My wife's request for a bike tour

[Kip Otteson]

My wife requested that we do a bike tour this upcoming summer.  This is a pretty rare request and when she mentioned it I jumped at the chance.  I'm planning on riding the Pacific Coast route as laid out by Adventure Cycling.  We are not doing the whole trip, but are going to be riding from Southern Oregon and will be ending up in the OC.  The crew will be me, my wife, and two kids, daughter (12) and son (15).  We have ridden a few tours in SE Asia but nothing this long.  Not remotely.  I'll be on my Bombadil, my wife on her Heron, and my son on a Surly Pack Rat, daughter on an 86' Panasonic Mountain Cat 4500.  We plan on being on the road from the 10th of June till around the middle of July.  We are both school teachers so this is doable as far as work is concerned.  Being teachers, we are on a budget and plan on camping as much as we can.  We have used Warm Showers in the past and are hosts.  That is a great deal, for sure. 

I'm looking for any suggestions from folks that have done this.  Good places to camp, words of advice on road conditions, etc.   

Thanks in advance.

Kip 

[Steven Sweedler]

Kip, here is a link to a Crazyguy trip report from an experienced tourer who just rode from Vancover to San Diego.He records a huge amount of info about the route, services, etc.  

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1mr&page_id=550960&v=AV

Steve

Plymouth, NH

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Steven Sweedler
Plymouth, New Hampshire

[dougP]

Kip:

A complimentary resource to the ACA maps is Bicycling the Pacific Coast by Vicki Spring & Tom Kirkendell (The Mountaineers Books, Seattle).  The commentaries are more detailed and the route is essentially the same: take Hwy 1 south. 

Something to think about:  crossing LA on a bicycle is a bit tedious, to say the least.  I grew up in LA and have lived with heavy traffic all my life.  For ease of navigation, most published routes across LA stick to the Pacific Coast Bike Route, aka SR 1, for the most part.  Study this area carefully as there are more pleasant alternates with some minor adjustments, sometimes just being a couple of blocks off SR 1 (commonly referred to as PCH in the area). 

There is no camping between Malibu State Park (north of LA) and Doheny SP (southern OC).  There is a new hostel in San Pedro called the South Bay Hostel.  Of course, if you can get Warm Showers across this stretch that's the best solution. 

One caution on the Bicycling the Pacific Coast info:  it's set-up as roughly 60 mile per day average.  This may be challenging given the amount of climbing, esp for the kids.  They do a good job of listing all the campgrounds along the way but only comment on the ones they've used.  The ACA maps also have good info on services. 

We live in Orange County & could possibly help out, although we have no travel plans that far off.  Contact me directly if you want to discuss in detail. 

Doug Peterson

[stevef]

If it were me, I'd opt for the Cascade route over the coastal route.  Lower traffic, less development and, well-I'm more of a mountain view guy than an ocean view guy but that's just me...

Good luck, Steve

[Matt C.]

Kip,

May I recommend this podcast on bike touring the Pacific Coast:

https://castbox.fm/vb/3096376

Also, he has other episodes that discuss different sections he has done that were shorter. I think in 2017 he did a southern Oregon to San Francisco ride. I'm sure if you read episode descriptions you could easily find it.

Best of luck on your tour next summer!

Matt Cook
Bristol, RI

[Shawn Granton]

On Sunday, October 7, 2018 at 7:52:54 PM UTC-7, dougP wrote:

A complimentary resource to the ACA maps is Bicycling the Pacific Coast by Vicki Spring & Tom Kirkendell (The Mountaineers Books, Seattle).  The commentaries are more detailed and the route is essentially the same: take Hwy 1 south.  

To note: Spring/Kirkendell no longer do this book. Their final (4th) edition came out in 2005, and was a bit shopworn then.

Bill Thorness has taken over the title, and put out a new edition this year:

http://billthorness.com/cycling-the-pacific-coast/

While the Spring/Kirkendell run was good for its time, the new Thorness version is much improved and has much more detail, so I'd encourage anyone who wants info on touring the Pacific Coast to seek out the new book.

-Shawn in PDX

[Deacon Patrick]

Kip,

First ... sweet! Sounds a blast! Second, I second the idea of considering a less trafficed path. I recall being surprised by how much traffic was there for an official bike route (but then, I’m rather spoiled in this neck of the woods). Perhaps a blend of routes, hitting the remote sections of the coast and then going more inland? Unless traffic has no effect on your or your wife and kids’ enjoyment of the days’ rides, may be worth considering.

With abandon,
Patrick

[Patrick Moore]

I've no advice to give, but I for one would be very interested to read reports and see photos of your family cycling vacation.

I hope it goes well.

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[dougP]

That's good to know.  You're right, the Spring book was in need of updating.  Good to see Mountaineers Books is still handling it.

The ACA maps are frequently updated.  Several of us did the Washington section a few years ago & had maps with various dates on them.  Lots of updates on those too.

doupP

[Clayton]

I did a three week tour of the Canadian Islands around Victoria island on the west coast. I really enjoyed it. No litter, nice people, great scenery and camping. Traffic was light and polite. The pastries are something I will always remember. Great bakers. It was a slow paced tour with rather low mileage as the islands are not that big. We explored an island for a couple of days, and then took a ferry to another. VERY enjoyable.

Clayton
DDD

[Jon BALER]

Back in 2015, my wife, a friend, and I did a 5 week tour from Vancouver to San Louis Obispo.  We primarily followed the Adventure cycling and book routes, but departed west from Portland to hook up with the Cascades route, took that south to Crater Lake, and then back to the coast for the last bit of Oregon.  We also took a detour to Sonoma county before reaching San Francisco.   It was just under 1800 miles.

Some thoughts:

• Highway 1 has pretty heavy traffic in places on the CA coast.  Not sure it would be suitable for a family tour.  I was almost taken out by an RV mirror, but otherwise it wasn't terrible.  Definitely helpful to have a mirror.
  
• The climp up Bear camp road back to the coast in Oregon can be quite long and hot with no water in the summer.  We paid a rafting company to shuttle us.
• We ended our tour in SLO, after hearing the remaining journey to LA wouldn't be great.  I recall hearing quality of campsites would be an issue.
• Going inland in Oregon to Hood River, Cascade Lakes, Bend/Sisters, and Crater Lake was awesome and had many highlights of the trip.
  

[Kip Otteson]

Thanks, Steven.  I'll be sure to check that out.  I love that site!

[Kip Otteson]

Thanks for the info, Doug.  I appreciate all the time you took with this.  I'm from the OC myself and as soon as I hit Seal Beach I have a lots of old tricks up my sleeve.  My mom is in Aliso Viejo so that's our final stop.  I've done the ride from LAX with the kids when they were much younger and it was cool.  I enjoyed the strange looks we got with these little kids on touring bikes!  I'm worried about the hills with my daughter, but I'll have to just see how she does!  I have the the book you mentioned.  My book is pretty vintage, however.  I think they've put up new stuff since mine was published.

[Kip Otteson]

Steve, I looked at that option.  I think the hills are a bit more heavy duty on that route.  We also live in the Rockies so the beach is the big draw!

[Kip Otteson]

Cool, Matt!  I'll check that out for sure.

[Kip Otteson]

Thanks, Shawn!  I'll be sure to look this up.

[Kip Otteson]

I agree, Patrick.  I think that it would be nice to mix it up and get off the beaten path.  We are going to be open varying which route we take.  If the traffic gets too crazy we can definitely switch it up. I know what you mean about being spoiled.  I'm in Colorado too.  I live off of Highway 77 in Jefferson and it's probably the best kept secret in the state.  Crazy good riding and nobody around!

[Kip Otteson]

I hope I can be organized enough to post stuff.  I'm lame at documenting our rides.  I've done one on Crazyguyonabike, but usually it's just mental memories.

[Kip Otteson]

Sounds wonderful!  We did Ireland in 98 and it was the same for us.  Sooo nice!

[Kip Otteson]

We looked at almost that same route.  I am a little freaked about the traffic, but I do feel that if we are spooked too often we can figure out another option.  That's the trouble with kids.  I want them to have adventures but I also want them to be alive!  So far they are alive, but I hate to have to worry about it.  I guess we'll just have to see.  The thing I think about is how much traffic we road in in Chiang Mai and how well they did.  We've all been hit by cars but it was at slow speeds.  The cars in the US really rip along.  I'm just rambling, but I appreciate your advice!

[Jon BALER]

Here is a photo collection with 1 photo from every day of our trip, and overview map of our route.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jon_baler/albums/72157657190741086

Jon 

Ellicott City, MD

[Deacon Patrick]

Och, Kip! Terryall and Boreas Pass are beautiful rides right out your door, though is there a back way from Jefferson to Como? Whatever adventure you decide on, the one you get will be different, as it sounds like you know well ... Grin. Enjoy planning and then shifting on the fly! Grin.

With abandon,
Patrick

[dougP]

In that case no worries, your kids have already ridden the scariest part of the ride.  Once you're across the Naples Bridge, you're home free. 

When you said you were finishing in OC, I figured there must be a connection. 

dougP

[D Peters]

Kip, this route is fantastic - I'm envious that you will be doing this in the summer. My favourite section of HWY 1 was pretty much the entire Oregon coast - there was plenty of shoulder, it was great weather, super beautiful, chill, and the campsites were cheap and (for the most part) really nice. Where in Oregon will you be starting your tour? Have a great time!

[pb]

I've ridden much of the route and enjoyed it.  June-July makes me slightly nervous about summer traffic, but we work with what we have available.  Here are some fast thoughts, headed in the southerly direction:

- maybe plan a detour at the Lost Coast at Ferndale, a little bit south of Eureka/Arcata.  2 or even 3 day detour well off the beaten path.  Research it first -- there were no services when I was there, except for basic campgrounds.  As an aside, in case you don't know it, you can find route elevation gain on mapmyride.com.  IMO this is a very special detour, and one which very few know to do.  

- maybe plan a rest day at Avenue of the Giants following the Lost Coast.

- the road gets nasty narrow just south of Avenue of the Giants, with trucks.  Herd your family well. 

- in Fort Bragg, once you cross the river, turn down to the river and follow it until you come to Dolphin Isle Marina, get a burger in the sun. 

- Mendocino would be a nice rest day

- there's another possible detour, inland this time, at  Sea Ranch to Annapolis then back out to Stewarts Point (or for a more challenging day, head south on Tin Barn Road from Annapolis Road).  Lots of vertical, followed by more vertical, but favorite roads of mine…  consider the suggestion with suspicion.  But they're very pretty roads.

- at Bodega Bay you will be about ten miles from my house if you need anything.  Unfortunately, the house may be blown up for remodeling, and I may not be able to offer accommodations.    

- I'm sure you are aware of SP Taylor campground in Marin, beloved of Rivvers.  I don't prefer that route, because I like to go south from Point Reyes and then go over Bolinas-Fairfax Road and then Mt. Tam, but that would be ambitious for a family.  There's a commercial alternative to SP Taylor, just south of Point Reyes Station, much less pretty but useful if Taylor is full or if you want to go south on 1 instead inland toward SP Taylor.

- the youth hostel in San Francisco is in a nice location not too far from the Golden Gate Bridge.  

- to keep in your back pocket, if things blow up, there's an overnight bus from SF to LA. https://www.ridecabin.com  

- if you're a Steinbeck fan, stop by the museum in Salinas.  They have Rocinante!

- it occurs to me that you could leapfrog LA by catching a train in Santa Barbara.  There are much worse ideas.  I would not consider it cheating.    

Peter

Sebastopol CA

    

On Sunday, October 7, 2018 at 4:57:13 PM UTC-7, Kip Otteson wrote:

[dougP]

Here's a detail of the Lost Coast.  A unique experience, even by California standards.  The Ave of the Giants is well worth a day off the bike. 

dougP

[Mike Godwin]

I did the ride from Vancouver BC to LA in three trips, in the last century, 1982 (BC-Portland), 84 (Portland to SF) and 86 (Oakland to LA).  We rode through the redwoods out of Arcata, and camped in Ukiah. The following day, threw the bikes on the Skunk Train, and regained the coastal route. Camped in Bodega, then youth hostel in San Fran, and Amtrack back to LA.  The campgrounds in Oregon were all nice and clean, most with hot showers. CA, not so good, but made do.

Mike

On Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at 5:37:41 PM UTC-7, pb wrote:

[Jim Bronson]

I would not take my kid riding on US101 or CA1, full stop.  Way too much RV and tourist traffic for my tastes.  I've done parts in OR and CA and I couldn't wait to get on the back roads.  

I'd do the ACA Transam route from Oregon to Yellowstone NP if it were me taking my kid.  Granted, there is is a lot of climbing, but the grades are generally manageable.

On Sun, Oct 7, 2018 at 6:57 PM Kip Otteson <kip.o...@gmail.com> wrote:

My wife requested that we do a bike tour this upcoming summer.  This is a pretty rare request and when she mentioned it I jumped at the chance.  I'm planning on riding the Pacific Coast route as laid out by Adventure Cycling.  We are not doing the whole trip, but are going to be riding from Southern Oregon and will be ending up in the OC.  The crew will be me, my wife, and two kids, daughter (12) and son (15).  We have ridden a few tours in SE Asia but nothing this long.  Not remotely.  I'll be on my Bombadil, my wife on her Heron, and my son on a Surly Pack Rat, daughter on an 86' Panasonic Mountain Cat 4500.  We plan on being on the road from the 10th of June till around the middle of July.  We are both school teachers so this is doable as far as work is concerned.  Being teachers, we are on a budget and plan on camping as much as we can.  We have used Warm Showers in the past and are hosts.  That is a great deal, for sure. 

I'm looking for any suggestions from folks that have done this.  Good places to camp, words of advice on road conditions, etc.   

Thanks in advance.

Kip 

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[pb]

On Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at 8:29:23 PM UTC-7, Mike Godwin wrote:

The campgrounds in Oregon were all nice and clean, most with hot showers. CA, not so good, but made do. 

Ah. Yes. Sad to say, still true.  Oregon campgrounds nice and well-maintained, California ones tired and impoverished.  Still some nice locations.  

~pb   

[Jeffrey Arita]

Hi Kip!

Congratulations and good luck on your adventure next summer!  Being able to have your entire family experience this is absolutely priceless.....

My wife and I recently returned home (Southern California) from a long adventure (I don't want to bore everyone with the details).  As part of the adventure we took the Pacific Coast Route home from Canada.

There are way too many details to provide but we can communicate offline if you prefer with your questions or concerns.  In a nutshell my wife and I encourage you (or anyone) to get out and simply do it.

Best regards,

Jeff Arita

Claremont, CA