Tandem Micro-Tour
#1
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Tandem Micro-Tour
Wife and I are going to celebrate our anniversary by riding from Hollister to Big Sur (California) on Monday weather permitting. We'll stay overnight and wimps that we are one of our sons will pick us up on Tuesday. This will be a good dry run for a 2010 ride from home to Santa Barbara or points south. Total mileage is 85 given we've got to take some backroads to get over to the coast and a bit of bike path to get from Castroville to Monterey. Any observations on Hwy 1 between Carmel and Big Sur would be appreciated. Last time we bicycled overnight was almost a quarter century ago - 400 mile, 4 day ride with our kids. Doing a ride like this is a good excuse to take our time, take some pictures and enjoy the ride.
#2
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Dang I'm jealous...its 18 degrees out with a foot of very frozen snow. Have fun and enjoy the ride!
Bill J.
Bill J.
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My stoker/wife responds well to the prospect of a good meal. I just hope it's above 40 when we start of 7:15 am or so. Of course unlike other parts of the USofA it will get warmer as the day goes on.
#6
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Big Sur is probably the last place you would want to ride in a rain storm, so make sure to check the weather report.
Best time of year to ride there is Sept / Oct. I would not even think about doing it this time of year.
You never know, sometimes there is freaky weather and it can be nice on any given day.
You should have a good tailwind, unless it happens to blowing backwards which would really suck.
It's been in the 50's and raining here in San Diego. Even with leg warmers, long sleeve jersey and jacket it feels dam cold to me.
Best time of year to ride there is Sept / Oct. I would not even think about doing it this time of year.
You never know, sometimes there is freaky weather and it can be nice on any given day.
You should have a good tailwind, unless it happens to blowing backwards which would really suck.
It's been in the 50's and raining here in San Diego. Even with leg warmers, long sleeve jersey and jacket it feels dam cold to me.
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Add in a hat beneath the helmet, overgloves, scarf, make that long sleeve jersey merino wool, thick socks, and we're down to -2C or so. Two weeks ago, 2 1/2 hours of riding. That's around 28F. But it wasn't raining.
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The worst day ever in the Tour of California was when it rained on the stage along Highway 1. Several riders dropped out with hypothermia. A mini-Tour that is a possible re-enactment of that stage might give you some stories to tell, but doesn't sound particularly fun.
https://www.bicycle.net/2008/the-war-...iders-dropping
https://www.bicycle.net/2008/the-war-...iders-dropping
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Ritterview, JNbrown you guys have been in California to long you are making us sound like a bunch of wimps!
RDTomki should be a great ride hopefully you are planning to get to Napenthe for a dinner by the roaring fire or go Big and spend the night at Ventanna Inn or Post Ranch!
RDTomki should be a great ride hopefully you are planning to get to Napenthe for a dinner by the roaring fire or go Big and spend the night at Ventanna Inn or Post Ranch!
#10
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Ritterview, JNbrown you guys have been in California to long you are making us sound like a bunch of wimps!
RDTomki should be a great ride hopefully you are planning to get to Napenthe for a dinner by the roaring fire or go Big and spend the night at Ventanna Inn or Post Ranch!
RDTomki should be a great ride hopefully you are planning to get to Napenthe for a dinner by the roaring fire or go Big and spend the night at Ventanna Inn or Post Ranch!
But I have ridden in rain, snow, sleet so I know what its like to not see where you are going and not being able to feel your fingers. Also fell once in the rain so I don't ride in the rain unless it happens unexpectedly.
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The other night in 26 degree temps without any extra thermal layer. I remember visiting my sister in So Cal a few years back in February, and seeing everyone all bundled up, and we were walking around in t-shirts!
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Sounds fantastic. What is your route?
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While I have no desire to ride in the rain, wife and I are not native Californians (Midwest and East Coast) so our blood is not completely thinned out. We will probably only go as far as Big Sur which is a grand total of 27 miles south of Carmel. The first 60 miles are eaten up by meandering over to Monterey. We will save our first multi-day adventure for more reliable weather which we have a boatload of in California, just not now. Will post pictures and the route; received very good advice on routing from several members of of the 1100 member club I belong to many of whom are to say the least bicycling zealots. A real backcountry ride in the spring will be Hollister to Coalinga using the old road for dinner at Harris Ranch; nice thing about having an adult son living with you is that his gratitude just stretches far enough to have to pick us up.
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Used to b a dream of mine to ride down Route 1, until I actually drove the route. For me, the scariest part of the ride is the sheer beauty of the scenary. When I drove, I realized that the road is narrow and winding and the sites are truly distracting. I realized I was less attentive to my driving than I probably should be. Being an avid road cyclist, I was always looking for riders; I gave the few I saw a wide berth. Would I want to count on other tourists to be as careful? Not!