Tour De Los Padres

[B_Bock]

Another bikepacking race starting this Friday. It looks like a busy weekend with the AZTR, TDLP and the Holyland challenge. Spot stalkers will have plenty of channels to watch. I know I'll be watching the 750 after I finish the TDLP.
It looks like there will be about ten of starting Friday morning. Three folks have attempted the route as an ITT with zero finishers. Hopefully the group will have better luck.

[Gimmearaise]

Blake, pumped your doing the TDLP! I think Erin put together a super cool route. Hope the trails dry out for ya!

[Roland Sturm]

Looking very much forward to the ride, it is a very attractive route and may become my favorite. What makes it more challenging is the absence of resupply options after middle of the first day until shortly before the end. No quick detours possible, so I make sure I have enough food for 3 days (and am prepared to need 4 days). More of a bikepacking experience than "race to the next convenience store" routes, especially TD.

It is a very small group of riders, I'm surprised that there are so few. But a very strong group and more than half of the starters would finish under 3 days if they go at usual efforts. I don't think I'll try, so 3 full nights camping for me.

[the tortoise]

Awesome race between Blake and Eric!! Blake had a 12 mile lead last night but Eric closed the gasp and is now a mile or so in front. Fun to watch!

[forest_on_bike]

To the brave souls who completed or attempted the inaugural race this year,

I plan on doing a slow ITT of the point-to-point route next week (5/3 start) and I would love some advice from you guys. I'm very out of shape (new baby does that to you), but I can get by with 5 hours of sleep per night and I don't take long breaks.

It looks like the fast guys crushed it in less than 3 days. Everyone else took 4 or more days or bailed out at the end. I only have 3.5 days to finish.

A few of questions...

• It looks like a number of people bailed out of the last 40 or so miles and just headed straight down to Santa Barbara. Why? Run out of food, water, time? Other reasons?
  
  
• What advice would you give someone who only has 3.5 days to complete the route, but is not going to be very speedy on the climbs?
  
  
  • What were the unexpectedly slow, grueling stretches?
    
    
  • Did you make any resupply mistakes (wish you had more food or water on certain stretches)?

Thanks for sharing any of your hard-earned wisdom,

Forest

[Roland Sturm]

Just uploaded the first part of my ride report on Los Padres
http://rolandsturm.blogspot.com/

I just ran out of time (needed to get home Monday night), as did several other people, as we had planned on 4 days and the last day had problem trails (I also was involuntarily on a single speed after having a shifter failure on Sierra Madre road). Erin already has alternatives for them now. 3.5 days is entirely reasonable and manageable if you a) skip Mt. Abel (unless you enjoy doing a 2500 foot pavement climb, followed by a downhill hike-a-bike), b) ask Erin for the suggested alternatives for Gibraltar reservoir, Mono camp. A and B were unpleasant time wasters. Also around Gibraltar, the current route has fragile trails that bikes just destroy (you are pushing anyway along steep sandy inclines and the bike keeps sliding down). I think bikes just should stay away from there.

So use the new alternatives that Erin has for day 4, skip Abel, and it's a terrific ride entirely manageable in 3 1/2  days.

 

[forest_on_bike]

Thanks for the great tips Roland. I've been emailing with Erin and I'll ask about those alternatives.

Forest

[trebor]

I spent 3.5 days out there with a couple of friends 2-weekends ago. We kept the pace manageable and took lots of breaks. We also bailed the final 40 miles of trail in SB. Time constraints for us too as one had to work the next day and the other needed to catch a flight.

I think the new "B" option might be the way to go. We took parts of "A" around the north of Gibraltar and it's an OHV/Motorcycle area. Not bad riding, but I had a nagging worry about coming around a corner too fast and meeting a speeding quad. We didn't have that issue on a Monday morning.... but over a weekend I'd be more anxious.

Food and water; that's the crux move. Without the support made available at Miranda Pines that occurred during the race, you have to bring a lot of food. 13K calories is what I had. Could have used another 5k.

Had to use Hog Pen Springs for water. It's not bad, but if you are shooting for 3.5-days it's a time suck. It's not 1-mile off route as the cue indicates - it's 2.5-miles and 1500 feet down. We also walked it as riding down, though manageable, was a bit sketchy and you'll be walking up anyway. Took a good 2.5-hours out of our forward progress to go there. We made that choice not knowing what springs before Chokecherry were running.

Water between Selby CG over Caliente and up the Sierra Madre Ridge are limited. That's the dry section for sure. We also made slow forward progress through some of those sections too. We did not check all the listed springs along the way. When we had water we moved forward, when we ran low is when we looked a little harder. Hence Hog Pen Springs. I suspect, but can't confirm, that there is water around Painted Rocks. If we'd of know that 100% for certain there was water at Painted Rocks, Hog Pen would have been skipped - but we didn't have the beta to risk it.

An alternate to Mt Able as the route is currently mapped is to hike a bike from the peak at Mt Pinos over to Mt Able. That's what we did. It's an easy walk (3.5 - 4 miles). There is about 1 mile of rideable singletrack then you hit a wilderness area. So you only have to walk about 2.5 miles. Then we decided to take the paved road down as the Mt Able singletrack, from what I've heard, is a bit "freeride" like with jumps, bridges, rock gardens etc. Not the ride I wanted on the Fargo. At least that's the beta we recieved from a local.

This route is really great. I loved every mile of it. So many awe struck moments looking at all the vistas and natural sights. It's remote too - didn't see many folks out there. Would definitely do this one again.

[forest_on_bike]

Rob - thanks for the great info. Very thorough and helpful! If you've got gpx tracks from your trip, I'd love to see it. Your peak to peak HAB sounds interesting.

It sounds like I should plan on using a filter. I usually just use iodine pills, but it looks like a lot of water sources are not flowing and could have some nasty algae.

Forest

[Roland Sturm]

All water sources I used were flowing, trickles at times, but flowing. I always have a filter (just a few tablets in case the filter clogs).

The descent from Mt Pinos is one of the best trails there is, wouldn't skip that. Trade it for a paved road descent from Abel doesn't seem good. There is no rideable trail down from Abel.

In addition, there is no legal way to get from Mt Pinos to Mt Abel on bicycle without going down into the valley. Any direct route would have to go through the Chumash Wilderness area and bicycles are illegal in designated wilderness areas.

[forest_on_bike]

Thanks Roland.

I'm thinking that I climb/descend Mt Pinos, skip Mt Abel, and then see what alternatives Erin can provide for Gibraltar Reservoir and Mono camp. When I get to the trail above Santa Barbara, if I'm running behind, I bail out and head straight down. If not, I ride the final miles.

I read through Erin's and your blog post (nice reads). Based on what I learned, I'll try to carry extra water starting at mile 130 and pray that it doesn't rain. 

Forest

[B_Bock]

Thanks Roland.

I'm thinking that I climb/descend Mt Pinos, skip Mt Abel, and then see what alternatives Erin can provide for Gibraltar Reservoir and Mono camp. When I get to the trail above Santa Barbara, if I'm running behind, I bail out and head straight down. If not, I ride the final miles.

I read through Erin's and your blog post (nice reads). Based on what I learned, I'll try to carry extra water starting at mile 130 and pray that it doesn't rain. 

Forest

Looks like you got some good info from Roland and Rob. The route was all new to me. Bring lots of food.  I didn't have any resupply after Ventucopa  200+ miles. There seemed to be plenty of water along the route. Although I was operating with only 2 hours of sleep over 54 hours of riding, so it's all a blur.

[forest_on_bike]

Thanks for everyone's help and advice for riding the route. Overall, I had a fun 3 days and 2 hours or so on the route. Here is my blog post: http://teamkaker.com/tour-de-los-padres-2014/?utm_source=subscribe2&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=postnotify&utm_id=3819

[ec_duz_it]

Hey guys thanks for all the trip reports. it looks like we have a new thread going here.

Anyone interested in the dixie 200? I think that's next on my list.

The 2nd half of my write up is here:

http://tourdelospadres.com/blog.html

Ill try to go through the route in sequential order, some of the points brought up.

although robs idea of going from the summit of Mount pinos mount Abel is a good one, it is not legal. Its a beautiful trail though, I've hiked it many times.

mt abel was included in the route because i thought people would like camping there after 8500 ft of climbing for the day. I guess that was too short of a day for most riders. Camping in carizzo is not that scenic. The upper two thirds of the mt abel singletrack is a blast and is rideable if you are a competent technical mountain biker. The lower one third is too steep of a downhill. I guess the bottom line with abel is if your not going to camp there, the climb up is not worth it.

I gave Forrest 3 options for getting to Gilliam spring that looked like much less climbing. Too bad the option he tried did not work out. I guess ill have to try the other two.

If you look on the topo map there is a spring near Miranda pines. If this spring can be found, riding unsupported will be fine. You just need to eat in pine mountain club and ventucopa the first day and save all your food for the next 3 days.

Skipping camuesa connector and instead taking camuesa road is my favored re route option because it still takes you by little caliente hot springs. I was hoping to camp at the hot springs the last night but it was too early in the day to stop.

For the last day, the only trail that i feel is too technical is lower romero. That is an easy re route via the romero fireroad. As for the rest of the sb frontcountry on the last day, there is some hike a bike but most of the downhill sections are very fun and all the trails are in great condition. Its a hard finish, but these things should be challenging right?

[mfutch78]

Hey all,

The TDLP looks like an awesome route (nice work Erin!) and I am thinking about tackling a portion of it over the holiday weekend.  I'd start from Amtrak near Santa Maria in the evening but probably not venture out of town until the morning.  Part of it would take me on the Cuyama Highway for a stretch to get out to Pine Canyon Rd, then eventually connect with the Sierra Madre Rd.  I see that Romero is a bit technical to do loaded, so I'll probably skip that.  Any other bits of advice on water or routing (fun singletrack that shouldn't be missed) would be much appreciated!

Here is my route so far:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4790648

-Michael

[ec_duz_it]

Michael,

I would suggest skipping as much of highway 166 as possible. For a remote highway, it is heavily used by truck drivers.  I hated the section between highway 33 and Carizzo Plain. Although I have never rode La Brea Canyon, it looks like a decent fire road.  Looks like you could just take Foxen Canyon Road to FR 10N06 and then reconnect to your route. I don't know about water in this area.  You could call the Santa Lucia Ranger District and ask the ranger.  I bet there are still creeks running in this canyon. 
Miranda Pines to Santa Barbara Potrero has very little water and none of it is on route.  Stock up big time on water before you climb up to Miranda Pine mountain.  If you can find Miranda Pine Spring  (it is on the topos), please hook up with a waypoint to this spring. That would be a huge find.  I can't verify if Santa Barbara Potrero has water this year, but its not far off route.  Chokecherry spring is just 6 miles past that. 

You are skipping the Santa Cruz trail at the top of Little Pine Mountain.  Not a singletrack to be missed in my opinion. My favorite of the entire ride. You will be wanting some singletrack by then anyways after 110 miles of fireroad. 

I would try to time it so you camp at Little Caliente Hot Springs your last night.  Great hot springs and a great reward.  This would mean camping at Santa Barbara Potrero the night before.  I screwed this up and Camped at Bluff and then got to the hot springs too early the next day.

DO NOT walk a bike up from Blue Canyon at mile 138 or so! I did that once. Awful!  Instead either go up Blue Canyon the way the TDLP proper goes (my preference). Or go up Juncal Road if you are not feeling adventurous. Wear long soccer socks if you go Blue Canyon to avoid Poison Oak.

I would not skip the front country singletrack at mile 145 or so.  Man up and go for it.  Yes there is some walk a bike in the front country, but lots of fun singletrack downhills.  Just try to hit it on a weekday if you can (lots of hikers).  And if you are not feeling it, there are plenty of bail outs at paved roads- just go left and downhill when you see pavement.

Most important, go at your own pace and have fun!

 

[mfutch78]

Awesome info Erin!  Thanks! 

[phil_rad]

Just stumbled upon this this thread........Since I spent 6 years of my youth in Ventura county this looks very interesting! Don't know if I can make next year but for 2016 it could happen. Good write up Erin & Roland and great pictures. I inhaled both of your reports. :-)

 

[ec_duz_it]

There were a few other good write ups as well.  Forrest Baker wrote one too I believe.  I look forward to seeing you in 2016.  Way to plan ahead 

[ec_duz_it]

I finally found Miranda Pine spring this past weekend.  It really was not that hard to find actually.  It is about a half mile from Miranda Pine Campground.  It is a man made spring, and the water was not very appealing, but the tub was full of water (which was somewhat clear, but not running).  If it has water right now, this should in theory be a year around water source, but I can't say for sure.  Here is the GPX file from the campground to the spring: 

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6149388

This means no more 65 mile plus section of zero water between Gifford Spring and Santa Barbara Potrero!