Norcal Bicycle Touring

Oakland Feather River Bicycle Camp 2026!

Thu, Aug 27 · 2:00 PM PDT

Oakland Feather River Camp, 5469 Oakland Camp Rd, Quincy, CA, US

*** Update (7/14/26): I hope to have everyone signed up by the end of this month so that camp can prepare, but the latest possible sign-up date is Wednesday, August 12th.

The event page lives on the Oakland Yellowjackets Website, where you can find the 2026 Information Packet (with all the info you need), photos, and a link to register directly with Feather River Camp. Please feel free to reach out with any questions. Thanks! ***

I wanted to officially invite people back to join us at Oakland Feather River Bicycle Camp 2026! Many Norcal Touring folks joined us last summer and had a blast! Please read below for more information.

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 OFRC board member, and I have been bringing riders to camp every August for the last 4 years.

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 have plenty of 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, please feel free to reach out!

Lake Del Valle Autumnal Equinox 2026 Weekend

Fri, Sep 25 · 10:45 AM PDT

Del Valle Lake, Del Valle Regional Park, Livermore, CA, US

This is a beginner-friendly, BART-to-BART one nighter or two bike camping trip on Lake Del Valle in the East Bay.
We reserved a group campsite called Eagles View at Del Valle Regional Park for Friday & Saturday nights. Come one night or two, up to you.
The site has potable water and flush toilets. No shower but the lake (view and access, sweet!) is just in front of the campground and they also have a rinse off station by the beach.

Day 1 Friday Route (Helen lead): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41255253
I'll be taking a mixed terrain route, mostly paved but there will be some unpaved fire road. Starting point is Pleasanton BART.
Time of departure is TBD depending on when folks want to go. I was thinking mid to late afternoon.

Day 2 Saturday morning Route (Sree lead) is from Hayward BART and is about 30 miles: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/56277945

Day 3 Sunday route is : https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41262473
but you can choose how you want to go home.

If you plan to arrive later or via a different route, that's cool too! Just let us know in advance so we don't wait for you.
Friends and family are welcome, even if they want to drive rather than bike in. Parking passes are included in the reservation and we can provide them upon request. A car with firewood or beverages may be appreciated! The campsite allows up to 50 people.

Please bring your own dinner, breakfast, snacks and the camping supplies you need (tent, sleeping bag, stove, etc.). If you are brand new to bikepacking, let us know what you need. We have stuff to lend. Optional lunch stop somewhere en route on Saturday..
Please be self-sufficient and bring tools to fix a flat. We'll do our best to stick together as a group, but be prepared to navigate the route in case we get separated.

Cost of group campsite will be split among participants. Beer and wine permit has been purchased.

More route choices after you arrive @ Del Valle, all departing from campground:
Mountain Bike route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55385475
Road route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/9479238
Gravel/Mixed route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53618538

**********************************************************
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/