We all know that to connect all the amazing mountain, desert, and coastal dirt, there needs to be some highway connectors. Resources and inspiration to support your wildest dreams: Affiliate Disclosure: This site participates in affiliate programs, including Amazon Associates. Share your location with friends and loved ones during an activity. Thanks! This is meant to be a growing list, and I add reader suggestions from time to time. Cycling the Alps 2 Ocean Trail in New Zealand: Overview + 4 Day Itinerary. After heavy rain there can often be pitted sections of trail, so take care. Pack the Coast (bikepacking) - Morro Bay 10 - Truckee Dirt Fondo, Truckee. Black bears can be a problem; youll want to hang your food at the very least, and ideally use a bar-resistant bag like the Ursack Major. Sierra Madre Road: As depicted in The Long Traverse film, this is an 80 mile day ride instead of a bikepacking route, but Sierra Madre Road jumps off the map to anyone interested in bikepacking in Central California. Even the legendary Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, which often crests above 10,000ft in its 2,700 miles, fits this category. There are stretches of this route that have no amenities for some time so its important to do some careful planning beforehand. Gravel Guides; . From our sponsor; more content below. But this year, because of the extreme precipitation, it meant even more road riding than I was willing to ride and still feel safe. As one of the closest national forests to the Bay Area, Mendocino National Forest is an intriguing possibility. 103 mi. Widely recognized as the birthplace of mountain biking, the Mt Tamalpais and Marin region is a special place where the ocean, coastal hills, and redwood forests converge. Bikepacking Alliance is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Are you looking for a high-performing fat bike that can provide you with a great riding experience? Think of bikepacking as a camping trip you take with your bike. Patterson, and fly down the accompanying backcountry singletrack descents. I hear the section through Nevada is tough and very sparse on water and resupply options; research before attempting! / 145 km 2-3 days Anza-Hapaha Loop comment 55 time Mar 14 compose Logan Watts USA 497 mi. Some of the best mountain biking trails close to my home are found in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park (40 miles east of San Diego). San Diego Gravel Routes Gravelstoke Ohio Gravel Grinders - Recap: Catalina Island, CA Bikepacking Overnighter Terms of use | Privacy | Cookie policy, nearSanta Rosa, California (United States), nearHaight-Ashbury, California (United States), nearMontgomery Village, California (United States), nearPierpont Bay, California (United States), nearDesert Lodge, California (United States), nearRapetti (historical), California (United States), nearPresswood, California (United States), nearKent Woodlands, California (United States), nearSan Gregorio, California (United States), nearArmstrong, California (United States), nearBlackhawk, California (United States), Ventura keys-Ventura Pier-tortilla flats(Ventura), 20220226-RainbowWash&HillsOfTheMoonWash, Gravel Bike trails in Bothin (historical), Gravel Bike trails in Dyerville (historical), Gravel Bike trails in Fort Ord Village (historical), Gravel Bike trails in Friendly Village of Anaheim, Gravel Bike trails in Guadalupe (historical), Gravel Bike trails in Gypsum (historical), Gravel Bike trails in Illinoistown (historical), Gravel Bike trails in Lucas Valley-Marinwood, Gravel Bike trails in Miller (historical), Gravel Bike trails in Ponderosa Palisades, Gravel Bike trails in Rapetti (historical), Gravel Bike trails in Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, Road Bike trails in California (United States), Mountain Bike trails in California (United States), Bicycle Touring trails in California (United States), Gravel Bike trails in California (United States), eBike trails in California (United States), Bikepacking trails in California (United States), Downhill MTB trails in California (United States), Trailer Bike trails in California (United States), Kickbike trails in California (United States), Hiking trails in California (United States), Discover other outdoor activities in this region. Researched and written by the founder of Bikepacking Scotland, and mostly accessible by public transport, each route includes all the information you need to help you plan your ride, with points of interest along the . I dont recommend coming to the bay just for the bikepacking, but if youre in the area or passing through and want to explore what the area has to offer, here are a few routes to check out. The utter bliss of bikepacking in the backcountry - Los Angeles Times on relatively low-traffic road and trail, this newly developed route might be just the thing. The ambitious Trans North California is technically an underground race, though it would make an interesting touring route too. It evokes the freedom of multi-day backcountry hiking, but with the range and thrill of riding a mountain bike. Camping spots abound, so you can ride till you drop, and if you're lucky, youll see elk and moose, and maybe even the sockeye salmon that used to swarm to Redfish Lake. Length: 364 miles Style: mostly gravel Difficulty: intermediate When to ride: spring, fall, early or late summer Learn more: route description and ride reports If I had to recommend an ambitious but accessible "intermediate" bikepacking route, one that packs a big punch of adventure but requires no technical or super-remote riding, the Oregon Outback is at the top of my list. A few of the climbs are almost definitely too steep to ride, but this is a generally doable ride, even having marker posts in many places. Thanks for reading! It heads out of Fruita on stunning singletrack in the high La Sal mountains and heads towards the martian red-rock vistas of Utah. Theres some semi-technical singletrack, plenty of rooty dirt, river crossings, waterfalls you wont get bored. Astonishingly almost all rideable, it takes you on dirt roads and jeep trails from Banff, in Alberta, Canada, to the Mexican border in New Mexico, via British Columbia, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado. California Bikepacking: Route Ideas in Every Region BIKEPACKING ROUTES | AZ Gravel Rides We have everything! It seems like we currently have a wide-open slate on which to scout and explore our own routes. Also an enthusiastic midpack club cyclocross and XC racer, he loves his role as a junior cycle coach on the Kent/Sussex borders, and likes to squeeze in a one-day unsupported 100-miler on the South Downs Way at least once a year. Reaching over 5,000ft at times, it offers bouts of flowing singletrack and a medley of abandoned dirt roads, set to one sweeping panorama after another. Use the Brave browser for an entirely ad free web experience. I think youll like them, but you can unsubscribe at any time. Terrain is a challenging mix of dirt, pavement, and singletrack. This rugged island off the coast of LA was suggested by a reader, and looks like it would make an amazing 2-3 day bikepacking trip! Note: these routes are rugged backcountry gravel roads without any services or along the way. The routes include scenic lakes, the Pacific Ocean, Joshua Tree National Park, and even an inland sea. It is split up into 4 tiers and 10 segments. For bike packing resupply, the shops in Pine Valley are centrally located in the Cuyamaca area. We arrived just in time to catch Catalina Express back to Dana Point. Riders embark from the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and then cross the San Francisco Bay three times on a multi-day journey through coastal prairie, chaparral, redwoods, rolling hills, and marshland. Bikepacking, is the synthesis of mountain biking and minimalist camping, simply put, bikepacking. Its only 25 miles from Avalon to the north tip but the scenery is great and adding a visit to Avalon, maybe with an overnight stay is always fun. Starting in the beautiful San Jacinto Mountains, this path will take you all the way to the Pacific Ocean before circling back through Cleveland National Forest and the Anza Borrego Desert. Animals abound, including elk, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs and antelope, and red tail hawk and even golden eagles may soar above. Gravel calendar for rides and races divided be region across California. By contrast, the Trans-America is little more than the annually-updated GPS file of a no-prizes race which has a seven-page website and a small Facebook page. If youre looking for something short, sweet, and close to the city, the LA Observer Route may be your ticket. Congrats on the new bike and best wishes for some great adventures. Microwave Pizza Pockets, dill pickles, and hot chocolate were on the Chevron Station menu. Southern California has a lot to offer when it comes to cycling and bikepacking. Here are several standout bikepacking routes in Southern California, ordered roughly from north to south. One of these days Ill get back to the area and try out some bikepacking routes! The resort town of Avalon at the islands southern tip would make a posh place to relax before, during, or after your ride. About . Or toss some spare change inthe PayPal tip jar. Green Mountain Gravel Growler (opens in new tab). This could easily be called 10 of the 100 best bikepacking routes in the USA this country is made for wild, wonderful self-supported adventures, and there are trips of a lifetime in pretty much every state. / 180 km 3-4 days SF Peninsula Traverse comment 137 time Oct 27 compose Guest Routes USA 146 mi. And, those more astute noted that should there be an injury on the bike, the time of vital health care professionals and a hospital bed might be taken at a time needed for those critically ill from COVID-19. This is partly because much of the regions most spectacular terrain is protected in national parks and wilderness areas where bikes arent allowed. The northernmost section (Arroyo Seco to Gorda) and southernmost section (from New Cuyama to Santa Barbara) are the highlights in my opinion. Add mellow bike paths, remote forest roads, fantastic camping real estate, and an abundance of swimming spots and it makes a wonderful introduction to this beautiful area. Prepare to immerse yourself amongst desert blooms and starry nights, slither your way along sandy washes, linger in counter-culture hangouts, ponder salty, decayed holiday resorts gone wrong, and marvel at the Dr. Seussian splendour of the gangly, anthropomorphic Joshua Tree. The loop nature of both routes, along with relatively easy food and water resupply, make both logistically simple. Sign up here for occasional emails full of inspiration and information about bikepacking and bicycle touring. For anyone dreaming of a longer trip, or interested in riding from Sacramento to Tahoe (perhaps to link up with Tahoe Twirl or Bones to Blue!) Entdecke die schnsten Orte, lade GPS-Tracks herunter und folge den Top-Routen auf einer Karte. I just bought a tour/gravel bike and am stoked for the bikepacking adventures to come. A few brave folks have circumnavigated the whole bay using parts of the trail and some busy road riding, but I wouldnt consider that a relaxing bikepacking trip. 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As a cyclist, I know the feelingbut on this occasion, when the truck was just inches away from us, it spooked me more than usual. Bivvying spots and campsites are plentiful, and you'll dip into a number of welcoming points of civilization, including the mountain biking hotspot of Oakridge around halfway you really might want to take your time and linger. Bikepacking routes: 10 of the best biking adventures from around the As any endurance athlete will attest, the biggest challenge in long distance events is often voices of doubt that have the space and time to ferment in the mind, pedal stroke after pedal stroke. These bikepacking routes in southern California and loads of others can be found at bikepacking.com. Gravel Bikepacking Routes - RevoPath Ive traveled over 17,000 miles by bike and still cant stop planning my next ride (and helping you plan yours). Well-maintained community trail takes you between Meaford and the sections terminus Thornbury. Four hundred miles of lung-busting alpine climbs, desolate desert terrain where you need to carry many liters of water, wind-swept highways and peanut butter mud, and frequent hike-a-bikes in unrideable canyons and soul-sucking sand. Mixed terrain cycle touring - Wikipedia Depending on recent weather and use, the dirt track can be fairly smooth, or quite rocky. The East Bay includes many smaller open space preserves with a few campgrounds. California Archives - BIKEPACKING.com Theres no such thing as certainty in bikepacking, but the number of online resources around the GDMBR including regular maps addenda on trail conditions and closures from the Adventure Cycling Association means that you can totally nerd out on your preparation. Bikepacking Scotland by Markus Stitz features 20 great multi-day off-the-beaten-track cycling adventures across the Scottish mainland and islands. Bikepacking Rides and Routes - Exploring Wild Thanks again! I wished all the other riders safe pedaling in and out of San Diego, texted the organizers of the Stagecoach 400 to thank them, and turned off my Spot Tracker near Escondido. Difficulty Challenging Accommodation 4* Nights 2. The Local Overnighters Project is a unified effort to document and map one-night bikepacking routes all over the worldby locals, in their own backyards. Campbellford has the spectacular Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge and Doube's Trestle Bridge is near Omemee. YEP, Join the free Ride with GPS club account p/b paradise garage. Brian and Dave continued to the coaston highway. The combination of these two historic routes takes bikepackers from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, all the way to Washington DC. Hi, Im Phil. . Bikes are permitted on a majority of the trail, with a notable exception through Desolation and Granite Chief wilderness areas and a few smaller sections. By Length (days) Overnighters & S24O; Weekend Routes (2-4) Week-long Routes (5-10) Odyssey Routes (11-30) "Freakouts" (31+) Local Overnighters. See below for details on those other two routes. The Boboyan Divide - Canberra's Best Bikepacking Route Im looking back to those trips with more fondness than usual. The new Pony Express Trail is hardly just a California bikepacking route; it extends all the way to Missouri! We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. Many parts of this route are in National Forest areas making dispersed camping pretty easy. While I really enjoy making up my own routes, I would also love to see more established routes that would make bikepacking in California a bit more accessible. Is bike packing irresponsible in the time of coronavirus, even if it is totally self-supported? For those wanting something longer, inspiration may be found from the HardCOEre 100. Ranging from 25 to 150 miles wide, it's a stunning landscape of rugged coastlines, beaches, and inland mountains, and this route showcases it spectacularly. Similarly, the second part along the C&O Canal Towpath will rarely require much gear changing, though as a former mule route, the surface will be a little rougher than the crushed limestone of the GAP. Meet the new ENVE MOG Gravel Bike - BIKEPACKING.com Keep in mind theyre designed for driving, so dont contain any singletrack and could include sections of busy highway. If you like variety and dont mind mixing some civilization in with your nature and trails, this is about as good as it gets in the bay area. Combining urban trails and tarmac, the route turns due south through metropolitan San Diego area and then veers east, climbs steadily for a day along the Sweetwater River up to Alpine before derailleur destroying descents through Oriflamme Canyon and there the riders meet the desert sands. It offers an all-around, Powered by red Starbursts and Fat Tire Amber Ale, 11 of the Most Popular Bikepacking Trails in the US, Colorado Bikepacking Trails A Bikepackers Dreamland, How to Prepare For the C&O Canal and GAP Trail. Pavement and panniers or singletrack and seat bag, I love it all. All rights reserved. You experience a diverse set of geographical features along this route from alpine elevations of 11,913', wide-open grasslands, and remote desert in New . The Three Bikepacking Gems of Southern California - Gravelstoke Be sure to make reservations for campgrounds or accommodation in advance if needed, and be prepared to share the trails with plenty of hikers. Gravel Routes in California - Gravelmap 364. Gravel backroads and dirt forest service roads are backbone of these bikepacking routes, but don't expect smooth riding the whole way (and definitely don't bring your road bike). There may be long steep stretches without water so be prepared and plan ahead. Bikepacking.com and others have already developed several routes in this area, and there are many more options waiting to be explored. These routes are all rideable throughout the year thanks to a moderate coastal climate, though its best to avoid riding during or right after heavy rain. The beautiful and ancient Appalachian Mountains are the focus of this epic bikepacking trip, on the route of a famed annual race. Samen met collega Hans Tacken op pad geweest. New to the 2023 Australian bikepacking event calendar is a bucket list route from Hunt Bikes.. Also check out my review of the Apidura bikepacking gear I road on Santa Catalina, Cuyamaca, and the Stagecoach 400 HERE. Though Ive spent plenty of time backpacking in the Sierra Nevada mountains, I havent done as much bikepacking there. The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. Orro has equipped it with a fast-shifting Shimano GRX400 2x10-Speed groupset and . After waffles and coffee at The Pancake Cottage, we pedaled out of town on Stage Road. The SoCal Desert Ramble is a staple of the bikepacking routes in southern California. As a proud Californian and bikepacker, Id like to help change this. Where these two deserts collide, the land explodes into a geological spectacle of giant Monzogranite boulder formations, diverse displays of time folded mineral-rich rock and sand, and a unique array of desert flora and fauna. Eventbrite - Trek Bicycle Fort Wayne presents Bikepacking Clinic-Trek Bicycle Fort Wayne - Tuesday, March 14, 2023 | Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Trek Bicycle Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN. For even more ideas based on trip journals from other riders, see the California page on BikeSleepBike (another project of mine that aggregates bike travel blogs). It also features in the above-mentioned Tour de los Padres route as well. Described by Logan Watts as an epic medley of singletrack, doubletrack, sand and tarmac, youll never forget the rocky, technical climbs, the sand, the canyons, the views and the nights under desert stars. 400 gravel routes? Intrepid riders might be tempted to link the Triple Crossover with the Peninsula Traverse mentioned above, leaving just a couple sections on the peninsula that would need to be navigated carefully on busy streets. The Wolf Bikepacking is offering 3 routes (180, 167, 167 km) for gravel bike. I finished the pct this September 2021 for my 60th birthday havent used my bikes for at least ten years due to an autoimmune disease but with fortitude and planing I did hike from Mexico to Canada been training on an e bike and hope to put a few thousand miles on dirt this next year love your site and will stay tuned. More flag On KUMEYAAY, COCOPAH, CUPENO, Agua Caliente & Serrano Land Distance 497 Mi. How to Setup Your Bike for Bikepacking - Liv Cycling Note that all those routes have a lot of elevation gain for their mileage, which is pretty much unavoidable in Coe. The Log Driver's Waltz and our other routes were created to encourage people to explore this region by bicycle. Hi there, Im Alissa. Planning a bikepacking route involves a lot of maps, trail knowledge and more. A beautiful and challenging bikepacking loop through a mosaic of contrasting landscapes leads riders from remote mountains through a seemingly endless desert, into the city and along the sea. A great hint to help you choose your outdoor gear and clothing! This loop from Doing Miles includes a section through Carrizo Plain, as does the 2022 Tour de los Padres. / 235 km 4 days Sometimes my posts contain affiliate links, and if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Soon (most) everyone understood how staying put meant there would be less chance of contagion, especially by asymptomatic carriers. The winter, spring, and fall are the best seasons to tackle this route; given the extreme heat in the summer months. 35mm tires are fine The Baldy Bruiser is a burly 150 miles of dirt road and 44 track through the San Gabriel Mountains in the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests. Forest roads and jeep tracks north of Highway 49 lead to ghost towns like Poker Flat. Though not contiguous, it spans a surprisingly large north-south distance between Big Sur and Santa Barbara, and is more rugged than you would expect. The Owens Valley Ramble is an overnight loop that highlights the complex environmental, geological, and political history of California's Owens River Valley. Two alternative tracks are included for making the route shorter. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Weather is often sunny year-round, and wide-open desert landscapes are good for the soul. Read more on the About Me page. bikepacking roots and our logo are registered trademarks. Between Borrego and Idyllwild, there is the hike-a-bike through two miles of densely packed willows (think canyoneering but through branches), desert pedaling past abandoned bandit hideouts, ascending Coyote Canyon to cross the Pacific Crest Trail and then the long climb back to the where the route started. Its doable in three days and neither of the two on-route camping options require a reservation, though making it between them might require a push. Its relatively straightforward (and memorable, if you havent done it) to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge, for anyone who wants to add a visit to San Francisco into their trip!