Cancelled due to mud, Lake Skinner Wine Tasting Bicycle Camping Tour

Lake Skinner Wine Tasting Bicycle Camping Tour

• BEGINNING START TIME: 11:00 A.M. sharp at 28643-28665 Pujol St, Temecula, CA 92590

https://www.google.com/maps/place/33%C2%B029'29.0%22N+117%C2%B009'02.2%22W/@33.491386,-117.15062,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d33.491386!4d-117.15062

• PARKING: Our meeting place is a good place to park.

• ROUTE: First Day:

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/28643-28665+Pujol+St,+Temecula,+CA+92590/33.5872669,-117.0408901/@33.4986813,-117.1214593,25707m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m44!4m43!1m40!1m1!1s0x80db7fc0998233e3:0xa3c1e736b37e127f!2m2!1d-117.1508565!2d33.4915648!3m4!1m2!1d-117.1438162!2d33.4845811!3s0x80db7f96a8ddfe8f:0x8f093630dfe7e295!3m4!1m2!1d-117.1086003!2d33.4601522!3s0x80db81c6aef0f3fd:0xbc4febf73989ab20!3m4!1m2!1d-117.0951164!2d33.4513483!3s0x80db8190e7233881:0xeb22d22cdbcaec0d!3m4!1m2!1d-117.0855766!2d33.4661243!3s0x80db81f3c226260d:0xb2a803a93a10d3f0!3m4!1m2!1d-117.0544586!2d33.4911794!3s0x80db789feb933233:0xcdbb80d93744316f!3m4!1m2!1d-117.0204492!2d33.5103629!3s0x80db786f91b7d97f:0xaaa27be1054a6052!3m4!1m2!1d-117.0310054!2d33.5895447!3s0x80db7a2d860ac70b:0xba4bad07d7984cae!1m0!3e1

Or a shorter, less hilly route if the group prefers.

• ROUTE: Second Day:

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/33.5873469,-117.0414959/33.4914545,-117.150715/@33.5336088,-117.1507714,12318m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e1

• BEGINNERS BLURB: We will head east on the start of a loop through the Temecula Wine Country. We will stop from time to time at a Winery. We camp at Skinner Lake. I suggest everyone pack some bread, cheese, etc., for a Winery pick-nick lunch. On Sunday, we will then complete our loop back to Temecula.

• CAMPING: Lake Skinner does not have a hiker/biker site. I have already reserved 3 sites -- A122, A123 and A124. Each campsite is allowed 6 people. This may turn out cheaper ($129.00 divided by the number of people) than a hiker/biker depending on how many people we can cram into one campsite.

• EATING: Bring food for lunch and dinner on Saturday and breakfast Sunday. And...don't forget snacks and wine. We can also stop at a market along the way.

• DIFFICULTY: If you consider yourself a beginner who is up for a challenge and in good shape you are welcome to come. You should know that I use the word “beginner” with qualifications. I do not mean a beginning bicycle rider, I mean a beginning long-distance loaded bicycle tourist: i.e., you can already ride 30+ miles at 10-12 mph on a bike loaded down with 30-40 lbs. of clothes, food, and camping gear. You also know how to fix a flat.

• WHAT TO BRING: There is no support (SAG Wagon) vehicle. You have to carry everything you need on your bike. You will need to pack as you would for a backpacking trip (but no backpack) and a multi-gear bike in good repair with very low gears. If your bike has a triple crankset, a compact crankset, or very large cogs, it probably has very low gears. If you have a mountain bike with knobby off-road tires, I suggest you install narrow road tires – you will find your ride much less difficult – it may make the difference between keeping up and slowing down the entire group. If you have a bike purchased in a department store (rather than a bike shop) you may have a very heavy bike, with poor bearings and unreliable hardware. If this is the case, I advise against using that bike. If all you have is a department store bike, but you are nevertheless a strong rider (an unusual combination) and still want to go, I can probably loan you an appropriate bicycle. You should also have a spare tube, pump, tire levers, etc. You will need panniers or a trailer to carry your stuff. If you need help with equipment or you would like to borrow a set of panniers, a trailer, or even a bicycle set up for touring, you can email me or call me at: [masked>.

• WHY: The ride, the camping, the shared beverages, and the jokes. And… I hope to introduce more people to the joys of bicycle touring and camping.