The big sur
DETAILS
When — June 19th, 2O22
Where — Carmel Valley, CA - Oxnard, CA
Mileage — 291 miles
Compliments on my motorcycle - 5
Tiny cabin, the big sur, and fathers day
Day 28 of the Double Nickel started in a tiny cabin. The tiny cabin was an Airbnb that provided a hot shower, a place for me to grill some beef kabobs, and get a quiet nights sleep. What a treat it was to stay there. It was quite the adventure to get there. With the remoteness came no data or WiFi access. I enjoyed the “no screens” evening.
I traveled 125 miles from Daly City, CA to this tiny cabin to set myself up for one of the most famous parts of the Pacific Coast Highway: The Big Sur. The Big Sur is a curved, rocky, and rambunctious stretch of CA-1 that begins near Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA; runs through Big Sur; and concludes near San Simeon. This 90 mile portion of the PCH is probably the most photographed since it has stunning views of the coast, amazing bridges, and fantastic curves.
I felt like I was Amish. I was in bed by 9PM and up at 5:45 AM in anticipation of the big ride. It was a cool 54 degrees, but sunny. I was packed and rolling at 8AM. I found a town where I finally had cell capability and made a quick call to my dad to wish him a Happy Father’s Day! He and my mom have been watching the blog closely, so he knew today was a big day. With the phone now woken from its slumber, old text messages from home began pouring in along with well wishes from Steph and the kids. Here at the 28 day mark I found myself missing my family and the bustle of there lives. Steph and I have good kids, I am proud of the people they have grown up to be. Thinking of them, I roared off to hit the Big Sur.
It was chilly but beautiful. The wind was blowing southeast, so it was mostly in my back. The air was cool but heavy with moisture. I finally had the right lawyers of clothing, so I was warm and comfortable. I could smell the sea. I detect a sweet flowery smell with an undertone of decay, it is not bad, it is just life I guess. The sun was warm on my back and I started to carve up CA-1.
Traffic was light, unlike yesterday, when all of the electric vehicles from Cupertino and Monterey clogged the road. For stretches it was just me and the Indian Springfield. Maybe it was the expensive gas that topped her off before we hit the Big Sur, but she was peppy and was growling along, biting into the curves.
The Big Sur exceeded my expectations. The road was in very good condition with only a few construction lane closures. There were many vistas or viewing stops that were absolutely impossible to pass up. Sometimes I would turn around, run a section northbound, then turn around, and run it southbound again. I would stop for pictures, chug some water, and take off again. Before I knew it, I had covered the 90 miles plus 40 more in about 4 hours. I stopped for a picnic lunch at a beach and realized that the best part of the PCH was behind me.
I traveled the next four hours catching US-101 in San Luis Obispo, then CA 154, and then back to CA-1 to Santa Barbara. The ride was mostly through a very arid California. When I hit Santa Barbara traffic volume really picked up. The next portion of the PCH is through a heavily populated area. I am not looking forward to the stop and go traffic. I only have to go 177 miles to San Diego where I will rest a day and have an Indian Dealer do the 15,000 maintenance on the motorcycle.
That was the Big Sur. Those 90 miles is what inspired this whole trip. So far I have traveled 4,600 miles and will soon start heading east towards home. Now that the Big Sur is behind me, I think I will be anxious to get home. I have some great things planned for the return home; Seeng family in Pheonix, great roads in Colorado, and Cory meeting me in St. Louis.
Today was a special day. It was Father’s Day and I got to do something very special on this day. I will remember this ride for the rest of my life. Thank you all!
PS - I have some amazing GoPro video I that put together below..
