California lost Coast route

[Soulboy#1]

Hi everyone.

I hope all is well with everyone. Planning on the Pacific coast route in 2021 (me and girlfriend from the U.K.) and I’ve just discovered the lost coast route (it actually doesn’t hit the coast) route below...

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12307187

Is anyone familiar with this route., maybe ridden it before? I can’t find much online about anyone who’s ridden it. Trying to get an understanding of difficulty if it can be ridden with a touring bike with relative tyres etc. I can see there are a couple of shops and campgrounds along the trail so it doesn’t seem that desolate!

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

👌

[John Nettles]

I have not ridden it but I understand it to be very difficult with lots of very steep climbs and descents.  Think paving over an old goat trail. 

I have read a couple of journal accounts (maybe over on CrazyGuyonaBike.com) and all said the same thing that it was beautiful but very tough.  Several long climbs had to be walked.  What made me NOT want to do it is one guy who had been traveling the world for a couple years said the same thing and I figured that if someone with that much experience said it was very difficult, I would pass.

If you do ride it, please post a followup. 

Tailwinds, John

[Soulboy#1]

Hi John.

Thanks for the reply. Yeh I’ve heard it’s hard but that’s what’s it’s all about at the end of the day I guess. I had a look at the crazy guy  on a bike blog and I think he took a slightly different route from the RWGPS rout that I posted?


Dave

[CMajernik]

Our Pacific Coast #3 map includes a Lost Coast Alternate, beginning in Ferndale and rejoining the main route just north of Weott. Part of your route is the same, but yours heads farther south to join onto CA 1. We did look at mapping that portion, but we were advised against it due to the steepness and tough conditions.

[So Cal Joe]

https://youtu.be/9ZXDdFaI1rM?t=896