Swift campout 2019

[Neil Doran]

Anybody else observing the Swift campout this year? My little crew has been doing the same route for at least a few years now, riding from SF thru Planet of the Apes and ending up at the quite primo hike-n-bike camping at Half Moon Bay state park.

Bike camping on summer solstice weekend (or closest to it) hits a sweet spot as it allows me to trade the encroaching heat of the foothills for coastal breezes; I get to ride through SF, which I love to do at least 2x per year; and the POTA trail is just so extremely fun and unique.

Anybody else getting out next weekend for a bike overnight?

[Philip Williamson]

That sounds amazing.
I had intended to camp out, but I’ve been slammed. I do have the gear now*, and find that I’m actually MORE comfortable being a sweat and dust encrusted dirtbag than most of my bike camping friends. I have days yet to plan...

*You may remember me from such threads as “Teach me to love bike camping,” and “But where do you poop?”

Philip
Santa Rosa, CA

[Jock Dewey]

Hi, Y'all:

Indeed, but a week early. That's OK, right?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/146626768@N06/albums/72157709114278761

BEST / Jock Dewey / Athens, GA

[Neil Doran]

Jock! Very nice photos and well done. ~firm handshake~

[Craig Montgomery]

Good for you Jock. And you got the family to go. I'd give my right pedal capnut to get my girls to go. Fashion queens both. That's OK. I like going solo. Nobody will ride with me anymore ("think I'll eat some wurmssss"). Too cranky. Too slow. Had to do my Swift Campout 2 weeks early and it was good timing. Day one was beautiful with tailwinds that actually felt cool in this desert environment. Day 2 was another story. Our first official "hot" day. 20 mph headwinds. 5% humidity. Mid-90's. Drank 3 liters of water in 33 miles and when I got in could barely stand. Slurred speech. Weak. Dehydration to the max. It was fun. 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/24722971@N05/albums/72157708958249933

Craig in Tucson

[Sean Kline]

Hi Neil: Your ride sounds great.

I was considering joining Lucky Duck Bike's campout:

Dirt...very challenging:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30245966

Road...half as much climbing:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30246008

I love the coastal ride you're planning. Is your group open to one more rider?

Sean

[shawn b]

Taking Planet of the Apes to get south down the coast is great! I wish I had my current Riv setup when I lived out there. 

Our local bike-camp-ish group here in Philly ( https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/philly-dyno ) is heading out for the campout this weekend. 

-Shawn in Philadelphia 

On Monday, June 17, 2019 at 3:49:45 PM UTC-4, Neil Doran wrote:

[Jock Dewey]

Hey, Craig:

I'm tempted to pack up and head to AZ to follow you out on one of your epic desert trips. I hear you get good sunsets.

Regarding kids, well, we started dragging them along as soon as they could sit up. I'm surprised we didn't get busted for child abuse. Oh, we've got stories.

Somehow, we got a way with it and now 37 years later, Tyler and I are still chasing each other up the hills. I dunno how, but eventually you stop trying to figure these things out. 

JD in GA

[Neil Doran]

Craig, great photos! That road through the pine forest looks primo! 

Sean, that dirt route out to Morgan Territory looks hard, and fantastic! Looks like it follows the very-nice Oyster Point trail, which is a pain to get to otherwise because it is so far out. I did not know Morgan Territory had camping, another good piece of info! Although the bandit camping options out there would be virtually unlimited. Just need water...

If you want to stay coastal, you are more than welcome to join us! The current plan is to rally at Embarcadero at 1130 or so on Saturday. Send me an email or PM if you want to connect, I can provide some additional details.

[RichS]

Jock and Craig,

Love your contrasting campout photographs. From the lush green Georgia countryside to the wide open spaces of Arizona. Good on both you!

Jock, where did you camp?

Best,

Rich in ATL