Itinerary: 

PC21/PC22 – 1015 miles, 68 miles per day

Arrival Day: Saturday 15th Sept

We will meet you at Seattle Tacoma Airport (if you plan to arrive other than via this airport please let us know) and transport you to your hotel close to the start point at Port Townsend.

Washington: Sunday 16th Sept - Wednesday 19th Sept (Days 1-4)

The coastal region of Washington State prides itself on its lush vegetation, lakes, rivers, rugged coastline and glacier capped mountains. Fortunately the latter are viewed from a distance! Our starting point is some 100 miles inland at the entrance to Admiralty Bay. Initially we will head due south, avoiding the Peninsula Route, as the roads are more cycle-friendly and with better access to services, less traffic and less chance of rain! On day 3 we will reach the Pacific coast, at Twin Harbors State Park just south of Grays Harbor, and will follow Highway 105 as it meanders around the many bays and inlets that make up the southern Washington coast. By the end day 4 we will have crossed the Columbia River and our first state line into Oregon, after which we will follow Route 101, our companion for many miles.

Northern Oregon: Thursday 20th Sept – Saturday 22nd Sept (Days 5-7)

For anyone who wants a short-cut home Astoria, just across the border in Oregon, marks the start point for the official trans-America route. Just turn left and you will be on the East coast in next to no time! The Oregon Coast Bicycle Route has 378 miles of spectacular ocean views, long beaches, sand dunes and rugged headlands. With fewer bays the compass will point steadily south and as we head towards the Californian sun. In October there can be some heavy and prolonged rain but hopefully we will sneak through just in time!

Rest Day: Sunday 23rd Sept (Day 8)

The first of our two rest days will be spent somewhere close to Florence, Oregon. This will provide a chance to rest, play tourist and catch up on bicycle maintenance, blogs and emails.

Southern Oregon: Monday 24th Sept – Wednesday 26th Sept (Days 9-11)

Sand. Lots of it. The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area stretches south of Florence and it is worth taking some time off the bike to explore. The route continues to follow US101 but with a number of detours to exploit quieter roads and spectacular views. On day 11 we pass into California....the last state but still a LONG way to go.

Northern California: Thursday 27th Sept – Monday 1st October (Days 12-16)

A top to bottom of California is about the same distance as a Land’s End to John O’Groats only with better weather (although Northern California gets its share of rain). In the north we will pass through an astonishing variety of terrains: testing hill, misty redwood forests, rugged coasts and tourist sites abound. On Day 14 we will pass through Westport and maybe stop for a brief celebration as we pass the halfway mark and head metaphorically downhill. On Day 16 we will cross the iconic Golden Gate Bridge with views across the bay to Alcatraz and enter the outskirts of San Francisco.

PC21/PC23 – 625 miles, 63 miles per day

Rest Day/Arrival Day/Departure Day: Tuesday 2nd Oct (Day 17/0)

For those doing the whole trip this is a well-deserved opportunity to relax and perhaps see something of San Francisco. For others it is time to leave or arrive and we will provide transfers to/from San Francisco airport (if you plan to leave/arrive other than via this airport please let us know).

Central California: Wednesday 3rd Oct- Monday 8th Oct (Day 18/1-23/6)

We will now follow Route 1 which offers surprisingly traffic-free riding as we edge past San Francisco and though the cities that once formed the Spanish mission chain: Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. It is impossible to miss the fact that we are entering one of the most populous parts of the United States but the scenery remains stunning and even the tourist traps have a charm lacking in some other parts of the country. After a night in or around Carmel (where Clint Eastwood was once Mayor) we head for the (literally) high spot of the region - Big Sur. Not actually especially BIG but some tougher climbing but with breathtaking scenery. If the riding gets too tough take some time out and watch for sea otters!

Southern California: Tuesday 9th October – Friday 12th October (Day 24/7- 27/10)

Before the sprawl of Los Angeles we reach Malibu, where even modest beach-front houses fetch $tens of millions. The last one to count 20 Ferrari’s has to buy dinner! As we skirt LA all the places will feel familiar: Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Long Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach; it is a day out of the movies. For some of the time we will actually ride on the beach, sharing the paved path with the young and the beautiful that jog, skate and roller-blade there. South of LA we return to more open countryside, actually cycling through the huge US Marine facility of Camp Pendleton. Thanks to some excellent causeways and a ferry we manage to miss most of the busier San Diego traffic, arriving at our final destination, Imperial Beach, just shy of the Mexican border. For obvious reasons the border itself is well secured, the major tourist crossing being inland at Tijuana, but it makes for a great end of trip photo opportunity.

Departure Day: Saturday 13th October

We will help pack bikes ready for the journey home and transfer people to San Diego Airport. Depending on numbers there may also be an opportunity to travel with the support vehicle back to Los Angeles where a wider choice of carriers operates.