San Luis Obispo / Santa Barbara Loop

[jp3d]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jp3d/sets/72157626841114793/

Started from SLO Saturday evening and got back around noon on Tuesday. My first real bikepacking trip and it was great!

Route inspired by http://salsacycles.com/culture/california_central_coast_tour_the_route/ and http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,2159.0.html and turned into a big loop back around through Carrizo Plain, Pozo, and Cuesta.
note: contrary to the way the Salsa Cycles blog makes it sound Avenales Canyon is not a public road. It looks like it was at one time: there is an old Forest Service campground along the route, and "Please stay on road/respect private property signs," but I guess the Ranch decided to revoke the Forest Service right of way. I met the Ranchers on their way out and they weren't entirely thrilled with my route choice. They let me continue on through, but ask that people please refrain from this route.

[santacruzer]

Way to Go Jesse. I some of that route back in May. Thanks for the info on the Avaneles Ranch. I've been wanting to loop through there myself.  I've heard they sometimes let people have access during the wildflower season and they let hunters into American Canyon during deer season. I think you can go through Huasna to 166 without any problems.  Where did you get water on the Carrizo?     

[jp3d]

I stocked up on food and water at the Shell Station + Subway in Maricopa before heading into the valley, and then got more water from The California Valley Motel http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-5147411-california_valley_motel-i I called ahead of time to see if they had any water available and the proprietor was more than happy to offer some water from their well. You could also get yourself a room there for $65 (reservation required). There is also a public water tank at the Library / Fire Station just down the road, but it is labeled "non potable."

[jp3d]

Also, here is the route I took: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/37132534

[bikemad]

wow, thats a pretty insane route. i actualy thought about going on an excursion this weekend but i dont have any touring bikes. just a finely tuned bmx i use for getting around the city and a road bike for distance. 250 miles is some pretty serious stuff man. i just moved out to san diego and find the terrain verrry unforgiving to us single geared guys. i still manage to get up hills but after hitting 4 in a row you grow weary running 23 tooth sproket. way to go man!

steve
www.intrepidequipment.com intrepid hand cycle and recumbent specilist

[AmyL]

Jesse, Thanks for the photos and route link.  Gives me more ideas for route variations.  Here are my photos and maps of a trip that included some of the same ground you covered:

http://amyl.smugmug.com/Bike-Trips/201003-Central-CA

Comments in the first image in the show includes links to maps, gpx and kml files.

So many places to go, so little time.  AmyL