Dude that is a bummer about your bike! The SC Tallboy would probably suit you well.

I would expect the routes to be more similar to 2017 than 2018.  Here are 2017 routes if you want to study:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18368199
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18410075

We are currently getting as much as 7 inches of rain over this weekend, so restoring any additional trails between now and late March is a bit questionable.
There will Probably be some wash outs and ruts after this storm like there were in 2017.

In the event that there is too much snow on Mt Pinos, I have an alternate starting point that adds miles and avoids the highest elevations, but that’s just a back up plan.

We had a girl, not a boy! Her name is Devi. If I have my way, she will be at the start this year.

[MARCH 22nd]

It is time to pull the trigger on the date.  It was very close between March 22 and April 12, but MARCH 22nd has won.  That is only 2 months from now. This is based on votes posted on the thread(s) here, as well as emails and messages I have received.  This event has been blessed with relatively good weather for the past 5 years, but in the event bad weather does occur, the date will be pushed back as needed. 

Still waiting to see if a few trails are restored (or not) before uploading the final routes.  Hopefully by mid February will have the final 2019 routes up and ready. 

Yeah that is SB Potrero.  There used to be a spring fed tub with a weak flow of water going into it, but it was not there last year.  The picnic table is still there though.  If you know exactly where "oak spring" is, please do share.

All tour riders last year made it somewhere between SB Canyon and Bluff Camp on night #1.  The ITT guys were faster, no one made it past SB Potrero in the group. Water was flowing pretty good last year in SB Canyon after you make the hard right turn to the west.  No water at SB Potrero last year. You can replay last years tracker if you are curious: http://trackleaders.com/lospadres18

At this point it is pretty much a split vote between March 22 and April 12.  Hopefully will get a little more input on the start date, then lock in a date in a week or two from now.

With El Nino now in full swing this winter, March 22 is a 50-50 chance of a big storm coming through, but it could work if the weather behaves. April 12 or 26 are much safer dates, but even in mid April, we have had significant snow on Mt. Pinos the last 2 years. This photo was from last year on April 13 towards the top of McGill Trail.

Sulky started a new thread for 2019, so lets use that fresh thread instead and retire this 2018 thread.

Hi Dave, I thought you mentioned late September? I was planning for that.  Isn’t that when the fall foliage colors are peaking?

Thanks for the input everyone, I’ll leave the date open ended for now.  March 22 is quite early for this route, but they say it’s only going to be a light El Niño this winter.  Will try to lock in a date by mid to late January.

Just an update on the start date.  After speaking with a few people who have already committed on showing up at the start in 2019, I have determined that a March 29th start day will not work.  The only other two alternate dates that could work are March 22 or April 26.  If one of these dates is preferred over April 12th, please let it be known here asap.  I will keep the start date as April 12th for now.

Thanks Phillip! Being a father is pretty awesome. I just sleep in 90 minute intervals now😴

I am surprised that stagecoach is also April 12 this year. Usually stagecoach is mid-March when the weather is still cool down there.  I’m not sure if having both events on the same day is a great idea, so I am now thinking TDLP date should be March 29. In the event of bad weather, it would postpone by one month to April 27.

3 of us rode through Yosemite this summer and to my surprise they didnt charge us anything.


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My bad  Looks like Alex and Rick had a solid ride on the northern 315 this year.

Damn, I jinxed it.  Looks like he cut it short and he is off route now.  Bummer.

I don't believe anyone has finished the 250 or the 500 route since 2016. The Caldera makes the CTR feel like a beginner bikepacking route. Blake B is finishing his day 3 right now and he is riding strong. He has failed twice on this route in past years. I am going to make a prediction and say Blake is going to take first place this year!

Following

If you start at Sherman Pass, you could probably do the first loop (down Cannell Trail and up Sherman Pass Road Via Cherry Hill Road) in one day and not even load up your bike too much.  Then come back to your car, resupply, load up your bike, camp on the summit of Sherman Peak (or if you are worried about water, just camp somewhere off the road so you can get water at your car in the morning).  Then summit Sherman Peak and then follow the route below. 

Rattlesnake Creek at mile 125 on this route is pretty reliable water (I have never seen it dry), and you will very likely find water at Fish Creek at mile 162 (the creek is just off route).  You will want to fill up at these locations. 

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18008615

Evdog said Shaffer Trail is a possibility after Sherman Peak too, but I have never done that trail.  Trout Creek Trail is one of the nicer trails for sure. 

Just be patient on the sandy moto trails. They will not be hard packed this time of year.  It is not death sand, but some sections can be annoying. 

You are on the right track for sure.  Try to stay above 7,000' elevation this time of year.  You will hit some sandy trails up on the plateau this time of year, but they will be manageable.   

You can check out my website for waypoints, routes, etc for this area here: https://tourdelospadres.weebly.com/other-bikepacking-routes.html

Where are you coming from?  I would probably either start at either Fish Creek Campground or up at Sherman Pass.  If you start at Sherman Pass, you could use your car as a resupply point, which might be kind of nice.

Nick said his knee was hurting and he had to bail at Rock Front.  I was really hoping he would finish this year, but it was not in the cards.

It is not over yet!  Devin Carter is starting his ITT now.  He might have even more snow on Mt. Pinos than we did last week.  Another weird little winter storm just came through about 24 hours ago. 

Art and Tony made it to the Brewhouse at the same time last night to share the top spot this year.  Phillip finished shortly after them last night. 

Drew and Wes also finished their tour route ITT last night. 

Aaron just finished this morning, I believe he is the last finisher, unless there is someone still riding out there who is not on the map. 

Congrats to everyone who showed up this year!