Camarillo to Leo Carrillo State Beach Bicycle Camping Tour
Route link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8DtFDR5vtvd8P9aM9
Saturday, May 17, 11:00 AM to Sunday, May 18th, 4:00 PM
Meet near 2109-2009 Las Estrellas Ct, Camarillo, CA 93012
The distance is short to moderate, about 25.5 miles, with a height gain of about 250 feet on Saturday and 450 feet on Sunday. The hills are low.
ROUTE: We will begin our tour at 10:00 A.M. (depart by 10:30) At the beginning of the bike path near 2009 Las Estrellas Ct, Camarillo. There should be plenty of parking in the nearby residential neighborhood. Our ride will take us past farms, down a bike path along a dry wash, and coastline past iconic Pt. Mugu. We will also visit California State University Channel Islands. We camp at our destination, Leo Carrillo State Park. On Sunday, we return to our starting location the same way we came.
FOOD: We will stop for lunch (bring your own food or eat at the cafe at the university like we did last time). Since there are few stores on the second half of the trip, I suggest everyone bring their food for dinner and breakfast with you from the start. There is a store at the campground good for beer and chips. On Sunday, we will eat breakfast at camp.
CAMPGROUND: The hiker-biker camp fee is $10.00 per night. The campground has flush toilets and hot showers (you'll need a few quarters for the shower). We can purchase firewood and beer from the campground store (we hope). The campground is flat with plenty of room for tents.
DIFFICULTY: I rate this trip as beginning/intermediate due to the distance and a few small hills. You are welcome to come if you consider yourself a beginner who is up for a challenge and in good shape. 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 SHOULD I BRING? 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. 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. you can call/text me at 310-266-8592 or email me at bikegrog@gmail.com.
WHY: The ride, the camping, the shared beverages, and the jokes. And… I hope to introduce more people to the joys of self-supported bicycle touring and camping.
