Parkfield via Cholame

Overview

Description

Here is a ride with variety. Included are an Old Mission, a river that flows mostly underground, a stiff climb followed by a two mile swooshing descent, a bridge twisted out of shape by the San Andreas Fault, a cafe with the look and feel of the Old West, lonely Cholame Valley, the Fault, a route-shortening option with a dirt road, James Dean's Fatal Intersection, James Dean's Memorial, fifteen miles of infamous Highway 46 and gentle Estrella Road through the vineyards.

Route

From the Old Mission, proceed north until a right is needed to cross the Salinas River Bridge. The Salinas River is odd in a couple of ways. First, it flows north. Secondly, most of its flow is underground. It percolates its way north below the surface. Sort of an undercover river.

Then a left takes you to Vineyard Canyon Road. In approximately two-miles a fork is approached.

Take the right fork (which is still Vineyard Canyon). There are several miles of gradual incline, which culminate in the steepest climb of the day and ends at 2600 feet (San Miguel is at less than 1000 feet. Parkfield sits at 1500 feet. Do the math.) There follows a steep two-mile drop, which is especially scary and thrilling. Especially when brake levers are ignored. There soon arrives an option.

Though at this point it is too early for lunch, the Parkfield Cafe is less than a mile away. On the way there, a crooked bridge is crossed. It has been deformed by the action of the Fault. Parkfield is the "Earthquake Capital". Sensors have been placed on and around the San Andreas Fault. There are a few houses, a forestry station. A teeny library. A school. And most importantly, The Cafe. Someone once had some big logs. They did a Lincoln Log thing. The result was a cafe. Looks real woodsy. Cowboys often tie up their horses to the rail. The interior is like being in an old woodsie cabin. Vegetarians will not be happy with the menu. Lots of meat. Few vegies. It is cowboy-grub that you will read about . A large fireplace provides heat on chilly days. The fire will make you crave hot cocoa. Across the street are some very nice motel rooms. Southwestern decor is their theme. SLOBC ride leader Tony Leap has led overnights there. Check with him or phone The Parkfield Cafe And Inn at 463-2421, FAX 463-2323.

Upon leaving the Cafe, cross the bridge, turn left towards James Dean Land. This will eventually become the Cholame Valley Rd. Hope you have the proper map. It will indicate the S.A.Fault way off to you right along the base of some low hills.

Cholame Valley provides another super-quiet road to ride upon. In the 1880's, thousands of cattle died of thirst during an infamous drought.

McMillan Road is an option to the right. It is even a quieter road. ( Just how quiet can these roads be?) There are about two or three miles of dirt, but it is a blissful, peaceful locale. This is a way to bypass about nine of the fourteen miles of busy Highway 46 up ahead. But you will miss the Land Of James Dean. And lunch too! Decisions, decisions!

Upon arrival at Highway 46, it is only a few hundred yards to the intersection with Highway 41 to your left. Dean was driving a Porsche Spyder. A collision occurred. He died. Made the headlines.

Now backtrack and head west on Highway 46, and in less than a mile, you will come to the Jack Ranch Cafe. It is an old-fashioned place. Sort of from James' era. Next-door is the Dean Memorial. Financed by a Japanese admirer from Japan. Stand in the appropriate spot. Look into the mirrored surface. Reflected auto traffic is distorted. Autos appear shortened and heightened. The founder, and author of this series, finds the display terribly funny.

You are aware by now that all of the Founder's rides are in very quiet places. He realizes that some of you love cars. Roads without cars seem strange to you. So next comes fifteen miles of busy, infamous Highway 46. There is a rumble strip all the way, but there is plenty of room for the bike.

Estrella Road is accessed by a right turn. Just before a steep climb on Highway 46! Estrella Road is flat (Oh, really?). This road goes through several quiet intersections. Just read the road signs. Stay on Estrella Road for about twelve miles to River Road.

Turn right, and within about two miles you will once again see the bridge over the Undercover River. Go over the river.

Turn left at the main street. Continue to the Old Mission. An option exists here. Go inside and thank God the ride is over. And, "God bless the founder."

Route Slip

Action Road Mileage Total Climb Total
Depart Mission San Miguel 0.0 0.0 0 0
Left Monterey Road 0.5 0.5 0 0
Right 14st Street 0.1 0.6 0 0
Continue River Road 0.5 1.1 100 100
Left Indian Valley Road 1.5 2.6 0 100
Right Vineyard Canyon Road 4.3 6.9 400 500
Don't go left at intersection with Portugues Canyon Rd
Continue Vineyard Canyon Road 12.3 19.2 1,700 2,200
Don't go left on Slacks Road
Right Vineyard Canyon Road 4.5 23.7 0 2,200
Left Parkfield-Coalinga Road 0.4 24.1 0 2,200
Stop Parkfield Cafe   24.1   2,200
Return Parkfield-Coalinga Road 0.4 24.5 0 2,200
Left Cholame Valley Road 2.1 26.6 0 2,200
Don't go left at intersection with Turkey Flats Road
Continue Cholame Valley Road 9.4 36.0 150 2,350
McMillian Road option (shown below)
Continue Cholame Valley Road 4.2 40.2 0 2,350
Right Highway 46 (Careful) 1.0 41.2 0 2,350
  Cholame for Lunch   41.2 0 2,350
Continue Highway 46 14.1 55.3 300 2,650
Right Estrella Road 13.1 68.4 250 2,900
Right River Road 2.0 70.4 100 3,000
Left Monterey Road 0.5 70.9 0 3,000
Finish Mission San Miguel   70.9   3,000
 
For the McMillan Road option, use the following routing from the Parkfield Cafe.
Return Parkfield-Coalinga Road 0.4 24.5 0 2,200
Left Cholame Valley Road 2.1 26.6 0 2,200
Don't go left at intersection with Turkey Flats Road
Continue Cholame Valley Road 9.4 36.0 150 2,350
Right McMillian Road 10.2 46.2 800 3,150
Right Highway 46 (Careful) 5.5 51.7 150 3,300
Right Estrella Road 13.1 64.8 250 3,550
Right River Road 2.0 66.8 100 3,650
Left Monterey Road 0.5 67.3 0 3.650
Finish Mission San Miguel   67.3    3,650

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