Terrain is a challenging mix of dirt, pavement, and singletrack. Your source for gravel and bikepacking routes in eastern and central Ontario, western Quebec, and Beyond! Heres a random RideWithGPS track I found for it (havent tested it personally ride at your own risk). And the ride to Pamo Road was some of the best night riding ever. With classic lake views, sunny summer mountain weather, and more bike-legal trails than most other areas of the Sierra, Lake Tahoe is a great option for bikepackers. Our selection of routes spans the whole spectrum, from short two-dayers in the desert, to properly long technical mountain routes, and woodsy adventures in places you might not even have heard of. I only recommend and link to products I know and love. BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. The new Pony Express Trail is hardly just a California bikepacking route; it extends all the way to Missouri! Bath Whether you want to be out for ten days or just an overnighter, these routes will give you some idea of exactly whats out there. Essentially, you're carrying everything you need for your camping trip on you and your bike and sometimes the terrain can get a little rough. Add mellow bike paths, remote forest roads, fantastic camping real estate, and an abundance of swimming spots and it makes a wonderful introduction to this beautiful area. Record your own trail from the Wikiloc app, upload it and share it with the community. Trail Length: 150 miles for the GAP and 184.5 miles for the C&O Canal Towpath Days to complete: 4-10 days Riding: Gravel and dirt road. On the next highway stretch before the steep Mesa Grade, an oncoming pickup truck passed on a double line and came within a foot of our handlebars. Or toss some spare change inthe PayPal tip jar. With an elevation gain of only 1,805 ft, you may think this ride is on the easy side. To bypass the bike-illegal sections and extend the route, several folks have mapped out variations that incorporate a mix of jeep roads, pavement, and other local trails. Campbellford has the spectacular Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge and Doube's Trestle Bridge is near Omemee. The routes include scenic lakes, the Pacific Ocean, Joshua Tree National Park, and even an inland sea. The whoosh of truck knocked us into the gravel shoulder. Planning a bikepacking route involves a lot of maps, trail knowledge and more. Think of bikepacking as a camping trip you take with your bike. I only recommend and link to products I know and love. If youre anywhere near Phoenix, Arizona, and you want a taste of desert bikepacking, this one-nighter through the Sonoran Desert is your go-to. Here youll find links to all the trip reports, route overviews, and other route-specific resources based on my own rides, plus curated lists of recommended routes based on my research and daydreams. The northernmost section (Arroyo Seco to Gorda) and southernmost section (from New Cuyama to Santa Barbara) are the highlights in my opinion. Forest roads and jeep tracks north of Highway 49 lead to ghost towns like Poker Flat. About . There are some highly rideable miles, but these routes are still a step up from simple dirt road touring or gravel grinding. . info@bikepack.ca. One of the really great things about bikepacking is the online community, so theres often plenty of opportunities to find out about the logistics and trails in detail, including conditions on the ground and potential diversions. More here. After heavy rain there can often be pitted sections of trail, so take care. If you're a city dweller in search of a hearty, long weekend adventure, then this is the challenge for you! The loop nature of both routes, along with relatively easy food and water resupply, make both logistically simple. For routes with desert riding, consider your tire setup carefully. We all gave double thumbs up for trail etiquette. Wild plains, jaw-dropping mountain views, classic desert, pine forests and snowy passes its all here. Patterson, and fly down the accompanying backcountry singletrack descents. The route has many resupply options along the way as well as camping and a few hotel options to look into. The Bay Area Triple Crossover links up a lot of the best options in the north and east bay, and includes three bridge crossings! It heads out of Fruita on stunning singletrack in the high La Sal mountains and heads towards the martian red-rock vistas of Utah. Pretty much any long ride is sure to involve some pavement and at least a bit of busy road riding. Its doable in three days and neither of the two on-route camping options require a reservation, though making it between them might require a push. Highlights: Fun singletrack, river crossings, beautiful roads, remote canyons, steep climbs. I decided not to continue the Stagecoach because I felt unsafe on the highway. Bikepacking & TouringRides and RoutesTips and SkillsBikes and PartsGear and Reviews, Hiking & BackpackingTrails and TripsGear and ClothingTips and AdviceTrip Planning Workbook, Adventure TravelExplore by RegionCamping and OutdoorsMindful Travel. Sandy routes reward wider tires (in the range of 2.6 and up), and spikey desert foliage makes tubeless tires a necessity in many cases. We cycled through Catalinas varying biomes with verdant hills reminiscent of Ireland, sage and Indian paintbrush covered arroyos as in Wyoming, and even Baja desert-like trails weaving between Velvet Cactus and Peppergrass. There is also a variety of wildlife in the region, such as grizzly bears, moose, and caribou. Bikepacking Boise to Elko: Big Skies and Endless Gravel in Idaho and Nevada. Hi, Im Phil. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. These bikepacking routes in southern California and loads of others can be found at bikepacking.com. I love your blog and appreciate your willingness to share and write about this Awesome sport/ hobby. But back to the beer Vermont produces many of the top craft beers in the US, and this route proposes an agreeable daily itinerary to make the most of the many microbreweries, taprooms and restaurants that it deliberately links together by sweet gravel, singletrack and stretches of infamously degraded class 4 roads. After waffles and coffee at The Pancake Cottage, we pedaled out of town on Stage Road. It's well worth descending from the trail to towns along the way for coffee and snacks, and stocking up for the less populated second half. Its roughly based on a classic extreme motorbike route, around 70% off-road. We have everything! Black bears can be a problem; youll want to hang your food at the very least, and ideally use a bar-resistant bag like the Ursack Major. All rights reserved. 90 mi. Researched and written by the founder of Bikepacking Scotland, and mostly accessible by public transport, each route includes all the information you need to help you plan your ride, with points of interest along the . Lets help get more bikepackers out there on our roads and trails. This loop from Doing Miles includes a section through Carrizo Plain, as does the 2022 Tour de los Padres. While I really enjoy making up my own routes, I would also love to see more established routes that would make bikepacking in California a bit more accessible. I've read about SF Traverse but am hoping for something a little farther away from home. Riders embark from the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and then cross the San Francisco Bay three times on a multi-day journey through coastal prairie, chaparral, redwoods, rolling hills, and marshland. Thanks for reading! Expect to climb several long passes, including the day-long hike-a-bike up Mt. Share your location with friends and loved ones during an activity. To learn more Click Here. Arroyo Seco Indians Road / Coast Ridge Road / Fort Hunter Liggett: The northern part of Los Padres National Forest features some nice options for short bikepacking trips. Between Borrego and Idyllwild, there is the hike-a-bike through two miles of densely packed willows (think canyoneering but through branches), desert pedaling past abandoned bandit hideouts, ascending Coyote Canyon to cross the Pacific Crest Trail and then the long climb back to the where the route started. Starting and ending in Borrego Springs, the Anza-Hapaha Loop covers 83 miles of canyon, desert, and badlands. A match made in heaven. Dont expect to have any of the trails or roads to yourself in this busy area, especially on weekends. I was donemy legs said yes, but my head was saying no. Picking the right season is everything, as is planning your transport, knowing where your water is coming from, and knowing how to fix your bike 100 miles from anywhere. Create a GPS track: Once you've identified the roads and/or trails you want to ride, use an online application to draw your route on a map. Refresh Page Error: af0040c3b0ef48c89f828c7fc0d69813 Sign up to get the latest Ride Gravel news! A gravel bikepacking bike gets bonus points for extra mounting points (braze ons, eyelets, barnacles, etc.) Theres a lot of variety on this route, from coastal riding to ridgetop views, and singletrack trail to paved highway. Widely recognized as the birthplace of mountain biking, the Mt Tamalpais and Marin region is a special place where the ocean, coastal hills, and redwood forests converge. In the But beyond the famous singletrack, Ive explored a few of the areas dirt roads on shorter rides and I believe this would be a fantastic if challenging and steep area for bikepacking. Oregon is blessed with ancient forests dripping with moss, stunning volcanic peaks, prairies, swimming holes and hot springs, and this route gives you them all. I bivyed in tall brush along the Coast to Crest trail and broke camp early the next morning. Note that all those routes have a lot of elevation gain for their mileage, which is pretty much unavoidable in Coe. Its only occasionally technical but its an endless series of climbs and descents, reaching 9000ft, and includes a couple of long stretches of hike-a-bike, so youll need to be fit. This could easily be called 10 of the 100 best bikepacking routes in the USA this country is made for wild, wonderful self-supported adventures, and there are trips of a lifetime in pretty much every state. This is the granddaddy of long-distance off-road routes, finished in 1997 by the Adventure Cycling Association. For example, Bikepacking.com has routes covering about 50 countries and totaling 85,000 miles complete with . The bikepacking routes in southern California take you through the mountains and peaks, forests, high and low deserts, and badlands. 364. This 146-mile route starts at Big Bear Lake and takes you on some diverse terrain like forest roads, ATV trails, sandy two-track, and even some unused paved roads. Catalina Island is west of Los Angelos and accessible by ferry. Be sure to take the option of the wild endless Porcupine Rim descent down into Moab. More flag On KUMEYAAY, COCOPAH, CUPENO, Agua Caliente & Serrano Land Distance 497 Mi. Thanks again! Camping spots abound, so you can ride till you drop, and if you're lucky, youll see elk and moose, and maybe even the sockeye salmon that used to swarm to Redfish Lake. The Orro Terra X GRX400 is a versatile, ride-anywhere journey companion that is suited to long days in the saddle and exciting bikepacking adventures. With these considerations in mind, I mapped out the following route favoring gravel roads, paths, and small roads: San Bruno - Pacifica/Linda Mar - Half Moon Bay - Pescadero - Big Basin - Skyline - Los Gatos Day 1: San Bruno to Half Moon Bay My adventure began with a ride to the Santa Clara Caltrain station. The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) is a 3,083.8 mi (4,962.9 km), off-road bicycle touring route between Jasper, Alberta, Canada and Antelope Wells, New Mexico, USA. I havent had a chance to explore these yet, but here are some other areas of northern California that look intriguing: More of those backcountry discovery route ideas here. Read more The itinerary. Excited to try bikepacking but need help getting started? Gravel Bike with Shimano Dura Ace 6 years warranty & 30 days Return Policy Bikes directly from the manufacturer Discover here! Weather is often sunny year-round, and wide-open desert landscapes are good for the soul. / 235 km 4 days It evokes the freedom of multi-day backcountry hiking, but with the range and thrill of riding a mountain bike. Gravel or mountain biking. Heres how it works. Unlike the familiar coastal route, this trek takes you through the San Bernardino Mountains, Anza Borrego Desert, Joshua Tree National Park, and Cleveland National Forest. When I think about how big California is, and how much beautiful public land we have, Im embarrassed that this list is so short. The area offers lakes, a few campgrounds, and lots of forest, along with plenty of climbing. Animals abound, including elk, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs and antelope, and red tail hawk and even golden eagles may soar above. BT 700 BIKEPACKING - Home Situated in Southwestern Ontario, the BT 700 is a 798 km loop (used to be 700) in southwestern Ontario designed for any rider who revels in unpaved backcountry roads, testy climbs and trails through thick forests. Though Ive spent plenty of time backpacking in the Sierra Nevada mountains, I havent done as much bikepacking there. The extreme heat in the summer and unpredictable winter weather in the higher elevations make those seasons somewhat less desirable. Distance: 40 miles. Joining two meccas of MTB, this high desert route is a longtime classic. If you like variety and dont mind mixing some civilization in with your nature and trails, this is about as good as it gets in the bay area. Its well worth descending from the trail to towns along the way for coffee and snacks, and stocking up for the less populated second half. The mellow 16-mile ride left us time for cold plunges in the Pacific Ocean and hiking along the cliffs above Shark Harbor. The Bikepacking Trip Planner Workbook can help you take the next step. I hope youll find inspiration for your next ride, whatever your style may be. Gravelmap is a tool for finding and sharing local gravel roads for biking, gravel grinding, exploration and more. Wikiloc. We arrived just in time to catch Catalina Express back to Dana Point. Its fire roads can be devilishly steep though, and summer temperatures can soar, so dont expect easy riding. For those wanting something longer, inspiration may be found from the HardCOEre 100. Rim Country Gravel Ride. Still, there is a lot of potential for bikepacking in the Sierra Nevada. Upcoming Rides No upcoming events at the moment Climbing is plentiful and sometimes steep, and surfaces are varied. A string of national forests, state parks, and other public land can be linked together for days of access to backcountry dirt roads and 44 tracks with free dispersed camping. California Gravel Ride Recaps, Gravel Race Recaps, Gear Reviews | Ohio Gravel Grinders. This 168 mile route is a great multi-day touring option. Sign up here for occasional emails full of inspiration and information about bikepacking and bicycle touring. The moderate elevation makes it rideable throughout most of the year, but its best in spring or fall when temperatures are neither too hot nor too cold. Find details on the three most recent issues below, join the Bikepacking Collective to get it in the mail (anywhere in the World), or click here to find a collection of selected stories in digital format. Not that the countryside is to be sniffed at: this sparsely populated state right near the Canadian border is home to quiet and stunning New England landscapes, quintessential red barns, extraordinary fall foliage and some really evil gradients on its endless miles of unpaved roads and tracks. Heres a short 46 mile loop that includes some of the highlights, and an even shorter 36 mile overnighter. It was tough deciding between this and the 100-mile White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park just west of Moab. Here are several standout bikepacking routes in Southern California, ordered roughly from north to south. But this year, because of the extreme precipitation, it meant even more road riding than I was willing to ride and still feel safe. Ranging from 25 to 150 miles wide, it's a stunning landscape of rugged coastlines, beaches, and inland mountains, and this route showcases it spectacularly. Yavapai Backcountry Loop Lightweight Bikepacking: 9 Ways to Cut Weight Without Sacrificing Comfort, Bikepacking Tents: What to Look For + Top Picks in Each Category, The Surly Preamble: Thoughts on an Affordable Steel Gateway Bike for Pavement and Gravel Adventures, Bike Routes Across America: Top Touring and Bikepacking Routes Compared. Our full list of bikepacking routes and off-road bike touring routes from off the beaten path, logged and chronicled by contributors from across the globe. Bikepacking Scotland by Markus Stitz features 20 great multi-day off-the-beaten-track cycling adventures across the Scottish mainland and islands. I recommend joining the Facebook group if youre interested in learning more. Day 2: 61 miles | 4,300 feet. Mountain biking enthusiasts probably know it for the Downieville Classic race. The Bay Area Ridge trail, though a tempting concept, is still very much unfinished. The route features a mixture of singletrack, dirt roads, and a bit of pavement as it crosses the Evergreen State. I hear the section through Nevada is tough and very sparse on water and resupply options; research before attempting! Desert rides should be planned in the spring or fall due to the extreme heat. Mountains, beaches, golden hills, desert There is something here for every kind of outdoor enthusiast. With over a hundred miles of single track, it is perfect for weekend bikepacking. As I was thinking about how much pavement lay ahead of menearly 100 detour miles on highwaya large truck passed by me and its rear-view mirror almost clipped my head. Described by Logan Watts as an epic medley of singletrack, doubletrack, sand and tarmac, youll never forget the rocky, technical climbs, the sand, the canyons, the views and the nights under desert stars. The combination of these two historic routes takes bikepackers from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, all the way to Washington DC. Soledad Paso Robles Coalinga Loop: This 260 mile loop is primarily pavement, but includes a few excellent sections of gravel and the closed dirt Arroyo Seco Indians Road mentioned above. Im Alissa, your virtual guide, here to help you make your biggest, boldest adventure dreams a reality. De eerste 4 dagen helemaal niemand gezien, niet gek met 3 Copyright 2023 Exploring Wild, All Rights Reserved. The SoCal Desert Ramble - Bikepacking.com The SoCal Desert Ramble, Southern California location California, USA We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. Carrizo Plain National Monument: Flat-ish gravel roads and wildflowers in the spring, with opportunities for wild camping in a vast landscape. Length: 364 miles Style: mostly gravel Difficulty: intermediate When to ride: spring, fall, early or late summer Learn more: route description and ride reports If I had to recommend an ambitious but accessible "intermediate" bikepacking route, one that packs a big punch of adventure but requires no technical or super-remote riding, the Oregon Outback is at the top of my list. Gravel Bike California The State of Dirt Main Menu. Ten routes as featured in "Bikepacking in the Canadian Rockies" Should you choose to ride any routes listed on our site, do so at your own risk. Some Ive ridden, and many are still on my wishlist. Beginning in Reno, it blends burly desert jeep roads with classic Tahoe singletrack. (800 KM) Days 10 % Unpaved 65% % Singletrack 3% % Rideable (time) 98%