Adventure Overview
Soft light edges the horizon as the crew gather at Jedidiah Coffee. Among them is Coach Eric Schuman — everyone calls him Schu. He’s got more than 30 years of racing and endurance riding under his belt, including finishing the TransAm Bike Race. His eyes are sharp, relaxed, yet ready for the day.
We all have a coffee and catch up: stories, smiles, the small moments that matter. Then Schu gives the plan:
“We’re going to settle into a comfortable pace heading out to Back Bay. The ride is fairly flat. Once we hit Back Bay, we’ll work on drafting—riding close but safe, smooth rotations, sharing wind and effort”.
We jump on our bikes and roll north along PCH. The ocean is still calm, light soft. Schu leads—not pushing but guiding. He points out potholes to keep us all safe.
The PCH hum fades. We roll onto the paved Back Bay Loop Trail, a winding 10.5-mile path tracing Upper Newport Bay’s edge
Here, the world softens. Wetlands mirror the sky. Tall reeds rustle; water lilies float. Keep an eye out for herons, ducks, and shorebirds gliding across the calm patches of bay. On quiet stretches, you might spot bunnies darting among the brush, or squirrles slipping into the brush.
Here’s where the group practices drafting: smooth rotations, letting one lead, others follow, front position rotates, wind shared.
We pause at Upper Castaways Park, where we have a panoramic sweep of bay with its sailboats. The sun has climbed a bit: warm on skin, but tempered by morning breeze. Humidity still moderate; skies mostly clear, just enough haze to soften edges.
Bird calls echo. Wings flap from hidden perches. Light dances on water’s surface. We take a slow breath — a moment to soak it in.
Leaving the bay’s quiet, we ride the loop back through Corona del Mar’s winding backroads. Each turn opens new glimpses of cliffs, ocean waves, and glints of sunlight off the water.
Laguna Beach welcomes us in the final miles — El Morro Beach, the cliffs edge rising, sand stretching, the ocean deep blue and vibrant with the sunlight shining on it. The sound of waves crashes as we all use a steady cadence on this last small climb heading home.
We return to Jedidiah Coffee. 28 miles, smiles, stories, shared effort. Schu leans his bike, and says, “Good ride.” But everyone knows: the ride was about more than distance—it was about teamwork, connection, and moments.
Route Map
- Laguna Beach, CA to Newport Beach, CA
Total distance: 45727 m
Max elevation: 45 m
Min elevation: 1 m
Total climbing: 532 m
Total descent: -532 m
Max elevation: 45 m
Min elevation: 1 m
Total climbing: 532 m
Total descent: -532 m
Bestest Trip
- Laguna Beach, CA to Newport Beach, CA
- Route: Jedidiah Coffee → Back Bay Loop Trail → Jedidiah Coffee
- Distance: Approximately 28 miles
- Elevation Gain: Minimal; mostly flat with slight inclines (approx. 1,200 vertical)
- Surface: Primarily paved bike paths with car access, on-road sections on PCH
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Estimated Time: 2 hours, depending on pace and stops
- Bring: sunscreen, layers for cooler times, water and nutrition to sustain you for the ride.
- Coach / Guide: Reach out to “Schu” directly to coordinate at Laguna Bike Experience
- Gear: From out of town and need a bike? Solid Demo bikes can be reserved at Specialized in Costa Mesa.
- Grab a bite after: Try The Deck for a water front beach bar or Zinc Café for a heathy post ride local café.
- Nearby Places to stay: The Montage, Pelican Hill Resort, or for a boutique experience try Hotel Joaquin.