professor

Has anyone done this? I've been planning on riding from San Francisco, or thereabouts, up to Southern Oregon in mid-June. I've only done one pretty small tour before - 250 miles in 4 days - but am pretty excited about a longer one.

I was talking to a friend the other day and he said he rode route 1 going south and ran into a few people that were going north and said they were all miserable because they were going against the wind the whole time. Does anyone else have experience with that? I'm not sure that I'm up for 600 hilly miles going against the wind quite yet, so if that's true I might have to rethink my trip... Any advice would be appreciated

twodeadpoets

I've not biked it but have driven it from SF to Valley Ford (60mi). It was beautiful but it took me 2 1/2 - 3hrs to drive because of the conditions. Even by car standards it's very hilly and very curvy with lots of switchbacks. I was amazed by all the RV traffic on such a narrow road. Of course it partly runs along the ocean and therefore can be very windy. I would plan plenty of time on hwy 1. Good luck.

Takara

It's windier northbound than southbound, and you're on the inland side of the road, so it's always a part of the view. These factors knock northbound on Hwy 1 down from the top 1% of all tour routes to maybe the top 1.1% of all tour routes -- it's still a fantastically good idea to take this ride.

Just make sure you have a good breathable windtight top and that your gearing is low enough to let you go up steep hills with a headwind without tipping over. Headwinds are only unpleasant if you don't have an appropriate gear to keep your pedal cadence up. It's like paddling a canoe upstream -- sure, you're going to move forward more slowly, but what other part of the experience is diminished?

wellshorton

Sure you can ride South to North on the PCH, however be prepared for some serious mental adjustment. You will have very significant headwinds all day and everyday. Just count on it. Maybe you will get lucky and not experience the headwinds everyday, but don't expect it.

The views are also better heading south since you are on the outside closer to where the view actual exists. I know that I would never plan riding to the north, but I sure want to ride it to the south again!

Wells

82times

+1 on the heavy winds northbound on the coast. Earlier in the day is better as the winds really pick up in the afternoon. I'm contemplating whether or not to do this route in about a month as the beginning of a long tour. Seriously, the late afternoon had me pushing hard to go 12mph downhill.

From my experience on day-rides northbound on the coast, I was always the ONLY cyclist headed north. Everybody else flying along southbound with the wind giving me looks that betrayed equal amounts of respect and dubiousness with regard to my sanity.

valygrl

I've gone both directions on the stretch between LA and SF and it's nicer going south. I would recommend going south if you can. Consider one-way rental cars or Uhaul, bus or train as a second choice.

venturi95

I attempted to do exactly what you are planning to do many years ago. After 4 days I got tired of the constant headwinds, cold weather, and the fog/mist most of the day. It was the first week in August when I left SF, I ended up going through the wine country (nice) and through Chico to Mt. Shasta (not so nice) on paved roads the whole way.

professor

thanks for the comments everyone. i think i'll be rethinking my plan. maybe riding from up north to southern oregon.