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Carmel Big Sur pics...

Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 11:44 pm
by tobes
Here are a few pics from Carmel and Big Sur CA. I headed out of Van Nuys 2/1 and planned on going through the mountains north of LA to Paso Robles and out to PCH via Hunter-Liggett. There was plenty of snow on the ground in the hills and I got a warning from a motorist in Frazier Park that the roads were icy. I decided to check out the roads anyway. Soon the thermometer hit 32 degrees, the roads were wet and snow all around. So I decided to change plans and take a safer route. The new heated gear really came in handy. :D

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Turned around and took the 5 north through some rain. Further north the skies cleared and I took the 46 into Paso Robles for some lunch. Then on to Hunter-Liggett. What a fun road this is. Plenty of camping spots.

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The views of the Pacific coming out of Hunter-Liggett are striking.

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Not much room for error on some of these roads.

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Down to PCH and north toward Big Sur and Carmel.

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Stayed the night in Carmel. Next morning walked around town, got some coffee and checked out the beach.

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My original plan was to head out Carmel Valley Rd. But I had so much fun on PCH the day before I decided to do the whole thing in reverse and head back to LA that way. Definitely want to ride Carmel Valley Rd in the future though. First, I headed north into Monterey and checked out Cannery Row. Construction going on there made it not much fun. So, I headed out and back down the PCH.

Rocky Creek Bridge
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More Big Sur views
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Then on down the coast and out to the 101. Made it to Mussel Shoals in time for sunset.

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2 days 680 miles.

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:10 am
by taosports
Nice photos Tobes!

Looks like you had some beautiful weather. I'm surprised because just a bit further north, here in the SF bay area, we've had about 2 weeks of steady rain it seems. :( I was actually planning a trip down to Paso Robles via Big Sur but the weather forecasts never looked promising.

I'll have to try that road through Hunter Liggett. Never been on that road, but it looks inviting.

Next time up, you must ride Carmel Valley Road out to Highway 101. It's a fun twisty road.

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:27 am
by DJ Downunder
Wow!!..Beautiful pictures..Beautiful coastline..The bikes not bad also.. :wink: ...Thanks.

DJ

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:28 am
by tobes
I think I really lucked out with the weather. I'd originally planned on making it 3 days 2 nights but headed back early after rain warnings. It rained a little going up but it wasn't much of a big deal.

Definitely ride Hunter-Liggett. It's very fun. You'll need to show your license, registration, and proof of insurance to get in.

Carmel Valley Rd sounds like a great ride. That's on the list of roads to check out for sure. :D

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 1:52 am
by GypsyRR
Tobes:
Your pictures are great. The coastline of California is so beautiful. I only visited it a couple of times while living out there, but I loved every visit. The area around Big Sur reminds me much of the western coastline of Newfoundland.

What were the temperatures like along PCH? How many miles from LA to Big Sur? I'm curious because I'm heading out that way in a couple of weeks to meet up with a friend of mine and then I'm spending some time just wandering around for a week for some R & R and 'think' time. BUT, I might get a chance to ride while there, so I'm shipping my gear out ahead of me, and would like to make sure I ship the right stuff. I don't have heated gear though.

Thanks for the report. It just makes me that more anxious to get there.

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 7:09 am
by RBrider
Thanks for the ride report. Very nice photos, too.
It makes me want to plan another trip out that way!!

RB

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 1:07 pm
by tobes
GypsyRR wrote:Tobes:
Your pictures are great. The coastline of California is so beautiful. I only visited it a couple of times while living out there, but I loved every visit. The area around Big Sur reminds me much of the western coastline of Newfoundland.

What were the temperatures like along PCH? How many miles from LA to Big Sur? I'm curious because I'm heading out that way in a couple of weeks to meet up with a friend of mine and then I'm spending some time just wandering around for a week for some R & R and 'think' time. BUT, I might get a chance to ride while there, so I'm shipping my gear out ahead of me, and would like to make sure I ship the right stuff. I don't have heated gear though.

Thanks for the report. It just makes me that more anxious to get there.
The temps hit a high of about 60. The heated gear wasn’t necessary for the day ride up PCH. It came in handy in the mountains and at night. Bring rain gear for sure. It’s about 300 miles up to Big Sur from LA. Sounds like you’ll have a great trip with some time to wonder. If there’s any info I can provide to help your trip out this way just let me know.

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 11:56 pm
by Sunbeemer
Great pics of a beautiful, fascinating road. Thank you for posting them here. Coincidentally (if there is such a thing) I just finished watching the episode of Modern Marvels on the History Channel about the construction of the Pacific Coast Highway. The show was excellent, and the road looks fascinating. Gotta do that ride someday.

Maybe it wasn't just a coincidence after all?

GypsyRR, you should ride it if you can. It looks amazing!

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:09 am
by cruiser
Stunning photos tobes! Thanks for sharing :)

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:23 pm
by Graymonkey
Tobes,
Great pictures better than anything the chamber of commerce could put out... Thanks for sharing.
D.

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:32 pm
by Rog(UK) - Yorkshire Dales
Lovely photos, Tobes. They make me want to be there. I love the Mussel Shoals photo. Thank you.

Rog

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:37 pm
by Rog(UK) - Yorkshire Dales
Heck; no! i like them all!

Rog

Re: Carmel Big Sur pics...

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:09 am
by gaijin
Great pictures.
tobes wrote:Here are a few pics from Carmel and Big Sur CA. I headed out of Van Nuys 2/1 and planned on going through the mountains north of LA to Paso Robles and out to PCH via Hunter-Liggett. There was plenty of snow on the ground in the hills and I got a warning from a motorist in Frazier Park that the roads were icy. I decided to check out the roads anyway. Soon the thermometer hit 32 degrees, the roads were wet and snow all around. So I decided to change plans and take a safer route. The new heated gear really came in handy. :D

Image

Turned around and took the 5 north through some rain. Further north the skies cleared and I took the 46 into Paso Robles for some lunch. Then on to Hunter-Liggett. What a fun road this is. Plenty of camping spots.

Image

Image

Image

The views of the Pacific coming out of Hunter-Liggett are striking.

Image

Image

Not much room for error on some of these roads.

Image

Down to PCH and north toward Big Sur and Carmel.

Image

Image

Stayed the night in Carmel. Next morning walked around town, got some coffee and checked out the beach.

Image

Image

My original plan was to head out Carmel Valley Rd. But I had so much fun on PCH the day before I decided to do the whole thing in reverse and head back to LA that way. Definitely want to ride Carmel Valley Rd in the future though. First, I headed north into Monterey and checked out Cannery Row. Construction going on there made it not much fun. So, I headed out and back down the PCH.

Rocky Creek Bridge
Image

More Big Sur views
Image

Then on down the coast and out to the 101. Made it to Mussel Shoals in time for sunset.

Image

Image

2 days 680 miles.

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 8:50 pm
by Boxer Briefs
Those are some great pictures. I'm hoping to get down that way this year, thanks for the inspiration.

Re: Carmel Big Sur pics...

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:56 pm
by Swissbiker
Hi tobes

Beautiful pictures! :D :D :D

I used to live in L.A. for a year back in 1999 and i love the PCH. One of the most beautiful places for riding a bike :D

Thanks for sharing!

Ciao
Vito

P.s.: I'll be on a seven week business trip in the Fremont area starting next Saturday Feb.16. Hope i'll get a chance to meet my old friend Mike who's living in Salinas just a mile away from the coast line. He's got a few Harleys and i'm excited riding one of them on the PCH :lol: :lol: :lol:

Re: Carmel Big Sur pics...

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:37 pm
by gunga din
That's got to be one of the most beautiful coastlines on the planet, and roads aren't too shabby either. Great report.

Thanks Tobes

Gunga