Refugio State Beach Overnighter

This ride on Saturday and Sunday, July 26-27, will be from the Carpinteria Amtrak Station to Refugio State Beach, where we will camp for the night at the hike-and-bike area. The next day, we will return to Carpinteria on a slightly different route (see route maps below). We will take a combination of small roads, with and without bike lanes, bike trails, and partially on a highway.

The ride is 38 miles each way. Please be sure you are capable of bicycling that distance in one day. Any bike capable of carrying gear for camping one night is fine. (There will be a brief 1.5 mile stint on a gravel trail, but all bikes should be okay.)

ROUTE-- FIRST DAY. Starting in Carpinteria, we will head to Santa Barbara, where we will have lunch at the Santa Barbara Public Market, which has outside seating where we can watch our bikes. You can also bring your own lunch and eat there with us, if you wish. From there we will head to Goleta (Isla Vista), where we will stop by some markets for anyone to buy their food supplies for the weekend. (We can park our bikes in one place and there are 4 small neighborhood markets in that general area-- Isla Vista Deli Market, Isla Vista Market, Isla Vista Food Cooperative, and International Food Market. Go wherever you want.) Afterwards, we will do a brief 1.5-mile gravel stint through the Ellwood Mesa Bluffs. Gravel bikes will feel at home, but those with road bike tires can still manage, albeit it may be briefly uncomfortable. From there we jump on the Highway 101 for 9 miles; don't worry, there is a very wide curb where bicycles can ride quite safely. At the end, we arrive at Refugio State Beach where we will settle for the night in the Hike & Bike site. The camp fee is $10, which you pay at the gate upon entering the State Park.

RETURN ROUTE: The next day, we will return by a slightly different way. We will stop in Goleta for lunch at the original Habit Burger. Then we will go through Santa Barbara, and ride through the roads that we rode on the day before, ending at the Carpinteria Amtrak Station. We should return to Carpinteria no later than 4 PM. For those taking the train, there is a 4:57 Amtrak train.

MEETING POINT: We will meet at the Carpinteria Amtrak parking lot at 10:00 AM and depart when we're ready. If you are considering taking Amtrak, there is a train that arrives at 9:40 AM. Those driving can park overnight in the parking lot.

EXTRACURRICULAR: For those wanting to extend their camping experience (or to arrive in Carpinteria at a more conducive time), you could always camp at the Carpinteria State Beach hike-and-bike campsite on Friday or Sunday as well. The campsite is located next to the Carpinteria Amtrak Station. There are also nice restaurants to enjoy nearby.

OPTIONAL DONATION: This event is free (although you are responsible to pay for your $10 camp fee and all your food.) However, an optional $5 donation to this group would be helpful to help maintain our Meetup account.

************************

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.