Hey all...recently went on a quick weekend camping trip at Big Sur (by car this time). It is the bit of California coastline that I have always wanted to ride but I keep getting psyched out by it. Is it really that scary?

My main fear is visibility around the corners (esp. if you're travelling north...the rock walls tend to hide you). What is the strategy for this? Swing wide then when you see a car approaching squeeze the wall?

Anyone here with experience around there? Please offer tips and strategies....

Thanks!

One tip that has worked for me: avoid high-traffic days and times. Maximize low-traffic days and times.

Cars can be a very real danger.

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Re: the rock wall problem: I get over onto the other side. If stopped, I have some good explanations ready. If there is no shoulder and it is unsafe, the police tend to understand, especially if you explain it properly and in a friendly way (and perhaps mention that the law, as you understand it, makes allowances for these sorts of circumstances).

I have never ridden North on the Big Sur coast, but I have ridden south several times. The best strategy is to ride when there aren't many cars. The times I've ridden (usually during the week in April/May) there have been very few cars. I must say that riding on the Big Sur coast with almost no car traffic is a wonderful experience.

Here is a picture of an uncrowded Big Sur vista.


Here is my my entire SF to LA journal.

Ray

I've done it several times. Don't even consider south to north. It's not the traffic, but he prevailing winds that will get you down. Unless it's about to rain, the Central Coast gets prevailing northwesterlies. The tailwind north to south is great. Moreover, you're on the ocean side of the road, and you'll see all kinds of cool hidden beaches and vistas. Traffic: not a worry in my experience. The scariest drivers are the rent-a-motorhome types, who aren't used to the bulk of their vehicles. They typically start late and finish early. Get on the road early in the a.m. and you shouldn't have any problems. Hands down, it's one of the planet's best rides.
M

I have ridden Big Sur North to South three times during different tours; I have never had a problem.

1) I traveled North to South during the week in late summer.
2) I made sure I was visible in shaded areas or near walls (yes, I sometimes wave at cars in a polite fashion.)
3) I pulled off the road to let RVs pass if they were slowly creeping up behind me and reluctant to pass.

The ocean side (west side) of the road has larger margins and areas to pull off the road if needed. The East side is much tighter and more dangerous in my opinion. But again, I have never ridden the east side except to double back and pick up stragglers. I have found Big Sur to be some of the safest and most scenic riding during my tours. Once you get near Malibu, everything seems to get crazy.

Avoid hugging the rock walls in tight areas, swinging out to be seen is good as long as you are ready to swing in if necessary!

No


Stay on the shoulders. Cars generally can't whip around at 100mph there. Plus there are cyclists all over the north to south route, so cars are aware of them for the most part.

Once you're on Rt 1, there are very few spots where you will actually feel sensitive about being on the road. Pacifica was pretty much it.

I've ridden L.A.-Frisco many times,you should have no problems.North is harder because of the wind,less room for you to ride and it seems I'm always climbing at the end of the day.Go during the week,much less traffic.Big Sur is my favorite ride.If you want real excitement,try riding 17 mile drive sometime.Between the cars running you off "their" road and golf balls flying around....oh what fun.Phiffer/Big Sur Campground is my favorite around there.Something about camping in the Redwoods then walking to the beach in 5 minutes....

Go for it,have fun,it's a ride to remember.

My biggest problem with Big Sur was food. If I remember right it's about 200 miles without a grocery store. I think that's what we all like about it but it just about killed me to pay $16 for a grilled cheese. The waiter did let me finish the food off of my neighbor's table, though

I'm with most of these folks. I did the North to South ride (j'adore the tailwind) but did feel very intimidated a few times by the cars. One motorist told me that he loves when cyclists use those "little blinky lights, especially when they're in the shade and it's very sunny out." For me, it is all about bright colors and bright lights. Keep your ears peeled for somebody coming up behind you and hug the shoulder. All the "RVAmerica!" renters (g*******s) were still on the roads late into October. I think they were looking to avoid the crowds after Labor Day like I was.

Have fun!!!
Peace.

I have ridden the Big Sur coast in both directions five times during most every season and traffic condition. Rental Rvs are the most dangerous vehicles along with distracted drivers looking at the great scenery or talking on their cell phones or both.

I make a point of wearing bright clothing, a reflective vest, use a mirror for rearward vision and as necessary take the whole lane before curves when a passing vehicle would endanger me. When the way is clear I wave on the vehicles behind me. Asserting my vehicle status as a cyclist rather than cowering on the fog line at the road edge has proven the safer method of touring in my experience.

Big Sur is rightly extolled as one of the premier bike tour routes. With a little care and caution it is a very safe route as well. Have a good trip!

I really enjoyed riding that section with my son. We have a couple of youtube videos that show it. One thing is the traffic is generaly traveling at manageable rates of speed. I have am always surprised that when I ride a section of hiway and then go back and drive it, I always say I'm surprised that section wasn't scary to ride.

video of part

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TTHTZ8ez48

Well said.

I have ridden the Big Sur coast several times (North to South) and the only time I was concerned about my safety was on a winding downhill with a severe crosswind and a long way down. Cars haven't been a problem, though I always pick my riding days there to minimize traffic.

I have also driven the coast many times and braking hard to go around those bends is much more worrying, especially with some jerk bearing down on you from behind.

Have you ever noticed that cars move in herds? It is something I only noticed when biking and now try to be aware of my behavior when driving.

Ray