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A/B Ride: Big Sur!

Hwy 1 through Big Sur: Due to this winter's slides and bridge outages, this ride affords a special opportunity to explore one of the most coveted cycling roads on the Pacific coast with minimal automobile traffic!

We meet at 9 a.m. at Pfieffer Big Sur State Park (PBSSP) - Day Use Lot #4. Ride leaders will have a pre-ride Q&A at 9 a.m. and we ROLL at 9:15 a.m.!

PBSSP is approximately an 80 mile drive from Santa Cruz. The PBSSP day use parking costs $10, however it's VERY likely (but not guaranteed) that you will be able to park for FREE on the road across from the PBSSP entrance. Up to you. Either way please be on your bike at Day Use Lot #4 by 9 a.m.

At 9:15 we roll out to camp-site 31 where the 0.5 mile hiking trail begins. This hike-a-bike section climbs about 500 ft in elevation past the new Pfeiffer bridge (under construction). The hiking trail is not very cleat/cycling shoe friendly so you might want to wear a small backpack to bring walking shoes. There are about 140 stair steps along this trail.

Clothing layers are important, weather in Big Sur is likely to be variable over the course of the day.

As always, make sure to bring plenty of snacks/hydration, pre-check your bike for good operating condition and have your toolkit, spare tubes and frame pump with you. We know that some businesses are open along the route but we recommend that you plan to be as self-sufficient as possible. Make sure you buddy up with someone who will be riding at your pace.

Cell phones do not work in many parts of Big Sur. There will be a sweep on each route but each of us is ultimately responsible for our own safety and well being. Make sure to ask your sweep to help you find a buddy if you don't have one.

Route link A ride 67 miles and 6.5k feet climbing
The A group will ride down to Sand Dollar Beach Picnic Area.
Extra credit option: If you want to go all the way to the big slide at Mud Creek (near Gorda) that will make your ride approx 75miles/7.5k ft climbing. However, please note: the ride leader will NOT be sweeping for the extra credit portion so you would be on your own for that. On the way back we stop at Nepenthe for a look around and food/beverage if you wish! If you are an SCMC captain or super-domestique, beverage and snacks will be Catherine's treat! We will ride at a pace that will allow us to be at Nepenthe by no later than 4 pm. You may ride faster if you wish/can. If you are riding at a slower pace please turn around at the point that allows us to be back to Nepenthe by 4pm. Since this ride is an out and back, that will be fairly easy to determine, basically at 12:30pm you turn around and head back :-) 
Route link B ride 51 miles and 5.4k feet climbing
The B group will ride down to Lucia. This is technically an A ride due to the amount of climbing, but you can easily shorten the ride by turning around sooner and still have a fabulous ride experience!

There have been many emails about this special Big Sur ride on the SCCCC club forum and our SCCCC Facebook page. We recommend you review those for lot's of Q&A. Here are some additional official information links:

http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/highway_conditions.html
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/mile_markers.html

Please contact your ride co-leaders, Dennis Harvey and Catherine vanRhee, if you have any other questions!
When:
Saturday, September 09, 2017, 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM
Where:
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Big Sur, CA  
Additional Info:
Event Contact(s):
Dennis Harvey
Category:
Saturday A/B Rides
Registration is not Required
Payment In Full In Advance Only