January 20, 2014
I know what you might be thinking: a Cambria wine tour bike ride? Why didn't I know about this?
There is no organized bike ride but it occurs to me, with the Cambria Art and Wine Festival just around the corner, the three popular rides around Cambria could constitute an amazing wine country cycling trail. Whether you ride north to Piedras Blancas Light Station, south to Cayucos, or east on Santa Rosa Creek Road you will encounter vineyards and wineries in spectacular settings. You couldn't ask for a better place to get on your bike. So, if you have never ridden these roads before here are some helpful insights. And although I love wine, on my bike I prefer to enjoy the scenery of vineyards and come back later to taste.
Piedras Blancas Light Station
Distance: 31 miles out & back, north on U.S. 1
The best time to go is in the morning when U.S. 1 is relatively empty of cars. If you head out after 11:00 am, traffic and headwinds can make this beautiful trip a nightmare. Headwinds are strongest in March and April, and some times in early summer there is early morning fog. The road is in great condition because it has been recently repaved. With the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Santa Lucia Mountains on the other, it's easy to understand why some European cyclists consider the California coast to be the best place in the world for bike touring.
In the pastures below Hearst Castle you might see Zebras grazing, especially in February and March. They are descendents of the animals that William Randolph Hearst imported to stock his private zoo in the 1930s. In San Simeon, historic Sebastian's General Store serves up great sandwiches using fresh local ingredients. Sometimes I like to stop here on my way back from the light station to take a relaxing lunch break. The Hearst Ranch Winery tasting room is also in Sebastian's.
Further up the road is the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery. The newborn seals are on the beach this time of year and are a lot of fun to watch. They can be viewed every day (even without having to get off your bike) and there is no admission fee. The Piedras Blancas Light Station is still a working lighthouse, a historical park and wildlife sanctuary offering tours and sight seeing.
Cayucos
Distance: 29 miles out & back, south on U.S. 1
There's a big hill about 6 miles into the ride but aside from that it's fairly flat until you get back to Cambria for a final uphill approach. Like the ride north, the ride south on U.S. 1 is best done in the morning before too many motorists are out on the roads. When Cambria and Morro Bay are fogged in, this stretch of road is often clear because of the headlands. And temperatures are usually a bit warmer on this ride compared to the north.
I love the scenery of small farms dotting the headlands and the artsy community of Harmony, population 18 (according to the sign). Harmony Cellars is here, too.
When the road opens up to a sudden view of the ocean you're approaching Cayucos. In town you have a number of choices to stop for lunch. I like Duckie's, a great mid-priced chowder house. It's right at the pier and has outdoor seating on the sidewalk. Before heading back, you might want to do a relaxing pedal around town to see the murals which the Cayucos Mural Society has sponsored for the past 20 years.
I love the scenery of small farms dotting the headlands and the artsy community of Harmony, population 18 (according to the sign). Harmony Cellars is here, too.
When the road opens up to a sudden view of the ocean you're approaching Cayucos. In town you have a number of choices to stop for lunch. I like Duckie's, a great mid-priced chowder house. It's right at the pier and has outdoor seating on the sidewalk. Before heading back, you might want to do a relaxing pedal around town to see the murals which the Cayucos Mural Society has sponsored for the past 20 years.
Santa Rosa Creek Road
Distance: 20 miles out & back for a relaxing ride; 32 miles out & back or in a loop for experienced cyclists.
James Taylor could have been thinking of Santa Rosa Creek Road when he sang "I could feel it on a country road." Rolling hills, grazing cattle, chickens, produce farms, and ranches await you without much traffic. But keep your eyes open for deer, coyotes and even a mountain lion if you're lucky. The lovely Santa Rosa Creek accompanies you most of the way. Stolo Family Winery is just outside of Cambria and Linn's Original Farmstore, 5 miles out, is a perfect place for coffee and pie, and pleasant conversation. I like to stop in on the return trip.
When the coastal highway is foggy or chilly, Santa Rosa Creek Road is often sunny and warm. This is a ride I take easy so I usually only go about 10 miles out. But that doesn't mean it's not challenging. If you ride all the way to Highway 46 you'll have some serious elevation to contend with. Some expert cyclists favor leaving Cambria south on U.S. 1, then east on 46, and then riding down Santa Rosa Creek Road. I would strongly suggest driving the road first before attempting it on a bicycle. The road is narrow and steep with a stomach turning steep switchback -- probably not what James Taylor had in mind.
Distance: 20 miles out & back for a relaxing ride; 32 miles out & back or in a loop for experienced cyclists.
James Taylor could have been thinking of Santa Rosa Creek Road when he sang "I could feel it on a country road." Rolling hills, grazing cattle, chickens, produce farms, and ranches await you without much traffic. But keep your eyes open for deer, coyotes and even a mountain lion if you're lucky. The lovely Santa Rosa Creek accompanies you most of the way. Stolo Family Winery is just outside of Cambria and Linn's Original Farmstore, 5 miles out, is a perfect place for coffee and pie, and pleasant conversation. I like to stop in on the return trip.
When the coastal highway is foggy or chilly, Santa Rosa Creek Road is often sunny and warm. This is a ride I take easy so I usually only go about 10 miles out. But that doesn't mean it's not challenging. If you ride all the way to Highway 46 you'll have some serious elevation to contend with. Some expert cyclists favor leaving Cambria south on U.S. 1, then east on 46, and then riding down Santa Rosa Creek Road. I would strongly suggest driving the road first before attempting it on a bicycle. The road is narrow and steep with a stomach turning steep switchback -- probably not what James Taylor had in mind.