Bikepack Social | Meteor Shower – Aug 11-12

$25 early-bird discounts

Limit 30 Participants

What is the Bikepack Social & Meteor Shower?

It’s a beautiful, two-day, bikepacking ride around the Sierra Valley. Riders will carry their personal gear and sleep kits and camp at Beckwourth Peak High Camp where they will enjoy hot showers, catered meals, campfire, and camaraderie with other riders. We’ll get up early to watch the Perseids Meteor Shower light up the sky from an open ridgetop. The event is designed for both seasoned and new bikepackers who enjoy beautiful routes and hanging out with other humans. Tent camping and glamping options are available.

Day 1: Ride from Sierraville to Beckwourth Peak High Camp (44 miles | 2,300 ft elevation gain)
Day 2: Ride from Beckwourth Peak High Camp back to Sierraville (31 miles | 2,900 ft elevation gain)

The rides are unsupported. Each day, we’ll start together and there will be an optional, mid-ride regroup point, but there are no sag vehicles or “guides” on the ride. Although the rides are less than 50 miles each day, the suggested routes have some long climbs, so riders need to come prepared.

Where are we staying?

On Sunday night, you’ll stay at Beckwourth Peak High Camp, which is an off-grid, 60-acre property on Beckwourth Peak. It’s inside the Plumas National Forest, so it feels remote, but the small town of Portola is only 1 mile down the mountain. Facilities include two modern bathrooms with hot showers, potable water, shaded picnic area, communal campfire, and power outlets (no wifi, but great cell service). There’s plenty space for tents – you can setup closer to the central hangout area or go farther up the mountain if you’d prefer a quieter spot.

What’s the itinerary?

Day 1 (Sunday): Meet and park your car in Sierraville at the Sierraville Service & Country Store. The route will be a mix of gravel and quiet, paved roads. We’ll rollout as a group at 9am to avoid any heat on the climb towards Sardine Peak. Then, we’ll descend into Loyalton for an optional lunch stop and mid-ride regroup. Next, it’s a scenic cruise across the Sierra Valley to reach Portola. Stop in town to pick up any alcohlic drinks that you’d like to enjoy and then head up to High Camp. Pitch your tent or checkin to a cabin or yurt. Enjoy a communal dinner (provided), and a campfire with your fellow riders.

Day 2 (Monday): 4am wake up call, coffee, and a short walk up to a ridge to enjoy the peak of the Perseids Meteor Shower – 50 shooting stars per hour – before first light (5:43am). Later, enjoy breakfast (provided) and pack snacks and PB & J sandwiches (provided) for your ride back to Sierraville. Break down your camp and load up your bike in time for the 9am group rollout.

The route will be a mix of singletrack, gravel and quiet, paved roads. We’ll start by climbing the Beckwourth Peak Trail, which is non-technical singletrack. Then, we’ll descend on gravel roads towards Calpine. We’ll do one last climb to enjoy the views from a fire lookout before dropping back into the Sierra Valley. A flat, scenic ride along the valley brings us back to Sierraville.

What meals are included?

At High Camp, a delicious dinner and breakfast will be provided by local restaurants. Alcohol is not provided, but you can grab some in Portola. On the morning of Day 2, we’ll provide snacks (PB & J, fruit, & chips) for you to pack on your ride back to Sierraville. One Day 1, there is an optional lunch stop in Loyalton (not included).

Sunday Dinner – provided by Cuccia’s in Graeagle

Pasta with pesto and grilled chicken
Meat Ravioli with Marinara
Vegetarian option: Sacchetti with Alfredo sauce , mushroom filled pasta
Salad: Classic Caesar Salad & Spinach Salad
Garlic bread
Tiramisu or cheese cake

Breakfasts – provided by Nicole’s Coffee Depot in Portola

Coffee & hot water for tea
Breakfast bagel or burrito (egg, ham, cheese, bacon)
Fruit
Vegetarian option: oatmeal with dried fruit

Are the rides supported?

No, not at all. Although there will be other riders on the suggested routes, you are solely responsible for getting from point A to B and for your own health and safety… no traffic controls, no directional or hazard markings, no aid stations, no sag vehicles, no mechanics. Nothing. Nada. We just provide suggested routes on Ride with GPS, which you can navigate with your phone or GPS device. Most of the route has cell covereage, but consider riding with a friend or carrying a satelite device, such as a Garmin InReach.

What bike do I need?

The suggested routes are mostly gravel, forest roads, but they include some pavement and non-technical singletrack. The ideal “freedom machine” would be a gravel bike (42-45mm tires) or hard-tail mountain bike. And, since the rides are unsupported, plan on carying 3+ liters of water, snacks, extra clothes, and tools. High Camp has power, so e-bikes with adequate range are an option.

Be sure that your bikepacking bags can fit your clothing (for both on/off the bike) and your sleep kit: tent, sleeping bag, and ground pad. Bring a coffee cup if you drink coffee or tea. Otherwise, you don’t need any cooking gear because the meals will be provided.

What’s the price?

$300 per rider (early-bird discounts available). This includes a 1-night tent permit, all the food mentioned above, campfires (if fire ban isn’t in effect), modern bathrooms and showers, and a 14% occupancy tax and transaction fee. Cabin and yurt rentals are extra.

What is the cabin or yurt rental option?

Turn up your glamping experience, leave your sleep kit at home, and rent a modern, bunkhouse cabin or our yurt. Share it with friends! Everyone staying in a cabin or yurt still needs to register and pay for a Bikepack Social spot.

To book a cabin or yurt for the night of Sunday, Aug 11th , click on a link below.

Currently available:

What’s the cancellation policy?

If you cancel by July 28th, you get a refund, minus 10%. After July 28th, there are no refunds, but you can transfer your spot — you must notify us and the new rider must sign a waiver. No transfers after August 5th. The cancellation policy applies to cabin and yurt rentals too.

What happens after I register?

After you sign the waiver and pay for your spot, you’ll be invited to a private Facebook group where additional information will be posted. You can also ask questions and chat with other participants (e.g., consider coordinating carpools).

Do you have a map of the routes?

Yes. Here is a draft of the routes. Final route details and addititional information will be provided to registered riders a couple weeks before August 11th.

Blue= Day 1: Sierraville to Beckwourth Peak High Camp (44 miles | 2,300 ft elevation gain)
Red = Day 2: Beckwourth Peak High Camp to Sierraville (31 miles | 2,900 ft elevation gain)