Whale Watcher's Lodge and Reataurant
Distance (mi) = 38.7
Ave Speed (mph) = 8.8
Max Speed (mph) = 33.9
Time (h:m) = 4:20
Route:
Highway 1 S, Pacific Valley, Gorda, Ragged Point, San Simeon, San Simeon State Beach
I had an early start out of Kirk Creek at 7:30 am ... no cars on the road.
The first opportunity for breakfast was in Gorda, another one building town. Gorda, which was named after the mountains in the area, means "big or fat" in Spanish. The Whale Watcher's Inn is the main attraction lodging overlooking the Pacific. There is also an attached restaurant, espresso bar, a general store, and a gas station.
After the breakfast the fun began. I had to climb the Gorda Mountain which has two 1,100 foot ascents. The day was hot and sunny. I stripped down to my padded bike underwear, boxer style, and my yellow visibility vest, no jersey. I pedaled and grunted up the mountain like a bear. Used up all my water. Fortunately, after the last peak, I reached Ragged Point, a small mecca with lodge, restaurant, a general store and superlative views. I had an Anchor Steam there at the Ragged Point Inn and filled up my water bottles.
After finishing the downhill run from Ragged Point, the road becomes mostly flat and follows along the ocean and later among farm fields. The traffic is busy but the shoulder becomes wide to moderate.
I stopped to observe an elephant seal colony. the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, about five miles before camp. They were hunted by fishermen almost to extinction because of the high quality of oil made from their blubber. The colony at Piedras Blancas was saved and now numbers 17,000 strong. The males grow to 5,000 pounds and16 feet long. Live CAM at www.elephantseal.org
I rode through the small town of San Simeon before reaching Hearst San Simeon State Park.
Ave Speed (mph) = 8.8
Max Speed (mph) = 33.9
Time (h:m) = 4:20
Route:
Highway 1 S, Pacific Valley, Gorda, Ragged Point, San Simeon, San Simeon State Beach
I had an early start out of Kirk Creek at 7:30 am ... no cars on the road.
The first opportunity for breakfast was in Gorda, another one building town. Gorda, which was named after the mountains in the area, means "big or fat" in Spanish. The Whale Watcher's Inn is the main attraction lodging overlooking the Pacific. There is also an attached restaurant, espresso bar, a general store, and a gas station.
After the breakfast the fun began. I had to climb the Gorda Mountain which has two 1,100 foot ascents. The day was hot and sunny. I stripped down to my padded bike underwear, boxer style, and my yellow visibility vest, no jersey. I pedaled and grunted up the mountain like a bear. Used up all my water. Fortunately, after the last peak, I reached Ragged Point, a small mecca with lodge, restaurant, a general store and superlative views. I had an Anchor Steam there at the Ragged Point Inn and filled up my water bottles.
After finishing the downhill run from Ragged Point, the road becomes mostly flat and follows along the ocean and later among farm fields. The traffic is busy but the shoulder becomes wide to moderate.
I stopped to observe an elephant seal colony. the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, about five miles before camp. They were hunted by fishermen almost to extinction because of the high quality of oil made from their blubber. The colony at Piedras Blancas was saved and now numbers 17,000 strong. The males grow to 5,000 pounds and16 feet long. Live CAM at www.elephantseal.org
I rode through the small town of San Simeon before reaching Hearst San Simeon State Park.
Elephant seal colony, Piedras Blancas
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