Pacific Coast

Overview

Few coastlines in the world can match the magnificence of the beaches, bluffs and bays that stretch between Seattle and San Francisco. And few experiences can match the exhilaration of riding your bicycle across the Golden Gate Bridge after four fantastic weeks of bicycling 1,000 miles of this breathtaking coastline. Following the route Overland groups have enjoyed for over 20 years, ride through rural farmlands, along spectacular beaches and under towering stands of redwoods before triumphantly crossing the Golden Gate into San Francisco.

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 from our campsites in state parks. 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, paddle inflatable kayaks and hike to an incredible riverside waterfall. The last leg of our trip takes us down the California coast. We’ll ride through ancient stands of stately redwoods and charming towns like Mendocino and Bodega Bay. As we near the Bay Area, we’ll enjoy our last days of biking together before our final ride: a celebratory crossing of the Golden Gate Bridge. At trip’s end in San Francisco, we’ll look back on a month of fun, friendship and accomplishment.

“Our leaders were outstanding, and every student rose to each challenge” Molly Leonard, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Highlights

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

Grade

For students who will finish grades 8-12 in June 2010.

Call us (800.458.0588) 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

Families are responsible for making travel arrangements to and from the trip start/end locations. Overland’s leaders will be on hand at the arrival and departure airports to provide supervision and assistance. The Pacific Coast trip starts in Seattle, Washington at SEA-TAC Airport and ends at the San Francisco, California International Airport.

Dates and Fees

4 Weeks

Saturday, June 26 to Friday, July 23

$4295 (airfare not included)

“Before the start of each trip, I worry that the leaders could never be as good as his prior trip leaders.  Each year, I am pleased and impressed that his new leaders are just as talented, qualified and wonderful.” Nancy Schumacher, Short Hills, New Jersey

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

Just 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 love everything about Overland! From eating s'mores around a campfire, to playing frisbee on the beach, I could not have asked for a better summer.” Alice Marson, Birmingham, Alabama

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:

1. Your fitness. If you are reasonably fit and reasonably active you will do just fine.
2. Your motivation. It’s not always easy—you must be motivated!
3. 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!

“The trip was perfect! I will remember the friends that I made on this trip forever.” Sydney Thompson, Dallas, Texas

Photos

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Videos

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Prepare & Pack

Pacific Coast

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. 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 comfortable getting on and off your bike, shifting gears, braking, making turns and riding with weight; and 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.

Fully Self-Contained Bicycle Trips

Overland bicycle tours are 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.

Packing for Your Trip

Our packing list is designed to keep you safe and comfortable while biking and camping this summer. Keep in mind, however, that there are a wide range of products available in terms of clothing and equipment. Overland programs are relatively short and although you want your clothing and equipment to be durable, this does not mean it has to be top of the line. Often times more basic and less expensive options perform just as well. Some of our favorite brands in terms of quality of product for a reasonable price include REI, EMS and L.L.Bean.

Label the following items with your name, address and phone number.  Bring only what you need and pack everything in your panniers. You can tape or strap your panniers together to check them as one piece of luggage. Please take your helmet and sleeping bag and pad with you on the plane as carry-on items in case your checked luggage fails to arrive on time.

Please bring only the clothes listed below. Do not wear an extra set of clothes for the flight. By layering you will stay cool on warm days, dry on rainy days and warm on cool nights. You will have the chance to do laundry periodically.

Clothing

• 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.


• Winter Hat
  To stay warm in camp on cool nights. Temperatures can get into the 40's at night.


• Waterproof, Breathable Rain Jacket
  Your rain gear must be waterproof (not just water and/or wind resistant). GoreTex is one of the better-known waterproof, breathable fabrics, but there are many of these fabrics to choose from. Ponchos are not acceptable as they are difficult to ride in and don't provide the same protection that a rain jacket does.


• Shorts To Bike In
  Two pairs of bike shorts. 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 for biking (at least one synthetic). One for around camp. Bike jerseys are not necessary. You'll need one synthetic shirt for inclement weather, otherwise cotton is fine.


• 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.


• Sport Sandals
  With a heel strap for rafting, swimming and around camp. No flip-flops or Crocs as these will not be acceptable for rafting. If you do not have sport sandals, your sneakers will work fine for rafting and around camp.

Biking & Camping Equipment

• Bicycle & Rear Rack
  Please see the The Right Bicycle For Your Overland Trip form. Please note:  If you plan to do the American Challenge or European Challenge in the future, and you are buying a new bike now, the Trek 520 or the Cannondale Touring 2 is recommended for those trips. If you have trouble finding or fitting one of the recommended bikes, please contact Ashley Ransom at ashley@overlandsummers.com.


• 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, 2500-3500 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. Optional.


• Shoes For Biking
  Any comfortable biking shoes (with tread—no racing shoes), running shoes, all-terrain shoes or sneakers are fine.


• 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. Carry on the plane with you.


• 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.

Miscellaneous Gear

• Towel
  Medium size cotton towel or synthetic camping towel.


• 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. Your group will collectively keep a group journal and you will receive a copy of the journal after the trip. If you would like to keep your own journal though, you should bring one.


• Camera/Batteries/Memory Card

Optional. Interested in seeing your photographs or videos on Overland's website next year? Bring a camera with lots of pixels (10 or more) and lots of memory (4GB or more). Buying a new camera? One of our favorites is the Canon PowerShot SD960 IS digital camera.

• Spending Money
  $50/week for souvenirs, gifts and necessities (like more sunscreen if you run out, camera film or envelopes to mail letters). 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.

Note: Please do not bring any type of knife or multi-tool (e.g., Swiss Army Knife, Leatherman).

We do not permit personal electronics on our programs (e.g., cellphones and iPods). We do, however, allow students who fly to their program to carry a cell phone while traveling; on arrival, Overland's leaders will collect all cell phones for the duration of the program and return them for flights home. Perhaps, a better option would be to bring a pre-paid phone card so that the leaders do not have to carry cell phones for the duration of the program.

Bringing A Bicycle On The Plane

If you are flying to the start of your trip, you will need to box your bike prior to your flights so that you can check the boxed bike as a piece of luggage. Most airlines charge about $100 one-way to check a bike. Please let your airline know that you will be bringing a bike, as many small planes cannot accommodate bike boxes. Please bring and set aside money to pay the bike fee for your return flight.

To box your bike, bring the bike to a bike shop where a mechanic will break it down and box it for about $10 to $25. Please make sure the mechanic leaves the cables attached and protected and does not remove the rear derailleur. For instructions on how to box your bike yourself, click here.

Admissions

Below is the Admissions Materials packet and other information for Pacific Coast.

Admissions Materials 2010

Bicycle Report 2010

The Right Bicycle For Your Overland Trip 2010

Flight & Travel Information 2010

Program Start & End Information 2010

Pacific Coast Release Form 2010

Apply

We welcome your interest in joining Overland this summer!

To apply, please complete and sign the application on page 47 of the Overland catalog or download an application. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the application).

Please refer to page 46 of our catalog for important information you should know before signing the application.

Send your application and $795 deposit to:

Overland
P.O. Box 31
Williamstown, MA 01267

For overnight mail via UPS or FedEx, please use our street address:

Overland
63 Spring Street
Williamstown, MA 01267

Sorry, we are unable to accept applications by fax, and we do not take credit cards. Applications are reviewed in the order in which they arrive at our office and we cannot hold spots over the phone.

To learn about our admissions process, please click here.