Astoria, OR to Malibu area

[tanslacks]

Hello everyone,

This is my first question and I know before I begin, it is a tough one to nail down. I ride my bike about 4 days a week, 40 to 60 miles at a time with several thousand feet of elevation gain on every ride. I also ride to town and do most of my errands on my bike. I'm 51 years old and ride almost always alone. The reason I mention this I want you to get an idea of my conditioning.

This summer I hope to ride the west coast from Astoria to Malibu area and I am having the hardest time trying to figure out how much time I need. i work full time and can only get 3 weeks off for the trip. I will be doing the ride alone and don't plan on much site seeing other than what I see from my seat. I have done several overnights, but they have all included very large mountain terrain, so I can't judge what to expect on the coast. I will be camping, I rise very early and find it hard to believe that I would only ride 4 or 6 hours a day with the long days and solo travel.

could anyone share some of their thoughts? Thanks in advance

[whittierider]

I rise very early and find it hard to believe that I would only ride 4 or 6 hours a day with the long days and solo travel.

If you do it that way you'll miss the best of the helpful tail wind which is in the afternoons.

[johnsondasw]

I did almost the exact same trip in 19 days, averaging 72 miles a day.  I was 56 and in about the same riding shape as it sounds like you are.  I don't think you will have any real problems with it.  Get the Pacific Coast guide book, though.  You are going to love this ride.  It delivers every day.