With HWY 1 closed to traffic in both directions due to winter landslides. We wanted to seize advantage by creating a mostly car free bicycle tour through some of California's most highly scenic areas. This is part 2 of the series.
Nice ride! If you ask nicely and it's not busy, at True Earth market they will bake an almond croissant fresh for you. They receive their baked goods par-baked and frozen (or perhaps just chilled, can't remember) from Back Porch Bakery in Atascadero. Cayucos has some killer fresh churros right at the pier. And then The Hidden Kitchen for breakfast/brunch...Oh, I miss SLO just a bit :)
Thanks for the tips and suggestions! True Earth is a must stop when in Cambria. I'll have to give the Cayucos churros a try. The guys sitting out in front of the cafe when we rode up are living the dream.
You made it over "Nasty"! (Nacimiento). Great recon as am planning to make similar journey to folks place (in SLO). Highway 1 was closed in 2017 from Big Sur Village to Ragged Point and ended up enjoying multiple times that year as the ultimate car-free joy ride ("Live Free Or Drive!"). You're guilty of living - stay accused of such crimes!
I rode "Nasty" back in 2022 when it was closed, but HWY 1 was open. When I got to the HWY it was bustling (4:00 PM on a Thursday). This time it was special. We road two by two most of the way taking the whole lane. We'd get a car maybe one every 15 minutes or more. And they would almost all pass us in the other lane, because they knew no one else was coming the other way! 100% best HWY 1 experience of my life. During the week it's probably even better, but I'm almost certain you will not make it through "Nasty", too much construction. Unfortunately, just North of Nasty on hwy 1 is the slide. So...coming down 1 the whole way doesn't look like an option either (although rumor has it you can get through during after hours - that's what we heard from another bike tourist at the train station). It's a gamble. Good luck, I hope you can pull it off.
Awesome feedback, will take note. One of the best local news sources for checking out latest slide reports and up-to-date road conditions is Big Sur Kate's Blog. Between her community input, local Caltrans reports, and your own imvaluable advice, other riders can hopefully know what to do, (plus, more importantly, what NOT to do....). Moonlit night rides down this battered coast also pose further opportunities to experience Highway 1 biking bliss, (for sane cycling along what can otherwise be an insanely traffic-ridden road). We bikebums all need to share our experiences and stay tuned in / aware of such important matters! You are a hero for broadcasting these inspiring treks to begin with, and even more so for taking the time to comment / reply about the nuances of undertaking such missions; it literally means the difference between a hellish if not downright impossible journey.....or a heavenly riding experience🤞.
When I couldn't get into the lodge at Hunter-Liggett, I went a ways up Nacimiento and camped at the Ponderosa Campground. I was pleasantly surprised....a quiet place with a small river running through it (did you notice if it was still open?). Then I prayed my rims wouldn't explode as I rode my brakes on the descent to the ocean. Thank you for bringing back some great memories. A beautiful film, as usual.
Thank you! Only specific train lines require boxing the bikes. The Coast Starlight is the route we took and its not required. You will want to double check with Amtrak, depending on where you are traveling, but generally not.
Hi Henry, do you have any intel on the state of the nacimiento-fergusson rd? Some reports suggest it's impassable due to wash outs and construction, others say its fine. Thank you!
I'm coming just as soon as I finish a trio of vintage dirt touring road bikes (formerly mountain bikes with 26x2.3 tires. I love the Polyvalent, but can't afford thru axles and disc brakes, and I don't like the tiny ball bearings in modern thru-axle hubs. I'm going to Big Sur with my 2 riding partners.😊😊❤❤
On most routes it's not required to box the bike. The coast starlight it's not required, but on the Empire Builder (from Spokane to Portland) it's required because the train is split and the bikes have to be transferred.
That is not the Rhode Island coast. The east coast has nothing to offer you. Where the two of you ride you have low population density, mountains galore and gravel roads. The Appalachian mountains are worn down, 112,642,000 live on the east coast (touring in Long Island and northern New Jersey ), never ride on Rt 1 north of Boston. You are better off with the occasional mountain lion and grizzly bear.
HWY 1 is normally pretty busy in the areas around the SF bay and down South of SLO. The Central Coast on the other hand is basically protected by the Ventana Wilderness Area and Big Sur, a low density population area. That helps keep it mostly quiet, but the landslides are our time as cyclists to enjoy the roads without cars. Most people see heavy rain in the winter forecast and dreaded washouts and slides, but as a cyclist I start planning rides! 😆
How fast have you gone through the town? The Doppler effect has been so immense, the sound of the music differed so extreme. Thanks for the second part of your adventure and the rocks on the road are a good sign for a quiet one. Liebe Grüße und allzeit gute Fahrt🙋♀.
The central coast is known for bending space time. It exists in a different gravity field. That’s what we admire about the place. I highly recommend checking it out one day.
Thanks for part two! Left at Lucia, never tried that! The short ride to Cambria makes sense, and so does using the train back if Hwy 1 is closed. I remember one year Hwy 1 was closed both south of Lucia and north (probably Bixby Bridge). The only way over was Ferguson-Nascimiento, and we had delightfully car-free day on Big Sur. Still treasure the memories. We stayed in King City that trip iirc.
Taking the train back is a nice way to unwind and let the experience sink in. We used to be able to chance our tickets, but now Amtrak is getting more popular, so it’s good to book ahead. Although then you have to make it on time. I much prefer an arrive when I arrive attitude. I wouldn’t mind going a little farther next time.
Awesome footage and wind noise is a little harsh. I recommend the Sennheiser MKE 200. Tiny little mic with great wind performance. Looks like an amazing trip🤙🏽🤠
I don't have an answer for you, but I would say if you can keep the tire size around 2 inches, it should be able to fit into just about any type of rack, whether it's on a train or a bus. If you're having trouble, you could deflate the tires.
