Northern California - Nacimiento-Fergusson Ride Report

This was always on my list of climbs to do and I finally got to do it while driving up to the Woodside Century a month and a half ago. I wish this road wasn't 300 miles from Long Beach!

Click here for my ride report, pictures and route map (http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=102).

A couple of highlights in picture form from the ride:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8HKEZakuboQ/Svu7k_2mauI/AAAAAAAAQVg/tADyb3wPsUw/s800/CIMG6162.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8HKEZakuboQ/Svu7mOyEkNI/AAAAAAAAQVw/rlaKron8evc/s800/CIMG6164.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8HKEZakuboQ/Svu74STfeII/AAAAAAAAQYA/HZPntubHegw/s800/CIMG6181.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8HKEZakuboQ/Svu7izx2YUI/AAAAAAAAQVI/GlJfOqAwwl8/s800/CIMG6159.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8HKEZakuboQ/Svu7OL9gDeI/AAAAAAAAQQw/tMfZ2nGeJrc/s800/CIMG6125.JPG (http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=102)

Nice ride :thumb:

Gorgeous. Thanks for sharing, I'd love to climb that one day.

That looks like an amazing road. How many other vehicles did you see on it?

Traffic is very light. Maybe a dozen vehicles or so.

Tree-mendous! I've long wondered about that road. Now I really want to see it for myself.

Many thanks for the report.

One of the most scenic climbs in the state..... 2009 had me there twice.... January and again in March (my normal time there, on the way to Solvang.....) There's a very scenic campground (Kirk Creek) right at the base of the climb (although I often just park my camper about 100 yards up NF road....)...... this is an unbelievable spot !!!!

I've been doing this climb for the past several years as part of the Central Coast Double. With the start of the CCD in Paso Robles this climb comes after doing 86 miles and 5-6,000' of climbing. It's always a fun climb, ha, ha. The CCD is a May and it's not unusual for the temp to be in the mid 50's at the start of the climb and well into the high 90's at the top. If I remember right it's 8 miles of 8% with pitches to 16% on the first couple of miles.

ya it goes up a bit
I've ridden it a bunch
to Cone Peak
hike up that
down into Hunter Liggett
indians rd to Arroyo Seco
back to monterey via carmel valley road.

In October of 1983, my wife and I drove cross country and we stayed in San Luis Obisbo. The following day we were unable to to drive up Hwy 1 due to the big slide, so we were directed to drive up over that road to get back to 101 and I remember thinking to myself "if this is California...I'm staying here". It was a beautiful welcome to this State and we're still here.

That brings back memories of our recent tandem trek from SF-SB. We used to live in Lompoc but weren't riding much then. Looks like a really great ride; one we'll put on the list. Thanks for sharing!

Is that road paved all the way to Jolon Road? I checked Google but it has no "street view" for the road and the satellite picture is inconclusive. The reason I ask is that, if paved, it looks like it would be a good route over the coastal range - valley to coast. I've ridden both highway 46 (good) and Highway 41 (bad) on tours from SLO/Pismo Beach to the East Bay and I'm always on the lookout for alternate routes from the valley to the coast. The elevation gain from Jolon to Highway 1 looks to be only about 1500 feet, with a nice 2500 feet of descent.

Awesome pics. I also did this climb during the Central Coast Double. It was 60ish at the bottom and high 90's by the time we got to the Hunter Liggett. Rough day.

In October of 1983, my wife and I drove cross country and we stayed in San Luis Obisbo. The following day we were unable to to drive up Hwy 1 due to the big slide, so we were directed to drive up over that road to get back to 101 and I remember thinking to myself "if this is California...I'm staying here". It was a beautiful welcome to this State and we're still here.

great story, Pete.

Is that road paved all the way to Jolon Road? I checked Google but it has no "street view" for the road and the satellite picture is inconclusive. The reason I ask is that, if paved, it looks like it would be a good route over the coastal range - valley to coast. I've ridden both highway 46 (good) and Highway 41 (bad) on tours from SLO/Pismo Beach to the East Bay and I'm always on the lookout for alternate routes from the valley to the coast. The elevation gain from Jolon to Highway 1 looks to be only about 1500 feet, with a nice 2500 feet of descent.

The road is paved all the way. But to go through Fort Hunter Leggitt you need to carry photo I.D. and insurance with you.

The road is paved all the way. But to go through Fort Hunter Leggitt you need to carry photo I.D. and insurance with you.

I can understand the photo ID requirement, but Insurance? On a bicycle?

Ztmlgr-
All you need is photo ID to cross the Fort. A valid driver license will do; I use my VA card - I'm olde, and I'm a Vet!
-dg

I can understand the photo ID requirement, but Insurance? On a bicycle?

If you're going to cut through with a vehicle you need insurance, they may check or not who knows. The last two times I've been through they didn't stop me. Last year there was a policeman that made sure we walked across a steel bridge.

I drove through once and was asked for insurance, registration, and ID of everyone in the vehicle. One of my passengers didn't have any ID. He got chewed out but the guard let us through anyway. Best to have your paperwork though!

If you're going to cut through with a vehicle you need insurance, they may check or not who knows. The last two times I've been through they didn't stop me. Last year there was a policeman that made sure we walked across a steel bridge.

We didn't get id'd last year either but I was ready to pull it out. And I was never aware I needed insurance as a cyclist, but I'm sure motorists do. And that steel bridge would have been much safer to ride across! :rolleyes: