Hiker/Biker Campsite: Refugio State Beach, California

The Hiker/Biker (HB) site in Refugio State Beach is one of our favorite HB sites in the United States and is better than the nearby El Capitan State Beach sites. This site has it all, bathrooms, views, nice camping surfaces, and the sound of the waves crashing. However this campground is rather remote, there are no stores or food once you get out of Lompoc if heading southbound or Goleta if heading northbound. Plan accordingly.

Cost: $10 per person per night.

Getting To Refugio: Coming from the North or South on US101 take exit #120 Refugio Rd. Turn towards the ocean and follow the signs to the entrance to Refugio State Beach. If manned the ranger station will take your payment, otherwise immediately past the ranger station is an automated payment station.

HB Site: After entering the park take the first left and first right. Follow the loop around towards the beach and the HB sites will be on the left side of the road near the playground. The site consists of mostly flat grassy areas with some trees with a standard wooden bench.

Amenities: Bathrooms including warm showers (tokens required) are in sight of the HB sites. The beach is across the road, positon your tent right and you will get to see the sunset over the beach. There is a small camp store open on the weekends with extremely limited supplies; no grocery stores are within a 10 mile radius.

Off Bike Activities: Number one on this list is the beach. Be aware that natural tar deposits are present and walking on the sand will likely result in tar spots on the shoes/feet. However you can walk a reasonable distance enjoying the little caves and coves; the coast here is beautiful and worth exploring. Check the tide tables for high tide, and stay away from the crumbling bluffs.

There is a bike path heading east from Refugio toward El Capitan State Beach. The path used to extend all the way to El Capitan, however sections of it have been closed due to storm damage, so it is no longer possible to travel the entire way. Still, the bluff-top path gives amazing views of the ocean, and is worth a little hike or bike.

RefugioThe bottom line is: you’ll have a great stay at Refugio State Beach.

Exped Air Pillow M Review

Pillows can be considered a luxury for short tours, but for more than a night or two you probably want something to lay your head on. At 3 ounces the Exped Air Pillow M is lightweight (also available in a 2 ounce Ultralight version). Because it is an inflatable pillow it packs down extremely small, smaller than a can of soda.2014-03-03 1718 ExpedPillow

The pillow has two valves similar to all other Exped products. One for inflation which has a flap to prevent air leaking out between breaths and the other to allow for deflation. Both of these have a hole approximately the size of a quarter to allow for rapid inflation and deflation.2014-03-03 1713 ExpedPillow

To inflate it we use our Schnozzle Bag which takes about 15 seconds to completely fill the pillow. If you elect to fill it manually it takes between 4 and 6 breaths. Inflation pressure can be tweaked by keeping the inflate valve cover open and pressing on the flap to release small amounts of air. Deflation is nearly instant due to the large opening uncovered when you open the deflate cap.

The Pillow is constructed of polyester; this material feels somewhat like a very fine tightly woven nylon material. It doesn’t stick to skin like plastic, but Matt prefers wrapping his down vest around it for increased comfort; Pam prefers to just sleep on it bare. There are two small loops of extra material designed to allow you to use some clips to hold the pillow in place, however we never utilized them.2014-03-03 1715 ExpedPillow

Overall we were very pleased with these pillows and used them for our entire Southern Tier tour. There were no problems on the tour and they continue to work well; we plan to continue to use them for all our future tours. We highly recommend this pillow.

 Name  EXPED Air Pillow M
 Weight  Pillow: 75 grams
Packsack: 5 grams
 Packed Dimensions  5 in x 2 in
 Deflated Dimensions  38 cm x 27 cm
 Inflated Dimensions  38 cm x 27 cm x 11 cm
 Approximate Cost  MSRP: $39.00
 Other Similar Products  EXPED Air Pillow UL

Disclaimer: This review contains my personal opinions. I have not received any compensation for this review. This review is for informational purposes only.

Ultralight Bicycle Touring – Part Two

In my previous article I discussed some ideas for reducing your weight and embarking on the ultralight bicycle touring lifestyle. This time I am going to talk about some specific pieces of equipment that weren’t mentioned in the last article. As always our current personal tour packing list is available for you to reference.

Dry Sacks: These are terrific for keeping your clothes dry and organized. You will probably even see the compression version of these with straps for really cranking down the size. However you need to be aware of the weight penalty of these compression straps; I found that each bag weighed 100grams more than a lightweight, roll-tight dry sack. Additionally, with the compression sacks you may be inclined to take more clothing and thus more weight. For ultra-light it may be beneficial to actually have less room, which will force you to take less clothes. With Pam and me carrying 4 sacks, getting rid of the compression dry sacks saved almost a pound of weight!

Sleeping Bags: When shopping for a sleeping bag keep weight in mind, as weight can vary from 1 to 7 pounds. The lightest weight bags will be more expensive, but remember that you have to pay for the food to fill the calorie requirement of pushing the weight of the bag around the world. Thus, it may pay for itself to get a lighter weight bag. Once you get the bag make sure you care for it properly and it should last you for many years.

Camp Stoves: This is one area that you don’t necessarily have to spend an arm and a leg for some improvements. If you search the internet for a soda can alcohol stove you will find the cheapest lightest stove that you can use. If the soda can stove is a little too adventurous for your taste take a look the gas stoves which screw directly on to the top of a canister or don’t have much structure to them. Some examples are this generic stove top or if you prefer a name brand the MSR Whisperlite is a popular option. Carrying around a giant Coleman stove is just silly with all the options available these days.

Tent: Very similar to sleeping bags, the cheapest will not be the lightest. For less than $200 you can get the Kelty Grand Mesa 2 Backpacking 2 Person Tent which weighs in at ~5lbs. If you can spend a bit more we use the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 2 Person Tent (2014) which weighs in at ~3lbs but has 2 doors and vestibules which is very nice for partners. Be mindful that a light weight tent will be more fragile that a heavy tent, but we have had no problems using the same tent for multiple tours.

By reducing the weight on our bicycles we have more energy during the day and put less stress on our bodies. If you are at all like us you probably aren’t doing your training rides fully loaded. In fact, before our most recent tour we didn’t even do a fully loaded ride until right before we left. When you strap 40lbs of gear on your bicycle and try going up those hills it may come as a rude awakening how much effort it takes to keep going. At some point you may decide that ultralight is the way to go. If you have any tips or questions, leave them in the comments below.

Ultralight Bicycle Touring – Part One

Touring is blissfully simple: you hop on your bicycle and pedal from where you are to some new place. Life doesn’t get more straightforward. However, I often see people struggling with way too much gear on their bikes. In fact, for my first tour I suffered myself. I inappropriately carried heavy books, a pasta strainer, an extra Camelback, and a few more things which I had to send back home.

Since that first tour I have become a believer in ultralight bicycle touring. With modern technology and modern industry there are now extremely lightweight products that perform with enough durability for use on even the longest of tours. On our last 2,500 mile tour of the Southern Tier my wife and I managed to pack 41lbs of gear between the two of us including the weight of the panniers (click here for our packing list). When planning to shed weight there are a few high return areas: unneeded equipment, sleeping bags, camp stove, and tent, as well as substituting single-use items with multiple-use items.

Unneeded Equipment: First and foremost lay out all of your items and ask yourself if you need each one. The chances are good that there are several things you think will be useful but after consideration you may change your mind. Remember that you will have to carry these items for hundreds (or thousands) of miles. A few common offenders are:

  • Hammers for tent stakes
    • Trust me. There will almost always be a rock or tree branch that you can use to drive your stakes into the ground. If nothing is available at the campsite you can always tie a string from the tent to a bicycle. If you’re in a campground, a fellow camper will probably let you borrow his.
  • Excessive amounts of clothing
    • Not only does excess clothing add weight to your total, it adds bulk to the packs. You can easily get by with 2-3 pairs of shorts and shirts for an extended tour. Rinse in the sink or shower as needed, and hang in a mesh bag off the panniers while riding to dry. There’s a fine line to walk in this area. See our packing list for specifics on what we like to bring.
  • Lanterns or extra-large flashlights
    • A simple head lamp placed next to a clear plastic water bottle creates an excellent camp light. The head lamp will be light weight and usually satisfies any laws for riding at night. If you are counting grams lithium batteries will be lighter and perform better in cold temperatures.

Multiple Uses: Analyze your equipment that you may be able to get two (or three) uses out of. For example our stove has a plastic insert to prevent the non-stick coating from getting scratched. That insert makes for a handy bowl to eat out of: no need to carry an extra one. Our cycling rain jackets work as camp jackets and wind breakers. Much of our clothing can be used either on or off the bike.

Finally, remember that fancy/expensive is not always the lightest weight nor the most functional. In the next article I will dive in to some specific pieces of equipment that I have found substantial weight savings, including dry sacks, sleeping bags, and tents. If you have any ultra-light bicycle touring tips or tricks let me know in the comments below.

Topeak Turbo Morph Mini Pump Review

When you’re out on a tour (or any ride) you’re bound to get a flat tire at some point. At home, you probably have a floor tire pump to easily get your tires up to pressure. I do. But I can’t carry that pump with me on my rides (I don’t want to). So I use either CO2 or a hand pump. But have you ever tried to pump up your tire using one of those wimpy hand pumps? I like to run my tires at 100 psi, but I have yet to get up to that pressure using a typical hand pump. I’ve tried CO2, but without a gauge, I don’t know what pressure I can get from a cartridge.

Enter the Topeak Turbo Morph Mini Pump. Here’s what makes this pump stand out from the rest:

  • Compact
  • Lightweight
  • Foot Stand
  • T-handle
  • Gauge
Miniature Hand Bicycle Pump with handle, foot stand, and gauge
Topeak Turbo Morph Mini Pump with T-handle, Foot Stand and Gauge

First of all, it is super compact. It easily attaches to any bike frame with the mounting bracket. It’s lightweight, at just 9.9 oz. (280 g). (Ok, so it’s not as lightweight as some other hand pumps, but the extra ounces are worth it, trust me!)

Using the foot stand and t-handle, it’s easy to get the leverage to pump your tire up to pressure. And the gauge lets you know when it gets there. There’s adapters for Presta, Schrader, and Dunlop valves, so no matter your valve type, you’re covered.

We got this pump midway through our latest tour, and we won’t go anywhere without in the future. Highly recommended.

Disclaimer: I have not received any compensation for this review. This review is for informational purposes only, and reflects my own opinion. I have not been in contact with the manufacturer.

My Favorite Thing About Bicycle Touring

You’re driving in a car on the Blue Ridge Parkway and an incredible view opens up before you. You want to stop and take it all in, but that car trailing behind you begs otherwise. You hope for a pullout, but by the time it comes, you’ve lost the moment.

How many times has something like this happened to you? As much as I enjoy a good car ride, this is irritates me to no end. The inability to stop whenever I want actually causes frustration, and I end up enjoying the car ride much less than I would have.

Enter, the bicycle. When you’re riding a bicycle, you have the ultimate freedom. Not only are you experiencing nature full on- you feel the wind, the rain, the sun, and the subtle air temperature changes. You are also able to stop whenever and wherever you want.

This freedom was especially evident on our tour down the Pacific Coast. Riding California Highway 1 along some of the most scenic stretches is something I will never forget. While we were sharing the road with vehicles trying to enjoy the same scenery, we ultimately had the better method of transportation. Whenever the beauty would take my breath away, and I wanted to enjoy it a little longer, I just stopped. No waiting for a turnout. I just scooted off the road, put my foot down, and took it all in. Since a bicycle easily fits in much smaller spaces you can pause to enjoy a view just about any time you want; no waiting for a pull-out crowded with other vehicles.

On the other hand, riding a bicycle may make you appreciate even the “less scenic” rides. Traveling in a car going 70+ miles an hour with everything whizzing past you causes you to miss so much. The slower pace of a bicycle allows you to gain an appreciation for the subtle beauty of nature. The small details come into focus, allowing you to experience life more vividly. Instead of seeing something briefly and passing by you have the time to really admire the view. Even views that may be boring in the car can have subtleties which will amaze you as you are pedaling your way to your destination. On the Southern Tier I would have completely missed that along the side of the road in the deserts of New Mexico and Texas there are wild melons that grow. Who knew? On my bicycle I got the pleasure of learning something new and unexpected.

So, the next time you’re riding your bicycle, pause a moment and take it all in. Enjoy the fact that you can stop and admire the view any time you want to. This is a gift, and take advantage of it. What’s your favorite thing about bicycle touring? Let us know in the comments!

Rear-View Mirrors For Bicycle Touring

There are several variations of mirrors available to cyclists these days. As a tourist I’ve personally tried three kinds: clamp-on, bar-end, and helmet. There are pros and cons to each, but ultimately I use a helmet mirror, and want to share my experience with each:

The bar end mirror

  • Pros
    • Permanently attached to bicycle
    • Ability to make slight adjustments.
    • Easily moved from left to right side for changes in traffic patterns.
  • Cons
    • May not be able to see around panniers on a loaded touring bike.
    • Only slight adjustments can be made.
    • Susceptible to road vibrations. {the chip seal of Texas made the mirror unusable}
    • Cannot use on bike with bar-end shifters.

The clamp-on mirror

  • Pros
    • Easily removable; can be moved from bike to bike.
    • Easily adjustable to see past panniers on loaded bicycle.
    • Easily moved from left to right side for changes in traffic patterns.
  • Cons
    • Highly susceptible to road vibrations.
    • Can get knocked about.
    • Needs frequent adjustments depending on how tightly it’s clamped on.

The helmet mirror

  • Pros
    • Not susceptible to road vibrations.
    • Easily adjustable
    • Can easily see past panniers.
  • Cons
    • Needs frequent adjustments
    • Takes getting used to: it does block a small portion of your field of view.
    • May not be easily moved from left to right side for change in traffic pattern.
    • Glass models can be fragile and crack if dropped

After trying all three types of mirrors, I decided to go with the helmet mirror. Unfortunately, the Tiger Eye I have is not able to be switched to the right side of the helmet, which I’ll need for our tour in New Zealand. However, the helmet mirror gives the best view behind, which is so important. Any time I need to see what’s coming up behind, I simply glance up, turn my focus to the mirror, and then my eyes are back on the road. Simple, efficient. Just how I like it.

Why Scheduling Rest Days is a Good Idea

I recently ran a 7.5 hour race with some friends. OK, so I didn’t so much run as hike. The course was at a mountain ski resort, and took us up and down some pretty steep ski runs. I’m in decent shape, and the hike itself wasn’t super challenging. The duration was what almost did me in. My body is not used to moving constantly for that length of time. I was definitely feeling it the next day. And the next. And, I’m ashamed to say, the next. Three days later, and I finally feel close to normal.

This experience got me thinking about some of my past tours. Tour number one was really rough. We had anticipated being able to cover many more miles in the first days than we were actually able to. However, since we were unprepared, and our bodies weren’t used to that much physical stress, we found ourselves needing breaks. We took twice or even three times as many days off as we planned, which put us way behind schedule. Since we had a hard deadline to finish, the last fourteen days of the tour came with zero breaks. Fourteen straight days of riding almost did me in. After, I felt very similar to the 7.5 hour hike, and spent several days recovering. To me, it’s not fun to have difficulty walking first thing in the morning. And I’m sure it’s not really good for your muscles and connective tissue, either.

Bottom line is, your body needs rest. You build your most strength during rest days. That’s not to say you should sit around on your butt on your day off. Nope! Go on a hike, walk around, explore. Even take a short, unloaded ride. Plan the next few days of riding. Get plenty of sleep. Make sure you’re ready to get back on the bike and give it your best effort.

Everyone is different, and every tour is different. On our most recent tour, we typically rode 6 days and rested one. That seemed to work pretty well. I’m sure other people can ride more days (or less) before needing a break. Do what works for you. Just don’t plan your trip, anticipating 70-100 mile days with no rest days factored in. You’ll make it very difficult to accomplish the goals you’ve set for yourself. What kind of riding schedule do you like to keep? Let us know in the comments below!

ACA Pacific Coast Section 5 Maps 56-59

If you live in Southern California, or you have family in the area, and are looking for a great 4 day practice ride, I might suggest Goleta to Los Angeles. There are a few advantages to this ride: ease of transport to the start line, beautiful ocean riding, and access to convenient state campgrounds.

First off, take the Pacific Surfliner train to Goleta. Amtrak is a great option for bicycle tourists. It’s easy to purchase a ticket and reserve a spot for your bicycle (advanced reservations for bicycles are required). When the train gets to the station look for the conductor waving you towards him, you will either wheel your bike directly on to the train or lift the bicycle up to the conductor in a cargo car near the rear of the train. Panniers can stay on the bike if it is not too heavy to lift.

Upon arrival at Goleta use ACA Section 4 Maps 55 and 54; make your way north to Refugio State Beach. You might be tempted to stop at El Capitan State Beach, but trust me, the hiker/biker sites at Refugio are worth the extra few miles; you will be staying as close to the beach as you can get.

For Day 2, retrace your route from Day 1, and continue on through Santa Barbara to Carpinteria State Beach. This makes for a very short, approximately 35 mile day 2. Enjoy the ride, especially on the bike path through UC Santa Barbara. As you ride through campus, you will notice all the bike racks for the students, and if between classes the hundreds of people biking around. It truly is amazing.

Day 3, leave Carpinteria State Beach, and head south through Ventura and Oxnard, around Mugu Point and follow the ocean to Malibu. Leo Carrillo State Beach has a very nice, isolated hiker/biker site behind the dumping station, hidden in the trees. You can walk to the beach or just enjoy the sunlight filtering through the trees.

For your final day, make your way into Santa Monica. The ride through the transition from Malibu into Santa Monica is the most harrowing part of the ride. Keep your eyes open for doors opening on the right, and cars wishing to pass on the left. It’s just a few miles, and then you have the dedicated bike path to look forward to. Although you have to share the path with runners, walkers, roller bladers and other cyclists, it is still a pleasant ride past the pier.

From Santa Monica, there’s a few options. Ride into LA, find a metro station, and head back to Union Station. From there you can return to your starting point via MetroLink or Amtrak. If you ride the Balloona Creek bike path upstream (away from the ocean), you can pick up the Expo Line at the end of the bike path.

And there you have it. A nice, four day bicycle tour, through some of the best that Southern California has to offer. Can anyone else suggest a short tour? Leave your ideas in the comments!