Coast Ride 2012 - the prelude

Last year, Ken Guy, Richard Drace and I "joined" a group of people for a ride down the coast, from the Golden Gate Bridge to Santa Barbara. "Joined" is a relative term - we used their maps and information and kind of planned our trip around theirs. The ride is about 125 miles per day. The group was a fit, late 20 to early 30ish age group of riders.

We "did our own thing." We took a car, so we could self-support. We took turns driving, so we each rode 1 full day and 2 half days. We all rode our carbon bikes, travelling light.

We had a great ride, with fantastic weather, then drove home after a restful afternoon and morning in Santa Barbara.

This year, my girlfriend Trudy and I wanted to try "lightly loaded" bike touring, in anticipation of "loaded" touring later this year.

The "Coast Ride" is a perfect opportunity. We talked about the route and decided to shorten it up a bit, to about 75 miles per day. We'll be riding slower, carrying some gear from hotel to hotel. A credit card tour...

Each of us has a back rack on our bikes to carry our stuff. She has a handlebar bag, too. I'm riding my commuter bike, an aluminum 'cross bike. It has a triple in front, mountain bike gearing in back and braze-ons for everything I could possibly want to bolt onto it. It has 700x32 tires. Pretty cushy. Trudy's riding a steel bike with similar gearing. She has regular 700x23 road tires, so she may have a little less rolling resistance, but the ride may be a little harsher.

We loaded the bikes with everything we thought we would need and went for a 25 mile test ride... not too bad... a few minor adjustments here and there.

The loaded bikes weigh about 40 pounds each.

We've spent a few hours making hotel and car rental reservations.

We plan to ride from SF to Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz to Big Sur, Big Sur to Cambria... then take the bus to San Luis Obispo to pick up the rental car for the ride home.

I'll let you know how it went when I get back - wish I had a "smart phone" for the trip!

Frank

Here's the "Packing List" from the Coast Tour, which gave us a pretty good starting point for getting our stuff together.

January Coast Ride – Packing List 

 

Prep:  Bike Tune Up (drive train, shifting, brakes, lube), New Tires, Tighten cleats into shoes

 

 

 

Packing List

Beloved Bicycle, Water bottles

Fenders  (rear fender is important to keep bottom dry)

Light, minimally-packed Backpack or rack / panniers

4 extra tubes, patch kit, 1 extra tire, Pump / CO2

Basic tools: allen keys & tire irons

Cycling shoes

Helmet

Bike jerseys (2)

Bike shorts (2)

Arm warmers (heavy)

Knee or Leg warmers 

Socks

Booties and/or over-socks

Gloves:  Full finger & reg. & over-mitts

Cycling cap / visor

Warm hat post ride

Sunglasses w/ various lenses

2 base layer tops

Rain Jacket

Wind Vest

Wallet Pouch:  Dr Lic, CC, ATM, Ins card, Cash

Nutrition  (gels and bars)

Hand warmers packets

Chamois butter

Sunscreen

Advil / salt tabs / vitamins / whatever you take!

 

 

Apres Bike stuff….

Down Jacket / Vest / fleece / sweater

T-shirt

Bathing suit (hello, hot tubs!)

Shorts / pants

Running shoes / Flip Flops

Sleeping outfit / PJs / Bday suit

Toiletries & personal items, (Ear Plugs!)

Phone & charger

Camera (& extra batteries / charger)