Big Sur Loop

[Lunch Box]

That was true the last time I went through there in 2009, but I had heard earlier this year that it's no longer true. When was the last time you got checked?

I ran Naciemento-Ferguson in July, during MotoGP weekend, and we didn't get checked at all. Not sure what the policy is, though.

 

[Titus58]

Rod - definitely looks like fun - a number of your dirt roads are on my list! You interested in company? Let me know, including the when....

FWIW I agree with Brettmx - Paso is definitely the town to stay in. Food choices are vast, from tasty cafes to upscale eateries, as well as fabulous wineries nearby.

 

[rodr]

Rod - definitely looks like fun - a number of your dirt roads are on my list! You interested in company? Let me know, including the when....

FWIW I agree with Brettmx - Paso is definitely the town to stay in. Food choices are vast, from tasty cafes to upscale eateries, as well as fabulous wineries nearby.

Hey Tim, I was gonna do it this weekend but the others in my team seem to be flaking out. Now I get to decide if I'm doing it anyway. Hate to waste such beautiful weather! If you're interested on such short notice, send me a PM.

 

[Titus58]

Hey Tim, I was gonna do it this weekend but the others in my team seem to be flaking out. Now I get to decide if I'm doing it anyway. Hate to waste such beautiful weather! If you're interested on such short notice, send me a PM.

Hey Rod - damn, I have family plans on Sat that I need to honor - but let me know if you delay to another wknd....agreed that the weather looks to be perfect this wknd

 

[Double-D]

That's what I needed to know, thanks! Pretty sure the Weestrom and I can handle it, but wanted to know for the sake of others who may be along.


Looks like this is what you mean:

[gmap]<iframe width="640" height="480" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=US-101+N&daddr=37.45078,-122.33876+to:37.18002,-122.1398+to:36.443864,-121.923579+to:36.35043,-121.87577+to:36.3266674,-121.8607266+to:35.9019061,-121.3655943+to:35.99735,-121.43256+to:K+St+to:35.9602181,-120.6532113+to:36.04762,-120.66662+to:36.66222,-121.246+to:36.8411239,-121.514628+to:36.8623384,-121.5524985+to:I-880+N&geocode=FQxuQgIdopSy-A%3BFRx0OwIdOEK1-CmRcYwHYqCPgDGM029_5Yf_dg%3BFXRSNwIdaEu4-CmRxUNWz02OgDGDjvqQC7ZQKg%3BFdgWLAIdBZi7-CmRNgtY3euNgDG1Fs3YSATnHw%3BFd6pKgIdxlK8-Cm7wuR3oZONgDGRrj2j8tJZGA%3BFQtNKgIdio28-CmXrrvF05ONgDGkyPAF3rRlFA%3BFdLRIwIdphvE-CnrvaXq5b2SgDFCs7itsHGsCQ%3BFaZGJQIdEBbD-CkBCQrKpJCSgDEozfYKCgl2_A%3BFY97IQId1EXO-A%3BFZq1JAIdZfrO-Cm93IobnTCTgDH-Mg-HStoVWg%3BFQQLJgIdBMbO-CmhKYDLfzyTgDHVYsl40MR-FA%3BFcxrLwId0O7F-CmLItyU4T2SgDHaxzjAuZC4og%3BFaMmMgIdfNXB-CnlFpAe6PiRgDGHbvzIMGc8gA%3BFYJ5MgIdjkHB-CkjLPzkuP6RgDFmJN_mamsuUA%3BFfYRQQIdLO61-A&sll=35.988563,-121.422701&sspn=0.050906,0.082226&vpsrc=6&gl=us&hl=en&mra=dvme&mrsp=7&sz=14&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10,11,12,13&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=35.953553,-121.416779&spn=0.266801,0.439453&z=11&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=US-101+N&daddr=37.45078,-122.33876+to:37.18002,-122.1398+to:36.443864,-121.923579+to:36.35043,-121.87577+to:36.3266674,-121.8607266+to:35.9019061,-121.3655943+to:35.99735,-121.43256+to:K+St+to:35.9602181,-120.6532113+to:36.04762,-120.66662+to:36.66222,-121.246+to:36.8411239,-121.514628+to:36.8623384,-121.5524985+to:I-880+N&geocode=FQxuQgIdopSy-A%3BFRx0OwIdOEK1-CmRcYwHYqCPgDGM029_5Yf_dg%3BFXRSNwIdaEu4-CmRxUNWz02OgDGDjvqQC7ZQKg%3BFdgWLAIdBZi7-CmRNgtY3euNgDG1Fs3YSATnHw%3BFd6pKgIdxlK8-Cm7wuR3oZONgDGRrj2j8tJZGA%3BFQtNKgIdio28-CmXrrvF05ONgDGkyPAF3rRlFA%3BFdLRIwIdphvE-CnrvaXq5b2SgDFCs7itsHGsCQ%3BFaZGJQIdEBbD-CkBCQrKpJCSgDEozfYKCgl2_A%3BFY97IQId1EXO-A%3BFZq1JAIdZfrO-Cm93IobnTCTgDH-Mg-HStoVWg%3BFQQLJgIdBMbO-CmhKYDLfzyTgDHVYsl40MR-FA%3BFcxrLwId0O7F-CmLItyU4T2SgDHaxzjAuZC4og%3BFaMmMgIdfNXB-CnlFpAe6PiRgDGHbvzIMGc8gA%3BFYJ5MgIdjkHB-CkjLPzkuP6RgDFmJN_mamsuUA%3BFfYRQQIdLO61-A&sll=35.988563,-121.422701&sspn=0.050906,0.082226&vpsrc=6&gl=us&hl=en&mra=dvme&mrsp=7&sz=14&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10,11,12,13&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=35.953553,-121.416779&spn=0.266801,0.439453&z=11" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>[/gmap]

Thanks again!

Yep that's it. And yes it's FS land. There's some cool camp sites along the ridge. The sites are all dry sites though, so bring water.

Last spring I went through HL twice and the guard post was closed.


For the way back you might also want to go through Parkfield and up to 198 and 25. That adds another sliver of dirt, about 5 miles or so. There's also Clear Creek if you're really feeling adventurous...

Cheers!

 

[rodr]

Well screw you guys, I'm gonna go rail the twisties, play in the dirt, eat some great food and camp in the woods by myself!

Weekends don't get any more perfect for riding than this!

 

[FLH03RIDER]

Looks like a good weekend... Have fun!
You'll probably get some fog along the coast in the mornings.
There are also some campgrounds on Nacimento - Fergusson Rd. (Ponderosa Campground). There about 3/4's of the way up from Hiway 1 before you get into FHL. As for FHL - no guard post / gate anymore but do watch your speed.

 

[I'm OaklandLion]

Well screw you guys, I'm gonna go rail the twisties, play in the dirt, eat some great food and camp in the woods by myself!

Weekends don't get any more perfect for riding than this!

Rod -

What's your schedule look like? The route sounds fantastic, but I need to be back in Oakland late afternoon. I could slap it all the way back on 101 if you leave early enough.

 

[rodr]

Rod -

What's your schedule look like? The route sounds fantastic, but I need to be back in Oakland late afternoon. I could slap it all the way back on 101 if you leave early enough.

Hey Brad, I don't have a rigid schedule. Was thinking about camping in one of the free campgrounds after getting on Los Burros, but could just as easily push on to Paso Robles for a good dinner and faster return. I'm open to suggestions!

EDIT: Or did you mean you need to get back by Saturday afternoon? I expect to leave Fairfield by 8am.

 

[I'm OaklandLion]

I'd have to be home Saturday by 5pm or my ass is grass.

If we met in Oakland by 9am, and kept breaks to a minimum, think I'd be home by 5pm?

I really want to ride thru Hunter Liggett and do that dirt section (old coast road?).

When we hit 101, I can head home and you can camp or head to Mercy Hot Springs.

King City is 150 miles from my home. If we get to 101 by 2:30pm, I'll be fine.

That leaves 5.5 hours for lunch and a good ride. dicey....

what do you think?

 

[rodr]

I'd have to be home Saturday by 5pm or my ass is grass.

If we met in Oakland by 9am, and kept breaks to a minimum, think I'd be home by 5pm?

I really want to ride thru Hunter Liggett and do that dirt section (old coast road?).

When we hit 101, I can head home and you can camp or head to Mercy Hot Springs.

King City is 150 miles from my home. If we get to 101 by 2:30pm, I'll be fine.

That leaves 5.5 hours for lunch and a good ride. dicey....

what do you think?

Could do something like this, meeting near the top end of Skyline (point A) at 9am:

http://g.co/maps/tb2rs

That's about 7.5 hours of riding time, maybe a bit less, and hits Old Coast Road but misses the dirt roads below Naciemento-Ferguson. I would take a different direction around point B and you'd be on your own from there.

Allowing some time for lunch and gas stops that would be at the outside of your time limits. If you wanna do it, let me know and please suggest a specific meeting spot (I don't get down that way very much so don't know what's good).

 

[NowDatsLivin]

OK I just saw new posts with talk of an east bay route, and hey I'm flexible (gee, esp if ya gonna come thru Oaktown here) but here are my thoughts...

Hi Rod,
Okey-dokey so I'll join you tomorrow for the ride down...I'll be coming from Oakland, prolly over the Bay Bridge ... and heading down 280. If you know of somewhere good to meet up, along the early part of your route, just say the time and place. Hopefully somewhere with some hot coffee!
Let's see how far we get, I've been down to Santa Cruz on the MC but that's it, should be easy enough to get down to somewhere a ways south of Carmel, HiWay 1 sure gets gorgeous just south of there...and keeps getting better yeah...I will need to leave myself enough daylight to slab it back on home at some mid/late afternoon point...not gonna turn into a pumpkin or anything but prefer to get back before it gets too dark...
Cheers,
Nicki

 

[rodr]

Nicki, here's a variation of the route above with a meetup point at a Starbucks in Oakland, point B on the map. Let me know if that's a good spot. Brad is out so looks like just you and me so far. I'm thinking 9am still but could do 8:30 if you prefer.

http://g.co/maps/jjhex

[gmap]<iframe width="640" height="480" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=I-80+W&daddr=Unknown+road+to:37.484461,-122.359167+to:37.18002,-122.1398+to:36.443864,-121.923579+to:36.35043,-121.87577+to:36.3266671,-121.860726+to:Mission+Rd+to:36.29388,-121.20127+to:I-880+N&geocode=FcdISAIdGOa5-A%3BFcNXQQId9O21-A%3BFa33OwIdgfK0-CnPl7lRU3WPgDH5HJYndxZBtQ%3BFXRSNwIdaEu4-CmRxUNWz02OgDGDjvqQC7ZQKg%3BFdgWLAIdBZi7-CmRNgtY3euNgDG1Fs3YSATnHw%3BFd6pKgIdxlK8-Cm7wuR3oZONgDGRrj2j8tJZGA%3BFQtNKgIdio28-CmXrrvF05ONgDGkyPAF3rRlFA%3BFRjVJAIdcNDG-A%3BFfjMKQIdip3G-Ck15fy8aF-SgDF6DslJyFsiSg%3BFV7TPwIdTnq3-A&sll=37.688167,-122.124023&sspn=0.762899,1.222229&vpsrc=6&gl=us&hl=en&mra=dme&mrsp=9&sz=10&via=2,3,4,5,6,8&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=37.833107,-122.295599&spn=0.016269,0.027466&z=15&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=I-80+W&daddr=Unknown+road+to:37.484461,-122.359167+to:37.18002,-122.1398+to:36.443864,-121.923579+to:36.35043,-121.87577+to:36.3266671,-121.860726+to:Mission+Rd+to:36.29388,-121.20127+to:I-880+N&geocode=FcdISAIdGOa5-A%3BFcNXQQId9O21-A%3BFa33OwIdgfK0-CnPl7lRU3WPgDH5HJYndxZBtQ%3BFXRSNwIdaEu4-CmRxUNWz02OgDGDjvqQC7ZQKg%3BFdgWLAIdBZi7-CmRNgtY3euNgDG1Fs3YSATnHw%3BFd6pKgIdxlK8-Cm7wuR3oZONgDGRrj2j8tJZGA%3BFQtNKgIdio28-CmXrrvF05ONgDGkyPAF3rRlFA%3BFRjVJAIdcNDG-A%3BFfjMKQIdip3G-Ck15fy8aF-SgDF6DslJyFsiSg%3BFV7TPwIdTnq3-A&sll=37.688167,-122.124023&sspn=0.762899,1.222229&vpsrc=6&gl=us&hl=en&mra=dme&mrsp=9&sz=10&via=2,3,4,5,6,8&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=37.833107,-122.295599&spn=0.016269,0.027466&z=15" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>[/gmap]

 

[Titus58]

Hey Rod - there's now a chance to move my family deal to Sunday in which case I may be able to join you on Sat (and maybe my brother as well). We'd
meet you at 4 corners (intersection of Hwys 9 & 35) in the SC mtns.

So let me know what time you and Nicki decide to meet @ Oakland, and we can google map fr there to 4corners for a time est.

Like Nicki we'd be down for the day only, but don't have a hard stop return time...will keep you posted...

 

[rodr]

Hey Rod - there's now a chance to move my family deal to Sunday in which case I may be able to join you on Sat (and maybe my brother as well). We'd
meet you at 4 corners (intersection of Hwys 9 & 35) in the SC mtns.

So let me know what time you and Nicki decide to meet @ Oakland, and we can google map fr there to 4corners for a time est.

Like Nicki we'd be down for the day only, but don't have a hard stop return time...will keep you posted...

Cool! Here's a revised tentative route. Say KSU 0830 at point B, gets us to 4 corners by 1000, and leaves lots of daylight for the day ride. Nicki, 0830 OK?

EDIT: Nicki confirmed 8:30 at B, so we'll be at 4 corners by 10:00.

http://g.co/maps/n25d7

[gmap]<iframe width="640" height="480" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=I-80+W&daddr=Unknown+road+to:37.484461,-122.359167+to:CA-35+S%2FSkyline+Blvd+to:37.18002,-122.1398+to:36.443864,-121.923579+to:36.35043,-121.87577+to:36.3266671,-121.860726+to:Mission+Rd+to:36.57537,-121.18595+to:I-880+N&geocode=FcdISAIdGOa5-A%3BFcNXQQId9O21-A%3BFa33OwIdgfK0-CnPl7lRU3WPgDH5HJYndxZBtQ%3BFe2BOAIdzpS4-A%3BFXRSNwIdaEu4-CmRxUNWz02OgDGDjvqQC7ZQKg%3BFdgWLAIdBZi7-CmRNgtY3euNgDG1Fs3YSATnHw%3BFd6pKgIdxlK8-Cm7wuR3oZONgDGRrj2j8tJZGA%3BFQtNKgIdio28-CmXrrvF05ONgDGkyPAF3rRlFA%3BFRjVJAIdcNDG-A%3BFYoYLgIdYtnG-Ckhi51kxkCSgDFDv6mqnGcKYA%3BFV7TPwIdTnq3-A&sll=36.398073,-121.448364&sspn=0.771553,1.222229&vpsrc=6&gl=us&hl=en&mra=mrv&via=2,4,5,6,7,9&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=36.949892,-121.821899&spn=2.107113,3.515625&z=8&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=I-80+W&daddr=Unknown+road+to:37.484461,-122.359167+to:CA-35+S%2FSkyline+Blvd+to:37.18002,-122.1398+to:36.443864,-121.923579+to:36.35043,-121.87577+to:36.3266671,-121.860726+to:Mission+Rd+to:36.57537,-121.18595+to:I-880+N&geocode=FcdISAIdGOa5-A%3BFcNXQQId9O21-A%3BFa33OwIdgfK0-CnPl7lRU3WPgDH5HJYndxZBtQ%3BFe2BOAIdzpS4-A%3BFXRSNwIdaEu4-CmRxUNWz02OgDGDjvqQC7ZQKg%3BFdgWLAIdBZi7-CmRNgtY3euNgDG1Fs3YSATnHw%3BFd6pKgIdxlK8-Cm7wuR3oZONgDGRrj2j8tJZGA%3BFQtNKgIdio28-CmXrrvF05ONgDGkyPAF3rRlFA%3BFRjVJAIdcNDG-A%3BFYoYLgIdYtnG-Ckhi51kxkCSgDFDv6mqnGcKYA%3BFV7TPwIdTnq3-A&sll=36.398073,-121.448364&sspn=0.771553,1.222229&vpsrc=6&gl=us&hl=en&mra=mrv&via=2,4,5,6,7,9&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=36.949892,-121.821899&spn=2.107113,3.515625&z=8" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>[/gmap]

 

[rodr]

I am doing none of the above - visiting my recently deceased friend's family, then canning pears & gardening with a friend who works weekdays .... I am lame.

Maybe you could do all that Sunday...

 

[Titus58]

Argh...I'm still TBD and it's killing me...

Agreed let's plan on 10am at 4corners - if I can go I will be their early...I'm riding a DL1000 vstrom, silver and black with black helmet and ATGATT.

If I cannot swing the whole day I may still join you guys for the first few hrs down the coast...supposed to be low 70s at least in Santa Cruz tomorrow ....and I was gonna bash Oakland Lion for bowing out...

If I don't join you guys, have an AWESOME

 

[rodr]

Orange DL650, red textile jacket, silver helmet. Hope to see you there!

 

[rodr]

Photos and Ride Report: 1 of 3

Now here's what really happened.

We had some fails, and a ton of fun. The actual route for me ended up like this, and I'll refer to the stopping point letters in the narrative below:

[gmap]<iframe width="640" height="480" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/lochp?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=I-80+W&daddr=Unknown+road+to:37.484461,-122.359167+to:CA-35+S%2FSkyline+Blvd+to:37.21052,-122.05478+to:37.1953939,-121.9838188+to:Beach+St+to:36.96452,-122.01888+to:Rio+Rd+to:36.443864,-121.923579+to:CA-1+S%2FCabrillo+Hwy+to:Mission+Rd+to:Co+Rd+G18%2FJolon+Rd+to:Bitterwater+Rd%2FCo+Rd+G13%2FLyons+St+to:36.57537,-121.18595+to:US-101+N+to:US-101+N+to:I-680+N&geocode=FcdISAIdGOa5-A%3BFcNXQQId9O21-A%3BFa33OwIdgfK0-CnPl7lRU3WPgDH5HJYndxZBtQ%3BFe2BOAIdzpS4-A%3BFZjJNwIdhJe5-Cm3UlCfwEuOgDEV4vBYoyySBQ%3BFYGONwIdtqy6-CmVqoG8JDaOgDG0zJg58ouWtw%3BFTcDNAIdVBS6-A%3BFagINAIdwCO6-ClnbJa-mWqOgDGMDKKIUGvGOA%3BFUqHLQId99W7-A%3BFdgWLAIdBZi7-CmRNgtY3euNgDG1Fs3YSATnHw%3BFZsAKwIdYei7-A%3BFRjVJAIdcNDG-A%3BFQ5PIwId8v3L-A%3BFSSiKAId-MjH-A%3BFYoYLgIdYtnG-Ckhi51kxkCSgDFDv6mqnGcKYA%3BFVyUNAIdbzTB-A%3BFbJSNgIdqi3A-A%3BFUwMRgId_MC4-A&sll=36.216233,-121.121178&sspn=0.024167,0.038195&vpsrc=6&gl=us&hl=en&mra=mivtw&via=2,4,5,7,9,14&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=37.195331,-121.563721&spn=4.200311,7.03125&z=7&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=I-80+W&daddr=Unknown+road+to:37.484461,-122.359167+to:CA-35+S%2FSkyline+Blvd+to:37.21052,-122.05478+to:37.1953939,-121.9838188+to:Beach+St+to:36.96452,-122.01888+to:Rio+Rd+to:36.443864,-121.923579+to:CA-1+S%2FCabrillo+Hwy+to:Mission+Rd+to:Co+Rd+G18%2FJolon+Rd+to:Bitterwater+Rd%2FCo+Rd+G13%2FLyons+St+to:36.57537,-121.18595+to:US-101+N+to:US-101+N+to:I-680+N&geocode=FcdISAIdGOa5-A%3BFcNXQQId9O21-A%3BFa33OwIdgfK0-CnPl7lRU3WPgDH5HJYndxZBtQ%3BFe2BOAIdzpS4-A%3BFZjJNwIdhJe5-Cm3UlCfwEuOgDEV4vBYoyySBQ%3BFYGONwIdtqy6-CmVqoG8JDaOgDG0zJg58ouWtw%3BFTcDNAIdVBS6-A%3BFagINAIdwCO6-ClnbJa-mWqOgDGMDKKIUGvGOA%3BFUqHLQId99W7-A%3BFdgWLAIdBZi7-CmRNgtY3euNgDG1Fs3YSATnHw%3BFZsAKwIdYei7-A%3BFRjVJAIdcNDG-A%3BFQ5PIwId8v3L-A%3BFSSiKAId-MjH-A%3BFYoYLgIdYtnG-Ckhi51kxkCSgDFDv6mqnGcKYA%3BFVyUNAIdbzTB-A%3BFbJSNgIdqi3A-A%3BFUwMRgId_MC4-A&sll=36.216233,-121.121178&sspn=0.024167,0.038195&vpsrc=6&gl=us&hl=en&mra=mivtw&via=2,4,5,7,9,14&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=37.195331,-121.563721&spn=4.200311,7.03125&z=7" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>[/gmap]

Note you can zoom in and drag the map around as desired, or even click on the Google logo in the bottom left to get all the details.

On to the story.

Weestrom all packed up, aired up and gassed up. I leave Fairfield (point A) at sunrise.

Arriving at the Emeryville Starbucks (B) to meet Nicki, a surprise bonus - Ed is joining us!

Over the Bay Bridge we go...

... we eventually make it to Skyline Drive ...

... and meet up with Tim at Four Corners (C) a little before 10:00.

This is just to prove I was there too.

Now Tim reports that there is heavy traffic on Highway 9, and offers to lead us on a better route to the coast. We quickly agree, and he leads us on down 35 and then through some very twisty back roads around the Lexington Reservoir!

Heading for the reservoir.

Taking a break at the reservoir.

Nicki being Nicki.

Continuing the detour.

I start getting creative with reflections.

Notice I managed to get all four of us in motion in a single picture.

 

[rodr]

Photos and Ride Report: 2 of 3

Arriving at our lunch destination (D) in Santa Cruz. Metered moto parking!

It's on the beach.

Tim, you couldn't finish that orange slice?

Having used every last minute of our metered parking, we proceed on down the coast. Ed and Tim break of at highway 152 to go back to their family obligations. Nicki and I, enjoying more freedom, continue Southward.

And here is where the failures begin.

First failure, no camping for me. At brunch I decided to bag it because (1) a long day trip would allow me to see most of what I wanted to see anyway, and (2) camping solo means 13 hours of darkness with nothing to do other than sleep! As I write this a little after midnight in my comfy chair at home eating a dish of ice cream instead of shivering in the dark, I'm thinking I made the right decision.

Lookin' good Nicki!

Second failure, no dirt.

We stopped at what I thought was the Bixby Bridge, which marks the beginning of Old Coast Road. However it was the Rocky Creek Bridge instead.

Nevertheless, a fantastic photo opportunity!