Tour De Los Padres 2019

[ec_duz_it]

I fixed the registration link on to website. It should say 2018 now. You can register at any time. For SPOT rentals, please register a minimum of 6 days before starting. I got you down for the shuttle.

Looks like trail work is happening on April 6 for Romero Trail so it should be even better by late April. Here is the flier if anyone wants to volunteer and do some trail work.

[phillip]

I wish I could join on either date.  I'm doing stagecoach this time.  Good luck everyone!  I'll be watching.

[Ljefe00]

Bummer, sorry to miss you this year Philip!

[phillip]

Thanks!  I really enjoy the route and location.  Just beautiful.  I know I would really do better with my new bike.  Better climbing gears.  I'll try for next year.  I just need to retire:)

[Blake]

I'm in for March 22 if weather holds out. I would like to reserve a spot on the shuttle if possible. Erin, when will you make the final decision on March 22 regarding weather?

[ec_duz_it]

The weather report for a March 22 start is still a bit hard to judge at this point.  It looks like a small storm coming for sure on the 20th (Wed.)  Looks like a tenth of an inch or so at this point.  And then it looks pretty good until the 23rd. The 23rd to the 25th look like more showers or rain, but the amount of precipitation for those dates is not yet predicted since that is more than a week out.  So the weather report is less reliable at this point for those dates.  If any of these storms bring more than a quarter of an inch, then mud will be an issue. If there is anyone who needs a rental SPOT for the 22nd start, you will need to register and rent a SPOT by Sunday evening.  If you have your own SPOT you can wait until Wed. to decide.  I know it is last minute that way, but the weather report will be much more reliable by Tues./ Wed.

[ec_duz_it]

The weather report is still a bit hit or miss depending on where you look.  Tomorrow is a half inch of rain in Frazier Park (and about 2-4 inches of snow predicted higher up on Mt. Pinos), but less precipitation in the Carizzo Plain.   1 to 3 inches of snow is also predicted for Big Pine mountain area tomorrow if you look on www.weather.gov

The rain and snow remain in the forecast through Thursday night.  Friday looks ok, then "slight" chance of rain and snow start again on Friday night through Saturday.  Sunday and Monday look ok at this point.  If it were me riding, I would look for an alternate weekend with better weather to ride.  If April 26th does not work for you, there will likely be better weather windows over the next few weeks to do an ITT.  Mid April is typically when the wildflowers will peak at the Carizzo Plain. 

If you do decide to ride this weekend, then hopefully you are a very experienced bikepacker, be prepared for a healthy amount of snow on Mt. Pinos, probably some mud on other parts of the route, and more snow/mud on Big Pine Mountain later in the ride.  A tent or other shelter, waterproof clothes, and a 20 degree sleeping bag would be a requirement for gear in my opinion. 

Here is an article about tourists getting stuck in mud at the Carrizo Plain, so I am pretty sure there will be some mud out there after this next storm. https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/2019/03/16/sightseers-headed-carrizo-plain-super-bloom-getting-stuck-mud/3192514002/

[Blake]

Erin, It looks like I should not ride this weekend as I am a beginner at bike-packing, only doing a couple of overnight trips. So, cancel my shuttle reservation for Thursday. I have already registered for Trackleaders for the March 22 trip. Can I contact them and change it to April 26? I would like to start with a group and it sounds like the 4/26 date would be the best time for a group start.

Blake

[ec_duz_it]

I am sure that would be fine with Trackleaders.  I don't see your name on the registration list though.  Are you sure you registered?  Please email info@trackleaders.com if you have any specific questions. 

[Shmunn]

Is Quatal canyon a good place to camp for the first night? Or is there a better place to camp around the 50 mile mark?

[ec_duz_it]

There are lots of places to camp off Quatal Canyon Road.   Most riders hit Ventucopa and get a meal on the first day and then either make it to Santa Barbara Canyon (tour route)  or Carrizo Plain (proper route) to camp the first night.

A group of guys camped at Toad Springs Campground the first night a few years ago. They were going at a mellow pace. 

[Ben Salthouse]

Hmm... I guess I'll keep an eye on the weather and see how much actual precipitation comes down Wednesday & Thursday. I have some serious PTSD from peanut butter mud but this is my only open weekend for awhile...

[greggd]

I'll be doing the 4/26 start. There is going to be too much rain and snow for the 22nd. I can deal with wet and cold but that mud in the backcountry is horrible.

[Ben Salthouse]

I dunno. The rain today wasn't enough to definitively make up my mind yay or nay. I'm going to see how I feel when I wake up tomorrow. If I do go I'll be the only one out there ya?

[ec_duz_it]

Hi Ben, Here is probably a more accurate website for rainfall totals.
https://rain.cosbpw.net/map/?sensor_class=10%7C2880&view=8bc6e88f-eeab-4281-9d92-3d723016e945

The 48 hour totals look like a quarter inch in most places, and half an inch up in the higher mountains. maybe a little more rain tomorrow.

It’s a judgment call on your part. For sure there will be snow on Mt Pinos, hopefully not crazy mud elsewhere.
You have a solid bikepacking resume, so if you bring the right gear it could work out.

No one has signed up for this Friday thus far.

Back 2014, the two guys from Ventura did an ITT on April 1st starting right in the middle of a storm. They definitely got the death mud (we could see their dry HAB footprints one week later) but they powered on and were 15 miles from finishing and their GPS ran out of battery! That year was a much harder route.

[Ben Salthouse]

Thanks. That's a good resource even if it's somewhat less optimistic than the website I was looking at.

I'm just gonna go for it weather be dammed. I've set up my spot to ping a buddy to come get me if I need it. I'll let you know how it goes.

-Ben

[ec_duz_it]

It rained pretty good in Santa Barbara this morning, still a good amount of unsettled pockets of precipitation out there.  Mud is looking more likely now that this 2nd storm has rolled through.  A saturday start might be better than tomorrow.

[Ben Salthouse]

Good idea. I'll leave Saturday instead of tomorrow.

[ec_duz_it]

 It looks like Ben started this morning! Conditions are questionable today,  there are scattered showers all over and it’s pretty cold out there.  Also a High wind advisory today.  It should be fun to watch his progress over the next few days.
http://trackleaders.com/lospadres19f.php

[greggd]

Go Ben!