Re: [pct-l] PCT & biking

[refunk@uswest.net]

Dear Dondo & Margo,

	The PCBT was created by a guy named Bil (that's 1 L) Paul (no relation - Paul
is part of my first name only), and I don't know if he ever rode it in one
lump, but he rode it all the way in many sections. It is not an official route
of any organization, and is not signed in any way.
 
> I love the idea of the PCBT. Is there such a thing or is it a route you put together on
> your own. How can I find out more?

	In 1990, Bittersweet Publishing put out his guidebook by the same name, "The
Pacific Crest Bicycle Trail," and as far as I know it has only printed one
edition. The guidebook gives section rides for the whole length, elevation
plots, waypoints and maps for each section/day. It's a pretty tight guide,
informationwise, not cluttered, though illustrated with b/w photos from the
route. There is, however, the consideration that it is now more than 10 years
old and I know for certain that some of the roads have changed, and I imagine
services and other access as well.

	Mr. Paul also wrote a number of other cycling books. Here is the address out
of the PCBT book I have: Bittersweet Publishing Company, P.O. Box 1211,
Livermore, CA 94551. I made an attempt to contact both him and this publisher
by mail once & received no replies.

	I would be willing to share more information about the PCBT, including my own
research into modification thereof, if anyone's that interested. I have yet to
meet anyone who has ridden even a part, except myself. It seems to exist
mostly in rumor and myth, as in, "Oh, yeah, my friend's uncle's ex -gardener
rode that all the way to California..."

	My intent in riding this year is to finish the route as close to Bil Paul's
original track as possible (including side trips looping right back to
breakout point). Subsequently, I would like to do the whole shebang as a
thru-ride, only with routes remapped closer to the actual PCT (especially at
the beginning and end. I believe Mr. Paul to be an experienced bike tourer,
but his route was not compiled for the dirt or gravel roads which lay closest
to the national scenic trail). 

Jene-Paul
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