Distance, elevation: 54 mi, +1949/-2602 ft.
Detailed route.
What route is shown in the embedded map above may depend on Google's mood. So here are snapshots of the route we took: Google Maps, PDF
7:45 am. Up. Make oatmeal.
9 am. To Micky D’s. Big Breakfast is not so big. Or has the appetite grown? Two egg McMuffins for J. Fill bottles. Having access to free, clean, cool drinking water that gets dispensed into a normal-sized bottle: a comfortable luxury almost forgotten.
10 am. We’re off. Highway 46 has wide shoulders next to one lane for cars that drive at a reasonable speed. Feels pretty safe and we spot one cyclist coming the other way. Pull over off Old Creek Road to enjoy the view of Whale Rock Reservoir. Clear blue water hugged by rolling hills and in the distance, a ribbon of fog over the ocean. The surprise and remoteness added to the magic. One of the best views thus far.
1 pm. Entering Cayucos, it starts getting foggy and the air nippy. Riding south, Morro Rock peeks out mysteriously through fog.
1:15 pm. Lunch break at Cloisters Park in Morro Bay. Peanut-butter-dillas, beef jerky, tuna, and trail mix.
4:20 pm. Arrive at Pismo.
5 pm. Arrive at hotel in Arroyo Grande. Days Inn. Happens to be perched atop a steep hill. Sample from a strawberry tree. Very ripe and yummy. Walk up the rest of the way.
Today’s route was excellent. Wide shoulders or bike lanes for all of it except Old Creek Road, which has neither but traffic is light and hills moderate. No diceyness on 101 involved. Nice views.
6 pm. Meet up Mom and B for dinner. They pick us up and we go to Cool Cat Cafe. Burgers, chicken sandwich, “grasshopper” mint chocolate chip milkshake, steak, ribs, sweet potato fries, beers. A lot of food, which as of late, is the only correct amount. All of it was inhaled greedily, with no time or care for such things as table manners. Very satisfied. Walk down Pismo Beach but the fog hides any sunset view that could’ve been. And it is very chilly so we snap some photo proof and hurry back to the car. Drive back. Seeing some of the roads we biked in on. Kind of miss driving, but grass is greener and push those thoughts aside for now to enjoy the present.
8 pm. Back at hotel. Plan tomorrow’s route and hotel.