Embarking on a trip to Catalina Island with our electric bikes was an adventure we eagerly anticipated. We started our journey by parking at the Long Beach Catalina Express terminal, ready to board the ferry to Avalon with our ebikes. Transporting them was seamless; we simply detached the batteries, placing them in our daypacks to comply with regulations, and hopped aboard.
Upon arriving in Avalon, the charming main city of Catalina Island, our first order of business was breakfast, followed by a quick stop at Vons Market for essential supplies – including some celebratory Tito’s Vodka for later! Fully provisioned, we set our sights on Two Harbors, anticipating a scenic ride. However, the initial 3.5 miles proved to be a formidable climb. Each of us relied heavily on maximum assist and the lowest gear on our bikes just to conquer the steep incline. Reaching the summit was a victory in itself, where we encountered two aviators who had flown into Catalina Airport. They were about to descend into Avalon on their “one wheel” skateboards to meet their wives arriving by ferry – a unique island commute!
The subsequent 10 miles presented a landscape of rolling hills and a mix of dirt and patched asphalt roads. The road conditions were quite challenging, with numerous repairs creating a bumpy, cobblestone-like riding experience. To optimize battery range on my e-bike, I had inflated my tires to 75 psi, hoping to minimize rolling resistance. Eventually, we reached the Catalina Airport and gratefully discovered an outdoor electrical outlet at the dining patio. My wife and I seized the opportunity to recharge our bikes, adding a valuable 10% to our battery levels during our lunch break. Refueled and refreshed, we resumed our ride, soon facing more demanding climbs that again necessitated maximum assist and first gear. The airport marked our halfway point, at 12 miles into our overall journey.
Finally, we arrived in Two Harbors and located our hotel, perched atop yet another hill. The thought of tackling one more uphill stretch was less than appealing! With our battery levels at just 18%, the earlier charge at the airport proved to be a crucial decision, providing just enough juice to reach our destination.
The following day was dedicated to relaxation and recovery on the beach in Two Harbors. Originally, we planned to bike back to Avalon, but we reconsidered given the challenging terrain and our energy levels. We opted for the ferry instead. However, we learned the ferry from Two Harbors only went to San Pedro, not directly to Long Beach where our trucks were parked. We adjusted our plans; upon reaching San Pedro, the wives stayed with the bikes while my friend and I took an Uber from San Pedro back to Long Beach to retrieve our vehicles. We finally arrived home around 4 pm, concluding our Avalon Bike adventure.
My wife and I rode 2020 Turbo Vado 3.0 e-bikes, while our friends were equipped with fat tire e-bikes featuring dual batteries. Reflecting on the trip, we are already planning a return next year, but we’re leaning towards making it a one-way Avalon bike experience to better suit the island’s demanding but beautiful landscape.
