Cycle Central Coast Blog

What’s it like cycling on the Central Coast of California? Which roads make for the best experience? What are the best places to eat, view wildlife, or take in the history of the region?

Read all about our favorite starts, stops, and sights in our cycle-centric blog.
If this doesn’t get your wheels turning, nothing will!

Experience the Wildflowers in San Simeon

After an abundance of rainy weather in a wet winter, spring bursts into full bloom with colorful wildflowers in San Simeon.

Complementing Your Cycling with 5 Central Coast Activities

Occasionally, the best activity for cyclists isn’t cycling at all! Here are five activities road cyclists can do in the offseason as a break from the grind.

Ragged Point: Cyclist’s Guide to San Simeon’s Hidden Gem

Discover everything you can do & experience at Ragged Point – a secluded, scenic, and worthwhile stop along Highway 1 – whether you’re cycling or just visiting.

A Central Coast Cycling Getaway for Two

Learn all about one of Avila Beach visitors’ favorite cycling destinations, Oso Flaco Lake: history, directions, weather, activities, etc.

Oso Flaco Lake: All You Need To Know As A Cyclist

Learn all about one of Avila Beach visitors’ favorite cycling destinations, Oso Flaco Lake: history, directions, weather, activities, etc.

Cycling Events Happening on the Central Coast for the Rest of Summer 2022

The summer sun brings perfect weather and worthwhile cycling events on the Central Coast of California. Discover summer 2022’s events.

Roads to Ride in Cambria

Cambria is a central cycling spot on the Central Coast. Discover these five popular roads and trails to ride in and around town.

Bicycle Laws & Road Cycling Rules in California & the Central Coast

What side of the street do I ride? Can I ride on a sidewalk? Do I need a helmet? Learn the Central Coast, California cycling laws & rules.

Best Central Coast Spas & Activities for Post-Ride Cycling Recovery

Learn how massage spas and stretching/yoga can improve post-ride cycling recovery, and where you can go on the Central Coast of California.

4 Great Central Coast Bicycle Stores & Repair Shops in California

The Central Coast is the perfect place to ride year-round, so if resting for the entire off-season is not on your agenda, make the Central Coast your next cycling vacation destination!

4 Perfect Instagrammable Places in Avila Beach

Avila Beach is known for its beauty and perfect climate. Here are the top 4 places to impress your Instagram followers after a nice ride.

Central Coast Wineries, Tasting Rooms, & Breweries

Your next cycling destination should be located in California’s Central Coast. Explore the area’s history, natural wonder, or unique flavors.

Experiences You Can’t Miss While Cycling the Central Coast

Your next cycling destination should be located in California’s Central Coast. Explore the area’s history, natural wonder, or unique flavors.

Clip In and Celebrate Springtime in San Simeon

The Central Coast is the perfect place to ride year-round, so if resting for the entire off-season is not on your agenda, make the Central Coast your next cycling vacation destination!

10 Local Restaurants for Cyclists on the Central Coast

Your next cycling destination should be located in California’s Central Coast. Explore the area’s history, natural wonder, or unique flavors.

How to Plan a Cycling Route on the Central Coast

The Central Coast is the perfect place to ride year-round, so if resting for the entire off-season is not on your agenda, make the Central Coast your next cycling vacation destination!

California’s Central Coast: Perfect for Off-Season Cycling

The Central Coast is the perfect place to ride year-round, so if resting for the entire off-season is not on your agenda, make the Central Coast your next cycling vacation destination!

Pick Your Perfect Paradise at Avila Beach

Our guest blogger, Monica Busby, otherwise known as the Cycling CEO, explores the Central Coast for the first time to experience the best of lodging, eateries, and of course, cycling routes!

Ride the Cycle Central Coast Eroica Challenge 2021!

Cycle Central Coast is hosting the Eroica Challenge 2021 in lieu of Eroica California, which was postponed to 2022. Ride the rugged Central Coast routes from Oct. 7 to Nov. 7.

What To Do in San Simeon on a Long Weekend

Between the breathtaking sights, delicious bites to eat, and abundance of wildlife, we’ve crafted a long weekend itinerary for you to experience the wonders of San Simeon in a short amount of time!

Discover San Simeon

San Simeon is a secluded realm of history, oceanside views, and unique wildlife. This Central Coast town is located on Highway 1, south of Big Sur and north of Cambria.

Roads to Ride in Avila Beach

Avila Beach has a path for any flavor of cycling. Here are five great roads to ride in and around the Central Coast town.

Cycle Central Coast Presents a New Eroica Challenge 2020

Eroica California had to make the tough but necessary decision to reschedule our annual event in April this year to September, due to the pandemic.

Discover Avila Beach

Avila Beach is a coastal heaven for cyclists looking for a rest after a long ride. The small but active town is nestled at the north end of San Luis Obispo Bay, just off Highway 1.

Clip In for the Coast: Bike to Hikes

If you love hiking as much as you love cycling, then clip in for an adventure—the Central Coast is your dream destination. Natural wonders and spectacular views await you around every turn.

Discover Cambria

Cambria is a hidden gem on Highway 1, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. It’s a perfect road trip destination—especially if you love cycling.

Two-Wheeled Tours:
Treat Yourself

As the leaves change colors and temperatures begin to drop, it’s time to leave your tricks at home and indulge in some autumn treats on the Central Coast.

Two-Wheeled Tours:
Natural Wonders

If you don’t want to miss out on the most impressive landmarks on the Central Coast, plan your next adventure with these natural wonders in mind.

Two-Wheeled Tours: Stunning Vistas on Highway 1

For many cyclists, the ultimate bonus on a Central Coast ride is the view. Don’t miss these panoramic vistas around every turn—they’re some of our favorites.

Pimp Your Ride: The Coolest Cycling Gear for Your Central Coast Adventure

Whether you’re embarking on a short ride down the coast or a longer ride through the hills, make sure you have the right gear to help your ride go smoothly.

Two-Wheeled Tours:
Backroad Farms

Harvesting this coastal land has always been a fruitful enterprise, but these days, cyclists can explore our country roads and local farms on two wheels.

Train for Gains on the Central Coast

With a variety of terrain and sweeping views of the Pacific around every turn, training for upcoming races and rides will be more enjoyable than ever before.

4 Reasons Cambria is the Cycling Hub of the Central Coast

The Central Coast is full of great cycling opportunities—but cyclists in-the-know tend to stay in Cambria, and these four features bring cyclists back again and again.

Pedal it Out in 2019

Plan your 2019 rides with these upcoming cycling events! Cycling season will be upon us soon. It’s time to gear up and get ready to…

Eroica California in Cambria

Starting in 2019, Cambria will host Eroica California, allowing vintage cyclists to take advantage of everything that makes the Central Coast so memorable.

Adventures in Cambria

With challenging inclines and breathtaking coastal views, you’ll get the workout you want while escaping to the ultimate getaway on the Central Coast.

Celebrating the Reopening of Highway 1

The mudslides of 2017 threatened the livelihood of many Central Coast communities, but the beautiful cycling routes in the area brought a positive light to a challenging situation until Highway 1 could reopen.

Cycle Highway 1

It’s time to clip in on the world-renowned Highway 1, which has fully reopened following the mudslides and construction of recent months. Cyclists, rejoice!

Cycle Central Coast Ambassador: Modern Hiker

Our friend Gus, in partnership with Modern Hiker, took a trip to the Central Coast to see what all the fuss was about… and by the time they left, they understood.

Guest Blogger: James Stout

Our friend James Stout recently wrote this blog for Cycle Central Coast about cycling Highway 1 and everything that goes along with it. We are…

Riding Highway 1: Cyclists Welcome!

With Highway 1 still closed north of Ragged Point due to mudslides, the ultimate coastal cycling trip is even more special: the Nacimiento-Fergusson Road detour…

Sun & Spokes: Upcoming Cycling Events

Are you ready to ride the Central Coast this summer and fall? It’s time to start reserving your spot in the upcoming cycling events in…

Pedals in Spring 2018

Start planning for next season with these upcoming cycling events! If you haven’t thought about next season’s cycling events, it’s time to get your gears…

The Five Bs for the Best Break Yet

You’ve finished your last race, the weather is cooler, and you’re planning on taking a break from cycling. For some, the climb back into the…

Will Brake for Food

Four Food Stops on Four New Routes Four new routes have been published on the Cycle Central Coast Routes page, and we are so excited…

You’ve never seen Highway 1 like this before.

Highway 1 isn’t the only place to get some incredible cycling done with beautiful views. Our friend and colleague James Stout created a special ride…

Country Coast Classic: #RideWithUs

The 17th Annual Gene Cerise Country Coast Classic Bike Ride is just around the corner! This ride is a local favorite, attracting residents from all…

ALERT: Highway 1 Closure

PSSST. HIGHWAY 1 BEING CLOSED CREATES AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY FOR CYCLISTS. Historic Highway 1 is iconic for the beautiful views around every bend, but it’s…

Upcoming Central Coast Rides

The upcoming rides and races near Cambria are the perfect opportunity to plan your getaway! Don’t miss Eroica California, the Wildflower Century, the Country Coast…

No Off-Season

Professional cyclists and novices alike know that taking a “winter break” can put you miles behind your former self. While there are always indoor bikes,…

Road Magazine Article: Cambria

Cambria was recently featured in an issue of Road Magazine! We are so excited to share this piece with you. It highlights some of the best…

The Right Route for You – Quiz

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of going on a cycling adventure on the Central Coast, you know that every route has a personality of…

Central Coast Mention in Bicycle Retailer Magazine

Highlighting towns for their cycling suitability is a relatively recent trend, but Cambria has been at the forefront, making sure visitors from near and far…

Family Cycling Tour

Cambria sits just off of Highway 1, part of a long strip of beautiful towns on the Central Coast. The beautiful views and rolling, mountainous…

It’s the Season for Cycling

The weather is perfect. The roads are ready. The time is right. Your bicycle is calling for you, and you have never been one to…

Country Coast Classic Bike Ride

On June 25, the 16th Annual Gene Cerise Country Coast Classic Bike Ride will take place in Cambria, benefitting the positive development of youth in…

100 Months of 100-Mile Rides

On Wednesday, April 6, 2016, cycling enthusiast and Cambria resident Tom Parsons completed his goal of going on one 100-mile bicycle ride per month for 100 months.…

Eroica California 2016

It’s Not About How Fast You’re Traveling, It’s About Not Giving Up Eroica California returns to the Central Coast April 8 through 10. This vintage…

Eroica California Returns

Rediscover the Beauty of Fatigue and the Thrill of the Conquest “Today we continue to spread the authentic roots of an extraordinary sport with a…

Plan an Outdoor Escape to Cambria and Leave It All in the Rear View Mirror

If you feel at peace in nature, then Cambria is a perfect getaway to refresh your spirit. With breathtaking vistas, beach front trails, miles of renowned…

Just Bicycles – Slabtown Rollers’ Scarecrow Entry

Each October, hundreds of artfully crafted scarecrows are displayed throughout the seaside villages of Cambria and San Simeon. Evolving from the first festival in 2009 with 30…

Pablove Across America Rides Through Cambria

Pablove Across America began in 2009 when Jeff Castelaz rode from St. Pertersburg, FL to Los Angeles, CA in memory of his son, Pablo, who…

Mountain Biker Brandon Semenuk Films One Shot Segment for unReal the Movie in Cambria

Canadian freeride mountain biker Brandon Semenuk recently made history by recording the first full segment in a mountain bike film shot in one single, continuous…