Climbing HWY 46

When climbing HWY 46 I travel light with my Catrike 700. With a 19 inch low gear and a light trike climbing is relaxed , slow and steady. My motivation to climb is the anticipation of turning around for a fast punker up downhill run. It's not necessary to always shoot for the top, there's plenty of good downhill riding. Except for two very short rough patches the road is in excellent condition with gentle turns that make braking unnecessary. But I keep hands close to the brake levers as speeds edge up over 50 mph. 

I've even cheated before and let Carrie drive me to the top. I unload the trike about 100 yards from the top so I can warm up my legs on a short climb and then let go and have fun. I may be turning 64 in a few days but I still like the rush of going fast while laid back just a few inches off the ground.

Profile of HWY 46 starting at HWY 1 and going to the top.

Taking a break.

Almost at the top. (Picture form 12/24/16)

 View from up high. Morro Rock in background. (Picture form12/24/16)

So Much More to See

Cars, SUVs and buses are passing me by at 55mph and usually more as I ride HWY 1 along the Central Coast. They're headed to their pre-planned tourist destination. Occasionally they'll stop at a point of interest that yells out to them, like the Hearst Zebras that sometimes graze close to HWY 1. As they're whizzing along, the world beyond their steel beast is a blur. "So much to see and so little time to see it" is the mantra of the typical visitor trying to take it all in.  While I'm riding along on my trike it's not uncommon to see visitors park at a turnout, pop out of their car, take a picture and move on to the next picture opportunity. 

Cyclists see the world in slow motion, seeing the details around them. Recumbent cyclists especially have a unique vantage point in the world of cycling. Riding laid back allows a recumbent cyclist to take it all in. And then there's the recumbent trike for those who are in no hurry and want to see it all without the bother of balance or maintaining a minimum speed. And imperfections in the road that may be a hazard for the two wheeled cyclist is just a nuisance for the adventurous triker.

So much more to see on a trike.

This little gem of a cove is only visible to the observant cyclist. It's packed with Elephant Seals this time of year. Cars go speeding by on their way to the official Elephant Seal viewing area another 1/3 of a mile up the coast. There you'll find plenty of other car centric visitors walking the fenced boardwalk that keeps the Elephant Seals safe from the antics of human visitors.

A blubbery mass of Elephant Seals.

Lighthouse Ride

I joined in with the Lighthouse Century riders just long enough to have my picture taken by the event photographer before I rode off on my own. 

The Piedras Blancas Lighthouse is waaaay off in the distance. 

October On the Central Coast

Escape from reality, riding the Central Coast. 

The 35mm Kojaks are becoming my favorite tire for the varied conditions along Hwy 1.

Looking out to Morro Bay and Morro Rock

Lunch break at Cayucos 
The rock in the middle is my usual place to dine. 

Central Coast Weather

A typical summer day along the Central Coast. I usually bring along a couple extra layers of clothing to prepare for the varied conditions along the route.

This is the extent of the blue sky I saw today.
HWY 1 is to the left of the picture.

Central Coast Pics

Along HWY 1 north of Cambria in the area of Hearst Castle you'll find some of the best Central Coast riding around. You're riding close to the coast line and there's many opportunities to pull off the road and take it all in. As us bent riders know it's so easy to see it all from the comfort of a laid back seat.

W R Hearst State Beach

A ride up the Coast to William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach. The beach and the pier are opposite the entrance to the Hearst Castle. The cove was used for trade as well as to harbor ships full of guests to Hearst's little get togethers.

Harmony

Taking a break in Harmony on the Central Coast

Old Post Office

Harmony Cellars Winery

Kojak and Chip Seal

In my last post from March 10th I stated that I usually avoid riding north of Cambria on Highway 1 because of the chip seal. Well I rode north for the the second time in a row. I wanted to try the ride using the Kojak on the rear at 60psi on the rough road (see Speed, Comfort and Tires 8/3/16). Using the Kojak on the rear smoothed out the chip seal a bit. But chip seal (even though mitigated by CalTrans) is still chip seal. There's no doubt it wears you out faster. But the Central Coast is beautiful and worth an occasional ride North of Cambria.

Kojak 35/622 on the rear while keeping the Durano 28/406s on the front.

Destination ahead, San Simeon Pier.

San Simeon Pier, Time for a snack.

San Simeon

I headed North of Cambria on Highway 1 for a change. The chip seal north of Cambria, even though mitigated, is still a bit rough. It's not so much the rough ride as it is the constant vibration, especially at higher speeds. After awhile you get used to it. At least it's not nearly as bad as when some brain dead engineers at CalTrans back in 2013 decided chip seal on a popular bicycle route was a good idea. 

Using 28mm tires at low pressure on my 700 makes the ride enjoyable and still reasonably fast.

Taking Advantage of the Sunny Days

No rain, no wind, blue sky and a nice 65 degrees. Some clouds expected this weekend followed by more days of winter sun. 

Time to get some miles in and enjoy the Central Coast.

Not a Cloud in the Sky

Finally nothing but blue sky for a few days. Although a stiff breeze makes pedaling a little more demanding it's good to be out enjoying the Central Coast sunshine

Central Coast Sunshine

First ride this month. Just two much rain lately. But the sun made it out this morning.

Another Sunny Day

Looking North at Estero Bluffs off Hwy 1

just North of Cayucos

First Ride of the New Year

FINALLY 

a break in the rain and I'm able to take the first ride of the new year. And a beautiful sunny day it was on the Central Coast. Cool by California standards, low fifties.