Cycling in California is an absolute delight. Jaw dropping coastal scenery, incredible food and fantastic cycling roads.

If you’re interested in joining us here in 2024, check out what you can expect in the video above.

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Here’s what the second half looks like, thanks to the guys at Relive. This is Day 3 of our Cycle California ride, and begins at McWay Falls, in the heart of the Big Sur. With two main climbs in the latter part of the day, the ride ends with a glorious stretch of flat until Hearst Castle appears high on the hill above, to our destination for the evening, San Simeon.

Relive ‘The Big Sur Part 2…my favourite ride ever?’

There’s every chance of spotting whales, dolphins and huge seabirds as the road sweeps up and down through coastal inlets, over impressive bridges that span huge gorges.

It really is jaw-dropping! If you’re interested in joining us on our next Cycle California (San Francisco to LA), you can find more here: https://www.moreadventure.co.uk/event/cycling-in-california/

Alternatively, please get in touch to find out more.

Not convinced? Check out this video for more:

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“That was an adventure I won’t forget ­ can’t quite believe I did it. Awesome experience, lovely people, great weather (best tan I’ve ever had) GOOD food”

Sarah, Cycle California 2015

This really is the trip of a lifetime. Aside from having a full day to spend exploring San Francisco and two full days sightseeing in Los Angeles, you’ll experience some of the finest Californian scenery on two wheels.

Some of the highlights of the trip are below:

– The amazing views of San Francisco, especially Golden gate bridge
– Visiting Alcatraz in San Francisco
– The surfer town of Santa Cruz
– The stunning scenery and awesome mountain roads of Big Sur
– A dip in the ocean on Pismo Beach
– Rolling down sandy cycle lanes into Santa Monica, LA

For further information about the trip and to find out how you can join us on our next Cycle California trip, please visit http://www.moreadventure.co.uk/event/cycling-in-california/

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Cycle California is an epic ride – from the fabulous city San Francisco to LA, following one of the most spectacular coastlines in the world.

The Cycle California route leaves the iconic streets of San Francisco and heads south, along the magnificent Big Sur and beaches of Malibu to the seaside town of Santa Monica, on the outskirts of Los Angeles.

Cycling in California really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and this ride takes in some of the finest roads in the world.

For more information, please visit: http://www.moreadventure.co.uk/event/cycling-in-california/

Alternatively, our blog from the 2015 trip is here: http://www.moreadventure.co.uk/category/cycle-california/

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The team could not believe this would be our final day’s cycle! The last seven days on the bike had flown by and it seemed like a lifetime we were sightseeing around San Francisco. We decided upon a leisurely breakfast with a relatively late start as the mileage was low for our ride from Ventura to Santa Monica. Bill and Tom fixed some punctures and tweaked some gears, Danny loaded bags onto the van and the team got rolling.

The roads out of Ventura were completely flat. We cycled past fields of red peppers, artichokes, coriander and turf in the muggy morning air towards Port Hueneme. The cyclists were now riding like a tightly knit team, all in an effective line as we whizzed through the first fifteen miles. Our first stop was a rather bizarre missile theme park just outside Point Mugu Naval Base.

Here visitors can marvel at the macabre array of nasty spiky metal objects, some of which were rotting in the sea air. “There’s just no way you’d find something like this is the UK” commented Stan as we gawped at these icons of mass destruction. Sue and Katie couldn’t resist a glamour shot in front of one of the biggest missiles.

We then joined the Cabrillo Highway through Point Mugu State Park which has five miles of beautiful ocean shoreline, countless rocky bluffs, two major river canyons and sandy beaches. The views were stupendous as we snaked our way around this rugged and impressive coastal road.

As we entered the outskirts of Malibu we were treated to some fantastic views of sandy beaches and excellent surf. We stopped for coffee at Neptune’s Net, a famous seafood restaurant on the Pacific Coast Highway.

The restaurant was used in Point Break, a 1991 movie about surfing starring Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze. A quick look at the beach and waves opposite this captivating eatery confirmed why this was such a great location for the film, and also the place that Keanu Reeves learnt to surf (a fact from Katie).

We headed back out onto the main road before turning off right onto a residential street immediately adjacent to the sea. These must be some of the most exclusive homes in Malibu, with ocean views as standard. It was also a nice break from the main road which was now becoming more busy as we approached the built-up outskirts of Los Angeles.

We turned off right towards our lunch spot at the marvelous Paradise Café, a beachside restaurant that we knew would be difficult to leave. Palm trees and sun loungers lined this pristine white sandy beach, with the restaurant patio nestled just metres from the sea.

The group sat in the shady outside area with sand in their toes and ordered a well-earned lunch.

As per usual, the portions were enormous but the team were becoming accustomed to this with Anne and Adrianne sharing a cheese sandwich and Lesley and Sarah sharing a fish dish. Helen opted for a Bloody Mary Gazpacho, complete with shrimps and a plateful of nachos. It was quite the sight and of considerable height, so much so that Helen asked the waiter for a cushion to sit on as she was not high enough to eat it!

As predicted, this place was difficult to leave but with only 17 miles to go, we packed up and hit the road for the final time.

A busy stretch followed lunch, with some tight sections to overcome. This was not helped by the fact it was bin day so the street side was peppered with wheelie bins, making the next ten miles seem a little like a computer game, dodging the black obstacles whilst negotiating the countless vehicles at traffic lights and stop signs.

We soon turned off the highway however onto what must be one of the finest cycle lanes in California. This sandy stretch of tarmac weaves its way through volleyball nets, palm trees and beachside cafes towards Santa Monica. In the distance the team caught a glimpse of the finish, the infamous Santa Monica pier.

As we approached the pier, it was clear there were mixed emotions throughout the group. We’d been cycling together as a team for eight days and had now become a team, each member having formed strong bonds through miles of pedaling. We’d laughed, cried and shared moments and sights that are impossible to describe. In a couple of days we would be flying back to the UK having cycled 500 miles south along the Pacific Coast from San Francisco to Santa Monica.

We all slowed down during the final mile to take the moment in. This was the end of our journey, the final few pedal strokes, hand gestures and turns. Each day had brought about its own challenge through hills, the heat, exhaustion and mental fatigue.

For the team from Rowans Hospice, this was the culmination of over a year’s planning, fundraising and planning. A few of the team had only been cycling for a short period but had shown incredible determination and resolve throughout.

The team stood on the pier next to the funfair as tourists bustled by, unaware of the huge effort and achievement of this brilliant team.

If you’d like to donate to the Rowans Hospice team for completing this amazing challenge you can still do so HERE.

Back at the motel a special thanks was given to Lesley who had been an absolute superstar with the van (now named Ava) and, despite facing considerable challenges, had been an integral part of the team – thanks again Lesley!

The team finished the day with a lovely meal near the pier. Bill generously arranged for a glass of fizzy to celebrate as we celebrated in style and reminisced on the journey we’d all made through California.

If you’re interested in taking part in Cycle California 2016 with More Adventure, please visit our website here for more information.

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An English couple nearly joined us for the group briefing in Solvang as we stood outside the Wine Valley Inn. The morning sun was already baking as we passed the windmills on our way to our first climb of the day out of the Santa Ynez valley.

We were cheered on by a gang of lively foals in a nearby field.

The climb wound up through the woods but by this stage, everyone on the team was used to the familiar burn of a morning ascent. At the top we realized that Adrianne had both a flat tyre and her front brake had been on! Tom fixed the puncture whilst the rest of the group pushed on and to the second climb of the day.

We were now out on the highway and at the top of the climb, another puncture struck. During the descent the other side we stopped into a service area where a telling sign warned us of the dangers in the area.

Continuing along the highway, the team descended back down to the coast. A blanket of cloud hung over the ocean which made the riding slightly cooler than the previous day, a light wind also helped. Things were not going well on the puncture front as the team suffered another five in the next two hours! Unfortunately we were riding on the section of the road that is a magnet for glass, flint and even sharp pieces of wire (the culprit for two punctures alone!).

Tom had already run into the law by not wearing shoes in our restaurant at Ragged Point on the Big Sur. Unfazed, Sue was intent on breaking every Californian state law out there.

We were soon pulling off the highway and onto Hollister Avenue. We’d made it! With a total of eight punctures throughout the morning, everyone was glad to get off that road as we began to enter the city of Santa Barbara.

Danny stayed behind with Hector who’d had the final puncture of the day but quickly caught up with us shortly after. We stopped for lunch in Santa Barbara where a huge cruise liner was docked just off the shore. The team dispersed into various coffee shops and restaurants around the seafront whilst Tom and Danny watched over the bikes.

We restocked inner tubes then carried on south on back roads and the odd cycle lane after lunch.

Just as we pulled into a small car park the heavens opened – rain in California!!! It was shortlived as the team sheltered underneath the roof of a toilet. A couple of the group opted for inside the actual toilet, we must have looked like a really classy outfit.

We were overtaken by an elderly gentleman in scruffy clothes on a mountain bike. Tom had a chat with him, “I love seeing other cyclists on my way to and from work…I hang back for a while, tuck in behind them then speed on ahead…I like showing off my stuff!” he explained before zooming off ahead.

We were soon on a handy cycle lane that runs parallel with the ocean on one side and the highway on the other. The views were great, to our right the crashing waves, then to our left an impressive range of mountains soared above.

The cycle lane took us all the way to the outskirts of Ventura and we were soon pulling into our hotel as the clouds still hung heavy overhead. It was extremely humid and everyone was looking forward to a cold shower. Another day was done, the only thing left to do was to jump into the Jacuzzi!

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The group ate breakfast on the motel balcony as the sun began to hot up. Below us several groups of early-morning cyclists whizzed by, some on recumbent cycles that were hand-powered, all kitted out in team tops and shorts. After our morning briefing, the team hit the road.

We were only a few miles in when disaster struck. A dog caught a glimpse of Sue’s bike as she approached and darted out into the road. It collided with the front wheel and over Sue went, landing on her elbow and bending her gear lever. Anne and Adrianne watched the whole incident happen, almost in slow motion. Danny patched her up whilst Tom fixed the bike. Sue was shaken but gave the impression she didn’t know what all the fuss was about and was keen to get moving again! Unfortunately Sue wasn’t the only casualty as the friendly shop owner attended to the poor dog which now had a limp.

When we caught up with the group Katie remarked that “the dog was probably after the bits of pizza you’ve got in your rear pannier Sue”. The team were in excellent spirits!

The road wound up from the valley floor and over a small hill. A man pulled in as we caught our breath, “You betta be carefowl at here, this is a dangerous road…full ‘o’ old coots lack me”.

We cycled along farm roads, the odd 4×4 gas-guzzler whizzing by and disturbing the relative peace. Our first stop was the town of Guadelupe, a dusty one-horse place complete with several Mexican restaurants, several Mexican supermarkets, a garage and a post office. It isn’t exactly what could be deemed an up-and-coming tourist destination. We refilled up on water then got moving again.

It really began to heat up. Several locals told us they were currently having a heat wave but not just any heat-wave, a four-year heat wave…and could we feel it! We stopped at the town of Orcutt for a snack and to buy our lunch for later.

The climb of the day began at around 36 miles and was slow and steady. The heat was stifling as we climbed but when we reached the top, the descent made it all worth it.

We were soon whizzing down to our lunch spot at the delightful oasis of La Purisma Mission State Park where the team sought much-needed shade and rest on picnic benches under the trees.

It was sweltering! The team plodded on in the heat, stopping only for the odd bit of shade and the occasional puncture (Bill was all-too-happy to assist with these!).

Helen also found time for some yoga.

We were soon approaching our overnight stop of Solvang. This Disney-like town was founded in 1911 by a group of Danish settlers and is complete with fairy-lit trees, windmills, Belgian waffle shops and endless charm. It was certainly a sight for sore eyes (and legs, bums etc…) for the team.

That evening we had a lovely dinner in the Solvang Brewing Company. The team were finally getting used to the portion size but had still earned all the calories they wanted…what a mammoth day and a huge achievement.

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Low-lying cloud blanketed the sea but as the morning wore on, the sun began to burn it off. The two main climbs of the day were in the first 13 miles, both slow and gradual but with excellent descents and long flat sections the other side.

At around 16 miles we could just make out the outline of a van parked up in the lay-by, it was Lesley with the van so we pulled over for a short break. The waves nearby were just about visible as the last of the morning cloud dissipated.

We continued along the highway then dropped onto a lovely cycle lane that passed through some sleepy neighbourhoods. We were soon on the outskirts of the town of Morro Bay, famed for a massive volcanic plug that dominates the bay (it’s the big rock in the picture!). We stopped for photos alongside it and looked on as a number of sea kayaks passed by.

After a short diversion (Tom wanted to look at the boats…this is not strictly true), the team rolled into the Bayside Café next to a marina. Finding tables was slightly problematic as it was Columbus Day, a national holiday, so everyone and their dog (more on that later) had decided to descend on this small eatery. We were soon fed and watered however, and ready to get back on the road. Just as we were leaving, an inconspicuous open-topped vehicle arrived with a gorgeous dog dangling out of one side. The dog was wearing “doggles” apparently (we’re still not convinced this was not just Matt winding everyone up), goggles for dogs. Either way, the team swarmed the car to give the lucky canine a stroke.

It was proving difficult to leave this place…

After lunch we headed back onto the highway for a short while before turning off onto a magnificent back road. We saw three or four cars on this stretch and, although we climbed up and it was baking hot, the team were glad of the diversion off the highway.

The landscape was in stark contrast to the morning, with sandy, desert-like hills and arid rocky outcrops dominating the almost lunar-landscape.

Dropping back down to the highway, we were again greeting by Lesley and van. As we refilled water bottles and relaxed in the shade, a professional cycling team whizzed by. Vowing to catch them up, we pressed on for the final few miles.

In the final few miles we climbed up on a small road running parallel with the highway. The road took us back towards the coast, giving a fantastic view of the glossy-blue sea below.

The route took us down into the town and to our motel. After sorting bags and bikes, most of the team made their way down to the beach for a dip. There are some things that really make a day’s cycle, a dip in the waves of the Pacific Ocean truly cannot be beaten.

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Ben from Adventures By The Sea met us with his inconspicuous minibus and we loaded the bikes and luggage on the two vehicles. We were then dropped at our finishing point from the previous day to begin our second day’s ride on the Big Sur.

The ride began cool as the sun began to rise ahead.

Around every corner a new view appeared, each one trumping the previous view. It was genuinely difficult to pedal, not just because of the hills, because every few hundred metres afforded us another jaw-dropping view!

This was always going to be one of the hardest days’ ride, and by around 30 miles, the real hills began. Although not steep, the gradual gradient in the hot sun was a real challenge. The whole group pushed on however despite this and all made it to the top of the second and final Ragged Point climb. A huge achievement!

The descent down the other side was our reward and the team whizzed down the hairpins like seasoned pros! There were a couple of idiot drivers on the road that hampered us at times (Tom ensured a guy in a convertible knew of his feelings at this stage), but it was utterly exhilarating.

A few of the team saw dolphins…unfortunately they didn’t come out in any photo as they were too far away…but we promise, they were there!

We stopped for lunch at Ragged Point Inn where a very competent blues trio accompanied our dining experience.

After lunch the scenery changed once again and wide open roads with the surf crashing to our right made for a relatively flat and unproblematic finish. The team stopped briefly to check out the sea lions basking on the beach before rolling into San Simeon, our overnight stop.

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