gravel bikepacking routes california

Im Alissa, your virtual guide, here to help you make your biggest, boldest adventure dreams a reality. Head into the wilds of West Wales; cross remote moorland, descend tranquil valleys, traverse forest tracks and get up high for big sky views. Our full list of bikepacking routes and off-road bike touring routes from off the beaten path, logged and chronicled by contributors from across the globe. You can find routes created by adventurers across the globe on bikepacking websites. In mid-February, my best friend joined me to circumnavigate Santa Catalina Island, one of the eight California Channel Islands due west of Los Angeles. Wild plains, jaw-dropping mountain views, classic desert, pine forests and snowy passes its all here. 157 views, 5 likes, 1 loves, 0 comments, 4 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from La Baroudeuse Bikepacking: En route, . For those of you with more time on your hands, I cant resist noting that these routes around Tahoe, especially the Tahoe Twirl, are easy to link up with the Pony Express to the south and the Trans Northern California to the north for three sides of a massive California bikepacking loop. I was donemy legs said yes, but my head was saying no. I just bought a tour/gravel bike and am stoked for the bikepacking adventures to come. Available to pre-order soon. Everything you need - GPS tracks, waypoints, resupplies, & daily itineraries. BA1 1UA. If youre interested in bikepacking in California, you might also find these helpful: Or, visit the bikepacking resources center for more pedal-powered info and inspiration. Sandwiched between the misty beaches of the Pacific and the urban sprawl of the San Francisco Bay, stand peninsula mountains that beckon. Hi , Just did my first bikepacking trip riding part of the baldy bruiser and my knees are still angry, lol. Awesome! It includes a long stretch of Bolinas Ridge road, which jumps off the map to anyone looking for long ride possibilities in the area. 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. Possibly one of the most exciting MTB bikepacking routes in the USA, this was designed from scratch for two wheels and is over 50% singletrack. A gravel bikepacking bike gets bonus points for extra mounting points (braze ons, eyelets, barnacles, etc.) Cycle through the best terrain the Peak District has to offer, from gravel tracks to country lanes and stargaze from a giant tepee The route consists of small rural roads, stoney tracks, flagstone paths and ancient trails used by packhorses and drovers. 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. I decided not to continue the Stagecoach because I felt unsafe on the highway. As one of the closest national forests to the Bay Area, Mendocino National Forest is an intriguing possibility. The route features a mixture of singletrack, dirt roads, and a bit of pavement as it crosses the Evergreen State. I love your blog and appreciate your willingness to share and write about this Awesome sport/ hobby. Difficulty Challenging Accommodation 4* Nights 2. Our selection of routes spans the whole spectrum, from short two-dayers in the desert, to properly long technical mountain routes, and woodsy adventures in places you might not even have heard of. With mounting points everywhere and big chunky tyres. la mise en route a t laborieuse avec un beug persistant ncessitant une assistance de Sigmasupport. We all know that to connect all the amazing mountain, desert, and coastal dirt, there needs to be some highway connectors. A gravel bike for extensive trips. We cycled through Catalinas varying biomes with verdant hills reminiscent of Ireland, sage and Indian paintbrush covered arroyos as in Wyoming, and even Baja desert-like trails weaving between Velvet Cactus and Peppergrass. The information found here is simply a resource for planning and inspiration to be used with your own due-diligence. You can email me for my GPX file. Descending Black Canyon in the darkness and waves of orange blossoms scents was glorious. You need to be logged in to use these features. There is dispersed camping along the way and accommodations at Big Bear Lake. Backcountry bivvying options are endless; in some places youll need a permit. Some Ive ridden, and many are still on my wishlist. The wide elevation range, from around 1500 feet up to nearly 8000 feet, means this route is best ridden in fall or early winter when temperatures arent too hot and snowpack at the high points is manageable. The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. Essentially, you're carrying everything you need for your camping trip on you and your bike and sometimes the terrain can get a little rough. Yavapai Backcountry Loop With its gentle and easy-riding gravel, the 92-mile Denali Park Road is a favorite among cyclists. Perhaps, we now realize how much we take for granted. 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. The Wolf Bikepacking is offering 3 routes (180, 167, 167 km) for gravel bike. Entdecke die schnsten Orte, lade GPS-Tracks herunter und folge den Top-Routen auf einer Karte. . . The switchback road ascends for three miles through eucalyptus forests with gradients reaching 14%. Much of my bikepacking time has been spent exploring other states and countries, but Im looking forward to exploring my home state more thoroughly in the near future. Treks Farley 9.6 is one of the most popular fat bikes on the market. 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. garmin varia, bike radar system, varia rvr315, varia rtl515, ride with gps, spurcycle, compact bell, flat bar gravel bike bell, best bike bell, spurcycle compact bell, The Year In Routes 2022 - Best Gravelstoke Rides of the Year, Restrap Bumper Bar and Full Frame Bag Review, Happier Bar Bags with the Restrap Bumper Bar, New Top Tube Bag For Gravel Gets Everything Right. Henry Coe State Park, down south near Gilroy, is the only Bay Area park where true backcountry camping (outside designated sites) is allowed. Share your location with friends and loved ones during an activity. In this post Ive collected a wide range of California bikepacking routes and trails organized by region. Southern California, specifically the area to the east of Santa Barbara, LA, and San Diego, is an obvious place to start. Sacoche de cadre bikepacking; Sacoche de guidon bikepacking; Sacoche de selle bikepacking . (800 KM) Days 10 % Unpaved 65% % Singletrack 3% % Rideable (time) 98% It travels through breathtaking mountain ranges, unusual volcanic landscapes, towering forests and picturesque lake vistas. For those seeking desert solitude tinged with a touch of the bizarre, we present the SoCal Desert Ramble. Resources and inspiration to support your wildest dreams: Affiliate Disclosure: This site participates in affiliate programs, including Amazon Associates. / 135 km 2 days I feel fortunate to have had an early winter full of bikepacking in Southern California where I was riding my Salsa Cutthroat equipped with Apiduras Expedition line of bikepacking bags. Samen met collega Hans Tacken op pad geweest. 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. It would make a lot of sense to extend that loop to the south and include the famous trails of the Marin Headlands, perhaps linking up with this North Bay Overnighter. 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. The new 700c x 50mm gravel bike tires are all exclusively available in Hutchinson's top tubeless-ready 127tpi construction with Hardskin puncture protection & dual-compound rubber, and only with natural tanwalls. The combination of these two historic routes takes bikepackers from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, all the way to Washington DC. . The Stagecoach 400 is an all-together different undertaking than the chill pace that I road Catalina Island or the bike camping in Cuyamaca. Youll go from open swaying grasslands into steep-sided valleys, along ridges and even through cool groves of cottonwood trees - a welcome respite from the heat if you go in summer. The extreme heat in the summer and unpredictable winter weather in the higher elevations make those seasons somewhat less desirable. Now with oral contraception, the buff herd is around 150 and is one of the main tourist attractions. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. So Im a little surprised that while most other states in the western US are collecting established bikepacking routes at a rapid rate, bikepacking in California still seems to be in its infancy. The mountain loop of the JBC is serious mountain bike terrain over 158 miles with nearly 22,000 feet of climbing. Day 2: 61 miles | 4,300 feet. It not only takes in the best of Cuyamaca terrain but the single track and gravel roads in the adjacent Pine Creek and Hauser Wilderness areas. Two alternative tracks are included for making the route shorter. From the bottom, and from the top! 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. The North Bay Overnighter takes it all in over a 2-3 day bikepacking loop. Finde die besten Bikepacking Trails in Urs, Midi-Pyrnes (Frankreich). With an elevation gain of only 1,805 ft, you may think this ride is on the easy side. / 235 km 4 days Hello! Historical signage en route explains how the railroad was established to support the logging and mining industries. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. Longer and a bit gentler than the Baldy Bruiser, the SoCal Desert Ramble offers 500 miles of mixed-terrain riding through some of southern Californias most iconic desert landscapes. Keep in mind theyre designed for driving, so dont contain any singletrack and could include sections of busy highway. The bikepacking routes in southern California take you through the mountains and peaks, forests, high and low deserts, and badlands. Learn more or say hi. Gravel bike; Bikepacking kit; Garmin with pre loaded route; 2 nights B&B accommodation; Lunches & dinners; Puis ces . October 12, 2020. 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. The mileage may seem short, but the initial climb from the starting point in Indio can be very arduous given the fact its likely to be hot. 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. The descent from Idyllwild was frozen, the ascent over Thompson Mountain was steep, and the hero-dirt descent towards Anza gave us all ear-to-ear smiles. Wikiloc. A great time for this ride would be in the springtime when the temperatures are cooler and the wildflowers are in bloom. Theres a varied mix: dirt and pavement, seat bags and panniers, races and leisurely tours, short and long, solitude and good company. I hope youll find inspiration for your next ride, whatever your style may be. Terrain is a challenging mix of dirt, pavement, and singletrack. The route has many resupply options along the way as well as camping and a few hotel options to look into. Either way, planning your water stops is vital as there is very little drinkable water on the route. 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. Its seriously hilly - in fact, it averages more climbing per mile than the Colorado Trail (160ft vs 133ft) so its not for you if youre not on top form. To bypass the bike-illegal sections and extend the route, several folks have mapped out variations that incorporate a mix of jeep roads, pavement, and other local trails. By Length (days) Overnighters & S24O; Weekend Routes (2-4) Week-long Routes (5-10) Odyssey Routes (11-30) "Freakouts" (31+) Local Overnighters. Both routes go through Truckee. Bring a lot of water since the only reliable water is at Red Box Station. Unlike the familiar coastal route, this trek takes you through the San Bernardino Mountains, Anza Borrego Desert, Joshua Tree National Park, and Cleveland National Forest. American bikepacking adventures from desert to mountain top and suitable for all abilities. Trail Length: 150 miles for the GAP and 184.5 miles for the C&O Canal Towpath Days to complete: 4-10 days Riding: Gravel and dirt road. Three years ago, Johan Cronje, a local bike packer, created the 300-mile JBC that takes in the mountains of Cuyamaca (and beyond), the trails to and from the Pacific Coast, and the sands of the Anza-Borrego Desert. My wife and I have gravel bikes with 42s and 47s. We had a late lunch at the only caf in Two Harbors grabbed a bottle of Chianti and frozen burritos at the General Store, and skirted the coast to Parsons Landing where we camped on the beach. Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (opens in new tab). The Stagecoach 400, originally established as a bikepacking race of the same name, is 380-ish mile loop out of San Diego. See below for details on those other two routes. Bikepacking in southern California often means desert landscapes and everything that comes with them: sand, rocks, rattlesnakes, hot summer days, and cold winter nights. But back to the beer Vermont produces many of the top craft beers in the US, and this route proposes an agreeable daily itinerary to make the most of the many microbreweries, taprooms and restaurants that it deliberately links together by sweet gravel, singletrack and stretches of infamously degraded class 4 roads. Find My Route Recent Routes Something Isn't Working Refresh the page to try again. California Gravel Ride Recaps, Gravel Race Recaps, Gear Reviews | Ohio Gravel Grinders. 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! It also features in the above-mentioned Tour de los Padres route as well. Highly recommended! Use the Brave browser for an entirely ad free web experience. Maybe Im biased, but I love my home state of California. We share our tips and tricks for a successful bikepacking adventure. It's about exploring places less traveled, both near and far, via singletrack trails, gravel, and abandoned dirt roads. Some of the best mountain biking trails close to my home are found in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park (40 miles east of San Diego). Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Canal Towpath (opens in new tab). Traversing the spine of the continent and crossing the Continental Divide 30 times, theres no shortage of climbing, and the states it passes through are like a Top Trumps of North American landscapes. The cold rain did not stop all day and by the time we pulled in Warner Springs at mile 60, we could not have been more drenched. The Stagecoach route begins in the mountain town of Idyllwild, heads over a few alpine sections and down to the desert and dogs of Anza, passes Lake Henshaw and the glorious gravel and singletrack descents along San Dieguito River Park towards the salty air of the Pacific Ocean. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. The Anza-Hapaha Loop is a 2-3 day bikepacking route that connects several of Anza-Borrego Desert State Parks magnificent dirt and sand roads, explores its wildflower, ocotillo, and cactus-rich desert, and snakes its way through the badlands of two geologically mesmerizing canyons. The five-part account by Tom and Sarah Swallow (opens in new tab) of riding the route before it became a race gives you an evocative picture of stunning landscapes, wild weather and human kindness. It is split up into 4 tiers and 10 segments. The Doing Miles ride report, 2022 TDLP, and my Central California loop all include parts of this area. [email protected]. Picking the right season is everything, as is planning your transport, knowing where your water is coming from, and knowing how to fix your bike 100 miles from anywhere. 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. Camp high if you can and be sure you never set up camp in a wash due to potential flash floods. 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! To learn more Click Here. More flag On KUMEYAAY, COCOPAH, CUPENO, Agua Caliente & Serrano Land Distance 497 Mi. From Aqua Caliente the route follows the old stagecoach route to Ocotillo Wells passing parched cattle skulls and wind-carved sand dunes, eventually arriving for the requisite burritos in Borrego Springs. Cycling the Alps 2 Ocean Trail in New Zealand: Overview + 4 Day Itinerary. Bikepacking.com and others have already developed several routes in this area, and there are many more options waiting to be explored. Climbing is plentiful and sometimes steep, and surfaces are varied. This beautiful singletrack ride weaves through them and will feel like an endless geology and nature lesson. Expect to climb several long passes, including the day-long hike-a-bike up Mt. Wild rocky scrub, huge empty spaces, tough canyons, and hurrah singletrack that weaves through swathes of the iconic saguaro cactus, which can grow up to 12 meters tall, will see you on your way. Create a GPS track: Once you've identified the roads and/or trails you want to ride, use an online application to draw your route on a map. Find our growing list of California bikepacking routes and content below. The trail offers fantastic views as most of it is above the tree line. The next day we rode the smooth gravel on Isthmus Road to our campsite at Little Harbor. It seems like we currently have a wide-open slate on which to scout and explore our own routes. 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. 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. And whats more, there is no water in the park so youll need to carry it all with you for the entire trip. on the fork blades or below the downtube for gear and bottle cages, or at the dropouts and seat stays for racks. We passed bison, deer and fox along the way. 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. Since I too live in the Bay Area, Ill be looking at some of those trails to get started but also love the Sierra Nevada. Spring and fall are excellent times to bikepack in the southern California desert. Because the weather forecast included more rain and snow for the entire route, Brendan and Meg rerouted us around all of the dirt riding coming into San Diego North County and the trails going east from San Diego towards Alpine. This route packs it all in just 40 miles, the first route in our 2019 Gravel Adventure Series #DirtChurch. Depending on recent weather and use, the dirt track can be fairly smooth, or quite rocky. Soledad Paso Robles Coalinga Loop: This 260 mile loop is primarily pavement, but includes a few excellent sections of gravel and the closed dirt Arroyo Seco Indians Road mentioned above. After heavy rain there can often be pitted sections of trail, so take care. Gravelmap is a tool for finding and sharing local gravel roads for biking, gravel grinding, exploration and more. Baldy Bruiser 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. 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. You may not have heard much about the southern US state of Georgia, but its seven times the size of Wales, and spans a tantalizing mix of coast and mountains. 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. BikePerfect is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Im an old mountain biker that got his bike stolen about 7 years ago and took up backpacking. From our sponsor; more content below. Distance: 40 miles. 2,575km 19 days (18 on, 1 off) 18 nights in a tent 15.5 days of headwind 47C - hottest temp 45kmh strongest wind 1 broken shifter cycleuktonz.com. If you have a great route to suggest, please comment below! The 50mm gravel tires are made-in-France and sell for 50 for the smoother Overide, or 53 for the more knobby Touareg & Tundra. De eerste 4 dagen helemaal niemand gezien, niet gek met 3 It is very well waymarked but that's no excuse not to take some backup navigation. Sardine Lookout Tower Overnighter is a mini adventure that gives riders a taste of the beautiful forests, meadows, and reservoirs around Tahoe National Forest. Think of bikepacking as a camping trip you take with your bike. After a long stretch alongside the winding Youghiogheny River youll eventually climb to the top of the Eastern Continental Divide at 2,392 feet, but its super-gradual - the gradient is rarely over 1 percent, as youd expect from a disused railway line. Design a route: Use maps, guidebooks, websites and word of mouth to find roads and trails you can ride on. Many parts of this route are in National Forest areas making dispersed camping pretty easy. The loop nature of both routes, along with relatively easy food and water resupply, make both logistically simple. Carrizo Plain National Monument: Flat-ish gravel roads and wildflowers in the spring, with opportunities for wild camping in a vast landscape. Bikepacking Central Oregon: High Desert and Volcanic Geology from K Falls to Bend. Bones to Blue includes a short loop to the northwest of Truckee that could be skipped to shorten the route, though youd miss some historic (if rather somber) sites related to the infamous Donner Party and the deaths of many Chinese railroad laborers. Some of the main features of this trek include Mt Baldy Ski resorts, Lake Arrowhead, Baldy Notch, and Angeles National Forest. There is minimal trafficonly safari vehicles for sightseers and a few locals driving between the only two towns of Avalon and Two Harbors. Excited to try bikepacking but need help getting started? On my bike I feel free. One of the really great things about bikepacking is the online community, so theres often plenty of opportunities to find out about the logistics and trails in detail, including conditions on the ground and potential diversions. Heres a random RideWithGPS track I found for it (havent tested it personally ride at your own risk). 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. Its roughly based on a classic extreme motorbike route, around 70% off-road. 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. This route boasts giant metal sculptures, narrow canyon walls, with picturesque rocks and geological formations. Les destinations sympa pour le bikepacking en France : Les spots les plus populaires. / 145 km 2-3 days Anza-Hapaha Loop comment 55 time Mar 14 compose Logan Watts USA 497 mi. Bikepacking in Central California is dominated by the extensive Los Padres National Forest. Orro has equipped it with a fast-shifting Shimano GRX400 2x10-Speed groupset and . This ride is usually done as a point to point but there are variations, including the 277-mile Fools Loop straight out of central Phoenix, for more experienced desert riders. Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective. Or toss some spare change inthe PayPal tip jar. It also could be linked up with the Tahoe Twirl route mentioned above. Multi-day bikepacking routes. Whether you want to be out for ten days or just an overnighter, these routes will give you some idea of exactly whats out there. For example, Bikepacking.com has routes covering about 50 countries and totaling 85,000 miles complete with . If you beat me to it, please let me know what you find out. Cut out the climb over to Susanville (and the Bizz Johnson Trial). There are some highly rideable miles, but these routes are still a step up from simple dirt road touring or gravel grinding. Also check out my review of the Apidura bikepacking gear I road on Santa Catalina, Cuyamaca, and the Stagecoach 400 HERE.