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SoCal Touring Query

Old 10-06-06, 08:28 PM
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SoCal Touring Query

Dunno if there are any cycle-tourists in here, but if there are I could use some suggestions.

The latest bike-bits newsletter from Adventure Cycling had a bit on ultra-light bicycle touring, which sort of gave me an idea.

Why not combine my off-season base miles with some weekend-overnighters? Hop on the bike, with a light camping load (could probably get by w/ 15 lb. or less on a seatpost rack), ride somewhere cool, camp, ride home. I could get a weekend of sightseeing in while still getting some serious base miles.

I just need some ideas for destinations and routes. Places that are open for camping during the fall/winter, maybe have some cool outdoorsy type stuff to see, (100 mi. isn't gonna take me *all* day and I don't want to be completely bored out of my mind once I get to wherever.) and have easy access to potable water, as I don't really want to be carrying several liters of water on the bike. Unfortunately this leaves Joshua Tree out, as I don't recall any of the campgrounds there having had water.

I'm sure there are some cool spots to camp along the coast that are worth checking out, but that's pushing the edge of my mileage limit (Don't really want to do much more than a 200 mi. weekend.). OTOH I could extend my range somewhat using the commuter trains, but their weekend schedules are kind of limited, and I don't want to do *any* driving.

So, given those constraints, anybody have any bright ideas for SoCal weekend excursions on two wheels?
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Old 10-06-06, 08:36 PM
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Last year I hopped on the Amtrak from L.A. Union Station with my loaded tour bike and headed up to Pismo Beach and spent 3 days riding and camping along the coast back down to L.A. Most all State Beach campgrounds have hiker/biker sites w/hot showers for about $3 per night. If you don't plan on cooking your own meals you can do this trip lightly loaded. Here are a couple pics from that trip...
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Old 10-06-06, 08:39 PM
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I go to Refugio quite a bit and spend one night and back home. It is one of the best beach camping sites around.
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Old 10-07-06, 01:02 AM
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I've done 3-4 day ultralight tours. You might get some ideas from my reports: https://www.briandesousa.com/bicycling/touring/

I don't mind camping in the summer, but the problem I have with doing the camping thing in the winter is that I'd be in the tent for a long time. So in the winter I usually motel it instead.
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Old 10-07-06, 07:30 AM
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Lake Casitas has bike camping, if motelling try Ojai.
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Old 10-07-06, 10:18 AM
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Can't help on destinations, but while on the subject... Adrian Stingaciu is doing a presentation in Orange County on ultra-light bike touring. Oct 10 & 11.
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