Tour De Los Padres

[B_Bock]

anybody coming from the tahoe/auburn/sac area?

i plan on riding my SS for the event, on the group departure...

anybody who's done it before should i gear more on the hilly side of things, or flat?

I'm coming down from Truckee. I have secured a ride from Sac to the start, then I plan on taking the train back from SB to Sac. There's a lot  of climbing towards the finish.

[B_Bock]

Erin, For those of us doing the grand depart. Should we down load the GPX and ques for the route proper?

[mtbrich]

U have room for 1 more?
I'm in auburn

[B_Bock]

Erin, For those of us doing the grand depart. Should we down load the GPX and ques for the route proper?

Sorry no room. I got the last seat.

[ec_duz_it]

Yes the "Proper" route is the longer route.  The tour route is the easier, non-technical route.  I believe 3 or 4 riders are doing that route this year.  Should be interesting to see if Blake can catch up with them or not.  That would be pretty hard, but possible!

One rider was having issues with loading the proper route into his GPS, so I split them into two files.  Here are links to download the two split files.  I split the route at highway 166 before Miranda Pines camp.  Both of these files loaded fine into my Garmin etrex 20: 

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7450830

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7450770

[ec_duz_it]

One other thing to note: the waypoints were done using the GPX file from last year over aerial maps.  Most waypoints were not actually waypointed on the ground with a GPS.  But they should be pretty darn close 

[adegoede]

Hi All, looking forward to the ride next week. Erin, thinking of the differences for this year compared to last year, if this is appropriate:
1. Go to top of Mt. Pinos
2. Skip Mt. Abel
3. long way through Carrizo
4. No changes from Carrizo to Miranda to End of paved road Santa Ynez River.
5. Follow trail along River instead of following Road up then down to the climb up Gibraltar Dam
6. Up Angostora Pass Road to Camino Cielo
7. Follow Romero Road instead of Romero Trail
8. Are there any differences after this point....?

On the parking, I think you spec'd parking north/east of the freeway. I checked city's website and it indicated neighborhood parking permit required? Any thoughts on that? I plan on parking West of the freeway.

Art

[ec_duz_it]

Art, you have the changes nailed down pretty well. the only other change is towards the end we are skipping the climb up West Fork Cold Springs trail to Gibraltar Road. The reason being why slog uphill on a single track just to then descend pavement? Not enough reward for that climb.

[robotfury]

going over cues, the mile 40.0Cerro Noroeste (Mt. Abel) loop is definitely just an option right? We can skip it in the Proper Route?

[ec_duz_it]

Yes its just an option. Some hated Abel last year and some loved it.

[mtbrich]

somehow i missed the date on the spot rental, is it too late?

[Sean Allan]

Rich,
You can borrow mine if needed.

[ec_duz_it]

Rich, you would need to email Scott Morris if you need to rent a SPOT to see if you are too late. He said the deadline was 1 week prior to start. 

It sounds like Sean is hooking you up though, so you should be all good. 

[mtbrich]

hey sean..

thanks for the gps, ill def take u up on it

u coming down this way or u want me to head up to fh?

if u head this way you can drop it in my mailbox if u want

if not, ill need to head up wednesday

[Sean Allan]

Rich,
I assume you mean SPOT, not GPS... I'll drop it off at the house sometime today or tomorrow.

[B_Bock]

I thought this attached blog post may be interesting for this years participants to read. This is a good article that Brendon put out before the SC400. Last year I noticed that there were vehicles waiting for some of the riders at a few points along the coarse. I think it was mainly people new to self supported racing and they may have not known the rules.
https://socalenduro.wordpress.com/2015/02/09/self-support-in-2015-whats-in-whats-out/

I'm not sure if Erin is going to alow any support at Meranda pines this year or not?
I'm looking forward to meeting everyone in Frazier Park in 4 days!

[ec_duz_it]

As I previously stated, the gathering of riders at Miranda Pines was a fun time last year, and I am planning on doing it again this year.  My wife and friends will be bringing vegetarian chili, water and beer at Miranda Pines from about late morning on Saturday April 18 until late morning on Sunday April 19.  No one should count on this being a for sure thing, as you may not be riding through at that time.  I am aware this is different than most bikepacking events out there, so if any riders take issue with this, please let it be known here, and if the consensus is to ride completely self supported, I am totally fine with that. 

[B_Bock]

As I previously stated, the gathering of riders at Miranda Pines was a fun time last year, and I am planning on doing it again this year.  My wife and friends will be bringing vegetarian chili, water and beer at Miranda Pines from about late morning on Saturday April 18 until late morning on Sunday April 19.  No one should count on this being a for sure thing, as you may not be riding through at that time.  I am aware this is different than most bikepacking events out there, so if any riders take issue with this, please let it be known here, and if the consensus is to ride completely self supported, I am totally fine with that. 

I'm ok with any support as long as it's presented before the race as you have done the past two years. I was just trying to make sure everyone knows that any other support would go against the spirit of self supported racing. Unfortunatey I will most likely miss out on the Miranda Pine party. I'll just have to wait until the finish to enjoy a cold one.

[ec_duz_it]

No support vehicles of any kind are allowed.  The only support/resupply stops are Pine Mountain Club, Ventucopa and Miranda Pines.

Also, I just got a trip report from a woman who rode from Miranda Pines to Upper Oso Campground.  She said the spring at Santa Barbara Potrero is dry.  This is labeled as "Oak Spring" in the waypoints.   She also said Chokecherry Spring past that is running lower than normal (but it is running).  Fill up your water to 100% capacity when you can. 

[Sean Allan]

Rich,
Left it on the bears head.
Good luck!