America: Top Touring and Bikepacking Routes Compared. This 497-mile route takes you from San Bernardino, near Los Angeles to San Diego on the Mexican border. I recommend joining the Facebook group if youre interested in learning more. bikepacking roots and our logo are registered trademarks. Elevation: 4000 ft. Start/End: The Lost Abbey, San Marcos, CA. Its 90 percent off-road, with less than 5 percent singletrack. Here are the two well-established options: Tahoe Twirl: 187 miles, 19,300 feet of gain, Bones to Blue: 250 miles, 31,000 feet of gain. Thanks again! Our dense population and tightly regulated public land make it nearly impossible to set off on a multi-day ride without careful planning and hard-to-get campground reservations. The winter, spring, and fall are the best seasons to tackle this route; given the extreme heat in the summer months. American bikepacking adventures from desert to mountain top and suitable for all abilities. Samen met collega Hans Tacken op pad geweest. Sacoche de cadre bikepacking; Sacoche de guidon bikepacking; Sacoche de selle bikepacking . Lower elevation in the desert can be brutally hot during summer. There are also a few restaurants along the way you can stop at for a meal or snack. Be sure to make reservations for campgrounds or accommodation in advance if needed, and be prepared to share the trails with plenty of hikers. The new 700c x 50mm gravel bike tires are all exclusively available in Hutchinson's top tubeless-ready 127tpi construction with Hardskin puncture protection & dual-compound rubber, and only with natural tanwalls. I bivyed in tall brush along the Coast to Crest trail and broke camp early the next morning. Much of my bikepacking time has been spent exploring other states and countries, but Im looking forward to exploring my home state more thoroughly in the near future. BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. Les diffrences entre le vlo Gravel, vlo de route, vlo de voyage traditionnel : Les caractristiques techniques qui distinguent ces types de vlos, notamment au niveau des pneus, des portes bagages, du poids total, et de la philosophie du choix de matos. Its only 25 miles from Avalon to the north tip but the scenery is great and adding a visit to Avalon, maybe with an overnight stay is always fun. / 145 km 2-3 days Anza-Hapaha Loop comment 55 time Mar 14 compose Logan Watts USA 497 mi. With over a hundred miles of single track, it is perfect for weekend bikepacking. You experience a diverse set of geographical features along this route from alpine elevations of 11,913', wide-open grasslands, and remote desert in New . One of these days Ill get back to the area and try out some bikepacking routes! The cold rain did not stop all day and by the time we pulled in Warner Springs at mile 60, we could not have been more drenched. Possibly one of the most exciting MTB bikepacking routes in the USA, this was designed from scratch for two wheels and is over 50% singletrack. Whether you want to be out for ten days or just an overnighter, these routes will give you some idea of exactly whats out there. Here youll find links to all the trip reports, route overviews, and other route-specific resources based on my own rides, plus curated lists of recommended routes based on my research and daydreams. These routes are all rideable throughout the year thanks to a moderate coastal climate, though its best to avoid riding during or right after heavy rain. Sign up to receive the free downloadable bikepacking town day checklist to help with your resupply stops: Youll also receive occasional emails with other bikepacking and touring resources. The Wolf Bikepacking is a gravel bike cycling event category bikepacking in United States, state Minnesota. We arrived just in time to catch Catalina Express back to Dana Point. Its only occasionally technical but its an endless series of climbs and descents, reaching 9000ft, and includes a couple of long stretches of hike-a-bike, so youll need to be fit. Tahoe Twirl stretches all the way northeast to Reno before heading back to the west and south. Starting and ending in Borrego Springs, the Anza-Hapaha Loop covers 83 miles of canyon, desert, and badlands. Length: 364 miles Style: mostly gravel Difficulty: intermediate When to ride: spring, fall, early or late summer Learn more: route description and ride reports If I had to recommend an ambitious but accessible "intermediate" bikepacking route, one that packs a big punch of adventure but requires no technical or super-remote riding, the Oregon Outback is at the top of my list. JULY - 2023. Winter can work well for lower-elevation routes (check snow conditions for any sections over 6000 feet or so). The Baja Divide connects the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, historic Spanish mission sites rich with shade and water, remote ranchos and fishing villages, bustling highway towns, and every major mountain range in Baja California on miles and miles of beautiful backcountry desert tracks. Camp high if you can and be sure you never set up camp in a wash due to potential flash floods. This 168 mile route is a great multi-day touring option. It travels through breathtaking mountain ranges, unusual volcanic landscapes, towering forests and picturesque lake vistas. There is also camping for a fee at Joshua Tree National Park. The five-part account by Tom and Sarah Swallow (opens in new tab) of riding the route before it became a race gives you an evocative picture of stunning landscapes, wild weather and human kindness. Share your location with friends and loved ones during an activity. Rim Country Gravel Ride. But this year, because of the extreme precipitation, it meant even more road riding than I was willing to ride and still feel safe. It's about exploring places less traveled, both near and far, via singletrack trails, gravel, and abandoned dirt roads. Described by Logan Watts as an epic medley of singletrack, doubletrack, sand and tarmac, youll never forget the rocky, technical climbs, the sand, the canyons, the views and the nights under desert stars. 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Multi-day bikepacking routes. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Its resolutely low-key, with an emphasis on overcoming your own challenges as they arise. Here are several standout bikepacking routes in Southern California, ordered roughly from north to south. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. info@bikepack.ca. The ambitious Trans North California is technically an underground race, though it would make an interesting touring route too. Expect to climb several long passes, including the day-long hike-a-bike up Mt. If you beat me to it, please let me know what you find out. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). 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In the Or wed load our bike onto Amtrak train for a few hours and then spend the weekend riding back home down the Pacific Coast. Canada. Im looking back to those trips with more fondness than usual. By Length (days) Overnighters & S24O; Weekend Routes (2-4) Week-long Routes (5-10) Odyssey Routes (11-30) "Freakouts" (31+) Local Overnighters. Historical signage en route explains how the railroad was established to support the logging and mining industries. My buddy was riding a fully loaded Surly Crosscheck with 35 mm tires and was challenged on the singletrack but on all other roads it worked well. For Issue 08, we invited several contributors to return and pick up where earlier trips and ideas left off and also feature a handful of first-timers whose perspectives weve long been eager to share Issue 07 Issue seven is a celebration of courage and discovery of what were capable of when we dont let others expectations define us Issue 06 examined a diverse range of topics, including embracing aloneness, rekindling a sense of adventure, grappling with failure, and many more Theres loads of gold in the hills and mountains of California. It brings race competitors to tears, but when youre not riding it against the clock, its all just part of the adventure, right? Thanks for reading! In mid-February, my best friend joined me to circumnavigate Santa Catalina Island, one of the eight California Channel Islands due west of Los Angeles. I havent had a chance to explore these yet, but here are some other areas of northern California that look intriguing: More of those backcountry discovery route ideas here. The information found here is simply a resource for planning and inspiration to be used with your own due-diligence. October 17, 2020. A great hint to help you choose your outdoor gear and clothing! Is bike packing irresponsible in the time of coronavirus, even if it is totally self-supported? It happens to overlap with a bit of the Mendocino NF route I linked to above, and if thats any indication of the rest of the route, its probably tough!