Ride Something Else: the OC adventure

Are you looking for a mini bike adventure or want to (re)discover Orange County in a different way? Want to dip your toes into multi-day cycling with a touch of bikepacking experience? Come join me for a 3-day ride+camp adventure from the ocean to the mountains and back!

Photo: Monica Hammond

I'm excited to present "Ride Something Else" (yep, that's the name of the event 🙂), an adventure group ride that takes participants from the beach to the mountains, exploring the many beautiful riding areas Orange County has to offer. This is not a race! There is no timing, no podium and no awards. Just a lot of fun to be had with new friends, memories for life and the satisfaction of completing this 3-day ride !

I'll be your guide for 3 days and we will have a support vehicle to carry all your camping gear to the campgrounds. Meals will be provided as well as some aid stations along the course, so you don't have to worry about getting all the bikepacking equipment and having to ride with all that stuff strapped to your bike. All you'll have to do is enjoy the ride!!

Interested? Keep reading for more details.

Dates: from Friday May 2nd to Sunday May 4th 2025

Start and finish at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point

The route: 3 days from the ocean to the mountains and back

Day 1: Dana Point to O'Neill Campground - 32mi / 3,800ft

Day 2: O'Neill Campground to Blue Jay Campground - 22mi / 5,100ft

Day 3: Blue Jay Campground to Dana Point - 39mi / 2,300ft

Remember that this is a group ride, not a race! We will ride at a pace that is sustainable for all participants to complete this challenge TOGETHER!

Photos: Monica Hammond

Price per person: $150 - what's included?

• Guiding for 3 days

• Campground for 2 nights

• Support vehicle and equipment transport for 3 days

• Mid-course aid station on Day 1 and Day 3

• 2x after ride snacks at campground

• 2x dinner at campground

• 2x breakfast at campground

• Swag bag 🙂

Who is this for? Here are some basic requirements that will help you decide if you are ready to Ride Something Else:

• Intermediate level of mountain biking : good handling skills to be confident on singletracks, able to ride switchbacks and safely clear small rock gardens

• Intermediate to advanced fitness level : able to comfortably ride 30mi and 4’000ft in one ride.

• Trail or XC bike is the ideal bike for this route (at least front suspension is the minimum for this ride). No gravel bikes. No e-bikes.

• Bring your own camping gear. You won’t have to carry it, our driver will bring it to the campground for you. Keep in mind that our space at the campground is limited, so please bring a 1-person or 2-person tent or consider sharing your tent with a friend if you are coming with a friend. If you don't have any camping equipment, you can rent everything at Sports Basement.

So... are you in? If the answer is yes, please send me an email to sarah.didier@outlook.com to secure your spot and get more info. Don't hesitate for too long, spots are limited!

Photo: Monica Hammond