Tour de los Padres 2017

[sallysunshine]

I vote for April 7 as the start date.

[ec_duz_it]

Vote counted! 

As far as the routes for this year is concerned, I don't expect any big changes for 2017.  In 2016 there was an 85% finish rate, which hopefully meant it was challenging, but not a death march.   

The recent Rey Fire burned a decent chunk of the route this summer, but the burn area is expected to open back up in a few weeks and I will get back there to check it out! 

[evdog]

That's great to hear it is expected to open soon! 

I had planned on the AZT300/750 depending how much time I can get off, but would like to ITT this route at some point. 

[ec_duz_it]

I spoke too soon :-(

The Rey Fire burn area was originally supposed to re-open on December 1st, but that did not happen. I am now hearing anywhere from 4 to 12 months before that area re-opens.  There are some alternate routes I will explore over the next few months!

[hikeabike]

Erin - Give me a shout out if you want some company on scouting rides in Jan or Feb.

[ec_duz_it]

Thanks, any help scouting out alternate routes would be awesome.  I have a few ideas in mind, but need to make sure the connections will work.

[ec_duz_it]

Well, I guess I was correct the first time!  The forest service just opened up the entire Rey Fire burn area to public use as of yesterday.  I have no idea what the current condition of the singletrack(s) are in that area, but I will find out soon.  If the singletrack(s) in that area are too damaged, the fireroad will work fine as an alternate route.  

[michael1]

Hmmm, I might be able to do this. It looks like a good route for a rigid singlespeed based on mild elevation changes per mile and photos showing fairly smooth trails. What do people more familiar with the route think?

Also, how's the water access? Are there creeks?

[ec_duz_it]

The longest dry stretch is Ventucopa to Gilliam Spring.  There is a spigot at Selby Campground, but it can run out since the water tank there is filled up by the BLM periodically, so it can run dry.   I like skipping the out and back ride to Selby anyways.  I think I carried 6 liters for that stretch this year and had a half liter to spare when I got to Gilliam Spring.  

[ec_duz_it]

I was able to ride the Rey Fire burn area last week. The fireroad in the burn area has some erosion and minor rock slide issues, but is in pretty good shape overall and rideable.  Camuesa Connector Trail is riding very well and has held up well from the recent rain storms.  Only 50% of Camuesa Connector Trail actually burned. A really big storm could cause more erosion and damage, so I will still leave this area as  "to be determined" until early March.  I did not ride Santa Cruz Trail. I have seen reports and photos of major rock slides and other erosion on this trail.  This makes sense because Santa Cruz Trail is a much steeper trail.  I will check it out on foot at some point, but I am 99% certain Santa Cruz Trail will not be part of the route for 2017.  So to summarize, the 2017 proper route will follow the 2016 route and but instead take the fireroad instead of Santa Cruz Trail.  Since that change shortens the route even more, the Santa Barbara frontcountry singletrack section from the 2014 and 2015 route will likely be brought back as an optional way to end with a time bonus of 5.5 hours: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12619311 

There will be no change to the 2016 tour route. 

Here are a few photos of the burn area.

[greggd]

Erin,

I like the idea of adding the front country single track. It's an amazing and difficult addition. I vote to start on 3/24. Too bad about Santa Cruz trail. Its a gem.

Gregg

[aqsurf]

Hey! I just found my way to this forum after researching the TDLP, thanks for putting together such a rad resource for SB backcountry exploring. Regarding the Rey Fire and the Santa Cruz Trail, I had the pleasure of hiking the closed burn area as a volunteer with the LPFA in late November. Above 19 Oaks all the way to the saddle it's a disaster, unsafe to walk in many areas, let alone bike or hike a bike. Just pure ash and sand slopes, the crib wall section is a gauntlet of steel beams and posts sticking up at odd angles. You may have heard this elsewhere by now, but I thought I'd just chime in. My observations were before most of the heavy rains we've had is Winter.

[Marin Sigurdson]

I vote April 7 or 14 (ie not during my kids spring break)
Marin

[ec_duz_it]

The 2017 routes are now up!

[hikeabike]

Hey Erin, You know the bottom half of Romero is much more ride-able now after that (illegal) work was done on  it (hint, hint - might be nice...).  And if you hold it on one of the April weekends I will try and have my butt in shape for it this year, but I am likely out for the March dates. Thanks for all your work!

[ec_duz_it]

I did not know that the lower part of Romero (I assume you mean the Romero creek singletrack?) was "dumbed down".  Interesting, I'll check it out. 

Regarding the date, the consensus will prevail, but my sense is that it seems like a normal weather year finally, which means later in the season might be better.  I have snowboarded on Mt. Pinos in April (once!), and the first time I rode Sierra Madre ridge (first week of April of 2011) there was a lot of snow on Big Pine Mountain.

I thought you were riding the Baja Divide right now?

[hikeabike]

Yes, that part and it is even fun for mediocre riders like me now (not that I support what was done).

I'll likely be in AZ playing the last week of March (Spring Break).

And Baja.... Life....

[RunRig]

I would really like to try the Tour route...my son's spring break starts April 8, and could easily take off a day early, though I don't know if he would be up for this. Current plan was to do much less distance @ Henry Coe (which I'm somewhat familiar with having lived near there). Would love to try Los Padres though. Don't count my vote for this, as my participation is very iffy.

[RunRig]

I cannot find any info on trackleaders.com about renting a SPOT unit. I've never used one, so I'm wondering about the $$ difference between buying it and paying the subscription....and just renting it for the event. April 7, if that's the date, is looking like a possibility for me.

[ec_duz_it]

This past year to add your own SPOT to the map it was $15.  For rental units I believe it was $55.  Not sure if prices will change for 2017. Registration will be up and running several weeks before.