More problems along Hwy 1, California coast
 

I'm not doing any touring these days, but thought I'd post these for those who might be looking at a ride between San Francisco - Los Angeles/Southern California this spring or summer. First video is the TV news report, second video is just video, no commentary but some good drone shots.

You're supposed to sprint to full speed and then bunny hop over the gap, panniers and all.

Seems it wouldn't be too much to ask that it be open to bike and foot traffic, but since it's also still closed further south...

Yeah, there are now four slides/closures in total. I think the main reason for this one is to give priority to the local residents.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...606c7817c6.jpg

Yeah, I'm thinking the State is going to get all the people possible out of that area to the south, then probably have to take out the entire road to see what's happening underneath the asphalt before they can develop a plan to rebuild that section. I wouldn't plan n pedaling through there anytime this summer or into the fall.

How long do they anticipate it being closed? Thought it might be only a matter of months.

Paul's Slide happened over a year ago.

Looks like a beautiful scenic road. But how is car traffic there?

Depends on the time of the year. I've ridden it several times in April and the traffic is manageable if you ride with a mirror and are willing to pull off (when you can) when a line of traffic is coming. The road is very windy, so cars/RVs can only go so fast. I was there last June and the traffic was the worst I've seen even though the road was closed due to the Paul's Slide.

But, it is a narrow road often without a shoulder and with only a railing between you and the cliff. Bikes are common on the road but most of the drivers are doing for the first time and likely a bit distracted. I wouldn't let traffic fears stop you from riding this road (whenever it is open again), but caution needs to be exercised.

Right now it's pretty much non-existent over large stretches. :D

We rode from SF to LA mid June 2021 on our tandem. There is no shoulder so you have to pay attention. It is good on a tandem as my wife will turn and make direct eye-to-eye contact if someone is looking to do something stupid. :-) We found the cars to be very conscientious for the most part. people are using this road to see the beauty, If they were looking to make time they would be on the interstate just to the east. It is weird riding along the cliff's edge with only a low rock wall between you and the drop off. My wife felt pretty good with everything. That is a pretty good gauge as she has no control. It is so beautiful, we had been planning this trip for years and it did not disappoint. On the curvy downhills I would take the lane as we were able to roll faster then most of the cars and campers.

Hasn’t Hwy 1 been closed from damage for more than a year?

two words-weekday mornings.

Yes. cf: Post #8

Hmm. Just seems like troublesome strata for a cliff-hugging road. Any chance Cali could cut an MUP through from around Miller's Ranch to near Nacimiento Campground and call it good? :thumb: :D

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...eb49d07768.png

How much do you think the state could siphon off from getting CA 1 back open to build an entirely new path for bicyclists??

No.
That red line blithely crosses over some very rugged terrain, not to mention that much of it is designated wilderness.

There is a lot of the road (hwy 1) built on top of the Franciscan complex, which is a jumbled up and sheared mess of rocks, not known for its resistance to slope failures. But they didn't have much choice.

It would be a lot cheaper and quicker for someone to offer a ferry service for cyclists around the slides.

Coast Guard, Department of Transportation, EPA, Department of Homeland Security, Jones Act, Cali regulations, local (dock) ordinances, insurance. Amazing that someone hasn't already started this, eh? ;)

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...367c18187e.jpg



Fun fact: In 1827 young Abraham Lincoln was arrested for operating a ferry without a license.

In 2021 I did a multi-day tour from SF to Cambria on Hwy 1. The ride is spectacular, if you plan on doing it in the spring or fall to stay away from high season, traffic isn't really an issue.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...42d4fc8b76.png

I planned to do it again in 2023 with a larger group, then the atmospheric river storms came through and did damage. If someone were planning to do a tour down the west coast, you can go inland and bypass Big Sur by riding from Monterey east through Carmel Valley, then head south inland to Paso Robles, and cut back to the coast. We did that, chronicalled here. There was some legal freeway riding involved on 101, which we had to do because of washed out country roads, which should be available again.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f5dd48847e.png

The two posts, above give you plenty of details for both methods, but if you have some questions, PM me. I spent a lot of time both years planning the routes.

Hwy 1 through Big Sur is falling into the Pacific all the time. Caltrans keeps fixing it, has been doing it since it was built in the 1920's. There's a construction company out of San Luis Obispo that seems to exist partially to fix Hwy 1 when it breaks.