{"id":25516,"date":"2019-12-20T06:40:12","date_gmt":"2019-12-20T06:40:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hopcycling.pl\/?p=25516"},"modified":"2024-12-06T11:15:23","modified_gmt":"2024-12-06T11:15:23","slug":"pacific-coast-highway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hopcycling.pl\/en\/pacific-coast-highway\/","title":{"rendered":"Pacific Coast Highway: 1500km of coastal California"},"content":{"rendered":"
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I've got bad news: there is almost nothing in this post<\/strong>, which has never appeared on this blog before.<\/p>\n

– About a great round-the-road trip in the western US<\/strong> (and Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Death Valley, parks of Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands, Great Canyon, Sequoia, Arches, Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Yosemite, Pacific Coast Highway & #8230;) was on the Amazon occasion Re: Invent 2018: American trip: Western USA in 18 days<\/a><\/p>\n

– About Las Vegas<\/strong> (and Death Valley) was on the Amazon Re: Invent 2017 entry: Las Vegas: women, drugs, money and ... desert<\/a><\/p>\n

– About San Francisco<\/strong> (and Yosemite) was on the Dreamforce 2017 entry: San Francisco: what to see, where to go, how to live?<\/a><\/p>\n

I will say more, in this post there are not most of the things that were supposed to be in it: the sun, great views, the perfect route and in general most of the points that I planned. Panda is not in him. It doesn't even contain what the title says, because:<\/p>\n

analyzing the trail, it turns out that I have driven virtually the entire El Camino Real trail<\/span><\/h2>\n

& #8230; but you know & #8211; Pacific Coast Highway sounds better.<\/p>\n

& #8222; Along the entire California coast runs a trail connecting 21 Catholic missions founded here in the eighteenth century by the Spanish Franciscans. The road leading from San Diego to Sonoma was named El Camino Real - Royal Road. For wine lovers, convents established along the route had additional significance - it was on the monastery grounds that the first vineyards appeared. The monks did wine<\/span><\/span>\u00a0from the variety brought from Spain\u00a0pa\u00eds<\/span><\/span>, which in time changed its name to mission grape. & #8221; <\/em><\/p>\n

~https:\/\/czaswina.pl\/artykul\/uroki-prowincji\/<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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How was it supposed to be?<\/h2>\n

The plan was: I'm going to Vegas for one of the biggest IT events in the world for a few days and I will go a little bit around the area I already know:<\/p>\n

a brilliant loop of bike paths through the desert over Hoover Dam
\n& #8211; loop through Valley of Fire<\/strong>
\n& #8211; loop through Red rock canyon<\/strong>
\n& #8211; I will go on Mount charleston<\/strong> take a picture with a snow-covered sign Welcome to Fabolous Las Vegas<\/em>because yes & #8230; about 60km from Vegas there is a hill with a ski slope. From a warm city located at 500m above sea level, the asphalt road enters the snow-covered area of 2600m above sea level
\n& #8211; if there is time, I can add it Death Valley,<\/strong> including the beautiful Artist's Drive and Dante & #8217; s View<\/p>\n

Note, the following pictures were taken mid-December, but a year earlier:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

it was supposed to be like that on Big Sur<\/div><\/div>

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it was supposed to be like that on Big Sur<\/div><\/div>

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It was supposed to be like this on Hawk Hill in San Francisco<\/div><\/div>

<\/div><\/p>\n

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It was supposed to be like that in Los Angeles<\/div><\/div>

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It was supposed to be like that in Malibu<\/div><\/div>

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I was supposed to go after such a desert.<\/div><\/div>

<\/div><\/p>\n

I'm packing in podsiod\u0142\u00f3wk\u0119<\/em> and through the Mojave desert and Joshua Tree Park I drive off-road to Los Angeles. There, for one day, I relax, sit together with the homeless and drug addicts on the Venice beach, drive through Hollywood pathology, look at the night panorama of the city from Griffith Observatory<\/em> and the coast, through Big Sur I go to San Francisco. Another day of relaxation to pass the most important places of one of the most beautiful cities in the world and & #8222; somehow & #8221; return to Vegas.<\/p>\n

Only it didn't work out well, and there were several reasons.<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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<\/h2>\n

Maciek, Maciek, what happened?<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>After arriving in Vegas, it turned out that when the temperature in the city rises to 10 degrees, it can already be said that it is warm. There is a snow storm on Mount Charleston and -17 \u00b0 C. As if that was not enough, I can talk about exceptional happiness, because it is rare to find a situation where in the middle of the desert it is rainy and cloudy for a week. The vision of lonely driving through the desert, which assumed, for example, a section of a 240-kilometer drive with one falling apart motel on the road (in which only a cafe was left) and one gas station, on virtually unoccupied roads seemed average. In addition, I read on the net that it is better to go from north to south than as I planned, because first of all you go closer to the water (makes sense), and secondly: the wind blows so much (I take my word for it).<\/p>\n

I thought I had some plans in my life and I didn't take out life insurance, so it would be unwise to leave Panda in this way, so I modified the plan.<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

Here comes the story of the Hurricane<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

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<\/h2>\n

And how was it?<\/h2>\n

I fly to Las Vegas via Los Angeles, where I change to Alaska Airlines. The plan falls for the first time at the airport in LA, where after lifting the visas, I find a queue of people to the horizon. Now ~ 20 windows in which visas are checked are practically empty, and these 2 booths for people from ESTA<\/em> they are occupied by a 1.5-hour queue. I had 2.5 hours to change, so the flight to Vegas leaves without me (flights were on separate tickets). Maybe my sprint through the bicycle suitcase terminals was too slow.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

At the Alaska Airlines booth, it turns out that internal flights in the states are a bit like buses. I tell a nice lady that it was me and I did not make it, and she said that there are no more seats in the next flight, but she will find something in the later ones. So I'm flying by plane 2 hours later.<\/p>\n

On the first day in Vegas I make a loop through Red Rock Canyon and I realize that summer shoes with protectors and a winter hat are not enough here. I spend the next days throwing myself into the vortex of computers, internet and people in checkered shirts and hoodies. I will describe these conferences someday, because apart from the hermetic part, the main events are: competitions in eating wings on time, tournaments: ping-pong, clubbing, broomball<\/em>, concerts with DJs in style Skrillex<\/em> and mass collection of giveaway.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

After the conference, I'm flying to San Francisco, getting a bike there, doing a loop around the city and throwing it downpour and storms south through the epic Pacific Road Highway. Halfway through Big Sur (i.e. this uncivilized section), it turns out that the road is closed. I catch my foot with German Turks and in the rhythm of Deutsch-disco I come back to circle the mountains with the other side. In LA, instead of turning into the desert, I push further south. Due to military maneuvers (helicopters with supply of ships fly from the old Pacific Road Highway) I turn back again and instead of the old, pleasant road with a 4-lane road towards one of the most crowded border crossings in the world. I reach the border with Mexico. I go back to San Diego, I rent a car, I go to Vegas. In Vegas, I discover that the contract says that I give the car in San Diego. I am returning by LOT via Chicago to Warsaw, during which I discover that UNITED Airlines have the most expensive bicycle tickets in the world, thanks to which I repeat our mistake from Taiwan (200$ bicycle and empty checked baggage), in Chicago I check in with an hour delay, so on the plane I make my home in the last second and find out in Ok\u0119cie that I may have arrived, but my bike is not there.<\/p>\n

It reminds me why nobody wanted to fly with me on this holiday.
\n(I informed on Instagram<\/a>, thanks to which I found out what dozens of people have plans for the near future and why they can't).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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<\/h2>\n

Costs?<\/h2>\n

I would rather leave this point silent: they were without a doubt most expensive holidays ever on a daily basis.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Flight to Vegas + return should be max PLN 3000. Last year, we paid PLN 2200 for flights to LA with bicycles. I buy in some terrible period, from Saturday to Sunday, so the price is around 4500 PLN.<\/p>\n

A flight from Vegas to San Francisco costs 45$-100$ depending on the day and time (I'm flying for 45$) + 30$ fixed bike fee at Alaska Airlines, from today my favorite airline.<\/p>\n

Renting a car for two days in San Diego is 80$ (I take the SUV so that the bike fits without spinning, small cars cost less). Gasoline for ~ 650km is around 40$.<\/p>\n

The average hotel price per night is 65-100$ per night. I go alone so I pay the same price as if I had booked for 2 or sometimes 4 people. In addition to weekly overnight stays in Vegas, each one I book & #8222; day by day & #8221 ;. It should be remembered that in the US the price is not included in the price, so when booking accommodation often looks like this: price: 50$ + 50$ in small letters (in Vegas, additionally Resort Fee in the amount of ~ 40$ per day). During the conference prices go up quite strongly, and when I come back a week later the Rodeo finals are taking place, so it's expensive again.<\/p>\n

When it comes to prices in California, this can be summarized in the cyclist version with two words: horny expensive.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The internet month is 20$ for a card (I get a discount for an unknown reason) and 25$ for 3GB.<\/p>\n

Average set in fast food (it's hard to eat something else there): 10$, breakfast set in power cable to<\/em> with pancakes: 20$. Sandwich in 7-Eleven: 5$, small Cola: 2.5$, candy bar: 2.5$. It is a bit embarrassing in the case of daily combustion at the level of min. 7000kcal. With a bit of luck, for 12$ you can eat a big dinner in a Mexican kennel, in which, just in case, good morning you say that you have no kidneys left and other organs are damaged by life in Poland.<\/p>\n

Why such prices? Well, America is cheap if you are American. This means that you are not buying 0.5L Cola in 7-Eleven, only a pack of ten 2.5 liter bottles at Walmart. Shopping is based on promotions and wholesale. A cyclist with a small bag (in the sense of a bicycle bag) has a serious problem. Or an example: a small can of Starbucks coffee in a grocery costs almost 3$, a 1.4l bottle of the same coffee costs 5$.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Price hint #Cebulaka.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you want to bounce a bit, I recommend a visit to Las Vegas Premium Outlets (both North and South) & #8211; are powerful shopping centers with expensive stores: both the premium ones and regular brands such as Levis, Adidas, Nike, Under Armor, North Face etc. (no cycling). What is going on? It's easy & #8211; there are promotions in normal stores: the shirt costs 100$, then overstates it at 80$, then at 65$, then goes to these outlets and costs 50% of the lowest price. For example, all Levis jeans (when buying 3 pairs) cost 30$. With unusual sizes (i.e. typical for us), Wranglers can be purchased at a price of 8-20$. Even adding the tax, which is constantly forgotten, prices are about half the best discounts in our country while maintaining full availability. I come back with three pairs of new shoes (e.g. two pairs of Timberland, which in our promotion cost a total of PLN 1,400, I buy for 115$, because one is in the 60% promotion, and the purchase of a second pair is 70% discount & #8230; from this discounted value).<\/p>\n

List of hotels with prices (according to the strategy: the cheapest, but decently and along the way):<\/p>\n

Motel 6 Las Vegas Tropicana<\/a>: 1669 PLN \/ 6 nights.
\nTravelodge by Wyndham San Francisco Airport North<\/a>: 255 PLN \/ night
\nBayside Inn<\/a>: 204 PLN \/ night
\nSoledad Motel 8<\/a>: 364 PLN \/ night
\nMorro Bay Sandpiper Inn<\/a>: 194 PLN \/ night
\nMotel 6 Santa Barbara & #8211; Carpinteria South<\/a>: 307 PLN \/ night
\nMotel 6 Newport Beach<\/a>: 279 PLN \/ night
\nGood Nite Inn San Diego Airport \/ SeaWorld<\/a>: 192 PLN \/ night
\nSuper 8 by Wyndham Las Vegas Nellis AFB Area<\/a>: PLN 417\/2 nights<\/p>\n

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<\/h2>\n

Equipment<\/h2>\n
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Bike:<\/strong> Factor Vista with Goodyear County 35mm tubeless tires flooded with milk<\/p>\n

Bags:<\/strong>
\non the back: Apidura Backcountry Saddle Pack 11l
\nfront: Apidura Racing Handlebar Pack 5l
\nunder the frame: Apidura Backcountry Compact Frame Pack 4.5l<\/p>\n

Stuff:<\/strong>
\n2 cycling shorts, 2 jerseys, one cycling sweatshirt, patches, inner tubes, multitool, pump with manometer, civil shorts with detachable legs, civil blouse, winter hat, warm and waterproof gloves, finger covers (better full shoe covers), cap summer, 3 pairs of socks, a small towel (not needed), map, 3\/4 legs, long legs, sleeves, ultralight, 3 civilian shirts.<\/p>\n

To change:
\n<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0It was better to take podsiod\u0142\u00f3wk\u0119<\/em> 14l and leave room than push to 11l & #8211; the difference in capacity is big and bothering the same. A civil blouse is not necessary since poverty, just like two different pairs of legs (I only used 3\/4 which made me dream more, but they are much more comfortable). T-shirts made of wool are much better on such trips. It is worth learning how they work tubelessy<\/em> before one dives into the deep with them. 35mm tires work probably the same as 40mm and 30mm, but mentally the comfort would be 30mm or 32mm.<\/p>\n

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<\/h2>\n

Roads and bikes all over America<\/h2>\n

The most important information is:<\/span><\/p>\n

Web page Adventure Cycling<\/a>, where you will find routes, descriptions and photos of the most important bicycle routes through the USA. This is the weightlifting and world championship, because maybe navigation files are paid, but they are constantly updated. And of course the trails are in the American style, i.e. after several thousand kilometers (but fortunately broken into parts): https:\/\/www.adventurecycling.org\/routes-and-maps\/adventure-cycling-route-network\/interactive-network-map\/<\/a><\/p>\n

The vast majority of large and small cities in the western part of the United States have bicycle lanes marked so luxurious. The street usually has two lanes, then a piece of separation lane, then a wide bicycle lane, then a lane separating from the parking lane. In addition to cities, most roads, in turn, have a wide shoulder, which you can safely drive.<\/p>\n

At 1500km at an uncomfortable distance I was missed once, i.e. a statistical error.<\/p>\n

On freeway & #8217; ah and interstate & #8217; ah (i.e. the equivalents of our expressways), the roadside is huge, but you can drive them only when there is no alternative and usually there is a sign informing about a prohibition and alternative or the sign is not and can be. It probably differs between states.<\/p>\n

Roadside freeways & #8217; these are very different, there are also dramatically curves and sifted. In general, however, it is cool, although there is a lot of shit (plastics, glass, rubber, etc.), so I suggest taking tires that resemble a garden hose.<\/p>\n

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Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas.<\/h2>\n