Tour De Los Padres 2016

[greggd]

This year was THE year to ride the TDLP! Such an amazing difference when our area gets some rain.

Kudos to Erin for creating such a killer route. I think this year’s route was perfect. It was remote, rugged, and physically challenging – that is what makes it so good.

I have to say, it was really cool getting to know everyone the day prior and hanging out in FP. Such a great group of riders.

My equipment performed perfectly with the exception of my water filter. My sawyer got clogged at Gilliam Spring. I didn’t bring the backwash syringe, so I was kind of screwed. It would take me 10-15 min to fill a 24oz bike bottle. Basically, I was spending about 1hr or more filtering at each stop. It got very frustrating by the time I was at Chokecherry in the middle of the night filtering. Thanks to the volunteers at Bluff Camp. Abiding by the “bikepacking code” (no begging) – I politely asked them if they had potable water or a working filter and explained my filter situation. They pulled out a tasty jug of water for me. That got me enough water for the finish.

It was also great meeting Wes at the intersection of the two routes and then again at the finish for some beers.

Congratulations to all of the riders for a great effort. I hope to see you all again out on the trails.

[ec_duz_it]

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! 

[greggd]

Forgot to mention… I lost my rear blinker light. It's a PDW if anyone happened to find one.

Erin, what fiber spokes did you order? curious...

[ec_duz_it]

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

[audios89]

Hi There,

I was browsing this thread as I'm planning an informal tour with a small group from the bay area in late May. A big question I had is shuttles from the Santa Barbara area, do they exist or have any you could recommend? I'd be bringing down 3 bikes in my truck to Santa Barbara and would need to lift them and crew to the starting point (could do this vice versa too, but it's nice to come back to your own vehicle). The tentative plan is to start around Ventucopa and do the 'tour' route, so about 90 miles total. After your riding, how would you rate the trail in terms of strenuousness and technicality? Thanks for your insights!

[ec_duz_it]

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. 

[Salsa_Dawg]

The route is not technical at all, basically fire roads, which are rutty and rough in spots and a little bit of single track at the end on Romero. The route is strenuous though, as you will do nearly 5000 feet of climbing to get to the highest point at Big Pine Mtn. before any significant descending.

[audios89]

Thanks for the tips guys, much appreciated! Average highs look to be 80-85 in May

[Salsa_Dawg]

I'd be willing to bet that it is significantly hotter than what the weather sites show.

[audios89]

I'd be willing to bet that it is significantly hotter than what the weather sites show.

Hmm, how's the water situation up there right now? Im thinking we'd just do a modified 'Tour' route starting in Ventucopa. About 90 miles, estimating 3 days.

[Salsa_Dawg]

There's water at Choke Cherry Springs (about 20 miles in) but its stagnant and nasty. There is amazing water, pretty reliable, at Bluff Camp (about 30 miles in). Not super great water in a trough on Camuesa road (about 50 miles in), and water at Indian Creek, Santa Ynez River and Escondido Creek crossings. See the cue sheets on the Tour De Los Padres website.

I'd be surprised if it took 3 days, unless you were going at a very slow pace, as i did the whole tour route in 1 day and 9 hours, including almost 12 hours camping out. 

[ec_duz_it]

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.  

[Salsa_Dawg]

Didn't need water after loading up at The Place in Ventucopa so didn't search for water in SB Canyon Creek. I did notice flowing water in Alamo Canyon, where Big Pine Road turns West about 10 miles after Hwy 33.

[audios89]

This is great info, thanks you guys! Yes, it would be much better to start with downhill at Pine Mountain Club. I was estimating 30 miles a day because it's a tour group, not a race so I'm thinking group pace. Better to overestimate I suppose.

[EricB]

Thinking about finally doing the TDLP route with a friend next month. Probably just the tour route since we only have the weekend. Any thoughts on water and whether it'll be flowing enough to filter in June? Little worried about getting up there and not finding any.

[ec_duz_it]

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. 

 

[EricB]

Awesome. Looks like plenty of water options for filtering. Thanks for the info, Erin!

[EricB]

Patric and I are heading out after work today. Plan to start riding 6-7ish. Stopping at McGill campground tonight. Tomorrow trying for Little Caliente for a soak before bed, might be a bit ambitious. Not as exciting as watching the TD but we'll be up on Trackleaders (thanks Scott for getting it up):

http://trackleaders.com/lospadres16

[ec_duz_it]

Nice work Eric!  I was out on an adventure this weekend, so unfortunately I was not able to meet up with you guys for a beer at the finish line.  Looks like you had a solid ride though, congrats to you both on the finish!

[EricB]

Thanks Erin. It was a super fun weekend. Route was much harder than expected! Santa Barbara Canyon was HOT and I was nervous about water, got a bit dehydrated and cramped like crazy on the climb up. Nice camping at Bluff camp and a much cooler Sunday made for a fun finish. Such a cool sight seeing SB and the coast after climbing through the mountains all those miles.

Water update for anyone who might be thinking about riding:
-Creek at bottom of climb in Santa Barbara Canyon was flowing but pretty low
-Chokeberry was flowing solid from the valve up top. Filtered it tasted as good as store bought
-Big green spring fed tank at Bluff camp had about 3L in it before it went dry. Patric found a valve down by the cabin that had plenty in it. Hiked a bit but never found the creek
-Middle Camusa is still trickling
-Santa Ynez flowing good at the base of the climb