My & my friend Ashraf, just checked off one of our bucket list items which is to bike from San Francisco To Los Angeles taking the scenic Pacific Highway 1.

Total Distance: 430 miles/700 KMs

Total Elevation Gain: 23,000 ft

Duration: 7 Days

Training

WIP

Packing list

Packing for this trip, was the most important thing. I wanted to make sure I don’t add much weight.

I bought this rear bike saddle from Amazon. Which was enough to take everything I need. It did swing so it took me a couple of rides to get my stability back.

Day 1 – San Jose to Monterey

Strava route: https://www.strava.com/activities/3574888358.

Accommodation: Best Western, Marina CA.

  • Had lunch at In-N-Out.
  • Saw like over 100 police cars driving north to Watsonville.
  • Checked in, went to the beach which was super windy, that sand flying like bullets hitting our legs.
  • Ordered Pizza and my phone died!

Day 2 – Monterey to Big Sur

Strava route: https://www.strava.com/activities/3585723346.

Accommodation: Deetjens Inn.

  • Woke up at 6:30 to attempt to go to Walmart to use one of their demo laptops to restore my iPhone.
  • Met up with the electronics manager “Jewel”. His grandson is a racer and biked across the US. He let me to use an Asus laptop to restore my phone. Took me like 2 hours to get it back up. 
  • Ashraf having a flat.
  • Late start.
  • Did 17 miles Dr gorgeous ride.
  • Stopped for lunch in Carmel, metup with Pat & Layla (had a funny conversation).
  • Passed by the iconic Bixby Bridge.
  • Rolling hills a lot of elevation. Until arriving to Big Sur.
  • Got escorted by a car to our hotel.
  • Really nice old antique hotel, met-up with another couple (Shahin & Summer).

Day 3 – Big Sur to San Simeon

Strava route: https://www.strava.com/activities/3585724504.

Accommodation: San Simeon Lodge.

  • A lot of rolling hills and climbs.
  • Had my best Fried Chicken Sandwich.
  • Met up with other bikers biking from SF to LA too.

Day 4 – San Simeon to Pismo Beach

Strava route: https://www.strava.com/activities/3591122162.

Accommodation: Beachwalker Inn & Suites.

  • Met up with Tyler in SLO.
  • Ashraf had a haircut.
  • Swam in the ocean.

Day 5 – Pismo Beach to Lompoc

Strava route: https://www.strava.com/activities/3595666190.

Accommodation: SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Lompoc.

  • Had a huge Thai food dinner.
  • Did laundry.
  • Combined day 7&8.

Day 6 – Lompoc to Santa Barbara

Strava route: https://www.strava.com/activities/3600238671.

Accommodation: Castillo Inn at the Beach.

  • Left early at 9.
  • Biked through the amazing campus of UCSD.
  • Had lunch at Beachside bar cafe.
  • Walked into the pier and downtown.

Day 7 – Santa Barbara to Santa Monica

Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/activities/3605240597.

Accommodation: Santa Monica Motel.

  • Both me & Ashraf had flats at the same spot. Some tree needles got into our tires.
  • Passed by Malibu, Santa Monica.
  • A lot of runner, rollerblades, people working out.

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