A three day trip touring Catalina Island by bicycle. Korean subtitles provided for my folks ❤️. Day one - / strava Day two - / strava Day three - / strava
By far, this is the absolute best video of bikepacking Catalina Island that I've seen so far. I'm currently purchasing and assembling my own gear to do this trip in the upcoming weeks. You totally kept this real, grunts on the wash boards, no constant selfies or chatter, just great video shots of the beauty and terrain....thank you!! I'm a subscriber now!
Thanks for posting this Erica, I love Catalina, (did the marathon a dozen times), now I really want to bike it. Always helpful to see how people pack the stuff they need, and where on the bike. I'm going to have to fit it all on a mt bike and backpack. Between the amazing views, bison and climbs, it's exhilaration for sure!
Looks like you had a nice trip, brave to go by yourself. Nothing like Catalina Island, I have been going there for over 50+ years. Camping is a lot cheaper than hotels that's for share.
That was cool, I forgot that the metro line was so close to the Catalina Express dock. This would be such an easy trip for me to do, I'll have to plan ahead for the spring
Hi Anthony, in the description, I linked my Strava routes for all three days, it will have a breakdown of miles and elevation. As for the campsites, you can book them online. Hope this helps!
Great trip and video! I live in Rhode Island and really want to ride this island....even if its only day tripping. I especially want to see the Bison. Were you that close to them? DD
Thank you! You can definitely see them from pretty close, I was about 60ft away before I started doubting my running away skills. I suggest taking Middle Ranch Road to see them!
Thanks for making this! About to do the same solo trip later this month. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who grunts/groans when it gets really rocky. I've been reluctant to go the bicycle route, how did you like it? Also, it was pretty quiet in your video, do you listen to anything while you ride/camp?
Hey there, the bicycle route was great, although slightly rough for my liking on my gravel bike (I would like to try again on a front suspension/hardtail bike). I typically do listen to music while on the road, but this trip was quite enjoyable without it, which I also like to do once in a while. Very excited for you!
Hi Mark, I had one 32oz Nalgene bottles, two 16oz bottles and a 12oz bottle on my hip. Since there were plenty of places to fill water, I probably could have gotten away with one 32oz bottle. Hope this helps!
Looks like you had alot of fun solo! Im planning to do this myself! are campsite reservations still required for bikepackers or were you able to just freecamp?
Hi Mike, I think that might depend when you do your trip. Reservations were a must during summer/fall, only because it gets pretty booked up. I don’t think it’s busy at all during the winter season, but I would suggest reservations either way. I hope you get to do it!
I would say that about 80% of the roads are dirt fire roads. Lots of sections with moderately annoying washboards. I'll send you my Strava link for route info.
@@itsericakim Thank you for your video and comments! I've been trying to figure out whether to buy a mountain bike or gravel bike. Would you mind sharing what you think would be the pros and cons b/w the two types of bikes would be on the route you went on?
@@rogerstrang3575 Hi Roger. I think that depends on your style of riding. If you like to cover a lot of distance and can sacrifice a rougher ride for that, I would go gravel. If comfort is important or you prefer really going off grid through rougher terrain, a full suspension mountain bike seems ideal. You may want to consider a hardtail as well, which I think is kind of the best of both worlds. Upside to a gravel bike or even a hardtail is the unlimited amount of options to pack your rig. Although there are some companies starting to come out with mtb specific bike packing products, it's still pretty limited. That might be a consideration depending on your packing needs. Didn't mean to write an essay, but hope this helps!
Great video.
Nice Vid, new sub! im just getting into bikepacking and put this trail onto my to do list.
By far, this is the absolute best video of bikepacking Catalina Island that I've seen so far. I'm currently purchasing and assembling my own gear to do this trip in the upcoming weeks. You totally kept this real, grunts on the wash boards, no constant selfies or chatter, just great video shots of the beauty and terrain....thank you!! I'm a subscriber now!
Ah, thank you so much, your comment made my day! I hope you have a great time, it's such a great bike packing trip!
Thanks for posting this Erica, I love Catalina, (did the marathon a dozen times), now I really want to bike it.
Always helpful to see how people pack the stuff they need, and where on the bike. I'm going to have to fit it all on a mt bike and backpack. Between the amazing views, bison and climbs, it's exhilaration for sure!
Thanks for posting the route, and looks awesome!
Nice capture of your trip. Definitely wanna try it with som elf my friends. Thanks for sharing.
Make more Cycling Vids 😊🙏🏽❤️
Looks like you had a nice trip, brave to go by yourself. Nothing like Catalina Island, I have been going there for over 50+ years. Camping is a lot cheaper than hotels that's for share.
This was great! I loved visiting Avalon and I think I'll try bike packing there myself when I get back down in Socal.
You are amazing!
Good job.
That was cool, I forgot that the metro line was so close to the Catalina Express dock. This would be such an easy trip for me to do, I'll have to plan ahead for the spring
Thanks for sharing!
wonderful
How cool. How many miles of a ride on the island was it? How many miles a day did you ride? How did you land a camp spot?
Hi Anthony, in the description, I linked my Strava routes for all three days, it will have a breakdown of miles and elevation. As for the campsites, you can book them online. Hope this helps!
Great trip and video! I live in Rhode Island and really want to ride this island....even if its only day tripping. I especially want to see the Bison. Were you that close to them? DD
Thank you! You can definitely see them from pretty close, I was about 60ft away before I started doubting my running away skills. I suggest taking Middle Ranch Road to see them!
What was the light rail line you took from ferry terminal back into LA?
Hi, I took the Metro A Line (Blue). Hope this helps!
Thanks for making this! About to do the same solo trip later this month. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who grunts/groans when it gets really rocky. I've been reluctant to go the bicycle route, how did you like it? Also, it was pretty quiet in your video, do you listen to anything while you ride/camp?
Hey there, the bicycle route was great, although slightly rough for my liking on my gravel bike (I would like to try again on a front suspension/hardtail bike). I typically do listen to music while on the road, but this trip was quite enjoyable without it, which I also like to do once in a while. Very excited for you!
What bivy / tent are you using?
It's discontinued, but here is a link to it: www.rei.com/product/147953/rei-co-op-all-season-bivy
Thank you for posting. How much drinking/cooking water did you carry with you for 3 days or did you have some at the campground.?
Hi Mark, I had one 32oz Nalgene bottles, two 16oz bottles and a 12oz bottle on my hip. Since there were plenty of places to fill water, I probably could have gotten away with one 32oz bottle. Hope this helps!
This is so great. Where’d you get the firewood from
Hey, thanks so much! Firewood can be pre-purchased and delivered to your campsite if you call ahead.
Looks like you had alot of fun solo! Im planning to do this myself! are campsite reservations still required for bikepackers or were you able to just freecamp?
Hi Mike, I think that might depend when you do your trip. Reservations were a must during summer/fall, only because it gets pretty booked up. I don’t think it’s busy at all during the winter season, but I would suggest reservations either way. I hope you get to do it!
So sick! What's your camera/stabiliser setup?
Hi, thanks so much! I just used my iPhone and a GoPro 6 with a tiny travel tripod. Most of the shots were hand held.
Awesome, Have been planning on it also. Are most roads gravel? Can you provide the link to route.
I would say that about 80% of the roads are dirt fire roads. Lots of sections with moderately annoying washboards. I'll send you my Strava link for route info.
@@itsericakim I would love to see your Strava too! I'm thinking of doing something very similar as a birthday weekend ride.
@@ryanedwards9978 I added Strava links in description. This trip would be the perfect weekend trip!
Did you ride out to Parsons Landing to camp? Or did you stay at 2 Harbors?
I stayed at Two Harbors since I couldn’t get a site at Parsons Landing. It’s on the agenda for the next trip!
What is the bike you rode? Was it a good choice?
I rode a titanium Salsa Vaya. Thought its was a good choice for this trip. I would also consider a hardtail mountain bike next time.
@@itsericakim Thank you for your video and comments! I've been trying to figure out whether to buy a mountain bike or gravel bike. Would you mind sharing what you think would be the pros and cons b/w the two types of bikes would be on the route you went on?
@@rogerstrang3575 Hi Roger. I think that depends on your style of riding. If you like to cover a lot of distance and can sacrifice a rougher ride for that, I would go gravel. If comfort is important or you prefer really going off grid through rougher terrain, a full suspension mountain bike seems ideal. You may want to consider a hardtail as well, which I think is kind of the best of both worlds. Upside to a gravel bike or even a hardtail is the unlimited amount of options to pack your rig. Although there are some companies starting to come out with mtb specific bike packing products, it's still pretty limited. That might be a consideration depending on your packing needs. Didn't mean to write an essay, but hope this helps!
SIck