Messages

1

Routes / Big Sur fire effects?

« on: October 13, 2008, 01:47:37 am »

Bern:  Yes, those two parks are directly below the brunt of the burn area and in the bottom of river valleys, which means that they could easily be overwhelmed with flooding and mud flows. If I was set on attempting a winter ride down Big Sur this year I would plan on doing it early in the season.  The Central Coast is more prone to flood producing rainstorms after the first of the year. On my last ride I overnighted at Monterey (Veterans Park) and rode through to Plaskett Creek NFS campground, which is just a few miles from Jade Cove and a popular campsite for beachcombers and rock collectors. Plaskett Creek sits on a mesa above the ocean, just south of the burn area, and is not likely to have any fire related closures this winter. Alex.

2

Routes / Big Sur fire effects?

« on: October 04, 2008, 11:23:51 pm »

Hi Scott,
I rode it the second week of September, all is well at the campsites and the scenery is still spectacular. Fire damage is clearly visible, right down to the road in places, but it is intermittent and really does not detract from the ambience of the ride at all. One major concern this winter will be the lack of vegetation above the road causing mud slides once the rainy season begins in earnest (sometime between Nov 1st and Jan 1st). One good storm and the road may be closed for many days. Be prepared to plot an inland route through the Salinas Valley, and allow time to backtrack should you get into Big Sur and suddenly find your way blocked by mud. Hey, that's why they call it adventure cycling!

Alex

3

General Discussion / Meeting People on Tour

« on: October 04, 2008, 11:01:51 pm »

I rode from SF Bay Area to Santa Barbara the second week of September. I met many riders between Monterey and Lompoc, but did most of my hanging out with them at the camp sites - Veterans Park on the hill above Monterey and at Plaskett Creek NFS campgound on the southern Big Sur coast. A lot has to be in sync before I can ride all day with someone.  But there were some real interesting riders along that stretch. I rode a bit with a Japanese dude who spoke no english (to me). He rode a MTB pulling a burley trailer with all his stuff tossed in and a surf board out-rigged along side his bike. He was riding and surfing down the coast. That's the kinda crazy cool people you meet but might not want to ride all day with. I would think the CA coast will still be somewhat traveled in late Oct. That can be the best month of the year to ride; a little before the big rains and the fog stays at sea.