Parkfield (direct)

Overview

Description

Parkfield CA is the "Earthquake Capital". There are maybe a dozen homes there. A library. And a forestry station. A school too. But most important! The rustic, old looking, Parkfield Cafe. Kind of like the Pozo Saloon. But not as old. The exterior is composed of logs. Sort of like a Lincoln Log affair. The interior is marvelously warm and rough. A large fireplace provides happy flames on cold days. The founder suggests you stop before getting to the cafe. This is so you can take a look at the bridge. Look to see how it has become twisted out of shape. The expansion joints are not parallel. The San Andreas Fault receives the blame.

Route

From the Old Mission, the cyclists will proceed up Vineyard Canyon. There are several miles of gradual incline then a steep climb to the summit of 2600 feet (San Miguel was at less than 1000', while Parkfield sits at about l500'). A for-sure, scary downhill of two miles follows. The foolhardy souls use no brakes. The others will get to lunch late. After lunch and rustification, that scary downhill becomes a dad-blasted uphill killer. Believe the proto-president of SLOBC! You have been warned! Then it is back the way we came. Onward to the Old Mission and rides end. Decision time. Do I do the next ride in this series?

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 14th 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 24.2 0 2,200
Stop Parkfield Cafe   24.2   2,200
Return Parkfield-Coalinga Road 0.4 24.6 0 2,200
Right Vineyard Canyon Road 4.5 29.1 350 2,550
Don't continue straight onto Slacks Road
Left Vineyard Canyon Road 12.3 41.4 800 3,350
Don't go right at intersection with Portugues Canyon Rd
Continue Vineyard Canyon Road 4.3 45.7 50 3,400
Left Indian Valley Road 1.5 47.2 50 3,450
Right RIver Road 0.5 47.7 50 3,500
Continue 14th Street 0.1 47.8 0 3,500
Right Monterey Road 0.5 48.3 0 3,500
Finish Mission San Miguel   48.3   3,500

Profile

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