See the tour route here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52412869
Day 1 (Saturday 10/18) Hacienda Lodge and Mission San Antonio: As mapped the tour starts in King City where we have the option of leaving cars at a friend’s house as we did on last year’s SSC tour. From KC, it is only 19 miles to the Hearst Hacienda Lodge, which some may feel is way to short. So, an alternate is to drive to the Hacienda on Saturday, arriving early enough to visit Mission San Antonio de Padua, and to enjoy a quiet late afternoon/evening ride around the area. The historic Hacienda Lodgehas many good reviews that focus on its beauty and setting. “Cowboy” and “Garden” rooms are available at very inexpensive prices (see website). Ride host, SSC President Mark Wall, has reserved the Lower Commander’s Suite for the required two night minimum (no minimum for other rooms). It offers a kitchen, living room, 1 king bedroom, and 2 queen bedrooms. The queen rooms are available for $65 per night. Mark plans on a group dinner on Saturday night.
Day 2 (Sunday 10/19) Hacienda Lodge to Ragged Point Lodge or San Simeon: Leaving the Hacienda we begin a beautiful climb through oak forest up the east side of the Santa Lucia coast mountain range to the highest point on our journey. We start at 1,082’ and climb for 18 miles to 2,714’. At the summit is a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean stretching miles to the horizon. Then, there is an amazing seven mile downhill as you drop to sea level. At Highway 1, turn south and enjoy a gorgeous 20-mile ride to Ragged Point Inn. Rooms are currently available starting at $149/night. Totals for the day are 45.3 miles, 4,338’ of climbing, and 5,099’ descending. In the event that rooms are not available at Ragged Point, an option is to ride another 15 miles to San Simeon.
Hearst Castle Option? Since we are staying at the Hearst Hacienda Lodge on night one, you might want to consider an option to tour the Hearst Castle on Day 3. This could be accommodated by extending the Day 2 ride to San Simeon, or offering a SAG vehicle ride to the Castle to start day 3, and then everyone meeting up in San Simeon on Day 3 to continue the ride.
Day 3 (Monday 10/20) Ragged Point/San Simeon to Paso Robles: Ragged Point to Paso Robles is about 53 Miles (38 from San Simeon). We continue our beautiful ride down the coast. Ride 24 miles for a rest stop at Cambria, and then continue 30 miles to Paso Robles via Highway 46. Along the way, you will enjoy a 6 mile, 1,800’ climb, before a long descent into Paso Robles. Some may want to head home on Monday evening, but hotel rates in Paso are a bargain if you stay. For example, the Adelaide Inn, rated 9.4 on Hotels.com, is $104 for a queen room, $124 for two queens. Those same rooms are $334 queen, $354 for two queens on Saturday, October 18!
Logistics: Linda Wall will drive a “SAG” vehicle for this trip. The van legally seats 7, but comfortably seats 6. If Mark can borrow a four-bike rack, we can carry six bikes. If more club members want to go, another vehicle and driver will be needed. The extra vehicle(s) can be left in King City and we can arrange for the SAG vehicle to transport the additional riders (or drivers) to King City at the end of the ride.
If you are interested in this tour, but have questions, call or text Mark at (559) 2380-0696.