I'd like to put together a Lost Coast group ride event for next summer. If anyone is intersted in helping scout out the area let me know. The lost coast area runs from Humboldt County to Mendocino County on the coast. The area is mostly coastal hills and spends time along some very desolate beaches. It wold be mostly dirt road with very little traffic. Hoping for a ride from Ferndale to Fort Bragg,

I visited the Lost Coast (in my car) a few months ago. You're right, it is very remote. Mattole Road is possibly the most remote paved road in California. The road is rough, narrow, and often very steep. In the 60 miles or so along the coast between Fernbridge and Honeydew, I saw maybe 1 other person. There are no towns or services out there, so be prepared and enjoy the scenery.

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa150/99johnny/bike/85mattole.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa150/99johnny/bike/86mattolelostcoast.jpg

It'll only include significant dirt if you ride Usal road from Shelter Cove area to the coast. Usal is only rideable with MTB gearing, and there is no water. I'd recommend Ferrndale to Honeydew on Mattole road, Ettersburg to Garberville, Garberville to Leggett on 101 and/or frontage roads, Leggett to Fort Bragg on Route 1. Until you get to Garberville it's a stellar ride with amazing scenery, steep climbs and almost no traffic. There are a few sketchy sections from Garberville to Legget, though you can run frontage roads much of the way. Leggett to the coast contains some of the best road descending I've ever done.

Longer alternatives exist. I'd camp the first night at AW Way near Honeydew, second night stay in Garberville, third night Fort Bragg. You could rin into Shelter Cove for an extra night.

sweetnsourbkr, didn't you tour up that way?

I rode there a few weeks ago. I rode only 50 miles of it from Humboldt Redwoods State Park to the Pacific along Mattole Rd. There is a little dive of a "convenience" store in Honeydew where you can purchase water, beer or whatever you are looking to drink. They even had Gatorade!

Once you get along the Pacific and climb "The Wall" and make it up that there is a town up there where you can restock your water supplies.

As for the road condictions for "The Lost Coast" ride, it is all ridable with a road bike. There are just a few short sections of unpaved road but it is fine on a road bike, I did it at 25-30mph without issue.

The climbs are VERY steep, but doable. I used a 53/39 with a 12/25. My friend used a 12/23. I'd recommend a 12/27 for an even easier ride. :)

I'd love to join the ride next summer... but am already planning a Yellowstone/Teton trip towards the end of the summer as well as a PCH trip beginning of the summer.