A bike tour to the central coast through the central valley?!What? . . . you say! How interesting can that be?
Having taken the popular coastal route (Hwy 1) numerous times it was time to find another way. I cobbled together a potential route from several sources - the excellent Krebs cycling maps, AAA maps and roads I'm familiar with from previous rides.
I plotted a route from Sacramento to San Luis Obispo, connecting the dots of some interesting places. The over-night stops were Rio Vista, Tracy, Santa Nella, Mercy Hot Springs, Pinnacles, King City, Ft. Hunter-Liggett, and Paso Robles.
Camping and motelling was split 50/50.
The total distance is 457 miles, ascending 12,362' with average daily miles between 40-60 miles. Some days were a little longer and some shorter. Very doable distances when riding fully loaded.
I floated the idea of this tour with some of my cycle touring buddies and to my surprise, the response was incredibly enthusiastic. Initially, 14 cycling compatriots indicated an interest to participate in the 10 day tour.
In the end, 10 participated in the tour, doing all or parts of the tour. The core group who completed all 10 days were Jay Okada and Keith Wynns from Los Osos, Bob Anderson from Santa Rosa, Herb Lee and myself from Sacramento.
Dennis Engblom joined us for one day, Steve Gibson for 2 1/2 days, Jim Regan and Peter Saucerman for 7 days, and Harvey Cohen from San Luis Obispo for 5 days.
Weather-wise, we couldn't have timed the tour any better. The longest and wettest winter in decades ended two days before the tour started and we enjoyed 11 dry days. North winds arose on the two days we were headed down the Central Valley so we benefited from 20-30 mph tailwinds.
Coffee houses, pie shops, and small markets popped up in the middle of nowhere when our energy level were beginning to sag. The tour was blessed given that we were riding on mostly unexplored roads.
The route and terrain turned out to be varied, interesting and we were treated to some unique experiences. This was cycle touring at its best and this is why we do it.
This blog consists of three parts. Continue to scroll down or click on "old posts" to continue the tour.
For enlarged view, click on pic once/twice
On the Riverfront PromenadeDay 1 Leaving Sac for Rio Vista, a 52 mile ride - Me, Herb, Jay, Keith, Dennis, Bob
Jay in front of the Tower Bridge
Cruising along Babel Slough (above and below)
Delta vineyard
First stop - lunch at Shorty's near Clarksburg
See ya' Mike!Mike had family obligations and couldn't make the tour. He rode with us to Shorty's and returned home. We'll miss ya' Mike.
Crossing the Courtland Bridge
Stopping off to visit Historic Locke, a river town established by early Chinese immigrants
Checking out Main Street
A new monument honoring the town's Chinese heritage
Keith and Steve checking out Al's, a popular eatery
No burn-outs from loaded bikes
Next stop Walnut Grove
Catching the first of two ferrys . . . crossing Steamboat Slough
The only big climb of the day - up a river levee
More speed Steve! . . . you're teetering
Taking the Real McCoy II, a new ferry crossing to Rio Vista
Dennis breaking camp at Sandy Beach Campground in Rio Vista where we spent the first night
Sunrise over Sac River
Yellow lupine in peak bloom
Early morning on a lanquid river
We crossed the infamous Hwy 12 Bridge from Rio Vista to Hwy 160 - no shoulder and heavy truck traffic. We puckered up and raced across the bridge.
See ya' Dennis!Dennis could only make one day of the tour. He left for home after camping with us.
Wind turbines in the Montezuma Hills
Day 2 Rio Vista to Tracy, a 54 mile dayCircumnavigating the Levee Road on Sherman Island . . . and heading to Antioch
Fishing the San Joaquin River
The very wet winter is causing a population explosion of rodents which means it will be a banner year for reptiles. I saw numerous snakes sunning themselves on the roads.
Our big climb of the day over the Antioch Bridge
About a 4' wide bike lane but still kinda' scary with all the traffic
A great view of Mt. Diablo and Antioch from the top of the bridge
Pick it up Steve!A big truck bearing down on Steve
Stopping off at the Black Bear Diner in Oakley for a hearty lunch
A humongous taco salad . . . Steve has become a Black Bear convert
Tackling the rolling hills on Bruns Road between Byron and Tracy
Slaking our thirst at Mountain House on Grantline Road near Tracy
We woke up to northwinds blowing 20-30 mph. The palm trees were tilting south.Day 3 Tracy to Santa Nella, a 60 mile ride down the Central Valley
Serendipity rules! We encounter the All American Expresso out in the middle of nowhere
Great coffee and nice display of fresh fruit
The barista makes a mean latte
The restroom is behind the cup-o-joe
Cheers!The lads taking a nice break
Yeehaa! With tailwinds at 20-30 mph, we were blowing down Kasson Road making short a 60 mile day.
Watching a nifty planting machine
See ya' Steve!Steve rode with us for 2 1/2 days and departed in Patterson
Swingin' through Historic Downtown Newman
Riding past a wildlife refuge outside Los BanosDay 4 Santa Nella to Mercy Hot Springs, a 62 mile day
A strategic stop at Chic's Market in Dos Palos, a tiny burg in the Big Valley
Fred Sanford and Son drove up in this vintage trailerDos Palos is a hard-scrabble valley town with not much going on
Leaving the flat central valley and turning west toward the hills on Shields Av.
This nervous yappy pooch guarded the home where we took a short break
Crossing the CA Acquaduct
The first big climb on Little Panoche Road on our way to Mercy Hot Springs
The barren Panoche Hills
Finding some shade and setting up camp at Mercy Hot Springs
Hey Peter . . . You the MAN!Peter and Jim joined the tour at Mercy. They brought us sub-sandwiches from Quiznos and dessert from Freeport Bakery.
The Taco Bell motif of the Hot Spring's office
Mercy Hot Springs is a literal oasis in the desert
Recently built hot tubs were a godsend
Peter and Keith lounging by the pool
You can rent rustic cabins if you want to go high brow
A fledgling owlMercy is a great place for birders. A family of short-eared owls roost in the trees.
The Killing Field!Mice heads are too big for the owls to digest so they drop them on the ground
Little Panoche Hills at sunset are sublime
The gang of 7 leaving Mercy HSDay 5 Mercy Hot Springs to Pinnacle, a 54 mile day
Small Wheel Society - Peter with his Moulten and Herb with Bike Friday
Leaving the Hot Springs on Little Panoche Road and into the hills
A long steady climb to the first summit
Up and over the summit and into Panoche Valley
Panoche Valley - stark yet very beautiful
The juxtaposition of brown valley, rolling hills and green mountains is mesmerizing
Good sense of humor at the Panoche Inn
The road swings north and climbs toward Hwy 25 and Paicines
A gradual climb to the summit
Taking a break at the high point
Beginning of a long gradual descent to Paicines
A fab rest-stop at the Paicines store - tasty home-made burritos and tamales
Attack dog pestering for a bite
Turning on Hwy 25 toward the Pinnacles takes you through bucolic country-side
Jim cresting the summitAnother butt-busting climb before reaching the Pinnacles
BA is in good form and riding tough on this tour
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