Southern California - Lung Ride Ride Report

I did the Lung Ride to benefit the American Lung Association this last weekend. It was three days on the Central Coast, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It started in Bakersfield with a bus ride and lunch on the way to Paso Robles. There we got our bike that had been transported over to Paso in a truck and started the ride. Friday's ride was from Paso Robles to the oceanside town of Cayucos. There were two routes you could take and I took the alternate route, shorter but more climbing (33.8 miles and 2860' of climbing). The weather was perfect 75 degrees and no wind. The route wound through the back roads and wineries west of Paso to Hwy 46. At Jack Creek Rd. and Hwy 46 there was a rest stop, not the first, that had apple wedges and hot homemade caramel. From there we climbed up Hwy 46 to Old Creek Rd. for a fast decent into to Cayucos, our finish point being the Cayucos Beach Inn. The rooms are large and the management enjoys cyclist. There were hors d'oeuvre and drinks on the lawn in front of the rooms that the riders were staying in that night. Dinner that night was an all you can eat BBQ'ed tri-tip and chicken dinner with all the trimmings at the Borradori Garage overlooking Morro Bay and the Rock prepared by an expert chef.

Saturday morning breakfast was at the Sea Shanty, across the street from the hotel, in Cayucos. There were four different routes for Saturday, anything from 25-100 miles, you could do a little mixing of routes and ride just about anything. I did the 100 mile route which ended up being 102.5 miles with 5,980' of climbing. The route took us back up Old Creek Rd. to Hwy 46 then west towards Cambria. On top of Hwy 46 there is a spectacular view of the whole Estero Bay (Morro Bay area). Then it was a great 7 mile downhill to Hwy 1 and north into Cambria. We rode through Cambria to the next rest stop on Moonstone Dr. We head back south on Hwy. 1 to Cayucos and a quick stop there for water and restrooms. Next stop was Morro Bay, we decided to ride through and out to Baywood for some lunch along the bay. After lunch we rode out to Montana de Oro State Park and some of the prettiest coastlines in the area. Waiting for us at Montana de Oro were the people with the caramel and apples, only they used bananas and caramel with chocolate cookies crumbled on top. Did I mention this was not a ride to lose weight. We left the state park and rode to Los Osos then over Turri Rd. to Los Osos Valley Rd. towards San Luis Obispo. We skirted SLO and rode out to Avila Beach and spent some time relaxing in the sun. It was time to get to the finish in SLO so we head back. Saturday night we stayed at the Royal Oak Inn in SLO. Dinner Saturday was at the Madonna Inn just around the corner from the hotel. I had the salmon and it was great.

Sunday morning breakfast was at Brad's in Pismo Beach. It's a 12 mile ride to Brad's but the hotel had a continental breakfast and most of us picked up a small snack to hold us over. The weather couldn't have been better. Riding into Pismo in the morning and looking at the ocean it just doesn't get much better than that. After breakfast we headed east to the Edna Valley and riding through farming and wine country. There was a rest stop at the Edna Valley Winery, oh we didn't do any wine tasting. Lunch was 12 miles away we had about an hour to get there. It was a relaxing ride to the Dallidet Adobe and a wonderful lunch. The Dallidet Adobe is an old adobe building and grounds that has been restored with trees and flowers everywhere. After lunch the bikes were loaded in the trucks we headed back to Bakersfield Sunday afternoon.

ME, I have some pictures coming. I used your technique and took some pictures while riding too. Everything is ok and I will be out of the hospital in time to do the Eastern Sierra Double.

Great report, dante! I've heard that the chef at the Borradori Garage does up some great cuisine, I hope to be able to do this ride next year myself and sample them!

Will the chef be doing the Spookacular fixin's, too?

Great report, dante! I've heard that the chef at the Borradori Garage does up some great cuisine, I hope to be able to do this ride next year myself and sample them!

Will the chef be doing the Spookacular fixin's, too?

I think I've talked him into it, we'll see.

Nice report, Dante! I'll wait patiently for those pics. :D I laughed when I read you had dinner at the Madonna Inn. That place is such a hoot. I've only ever had one of their monstrous cinnamon rolls and that was years ago. But I generally will stop there for a potty break on the way back from Pacific Grove if I have time just to walk in and laugh. :p

Nice report, Dante! I'll wait patiently for those pics. :D I laughed when I read you had dinner at the Madonna Inn. That place is such a hoot. I've only ever had one of their monstrous cinnamon rolls and that was years ago. But I generally will stop there for a potty break on the way back from Pacific Grove if I have time just to walk in and laugh. :p

The place is one of a kind. He had a vision to make it unique.

The place is one of a kind. He had a vision to make it unique.
He succeeded...:p I'd actually love to stay there a night, but $500! :eek: Nah...I'll just get a cinnamon roll from time to time.

He succeeded...:p I'd actually love to stay there a night, but $500! :eek: Nah...I'll just get a cinnamon roll from time to time.

You can get rooms as low as $168. :)

You can get rooms as low as $168. :)
I don't want the $168 jungle room. :rolleyes: I want the Waterfall Fairy Land. :D

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w210/DanteBpb/IMG_0006.jpg
Climb up Old Creek Road Saturday morning

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w210/DanteBpb/IMG_0007.jpg
View from the top of Hwy 46.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w210/DanteBpb/IMG_0011.jpg
Dr Dave in Cambria.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w210/DanteBpb/IMG_0013.jpg
Cambria SAG Stop.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w210/DanteBpb/IMG_0015.jpg
The view from the Cambria SAG stop.http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w210/DanteBpb/IMG_0017.jpg
Of course Morro Bay.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w210/DanteBpb/IMG_0019.jpg
View for the Montana de Oro SAG stop.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w210/DanteBpb/IMG_0022-1.jpg
And of course Babe watch at Avila Beach.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w210/DanteBpb/IMG_0026.jpg
Sunday morning breakfast at Brad's in Pismo.

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Going for a little wine tasting at the Edna Valley Winery.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w210/DanteBpb/IMG_0031.jpg
View from the Enda Valley Winery.

This looks like an awesome ride. Nicely done Dante! Now for the famous Mantra, "I'll have to add this to my list for next year"

This looks like an awesome ride. Nicely done Dante! Now for the famous Mantra, "I'll have to add this to my list for next year"

Next year's event will be May 16-18, 2008. :)

already pushing! i love it!!!!

wow nice pics and awesome ride report, congrats sir!!!

Wow, great report! I thought about this ride at one time but didn't know if I had the time to make it multi-day. Thanks for the pix as well!

Vicki and I are doing the County Coast Classic in Cambria in June and will be riding some of the same areas. We're staying right at Moonstone Beach. Your pictures are really firing me up now...

Sheldon

Dante great report - I hope you have more photos. It sounds like an amazing ride. I would love to do it next year. And like Sheldon I'm signed up for the Country Coast Classic in June that covers some of that area. Congratulations on a great ride for a great cause Dante.

Wow, great report! I thought about this ride at one time but didn't know if I had the time to make it multi-day. Thanks for the pix as well!

Vicki and I are doing the County Coast Classic in Cambria in June and will be riding some of the same areas. We're staying right at Moonstone Beach. Your pictures are really firing me up now...

Sheldon

Sheldon and nygirl777, a great place to eat if you like seafood is the Sea Chest on Moonstone Dr. in Cambria.

OMG...that is my favorite place...I was just there last week..ate at the Sea Chest both nights...
I love that place...
Sitting at the Oyster Bar is great...its warm, but you get to watch the guys cook...
No credit cards, no reservations, they open at 5:30, the line starts forming at 4:50
I have a pic of mark in line from last week..i will post that tonite...

BTW Dante,
We are planning on riding 46 this year...
How was the climb up to the top? What about Old Creek?

Sheldon and nygirl777, a great place to eat if you like seafood is the Sea Chest on Moonstone Dr. in Cambria.

We are staying right next door and have heard it's great!

Sheldon

We are staying right next door and have heard it's great!

Sheldon


It is great...I am soooo jealous...

OMG...that is my favorite place...I was just there last week..ate at the Sea Chest both nights...
I love that place...
Sitting at the Oyster Bar is great...its warm, but you get to watch the guys cook...
No credit cards, no reservations, they open at 5:30, the line starts forming at 4:50
I have a pic of mark in line from last week..i will post that tonite...

BTW Dante,
We are planning on riding 46 this year...
How was the climb up to the top? What about Old Creek?

Isn't the Sea Chest Great! Nesdog do yourself a favor and have dinner there, but as herbm said NO CREDIT CARDS and NO RESERVATIONS. I enjoy sitting at the counter and visiting with Steve, one of the cooks. They have some tables with a great view of the coast, but I would rather sit at the counter. Anyway as far as the climb up Old Creek Road from Cayucos the first climb is up to Whale Rock Dam, it's almost 3 miles and averages 4%. The next climb is the big one, it's 3.25 miles and averages 6.5% with the last 1.75 miles being 9.2% with pitches to 16%. Hwy 46 from Old Creek to the top is 1.75 miles averaging 5%. The real fun is the downhill back to Hwy 1, 7 miles averaging almost 5%. If you rode from Moonstone to Cayucos, over Old Creek, down Hwy 46 and back to Moonstone it would be about 55 miles. If you look at the picture of the Cambria SAG it's on Moonstone just north of the Sea Chest.

What are some decent places to stay that aren't a fortune ????????????

What are some decent places to stay that aren't a fortune ????????????

Tough one. Vicki and I wanted to have a nice getaway for the weekend so we took a place at the beach. In all my searches, I kept hearing about the Bluebird in Cambria. In fact, it shows up in one of the pix posted above. Just a motel but very well priced. We stayed in Morro Bay last Dec and then walked by the BB just to look it over and it wasn't bad. Not sure what to make of it, though.

Other than that, there are places in San Simeon that are less expensive.

Sheldon

Tough one. Vicki and I wanted to have a nice getaway for the weekend so we took a place at the beach. In all my searches, I kept hearing about the Bluebird in Cambria. In fact, it shows up in one of the pix posted above. Just a motel but very well priced. We stayed in Morro Bay last Dec and then walked by the BB just to look it over and it wasn't bad. Not sure what to make of it, though.

Other than that, there are places in San Simeon that are less expensive.

Sheldon

Yeah I've done a search or 2 and each time discouraged by the crazy pricing. I'm bringing my daughter and her friend. I love them and all but not 300.oo a night worth.

Tough one. Vicki and I wanted to have a nice getaway for the weekend so we took a place at the beach. In all my searches, I kept hearing about the Bluebird in Cambria. In fact, it shows up in one of the pix posted above. Just a motel but very well priced. We stayed in Morro Bay last Dec and then walked by the BB just to look it over and it wasn't bad. Not sure what to make of it, though.

Other than that, there are places in San Simeon that are less expensive.

Sheldon

The Bluebird is across Highway 1. I have stayed there on one of my SF->LA rides. Not bad if all you want is a bed. I think I paid $29 a night (off season) There is a laundramat just down the street and plenty of places to eat.

[edit] I guess the reasons I listed are only worthwhile if you are cycling down the coast and just using Cambria as a stopover.

What are some decent places to stay that aren't a fortune ????????????

Try the Cayucos Beach Inn in Cayucos, http://www.cayucosbeachinn.com/, 13 miles south of Cambria. Thats where we stay the first night of the Lung Ride, big rooms. They are 1 1/2 blocks from the ocean and you can walk anywhere in town. http://www.cayucosbythesea.com/ :)

Try the Cayucos Beach Inn in Cayucos, http://www.cayucosbeachinn.com/, 13 miles south of Cambria. Thats where we stay the first night of the Lung Ride, big rooms. They are 1 1/2 blocks from the ocean and you can walk anywhere in town. http://www.cayucosbythesea.com/ :)

That looks pretty good, I may have to take my wife there!

That looks pretty good, I may have to take my wife there!

ditto....think We'll roll by here next month and check it out for future trips.

Sheldon

That looks pretty good, I may have to take my wife there!

What's cool is they the regular peep hole and then one mounted low for dogs to look out.

Isn't the Sea Chest Great! Nesdog do yourself a favor and have dinner there, but as herbm said NO CREDIT CARDS and NO RESERVATIONS. I enjoy sitting at the counter and visiting with Steve, one of the cooks. They have some tables with a great view of the coast, but I would rather sit at the counter. Anyway as far as the climb up Old Creek Road from Cayucos the first climb is up to Whale Rock Dam, it's almost 3 miles and averages 4%. The next climb is the big one, it's 3.25 miles and averages 6.5% with the last 1.75 miles being 9.2% with pitches to 16%. Hwy 46 from Old Creek to the top is 1.75 miles averaging 5%. The real fun is the downhill back to Hwy 1, 7 miles averaging almost 5%. If you rode from Moonstone to Cayucos, over Old Creek, down Hwy 46 and back to Moonstone it would be about 55 miles. If you look at the picture of the Cambria SAG it's on Moonstone just north of the Sea Chest.

Yup..sit with either Steve or Chico
I like to sit on the side, the you really get to see these guys in action....
Oyster Rockerfeller, Clams italiano and the calamari are the best...after their calamari, you will never be able to eat it anywhere else!

thanks for the route info...I HAVE to do this this year...not sure i can make lighthouse..might jsut do my own...
hey maybe a Herb BF ride up there!!! thats an idea!!

What are some decent places to stay that aren't a fortune ????????????

sun eve thru thurs eve are the only way to get a deal! sorry!

sam simeon has some ok places that arent an arm and a leg.....

Markaj is first in line at the Sea Chest!
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n188/hmeyerowitz/HPIM0842.jpg

Thanks everyone I ended up with the Cambria Castle Inn on Moonstone Beach. It was 150.00 a night. I am definitely going to the Sea Chest ...mmmmmmmmm yummy.

Thanks everyone I ended up with the Cambria Castle Inn on Moonstone Beach. It was 150.00 a night. I am definitely going to the Sea Chest ...mmmmmmmmm yummy.

that is right near where we always stay ..the Sea Otter Inn
after dinner...you can walk on the boardwalk back to the hotel...you are going to have the best time!!!
This place serves fish/seafood...no meat or chicken!!

that is right near where we always stay ..the Sea Otter Inn
after dinner...you can walk on the boardwalk back to the hotel...you are going to have the best time!!!
This place serves fish/seafood...no meat or chicken!!


I love seafood......cant wait. My daughter loves it too. However if there were chicken fingers on the menu she would be hard pressed with the decision making. :) I saw the sea otter and liked it but either it cost to much or they didnt have 2 beds.

I love seafood......cant wait. My daughter loves it too. However if there were chicken fingers on the menu she would be hard pressed with the decision making. :) I saw the sea otter and liked it but either it cost to much or they didnt have 2 beds.


yeah..that place is very cute and books very fast...

Its unbelievable how expensive that area is.......Im going this weekend and even the cheesy places like econolodge and motel 6 have the audacity to be 200+ a night. How ridiculous is that? What a rip !!! I'm going to stay in Santa Maria and drive the hour to Paso Robles. I think it's an hour :eek: It had better be an hour :)

Its unbelievable how expensive that area is.......Im going this weekend and even the cheesy places like econolodge and motel 6 have the audacity to be 200+ a night. How ridiculous is that? What a rip !!! I'm going to stay in Santa Maria and drive the hour to Paso Robles. I think it's an hour :eek: It had better be an hour :)


Thats prob a bit over an hr....

That is why we only go up sunday eve or during the week...a weekend is way to much $$$

Markaj is first in line at the Sea Chest!
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n188/hmeyerowitz/HPIM0842.jpg

And to be first in line did he get there at 2PM?

Thanks everyone I ended up with the Cambria Castle Inn on Moonstone Beach. It was 150.00 a night. I am definitely going to the Sea Chest ...mmmmmmmmm yummy.


We'll be at the Little Sur Inn, right next door to the Sea Chest down the block from you.

BTW, how much cash do we need to eat at this place?

Sheldon

And to be first in line did he get there at 2PM?
4:45...it used be ok to be there by 5...but if you want that special seat at the oyster bar...then 4:45...

I want to say dinners run $15-$22 and it comes with a salad.

We'll be at the Little Sur Inn, right next door to the Sea Chest down the block from you.

BTW, how much cash do we need to eat at this place?

Sheldon


Sea Chest Menu (http://www.seachestrestaurant.com/menu.htm)

Sea Chest Menu (http://www.seachestrestaurant.com/menu.htm)

I'm glad Steve wasn't cooking without his glasses on!

I'm glad Steve wasn't cooking without his glasses on!


Well........
I did see him nail himself in the finger pretty bad with an oyster knife.....