I'm leaving Monday morning for my first ever self-supported overnight tour. It's not super long or crazy, but I'm excited about it as I've never done it before. I'm leaving the Denver-metro area and heading up just West of Golden to Golden Gate State Park to camp overnight. The next day I'm riding from there to Loveland, CO. Excited for that section riding along the Peak-to-Peak scenic byway. When I get to Loveland I'm staying with a friend, who is going to drive me back home the next day.

Day 1 = about 60 miles +/-
Day 2 = about 70 miles +/-

I'll let you all know how it goes and hopefully post some pics here too.

September 1st gonna do a week long 263 mile tour from Bend OR, back home to Newport OR. See the cascades and the sisters, and Mt. Bachelor. See one of the clearest lakes in the world, Waldo lake. I can't wait. Be a million times more prepared then my CC trip last year!

My first mini/short tour went very well. It was rough going on day 1 though, which is interesting because it was the shorter of the 2 days, but it also had a 4,000 foot incline over the course of 20 miles, and that was very tough. The first day was 60 miles and the 2nd day was 75. My bike ended up weighing about 51 lbs. when fully loaded, and I think I underestimated how much more difficult some of these mountain climbs would be after riding several hours. I did train fully loaded, but most of my training was on relatively flat ground with just a few rolling hills here & there.

I'm attaching a few pictures here from my ride.http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=324519Here is my fully loaded bike.http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=324520This is the Peak to Peak Highway (119) as it's known in Colorado, about 20 miles west of Golden. http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=324521The rest of these were from Day 2 on the Peak to Peak Highway. I believe my highest elevation was around 9,400 feet! http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=324522http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=324523

Looks like a fun trip. Thanks for sharing these photos! Did you end up camping out? How'd that go?

I'm up in Denver this summer off and on and would love to get a quick overnight in.

Camping was great. I camped at Reverend's Ridge on the west end of Golden Gate State Park. Access to that via highway 119. Like I indicated, the climb up to 119 was pretty grueling though. Not sure I'd want to do that again anytime soon. I do love mountain riding though, so I guess you gotta get up there somehow!;)

If you were leaving from near downtown though then that might be a cool overnight trip. I left from about 20 miles south of Denver, so already had about 35 miles logged before reaching Golden, so I wasn't terribly fatigued, but 35 miles is 35 miles. Denver to Golden would only be about 10 or 15 miles. You'd have a difficult ride up to the campground on day 1 and then a well-earned downhill day back to Denver for day 2 would be very nice.

The campground was $18.00, but it was nice & quiet for me, easy to find and I chose a site right by the bathrooms and showers. Showers were $1.00 for 4 minutes (ha ha!), but it was well worth it.

I'll be interested to hear what you decide to do. I'll think about some other overnighters that might be good for you from Denver. Anyway you slice it you'll probably be going uphill on day 1 and downhill on day 2 back to Denver. That's kinda nice!

Just had a thought. Not sure if you'll have a vehicle that you can use, but if you do then I have a much better idea for you. Drive up to Reverend Ridge campground and camp the night before. Then wake up and drive out to 119. There will be a few options for parking along there I think. Then pack up and ride North on 119. A ride to Allenspark would be around 40 miles, and a ride to Estes Park would be about 60 miles. Not totally sure of the terrain, but I rode from Reverend Ridge to Ward, which was about 22 miles or so and it was great. Some tough climbs, but the downhills are equivalent to the uphills so you're not struggling the entire time. The views are fantastic!!! The road quality of 119 is also great, plus there are some good towns to stop in for food and whatnot if you need (Rollinsville, Nederland). In fact, if were to do a similar route to what I just did this is what I would do instead.

Great stuff, Wheelmonkey. Thank you!

I'll keep you posted as I get closer to heading out. :)

It's the Canada Day long weekend ... anyone doing a short tour over the next few days? :)

It's a little cold and wet down here, but it's summer in the northern hemisphere ... where are you going this weekend? :)

I did two short trips so far and have another starting tomorrow.

First was from Windsor to Toronto along the Waterfront Trail. The "trail" is a collection of poorly placed signs (when there are any) with arrows telling one where to go. It was nice but this was early in the season and I was more out of shape than usual. I also had more headwind than expected in the land of the 40$+ RV park. The highlight was Pointe-Pelee during warbler migration. A turkey was hungry for love, I was hungry for a turkey sandwich.

http://www.borealphoto.com/img/s8/v77/p1805439410-3.jpg http://www.borealphoto.com/img/s9/v91/p1742091942-3.jpg

In early june, I rode from Montreal to Magog and back, a trip I do almost every year around that time to visit my old folks (father's bday is close to father's day). This is almost all on bike paths and I can even ride on different paths on the way back. I usually stop at Yamaska park for an overpriced "rustic" campsite:

http://www.borealphoto.com/img/s9/v97/p1768874199-3.jpg

Tomorrow, I should be looping from Montreal to Ottawa, then down to Prescott and back to Montreal along the St-Lawrence river for about 500km in 5 days.

Last year I did a solo 4 day tour from my house ( North of Boston, MA ) to Cape Cod and looped back. Camping and self supported. Made it to Miles Standish state forest, Plymouth day 1, 76 miles. Beautiful cool clear ponds and no mosquitoes, nice. $ 12.00 a nite, bonus. I booked 2 days at Nickerson State park, Brewster MA. $ 22.00 a nite, nice swimming at Flax pond as well, 60 miles and rest day as well. Last day took the Cape Cod Rail trail to Provincetown and rode the fast ferry back to Boston, $ 55.00 with bike, 1.5 hours. Great weather and nice route. I highly recommend the Rubel bike maps series for MA. Great routes, shows elevation and hill direction as well. The maps have bike shops, ice cream places as well as camping and B&B places too.

I did my little loop of Montreal > Ottawa > Prescott > Montreal. It was hot!!! Dodged a few violent storms and missed two awesome lightning photos. :crash: I woke up to a nice tailwind on the 4th day so I rode all the way home (201km), the most I ever rode in a single day.

http://www.borealphoto.com/img/s8/v76/p1800661159-3.jpg

An overnighter in southern California:

Sat July 13: Santee, CA to Perris Reservoir State Recreation Area

Leaving Santee about 8 AM, I rode up along the Hwy 52 bike path to Kearney Mesa,
then along various residential parkways and frontage roads that paralled I-15
until I reached the inland city of Escondido (650'). After cooling and refueling at
a crowded McD's, it was time to leave the urbanized areas and keep heading
north on the old 395 route. This paralled I-15 and generally gently climbed
up a large valley to a couple of summits in the rocky, brushy hills. Every
once in a while, a golf-themed upscale resort would create a splash of green
in the otherwise golden-brown summer landscape, along with a few small markets
and delis that served the scattered residential population.

Soon the road started over the final summit before a good descent into the San
Luis Rey river valley, but I sinned and skipped that last climb, instead taking
the I-15 shoulder (hey, it did not have a sign forbidding bikes!) downhill all
the way to the next exit in the valley bottom. For my crime, I was rewarded
with a nice shard of metal debris embedded in my rear tire, but the leak was
slow enough that I was able to make it to a shaded lawn at the Pala Mesa Resort
to fix it.

The temperature was in the mid-80's as I resumed the 1000' climb out of the
valley to Rainbow summit; not too bad, except the following wind made it seem
dead calm and even hotter. Eventually, old 395 crossed the summit and I was
rewarded with a fast, winding 300' downhill into Temecula, which lies in the
Elsinore fault trough. This is a NW-SW rift valley that lies maybe 1500' below
the Santa Ana mountains to the west, and 300' below the Inland Empire to the
east. Taking the shortest route, I rode up the trough through quaint, touristy
old town Temecula, through a lot of business parks paralleling I-15, and into
Murietta Hot Springs, taking advantage of the normal strong southerly winds
here in summer.

After another fast-food stop to cool off and refuel, since temperatures now in
the late afternoon were in the 90's, there was a gradual 300' climb NW out of
the trough to parallel I-215. Once out on the plain, which is generally at
1400-1500' elevation, except where many rocky erosional remnant hills rise
up at random, the wind basically blew me at 20 mph for miles along the way to
Menifee, where I followed combination golf-cart/bike lanes through the retire-
ment community of Sun City and then north to Perris. After a stop at the local
Dollar Tree for supplies, it was onward to the lake and one final climb up the
dam to the campground. The kiosk was still manned, even though it was now dark,
and the rangers took my $4 for the hike and bike site and pointed it out for
me. I met the guy there who seemed to be sort of living there for a week or
two (no bike or tent, but he had a big Coleman cooler) and after talking for
a while, he watched as I managed to stretch my hammock between the two closest
trees by adding my cable lock. I really wasn't hungry, but did make and share
some instant cappuccino with the pop-can stove.

Distance: 106 miles Climbing: maybe 5000', computer said 4500', but it reads
consistently low since it does not count any climb under 20' Max temp: 93F

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=331624
My bike with gear before leaving Perris HB site
Guy is still in blankets behind 2nd table


http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=331636
Lake Perris day use area, already crowded at 8 AM

Sunday, July 14 Perris SRA to San Elijo State Beach

The temperature that night managed to drop to 68F and it was unusually calm,
(the native tribes called Perris "the place of the winds") but monsoon clouds
moved in during the wee hours, and it was overcast and 74F when I arose at 6 AM
I thought I'd zip over the free showers and take another before breakfast, but
they were full--dang, those fishermen get up early, too! The whole camp was up
and about early, except for the guy bundled up on the ground in the HB site,
who lay there as I went down to the camp store, took a swim, made coffee,
cooked some carbo-heavy breakfast, and packed up. Only a light shower from the
overcast into his face finally made him get up and shamble over to the porta-
potty before he headed back to his bedroll. He was still there when I left...
The overcast soon faded away into a hot, sunny day as I head back the way I had
come, and the normal south wind slowly began to develop, which did make it seem
a bit cooler. Eventually I made it to Temecula, where it did get cooler (93F),
due to the now strong wind blowing up the Santa Margarita river gorge from the
coast. I now fought the winds up over the Rainbow summit and down into the San
Luis Rey valley, where Hwy 76 led SW to the Pacific. 76 had some nice sections
with shoulders, but also hairy parts without any and heavy traffic at times.
Eventually, at Bonsall, it became a wide divided expressway with large
shoulders, and few miles later, I took the new section of the river bike path
off the highway. At first, the path was winding and interesting, but the last
five miles to the coast along the path became grinding, flat and unchanging
into the wind along the river levee. Maybe 76 would have been less tortuous.

Anyway, once at Oceanside, I picked up a tailwind and made the 15 miles down
the coast to the San Elijo campsite much more quickly. It was getting late
again, and I just picked up something to eat at the 7-11 before paying $6
for the crummy hike and bike sites and stringing up my hammock. In the
morning, I would catch the early Coaster train and trolly home before heading
to work.

Miles: 88 Climbing: about 1000' Max Temp: 97F

Gear: Grand Trunk hammock,
48''x1" Thermarest backpackers pad,
fleece throw blanket,
solar emergency blanket and mini backpack (not used),
one pr. basketball shorts,
tee-shirt,
1 sq. ft. microfleece towel,
2 pop-can stoves/potstand/windblock,
lighter,
Walmart grease-saver aluminum pot,
2-cup alum. pot/mug,
potgrabber,
sunblock,
dish soap,
razor and other toiletries,
various bike tools/zip ties/super glue,
one tube,
one point & shoot and one mini action camera (Midland),
Led Lenser H7 headlamp,
one mini 40-lumen flashing front light,
one rechargable taillight,
400 lumen XML-T6 headlamp with 18650 battery plus 2 extra batteries,
ML102 li-ion charger that also charges USB devices using the charged batteries,
7 in. Android tablet with charger
Sansa clip MP3 player

On-bike:
One plain yellow bike jersey ($15 at ecyclingstore.com's outlet store here in Santee)
One pr. 8-panel padded lycra shorts (also $15)
helmet
sunglasses
gloves
Shimano SPD sandals
2 1 qt. Gatorade O2 squeeze water bottles with socks on them

.


Okay, I might get drummed out of the touring forum for calling this a tour, but we finally got something on the calendar for this year! In the past I've been able to get out and do 2-3 day bike camping trips by myself on my old converted mountain bike with long chainstays ('89 GT Timberline). I have always wanted to do more, but have been stymied by lack of funds and ability to take time off. Now we're going to do a two day credit card "tour", on the converted mountain bikes we use for commuting and riding in the city. Does that even count? *ducks*

Early last year (or the year before?) my long-term girlfriend said something to the effect of "well if that is how you are going to spend your vacations, I guess I need a touring bike!". Not that we don't spend vacation time together, but I am able to get away a little more often than her. Obviously I was stoked that she is interested in touring! She used to be an avid mountain biker, but we've only been able to get out into the woods a few times the last three summers, and we each were not riding any kind of bike anywhere at all for several years before that.

So, we did a bunch of research and looking around, she wanted something brand new (not a converted MTB) and coming from a mountain biking background she wasn't interested in a classic touring bike similar to a road bike, but with longer chainstays. She ended up purchasing a 26" wheeled Novarra Safari from REI, but hated the trekking bars and grip shifters. I got her some rapid-fire shifters like her mountain bike's and mounted them on a sweptback bar and new stem as well as replacing the seat with something lady friendly, more suited to a more upright stance, and in her size. She's put some miles on it, but she doesn't like this bike too much, I agree with her that it seems heavy, but she keeps describing it as "feeling like it is going to fly apart" compared to her GT's on fast descents. Not that there is anything wrong with it, just compared to her GT's, which are rock solid, it doesn't feel good to her. Eventually I'll find something better, but for now, it's sunk cost, and she's probably stuck with it for loaded touring.

Fast forward to this year and given how heavy her touring rig is and how little she likes it, I snagged a '96 GT Pantera off Craigslist for a song and converted it to a city bike for her with a rigid fork, sweptback bars, cushy slick tires, and a suitable saddle, etc. She loves this bike and has been getting out and riding more. This bike is very light, and she likes how minimalist it looks at the moment, so it still doesn't have any racks on it. She's not commuting by bike right now (despite regular pressure from me!) and has the Safari should she desire to carry panniers on a trip.

Both of our birthdays are in August, and we usually try and take time off together and take a romantic trip somewhere. Our landlord just jacked up our rent again and is threatening to sell our building, so we both haven't wanted to spend money on travel that we should be saving for; first months rent, last months rent, deposit, pet deposit, a moving truck, and maybe a storage space, so here we are August already and we didn't have anything planned. :\

Although my partner has been riding more, she's not in great shape (I'm in bad shape too!), and says that right about at the 20 mile mark she just feels like she runs out of energy. In addition, the bike I usually use for touring is mid-overhaul and stalled there due to lack of funds and other projects taking priority. There are also a number of pieces of camping equipment we need to replace with much smaller, lighter things, but can't afford to do so right now. :(

The past month or so I've been doing a lot of research looking for 2-3 day rides I could do from our place in North Seattle, and it dawned on me that I could probably put together a route that we could manage at our current fitness level and bike situation if instead of focusing on camping, I bit the bullet and sprung for a night at a bed and breakfast, and broke the trip up into small legs instead of 45 miles of riding all at once like I usually do on my trips.

So the last couple of slow nights at work I researched a route and found a nice B&B for us to stay at, that is also reasonably priced ($130 including hot tub!). This morning I presented the plan to her, and she said "sounds like fun" and is excited about it! Yay! (insert dancing emoticon here! - why don't we have one of those?)


So, please no mocking on how tiny our "tour" is and how short each leg is, hopefully this will encourage others who are similarly challenged by lack of equipment and fitness level. Get out and ride!


Day 1

Ride 11.4 miles from our apartment in north Seattle to the Edmonds Ferry Dock. Depending on when we arrive there and how much of a wait until the next ferry leaves, either have lunch on the waterfront there or in Kingston where the ferry makes landfall. I picked out a place that looks good (Arnie's) in Edmonds and there are lots of good options on the other side of the water in Kingston. We could also check out the Edmonds Marsh, which should have some nice birdwatching.

Ride 14.1 miles from Kingston Ferry Dock (or nearby restaurant) to the Green Cat bed and breakfast. Depending on how we feel, and how early we get there, we may ride the big 2.1 miles over to Kitsap Memorial Park and check it out. Again, depending on how we are feeling (and how many hills are between the two!), we'll either walk, ride, or maybe take a cab to/from the nice restaurant we have reservations at for that night (Molly Gardens).

So, a whopping 25.5 to 35 miles for the ride out. I'll be carrying everything on my bike. I actually enjoy riding loaded, and we won't have very much at all given that it is just an overnight at a B&B, but my partner has never ridden more than about 36 miles in a single day before (two 18 mile trips separated by several hours), and even though I ride about 15 miles almost every day, I've taken very few longer rides in the past year and hills still clobber both us, despite the fact I ride up hills every day.

So, all in all, I was very pleased when she looked over our itinerary and declared it as appearing quite do-able. Which is good, because the hills on Bainbridge eventually wore her down the last time we rode there, and I'm sure there will be some hills that will be tough for us between Kingston and Bainbridge too, given the topography of this area. Since I'll be carrying our locks, changes of clothes, and toiletries, she can ride her nice light Pantera which she far prefers over her Safari. My commuter isn't ideal as a tourer, but I do okay on it on the rare longer ride I get in, and since it is just an overnight at a bed and breakfast I should be able to keep the weight down. My commuter doesn't have a rear rack, but I do have a very large saddlebag (18L Zimbale, similar to the largest Carradice) and I'm accustomed to carrying loads on the front rack, although I'll try and keep that weight down so it doesn't fatigue me too much.

Day 2

7.7 miles from the B&B into the town of Poulsbo for coffee, and likely elevensies of some variety. Plenty to choose from in the way of food there. Might be hilly between the two.

7.1 miles from Poulsbo to Bloedel Reserve, to check out the gardens, birdwatch for a while.

9.5 miles to Bainbridge Ferry Terminal, route can be shortened to 7 miles via HWY 3, which has less hills. This will likely be the toughest part of the ride, Bainbridge Island is famous for the "Chilly Hilly" bike ride, and it's no misnomer! We might stop at the famous yarn store in Bainbridge (Churchmouse) and will probably have dinner on the island before catching the ferry back to Seattle. I do feel really lucky that we have so many ferry options within striking distance of home, lets us get out of the city! We really liked the Harbour Public House when we rode over there for me to pick up a rear wheel from a Craigslist seller, so I suspect we'll eat there again.

Finally, 10.3 miles from Colman (Seattle) Ferry Dock to home via Myrtle Edwards & Ship Canal Trails and then north on city streets. This is a familiar and pleasant ride for us (excepting the "mont" in Fremont!) and will probably fly by.

So, about 35 miles (34.6 + restaurant & shop detours) for the second day. 60-75 miles total, depending on routes chosen and side trips. I've done more than that in one day with a single overloaded pannier before!

It's a start! ;)

Hopefully next year I'll have my tourer built back up and we'll both be a little stronger and with some new lightweight gear and we can get out and do something a little more ambitious and a little more suited to our tastes! But, all in all, I think this will be a fine and fun adventure that will whet our appetites for more and be something that we can accomplish without it being miserable or totally exhausting.

I like to combine bike and train travel. Amtrak are, IMHO, the easiest and most bike friendly way to travel. I just did a tour from Boston to Buffalo and came back on the Lakeshore Limited. It took 12 hours, but the seats were wide with lots of leg room and I lunch in the dining car and being able to walk around and sit in the club car made the journey go quite quickly. There wasn't wifi, but you can plug your phone/pad in and use it all the way. Packing the bike was easy, just pedals off and turn the bars around and the bike went into the bike box. My ticket cost $77, the bike box was $15 and the bike baggage charge was $10.

http://wheelsofchance.files.wordpres...5021.jpg?w=468

Locks on Erie Canal

http://wheelsofchance.files.wordpres...4440.jpg?w=468

One of the "natural" sections of the trail

http://wheelsofchance.files.wordpres...1724.jpg?w=468

Niagara Falls from the US side

http://wheelsofchance.files.wordpres...3631.jpg?w=468

The Falls from Canada

http://wheelsofchance.files.wordpres...5626.jpg?w=468

Packing the bike

http://wheelsofchance.files.wordpres...3556.jpg?w=468

Trains are cool! The Lakeshore Limited arrives at Buffalo Depew

Since we're talking shorter tours ... have you been on a short tour recently?

Not much of a tour... Last week, I biked 8km into a "rustic" camp in La Mauricie national park, rode around dirt trails the next day, camped again and rode out in the morning. I was more after nature, solitude and silence than bike touring. I spent a few more days canoeing and hiking in the park. This year's big tour is next week!

http://www.borealphoto.com/img/s9/v97/p1783634897-3.jpg

http://www.borealphoto.com/img/s10/v...39767604-3.jpg

Well, I have plans at least for one to two hub-spoke tours in Sept/Oct until I do a 10 day tour in late Oct. Even though I cycle a lot (7-8K miles/year) these will be my first cycling tours where I actually camp.

I'm assembling all the camping gear. These tours will be my first camping excursions since high school and as my grown kids would say..."that was the stone ages" ;)

Looking forward to it, with some apprehension!

Richard

Labour day in the USA/Canada this weekend. We are in Whistler for a few days during our 6 week trip in Canada and the USA. Did 60km taking in some of the local climbs today (good way to escape the crowds) and will head out to Pemberton tomorrow. Heres a couple of photos. Hope everyone has enjoyed their weekend!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/84448690@N06/9649152279/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8444869...n/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/84448690@N06/9652262930/

Nice!

This year I really miss the Canadian Labour Day ... I could do with a long weekend for cycling. :)

S48O


Hmmmmm. Where to post about my recent S48O, that started out to be a S24O? I would consider it a mini-tour.

This is a late August-early September tour in Florida, which for anyone who knows the state at this time of the year would understand the heat, humidity, thunderstorms, and mosquitos. Regardless, this is the time of year that we have more daylight and (usually) no hunters in the woods. When the temperatures are better (November on through May) camping in the woods is taking a slight risk of being mistaken for a deer (or anything that moves).

So, started from home on the Salsa Vaya loaded lightly for two overnight stays in the woods. Majority of the trip on paved trails including the Pinellas Trail, the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park Trail, and the Suncoast Trail. The Vaya performed flawlessly and I wouldn't hesitate to take it, just as it is, across the country (love touring on the Schwalbe Supremes as I think they made the trip so very comfortable at 40mm wide).

Leaving central Pinellas County on Friday noon instead of Saturday (thus the 3 days total = 48, as opposed to my original plan for 2 = 24) and primitive camped at Crews Lake Park in Pasco County after an afternoon of riding (and 46 miles). Perfect for bike camping as it is easily accessed from the Suncoast Trail (by the way, there are primitive camping opportunities in Jay B. Starkey as well). Had plenty of space for my hammock and even had a shower (cold, but refreshing and welcome). The staff there was very accommodating. I was the only one in the entire 120 acre park.

Saturday was back to the Suncoast Trail early in search of food. Nice sandwich for breakfast from Publix grocery. Pop down the street 10 miles for a cup of coffee from Dunkin' Donuts. Back on the Suncoast Trail north towards US98 and on to the Chassahowitzka River. The Suncoast is closed at the end (for road construction), but I found may way past a few construction barriers and onto the road for the trip on west to the river. The northern end is very beautiful with plenty of shade and nice rolling hills.

Too many people for me at the river campground. Decided to head on eastward into the Withlacoochee Wildlife Management Area (Citrus Tract) with a tailwind to find some peace and quiet. Picked out an awesome area to camp for the night. Only noises (once the Harley riders with their straight pipes go to bed) are the owls hooting and wild pigs grunting and arguing over some grubs nearby. Total for the day was 41 miles.

Sunday morning continue east on Stage Coach Trail then south towards Brooksville for some great breakfast at the Country Feed Store Cafe (1709 Howell Ave - for a plug - they have great service, very good coffee, and a nice menu). After breakfast I had some free time to read on the steps of the Courthouse downtown. Got to meet a couple just starting out on a one month long adventure driving up US 41 from St. Petersburg Florida to Copper Harbor, Michigan! They were very excited.

Anyways, after a few more miles (25 for the day) to the meet up with the family at a pool party south of Brooksville and my bicycling part of the trip was complete. I literally felt as though I wanted to ride the 50 something miles home instead of getting transported by vehicle back home. However, the best trips seem to leave some on the road for next time!

Hopefully this is the proper place to post this mini-adventure and also inquire as to similar trips that you all might like to tell us about.

Did a week trip from San Francisco to LA the first week of July.

For Labor day weekend I took my wife on her first tour after a few aborted attempts due to life issues. It was a S48O. Drove Friday from Long Beach to Santa Barbara, then rode north to Refugio State Beach. This is usually a great camp site, but the Labor Day crowd was massive. The front of the Hiker/Biker camp site turns into parking, so there is no view, and people were constantly walking through our camp to get to the beach and back, or over to the restroom. I wonder when manners went out the window. It was still a great relaxing trip, and met a bunch of other tourists passing through. Headed back on Sunday to beat the holiday traffic and get some work done around the house. Best of all, my wife enjoyed the trip and wants to do another one.

I'm heading up to the San Juan Islands sept 14, spend a few days touring the big 3 then off to Sidney BC down to Victoria ride the ferry to Port Angeles ride the west side of Puget Sound down to Gig Harbor over the Narrows bridge and home. Going to make it a easy week to enjoy the sights. Jim

MTBpacking solo 15days.
 

thought
i just finished my solo short tour 18days ago on MTB.
this tour traverse mostly on roads mix with rail trail,following ECG once x-ing into manhattan all the way to trailhead farmington rail trail in new haven ,CT.
for three days make it to worchester,MA http://www.strava.com/activities/75127447 258.50miles

from worchester,MA http://www.strava.com/activities/75127585 8881.90miles.
continueing on ECG until reaced portsmouth,NH then take shuttle bus to cross into kittery,ME bridge for bike path was under renovation/repair so they provide hikers and cyclist with shuttle.
then i just follow eastern trail (eastern trail start from kittery,ME to portland,ME for about 65miles)
all the way up to portland,ME from there pick up RT 302 all the way up to vermont.this route very scenic as it is traveling into white mountain region.

when reached east burke,VT
a very small town i stop by riding kingdom trail.this are eastcoast mountain bike trail mecca.i did spend two days in that small town to ride the trails it was fun and they got amazing trails system in east coast.the next day continueng my trip to burlington then start riding on famous lake champlain bikeway.i didn't rode to rousse point altho i thought i should,but family back home needs me to be back sooner than i planing.
so,.i took the ferry x-ing to new york from there i just follow new york bicycle route #9 is the easiest route to get back home.and to make my trip even shorter and faster i took train ride from poughkeepsie into manhattan in harlem 125st from there rode back home for the rest of the trip.


highlights
took more than 3000 pictures.
spend 5days stealth camping,3 nights in motels and the rest paid camping site.

this is my first long tour (for me) and first ever doing camping and setting up tent,and second MTBpacking trip.
hardest part was riding on dirt with steep climbs on rural roads in vermont with speed ranging from 3mph-6mph,i think it was on granby.about 20 mile before east burke town and those horsefly kept sucking my blood without i'm feeling it until it was too late it was so annoying and very not comfy even i did put bug spray all over my arm and leg/face.relieved only when descending,and they back again when i'm crawling up the steep hill.LOL

most memorable event was,meeting many differents kind and generous stranger peoples,who were helping me,offering me place to stay or foods.

Labour Day long weekend here in Ontario has given me two whole days in a row. No phones, no TV, no computer just me and the great outdoors. In this case the traveling, not the destination is the vacation so I wanted to avoid the weekend road traffic as much as possible. There is a converted rail trail network that starts in Cambridge, less then an hour from my home, and meanders down through Paris, Brantford and then just before it heads to Port Dover, quiet paved country roads brought me to Turkey Point Provincial Park. The 116 kilometers took 7 hours to complete including a leasurly lunch at Tim Hortons. I can cover this distance on my carbon race bike in about half that time but my average speed was greatly reduced pulling a trailer on a cyclocross bike with 32mm tires. Was greeted with rain that stopped long enough so I could make supper and put up my tent, The next day the rain returned just after breakfast and packing everything in to the Burley. Rain off and on most of the way back but it was warm enough not to be really uncomfortable. Had lots of room in the trailer for all the comforts including a cooler with ice for food, water, milk and beer.
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p...h_P9010005.jpg
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p...h_P9010003.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p...h_P9010002.jpg