Every year for the past 5 years there is a little known 'local' bikepacking event called the "Tour de Los Padres". It's a beautiful little 'Tour' of the Los Padres National Forest. I've ridden much of the "Proper"route (roughly 275 miles) doing day-rides of sections, but I've never quite ridden all of it. Typically I go out on the route and ride on Saturday, allowing me to cross paths with the front-runners. (remember 3 years ago when I got hit by the BULL? That happened on the route a week before the race).
I've never been bikepacking (yet) but it's something I'm truly interested in! I just don't really have a bike capable of such a thing (my Cannondale Scalpel would NOT be a good bikepacking rig, and my ancient Santa Cruz Blur lives here in Colorado full time). One day I hope to have some reasonable steed to ride such an event in. The "Tour" route is shorter, roughly 150 miles, and is recommended for those who've never gone over 200 miles or don't have much experience bikepacking..
Anyway...the race (Tour) starts TOMORROW MORNING (Friday) in Frazier Park CA, and the route takes them right thru what I consider my backyard of Mt biking! Here is a link to the Trackleaders page where you can follow the riders by their SPOT (Satellite POsition Tracker) units (I carry one when I ride).:
2018 Tour de Los Padres trackleaders
I have met a few of the riders from previous editions. Maybe NEXT year I can do this? (I am in Colorado Springs AGAIN..so won't even be able to go out on route as usual). The FAST riders will finish the "Proper" route in around 3 days (HOLY COW!!!). A week would be fast IMO...and this is totally self supported btw.
Anyway...just thought I'd toss out the link...I'll be watching it after work seeing how it goes...looks to be a fast course this year...but we will see. Good luck racers!
Cheers!
