Live Sustainably: Ride a Bike
Speed, fresh air, fun, exercise, transportation: all you need is some air in your tires, a comfy seat, and you’re ready to go. Bikes provide the dual benefit of a low-impact exercise tool and “green” transportation. An enjoyable, sustainable form of transportation whether for a long tour, a fast loop, or a local errand, a bicycle combines practicality and pleasure. Choose your level of challenge, wear a helmet, and get out there.
SLO to Santa Monica: 190 miles, three days
Get ready for Big Sur
The Central Coast is a cyclist’s dream. Spin from your front door on any number of interesting, pastoral, and frequently challenging routes (both on and off road). Locals have founded and sustained bicycle clubs from Ventura to Monterey to encourage community among riders and to help folks find the best places to ride. Throughout the year, numerous non-competitive events take place in the rolling hills and fast flats of the Central Coast including the Carpinteria Triathlon, the Cool Breeze Century (Ventura), the Lighthouse Century (San Luis Obispo), the Ojai Valley Century, the Solvang Century, and the Wildflower Century (Creston).
The lower traffic rates, steep hills, and generally mild weather attract professional cycling teams and have inspired local teams including Cal Poly Wheelmen (SLO), Col Vento (Santa Maria), Echelon (Santa Barbara), Rock Solid Cycling (SLO), SLO Nexus (SLO), and UCSB Cycling (Santa Barbara).
And then there’s the PCH. The Pacific Coast Highway provides another draw to this area for those who live by bike. Cruising generally north to south down Highway 1, cyclists enjoy sections of road with wide shoulders, killer views, sane traffic and, screaming Big Sur downhills (not to mention a few long uphills). It’s awesome. Click the following links for some fine PCH views from one such tour.
Pacific Coast Highway tour: San Francisco to San Luis Obispo
Keep riding
Sustainability rides a bike. Not only does bike travel ease traffic congestion, reduce carbon emissions, and improve air quality but people can sustain their fitness as they grow older by continuing to ride into the deep gray years, like this guy: he claimed his first bike featured wooden rims.
One goal with Central Coast Foodie is to identify some of the best rides, feed stations, and foodie field trips in the beautiful rideable space between Monterey Bay and Channel Island Harbor. Cyclists who search out the best Central Coast foodie destinations are rewarded with both flavor and fuel. Smart-phone ready info on restaurants, markets, and routes will make traveling through the Central Coast just that much more pleasant for touring cyclists. Win-win, with a glass of wine.
Have some foodie insight from your travels through this area? Let us know.
