skidder

Its the old saying 'familiarity breeds contempt'? Yeah, might sound odd, but I've driven it in a car so many times I can't remember how many it was, and also didn't like how some folks were paying more attention to the scenery than the road. . Done sections of it on a bicycle once, and was not comfortable riding on some of the narrow sections with vehicles (especially motorhomes) squeezing by me. That's why I'm considering the 101 for a complete SFO-LA ride.

indyfabz

My GF picked me up at the airport when I got back. She said I smelled a little ripe. It was my tee shirt. It didn't get washed the entire trip, and I don't bring deodorant with me.

spinnaker

Funny, never felt uncomfortable except maybe once when I stopped at a particular bridge in the attempt to take a photo. I reconsidered, moved on and things were fine.

I think I could drive or ride that road 1000 times and never grow tired. Though the Oregon coast is better IMHO. More opportunity to see the coast.

jsigone

Whats your opinion on taking Carmel Valley From Monterey vs sticking to the 101 from same area? I'd like to take 101/46 over to the 1 and get back on the coast.

skidder

I'm not familiar with that road. The north end of the Salinas Valley gets a good marine influence from Monterey Bay, so it stays relatively cool, but not sure if the road you are referring to goes into a valley (that might get hot) or not. Look on Google earth and see how wide the road is through that area; I bet its going to receive a lot more traffic than usually this summer/fall, too. It looks like it'll bring you onto the 101 south of Soledad in Greenfield, which is (what I'll call) a small farming town; some real small ones after that, but not much in most of them except farmworker communities. I stopped in San Miguel once to visit the mission while driving south and was surprised at how few services were in the town. Hwy 46 will just intersect Hwy 1 (not much there except the coastline), so if it was me I'd just as well just keep going to the 41 (in Atascadero) and take that to the Morro Bay/Pismo Beach area and pick up Hwy 1 there, or even head all the way to San Luis Obispo - its an easy ride from SLO to the Morro Bay/Pismo Beach area.

skidder

Yeah, even though the drive between Monterey and Cambria along the California coast gets a lot of publicity, you're basically driving on a narrow road on a bluff up above the narrow beaches at the bottom of cliffs, and no real good opportunity to get out and enjoy the beaches. Never been along the Oregon coast, have to put that on my 'bucket list'.

Salamandrine 

I grew up in that area. If you are going through Monterey, either way is good. Carmel Valley is more scenic. Once you get past the Carmel Valley village, there is very little traffic. You do go up a fairly large climb to Cahoon summit, but for the most part it's a gentle slope and moderately well shaded. There is a one mile climb at about the 21 mile marker that is 8% or so, IIRC. After that it's pretty easy, and once you get to the summit it's all downhill to Greenfield.

Or, take the inland route. Go east out hwy 68 towards Salinas. Turn right at Spreckels and take River Road to Greenfield. It parallels the 101. It's mostly flat, through farms and what not. Very nice in it's own way. From Greenfield there are other country and frontage roads all the way to the 46/Paso Robles, but I can't recall the names. I think for the most part you shouldn't try to ride on the actual 101. Mostly freeway except for a few sections.

jsigone

Eek I've been slacking... bags should be here early next week. The Kelty 1man tent arrive last week. Was $108 shipped

I'll get a sleeping bag and air pad next week. Along with some compression sacks.

Bike has new chain and tires waiting to get installed.

numbernine

Not to hijack but I'm also interested in this question. I have a handlebar bag that sits up slightly above the bars and was curious how people with such a setup attach a front light? There is no obvious spot on the bag to zip-tie.

diphthong

this will give you an exact idea of the stretch south of monterey bay thru no man's land enroute to paso robles:

https://labs.strava.com/tour-of-california/#2011/5

jsigone

Freaking awesome!! I just routed with ridewithgps this morning and said it was like 150miles!! I'll go back to see what side streets it took me on.

Gear list is coming together
Apidura / rapha front and rear bag-nicely made but may need frame bag, 20l is tight on space
Nemo tensor air pad-comfy for store testing and super small volume space
Rei igneo 25* sleeping bag - down feathers and light 1.9 pounds, easy to compress
Few different sea to summit dry and compression bags for bag,tent and clothing
Snow summit titanium spork

stevepusser

Hey, just be positive and spin the forced detour in the best possible light, like the Million Dollar Challenge website does:

Though I admit that I'm not sure what "exclusive" terrain is...will you need some special pass to ride those public roads? Will they also experience exclusive high temperatures? (currently Paso Robles is 103F 39.4 C)

jsigone

Better late then never. First ride w/ new bags and stuffed with almost complete items minus extra clothing kit, hygiene kit, bike repair kit

fourfa

I just bike SF-Santa Barbara last week, through the available parts of Big Sur. I put details here: https://www.bikeforums.net/19832378-post27.html

Posting here to add my strava log from the Big Sur day (seems relevant). Should be public now but might take a bit for the settings change to propagate? https://www.strava.com/activities/1153992494

jsigone

thanks for the link.

Was there food/water along this leg? Before or after the climb up?

fourfa

Water immediately before the climb, and at a ranger station just past the summit. Then a few miles further at a campground, then a long hot exposed ride to any of the nearest towns.

Food though - only a few places along the northern part of Big Sur, then nothing until town.

jsigone

I'm not planning to take a stove with the thought of food being easy to get and not having to store more then a days worth.

I'm going to stick to the near 101 from Monterrey til I get to Morro.

CB HI

Cooking is not needed, plenty of places to eat and charge electronics. Carry some snacks for on the road.

Have you gotten your Camp Pendleton access taken care of? https://mccscp.wufoo.com/forms/camp-...e-access-form/

jsigone

Yes I ride through camp pend often, signed up before they started scanning 100% of the cards. Thanks though!

I have a 10000mAh battery pack and small 15w solar panel. This should help offset some of the charge time at food/rest stops.

1 week out, getting bit nervous, bit excited. Running down the gear list to see what I'm missing.

thinking of getting a light weight backpacking chair and stick it the frame bag.

https://www.rei.com/product/109587/helinox-chair-zero

should allow me to stop anywhere I please for a break. Only weighs a pound n change.

nun

I watched it too.....I was surprised when he said his minimal gear and bike weight was 16kgs........my setup is around 17kgs and I think it's pretty luxurious. I have a gear list here that might be helpful in you deciding what you want/need.

https://wheelsofchance.wordpress.com.../25/gear-list/

LeeG

I did SF to LA three times and LA north once in 70's-80's. No electronics. One 4oz flashlight. Didn't use a tent, doesn't rain in the summer. Maybe bring a lightweight tarp or one of those aluminized "blankets". I used a Army surplus poncho then later a small ground cloth. About 10-15lbs total. Two water bottles. Tiny packable nylon backpack that weighed a few oz was good for filling up with food and liquids for dinner and breakfast that would be emptied out in the morning.
No food kit, make meals out of fresh food and enjoy food on the road. You need less than you think but don't put yourself in a situation where you could be stuck without water on some inland road that's 30 degrees hotter than the coast.

stevepusser

You would have to say "no rain" on the day that the CA central coast and bay area are getting some strong thunderstorms along with high temperatures...but it's just been a freaky summer, weatherwise. 106 F in SF a weak ago!

LeeG

Oops! Actually I do remember riding through rain on the North Coast in Sept. 106F? Yikes

jsigone

My tour is underway, actually at the half way point. Having lunch in morro bay. First 3 days was 291 miles n 15k vertical. Wish I had more hearing for those 10 percent grades but made it up. Yesterday I rode from Carmel Valley to Paso Robles, really fat day. 9 hour pedal, 12h out there, 134m 7200ft vert. I burned allot of matches in the valley, today is rest day, sub 40miles. Next state camp is 93 miles away. I don't have to legs to do back to back 130+ days. Getting 15mph ave daily on the loaded rig

My Flickr links aren't working on the mobile, will post when I get home this weekend

stevepusser

The county campground at Lake Cachuma on the San Marcos Pass alternative also has hike and bike sites, if anyone else is trying this route. You can avoid narrow busy parts of Hwy 154 over the pass by going up Old Stagecoach Rd., a short section on 154 over the top with good shoulders, then descending Old San Marcos Pass Rd.