Bike Tour to San Diego

[Mr. Miller]

Wanted to see if there was any interest in a bike tour im making down the coast from Sept 13-18 starting here in Santa Cruz and ending in Carlsbad (north of San Diego). The days would be somewhat long (90, 100, 90...with the last day being about 40 miles) sticking to the coast highway for the most part so post if you have any desire to ride.

[fproulx]

I'm down to ride with you once you get to San Diego.

[sallenrogem]

i'm interested! sounds fun.

[RWB]

I will ride part or all of both or one of the last two days, depending on where you start each day.

[Mr. Miller]

I am currently reworking the itinerary and will be posting it soon. Its looking good  

[Gabriel]

I know we already talked about it but I'll add that I'm interested and I'm also interested to see the itinerary.

[Mr. Miller]

OK- here is the itinerary that we will likely follow (I am waiting to hear back from two parks)

Day 1- Monday Sept 13
Santa Cruz to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park--80 miles
-already have this site secured

Day 2- Tuesday Sept 14
Pfeiffer Big Sur to Morro Bay State Park-- 91 miles
-waiting to hear back from this park (shouldnt have a problem either way)
got it!

Day 3- Wednesday Sept 15
Morro Bay State Park to Refugio State Park-- 102 miles
-site reserved already

Day 4- Thursday Sept 16
Refugio State Park to Point Mugu State Park-- 98 miles
-waiting to hear on this one (again should be able to get it)
jackpot we got them

Day 5- Friday Sept 17
Point Mugu State Park to Crystal Cove State Park-- 103 miles
-site secured, this is a primitive campsite three miles from the entrance so we'll bike in water and food (sounds like a great site)

Day 6- Saturday Sept 18
Crystal Cove State Park to Carlsbad, Ca-- 44 miles
-final day to carlsbad to stay at my grandmas place, when we get in we can get milkshakes and fries and go to the beach

Day 7- Sunday Sept 19
Amtrak from Oceanside, CA (just north of carlsbad) to Santa Cruz, CA---this will be an ALL day trip 7am- 10pm its what you get with amtrak (trains and buses) its not the shortest or cheapest (around $75) but since we are bringing bikes this is easiest

So seven full days of traveling--6 by bike 1 by public transit. I have already secured three complementary campsites and reckon I will get the other two with a bit of work so we won't have to pay to stay anywhere. This will make it easier to spend the money to get back.

Minimum Materials
-yourself, bike, and a pair of legs
-clothes and basic amenities for biking, camping, lounging (including sleeping bag and mat)
-I have a tent that will sleep two comfortably three if we really need it
-anything else you feel you should bring with you--remember less is more especially on the long days

Speaking of long days the 90 plus mile days will be full days of riding likely but if there are even a few of us it'll make it quicker coupled with a nice wind on our backs that will move us right along.

Get some.

[RWB]

Start early on those long days, being all of them.  Even with wind at your back, hauling an extra 30 pounds adds up a lot. 

I will see about riding Point Mugu to Crystal Cove.

[Mr. Miller]

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Santa+Cruz,+CA&daddr=Pfeiffer+Big+Sur+State+Park,+Big+Sur,+CA+to:Morro+Bay+State+Park,+CA+to:Refugio+State+Beach,+Goleta,+CA+to:Point+Mugu+State+Park,+Malibu,+CA+to:Crystal+Cove+State+Park,+Laguna+Beach,+CA+to:Carlsbad,+CA&hl=en&geocode=FSUuNAIdNPW5-ClJ1TZ8G0SOgDGF-dcqSxDKUg%3BFQ4uKQIdQ6y9-CEUy9tEKudXog%3BFcO1GwIdgLnL-CHqbKZIli_5Fg%3B%3B%3B%3B&mra=ls&dirflg=b&sll=36.18032,-121.442595&sspn=2.442853,4.707642&ie=UTF8&ll=35.344255,-119.718018&spn=4.936725,9.415283&z=7&lci=bike

Awesome.

[Brendan Lehman]

Wow Matt, killer itinerary.  I may be partially in on this, although I have to be in Santa Cruz at 12 noon on the 19th.  I'd love to join for the first half until Santa Barbara if I can figure out a good way to come back.

[Mr. Miller]

Thanks bud. The more the merrier. There are some trains that could take you back to San Jose from Santa Barbara--either ride back or probably bus from there into town.

[fproulx]

to take bikes on amtrak, you are going to have to box them. i would suggest securing boxes and having them ready in carlsbad for you

[Mr. Miller]

It depends what trains you take. Some have you check them some accommodate bikes, for the two trains I am planning on taking we should be just fine.

[fproulx]

Look into that closely- the coast starlight does not allow bikes unboxed, and i'm not aware of any trains north of SLO other than that. The surfliner is easy with bikes though.

[fproulx]

Unless you're bussing out to the central valley and taking the San Joaquin, which I'm guessing is what you're doing. Have you done this before? What is the deal with bikes on the amtrak buses?