PCH 26: Stage 8 Lompoc - Santa Barbara

PCH 26: Stage 7 Grover Beach - Lompoc

PCH 26: Stage 6 part 2 Regent Slide Bypass SBP - Grover Beach

PCH 26: Stage 6 part 1 Regent Slide Bypass

PCH 26: Stage 5 Monterey - Hurricane Point

The road south disappeared into a landslide. Highway 1 is closed beyond Big Sur, so I rode toward the closure and returned the same way.

I repeated the climb over the Monterey Peninsula to Carmel. On the way, I dropped my saddlebag at the hotel that I had booked for later today. That made the climb a bit easier. 

The ride from start to end was stunning. Again, I’ve driven the road multiple times, but this was the first time riding this stretch of road. It is a completely different experience. It is an amazing experience to be in the landscape while on the bike. I was able to stop wherever I wanted. 

I had postponed the ride down the coast for less wind. Today was absolutely perfect on the weather front. Bright blue skies and generally calm winds, really couldn’t be better. 

I reached hurricane point, a high point with huge views of the ocean. There I could see so many whales making their way south. I had purchased small binoculars to carry on my bike and watched birds. They paid off big time today. I could clearly see the whales surfacing, and occasionally their tails broke the surface. It was a magical experience. 

Then it was time to head back. It seemed much easier coming back, with the exception of the shortcut of skipping to the town of Carmel on the way back. This was along the highway with next to no shoulder. As with all difficult spots, it was over, and I was coasting down to my hotel for the night. 

It was unfortunate that I couldn’t ride through the Big Sur coast, but I was so happy to see some of the very best parts with great weather and low traffic. An amazing day. Grateful. 

🚴⬆️ 2026 = 4,146 m | 🌐 summitbag . com‍
💪 36.71 new kilometers
🏘 Completed 25% of Monterey State Historic Park
-- From Wandrer

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John Benoit

PCH 26: Stage 5 Monterey - Hurricane Point

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PCH 26: Stage 8 Lompoc - Santa Barbara

PCH 26: Stage 7 Grover Beach - Lompoc

PCH 26: Stage 6 part 2 Regent Slide Bypass SBP - Grover Beach

PCH 26: Stage 6 part 1 Regent Slide Bypass

PCH 26: Stage 5 Monterey - Hurricane Point

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