Pacific coast elevations

[samnarten]

Early planning for sections 2 through 5, Astoria to Imperial Beach.  Planning on riding the various sections with a rotating crew of varying ability.  Would like some advice on the relative difficulty of each section and any other words of wisdom. 

[johnsondasw]

Most of the route is constant ups and downs.  I thought it was a great route but the constant rollers got old sometimes, esp b/c I'm not great at hill power and some of those hills are fairly steep.  I do better climbing a pass for 10-20 miles and then be done with it than with rollers all day. I think it's a challenging route for that reason.  Your team must be ready for a lot of climbing.   

[John Nelson]

Once you get to Southern California, from Santa Barbara on, it does flatten out quite a bit (although going through Malibu rolls quite a bit). The ACA doesn't even bother producing a profile map for section 5. A lot of the route is on or near the beach, especially from Santa Monica on. There are, however, still hilly sections here and there.

In Oregon and even more so in Northern and Central California, it's pretty much constant hills. Oregon is a bit easier than California. There are a few memorable hills here and there that are obscenely steep for a brief period. Big Sur is generally a very hilly stretch, although the elevation never gets much above 500 feet and the gorgeous scenery takes your mind off the hills.

I don't know what else I can say. There are some hills I especially remember, such as the hill in Daly City south of San Francisco, and the hills into and out of Lompoc. Also, everybody seems to remember the two big hills south of Leggett, California. I don't think there's any way to plan your route to give your weaker riders the easier sections, unless you switch off every 400 yards or save them until after Santa Barbara. The ACA will show you where the long, big hills are, but they aren't going to show you every short hill.

[indyfabz]

Get the maps and plot the route on something like Ride With GPS, which will generate a profile. If you map it in shorter segments you will get better profiles.

[jackbike]

Did the Oregon Coast last Summer. The headlands (points) can be steep. The worst was Cascade Head south of Neskowin as we missed the turn off Highway 101 to the preferred route and went over the top. The hill seemed to never end, but what a ride down the other side! Cape Lookout was tough too. North to south is best, an ocean view most of the way! With proper gearing an some training, most can do it.

[dayjack119]

Last year I toured from Vancouver to San Luis Obispo on the coast roads.  None of the hills were killers and I pulled a two wheel trailer.  Oh, yeah.  I'm 71.  If I can do it..........