Hog and Hare Canyons

Cyclist riding down tree shaded road

This is a 100 mile ride that takes you north into remote corners of San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties. It provides the enormous satisfaction of allowing adventurous bicyclists to ride a self-supported century.
Park in Atascadero. I chose the parking lot next to K-Man Cyclery on El Camino Real. Ride north to Highway 41. Turn right and ride to Cripple Creek Road.

Highway 41 - Seven miles to Cripple Creek Road. A mile-long climb tops out 600 feet above Atascadero. A lovely downhill segment goes from there through rolling ranch land to the intersection with Cripple Creek.
The good: The new section of highway has a wide shoulder.
The bad: The original highway has a narrow and gnarly shoulder.

Cripple Creek/Creston Roads - Three miles to Creston Road, turn right one mile to Geneseo Road turnoff on the left.
The good: Rolling, scenic ranch land rich with green meadows and valley oak trees.
The bad: No shoulders. Fast traffic on Creston Road.

Geneseo/Union Roads - Eight miles through scenic hills connecting with Highway 46 at Tobin James Winery. There is a fast downhill section to an at-grade crossing of Huerhuero Creek. Watch out for water. At a fork with Linne Road, turn right to follow Geneseo. The road winds through grass-covered hills and moss-laden oaks. At the intersection with Union Road, turn right. Two miles take you to Highway 46.
The good: A few small climbs and descents, twists and turns, give an exhilarating feeling of accomplishment. Light traffic.
The bad: Narrow road with no shoulders.

Highway 46 - One mile of wide shoulder to Estrella Road.
The good: A fast 6% descent to Estrella Road.
The bad: Estrella Road comes up in a hurry. Be careful making a left turn across the highway.

Estrella Road - Seven miles of flat road with a downward gradient to the intersection with Hog Canyon Road.
The good: Estrella Road is flat and fast as it follows the river to San Miguel.
The bad: There are occasional bumps in the road. Keep your hands on the handlebars.

Hog Canyon Road - Ten miles of rolling byway to Ranchita Canyon Road in Monterey County.
The good: A winding climb toward the Middle Mountain Range that shelters Parkfield. At Von Dollen Road, you pass a pair of Castoro Cellar vineyards, Blind Faith and Hog Heaven. There are fewer houses past this point.
The bad: Two miles past Von Dollen, the road turns to dirt. This is just a trick to discourage the faint-hearted. True randonneurs press on. Asphalt roadway resumes after a mile.

Ranchita Canyon/Cross Canyons Roads - Twelve miles to Indian Valley Road across the river from San Miguel. A little climb, then a long, lovely downhill run and rollers to the Salinas River.
The good: Splendid isolation. A narrow thread of asphalt winds through rolling hills to the San Luis Obispo County Line. Very little traffic. Lovely scenery.
The bad: No shoulder

Indian Valley Road - Twelve miles to Hare Canyon Road.
The good: Almost no traffic. Grand views across Big Sandy Creek to the bluffs on the other side.
The bad: As you cross the Monterey County line, a posted sign says "Next Services 100 Miles." Bummer.

Hare Canyon Road - Six miles through a narrow cleft in the hills back toward Highway 101. Hare Canyon Road appears to be a short cut from Bradley to...next services 100 miles away.
The good: Lots of cows. Few cars.
The bad: A tough, half-mile climb away from Indian Valley to the top of Hare Canyon.

Bradley Road - Four miles of wide and shoulderless two-lane road that follows the Salinas River to the freeway.
The good: Flat road. No traffic.
The bad: No shoulder.

Highway 101- Four miles of freeway shoulder to the San Miguel off ramp. Yes, you can ride your bicycle on this section of freeway. But you pay a price.
The good: A direct route to San Miguel.
The bad: The shoulder is bumpy and uncomfortable.

El Camino Real - Two miles of grass-covered bike lane to downtown San Miguel.
The good: Witcoski's Market. Joanne made me a great roast beef sandwich for $3.00. The county park on K Street between 12th and 13th is a shady picnic spot.
The bad: It's a long way back to Atascadero.

River Road - Fifteen miles to El Pomar Drive in Templeton.
The good: This is a delightful flat, fast road that follows the Salinas River.
The bad: Speedy traffic from Paso Robles on southward; no shoulders.

El Pomar Drive/Lupine Lane/Templeton Road - Six miles through scenic hills connecting to Highway 41 in Atascadero. From River Road, turn left on El Pomar, right on Lupine Lane, left on Templeton Road.
The good: A few small climbs and descents. Good pavement.
The bad: No shoulders.

Highway 41/Curbaril/El Camino Real - Two miles back to where you parked.
The good: It's over.
The bad: It's over.

You can email Robert Davis at slobike@yahoo.com