Biking - California

Duncanandthemachine
Duncanandthemachine Posts: 263
edited February 2011 in Tour & expedition
Has anyone got much experience of cycling in California?

Planning a visit at the end of April and really fancy a few days out riding (on the road or trail). I won't be taking a bike with me so would need to hire one, no idea for specific places to visit yet just gather thoughts..

Cheers :)

Comments

  • kirby1024
    kirby1024 Posts: 3
    I've put some of my rides on-line at http://www.lkjh.org/bike/california/index.html which should give you some idea of the possibilities.

    Which area are you going to?

    Have a great time.

    Kirby
  • crankycrank
    crankycrank Posts: 1,830
    edited February 2011
    I live in San Diego and have been through most of the state but not by bicycle (stupid me).
    California has just about every type of terrain and climate possible except for a tropical region. The central coast is absolutely beautiful and starting north of San Luis Obispo there is a stunning ride along the sparsely populated (except for tourists) Highway 1 that skirts the coastline and goes up to the Oregon border and which I believe passes some of the redwood forrests as you get well north of San Francisco. There is also the south eastern desert region which Death Valley is part of but not recommeneded between late May and October due to the very high temps. North east has trees, mountains Lake Tahoe with its beautiful mountains and lake and gambling casinos. Los Angles has both desert and Mountains within roughly 70 miles away. Really there is just too much to describe in one post. Personally I really enjoy going north along the coastline and staying in San Francisco as it's a great city to visit and the surrounding area has some great cycling including the Napa Valley wine region, Marin County and you must cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge plus you can probably find most types of bike to hire in the city. Yosemite Park is roughly a half day drive from San Fran as well.
  • andymiller
    andymiller Posts: 2,856
    Duncanandthemachine wrote:
    Has anyone got much experience of cycling in California?

    Planning a visit at the end of April and really fancy a few days out riding (on the road or trail). I won't be taking a bike with me so would need to hire one, no idea for specific places to visit yet just gather thoughts..

    Might be a good idea to be a bit more precise about where you're going. It's a big place.
    Italy Cycling Guide
  • andymiller
    andymiller Posts: 2,856
    Duncanandthemachine wrote:
    Has anyone got much experience of cycling in California?

    Planning a visit at the end of April and really fancy a few days out riding (on the road or trail). I won't be taking a bike with me so would need to hire one, no idea for specific places to visit yet just gather thoughts..

    Might be a good idea to be a bit more precise about where you're going. It's a big place.
    Italy Cycling Guide
  • Howard Ashworth
    Howard Ashworth Posts: 7
    When I cycled coast to coast a couple of summers ago, I rode from SF through to Fallon NV in my first 4 or 5 days. I would suggest that the most beautiful & impressive cycling on the whole trip was in the Sierra Nevada around Cooks Station, for example. Google 'Adventure Cycling' if you want some really detailed route maps.
  • Duncanandthemachine
    Duncanandthemachine Posts: 263
    Cheers guys, its going to be a real last minute effort planning this one unfortunately, got big exams at the beginning of April so no chance to do anything but revise, I'll probably try and book return flights to San Francisco and go from there really, I'll see what else I can work out in the mean time and try and come back to you. Thanks for the help so far though :)

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