Overview
Coast(ish) is Comova Cycling’s adventure cycling route from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo. It is called “Coast(ish)” because while Highway 1 is closed at the Regents Slide along Big Sur, it is the best alternative to the traditional Pacific Coast route.
The route can be ridden DIY-style using inns, motels and/or campgrounds along the way. But crossing the Santa Lucia Mountains to get around the Big Sur closure involves some long stretches with no services.
From Feb 15-18, we will be pilot testing the route. Eventually we hope to offer it as a custom small-group trip with daily distances and stopovers tailored to each group. But for our test run, we’re cramming it all in to just four days.
Everything you need to know about the trip, including links to routes, is below. Reach out to steve@comova.bike if you’re up for big miles and big adventure. There are a few remaining spots.
NOTE: The downloadable Coast(ish) Ride Guide (PDF) includes all the details below, plus detailed route descriptions, annotations on key route cues, and full cue sheets.
Essentials
Contact us
If you have any questions or inquiries, feel free to reach out to us. Email Steve or Email Matt
At the start
Plan to arrive by 7:15am to check-in and load your bag into the luggage transfer vehicle. A ride briefing will take place at 7:45 and the group will rollout at 8am. If possible, arrange to be dropped off at the start or plan in advance to find long-term parking of your vehicle.
On the ride
Riders should be prepared to ride unsupported. The luggage transfer vehicle will depart each morning for that evening’s stopover. It may be possible for the luggage transfer vehicle to SAG a rider but it will likely be a significant wait.
Steve and Matt will lead the rides each day and can communicate with the luggage transfer vehicle as well as provide navigation support and help troubleshoot issues that arise during the ride.
Food
We will have beverages and light snacks for riders at the finish of each day’s ride. Riders will handle their own mid-ride food and off-the-bike meals.
Feel free to pack your own ride and recovery nutrition to be transported each day by the luggage transfer vehicle. See below for recommended food options along the route, as well as dinner and breakfast options at each overnight stop. Each day’s gpx route file also includes POIs for services.
At the finish
We will aim to finish in San Luis Obispo by 2pm for a post-ride celebration at SLO Ranch Farms. There are public bathrooms (but not showers) you can use to change at the end of the ride.
The van shuttles will depart from San Luis Obispo by 4pm.
Amtrak’s Coast Starlight train is another return option. The train departs at 3:05pm and arrives in San Jose at 7:58pm, Oakland at 9:21pm, Emeryville at 9:41pm, and Martinez at 10:26pm.
Bikes can be checked without a box. Be sure to add a bike when booking a ticket.
Cost
As a pilot trip, we are running this “at cost,” meaning we’ll only be charging for the luggage transfer and limited support provided, plus optional transportation back to the Bay Area.
Luggage Transfer/Support
Estimated per rider cost: $150-200 (depending on total number of riders)
Accommodations
Riders will book their own lodging. A list of recommended accommodations is available in the Coast(ish) Rider Guide.
This will allow you the flexibility to book a private room or share a room with a friend on the ride.
Nightly accommodation options are in the range of $100-$200.
Transfer to Bay Area
For those returning to the Bay Area, will organize optional shuttle vans to get you and your bike back to the Bay Area. This will likely entail one drop point in the East Bay and one drop point in San Francisco.
Cost will be determined by number of riders opting for this service but is likely to be in the $100-150 range.
How to Pay
Email Steve or call (707-408-7721) to confirm there is space and receive payment details.
Itinerary
Day 1 (Feb 15)–San Francisco to Monterey
134 miles/6,900’ ele
Find your way to Crissy Field’s East Bluff Picnic Area at the west end of the main Crissy Field Beach parking lot. If possible, arrange to be dropped off at the start or enjoy an easy 45 minute ride from Embarcadero BART along the waterfront. Arrive by 7:30am to check-in and load your bag into the luggage transfer vehicle. A ride briefing will take place at 7:45 and the group will rollout at 8am. A prompt start is mandatory given today’s 134 miles of riding*.
Day 2 (Feb 16)–Monterey to King City
87-121 miles/5,000-7,500’
Our 8:30am rollout heads around the Monterey Peninsula along beautiful 17-Mile Drive. The long route heads down Big Sur on an out-and-back. Turn around at Little Sur Beach for 121 miles or shorten it to your liking. From Carmel the route heads inland over Carmel Valley Rd. and back into the Salinas Valley for our finish in King City.
Day 3 (Feb 17)–King City to Cayucos
111 miles/7,400’ ele
Pushing our start to 9am just might get us comfortably through the notorious cold sink of Jolon Rd. Soon we’ll turn onto Nacimiento Ferguson Rd. for some gently upwardly rolling terrain across oak-studded woodlands before the epic descent down to the coast and more than 60 miles of tailwind-aided cruising along the southern Big Sur coast.
Day 4 (Feb 18)–Cayucos to San Luis Obispo
63 miles/4,100’ ele
There are shorter options today, but those with the legs will want to cover the full route. Highlights include Montaña de Oro State Park (with a 2mi easy gravel option to access the best views) and the challenging climb up Prefumo Canyon and then down See Canyon to Avila Beach before finishing for a post-ride celebration in San Luis Obispo.
*A 111 mile option with a SAG to Monterey is possible. Inquire if you are interested.
Support and Rider Expectations
Luggage Transfer
The luggage transfer vehicle, which will do double duty as emergency SAG, has limited capacity.
Bags should not exceed 40L (~12”X12’X24”). Bags similar to the 40L Thule Chasm or Patagonia Black Hole would be ideal. You may also bring a small personal item like a musette bag or small backpack. We suggest leaving valuables such as laptops at home unless absolutely necessary.
Each morning you will be asked to deposit your bag(s) outside the luggage transfer vehicle 15 minutes prior to our rollout time. You will locate the vehicle at the base motel at the end of the day to retrieve your bag(s)
Rider Support
Riders should be capable of riding at a 13mph moving average in order to finish with daylight. without vehicle support. Matt and Steve will be your on-the-bike guides to provide limited support. They will carry satellite communicators and can communicate with the luggage transfer vehicle in the event a rider cannot continue.
But there will be no sweep vehicle to SAG or otherwise support riders on the route. This means carrying the hydration, food, layers, tools and other items you will need.
The exception is on Day 3, where there are no services between King City and Ragged Point Inn at mile 66. The luggage transfer vehicle will provide water and some nutrition at a pullout on the descent of Nacimiento Ferguson Rd. (~mile 44).
At other times, the vehicle will take the direct route to each day’s overnight stop which means doubling back to gather a rider, although possible, will take a long time.
Bike Maintenance and Support
The luggage transfer vehicle will carry a mechanics tool kit, floor pump, and a limited supply of tubes, tubeless sealant, SRAM road brake pads (see right), and 11-speed chains. Know your machine and consider packing pads, a chain, spare batteries and anything else that might derail your ride.
Accommodations
Coast(ish) base motels at each destination offer basic accommodations close to services. Book at these motels or at one of the other suggested nearby motels. Keep in mind that bags will be dropped and picked up at the base motel. If you are not within walking distance, a bag with backpack straps might be a good idea.
Rates are constantly changing. We advise booking now. Call the numbers below directly and mention Comova (or Matt McHugh) as some of these motels have offered a special rate (noted) for our group. Confirm the cancellation time frame as well. If rain causes us to cancel we will notify riders by Feb 12.
Monterey Base (2/15)
Rodeway Inn ($135+tax, king, 48 hr cancellation)
1374 Munras Ave
(831) 373-3252
Alternatives: Days Inn, Pelican Inn,
Red Lion Inn
King City Base (2/16)
Keefer’s Inn ($119+ tax, king, 24 hr cancellation)
615 Canal St
(800) 745-9050 (Ask for Tina and mention Comova)
Alternatives: Motel 6, Quality Inn
Cayucos Base (2/17)
Cayucos Beach Inn ($113+tax, king, 72 hr cancellation)
333 S Ocean Ave (805) 995-2828 (mention Comova)
Alternatives: Cypress Tree Motel (805-995-3917), Seaside Motel, Central Coast Inn (805-995-3614)
Food
Overview
Below are recommendations for markets, restaurants, bakeries and cafes near each base motel. Links are to Google Maps listings so you can check opening times and location.
Monterey Base (2/15)
Del Monte Shopping Center (across the street from Rodeway Inn) offers:
Starbucks, Chipotle, Poke House, Pizza My Heart, CPK, Subway, Dametra Fresh Mediterranean, Islands (gourmet burgers), Whole Foods, and more
Elroy’s Fine Foods (15 Soledad Dr) is like a locally owned Whole Foods (closes at 7PM)
King City Base (2/16)
North from Keefer’s on Canal St., under 101, you’ll find the following options:
El Taco Bravo, Carl’s Jr., Subway, King City Pizza, Rite Aid and Safeway
South on Canal and R on River Dr gets you to:
Taco Bell, McDonald’s, KFC, Starbucks and an AM/PM convenience store
A bit further away on Broadway:
Denny’s and Castro’s Bakery & Deli, as well as several taquerias at Broadway and 2nd
Cayucos Base (2/17)
Dinner options include:
Martin’s (Mexican and Italian) and Sea Shanty (sea food, salads, sandwiches and more).
Cayucos Super Market (more like a convenience store) is next to the Cayucos Beach Inn.
For breakfast:
Bijou Bakery or Cayucos Coffee Company
Coast(ish) Fin(ish) (2/18)
SLO Ranch Farms offers a range of options. From a market with prepared foods to sushi, Paso Robles Brewing, kabobs, pizza, coffee, bakery, ice cream and more
Ride Finish Details
Finish Location
SLO Ranch Farms and Marketplace (871 Froom Ranch Way) a new concept in San Luis Obispo, highlighting local vendors ranging from pizza and ice cream to sushi and beer.
The luggage transfer vehicle will be onsite for you to grab a change of clothes. You can use the spacious public bathrooms to change. There will be no shower options at the finish but SAG will have abundant wet wipes.
Return to Bay Area
Our shuttle vans will be ready to depart from SLO Ranch Farms at 4pm. There will either be one van that makes a SF and East Bay drop off, or two separate vans heading separately to SF and the East Bay.
If you would like a spot in the shuttle van for you and/or your bike and did not pre-pay, please submit $150 to reserve your spot.
