San Diego to Portland

[bobbys beard]

I've used the ACAA maps from New York to (almost) San Diego. I have time on my visa to head north again, but don't really want to pay put for more maps. Does anyone know if it's possible to hit route 1 and ride it all the way from California to Oregon? Will a standard road atlas get me there safely?

Thanks 

[whittierider]

That's suicide, because of the headwinds.  Instead, fly to Portland and ride down the coast.  The wind will push you all the way.  See http://www.adventurecycling.org/forums/index.php?topic=9426.0

[pgash]

Either way you go, may I suggest trying Google Bike Maps as a starting point. The good point is that they also contain directions and photos of important intersections.If others have used Google for maps and saved them under PUBLIC, then they would be available to you.

The problem is you have to use their map title, most titles are from the starting point to
the destination. May I suggest seeking route information between relative close points, such
as San Diego to La Jolla, ect..

pgash

[bobbys beard]

Thanks pgash, i'll check that out now. 

whittierider, i'm sure it's not suicide! have you made the ride south to north?  there's no way i would fly to oregon!! i wonder what equipment that biker used to measure the 80mph windspeed....  east coast is getting those speeds right now and they're evacuating  i wouldn't ride at all in those conditions no matter which direction!

  i haven't seen a single tourer in two months on the southern tier. i think this is mostly down to people with no experience of it warning of the problems to face. 

[FredHiltz]

I have ridden it northbound in the summer, and indeed the headwind was constant and strong for about four days. A lot of how it feels is mostly attitude and expectations. I knew it was there and told myself, "You aren't going to make your usual 60-mile days. Maybe only 35 or 40. Plan your overnights accordingly and enjoy the scenery, which is just as good at 7 mph as 12." It worked! I did not mind it at all.

The folks who get all beat up about it are probably trying to push hard for their usual distance and coming in late to camp too exhausted to enjoy the experience. Anyway, this is one rider's take on it.

Fred

[bobbys beard]

Fred, I couldn't have said it any better     attitude makes a huge difference to your ride. keep smiling and always remember why you started the ride in the first place.

  did you follow the ACAA maps or plan your own route?

[whittierider]

whittierider, i'm sure it's not suicide! have you made the ride south to north?

I've ridden portions of it both directions, and hated the headwinds going north but been able to climb at 28mph at times going south.  I like climbing (even without a tailwind), but I hate headwinds, partly just because of the noise in my ears.  I know someone who rode SF-LA in two days, and the fastest I know of for that stretch was 19 hours (approximately 500 miles in one day).  It happened because of the wind.  Yes, the wind is a serious issue, and the DOT knows cyclists mostly go south, and have made the southbound side more accommodating to cyclists.  Suit yourself of course, but to me, going north is not enjoyable.

[John Nettles]

Sorry for late reply.  I too have done the south to north following the ACA route but back in 1987 so can't comment as to US-1 now.

However, I too would HIGHLY recommend going north to south.  When I did it, it was due to ignorance that I went that direction.  I enjoyed the route but numerous days were very tough.  Mind you, I was 23 at the time and a very strong rider.  Also, I noticed is that I had to continually cross over to the west side (south bound) of the road to get a better view.

You don't say how much time is left on your visa but be sure to ride the Monterrey to San Luis Obispo (or reverse) section.  It is a fantastic section.  You could easily hop Amtrak from San Diego to Salinas (near Monterrey) for as low as $65.

No matter what you do, have a great time!

[valygrl]

Yep, you'll have headwinds, I did.  I didn't die or anything, but I did whine a bit. 

Just keep the ocean on your left, it's not that complicated.  You've ridden across the country, you already know how to do it. 

It's mostly hwy 1 for a while, then it goes on 101 where there aren't any alternatives.  Just always look (on a map) for roads that will keep you as far west as possible & off the highway when possible.  You can figure it out with regular maps -  an atlas or a map from a gas station will work just fine.  You'll probably want maps with more detail for San Diego, LA, and San Francisco.  There are Pacific Coast Bicycle Route signs, but I have a feeling they are more for southbounders, so don't count on them.

You can also look at this site (posted by someone on this forum, can't find where but I had saved the link) where he has made google-ish maps of the ACA routes, if you want to know what roads they use.
http://tsteven4.qwestoffice.net/

Or you can buy the Kirkendall & Spring book "Bicycling the Pacific Coast" (try REI in San Diego or there's one a bit north right on the coast highway on the west side of the road, sorry can't remember the name of the town, maybe Encinitas.)

[bobbys beard]

valygirl, thankyou! i wasn't having any luck in finding a ready made route. and i'll check out the book when  i get to san diego. i don't mind a bit of a whine either. i just can't get a train or plane to make the ride easier. it's not in my character. on the uk hills, i'm used to riding strong winds (not 80mph) almost every day, so i know to pace myself. it's not a race!

John, thanks. i have 2 months left. i figure 3 weeks to Portland, then who knows........

[Westinghouse]

I did it with standard road maps. No problem there. The advice about not going north to south is super good. Forget about S to N. Just drop that idea completely. You can do it, sure. You can hike the Appalachian trail with a forty pound lead boot on each leg too, but I would not advise it.

[afrimog]

I rode from Port Angeles WA to Santa Barbara, CA in 2002 without any maps or the guidebook. As I recall it was fairly hassle-free except for three or four particular days - mostly city related. I had to stop and ask directions through the Bay area a number of times, doing Point Reyes to Half Moon Bay that day. I had particular trouble getting across Santa Cruz because I kept hitting the 101 and couldn't find the 1. A number of turns between SC and Monterey Bay also gave me trouble - the kind you don't want when you're tired. As someone else suggested, a couple printouts of the cities from Google maps should be the fix. (I see people heading north every summer but it is very different to heading south.) Hope this helps.

[indyfabz]

Have you seen this for the OR coast?:

http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/BIKEPED/docs/oregon_coast_bike_route_map.pdf?ga=t

If the link does not work, simply Google "cycling the oregon coast"

It contains a wealth of information, including detours that take you off busier roads, the locations of facilities and elevation profiles.

[bobbys beard]

Thanks everyone! I decided to go with a gas station map of main highways and a compass! setting off this morning in the rain. looking forward to those headwinds