Pacific Coast

4 weeks

open to grades 8-12

Overview

Few coastlines in the world can rival the magnificence of the beaches, bluffs and bays that stretch between Seattle and San Francisco. And few experiences can match the exhilaration of riding across the Golden Gate Bridge after four fantastic weeks of bicycling 1,000 miles along this breathtaking coastline.

Upon arrival in Seattle, we’ll van to our first campground, check over our bicycles and prepare for the start of our ride to San Francisco. Averaging 45 miles a day on our bikes, we’ll follow the Pacific coastline south. Throughout Washington and Oregon, we’ll enjoy cool, misty mornings, sunny picnics on rugged beaches, dramatic sunsets over the Pacific and brilliant stars at night. Just across the California border, we’ll take a break from riding to go rafting for two days on the Klamath River. Guided by professionals, we’ll have the chance to ride the big rafts and paddle inflatable kayaks. The last leg of our trip takes us down the California coast. We’ll ride through ancient stands of redwoods and past charming towns like Mendocino. As we near the Bay Area, we’ll enjoy our last days of biking together before our final ride: an exciting crossing of the Golden Gate Bridge.

At trip’s end in San Francisco, we’ll head out for a celebratory dinner and look back on a month of fun, friendship and accomplishment.

“When we met Ben at the Golden Gate Bridge, he said 'I want to keep going to LA. I love this trip." Amy Ebersole and Bruce Weinberg, Wellesley, Massachusetts

Highlights

Bike from Seattle to San Francisco
Explore Pacific beaches & bays
Raft the Klamath River
Ride across the Golden Gate Bridge

Grade

For students completing grades 8-12 in June 2012

Multiple sections are grouped by grades

Call us (413-458-9672) to check on current availability

Challenge Level

6 (1-10, 1 is easiest)

Start and End Location

Starts in Seattle, Washington

Ends in San Francisco, California

Accommodations

All camping in tents in State Parks and private campgrounds. All campgrounds have flush toilets and most have showers. The last night is spent in a hostel in San Francisco.

There will be an opportunity for laundry about once a week.

Dates and Fees

4 Weeks

Saturday, June 23 to Friday, July 20

$4495 (airfare not included)

“The trip was full of laughs, memories and amazing scenery. Thanks for the best summer ever!” Faraz Ahmad, St. Louis, Missouri

Itinerary

Trip Start

We’ll meet at Sea-Tac Airport in Seattle, Washington, and van to a campground outside of the city to build our bikes, take a practice ride and get to know one another before we head south towards San Francisco.

Washington State

From our campground outside of Seattle, we'll bike southwest through logging country to the Washington Coast. A typical itinerary includes the following stops: Lake Sylvia State Park (45 miles); Twin Harbors State Park (30 miles); Bruceport County Park (41 miles); Cape Disappointment State Park (43 miles); Fort Stevens State Park (25 miles); Nehalem Bay State Park (40 miles).

The Oregon Coast

A typical itinerary includes the following stops along the beautiful coast of Oregon: Cape Lookout State Park (40 miles); Devil’s Lake State Park (44 miles); Beachside State Park (45 miles); Honeyman State Park (35 miles); Sunset Bay State Park (55 miles); Humbug Mountain State Park (57 miles); Harris Beach State Park (50 miles). Along the way we'll explore the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and there is a buffer day built into the itinerary to allow for delays en route (most groups will find that they spend this day partially or completely off of the bikes).

Rafting the Klamath

Soon after crossing the border into California, we'll take a break from our bikes to enjoy two days of rafting on the Lower Klamath, one of the most scenic sections of rafting in the state. Fun and exciting Class II - III rapids are interspersed between calm pools excellent for swimming. We’ll take our time and explore the many side hikes the river has to offer with beautiful cascading waterfalls and Gold Rush history.

California & the Redwoods

When we return to the California coast, we’ll explore the dark forests of Jedediah Redwoods State Park and then ride south to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (46 miles); to Eureka (47 miles); to Humboldt Redwoods State Park (56 miles); to Standish-Hickey State Park (46 miles); and to Van Damme State Park (58 miles). There is a buffer day in this section of the trip to allow for delays en route.

Trip End in San Francisco

Our last section of riding takes us triumphantly across the Golden Gate Bridge and into San Francisco. Past groups have ridden from Van Damme State Park to Stillwater Cove State Park (70 miles); to S.P. Taylor State Park (67 miles), and into San Francisco (30 miles)! Here we’ll pack up our bikes and enjoy an afternoon exploring the city on foot before our flights home.

“I experienced the best four weeks of my life with Overland. The picturesque backdrop of the pacific coast is an image that I will never forget” Lauren Carter, Lexington, Massachusetts

Trip Details

Pacific Coast is a fun, scenic ride along a spectacular coast. Every day brings steady progress towards the group’s goal—crossing the Golden Gate Bridge—while offering comfortable camping in state parks, ever-increasing fitness and fun times together.

“Kristina came home with a tremendous sense of pride and accomplishment at having completed this physically challenging trip.” Marguerite Tompkins, Chicago, Illinois

Pacific Coast is rated 6 on a scale of 1- 10 (1 is easiest). This rating places Pacific Coast in a moderate category. The length of the rides and the difficulty of the terrain are similar to our Paris to the Sea trip. This means that Pacific Coast participants must be prepared for some long days on the bike (daily mileage will average around 45 and will range from approximately 25 miles on the shortest day to about 70 miles on the longest day).

Your enjoyment of this trip will hinge on several factors:

Your fitness. If you are reasonably fit and reasonably active you will do just fine.
Your motivation. It’s not always easy—you must be motivated!
Your commitment to teamwork. Overland trips require compromise, patience and selflessness. Support your trip leaders and your trip mates and you’ll find that you will have a great experience!

“Max had a super time. He met kids from all over the country, saw things and did things he had never done before." Robin Khadduri, Needham, Massachusetts

Photos

Click thumbnails below to enlarge

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Enrollment Forms

Below are the Enrollment Forms and other information for Pacific Coast.

Enrollment Forms 2012

Bicycle Report 2012

The Right Bicycle For Your Overland Trip 2012

Pacific Coast Release Form

Prepare & Pack

Preparing For The Biking

Training ahead of time is essential to your success on an Overland bike trip. Training will enable you to enjoy your trip and to ride safely this summer. The most important part of training is gaining confidence on your bike by riding regularly. Before your trip you should be comfortable getting on and off your bike, shifting gears, braking, making turns and riding with weight.

Please take two or three 45- to 60-minute rides every week for four weeks before the start of your trip. Your health and safety this summer depend on this.
Before your trip you should be able to ride 15 miles with ease.
A good goal to work towards is being able to ride 25 miles in one ride, although frequent shorter rides (10-12 miles) are a great way to become a confident and safe rider.

Packing For Your Trip

Label the following items with your name, address and phone number.
Overland bicycle tours are fully self-contained—meaning there is no van support. You will carry all of your belongings, plus some group gear, on a sturdy rack mounted over the back wheel of your bike. You will hang panniers (these are saddlebags, pronounced “pan-yers”) off the rack and attach gear like your sleeping bag and sleeping pad to the top of the rack using bungee cords.
Please bring only the clothes listed below and do not wear an extra set of clothes for the flight. At trip start, your leaders will distribute group gear and they will help you repack your panniers and bike—at that time any unnecessary items will be mailed home.
Check out some of our favorite brands and retailers to purchase items on this list.
Please do not bring any type of knife or multi-tool like a Swiss Army knife or Leatherman tool.
As you pack your gear adhere to the following instructions: (1) pack your sleeping pad and shoes in your bike box (2) Please take your helmet and sleeping bag with you on the plane as carry-on items in case your checked luggage fails to arrive on time. (3) Pack all your remaining items in your panniers. You can tape or strap your panniers together to check them as one piece of luggage.

Biking & Camping Equipment

Bicycle & Rear Rack
- Please see The Right Bicycle For Your Overland Trip for more information. Please note: The American Challenge and European Challenge require specific bikes; keep this in mind if you are buying a new bike now and plan on doing one of these trips in a future summer.
- Return the 2012 Bicycle Report Form by April 1st to ensure your bicycle meets all qualifications.
- Prepare your bike for travel: Traveling With Your Bicycle.

Water Bottles & Cages
Two of each attached to the bike frame. A hydration system (e.g., CamelBak) is not necessary for this trip, but if you have one and want to bring it, that's great.

Panniers & Four Bungee Cords
Panniers are saddlebags sold in pairs that attach to either side of your rear rack. For our trips you will want large panniers, 2400-3000 cubic inches total, designed for touring. One large pannier has internal dimensions of approximately 17" x 13" x 7". You should be able to fit all of your belongings, besides your sleeping bag and pad, into your two panniers and have some space for group gear. Consider compressibility of clothing while packing for your Overland bicycle tour.

Spare Bike Parts
- One spare tube that matches your bike's tire size.
- One pair of spare brake pads.
- Four spare spokes that fit your wheels (two front, two rear).
- One tire patch kit.

Helmet
Carry on the plane with you.

Biking Gloves
Well-padded for comfort.

Shoes For Biking
You have two options (about three-fourths of our participants choose option 2):
- Ride in running shoes and have toe cages attached to your pedals. OR
- Ride in bike touring or mountain biking shoes with bottom treads and recessed cleats—these shoes clip into “clipless” pedals (it’s confusing). A popular style of clipless shoes/pedals are SPDs. Please do not ride in racing shoes (they have hard soles that are uncomfortable to walk in).

Sleeping Bag
Warm to 30 degrees or less. Lightweight and compact (when stuffed in a compression stuff-sack it should be no larger than 12" x 20"). Synthetic or down is acceptable. Carry on the plane with you.

Sleeping Pad
Compact and either 3/4 or full length. Closed cell foam (thin and firm) or self-inflating is acceptable.

Utensils
6" to 8" plastic dish or bowl with top; insulated plastic mug; spoon, fork and knife. These don't need to be special camping utensils. A Rubbermaid (or similar) dish and regular utensils are fine.

Headlamp
Small and lightweight. This comes in very handy in camp when it's dark and you're using both hands.

Clothing

Please bring only the clothes listed below and do not wear an extra set of clothes for the flight. At trip start, your leaders will distribute group gear and they will help you repack your panniers and bike—at that time any unnecessary items will be mailed home.

Fleece Jacket or Pullover & Long Fleece Pants
Please don't bring jeans or sweatpants. They are heavy, bulky and will not keep you warm if wet.

Synthetic Long Underwear Top or Synthetic Long-Sleeve Shirt
One only. Synthetic material will keep you warm in varying weather and is a comfortable layer to wear while biking or in camp.

Waterproof, Breathable Rain Jacket
Your rain gear must be waterproof (not just water resistant). Gore-Tex is one of the better-known waterproof, breathable fabric brands, but there are many to choose from. Ponchos are not acceptable.

Padded Bike Shorts
Two pairs. These are spandex shorts with a padded seat called a chamois. Bike shorts should fit snugly and feel comfortable to reduce chafing and any discomforts from sitting on a bike seat for long distance rides.

Around Camp Shorts
One pair. Athletic shorts work well around camp as they are comfortable to wear, light and compressible to pack.

T-Shirts
Three. Synthetic preferred. Bike jerseys are acceptable but not necessary.

Underwear
Four. Typically underwear is not worn under bike shorts, but you'll need some for around camp and days off.

Socks
Four pairs; at least one warm, synthetic pair for inclement weather and around camp.

Pajamas
One pair only. Pajamas aren't required as many students sleep in shorts and a t-shirt.

Bathing Suit
One only. For Paris to the Sea, boys should bring a Speedo as most pools in France require it...sorry guys.

Sport Sandals
For trips with rafting (Pacific Coast) students must have sandals with a heel strap. For Paris to the Sea flip-flops are also okay if you do not have sport sandals.

Miscellaneous Gear

Towel
Medium size cotton or synthetic. Synthetic camp towls will dry faster and are more compactable.

Plastic Bags
Ten large ziplocks and five tall kitchen trash bags. The trash bags will be used to line your panniers and to wrap your sleeping bag and pad in. The ziplocks will be used to organize and waterproof the rest of your gear.

Toiletries
All travel size (in a plastic bag). If necessary, you will be able to restock en route.

Sunglasses, Sunscreen (SPF 15+), Chapstick (with SPF protection) & Insect Repellent

Paperback Book and/or Journal
Optional.

Digital Camera & Extra Batteries
Great for documenting the trip. Make sure you bring a large enough memory card (1 to 4 GB).

Spending Money
For Pacifc Coast $25/week in cash or with a debit or ATM card. For Paris to the Sea $50/week in cash or with a debit or ATM card. If you are flying home at the end of your trip, please bring additional money to set aside to pay the airline bike fee for your return flight.

Valid Passport - Paris to the Sea only.
Leave a photocopy of your passport at home and bring an additional passport copy with you.

Cell Phones, Electronics and Personal Property

Please note the following important policies:

Our programs offer the opportunity to strengthen independence and self-reliance. To maximize these benefits, we do not permit phone calls to or from our students (except in the case of emergency).

If it is important for your son or daughter to be able to call you while en route to Overland, we recommend that you purchase an inexpensive phone card that your son or daughter can use at any airport pay phone.

If you feel that it is necessary to send your son or daughter with a phone, please do not send an expensive smart phone like an iPhone or BlackBerry. Send an inexpensive prepaid cell phone instead. On arrival we will collect all phones but we have found that safeguarding these phones is problematic given that our programs move from place to place. Despite our best efforts over $25,000 in phones have been lost, damaged or stolen in the last two years alone. We regret that due to the expense involved in replacing these items, we take absolutely no responsibility whatsoever for phones, electronics or personal property brought by students and we will not make any reimbursements for lost, damaged or stolen phones, electronics or personal property.

Communications

To maximize independence and self-reliance, we do not permit phone calls, emails or text messages to or from our students (except in the case of an emergency).
Your child will call home with our phones and assistance on arrival and departure if he/she flies to his/her program.
In the case of an emergency, we will make sure you are in touch with your child as soon as possible.

Cell Phones

Cell phone use is prohibited on all Overland programs.
Any phone brought by a student will be collected by us on arrival and returned at departure.
If you decide to bring a phone, do not bring an expensive smartphone (e.g., iPhone or BlackBerry); instead bring an inexpensive prepaid cell phone (better yet, bring an inexpensive prepaid calling card).

Personal Electronics

We do not permit personal electronics (e.g., iPods, Kindles or iPads) except for digital cameras.
We do not permit emergency response or GPS tracking electronics.
Any electronics brought by a student will be collected by us on arrival and mailed home or returned at departure.

Personal Property

Overland is not responsible for any student’s personal property—including but not limited to: phones, electronics, cameras, equipment, bicycles and clothing. Please schedule all expensive items on your homeowners insurance policy to ensure that your child/ward’s personal property and equipment is covered against loss, damage or theft.

No Reimbursements for Lost, Damaged or Stolen Phone, Electronics and Personal Property

Despite taking precautions, some phones, electronics and personal property brought by students (and collected by us) have been lost, damaged or stolen. We regret that due to the expense involved in replacing these items, we take absolutely no responsibility whatsoever for phones, electronics or personal property brought by students and we will not make any reimbursements for lost, damaged or stolen phones, electronics or personal property.

Questions or concerns? Please call us. Your understanding and cooperation are appreciated.

Travel Information

Families are responsible for making travel arrangements to Seattle, Washington, at SEA-TAC Airport and from the San Francisco, California, International Airport. Overland’s leaders will be on hand at the airport to provide supervision and assistance at trip start and end.

DROP OFF: Seattle-Tacoma Intl Airport (SEA) Baggage Claim #1 at 10:00 a.m. Saturday
PICK UP: San Francisco Intl Airport (SFO), Terminal 1, Delta Check-In Area 8:00 a.m. Friday
FLIGHT ARRIVAL: Seattle-Tacoma Intl Airport (SEA) between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon Saturday
FLIGHT DEPARTURE: San Francisco Intl Airport (SFO) between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon Friday

Any other special cases, please call Overland to coordinate, if you have not done so already.

Flight & Travel Information 2012

Program Start & End Information 2012

Mail Stops

Students have the chance to receive mail at designated stops along the route. Please follow instructions below to properly address mail to your student's PC section. Please send mail well in advance to ensure delivery to the group.

PC A

Mail Stop #1: Mail must arrive prior to June 30th to ensure deliver to the group

Student's Name , Overland PC A

c/o General Delivery

770 Maple St

Florence, OR 97439-9491

Please write, "Hold for arrival 7/3/11" on the lower left corner of the envelope/package

Mail Stop # 2: Mail must arrive prior to July 10th to ensure delivery to the group

Student's Name, Overland PC A

c/o General Delivery

357 Main St

Trinidad, CA 95570

Please write, "Hold for arrival 7/11/11" on the lower left corner of the envelope/package

Mail Stop #3: Mail must arrive prior to July 18th to ensure delivery to the group

Student's Name, Overland PC A

c/o Hostelling International Fisherman's Wharf

Building 240, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123

Please write, "Hold for arrival 7/19/11" on the lower left corner of the envelope/package

Please note: Mail addressed to a General Delivery post office address must be sent via USPS only. Mail sent by UPS or FedEx will not be accepted at a General Delivery address.

PC B

Mail Stop #1: Mail must arrive prior to June 30th to ensure deliver to the group

Student's Name , Overland PC B

c/o General Delivery

310 SW 2nd St

Newport, OR 97365

Please write, "Hold for arrival 7/3/11" on the lower left corner of the envelope/package

Mail Stop # 2: Mail must arrive prior to July 7th to ensure delivery to the group

Student's Name, Overland PC B

c/o General Delivery

751 2nd St

Crescent City, CA 95531

Please write, "Hold for arrival 7/9/11" on the lower left corner of the envelope/package

Mail Stop #3: Mail must arrive prior to July 18th to ensure delivery to the group

Student's Name, Overland PC B

c/o Hostelling International Fisherman's Wharf

Building 240, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123

Please write, "Hold for arrival 7/19/11" on the lower left corner of the envelope/package

Please note: Mail addressed to a General Delivery post office address must be sent via USPS only. Mail sent by UPS or FedEx will not be accepted at a General Delivery address.

PC C

Mail Stop #1: Mail must arrive prior to June 30th to ensure deliver to the group

Student's Name , Overland PC C

c/o General Delivery

35230 Brooten Rd

Pacific City, OR 97135

Please write, "Hold for arrival 7/3/11" on the lower left corner of the envelope/package

Mail Stop # 2: Mail must arrive prior to July 9th to ensure delivery to the group

Student's Name, Overland PC C

c/o General Delivery

751 2nd St

Crescent City, CA 95531

Please write, "Hold for arrival 7/10/11" on the lower left corner of the envelope/package

Mail Stop #3: Mail must arrive prior to July 18th to ensure delivery to the group

Student's Name, Overland PC C

c/o Hostelling International Fisherman's Wharf

Building 240, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123

Please write, "Hold for arrival 7/19/11" on the lower left corner of the envelope/package

Please note: Mail addressed to a General Delivery post office address must be sent via USPS only. Mail sent by UPS or FedEx will not be accepted at a General Delivery address.

PC D

Mail Stop #1: Mail must arrive prior to June 30th to ensure deliver to the group

Student's Name , Overland PC D

c/o General Delivery

301 Fir Ave

Reedsport, OR 97467-1424

Please write, "Hold for arrival 7/3/11" on the lower left corner of the envelope/package

Mail Stop # 2: Mail must arrive prior to July 9th to ensure delivery to the group

Student's Name, Overland PC D

c/o General Delivery

357 Main St

Trinidad, CA 95570

Please write, "Hold for arrival 7/10/11" on the lower left corner of the envelope/package

Mail Stop #3: Mail must arrive prior to July 18th to ensure delivery to the group

Student's Name, Overland PC D

c/o Hostelling International Downtown

312 Mason Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Please write, "Hold for arrival 7/19/11" on the lower left corner of the envelope/package

Please note: Mail addressed to a General Delivery post office address must be sent via USPS only. Mail sent by UPS or FedEx will not be accepted at a General Delivery address.