Southern California 7-10 day bikepacking trip Mohave?

[MarcV]

Hi
I will be in the Los Angeles area late september 2018 and have about 7-10 days time for a small cycling tour. I have not decided yet if i should bring my own bike from Europe or just the panniers and rent a (mountain) bike. At home in the NL i have Koga Miyata Globetraveller touring bike.
I would like to know your experience and suggestions with bikepacking in Southern California for a 7 day trip and

1- a reliable place to rent a mountianbike for bike packing in LA area
2- a nice 7 day loop in the Southern California area (Mohave desert..?, I prefer long rides per day with few vehicles
3- other useful suggestions

Looking forward to your reply

Thank you

Marc

[planeguy5]

Take a look at Bikepacking.com. They've published a few routes that ramble through the southern California desert. This one seems like it may be a good fit for what you are looking for: http://www.bikepacking.com/routes/stagecoach-400-bikepacking-route/

Take a look on their website and see what else you find. Just remember that September is often one of the hottest months in southern California. You may very likely run into 100+ degree fahrenheit (38 degree celsius) temperatures. 

As for renting a bike vs. bringing your own, I'm inclined to say you should just plan on bringing your own. Once you factor in the price of bike and gear rentals for a 7+ day trip, you may as well just pay the airline fees and schlep your bike over. Plus you'll be familiar and comfortable with what you are using, which isn't necessarily the case with a rental bike.

[MarcV]

Thanks for the info looked at their website nice trails. Had not realized it was so hot historically San Diego is 80F in that month but afcourse i'll be more inland 38C celsius is definitively too hot. Can you recommend going North to SF?

[planeguy5]

Based on the research that I've done for my own upcoming Pacific Coast bike tour, you will most likely encounter daily headwinds heading north to San Francisco. That being said, I chatted with a fellow on the San Juan Islands that was just wrapping up a northbound Pacific Coast ride and he said it wasn't much of an issue. The coast will be considerably cooler than other inland destinations.