Los Padres Bikepacking Workshop & Community Campout with Bikepacking Roots, Tour De Los Padres Collective & SAGE Trail Alliance

November 21 - November 22

Tour de Los Padres Collective, Bikepacking Roots, and SAGE Trail Alliance are teaming up for a weekend of learning, bikepacking, and community building. This event is aimed toward riders newer to bikepacking, or those wanting to level up their skills and build community, and explore Los Padres National Forest with local experts. We’ll have bikepacking workshops Saturday morning in Carpinteria, followed by a supportive community overnight where you can apply what you learned, with two ride options camping together at a backcountry site.

Dates: Nov 21-22, 2026

Location: Carpinteria, CA

Who is this event for?

All experience levels welcome! This event is aimed toward riders newer to bikepacking, or those wanting to level up their skills and build community, and explore Los Padres with local experts. Riders will be expected to be self sufficient, carrying and providing their own gear, but ride leaders and sweeps will be available for support. Bikepacking bags and camping gear is also available for loan, if you need anything we’ll help you get set up!

What will the weekend look like?

[Optional] Friday, Nov 20: Optional camping at Carpinteria State Park Beach campground

If you want to stay nearby the night before, there are hiker biker sites at the campground that you don’t need to reserved ahead of time, you just need to arrive on bike, and cost $10 per person. If you want a car camping spot, feel free to make a reservation on your own.

Saturday, Nov 21: Bikepacking Workshops and Ride to Group Camp

9:30am: Meet at the amphitheater at Carpinteria State Park Beach campground for coffee and introductions.

10:00am-12:30pm: Bikepacking Workshops

Route and gear selection
Bike repairs on the trail
Self care on the trail

12:15pm-1:00pm: Lunch (BYO) and final pack up of bikes

1:00pm: Shuttles depart for group ride on shorter route

Ride 17.5 miles and 1,190 elevation gain/ 2,800 ft loss to arrive at camp at Rock Campground.
While all riders should have the route downloaded and have what they need should any issues arise (included on packing list), this route will have a lead and sweep, and multiple volunteers to support.

1:00pm: Group depart for “choose your own adventure” longer route

Ride ~27 miles and 4,000ft elevation gain/2,200 loss to arrive at camp at Rock Camp Campground.
For experienced riders looking for a challenge, we’re providing a longer route that leaves right from Carpinteria. This route will not have a lead and sweep, and riders are expected to be fully self sufficient. There is a possibility this route will involve a bit of riding when it’s dark, so riders should be prepared with bike lights.

Group camp set up, individual dinners, hang out time, including camp cooking demos, water filtration demo, and campsite setup tips.

Sunday, Nov 22: Wakeup at Camp and Ride Back

Everyone will ride the same route back, which is 26.5 miles and +2,145 ft elevation gain/-3,955 ft elevation loss

What type of bike do I need and what do I need to bring?

This route is best suited for mountain bikes (hardtail or full-suspension) but can also be completed on a gravel bike with larger tires, we recommend 50mm min. The route is not road bike-friendly.
You can check out our recommended gear list.
If you need to borrow bikepacking bags or camping gear, we’re partnering with Wild Wolf Cycling Collective’s gear library, and we can bring requested gear for you to grab Saturday morning or Friday evening at the Carpinteria Campground. Please email [email protected] if you need to borrow anything, as you’ll need to let us know ahead of time, and we can help make sure it will work for your bike/setup. You can check out what gear they have available here. Gear borrows are by donation.