Southern California - 2008 SF to LA Bike Tour

Scootcore, Thomson, Awiner and I are all considering this. Anyone else interested in riding from San Francisco to LA on a multi-day tour?
:)

Scootcore, Thomson, Awiner and I are all considering this. Anyone else interested in riding from San Francisco to LA on a multi-day tour?
:)

I am, but I dont want to slow you down:rolleyes:

Markaj might be also...but if its camping...we are OUT:(

Herb, I am glad to see your idea of camping is the same as mine.......



A hotel :)

How about more info ME?
My idea of camping is room service.

I would be interested.

Not sure my mileage is up to it, tho. Can't do it in my "busy months" either.

I'm VERY interested.

Herb, I am glad to see your idea of camping is the same as mine.......



A hotel :)

Oh yeah..need a bed and shower...
I think I would also need some more training...not sure how I would do on a multi-day ride...

I think both camping and motels can be accommodated. There are even a few hostels along the way.

Things to think about are how many miles a day and what kind of additional (if any) activities you want to do (e.g. Hearst Castle, Monterey Aquarium, hiking). This will help Bill and Mary in the planning.

Oh yeah..need a bed and shower...
I think I would also need some more training...not sure how I would do on a multi-day ride...

I would definitely need training. But I have thislittle thing called "KOM" I have to work on first... :p;)

I think both camping and motels can be accommodated. There are even a few hostels along the way.

Things to think about are how many miles a day and what kind of additional (if any) activities you want to do (e.g. Hearst Castle, Monterey Aquarium, hiking). This will help Bill and me in the planning.

Good point, Jim. And I'll provide you my thoughts when riding with you on Sunday. As for now, I think it's great you and Bill are taking the organization of this type of ride on. :beer: :D

As for camping, I prefer a hotel too, but I can rough it if need be.

Oh yeah..need a bed and shower...
I think I would also need some more training...not sure how I would do on a multi-day ride...

Well, if enough people show interest, I WOULD be happy to plan some two-day/three-day rides that will help folks acclimate to riding multi days. :)

I would definitely need training. But I have thislittle thing called "KOM" I have to work on first... :p;)

What about spring for KOM and autumn for the tour.

Well, if enough people show interest, I WOULD be happy to plan some two-day/three-day rides that will help folks acclimate to riding multi days. :)

Refugio (for the win!!) Ohh, oops, camping only, nevermind

Are we talking about panniers and bob trailers carrying our own gear?
or will we get someone to SAG...

Just a thought... if people want SAG, maybe everyone could take turns driving the SAG car to the next stop?

Just a thought... if people want SAG, maybe everyone could take turns driving the SAG car to the next stop?

That's a great idea, Joy! Then if someone wants to take a break, they can drive.

Just a thought... if people want SAG, maybe everyone could take turns driving the SAG car to the next stop?

Donkeys!

I would definitely be interested. When would this be? Maybe post a message in NorCal, if you haven't already done so.

Donkeys!

Dude, don't start the name calling already! :rolleyes: :p

Just a thought... if people want SAG, maybe everyone could take turns driving the SAG car to the next stop?

:eek:

I guess you're not a purist.

Definitely interested. And I'm sure we could figure out a SAG situation, either by spouse or the aforementioned rotation.

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip, That started from this seaside port, aboard these tiny bikes. The mate was a mighty climbin' man, ride leader brave and sure. Five pedalers set sail that day for a five day tour. A five day tour.

The weather started getting rough, the carbon bikes were tossed. If not for the courage of the fearless crew, the beer keg would be lost. The beer keg would be lost. The bikes set ground on the side of this uncharted desert path.

With Awiner, and Scootcore too. happytime and her harem. The movie star (merider), The professor (jasonchen), efficiency.....here on Bikeforums Isle.

I really need to get back to work.

I am sure I will get some rotation comment from the Spousal Unit when I tell her about this opportunity to SAG.

this is soooo gonna rock. as for accomodations, id rather do the hostel/motel thing and do higher daily mileage......just a thought!!!

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip, That started from this seaside port, aboard these tiny bikes. The mate was a mighty climbin' man, ride leader brave and sure. Five pedalers set sail that day for a five day tour. A five day tour.

The weather started getting rough, the carbon bikes were tossed. If not for the courage of the fearless crew, the beer keg would be lost. The beer keg would be lost. The bikes set ground on the side of this uncharted desert path.

With Awiner, and Scootcore too. happytime and her harem. The movie star (merider), The professor (jasonchen), efficiency.....here on Bikeforums Isle.

I really need to get back to work.

:roflmao: OMG...now that was some funny ****.

Since I can't get time off to do the entire length, I'll meet up with the group at SLO.
That's what I did 2 years ago. I took Amtrak to SLO and met up with a couple of friends touring down from San Francisco. We were self supported and camped along State Beaches.
Besides, this will give me a good excuse to bring out my Surly Long Haul Trucker...:D

^
Ride there and that will make up for it.

Not sure if you guys need routing help...there's a couple of references that us tourists recommend (These guides are meant for camping tourists, but can be adapted to your taste):

Bicycling The Pacific Coast: A Complete Route Guide, Canada To Mexico
By Vicky Spring, Tom Kirkendall
http://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Pacific-Coast-Complete-Canada/dp/0898869544/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-1647028-6605666?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193088610&sr=8-1

Adventure Cycling Pacific Coast Route Maps
http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/pacificcoast.cfm

Hotel stays are possible all along the coast. However, between Monterey to San Simeon, it's slim pickings unless you want to pay $$$. I heard there's some "yurts" available for a "reasonable" amount.

http://www.treebonesresort.com/

You can take the Amtrak Coast Starlight to Oakland or San Jose, but you'll have to box your bike. If I can be of any help, let me know...it's one of my favorite rides. (If there are any of you that would rather rough it, I'd be interested in hooking up with you for a ride :)).

Thanks, Rozorini :) Have you ridden down the coast before?

i have both that book and those maps.....have also contacted a friend who did the cailfornia coast arthritis ride in the past to see aif he still had the sheets...

Not sure if you guys need routing help...there's a couple of references that us tourists recommend (These guides are meant for camping tourists, but can be adapted to your taste):

Bicycling The Pacific Coast: A Complete Route Guide, Canada To Mexico
By Vicky Spring, Tom Kirkendall
http://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Pacific-Coast-Complete-Canada/dp/0898869544/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-1647028-6605666?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193088610&sr=8-1

Adventure Cycling Pacific Coast Route Maps
http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/pacificcoast.cfm

Hotel stays are possible all along the coast. However, between Monterey to San Simeon, it's slim pickings unless you want to pay $$$. I heard there's some "yurts" available for a "reasonable" amount.

http://www.treebonesresort.com/


You can take the Amtrak Coast Starlight to Oakland or San Jose, but you'll have to box your bike. If I can be of any help, let me know...it's one of my favorite rides. (If there are any of you that would rather rough it, I'd be interested in hooking up with you for a ride :)).

Do these yurts have beds, potties and hot showers?

Is a yurt related to a yoot? :p

those yurts are sick...i saw them in the travel section of the la times and i htink on huell howser...

We've, my wife and I, have done multi-day tours of the BRP through Virginia and NC with other riders and have rotated a sag vehicle through the group. It helps if the group is the right size that all bikes and people can fit in the vehicle for logistic reasons, but it can be done with the vehicle solely for carrying gear and supplies. Getting a shower every day whether camping or in a hotel really makes the trip much more comfortable IMO. Sounds like a fun ride.

In prior tours, I have camped at Big Sur (camping there is the shizzle (I am so dang hip), plus they have laundry), stayed at the Big Sur Lodge (there were 3 of us that shared a room for $160, off season), and rode from Monterey and Cambria in a straight shot. The last is about 100 miles and all hilly but not so severe.

The Kirkendall book, if I recall correctly, assumes camping the whole way. Also, the dang bike on the cover has the derailleur on the left side? (actually the photo was just flipped)

We've, my wife and I, have done multi-day tours of the BRP through Virginia and NC with other riders and have rotated a sag vehicle through the group. It helps if the group is the right size that all bikes and people can fit in the vehicle for logistic reasons, but it can be done with the vehicle solely for carrying gear and supplies. Getting a shower every day whether camping or in a hotel really makes the trip much more comfortable IMO. Sounds like a fun ride.

Plan your Californian vacation accordingly.

The Kirkendall book, if I recall correctly, assumes camping the whole way. Also, the dang bike on the cover has the derailleur on the left side? (actually the photo was just flipped)

Oh, well then, that's it! Let's just call the whole thing off cause we can't have that.


:p

those yurts are sick...i saw them in the travel section of the la times and i htink on huell howser...

I may be the only one in the world that likes Huell.

Oh, well then, that's it! Let's just call the whole thing off cause we can't have that.


:p

I agree, how can we trust those directions?? We will end up in Idaho.

Okay this ride has been up for about 1 hour and is 2 pages already. I haven't had time to review all the posts as I actually have to do some work while at work. But I am very interested. That said it is only mid-October and life changes very quickly for me. I have a fair amount of vacation but typically take at least one international trip a year with my wife and that has not been planned yet. We might be going to Iran this year (no seriously).

I had originally thought about doing this trip in the Spring staying in hotels and riding about 80 miles a day via a Big Sur route. The AIDS ride seemed like a nice way to go about it as everything is planned for me. Personally I would rather go in a smaller group of people. If we can pull this thing together I think it would be rad.

Ideally I would get a seatpost rack with a small bag to carry my gear and stay in hotels. All I would carry are light city cloths, second jersey and shorts, rain gear, small toiletries, small amount of food for each day, and limited repair gear (links of chain, tire, tubes, etc.)

I don't have a bike conducive to doing an unsupported tour of this length at this point. Nor do I want to ride at that pace. Doing the hotel thing (AKA credit card touring) is much easier.

Are we going to do the route that TofC takes? Now that will be a challenge!

Well, MTB, if that is your real name, your plan is sound. However, I think it is time you choose between us and work. Really, we are a lot more fun.

Although many here may be able to join you, I definitely can't do spring as I am doing a bike tour in February and am going to do the Jester of the Mountains in the spring.

I may be the only one in the world that likes Huell.

uh uh...i TIVO californias gold!!!!

uh uh...i TIVO californias gold!!!!

Right on, he cracks me up.

Right on, he cracks me up.

every single time.....my boy HATES him...he freaks out when the theme starts playing...then he chills out and watches with me.

Thanks, Rozorini :) Have you ridden down the coast before?

Yea, a few times. Once on a border to border ride and a few years ago with my wife.

The route is fairly straightforward--just keep the water to your right, duh--but there are a couple of tricky spots where you need to bring reference maps.

The book is geared towards camping tourists with a 60 mile day average, but it can be easily adapted for longer day rides.

There are hiker/biker sites at almost every campground for cheapskates like me--$3 a head. For credit card touring, there is ample lodging if you plan ahead.

--Ron

PS--Huell is cool.

Scootcore, Thomson, Awiner and I are all considering this. Anyone else interested in riding from San Francisco to LA on a multi-day tour?
:)

You guys are stopping, why not ride straight through? :D

You guys are stopping, why not ride straight through? :D

That's the tour you, ***, Whitecarbondude and Adam will be taking. :D

Ideally I would get a seatpost rack with a small bag to carry my gear and stay in hotels. All I would carry are light city cloths, second jersey and shorts, rain gear, small toiletries, small amount of food for each day, and limited repair gear (links of chain, tire, tubes, etc.)

Ultralight touring has been gaining popularity for a few years now (similar to ultralight backpacking).

Strap on a big Carradice saddlebag and load up with just the essentials (like the items you mentioned). You can get away with riding a racing bike and not having your spokes disintegrate beneath you. Me, I like strapping a 6-pack or watermelon onto my rack and riding into camp after a long day.

I'd defintiely be interested. But would need specifics before committing. I'm off from teaching during March/April & Sep/Oct so those months would be great. Couldn't really do it any other time, though.