What we’re about
Do you want to get into bike touring but haven't tried it yet? Are you an experienced bicycle tourist who would love to share his / her insight about the joys of bike touring? Do you just want to go on an overnight trip or multi-day bikecation? This is the group for you if you're looking to connect with like-minded bicycle travelers on the west coast from San Diego to Vancouver.
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Dennison Park Overnighter (Paved & Gravel Road Options)San Buenaventura State Beach South End, Ventura, CA
We're heading to Dennison Park in Ojai for another overnighter. Our group has been to this campground several times via bike paths and paved roads through Ventura and Ojai-- which we will do again. But this time, we'll also have the option to take the gravel road and enter Dennison Park from the opposite direction. You choose-- either paved or gravel.
We will all return together via a different route (via Santa Paula)ROUTE
We will start at the southern end of San Buenaventura State Beach and ride the Ventura Beach Bike Trail to where the Ojai Valley Bike Trail begins. There we will stop at a Von's to purchase food for dinner at Dennison Park. (The paved road group has the option of not purchasing food until they reach Ojai.) Then we will go on the Ojai Valley Bike Path until about the 10-mile mark. At that point, the Paved Road group and the Gravel Road group will diverge.PAVED OPTION (See Route)
You (the Paved Road group) continue on the Ojai Valley Bike Path into Ojai. This group may opt to go to Von's in Ojai to get their dinner supplies for camp (instead of the Von's in Ventura). You will also stop for lunch somewhere (if desired). Then you'll continue through Ojai, after which you'll do a short 1-mile climb; you can stop half-way up for a scenic vista of the town of Ojai. Once you reach the top, you'll be at Dennison Park, where you'll camp for the evening. Full mileage for the day is 22 miles.GRAVEL OPTION (See Route)
Once you (the Gravel Road group) diverge from the larger group, you'll climb Sulphur Mountain Road, which is a scenic gravel road with great vistas toward Ventura and the ocean. We'll stop for lunch somewhere on the ride, consuming the lunch which you packed or bought at Von's earlier. Nearer to Dennison Park, the road will become paved and give you a good descent down to the road which will lead you to where you'll camp for the evening. Full mileage for the day will be 28 miles.RETURN ROUTE (See Route)
The following morning, the whole group will head east and stop by the Summit Cafe for breakfast/brunch. Then we'll do a pleasant descent into Santa Paula, and then head back to Ventura and our original starting point. This day will take 31 miles, which includes the 5-mile descent.SMALL DETAILS
There are bathrooms and water at the campsite, but no showers. There are fire rings, but we'll have to wait for that week to find out if we can have a fire. Cost is $10. This covers the cost of the campsite. Any extra will be used to cover the cost of maintaining this meetup site.MEETING POINT
We'll meet at 11 AM at the south end of San Buenaventura State Beach (901 San Pedro Street, Ventura, CA 93002) where the Ventura Beach Bike Trail begins. This is the gate for the parking for the state beach. If you go about a hundred feet down the bike trail, you'll get to the restrooms and nearby picnic table. We'll meet there.
You can find street parking on Pierpont Blvd., the road that extends from the gate of the park (or other adjacent streets). You can park overnight there.
Amtrak Option: If you want to take the Amtrak to Ventura from the LA direction, it will arrive at 11:06. You can wait there and join when the group rides by between 11:15 and 11:30.************************
Disclaimer: This bike-touring/camping group ride is a meeting of like-minded people gathering for a time of fun and social interaction. No organizational responsibility is implied in the creation of this ride. Upon registering for this event, you acknowledge that participation in the event is done out of your own risk and you accept responsibility for your own safety. - Patagonia AZ Bikepacking Loop (6-day Ride)Tucson Amtrak Station, Tucson, AZ
This is a 6-day ride-- a loop starting in Tucson, down to Patagonia, and back. This ride is considered intermediate, as there will be climbing in the desert and forest (including hike-a-bikes), and you must be comfortable with a straight 5 days/4 nights riding-camping in the wild.
We'll be riding a loop around southern Arizona through the Sonoran desert areas and parts of the Coronado National Forest. (just the southern portion-- the Canelo Hills and Santa Rita and Patagonia Mt. areas- see bottom of map in that article.) We’ll start from the Tucson Amtrak Station and use the town of Patagonia as the midpoint for our loop. There are a number of gravel roads around the town of Patagonia, which makes it a gravel biker mecca for the area-- a good place to ride and camp in. We will head east from the Tucson Amtrak Station and return to the station from the west. See the route description below. We'll take 6 days for the entire loop.
A gravel bike, mountain bike, or all-terrain bike is required, perferably with 2-inch tires or higher.(While our ride is not based on the Sky Islands Odyssey Loop, you can view their photos for an idea of our loop and its terrain. We are in the same vicinity with similar roads and terrain, and do actually follow part of that loop.)
(The Ruta Del Jefe race also covers similar terrain. There's a YouTube video of the philosophical thoughts about the area. You can see the terrain here also.)THE ROUTE ITINERARY (See Route).
- Day 1: Outside Vail, AZ. 32 Miles. We will bike from the Tucson Amtrak train station through Tucson to Vail, AZ, using bike paths and small roads. In Vail, we will stop to purchase groceries for the next 2 days (or so) and perhaps catch an early dinner at a restaurant. Then we will head out of Vail, and wild camp somewhere outside of town (location TBD-- perhaps by the Arizona Trail interseection).
- Day 2: Road Canyon Campground. 30 miles. We will do a little bit of climbing and enter the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area (BLM Land). We will stop at the Empire Ranch Foundation, which oversees the land for BLM. We can get water there. We can also visit a rare groundhog preservation area on the land. Then we'll head for a wild camping area labelled Rock Canyon Campground. The area has no water, as it is wild camping, so we need to make sure we have water for the day.
- Day 3: Wild Camp in Coronado National Forest, Canelo Hills - 33 miles. We will bike through the town of Sonoita, where we can pick up refreshments and lunch, and refill with water. There are also a couple of convenience stores to pick up basic supplies for the coming day. Then we will bike through the hills of the Coronado National Forest and find a suitable spot to camp in the wild for the night, somewhere north of the San Rafael Conservation Area.
- Day 4: Wild camp around Adobe ruins, Santa Rita Mts- 33 miles. We will bike through various gravel roads in the Coronado National Forest (Patagonia Mountains section). Halfway through, we'll come to the town of Patagonia, where we'll stop for re-supply, including water, and have a good lunch at one of their restaurants. Then we'll climb back into the Coronado National Forest again (Santa Rita Mountains section). We'll camp somewhere near the Adobe ruins.
- Day 5: Green Valley, AZ. 36 miles. After packing up in the morning, we'll continue on the gravel road and ultimately descend into the retirement town of Green Valley. In the town, we’ll stay in a rented house (no camp options). This allows us to freshen and clean up after our ride and get ready to go back into the city. Maybe we'll all hit a restaurant in the evening to celebrate the (near) end of the ride.
- Day 6. Back to Amtrak Station. 33 miles. We will ride through the San Xavier Reservation Land (Tohono O'odham Nation) and then catch part of the Tucson Circle Bike Trail, before getting into the city and arriving at the Amtrak Station. (For those taking the train, the Amtrak train arrives at the Tucson station at 7:15 pm. We will arrive back in Los Angeles the next day.)
PACKING CONSIDERATIONS
- RAIN GEAR. Although May is historically the month with the least amount of rainfall (which is why we are going on this month), you should still be prepared for localized rain. It’s desert weather, after all. Days are often warm, and the evenings can be cold. (average mid 80s/mid 40s). Pack accordingly.
- WATER SUPPLY. There may be a couple of days between water supplies, so bring bladders or bottles to hold at least 2 days of water. (I'll have my usual 2 water bottles, plus an extra 3-liter water bladder when needed.)
- BATTERIES. There are five days/4 nights out wild camping, with no ability to recharge. Make sure you have enough battery power to charge your bike computer, phone, etc. for this length of time.
- PASSPORT OR US ID?-- The southern area of our route is patrolled by Border Patrol. Be sure to have relevant ID if concerned.
COST: $50 House Rent--Green Valley (your share of 1-night house rental)
- add $108 if using Amtrak, roundtrip from Los Angeles
- you'll need to plan for your own meals and supplies. We may eat out 3-4 times, above your own camp meals and ride snacks.
MEETING POINT
We will meet at the Tucson Amtrak Station at 9:00 AM on Saturday May 24, and depart from there when ready. Get there in whatever manner you choose.Using Amtrak (optional- for those coming from So. Cal.)
Although the official starting point for the ride is the Tucson Amtrak Station, those in the southern California region may consider taking the Amtrak from the Los Angeles Union Station. I have found Amtrak to be useful (it will be my mode of travel to Tucson). If interested in using Amtrak, here are the details:You will need to catch the Amtrak train from LA Union Station a day before the official bike depart from the Tucson Amtrak Station, i.e. Friday May 23. The train leaves from LA Union Station at 10 pm Friday. The train is scheduled to arrive in Tucson at 7:40 am, but I have never found the train to be on time. (On my last trip, the train arrived in Tucson at 11 am). The cost is $41 and up each way (variable-- like airline tickets), plus an additional $20 for the bike. You can book your reservation online. When you're ready, book as early as you can to make sure your bike gets on.
At the station, you will first have to go to the baggage area in Union Station, show them your reservation, and they will give you a tag to put on the bike (like a luggage tag you tie to your suitcase). At the train, you have to unload your bicycle and hand the unladen bike to the baggage car. You do not need to box the bike; it can be intact, but just unloaded. What I have previously done is bring a foldable duffel bag and put everything (all panniers, bike accessories, etc.) into that single duffel bag and carry it with me onto the train. Upon arrival at the destination, I unpack everything from the duffel bag and load it onto the bike. I fold the duffel bag and stuff it in one of the panniers.************************
Disclaimer: This bike-touring/camping group ride is a meeting of like-minded people gathering for a time of fun and social interaction. No organizational responsibility is implied in the creation of this ride. Upon registering for this event, you acknowledge that participation in the event is done out of your own risk and you accept responsibility for your own safety.
