Day Trip – Ebike Riding on Catalina Island
I had the pleasure of visiting Catalina Island not once but twice last year. We scouted the island as a potential press & media day for the release of the SUPER73-ZX. Unfortunately, the logistics around getting bikes on the island among other expenses were going to be too much so ultimately decided on the Petersen Automotive Museum. But it was a great experience riding around the island without having to rent a golf cart or hoof it to get around. A few months later my family rented a timeshare in Hamilton Cove and we had access to golf carts but I secretly wished we brought some bikes over.
This adventure started with an idea among some friends. We’ve talked about riding on the island and we just needed a date to see who all can go. We then checked times for the Catalina Express in Long Beach, CA which is only an hour long boat ride to Avalon. Be mindful if you’re prone to sea sickness. The boat will rock a little from time to time. I witnessed a little boy get sick and it wasn’t pretty. I spare you the details.
“Electric bikes with pedals are allowed. Electric bikes must have a battery that can be detached during the trip over to Catalina. Storage is designated by the crew. Protective packaging is advised. Reservation recommended. $3.50 each way, per article.”
Ebikes are allowed for a small fee but make sure you bring your battery key as they require you to remove your battery. Once you remove it, hold onto it for the duration of the ride. I recommend bringing a backpack to store it. From Long Beach to Avalon you’re looking at spending $42 for a general seating ticket. Round trip with taxes and fees will be around $90 when all said and done. A getaway that won’t break the bank in my opinion.
BIKE OF CHOICE + ACCESSORIES
SUPER73-RX Mojave
- Rear Rack
- Side Rack
- Cargo Crate
- Center Molle Panel
- Chrome Industries Bags
- Newport Battery (extra)
- Kryptonite U-lock
- Water Bottle
If you’re looking to ride up to the airport and the village at Two Harbors, you’ll need a bike permit. It’s required to ride into the island's interior and it benefits the Catalina Island Conservancy. Memberships start at $35 per year and can be picked up at their office in Avalon just passed the volleyball and basketball courts. I had a bike permit from last year so it helped with this trip. What you should know is that the one main road heading up the Airport-in-the-Sky is pretty beat up. When I say “beat up” I mean like riding on swiss cheese. A full suspension bike like the R-Series works for this type of terrain. Helmets are required or you won’t be able to ride in this area. There are places to rent a bike helmet if needed. You’ll find it to be a bit challenging at first until you hit the dirt paths (fire roads). The views are well worth the climb and there are some turnouts where you are able to stop and just take it all in. You’ll see some hikers, other cyclists and tours along this same road so be mindful and stay to the right. GRZLY tires are a must-have for this trip as we did hit all different types of terrain; asphalt, concrete, hard-packed dirt and gravel.
The airport is a great stop to charge your battery and grab a bite or drink. It’s 1,600 feet above sea level and one of the highest points on the island. The staff was super friendly and recommended a few routes to take on our way back. So we checked our GPS and Little Harbor was only 6 mile trip and mostly downhill. It consisted of some campsites, public restrooms, and picnic tables. A nice stop if you’re looking to camp on the westside of the island. When riding in the interior, we were lucky enough to see a total of four bison. One we came across relieving himself which maybe wasn’t the ideal time to try and snap a photo. The others we saw were together walking away from a nearby tour that had stopped to take photos. Cool to finally see them in person after all these visits. They are a sight to see and they are massive. I hear they can run up to around 30 mph which can be frightening.
While in Avalon, there are plenty of places to ride to and enjoy. The Buffalo Nickel is one of the oldest restaurants on the island and are famous for their Buffalo Milk drink. Just down the road is Wrigley Rd. which will take you to several picturesque overlooks that you will find in a lot of tourists photos. It’s a bit of a climb too but you can manage on PAS. You’ll be able to see Avalon and the world famous Catalina Island Casino which isn’t an actually casino but an entertainment venue. It has 360 degree view of Avalon bay and the ceilings are 50 feet high. Right around the corner from there is Descanso Beach Club. A very nice waterfront resort with a beachside restaurant & bar, cabanas, plenty of activities, and summer parties. Some years ago I got see the Dirty Heads perform here and it was a blast. Thank you Hampton Productions.
Funny enough, we came across an RX locked up near an apartment complex. Someone came out and we asked who the owner was. The gentleman called him up and he came over to greet us. It was someone that worked for Revive Kombucha and knew all of our old contacts. What a small world. We also ran into a couple that was riding on their RX getting back into town. Everyone we meet on a SUPER73 has nothing but nice things to say about their ride and experience. It’s really refreshing to hear these stories without me even telling them that I work for the company.
To keep this short, I’ll list more stops at the bottom with links to check out while your in town. We had such a fun time ripping around the island and seeing all the sights. If you’re looking for an all-day adventure that’s only an hour away from LA, check out Catalina Island. Getting around on your bike is the best way to see the whole island.
As always, ride safe and have fun!
LIST OF STOPS — CLICK HERE