andydreisch

My wife and I ride the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) often. Around every 10 or so miles we see spray-painted in white lettering "Tres Amigos Bike Tour" with the year of the tour appended. I think I've seen two such years--2005 and 2007.

I was curious and searched for a tour journal on CGOAB and elsewhere but with no luck.

So, to the Tres Amigos, reveal yourselves!! Let us know more about your adventures.

Andy

zeppinger

Ya i just finished that tour and was wondering the same thing!

Bekologist

they probably got arrested for tagging.

rodar y rodar

I hope so. I don`t like grafiti anyway, but it`s worse (in my book) if the source is 1) a group that generally behaves well and is relatively environmentally friendly, 2) a group that I represent. String `em up!

staehpj1

Was that on the road surface or what? We really enjoyed some of the stuff painted on the roads when we were on tour, especially in Kansas. Seems to me that something painted on the road isn't as bad as painting rocks, buildings, signs, etc.

jabantik00

yeah on the road surface, usually on the shoulder and pointing a turn. i've been seeing their markings since my first pacific coast trip, about 15 years ago. i found their markings to be somewhat helpful, usually signifying a turn or otherwise confirming that i was on the right road. it's the sort of thing only bicyclists and pedestrians would see, and not similar to a graffiti tag or picture on a bridge or train car or whatever. the shoulder is full of crappy bits of paint marking underground service areas (USA) and such anyways.

and yes, i have been curious as to who the 3 amigos are for a long time as well.

raybo

I wonder if it has to do with this: https://www.bikehikers.com/Events/Tour_3Amigos.html ?

Ray

andydreisch

Oops. I somehow forgot to mention that there was no "tagging" going on ... just innocuous small signs on bike lanes. They're easy to pass by if you're not paying attention.

raybo, I'm afraid that's not it (your link). I've seen the Tres Amigos signs as far north as Fort Bragg and south as San Diego.

Mr. Jim

That makes sense, organized rides often paint markers on the road for the group, I thought that when i first read this but was unable to find a web listing for the ride.

spinnaker

zeppinger

I am also against "tagging." Why did they not just use road chalk to signal the group behind them? That would have laster a good few weeks before washing off! They used paint to make sure that it would be there for a VERY long time. If everyone tagged their PCH tour ride then how ugly would it be? It would also be lame to be constantly reminded that what you are doing is not special because sooooo many others have already done it. That said.... i did find their signs helpful for navigation on one or two occasions.

spinnaker

I pretty much agree with everything you wrote. I did also find it useful but would rather not see not at all.
What upsets me more is the litter I saw along the way. Much of it from cyclists. Most likely wanna be road racers.


But what really upsets me is to see all of the vandalism in the way of graffiti. I am from Pittsburgh and the city is scarred with this garbage everywhere. Our crowning jewels are our bridges. We have some wonderful bridges that freaks have painted and left those lousy stickers all over. Makes me sick everytime I see it. I have had thoughts to paint over it myself but I would probably be the one that gets arrested.

positron

Eye of the beholder my friend. I, for one, prefer it to the oh-so beautiful, highway grade asphalt which it covers.

Painting on rocks or private property I agree, is offensive and inappropriate, but leaving a mark on a road surface I have no problem with... paint on amigos!

staehpj1

+1

I especially enjoy it when there are funny comments on dull stretches. In Kansas they really lighten the mood. I also get a kick out of seeing left overs from races (Allez Allez Allez, 1km to KOM etc.). The ones I have seen are unobtrusive enough that I did not find them objectionable at all.

Dan The Man

Do you guys remember the 7 devils road? I got a kick out of that. It motivated me to climb each hill.

Cyclist0094

Must have gotten the outfits at a Nashbar Closeout

raybo

On my recent ride down to LA, I was on the climb just south of Lompoc and saw this painted on the road. Remembering this thread, I had to laugh out loud, turn around and take a picture for everyone here.



Ray

Omiak

I think advertising is the real eyesore. Actually you could probably argue that graffiti is one of the more pure forms of art. Being that it is illegal you have to be somewhat motivated and you can't do it for profit.

7speed

It's not a very creative name, either. Get any group of three people together and chances are they're amigos or musketeers.

spinnaker

There is no argument. It is not art it is vandalism and it is illegal.

andydreisch

Hey raybo, did you add the extra language?

Re: vandalism, I don't agree. While I don't want everyone to paint their names along the bike lanes I always thought this was pretty cool.

spinnaker

Not really appropriate for this thread but the poster above gave a general "graffiti is art" not necessarily referring to names in bike lanes.

But what if everyone that rode the PCH wrote their name along the route? What would that look like? Sorry but if you give a pass to one, you give a pass to all. That said, I did find it somewhat reassuring that we were on the right route but I would have liked seeing a bit more signage more.

Neil_B

+1! I doubt that anyone will claim the 'art' adds anything to this covered bridge, for instance.

neilfein

So, art needs to be legal or it's not-art, as if by magic?


Graffiti seen on the New Brunswick towpath. There's a long stretch here that's pretty ugly but for some artwork by some very talented folks.

a quickr pickr post

raybo

No.

It looks to me that someone named Pete did as all the other 3 Amigos tags don't have a name painted on them.

Ray