CSTR Planning

[trebor]

Sean - I can't get the waypoint file to download. It's giving me a vague message that the 1.5 K file won't download. I've tried on Chrome and Internet Explorer. Any ideas?

[Sean Allan]

Sorry Rob, operator error on my part. I didn't add the file to the link, should be good now.
This stuff is the hardest part......

[tanman1337]

I'm using basecamp on MAC like I always do. It keeps wanting to download and change to a .txt file. I keep changing it back to .gpx and base camp won't except it. It keeps saying invalid file. Any ideas? Oh yah, I'm talking about the full track you have on there from Trebor Sean.

[Sean Allan]

Tanner,
No experience on a MAC but I'm having the same problem with Trebors file as well on both my PC's. I can open in Topofusion, but Basecamp gives me the same generic error message. I've had that problem with files that I have received from others in Basecamp as well with no resolution, I just used Topofusion in those instances but I know that's not an option on a Mac.

I can open all the other files in Basecamp though, is that the case with you as well?  Maybe Trebor will chime in with a solution.

I can't open the file in Basecamp from my computer either so it's not a website issue. I've had problems in Basecamp since the update last year and have pretty much quit using it.

We'll get it figured out. For now just use the the other file and realize that the cherry stem from Auburn goes both ways.

[tanman1337]

Yah, I can download all the other files. I'm not sure what the deal is. Hopefully we can get it figured out. As for now I at least have the 10,000 point track for a reference

[Sean Allan]

Make sure you have the 6-10-13 GPX as well, that's just the 10000 point track with a little more detail. Not sure what GPS you're using but the Mac deal is why I put the 10000 point file up since it's not possible to simplify in Basecamp. Perhaps you Mac users have a another way to go about it though.

[tanman1337]

Yah, I just usually split the tracks up in Basecamp. I took the AZT track which was like 80,000 points or whatever and split it up into my own 10,000 point segment in Mac Basecamp

[Ty]

I'm in for this... vacation already approved.  I might not finish but I'll take it one day at a time and see how it goes... still pretty fresh to bikepacking events.

I've done the Rubicon a bunch of times in my Jeep... should be fun on the bike!  Also, due to the big 3 day weekend the Rubicon trail can be real busy.  I've had Saturdays where it takes 8-10+ hours from Loon Lake to Rubicon Springs by Jeep.  It all depends on what time you are there but expect to see a bunch of people out there on that section.  Lots of them will be drinking pretty heavy too... maybe they will share 

[forest_on_bike]

Also, due to the big 3 day weekend the Rubicon trail can be real busy.  I've had Saturdays where it takes 8-10+ hours from Loon Lake to Rubicon Springs by Jeep.  It all depends on what time you are there but expect to see a bunch of people out there on that section.  Lots of them will be drinking pretty heavy too... maybe they will share  

I was worried about too many jeeps too, however, I rode this section on the same weekend last summer and didn't find the trail crowded at all. I got to the Rubicon trail around 7:30am on Sunday and almost all the jeep people were still sleeping or just waking up. I only ran into 3 jeeps driving the trail before I reached Tahoe. Two of them were driving a little crazy around a corner, so do keep an eye out if you are descending around blind turns.

[Sean Allan]

The good thing about a mountain bike is you don't have to ride the jeep trail, just move up 20' and go around.

[Ty]

MTB is way faster than a Jeep for stuff like the Rubicon... heck even walking some of the time.  I just wanted to point out that it isn't very remote on that stretch and to keep an eye out for Jeeps depending on your timing.

Sean/Trebor, thanks for the cleaned up route and water markers.  I've been working off of the older GPS file when I found the website on a google search and just got to reading this thread.

What are people's water filter thoughts if you were in the market?  I have only done bikepacking in SoCal and there isn't much of anything to worry about filtering down here.

[Buttermilk]

I'm thinking about one of these. http://www.sawyer.com/water.html
Anybody have experience with it...pros/cons. Seems like a good lightweight and packable option.

[trebor]

I've used Sawyer for years and have had good luck. Not specifically with the Squeeze system and bags. I've used the 3-Way version inline with my bladder. Pretty good flow rate in most cases.

I know a couple of people with the Squeeze and they seem happy.

[trebor]

Sean - it seems the toughest leg for food resupply is between Foresthill to the lake and from the lake again going back to Foresthill. 100 or so miles of no "conveniences". Just trying to confirm if my route study is correct.

[Sean Allan]

Rob,
Yes you are correct. Tough riding out there as well.

[forest_on_bike]

Sean - it seems the toughest leg for food resupply is between Foresthill to the lake and from the lake again going back to Foresthill. 100 or so miles of no "conveniences". Just trying to confirm if my route study is correct.

One tip: there is a bar called "Uncle Tom's Cabin". You will see signs for it on Ice House Road. It's not very far off the road (~1/2 mile). They offer beer, soda, and chips. And lots of leather-clad motorcycle people. Not exactly a great source for calories, but you can get a coke and some salty chips.

I included it in my waypoints, which are posted here: http://teamkaker.com/sierra-trail-race-tahoe-sample/

Also, I only saw a Subway in Foresthill. Don't expect a grocery or convenience store.

Forest

[Sean Allan]

Depending on time of day, there is a full service grocery store in Foresthill. Pizza, Subway, Chinese, and 2 gas/convenience stores are also available. No bike shops but we do have a hardware store as well.

I didn't include Uncle Toms Cabin in my waypoints, it's been years since I've been in there but they used to serve sandwiches, I don't think they do that anymore though. You are only about 30 miles from Lake Tahoe at that point, but they are hardish miles.

Remember that most of the West Shore of Tahoe shuts down around 10 pm. Better do some research if you think you are going to need food there. You can always go into Tahoe City and come back to the Ward Creek entrance to the TRT. I think that would be about a 15 mile round trip off course. You would come into Tahoe City anyways, but it is a fair bit of climbing and trail before you would get there.

[forest_on_bike]

Depending on time of day, there is a full service grocery store in Foresthill. Pizza, Subway, Chinese, and 2 gas/convenience stores are also available. No bike shops but we do have a hardware store as well.

I didn't include Uncle Toms Cabin in my waypoints, it's been years since I've been in there but they used to serve sandwiches, I don't think they do that anymore though. You are only about 30 miles from Lake Tahoe at that point, but they are hardish miles.

Sean - does the route go past/near these services in Foresthill? When I drove the main road through town, I didn't see them.

Also, I stopped at Uncle Tom's Cabin last summer (same 3-day weekend). It was hot and I was running low on water. I couldn't resist the sign that said cold beer. I didn't see them offering any sandwiches, but it's possible I just didn't ask the right question.

[Sean Allan]

Only one street through FH, you must have been blurry eyed   Yes you ride past all of the services on your way to the turn off at Bath Rd. just outside of town. There actually are a couple of sit down restaurants as well, but I figure everyone will be well on their way by dinner time.

Cues are done, I just need to type them up, really looking forward to that....

[forest_on_bike]

You are right. I can see them on Google Maps. I don't know how I missed them! My only excuse is that it was early.