Advice on a 6 day Tour - Pacific Northwest/Northern Cali

[rain dogs]

We're (my GF and I) are planning to go to San Francisco in mid September, taking the train down from Vancouver, Canada. We'd like to do about 6 days (500-800km / 300-500 miles) of riding. We plan for 10 or 11 days total vacation. 1 day down. 1 day back. 2 days in San Fran.

Suggestions? I don't know riding in the San Fran area. I'm fond of A to B journeys not out and backs.

To add more info:

We looked at the 101, but people say it's narrow with lots of traffic and the towns are strip malls and A&W's (not so nice). Also it gets far from the train and may make for a tight timeline.

Should we look more at the 101?
Should we head toward Lake Tahoe?
Should we shadow the Amtrak and get off and on at select spots?

[maxdog]

I've done a good amount of touring in the past, and one of my favs is Portland or Seattle to San Fran. The Pacific coast, particularly the Oregon and N. California coast are beautiful, with state parks and motels lining the route. Think Incredibly sculpted beaches, Redwood forest, beautiful mountain passes and espresso shops on every corner. The downside is that traffic since my first tour in '85, to my last in '06, has gotten much heavier. There is plenty of documentation out there concerning this and other routes.

[Bradford]

I did Seattle to San Francisco and loved it, back around 20 years ago. I used the Adventure cycling maps then, which I still do for other routes. I've laid out my own and used adventure cycling maps, and prefer their maps.

Check out their loops and see if anything suites your fancy, They have a lot more in that ares since I did the ride.

http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/network.cfm

[maxdog]

I used the Adventure cycling maps then, which I still do for other routes. I've laid out my own and used adventure cycling maps, and prefer their maps.

http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/network.cfm

+1 This used to be called Bikecentennial, and their old maps were even better than the new ones, if you can find a copy.

[Peter B]

SF to Santa Barbara via the coast highway. 3 days, about 125mi/day. Sleep in Seaside, Morro Bay and SB. Train or rental car to return. Spectacular scenery and still nice that time of year. See my post (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=102707) from earlier this year for a few photos.

[KidWok]

Heya...I direct a six-day ride down the Oregon Coast in mid-September. Not trying to sell you on that...would be happy to answer any questions you have about the OR coast. Traffic is bad during the summer, but drops off significantly after Labor day...you should be fine by mid-September.

We do a mile-by-mile virtual preview of the OR coast each year on our youtube channel...panning down the route in Google Earth. Here's the first one from last year:
http://youtu.be/lsJb-fbyqRc
You can find the other ones on our youtube channel.

We have a sister event that does the CA coast and a lot of our riders have done that. One guy did both OR and CA...he also rode the distance in between with his wife driving SAG for him. Here's some data he pulled from his GPS.

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/407883_10150480271611324_233988446_n.jpg

Tai

[cnighbor1]

gives lots of bike jornals on riding in Ca and world

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1

[rain dogs]

Thanks for all the suggestions about the coast. I originally looked into the 101 but the distances seemed too large... (although I like KidWok's friends conversions 472miles = 292km??? :confused: Easy! 470 miles is 759km :banana:)... considering only 6 days and needing to meet up with trains (Kelso or Portland start, Dusmuir or Redding finish).

What about Lake Tahoe area?

Does anyone ride up there? It looks like we can take the train to Auburn, CA and then it's only 150km to South Lake Tahoe. Then I was looking at riding through Truckee to Redding either via Lake Almanor - or - through Susanville and Lassen National forest.

Is that riding worth while?

That would work well for us cause we can train from SF to Auburn, then ride the route and train home from Redding to Vancouver, point -to -point. Total seems to be around 530 - 600km, with some mountains.... good for 6 days I think.

I just can't find much info about riding around there. ????

[rain dogs]

Hey guys,

Does anyone have experience with riding from Truckee to Redding, Ca?

I found quite a bit of info about the Sacramento to Lake Tahoe portion. Some say the 50 is out of the question... it's a freeway and bikes are prohibited? The recommmended route is along the Morman Emigrant trail over Carson pass? Part of the "Death Route" I see.

Others say the route 50 is ok to ride past Pollock Pines? It looks pretty heavy traffic?

It looks like this is the area I might focus on. Anyone ridden/driven the 89 from Truckee to Lassen Peak area via Quincy? Would it be good to bike?

Thanks

Lawrence

[maxdog]

Wish I could help Lawrence, but I have no experience with your suggested route. Have you tried Crazyguyonabike as suggested above. Lots of interesting stuff on there. A young Vietnamese guy touring cross country by himself, Whom I met a my local library serendipitously, and offered shelter,shower and food to, turned me on to it. Good luck. - Glenn

[roguedog]

rain dog,

I did do a ride up in lassen area this year and rode on the part of 89 around Lake Almanor. For that part of 89 it was quite nice. Wide shoulder for cyclists and relatively light traffic (relative being.. I'm from Bay Area so take that for what it's worth) The ride went into Greenville so I suspect the road to Greenville is similar to the piece I did. It's a gorgeous area.

I can't speak to the rest of 89 though.

You might want to post here (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php/235-Northern-California) and see if locals can give you more insight.

Or.. hmm.. you could call Bodfish Cycles in Chester for advice if he's willing. He's likely ridden the route since he wrote the California Dream Cycling (http://www.amazon.com/California-Cycling-Bodfish-Finest-Bicycle/dp/0961670916) book. He is the owner of the shop and thus, may or may not have time to chat. But perhaps he'd answer or provide route advice via email (http://www.bodfishbicycles.com/contact.html). He was a really cool dude when I was in wandering in his shop though. Didn't want to give the impression he wasn't... just that he does have a biz to run and living to make.

Sounds like a great trip. Let us know how it goes and what you find out.

Btw, if you like to golf, there's a great course out in Graegle :) It's challenging I hear.

[jamesutiopia]

I don't recommend 101 in WA: logging trucks during the week and vacationers on the weekend.