The Trinity Alps

ALUMNI TOUR – SPECIAL PAST CLIENT TRIP
Bike tranquil redwood byways and coastal roads of Sonoma from Oregon to California, to San Francisco over six days on the road less traveled.

Private Custom Trips (inquire)

California Redwoods & Coast

If you’re a past VeloAsia or Velopura rider, join us on this inaugural exploration trip featuring Northern California’s most pristine natural beauty. Our tour of the Trinity Alps and south along the Sonoma Coast over six days will cycle sublime redwood forests on remote mountain roads and meander along stunning coastal vistas. Our trip starts in Ashland, visiting the famed bike builder John Slawta of Landshark Bicycles fame (a great time to get sized for a new bike). This is our most difficult trip, one for climbers, as we’ll gain over 32,000 feet during the week.

Day 1 | Landshark Bike Shop

This morning we’ll meet renowned bike builder John Slawta in his shop, learning about his 40-year history of hand-crafting celebrated custom frames. If you’ve come to get a new bike, John will size you and review specs for your new ride. After, we’ll join John for a local ride in Ashland. Later in the day, refreshing in the pool and hot tub time before exploring Ashland’s brew pub scene before dinner.

Day 2 | Ashland to Klamath River

Today we ride through the heart of the Trinity Alps, cycling the valleys along the picturesque Klamath River. Our ride ends at a remote fishing lodge on the river. The bucolic forests belie a dark terror. Yes, this is Bigfoot territory and in fact, most of our ride is along the Bigfoot Scenic Byway. Stay on a wheel and don’t get dropped, you may never be seen again.

112 mi – 2,223 ft

Day 3 | Klamath River to Eureka

After a hearty breakfast, continued riding along the Klamath River and through the heart of the Six Rivers National Forest, passing through the Hoopa Indian Reservation before reaching Willow Creek (known as the Bigfoot capital of the world). After more sublime riding through forests of redwood on the Trinity Highway, we veer out to the coast (to circumvent impassable mountains), rolling into Eureka, a commercial fishing port that is the largest coastal city between San Francisco and Portland. Tonight dining on local fresh catch of the day.

85 mi – 5,243 ft

Day 4 | Eureka to Garberville

After a night in civilization, we head out again to remote stretches along the “Lost Coast” then climbing back into the redwood-forested mountains. After an epic day we reach Garberville, a town with less than a thousand people.

93 mi – 11,470 ft

Day 5 | Garberville to Mendocino

Today we ride through the last of the forest and mountains, climbing out and descending to the Sonoma coast, cycling the rugged cliff-side stretches along the ocean. Small towns dot the coast, built up around logging and fishing, such as Westport. In the afternoon, reaching larger Fort Bragg just north of our final destination, bucolic Mendocino.

78 mi – 5,092 ft

Day 6 | Mendocino to Bodega Bay

The grandeur of the Pacific Coast Highway rolls by today, winding along the dramatic cliffs, coves, and small towns. Stunning vistas appear around every turn all the way to Bodega Bay, located above a shallow, rocky inlet, and now the location of a Marine National Park.

98 mi – 4,636 ft

Day 7 | Bodega Bay to San Francisco

Our final day passes by scenic Tomales Bay and Point Reyes cycling along coastal lagoons, stopping en route at Stinson Beach for lunch. After climbing inland, we ride through Sausalito and then across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Tonight toasting our long trip and savoring a well-deserved dinner and brews.

70 mi – 3,596 ft

Trip Miles: 537
Elevation Gained: 32,687
Trip Rating: 5/5 (max difficulty)

Images of Trinity

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Private & Custom Trips

Travel with your club, friends, or family. Customize this trip to your specific preferences—we’ll work with you to make it the trip of a lifetime.