The Legendary California 1

June 9.  Back on the bike today.


After packing up and having a bite, I decided to get out of town via Lombard Street; in particular the section known as "the Crookedest Street".  This portion of Lombard is more than just "crooked".  It's a set of very tight switchbacks on a very steep street.  I kind of found myself in the middle of it before I realized how stupid it was.  The road would be challenging enough on a regular bike, but I decided to challenge it on a fully loaded Harley touring bike on a Saturday morning when the road is clogged with beige Camry's and drivers that I'm sure can barley navigate a straight level road at the best of times.


So not only am I trying to navigate this road, I'm also practicing everything I learned in my Ride Like a Pro class last year for super slow-speed maneuvering.  Even then I had no choice but to stop on this thing more than once when drivers in front chose to stop.  There would be no way possible for me to have taken a picture while descending this hill, but I have included a picture found on the internet.

How stupid is this?

I then followed my GPS out of town and it brought me through the Saturday morning rush of Chinatown.

I finally got onto the I80, the 101 and made my way to California 1 - the Pacific Coast Highway.  Like the Golden Gate Bridge I had been imagining this day for a long time.  I've got to say for the first hour or so after leaving San Francisco, it was pretty uninspiring.  It was a little interstate-like and busy as hell.  Granted it was Saturday morning and it looked like many people were headed to the beach areas.


Could it be that the "Legendary" PCH was oversold?  I wondered this for a while, until I was about an hour before Big Sur.  My thoughts changed then.  The 200-250km stretch centred around Big Sur were fabulous and worthy of its Legendary status. The scenery was classic west coast roads on the edge of the mountain, looking down sometimes a couple thousand feet to the ocean.  Dark blue waters and white breaking waves crashing on rocks everywhere.  It got to the point that just about every corner I came around, I was trying to reach the camera.  Then you realize all the corners look like this.


From a motorcycling perspective the roads are really fun.  A lot of time spent in 3rd and 4th (and sometimes 2nd).  Most corners are 30 mph and many posted at 20.  Just remember, keep looking to the far end of the exit of the turn!  You regularly just start to finish a corner and immediately flop the bike the other way into the next corner.  Tons of fun.

I rode the bike from San Francisco to Santa Margarita's KOA.  Decent weather so I'm back in the tent.  Frozen camp-store burrito for dinner.  Starting the blog while doing laundry, and finishing it sitting on my kermit chair on the campsite in the dark.   Loving it all.

Off to Los Angeles and beyond tomorrow but not sure of the details.  I might be making it up as I go!