Tour De Los Padres 2016

[Roland Sturm]

I could only do the 25th (need to be home overnight the April 1 weekend), but would do my usual thing of skipping the final single track sections around SB and instead roll back along the beach route after Montecito. So between proper and touring route. Or maybe I even downgrade to the touring route because I haven't done that route yet and have seen the Sierra Madre climb often enough. 

[robotfury]

4.1

[Marin Sigurdson]

Hi Erin,

I saw the route you posted above (OJAI_RIM_LOOP_SHORT https://ridewithgps.com/routes/7056603). I have to be in Oak View on Sunday, so I was thinking of trying this route Sat afternoon-Sun morning & just wanted to check how it went for you.  There's no poison-oak bushwhacking is there?  Any water? How much hike a bike?

Thanks!
Marin

[ec_duz_it]

Marin, I thought the Ojai Rim ride was a great loop, so I added the route (with options and waypoints) to the TDLP website in the "other bikepacking routes" section. http://tourdelospadres.weebly.com/other-bikepacking-routes.html  

This would make for a great 1 or 2 day training ride.

You definitely want to water up big time at the Stagecoach Station store.  6 liters recommended after leaving the store if you are camping up on Nordhoff Ridge. I took 5 liters, but we ending up melting a little bit of snow to make up 1 more liter to get through the 2nd day.  

The great thing about this loop is there is almost zero highway riding.  There is even a bike path that keeps you off the highway for the last  7 miles or so.  There is very little hike a bike and zero bushwacking, but the Hines Peak option is a stash your bike and hike up affair once you get to the wilderness boundary.  Have fun!  

[Roland Sturm]

I did the Ojai loop a week earlier than Erin. Excellent training ride for some climbing and a preview for next months Los Padres tour (the climb up Sierra Madre road on day 2 of TDLP feels very similar to the climb on Sisar on the Ojai loop, same needs for having enough water).  http://rolandsturm.blogspot.com/2016/02/day-ride-in-mountains-around-ojai.html

[peteshoe]

4.1 for me!

[whatirideby]

Hi Rachel, you had a solid ride last year. Glad to hear you want to come back this year. With your preference for the April 1st start date, it seems like there might be a majority that prefer an April 1st start date. 

So here is what I will do. Everyone please voice their opinion on their preference for the start date (March 25 or April 1st) on this thread by NEXT TUESDAY MARCH 1ST. I will tally up the votes and lock in the final date by March 2nd. 

I don't want to piss off anyone who was planning on the March 25th date, so it is only fair to give a week for everyone to voice their opinion. 

Also on another note--- after talking with a few riders that have done the route the last two years, I have decided to eliminate the majority of the Santa Barbara front country trails from the "proper" route. I don't necessarily agree with the criticism that section has received over the last 2 years, but I try to look at the route as objectively as possible and listen to everyone's opinion. Sometimes less is more. Here is the final 2016 "proper" route:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12237792   I would expect about a 75% finish rate with this revised route, rather than the 50% finish rate we have seen the last two years. 

My vote is for 4/1. I'm also in for a shuttle to the start from SB.

Lynne

[bethwellie]

Hi - Myself and two other women are planning to do the full route. We're good with either weekend...would like to do the 3/25 date, but 4/1 works too. Super excited!

- Beth

[greggd]

Looks like 4/1 is winning out. I'll be fine with 4/1. Also in for the shuttle. Looking forward to another awesome TDLP experience.

[ec_duz_it]

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! 

[peteshoe]

Count me in for the shuttle please. Thanks!

[Armand]

Doh! Was all set for the 25th, I hope I can get work off. If it all works out just means more to time train/prep for this.

[ritajett]

Count me in for the shuttle as well, please!

[ec_duz_it]

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 

[peteshoe]

Erin, what is the name of the hotel? Google is failing me. I see the Holiday Inn 7 miles and 1400 vert feet away, but it sounds like you may be referring to something right in lake of the woods?

The stoke it high!  Thanks,

Pete

[ec_duz_it]

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. 

[ec_duz_it]

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!  

[ec_duz_it]

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! 

[greggd]

I'm in on the shuttle.

[whatirideby]

Count me in for the shuttle!

Where will it leave from? The finish at the train station in SB?

Lynne