Norcal Bicycle Touring

Here's an approximate map on Google Maps, based on a similar ride I did last year: Pinnacles Bike Packing 2025.

The route is mostly paved. There are two sections that are on hike/bike trails, but they can be avoided, as described at the end. I try to do as much on creek trails as possible, but most of the ride is on road.

WHERE WE SLEEP:
I have campsites booked for Coyote Lake, Pinnacles and New Brighton. My plan for San Juan Bautista is to stay at the Best Western near downtown.

THOUGHTS ON EATING:
There aren't good food options at Pinnacles. I'll be taking freeze dried (Mountain House) food for breakfast and dinner for the two days at Pinnacles. There's no restaurant or cafe at Pinnacles, unlike some of the bigger NPs. There is a camp store with some basic provisions.

At San Juan Bautista and New Brighton there are nearby food options. Either to eat out, or (in the case of New Brighton - take to the campsite and cook).

Last year I made lunch stops on the ride, I expect I'll do something similar this year.

• Saturday, I'm planning on Trail Dust BBQ in Morgan Hill. Hoping to reach there around 1pm.
• On day two Hollister Airport Eatery is what I did last year (it's en route).

COST:
I've booked spots at the three campsites. We will share the cost between us ($165 is the total for the three sites).

Please arrange your own accommodation in San Juan Bautista. I booked my room at the Best Western already, it was around $150 for the night.

ADDITIONAL INFO ABOUT THE NON-PAVED PARTS:

Unpaved section 1) The Harvey Bear trail from Harvey Bear entrance to Coyote Lake
The trail is a hike/bike trail.

• Screenshot of the trail option that I'll be taking: here

To avoid it, you will use the Roop Rd entrance into the Coyote Lake. I didn't want to ride up Roop Road, as it's got a steep switchback.

• Screenshot of Roop Rd option: here

When I did this ride last year, I just walked my bike up the trail. I have a gravel bike, I'm not a mountain biker and don't like cycling uphill on dirt!

• Use this AllTrails map for reference: harvey-bear-calaveras-coyote-ridge-and-willow-springs-loop

Unpaved section 2) A short trail alongside the Lexington reservoir

• Screenshot of the trail from Google Maps: here
• Picture of the trail I took on a recent ride

This path is only a short ride of about half a mile. It runs parallel to Highway 17, from Bear Creek Road to Alma Bridge Road. The alternative would be to take Old Santa Cruz Highway, which runs on the other side of the reservoir and requires a detour of a few miles.

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Important Notice: The Organizer, Assistant Organizers, and Event Organizers in this group are not professional leaders or guides. By signing up for a trip, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging you are aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with the activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the Organizer, Assistant Organizers, and Event Organizers of the NorCal Bicycle Touring and Camping Meetup Group against any and all liability arising from your participation in the group activities.
Read these Safety Notes for Riders: https://www.google.com/search?q=safety+tips+for+bike+touring
Gear List for Bike Touring: https://www.reddit.com/r/bicycletouring/comments/12vfu65/chatgpt_gear_list_to_get_started_bicycle_touring/

Hi Folks, this is a 6 day tour I am planning in June. It will be a big and fun tour! Proposed route is here: RideWithGPS link
DESCRIPTION:
The route includes 6 challenging days of very scenic riding. The total distance is 278 miles with over 21,000 ft. of elevation gain. 58 miles will be unpaved (gravel), which adds additional difficulty.
I have split up the route so that each day is doable in 6 hours of riding by a relatively fit rider, 7-8 hours if you are slower.
Among the sights we'll get to see:

• Lake Sonoma (camp - night 1)
• Healdsburg / Russian River
• Cloverdale
• Clear Lake State Park (camp - night 2)
• Low Gap Road to the coast (camp - night 3)
• Van Damme State Park (camp - night 4)
• Sea Ranch
• Salt Point State Park (camp - night 5)
• King Ridge area and Cazadero

There will usually be water available near where we are riding, though you may need to filter it. Should also be some good swimming opportunities.
We'll ride the SMART to the start and from the end point of the loop (Santa Rosa - check the map link above).
Please comment below if you can't see the map or if you have questions.
It should be a great adventure. Please no beginners.
TRAINING:
This will be a physically challenging tour. Make sure to do at least 2 rides in excess of 50 miles and 4,000 ft climbing in the 2 months leading up to this tour. It would be great if you did a separate bike tour before this tour, but since I won't be doing that myself, I won't hold anyone else to it. I'll be in touch with everyone who signs up to check in about their training.
REQUIRED GEAR:

• a solid gravel bike or bike with wide tires (minimum 32 mm, preferred 36+ mm)
• tent and sleeping bag
• water filtering device
• 2L water capacity (carry min 1L at all times in back country)
• bike computer or paid navigation app on your phone that will function without internet
• enough food for 3 full days (we can supplement on the road)
• plenty of snacks (nuts / dried fruit etc.)
• frame bags to carry all your stuff

MISCELLANEOUS: Thurs 6/19 is Juneteenth, and no matter what the White House says, we will celebrate it!

******************************************************
Important Notice: The Organizer, Assistant Organizers, and Event Organizers in this group are not professional leaders or guides. By signing up for a trip, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging you are aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with the activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the Organizer, Assistant Organizers, and Event Organizers of the NorCal Bicycle Touring and Camping Meetup Group against any and all liability arising from your participation in the group activities.
Read these Safety Notes for Riders: https://www.google.com/search?q=safety+tips+for+bike+touring
Gear List for Bike Touring: https://www.reddit.com/r/bicycletouring/comments/12vfu65/chatgpt_gear_list_to_get_started_bicycle_touring/

RWGPS Route

This 5-day gravel self-contained bike packing loop tour starts and ends in Jordan Valley, OR. Meet in Jordan Valley the evening of June 20. Camping or lodging options info TBD. Along the bike tour we'll camp at Three Forks hot spring first night, cycle eastward on a portion of the Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway, and return north via Bachman Grade and Flint Creek Roads to Jordan Valley. 5 days (4 nights) of riding with ample afternoon time to relax or explore near camp. Daily riding mileage 25 - 35 miles per day. We will have plenty of time to soak in the vibe of this amazing volcanic plateau and river canyon landscape. Access to stream or reservoir water daily.

Tour pace intended to be relaxed (anticipate 6 - 10 mph, we're not in a rush), but not effortless, that includes one steep descent down and ascent up and out of the hot spring (hike a bike is likely). Suitable for conditioned cyclists ready for daily ascents and descents mostly less than 5% gradient, (and a couple more short steeper climbs as well) while riding atop the plateau. Exploring nature will be our goal, not being gnarly, but be willing to make a steady sustainable effort where needed, whether on the bike or off! If you enjoy botanizing, geology pondering, bird watching, and being in awe, this trip is for you. The trip requires participants having bike touring and camping skills, bike handling skills on gravel roads, and a safety first commitment to staying together with the group and willingness to cooperate with group consensus and trip organizer decisions that reduce risks for injury or searching.

Organizer has not personally scouted the roads or conditions, but we have good information about the roads we'll ride. We will explore together and conduct the trip in a safety first manner mindful of weather, riding, and participant conditions. The roads are maintained packed gravel, and largely passable for 2-wheel drive vehicles or medium clearance passenger car.

******************************************************
Important Notice: The Organizer, Assistant Organizers, and Event Organizers in this group are not professional leaders or guides. By signing up for a trip, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging you are aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with the activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the Organizer, Assistant Organizers, and Event Organizers of the NorCal Bicycle Touring and Camping Meetup Group against any and all liability arising from your participation in the group activities.
Read these Safety Notes for Riders: https://www.google.com/search?q=safety+tips+for+bike+touring
Gear List for Bike Touring: https://www.reddit.com/r/bicycletouring/comments/12vfu65/chatgpt_gear_list_to_get_started_bicycle_touring/

The event officially lives on the Oakland Yellowjackets Webpage (my home club): There you can find lots more information about camp and the annual event.

For background, Oakland Feather River Camp (OFRC) has been Oakland’s municipal family camp in the sierras since 1924; it was once a passenger train ride away from Jack London Square. For decades, Oakland families from all walks of life would spend time up at camp - enjoying nature and community - together. I am a former board member of OFRC and I have been bringing riders up to camp every August for the last three years. Several members of Norcal Bicycle Touring have participated in the past, and plan to again this summer.

Please note that this event is NOT a tour. However, it does appeal to those who enjoy multi-day biking and camping trips. In bike touring parlance, you can think of this event as a rustic credit card tour (you pay for meals and lodging instead of carrying your gear), of a hub-and-spoke variety (we bike back to our starting location each day, instead of going in a point-to-point or circular route).

For those of you who might want to turn this event into a proper tour, you certainly have options! If you can get yourself and your bike to Truckee (Note, it is challenging to disembark with a bike at the Truckee Amtrak station unfortunately), there are both paved and mixed terrain routes available to explore.

Adventure Cycling's Sierra Cascades Route (Section 3) highlights the paved path from Truckee to Quincy and beyond. It is a lovely route with lots of food, water, and camping options along the way.

Bikepacking Roots Lost Sierra Route is a long, mixed terrain tour starting in Truckee that explores the Tahoe, Sierra and Plumas National Forests. The route is rugged, remote, and challenging, but very doable logistically with plenty of camping, resupplies, and water along the route.

The Lost Sierra Route highlights many of the paved and dirt roads we will be riding while up at camp. This is helpful if you want to familiarize yourself with the area and see some great pictures of the region.

If you have questions that are not answered on the Registration Page, please feel free to reach out! We hope you can join us!