Question about CA bicycle lane/trail.

[lyeinyoureye]

Once I get my road bike looking nice and relubed, I'd like to go riding around here. Now, about a mile from me is the 62, a four lane highway with sparse traffic, almost perfect for long rides. However, to get there (And more importantly, to get back) I have to take a two lane road with marked bike trails. The problem with these trails is that they're essentially 2-3 inches of sand, not much in the way of traction or stability on slicks. What I'm wondering is, if I ever get pulled over for not riding in them, can't I just cite VC 21202 3.
a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations:
-When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. For purposes of this section, a "substandard width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
and VC 21208 3.
a) Whenever a bicycle lane has been established on a roadway, any person operating a bicycle upon the roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction shall ride in the bicycle lane, except under the following situations.
-When necessary to leave the lane to avoid debris or other hazardous conditions.
since there's no way I can safely ride a road bike in 2-3 inches of sand.

[nm+]

Ride the road.
That law is for bike lanes, not paths.

[lyeinyoureye]

Ah, so if it doesn't say "Bike Lane" then I can take the road? Wait, nvm, found it (http://www.sanbag.ca.gov/planning/nonmotor_tranport-plan/2001non_motplanall.pdf). (bottom of p.130)
Thanks! :D

[Helmet Head]

I'm concerned about your lane/trail terminology. Which is it?

A bike LANE is space specifically demarcated for cyclists on a road adjacent to normal traffic lanes.
A bike PATH (or trail) is physically separate from any road (except for crossings).

A shoulder is not a bike LANE. A shoulder is roadway that is to the right of the fog line stripe where drivers of vehicles are not allowed to travel, but cyclists are (though they are never required to).

[lyeinyoureye]

It's essentially a four foot wide dirt shoulder to the right of the fog line stripe, and has signs that say "Bike Route". It actually detours into a neighborhood and heads down to the business center of the town instead of going down to the 62 and continuing from there, so I'm pretty sure it's just a "recommended" route.

[Helmet Head]

The "bike route" sign refers to the paved roadway, not the dirt shoulder. Per 21200 you have the same rights and responsibilities to ride to the left of that fog line as any other vehicle driver. When moving slower than other same direction traffic, you have an obligation to keep to the right (but not to the right of the fog line!) when safe and reasonable to do so, as clarified by 21202.

Sounds to me like the "bike route" is along the 62 until it gets to the detour, at which points it follows streets through town. And, yes, all it is doing is identifying the "recommended route".