I ride with kona wah-wahs.  They are probably not the best flat pedal on the market, but they are decent.  I have discovered that if you use Loctite® Threadlocker when replacing the screws, that the screws won't get loose and the threading will hold up better. 

Here are some reviews of some newer models

http://reviews.mtbr.com/round-up-best-new-flat-pedals

I think water should actually be ok.  But check the weather for heat. Now is the time to go, we are having below normal temps for May.  Download the cue sheets and waypoints for water sources, but here is some updated info not on the cue sheets yet. 

At Ventucopa you will want to fill up. About 5 to 6 liters should be about right. 

At Chokecherry Spring use the valve at the upper tank and get water out of the upper tank, not the trough with the stagnant water at the bottom. 

The creek at Bluff Camp should be flowing.

I actually did a one nighter this past weekend and the wine barrel spring at Middle Camuesa Camp is full and flowing with a trickle.  Also there are several small streams currently flowing a few miles past that. That might be better water than the barrel at Middle Camesua Camp, which always tastes a little funny.

Little Caliente Hot Springs is full to the brim right now.  Not water you want to drink, but a great stop for a soak. 

The Santa Ynez River crossing right before you start climbing up Juncal Road is currently flowing.  I filtered water there this past weekend and it tasted fine. 

Pics below are from this past weekend. 

 

Here is that 100 mile Coe route I believe.  I have never ridden it, but I hear it is hard. Over 20K of climbing over 98 miles.  Damn, that sounds tough.  It might take Blake a full 12 hours!

http://www.strava.com/activities/90175912  

If you are going to shortcut the tour route, start in Pine Mountain Club.  That bus from Bakersfield will take you to Pine Mountain Club too.  Then you just have an easy singletrack climb to start on the horse trails, then a 23 mile super easy and fun descent into Ventucopa.  It will only add 2 hours or so to your first day and way more fun than starting with the relentless climb after Ventucopa.  

I don't know if SB Canyon creek is flowing. Maybe Salsa Dawg knows.  

At Chokecherry Spring, make sure you use the valve on the upper water tank (flowing and clean) and do not filter from the bottom trough (stagnant because the pipe was disconnected from the upper tank).  I am suprised more riders did not figure that out this year.   Either way 5-6 liters is a good idea after Ventucopa.  

If you are coming from the bay area, the most logical way to do it would be to get on a bus to Bakersfield via I-5, and then take the Kern Transit bus to Frazier Park.  Then take Amtrak home from SB. 

http://kerntransit.org/routes-and-schedules/130-frazier-park-bakersfield/#maps

Or call Himalayan Taxi.  Ask for Kunlay.  They were our shuttle service for the group and I am sure could accommodate you.  805-705-7577

Check the weather for late May.  It can be brutally hot by then. 

I am pretty sure that Sarah found your rear light.  I recall her asking if it was mine.  Send her a message...

The spoke product is called FiberFix Emergency Spoke Replacement Kit.

Hopefully Rita does not mind me sharing this here: https://steller.co/s/5Zh9pZmHuRe

A lot of gear failures.  My sawyer squeeze filter broke as well, my mattress popped the first night right when I laid down on it, and I lost my chamois cream somewhere in the Carrizo!

Art, I will send you a replacement for that fiber spoke.  I just ordered 4 of those.  A must have! 

You all were a fabulous group of people to meet and ride with this year.  Thanks for making it out to ride it my back yard!  The Los Padres is a vast, unforgiving, remote, and beautiful place, and you all handled it with ease and experience.  Here are all my photos:  http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/erin_carroll2/library/

Congrats to Gregg for a flawless ride! 

And BIG congrats to Rita for becoming the first ever female finisher of the proper route !!!!

HUGE thanks to Art for giving me that fiber spoke!  I would have had to call it quits really early on if it wasn't for that!

Great camping out with Armand, Sarah and Tom on night #2. 

I don't know if anyone else did a fundraiser this year, but my fundraiser for K-9 pals is at around $1,400.00  A little shy of the goal of $2,000.  If anyone feels compelled to donate a few extra bucks you can do so here:  http://www.k-9pals.org/donate.php  Just mention "miles for mutts" fundraiser. 

Below are the finishers. 83% finish rate this year!  I need a little more input from some of you:

Proper Route
Gregg Dunham (fastest time of 2 days, 9 hours, 18 minutes)
Art de Goede
Rita Jett           (Did Rita and Art finish together or did Art really finish just finish 6 minutes ahead of Rita???)
Erin Carroll
Armand Kizirian, and Sarah and Tom Swallow (all finished together at the same time) 

Tour Route
Ted Bibby
Lynne Slivovsky
Wes Barber (ITT finisher, not on map, Strava track looks good).

Too tired to write up anything. Just finished!  Going to meet the last 3 finishers at the Brewhouse to celebrate. One photo attached. 

Armand, I don't see anyone else from the LA area who has registered and is not already taking the shuttle. There are bus options if you don't have someone to drop you off. 

I just spoke with our driver, and he is willing to add 1 more car to make it work to add 2 more people.  I will private message you with paypal info.  

That makes 9 people on the shuttle and only 5 people registered.  I assume that means most of you all have your own SPOT.  The rental SPOTs ship today, so if there is anyone that need a rental SPOT at the last minute, please register NOW.

http://trackleaders.com/lospadres-signup  

If you have your own SPOT, register it with Trackleaders no later than this Wed. evening.  

You all are a shy and quiet bunch this year!  Here is my last bit of info.  

Today is the deadline for SPOT rentals through Trackleaders.  

Shuttle Leaves 3:30 pm this Thursday from Santa Barbara Train Station.  Please arrive 15-20 minutes early to load your stuff. Here are those who are confirmed for the shuttle, and I have sent you all private messages with Paypal info:

-Dave
-Rachel
-Rita
-Pete
-Me
-Lynne
-Gregg

I never heard from these people regarding the shuttle and I am assuming they have their own transportation figured out:

-Beth and Friends
-Armand

There is free street parking in Santa Barbara and a lot of secure paid parking. Here is a link to all of the paid City Lots:  http://www.santabarbaraca.gov/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=41765
For free street parking, I suggest these streets in downtown Santa Barbara:
600 Block of Bradbury Ave. (east side of street only).    
500 and 600 Block of De La Vina Ave. (both sides)
500 and 600 Block of Bath St.  (both sides)
200 Block of West Cota St. (both sides).  

Any questions let me know.  Looks like a very slight chance of showers early this week, but the weather forecast is looking pretty good overall!  

One rider just brought this to my attention-  there is a bus that will take you from Bakersfield to Frazier Park.  This must be fairly new because I researched this in the past and found nothing. 

Anyways, if you are coming from Northern Cal, this would be a great option.  It would probably work also if you are coming from the south and take the greyhound bus - you would just need to overshoot it a little.   
Here is the info:

http://kerntransit.org/routes-and-schedules/130-frazier-park-bakersfield/#maps

I almost forgot-  the trackleaders map is up for anyone wishing to go for an ITT this weekend: 

http://trackleaders.com/lospadres16

Yes, the shuttle will leave from the Santa Barbara Train Station at 3:30 pm on Thursday March 31. 

I did some trail work and camping on top of Little Pine Mountain this past weekend.  It is finally looking like Springtime out there for the first time in many years!

Trackleaders.com registration is up!

http://trackleaders.com/lospadres-signup

If you want to rent a SPOT from Trackleaders please register and rent your SPOT by March 27.  If you are using your own SPOT, deadline is March 30. 

If anyone is headed out for an ITT on March 25 weekend, please register ASAP! 

Ok ladies and gents, we are about 2 weeks out!   I need a final head count for the shuttle by Monday (3/21) of next week.  

These are the people that I believe are "for sure" for the shuttle.  Others on this thread have said they are in, but not for sure on the shuttle.  

Gregg  
Pete  
Rita
Rachel
Dave
Lynne
Me

A recent photo I saw on facebook of the spring wildflowers in the Carizzo Plain.  It seems like the flowers are not "super epic" this year, but are still pretty good.  People are giving it a "B+" .  Hopefully the bloom will stick around for a few more weeks!  

Kokos mountain motel I believe.  (661) 245-3788. I've never stayed there but one rider told me it is a 1 star type place. 

All current routes, waypoints, and cue sheets are now up. The mileage for every cue is not given, but mileage for the most important cues are all provided.

http://tourdelospadres.weebly.com/ride--route-info.html

Read up and do your homework! 

If we get a winter storm right before, the routes could still potentially change. That would be the only reason for a change. I will post that here if it becomes necessary.

The plan for the shuttle is to drive out afternoon on March 31st (leave Santa Barbara at 3:30), and camp at Chuchupate campground. This requires 2 miles and 700 ft of vertical climbing on on a paved road to reach the campground, because the campground is closed to vehicles until May. The ranger district me that although the campground is closed to vehicles it is still open to walk ins and bike ins.  We can stop at the pizza restaurant and general store on the way in.  Also, if anyone is staying at that motel in Frazier Park (I have heard it is not the nicest), the shuttle can stop and drop you off there as well. 

In case anyone was wondering, there will be no Miranda Pines party this year. I received some negative comments regarding that over the past two years, so lets just keep it simple--the only support will be the stores and restaurants in Pine Mountain Club and in Ventucopa on Day #1. 

Now I need to start training 

Ok folks, it looks like the two winners of super Tuesday were Donald Trump and and the April fools start date. So I will go with the consensus.  April 1st start date it is!

As far as I can see, there were two "nos" for April 1st- Roland and Mr. Pepper.  I will make sure to get the map up and running by March 23 or so if you guys want to head out for an ITT that weekend.  Or if anyone wants to do an ITT earlier than that just let me know and I will get the map set up. 

I heard that Robotfury broke his collar bone this past weekend after a bad spill , so unfortunately he is out for while.  Get better soon!

I will take a final head count for the shuttle by March 15. 

Stoked to see some female interest this year!