Central Coast Route Guide to Road Cycling for Beginners
From oceanside roads to the inland rolling hills, the Central Coast offers a wealth of cycling experiences just waiting for you to check out. Cyclists regularly flock to this area for its variety of challenges, and that means there are also plenty of options for beginners. Whether you’re new to cycling, the Central Coast, or both, getting started is easy and we’re giving you the waypoints to develop as a cyclist.
Things to Note Before Cycling the Central Coast
The Central Coast is a great spot to train, with a combination of terrain options and an accommodating climate that perfectly blends work with reward—so you can spend a lot of time honing your road cycling skills. Before you get started, you’ll want to brush up on California’s cycling laws and regulations, especially if you’re completely new to cycling. Also, keep in mind that the Central Coast is a cyclist-friendly place, so don’t forget to plan to visit some of our favorite stops in-between your training.
Beginner: Roads & Routes to Start Off On
Once you’ve resolved to start riding, it’s time to hit the road. Cycling the Central Coast can be a breeze with these introductory routes that give you a taste of the greater experiences in the area.
Bob Jones Trail
The Bob Jones Trail is a city-to-sea route that runs about 2.5 miles, and is a reliable local favorite. It’s an easy, casual route to ride that’s great for getting started—even Central Coast cycling veterans regularly ride the Bob Jones Trail to get warmed up before they head out on any of the connected routes. These include the Sea to Summit Route, the Avila Beach Route, and the Oso Flaco Lake Route.
Santa Rosa Creek Route
A 22-mile ride out of Cambria, the Santa Rosa Creek Route lets you sample the true taste of the Central Coast cycling experience, without being too overwhelming. The climbing is steady, without any suddenly steep grades, so you’re still getting a workout without burning everything you have, or needing to venture too far from the center of town.
Riding this route has you turn around and head back right before hitting “The Wall” past Jackson Gate, previewing the kind of high-level cycling challenge you’ll be working your way up to.
Beach to Beach Route
Experience the best of historic riding on the Central Coast across this stretch of Highway 1 on the Beach to Beach Route. This smooth, 34-mile mix of ascents and descents takes you on a round-trip from Cambria to Cayucos, touring the most appealing local stops along the way.
You’ll encounter stunning vista views and have chances to stop and explore the most beautiful beaches in the state. This all makes it ideal for sampling cycling in the area while you’re enjoying a Central Coast getaway.
Intermediate: Routes to Get Your Blood Pumping
After you’ve warmed up, you’ll find yourself itching for an extra challenge around the rides of the Central Coast. These routes provide a more adventuresome way to cycle around the area, while still offering chances to pause and take in the locale’s refreshing beauty.
Green Valley Loop
A sister route and extension of the Santa Rosa Creek Route, the 36-mile Green Valley Loop pushes you to properly take on “The Wall” now that you’re ready for that trial. That steep, strenuous climb is a rewarding workout, and it’s made even more worth it once you hit the famously beautiful views of the Pacific from Highway 1 at the end of your ride.
Morro Rock Descent
Get the full experience of cycling both inland and on the coast with this 35.6-mile city-to-city loop. The Morro Rock Descent is a great ride to hit as you’re getting used to pushing yourself on the Central Coast, since it offers a sampling of gradients alongside a few unpaved gravel cycling sections for flavor.
No coastal getaway is complete without a visit to see Morro Rock, and swinging by on bike is the perfect way to check it out.
Ragged Point Route
Find out why the 37-mile ride of the Ragged Point Route is a favorite of local cyclists.
Hitting Highway 1 on this ride takes you past key coastal landmarks and stunning views, while also delivering the rewarding challenge that riders love. This is a loop along the Central Coast that will make you realize why you want to keep coming back and cycling this perfect slice of California.
Challenging: The Routes to Strive For
As you power up your cycling abilities, you can start setting your sights on the serious challenges that call this area home. Proving yourself on these paths will make all that sweat worth it, and have you reflecting on the journey you’ve taken since just starting out.
Silver Peak Route
Increasing your cycling challenges is all about going further, which is exactly the point of the Silver Peak Route.
This ride pushes the Ragged Point Route out to 64 miles, into the Silver Peak Wilderness, for an experience that truly has it all. It’s a great way to get out of your comfort zone and be rewarded with sights like unique beaches and the stunning view of the Black Swift Falls.
Avila Beach Route
Endurance is key in high-level cycling, and that’s what the Avila Beach Route is all about.
This century route (100 miles!) tests your ability to keep going, while still accommodating you with plenty to do along the way if you need to stop and take a breather. This ride keeps things interesting while also acting as a proving ground for your ability to power through this long, satisfying ride.
Heroic Route
When you feel you’re ready to truly test the mix of endurance, strength, and willpower you’ve built up over your cycling journey, it’s time to tackle the aptly named Heroic Route. Over 100 miles of characteristic coastal obstacles define this challenge, including narrow gravel sections that give even the most seasoned riders pause.
The sense of satisfaction is a reward worth working up to, alongside some truly earned relaxation in Cambria once you finally finish for the day.
Your Cycling Journey Begins with Your First Ride
Seeing everything the Central Coast has to offer for cyclists should get you dreaming of proving yourself on any of these routes. You can follow Cycle Central Coast’s Facebook and Instagram for even more recommendations and riding inspiration, including regular route challenges and rides alongside other cyclists in the area.
Follow us, then when you’re ready to start planning, book your stay on the Central Coast—a great spot for road cycling for beginners.