NorCal -> SoCal
 

Ok, so I don't have a ride home from school at the end of this quarter. So I finally have an excuse to bike home. 450 miles down hwy 1.

My question: Some parts of the route seem to be freeway with no frontage roads. Anyone know what the law is on biking on the freeway shoulder? Anyone know any non freeway routes from Palo Alto area to North County San Diego? Anyone here actually biked on a freeway? Is it tolerable? Miserable?

thanks.

I've never done it, but I believe you're allowed on the parts of the freeway on the central coast where there are no frontage roads (I've seen riders on it while driving it myself). Some of those roads are dangerous, though, and although I'd love to do a San Francisco to Los Angeles coastal ride, I'd only do it with friends because I think people give you less room when you're alone. Beautiful ride, just a risk you have to decide if it's worth taking.

I found mostly quiet roads so and I think the longest stretch of pure freeway is about 10 miles. So I think that I'll still do it. but yea, I know hwat you mean about drivers that crowd the shoulder.

take the train.

or

www.greyhound.com

I've actually ridden on both Interstates and highways. There are signs where it states bikes are allowed on certain stretches of freeways or highways. Hwy 101 has large stretches where bikes are allowed. When you go from Santa Barbara/Carpinteria through Ventura, you have no choice but to use 101. There's also another stretch of I-5 where you need to bike on to get from San Clemente to the next exit south of there. As long as you stay on the shoulder, you'll do fine.

and pass up a great summer ride! GASP!!!

awesome. thanks.

Yep, what spingineer said. I've been on 101/1 when there're no other alternatives to get from A to B, and the freeways are marked accordingly. Just go down 1 along the coast, you won't regret it. The freeway portion has a wide enough shoulder.

Sounds like fun. Will you be touring via credit card?

On stretches of Hwy-1/101 where there are no parallel frontage roads, the freeway is re-classified as a highway. You'll see signs that say "End Freeway" when these sections start and "Begin Freeway (no pedestrians/bikes)" when a frontage road starts up again.

A highway can have right-angle stop-sign entrances while a freeway has to use on-ramps.

yup. 4 nights at a hotel + dinner + granola bars + (free continental breakfasts). oh yea.

tHanks!