evdog
iMTB Rockstah
The Tour de Los Padres is a 260ish mile bikepacking race/route around the Los Padres National Forest northwest of LA. It was originally a point to point route from Frazier Park near the top of the I-5 Grapevine to Santa Barbara, but Erin Carroll re-designed it this year to be a loop starting and ending in Santa Barbara. I've never been able to do the TDLP as something has always come up this time of year. The China flu was threatening my chances again this year with the group start being cancelled. A solo attempt was still possible but there was an ethical dilemma given current events. At home San Diego opened its beaches two weeks ago drawing hoardes of people into my neighborhood to recreate. It got to a point where I'd encounter far fewer people in the backcountry than I would if I stayed home and exercised locally like I'm supposed to. A break in my schedule came up at the same time as a good weather window appeared. Time to get the F outta town for a few days!
There had been some chatter earlier on with a few others still interested in doing the ride. I wasn't expecting to see anyone so I was surprised when Erin and Gregg pulled up to Romero trailhead just as I got there. Two other groups would apparently be out riding as well, both going the opposite direction. I had five days available but was aiming to finish in four.
Erin, Gregg, evdog
Starting the climb up the old Romero Canyon Road trail - an old road bed that turns into a nice singletrack climb.
I'd wanted to get up to SB well before sunrise to catch sunrise from the trail. Fog layer would have blocked the view anyways so it was no big deal I got a late start
Nice breeze and a beautiful morning
Numerous rock falls have made the trail more interesting
A couple hours and we were at the top of Romero. Lots of flowers out!
I stopped to eat half my breakfast burrito while Erin and Gregg rode on
The route dropped down to the Santa Ynez River with plenty of water crossings to filter from
The route was already getting rustic but beyond Jamison Lake the Juncal Road was little more than an overgrown road bed
Climbing away from Jamison Lake
Navigation was easy following Erin and Gregg's tracks through the grass
After summitting the second big climb of the day to Murietta Divide it would be mostly downhill all the way to Ojai
I caught up to Erin and Gregg soaking their feet here in Matilija Creek
After a quick pavement descent toward Ojai we opted to bypass town on the Cozy Dell Trail. We were definitely not going the optimal direction with numerous rocky switchbacks. It was getting hot by this point and the trail climbed steeply up to a ridge top.
Water and snack break in the shade to cool off. The sign behind Gregg points out the poison oak patch behind him.
We continue to traverse across some nicely re-built singletrack toward Gridley Trail
Gridley trail is another pretty nice climb like Romero but a bit steeper at 2700ft in maybe 6mi
Gregg and Erin were planning to camp near the top of Gridley. I had been planning to ride further but was starting to fade and found myself walking some sections I should be riding
Getting to the top just after sunset. Half mile on Nordoff Ridge road and I found the campsite where Gregg and Erin were. I was done. A bit windy but pretty nice temps.
Dinner of cold soaked ramen noodles and instant chocolate pudding hit the spot as I was trying to stave off cramps in my feet of all places. The others were asleep by 930, I was lights out soon after.
Stats for the day - 48mi, +10,140 / -5,980 ft
There had been some chatter earlier on with a few others still interested in doing the ride. I wasn't expecting to see anyone so I was surprised when Erin and Gregg pulled up to Romero trailhead just as I got there. Two other groups would apparently be out riding as well, both going the opposite direction. I had five days available but was aiming to finish in four.
Erin, Gregg, evdog
Starting the climb up the old Romero Canyon Road trail - an old road bed that turns into a nice singletrack climb.
I'd wanted to get up to SB well before sunrise to catch sunrise from the trail. Fog layer would have blocked the view anyways so it was no big deal I got a late start
Nice breeze and a beautiful morning
Numerous rock falls have made the trail more interesting
A couple hours and we were at the top of Romero. Lots of flowers out!
I stopped to eat half my breakfast burrito while Erin and Gregg rode on
The route dropped down to the Santa Ynez River with plenty of water crossings to filter from
The route was already getting rustic but beyond Jamison Lake the Juncal Road was little more than an overgrown road bed
Climbing away from Jamison Lake
Navigation was easy following Erin and Gregg's tracks through the grass
After summitting the second big climb of the day to Murietta Divide it would be mostly downhill all the way to Ojai
I caught up to Erin and Gregg soaking their feet here in Matilija Creek
After a quick pavement descent toward Ojai we opted to bypass town on the Cozy Dell Trail. We were definitely not going the optimal direction with numerous rocky switchbacks. It was getting hot by this point and the trail climbed steeply up to a ridge top.
Water and snack break in the shade to cool off. The sign behind Gregg points out the poison oak patch behind him.
We continue to traverse across some nicely re-built singletrack toward Gridley Trail
Gridley trail is another pretty nice climb like Romero but a bit steeper at 2700ft in maybe 6mi
Gregg and Erin were planning to camp near the top of Gridley. I had been planning to ride further but was starting to fade and found myself walking some sections I should be riding
Getting to the top just after sunset. Half mile on Nordoff Ridge road and I found the campsite where Gregg and Erin were. I was done. A bit windy but pretty nice temps.
Dinner of cold soaked ramen noodles and instant chocolate pudding hit the spot as I was trying to stave off cramps in my feet of all places. The others were asleep by 930, I was lights out soon after.
Stats for the day - 48mi, +10,140 / -5,980 ft
Last edited by a moderator:
