I finally had some time to tackle this route. My original goal was to leave friday and finish the route within a weeks time. Note this report isn't about any sufferfest, sleep deprivation, or extreme conditions. This report is more about a few days of fun bikepacking along the stagecoach route. I was not able to set out on my original date planned date due to some work issues, so I had to postpone the ride until Monday, cutting into ride time. I ended up riding for a total of 3 days, followed by a 4th day of spontaneous rock climbing, and then headed home late thursday night. All in all a fun trip, and a great route with some spectacular scenery, which deserves to not only be raced but enjoyed at a multiday pace. The 3 days of riding averaged about 50 miles a day give or take a few.
Day 1: Left my home in North Park San Diego and headed towards Escondido, ended up getting permission to camp out at the reservour so I did not have to stealth camp. Great single track, and a fun way to see what's "inbetween" all the routes that I've been riding on my road bike over the last few years. Saw a couple of rattle snakes which freaked me out, and a swarm of bees. This section had the most single track out of any other days that I rode. Considering there were only 3, I'm excited to try and finish the route to see what else is out there, I've ridden Nobel Canyon, but never in the areas where the route continues on past that. I was amazed at how accurate the GPS was in the tunnels of panesquitos canyon, it was dead on...I wish I had invested in the time to learn how to use a GPS prior to my great divide ride last summer, would have saved me a great deal of trouble.
Day 2: More fun single track around the reservour in Escondido followed by a ton of climbing and fire roads and a little pavement to reach Warner Springs. I realized that the town had nowhere to purchase food after arriving, but I was given some great hospitality at the firestation and a place to camp for the night.
Day 3: Tons of hike a bike to Idyllwild and some tired legs. The scenery was beautiful and I felt like I was in a very remote area, despite only being a few miles away from teh 79 at any given moment. I arrived in Idyllwild and grabbed some Chinese food, and realized it was already 6pm and going to be dark soon. Not wanting to find a spot to stealth camp I settled in at the Idyllwild Community Park Camp Ground for the night.
Day 4: I awoke with very sore legs and zero will to continue into the desert to borrego springs. I knew this section was going to be demanding due to sand, lack of water, and its remoteness so I opted to consider my options. Rest and ride on through the weekend, which I did not want to do, or call it a day and hitch a ride back to San Diego. Luckily my camp neighbors invited me for a day of rock climbing. My legs were weary after biking for 3 days straight, but I'm not one to pass up adventure so I immediatly said yes, and was treated to an epic 5 pitch climb up tahquitz peak.
We arrived back at camp around 6pm and I was whiped out. My legs and body were spent and my girlfriend offered to scoop me up from Idyllwild and drive back to our home. It was an adventure filled 4 days, and I couldn't ask for anything more. I'm sore, tired, and happy...it was a great trip.
I think in May if the weather permits I may try my luck at finishing the route from Idyllwild back to San Diego, but that all depends on Desert Temps. I Would love some company if anyones interested in some Desert night riding to avoid the high day time temps
My gear worked out really well, I need to make a few more final tweaks to my harnesses but other than that I would not change much. I loathed having to carry a back pack while riding, but got used to it over time. I think my next investment will be a nicer pack which rides at the hips instead of at my upper back.
Gear list (may have missed a few things) includes:
Big Agnes copper spur UL1
Marmot Arroyo down bag long (30 degree rating my as$, more like 40)
Thermarest prolite plus (Regular)
Trangia stove, MSR pot, Titanium spork, foldable stand for pot / 20 FL oz fuel bottle (overkill for 3 days, I have a smaller one that I use for shorter trips but I thought I'd be on route for a week)
Synthetic warm pants/ Synthetic warm tops/ Synthetic warm windbreaker/ neck warmer/ hat/ cotton t-shirt.. *Will carry 2 wool shirts instead of a cotton t-shirt next time
3 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of bib bike shorts
Multi Tools, kevlar spoke, patch kit, tire levers, 2 spare tubes. chain lube.
Bike : Old Gary Fisher X-Cal 29er, running tubeless clinchers. **I've only been riding tubeless clinchers for about 4 months now and if you aren't running your MTB with them yet, get on board!! Way better than tubes, more comfortable, and a nicer ride.
3L backpack, where I kept food and 3L of water.
home made framebag, bar/seat harness' / gas tank.
wet whipes/ toothbrush / ear plugs / Dr. Bronsons soap / Rag.
Garmin Etrex 20
Emergency Blanket
Water Filtration Tablets
3L water bag, 1 water bottle **need improvements to carry more water**
Spare batteries, headlamp, Hunting Knife (more for safety in the night / peace of mind / and openning non pop top cans)
Usually carried enough food for 1-2 days.
I really would like to finish this route, it's remote enough to where you really feel like you're "out there" and yet close enough to major roads where if SHI# ever hit the fan you'd be relativly close to safety. Water was plentiful, people were friendly, and the roads were in great shape. There was quite a bit of hike-a-bike to get into Idyllwild and I do not know how the racers do it. That last section into town is rough, my hats off to you guys for racing this route, it's a beast.
I need to get the gear list down pat, I'm thinking about moving the 3L bag into the frame bag, and getting rid of the water bottle under my seat to replace it with another smaller baggie. My thighs kept rubbing against the water bottle and eventually I managed to tear a small hole in my bibs. I'll also re-sew / tweak my seat pack to allow me to hold a 2-3L bladder back there, I really loathed having weight on my back, especially on the hotter sun exposed climbs.
As stated above in mid May I'll have a few days off where I can squeez in some more riding, and come August 5th it's the Colorado Trail woohoo
