Touring from Los Angelis to Lake Tahoe

[MANUCHAO]

Anybody knows of a good map for a ride like this ?
I got a pretty good idea but Im looking at taking the road less traveled

Im working on getting the bike.
I might end up using one of my existing bikes.
I got an Ibex trailer with bag and all......
Just contemplating dates and route (s) at this point...
Thanks for any info on it....

 

[MANUCHAO]

so I got a bike... for this ride....
Here it is...
The front tire has already been changed to a semi slick tire....

This is the schedule route Im taking...
It should take between 7 to 10 days..

Los Angelis, CA to Lake Tahoe, CA in West Covina, CA | Bike Map | MapMyRIDE

 

[NorCal Cruiser]

When are you planning to go? The east side of the Sierras can be very hot or very cold depending on the time of year. If you go in late fall you should have some good weather and beautiful scenery with the aspen changing colors.

 

[ravewoofer]

Is that even the right bike for the ride? I don't know Cali well, but if you're taking a long ride on roads as the map my ride suggests, wouldn't you want a bike better geared for the road? You may very well be making your ride tougher than necessary.

 

[MANUCHAO]

NorCal.. Im going at the end of September......
It will be hot regardless but NOT AS hot around this time....(lets hope).
I much rather deal with the heat as I could ride early in the AM and late in the afternoon..but I should be alright...
My biggest fear is the cross wind for what the 395 is known for, but I have seen too many riders doing this route on not so great weather and I think is time for me to go at it.......
I will be prepared for foul weather as I know how it can change in a matter of minutes...

Revenwoofer... I have done 100+ mile rides on my road bike and 50+ mile rides on my MTB.
Im using this set up as I find it to be most comfortable, but Im open to suggestions as Im new at touring.
I have driven and riden some of the route that I intent to do and know what to expect as far as elevation gain goes.....
I just havent done so while pulling a trailer...but I haven been riding consistently on weekends(training) and to and from work.....with a fully loaded trailer.. around 60lbs.
The bike has a 27 gear combo and I should be able to pull it along specially on my way out from LA (elevation gain of around 7500feet ) and into South Lake Tahoe (elevation gain of around 8500 feet).
It does have a fork but I can lock it out and well it is a hard tail with sleek tires so its all good there...

Thanks for the input/suggestions guys... !!!

 

[SmoothLC]

Hey Manu - Just wondering why you chose to tour w/ a mountain bike set up?

With your fitness level (100+ road and 50+ mtb), and with the hard tail, slicks, disc brakes, 27 groupo, etc. there's no question you'll be fine pulling a trailer.

Just wondering why you didn't go the standard "touring" or "camping" bike route; e.g. Rivendell, Surly, Co-motion, etc.?

Did you already have the mountain bike and decide w/ a few mods. it'd be a good touring bike?

Just wondering - thanks.

 

[MANUCHAO]

Reason for that were a few

I got a good deal on the frame and wanted to build it from scratch.
I wanted a mtn bike cause I can always swap wheels and go hit the trails pretty much anywhere.
I think riding off road (long rides+elevation) is much much harder than any road ride.....just my HO.
I also want to do self supported rides off road.. I wouldn't be able to do so with any of the touring specific bikes.... (you could, but Im not hardcore like that).
Im also known to stray away from my schedule route and explore... probably want to hit at least 1 mtb trail along the way and a few while in Tahoe.

I dont know if it would be the best choice to tour with but its what I feel comfortable with...
Talking with other fellas that have tour they always advice to choose comfort over anything, specially on long rides... I kind of see why...
Maybe if I was to do it all over again I would go for a 29er but still a mtb.

Im leaving on the 28th and will try to do this in 7 days but giving myself 10 days just in case I want to have a rest day and go fishing...

Im following the route I posted up there and will be wearing my IH8MUD jersey !!
HONK if yah see me along the 395 !!!

 

[retrofive]

Good luck! sounds like a fun trip!

 

[SmoothLC]

Reason for that were a few

I got a good deal on the frame and wanted to build it from scratch.
I wanted a mtn bike cause I can always swap wheels and go hit the trails pretty much anywhere.
I think riding off road (long rides+elevation) is much much harder than any road ride.....just my HO. . . .

I hear ya. I finally got back on my mountain bike up in the Tetons last week after a year or two off and I know what you're sayin.

Have a great ride and be safe. Later.

 

[MANUCHAO]

Hey all after 3 days of riding on hwy's 39/395. We made it to Lone Pine, CA.
Wish I could post pics but my cell won't do it.. I'm on Goggle+.. If yah care to see any of the pics I posted there.. There is a chance for rain/snow on Tues/Wed. So, we riding to Bishop tomorrow n may take a day off.. But this storm might shut us down.. We'll see...
Laters,
Manu..

 

[SmoothLC]

Good luck and be safe!

 

[MANUCHAO]

Thanks man.....
We actually called it off on Sunday at Bishop.
We would of been right in the middle of Monitor pass during the pending snow storm..
We didn't think the snow and slick tires would of been the best combination...
All in all we did almost 300 miles pulling a 40lbs trailer in 4.5 days...
Not bad for my first touring trip...

Rode out of LA from 580 ft to 6k the first day...

First night at CA39 & CA2 int he Angeles Crest National Forest.

On Dawson saddle at ACNF wearing my IH8MUD jersey !!!

on the 395..

Mt Whitney

 

[SmoothLC]

swwweeeett - gotta love that vertical gain!

thanks for the pics too.

so how did the bike work out?

 

[MANUCHAO]

Bike set up was great...
It really suits my needs and I felt super comfortable on it.
I might need to upgrade to a better saddle but that's just a minor thing...

Pulling the loaded trailer was great also and felt pretty stable on the down hills maxed out at 30 mph on the way down from 7k to 2k.
Gearing on the bike was also great...

I will however get a double leg kickstand this would make parking the bike in the middle of no where and mounting/unmounting the trailer a lot easier.....

All and all the set up is sweet !!
Im sold on my Bob Ibex trailer.

cheers...