Traversing the Santa Lucias on South Coast Road

Spring is a phenomenal time to explore the mountains of California’s Central Coast. This 90 mile route combines pavement riding with an ocean view fire road for a spectacular two day tour.

Hot Springs and Gravel Roads: Panoche Hills Weekend

Hot springs and gravel roads? Sounds like an ideal spot for a weekend bike, camp and soak. Come have a look now before the view turns into a parking lot for solar panels.

Bikewhacking Across California

Cycling north from Southern California back to the Bay Area, I couldn’t make up my mind. Dirt or road?

Taking the High Road to Half Moon Bay

Ever heard of Devil’s Slide? This narrow stretch of Hwy 1 is dreaded by local and long-distance bike tourers alike. Don’t let it deter you! For adventures south of San Francisco, local bikers take Old Pedro’s Mountain Road instead. This overgrown fire road climbs the chaparraled slopes of Montara Mountain. Upon reaching the saddle, the […]

Bike to Hike: Pinnacles National Monument

The stunning rock formations at Pinnacles National Monument once formed part of a volcano the size of Mt. St. Helens. This ancient volcano loomed over Southern California and, in the past 22 million years, it has migrated at a rate of ~1 inch per year north along the San Andreas Fault. Today, its eroded flanks lie […]

Pie-Powered Pedaling to Pescadero

The monthly barn dance at Pie Ranch is hands-down my favorite destination for a hoe-down. A bike camping trip to this tiny slice of a farm is easy as pie and just as wholesome. Check out the trip at-at-a-glance for route details. Day One: 45 miles to Pescadero from Menlo Park Caltrain Station Our crew of […]

Pinnacles Bike and Hike

Yoked to the slip-strike San Andreas Fault, the red-orange spires of Pinnacles National Monument have crept northwards for the past 22 million years. Today, Pinnacles lays 50 miles south of Gilroy, making it conveniently accessible by Caltrain for the weekend bike camper. I got off the Caltrain in Gilroy in full dark and headed south […]