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PNW Sabbatical Roadtrip - Mountain Bikes + Camping

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by SquattiePippen, Nov 27, 2018.

  1. Nov 27, 2018 at 10:40 AM
    #1
    SquattiePippen

    SquattiePippen [OP] Well-Known Member

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    In the summer of 2019 I will have a 6 week sabbatical from work so i'm starting planning early to leave time to plan one hell of a multi week mountain biking + camping road trip. Starting in Portland, OR, i'm planning on hitting all the major riding spots in OR, WA, ID, and British Columbia.

    I currently transport bikes with my tailgate pad... it works great, but probably not ideal for a road trip?!

    Do I go with a bed rack + RTT and borrow a friends hitch rack? Do I pick up a small pop up camper off craigslist for $1,000? invest in a canopy and throw a ground tent down so I can lock up bikes inside? I want to keep costs down and camp if at all possible this entire road trip but don't want to be cheap when it comes to bike security.

    Ideally i'd bring all 3 bikes... Downhill, Enduro, and Dirt Jumper and i'll most likely be alone on this road trip unless my wife gets a wild hair up her ass and wants to join. If anyone has any experience in camping with bikes and would like to share how they keep things secure i'm all ears. thanks!
     
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  2. Nov 27, 2018 at 10:47 AM
    #2
    Gunshot-6A

    Gunshot-6A Prime Beef

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    My vote:

    20180607_164447.jpg

    tocoma_tailgate.jpg

    If you were only taking 1 bike:
    20170826_092957.jpg
     
  3. Nov 27, 2018 at 10:50 AM
    #3
    SquattiePippen

    SquattiePippen [OP] Well-Known Member

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    DANG! I love the RTT + Bed Rack + Hitch rack... am I being over cautious with security? me riding 1 bike with 2 bikes hanging on rack in parking lot, camping spot, etc... I'm really mainly concerned about the whistler area wont lie.
     
  4. Nov 27, 2018 at 10:51 AM
    #4
    Gunshot-6A

    Gunshot-6A Prime Beef

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    As for security:
    Park in busier, well lit parking areas.
    Cable locks are useless. Go to lowe's, buy a length of chain, run it through an old bike tube to save the paint, and lock both ends to the D-rings in the bed.
    Using the chain method, park next to other bikes that are secured with cable locks or not at all...thieves like easy. Let others be the prey.
    If using a hotel, ask if they have a place you could store a few high value bikes. If not, sneak them in the side door if they aren't dripping in mud.
     
  5. Nov 27, 2018 at 10:56 AM
    #5
    Domane

    Domane Well-Known Member

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    I use a tailgate pad and have a bed rack for my rtt. It work's really well but i rarely going camping and biking at the same time. Mostly just shuttles close to home. I'd be concerned with security leaving 2 bikes over the tailgate while riding the other one. I'd either look at getting a cap to keep them out of sight, or maybe consider just rocking the tour with only 1 bike.
     
  6. Nov 27, 2018 at 10:56 AM
    #6
    Gunshot-6A

    Gunshot-6A Prime Beef

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    I've never had to take more than 1 bike of mine at the same time, but I've thought about it. I guess it really depends where you are riding. Backcountry Idaho, you're totally fine. Whistler parking lot? F that.

    Ultimately, its up to you. I travel for a lot of enduros, etc but I really don't like risking $15,000 in bikes plus friends' if I don't have to. You have some gorgeous Transitions; I'd hate to see those disappear. Maybe bring your trail bike, and rent a bike at whistler if you are only gonna be there for a day or 2?

    A little creativity goes a long way as well. I stored my bikes overnight at a local bike shop once since I didn't have any good options. Well worth the 6er of beer I used to bribe them.
     
  7. Nov 27, 2018 at 11:03 AM
    #7
    SquattiePippen

    SquattiePippen [OP] Well-Known Member

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    that's where i'm torn... I could do a bike park tour and only bring the DH rig and rent an enduro at a few random stops. I can live without bringing my DJ, but it's so fun enjoying a pint of beer and putting in some whips on dirt jumps after a long day on the trail.
     
  8. Nov 27, 2018 at 11:05 AM
    #8
    Domane

    Domane Well-Known Member

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    Honestly i'd rock a solo enduro rig, the bikes are so capable and just as at home in a bike park as climbing technical trail sections.
     
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  9. Nov 27, 2018 at 11:10 AM
    #9
    hiPSI

    hiPSI Laminar Flow

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    I never take more than one bike for several reasons, security being #1. I second the chain idea. I do something similar. I use a Kuat hitch rack. When staying at hotels, I always just wheel my bike through the lobby, to the elevator and into the room. I do clean it off a bit if really muddy. I also stay at nice hotels so it's usually a novelty for the people behind the desk. As far as camping, if you use the chain then it will be secure because, it's not easy to cut.
    I ride a Trek Fuel EX 27.5+ and a Trek Stache 29+. It just depends on where I am going as to what bike I take. When I ride down south in NC, SC, GA or FL, it is mostly my hardtail. When going out west or local, I take the Fuel.
     
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  10. Nov 27, 2018 at 11:11 AM
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    dynamicweight

    dynamicweight Well-Known Member

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    I bought a shell for my truck for exactly this reason. I use a rack to transport, and if I need to park anywhere I can fit two bikes in the bed but it is annoying AF to do. I really wouldn't want to do 3 (but I could). I like that unless you walk right up to the truck and put your hands up to the shell windows, you don't even see that there are bikes in there.

    All that being said, the shell is not so sturdy that someone who really wanted my bikes couldn't get them. I'd bet even a dude with a will and no tools (or minimal tools) could break in. I paid 3K for my shell because I wanted fancy stuff, but basic new ones are a little over 1K and used ones are stupid cheap. In a lot of ways I think the shell looks dumb and I'm constantly trying to figure out how to get rid of it, but the damn thing is just so freaking useful, I can't help but love it.
     
  11. Nov 27, 2018 at 11:11 AM
    #11
    SquattiePippen

    SquattiePippen [OP] Well-Known Member

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    as much as I love riding my transition patrol, it's way more fun riding my TR500 in bike parks like Whistler, Coast Gravity Park, Stevens Pass, etc. I live in the tech and big hit paradise so my patrol while very capable, doesn't hold a candle to my lazy boy TR500 :)...but for places like galbraith, doothie, post canyon, sandy ridge, etc... i'm all enduro.
     
  12. Nov 27, 2018 at 11:15 AM
    #12
    SquattiePippen

    SquattiePippen [OP] Well-Known Member

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    maybe I narrow down to fewer locations... thinking 8-10 right now over 2-3 weeks and rather than spending the money on a RTT and rack, I use it for airbnb or hotel fees. should've purchased that coast gravity park season pass that was on sale over the weekend and lived there for a few weeks hahaha!
     
  13. Nov 27, 2018 at 11:27 AM
    #13
    ninernation

    ninernation Well-Known Member

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    You absolutely have to stop in Bellingham Washington and ride Galbraith and then hit up the dirt jumps at the Shire.... BUT! Bellingham has double the national average rate of property crimes and any place along the I5 corridor in Washington isn't far behind. In Bellingham your bike will spray painted, parted out and frakensteined into something completely different within an hour. If it were me, I'd contact a bike shop or two near every spot I intend to ride and ask if I could store my remaining two bikes there while I was out riding my third.

    If you ride Transition, their headquarters is here and I know for sure Kevin, Kyle and crew would let you store your bikes there while you were out for a ride. They would probably even show you around.
     
  14. Nov 27, 2018 at 1:41 PM
    #14
    SquattiePippen

    SquattiePippen [OP] Well-Known Member

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    couldn't agree more and Bellingham will most likely be my last stop before heading back to Portland. I ride transition bikes and love stopping in for a beer, picking up new swag, and chatting about bikes on my way home from my whistler trip every June. Could certainly rent a new steed and store my TR500 for a day or two to enjoy galbraiths finest.
     
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  15. Nov 27, 2018 at 2:42 PM
    #15
    phsycle

    phsycle Well-Known Member

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    I agree with the suggestion to bring just the enduro bike. Skip the DJ parks, as there are just too many good trails to fill your gill on the enduro. For DH runs, just rent one.

    I lock my bikes up with a cable lock in the bed or the bike rack. Chains are great and all. Neither are impermeable to portable power tools. They can't get through the chain for some reason? They'll just cut through the tie down point. Or that soft plastic bed.

    But, as long as you're careful, you should be fine. Lock it up during the day, while you're at the restaurant, etc. And roll it up to your hotel room, as mentioned above, at night. And if the worst happens....well, #NBD.
     
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  16. Nov 27, 2018 at 3:10 PM
    #16
    SquattiePippen

    SquattiePippen [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The goal will be camping or glamping this entire trip with majority of stops (at least right now) at major bike parks. I love to rip DH with the occasional longer pedal ride on my enduro but always find myself trying to shuttle with friends or go lift assisted.

    Pedaling is cool n all but my priority is smashing laps at parks. Majority of my local trails are all enduro centric and I’m a bit spoiled in that regard which is why I would bring my DH bike over my enduro.

    DJ can stay home for sure, was a fun thought. DJ days are just so chill!
     
  17. Nov 27, 2018 at 3:24 PM
    #17
    Gunshot-6A

    Gunshot-6A Prime Beef

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    I've got a AirBnB $40 credit code you can use to save you some beer money.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voNqjCAy6Sg
     
  18. Nov 27, 2018 at 3:28 PM
    #18
    Domane

    Domane Well-Known Member

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    If park laps are more your style then you definitely have plenty of options to choose from along your route, and honestly you'll probably meet people in the parks that will want to ride some shuttle access stuff on your "rest" days.
     
  19. Nov 27, 2018 at 3:29 PM
    #19
    SquattiePippen

    SquattiePippen [OP] Well-Known Member

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  20. Nov 27, 2018 at 3:30 PM
    #20
    Gunshot-6A

    Gunshot-6A Prime Beef

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    PM me your phone number. I can make it a ringtone for you tonight. Mine is the "Berms, Ruts, Jumps...hawt laps..." song from the new stumpjumper vid.
     

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