Tour De Los Padres 2019

[greggd]

Hi all! I just saw the Los Padres ride on 4/26 and contemplating joining. What is the daily average mileage most will do? I just saw the post so I need gather all info but ride looks awesome

Hey there, it's a grab bag. Everyone does different mileage. You can see historical data by watching the old trackleaders links. Erin has them on the website. Here is the 2018 - http://trackleaders.com/lospadres18

[nancyrides]

Thanks! that helped. I would have loved to have joined but I saw the ride too late. I hope to do this route sometime soon it looks amazing. N

[ec_duz_it]

I went out to Carrizo Plain this weekend.  The wildflowers are very nice, but I don't think they are quite peaking yet.  Maybe the flowers will peak in a week or two.  A bandanda might be a good piece of gear this year for dust protection.  There were quite a few 4x4 vehicles on Elkhorn Road looking for flowers.  Some photos below.  My friend went to Mt. Pinos yesterday and he said there is a still a lot of snow up at the top parking area.

Here is who I have confirmed for the April 25th shuttle so far.  We will leave around 2:30 or 3 from the Santa Barbara Train Station.   If you are on this list and do not want a spot on the shuttle, let me know here.  Or if you do want a spot on the shuttle and you are not on this list, let me know here.

Blake B.
Gregg D.
Jeff P.
Blake G.  
Zafar F.
Joe S.
Erin C.

Then I will send you a paypal email so you can pay Kunlay ahead of time so we don't need to deal with giving him cash this year.  

I will also try and get a group discount rate for Koko's Motel.  If that guy is going to do cash only again this year I am going to ask for a group discount, so it would be helpful to have a head count for the motel rooms too.  

Also I will call Big Johns ahead of time this year so that they hire an extra cook for the morning of April 26th.  I don't want that one lady getting in a tizzy this year like she did last year!  

[Ljefe00]

Thanks Erin.  Yes, I’m definitely in for the shuttle, and also for the group rate on the hotel.  Thanks!!  Jeff P.

[nancyrides]

Hi Erin, still on the ledge. For the shuttle ride will the bikes need to be fully loaded or are we to bring all our bags separately and load up at the hotel?   

[Salsa_Dawg]

Yo EC, what is the anticipated departure time from Big Johns. I'm probably getting a ride there and dropped off 4/26 in the am.

[ec_duz_it]

Bikes usually can be fully loaded for the shuttle, we can always take a bag or seat off as needed to make the bikes fit.

We are looking at an 8 am start this year.  7:30 is just too early for Big John to get all the breakfasts served. But if everyone is ready by 7:45, lets leave a little early.

[Roland Sturm]

I plan on riding this year and join you on the shuttle. I have knee problems these days, but shouldn't be unsurmountable. I may do a deviation again, though. I liked the one from 2 years ago, going up Mt Pinos at night and camping on top even though it was rough weather (very cold, snow, and very strong wind). 

[Brian Lucido]

Putting my name in the hat; I've been wanting to do this for a few years now.  I don't need a shuttle (my wife is going to do that - I couldn't talk her into the tandem.  Big thanks to her). 

[ec_duz_it]

Roland is back!  Will he stay on route this year and be marked a finisher?  That is the million dollar question.  Haha.

Roland, why don't you camp at Chucupate Campground, take the easy ride downhill in the morning and then start with the group. Chucupate is marked in the waypoints.  Also it will be totally empty because the road up there is closed until May 1st.

Brian that is too bad about the tandem.  No team still has tandemed either route.

[Brian Lucido]

Hi Erin - Thank you for all the work you have put into this.  That cue sheet is nicely detailed and represents a lot of work and research specific to this year.  Thank you!!  My wife has hinted at doing the tandem next year.  I'd love for her to see this remote and beautiful region - especially at this time of year.  Next time.

[Roland Sturm]

Roland, why don't you camp at Chucupate Campground, take the easy ride downhill in the morning and then start with the group. Chucupate is marked in the waypoints.  Also it will be totally empty because the road up there is closed until May 1st.

I had that in mind initially in 2017, maybe this time, but then I was too awake and instead kept climbing. Despite the storm (the climb was not comfortable, the wind was intimidating, temps were so cold that my water froze in the tent), I really enjoyed the night and early morning on top of Mt Pinos. The outdoor adventure that is part of the appeal of those trips. I rolled back down and backtracked to meet you guys on the road, but timing is tricky and downed trees on the single track slowed me down just enough so that I only encountered Shelly and Angela, the rest of you had already turned off the road (http://trackleaders.com/lospadres17) Of course, I wasn't going up Mt Pinos a second time, but Jeff already caught up with me at The Place, Art the next day.  Big Johns has always been challenged with a group this size, so better not to add to the stress.  

[ec_duz_it]

If Roland decides to camp at Chucupate this year he could wait for the group at the Mountain View minimart in Lake of the Woods.The climb up to Chucupate would make up for the climbing from Big Johns to the mini mart.  I would like to mark Roland as finisher this year BTW, Chucupate is a nicer campground than Mt Pinos. Nicer views.

[ec_duz_it]

We are now 10 days out so it is time for Trackleaders registration and shuttle confirmation. 

I just sent an email to any and all riders that said they wanted a seat on the shuttle, and people who I think might want a spot on the shuttle.  If you did not get an email from me, and you want a seat on the shuttle please send me your email address via a private bikepacking.net message (as it is probably best not to post private email addresses here) and then I will provide you with the paypal address to pre-pay for the shuttle.

Also the deadline for SPOT rentals is this Sunday April 21st, because rental SPOTs will ship out on Monday. 

If you are using your own SPOT or Delorme, the registration deadline is Wed. April 25th. 

Trackleaders registration is here:  https://form.jotform.com/trackleaders/lospadres19

So far the long term weather report looks pretty good.  60's and 70's depending on which part of the route.

[avocado_bikepacker]

Hi! I just did the Stagecoach 400 and someone told me about this ride. 

I would love to join!

Is anyone driving up from San Diego to do the ride? I'd be happy to pay for the gas bill.

Also, is there still room in the shuttle if I can't score a ride from San Diego?

[ec_duz_it]

Avocado Bikepacker, I love it.  You and Salsadawg should get together and make something yummy.

I just sent you a pm with all the info you need for the shuttle. 

[bikebuckets]

I wanted to confirm a spot for Ian g

[ec_duz_it]

I just added bikebuckets to the email.  Let me know if you don't get the email.

[IrthMuver]

Hi all,
Per TDLP website instructions, I am just registering here to reserve a spot on the group shuttle up to Frazier Park from Santa Barbara

[ec_duz_it]

Hi there I just forwarded you the email regarding the shuttle.  I noticed one mistake in my email. The shuttle leaves at 3 PM on April 25Th. My email just said “3 pm”. Sorry if that was not clear!