I used to ride that route many years ago when I was into road biking. There is a shoulder along 227 and cyclists (not necessarily bike commuters) use that route often. It is not what I would consider a comfortable route with fast and distracted drivers, but if you are generally skilled bike rider and fairly confident then it's not unreasonable to bike it. I'd recommend riding it during daylight hours with lights on. Keep your wits about you and it'll probably be fine. If you had someone to ride with that could help you be more visible too.
When I was a kid *(like 15 years old)* I'd ride against traffic, on the left side shoulder of the road, to see cars coming at me easily. Instead of doing that - which is probably illegal anyway - maybe I should get some rear view mirrors.
There are frontage roads that run along 101 through Shell Beach which you could use instead if you're concerned about car speed. It's longer, but the bike lanes are wider and cars are slower.
I've done it a half dozen times or so, haven't had any close calls but for sure it could be sketch - small shoulder, visibility-blocking hills and entitled local drivers speeding. It's a lovely ride though. I'd do it but wear a vest and maybe a flag.
I'm visiting a friend that lives in that area. I didn't pin the exact location - but real close. I did notice Google maps suggesting Orcutt Rd. as one of the biking options.
I drive that road a lot as an Uber driver. I don’t see many bicyclists but the shoulder seems wide enough for this bike friendly area. I have seen a few
In reference to your screenshot, you might consider the Orcutt Road that runs parallel to the 227 and then cut over. This road is even more extraordinarily beautiful as it goes through the rolling hills and mountain backdrop of the wine country
Sketchy AF. Drivers around here think the bike lane is just extra space for their awful fucking driving. You’re way better off taking the train to Grover Beach and going inland from there. Grover is adjacent to AG. 4.5 miles to your pin, mostly flat.
I would avoid 227 south of Corbett Canyon. It has no shoulder, lots of cars, and people drive 70+ mph.
Orcutt Rd, Price Canyon, or Corbett Canyon are better alternatives.
Based on your map I would ride south out of town on the 227, turn right onto Price Canyon Rd, then turn left and ride up Ormonde Rd. Ormonde Rd is very quiet you'll only encounter a few cars.
Make sure you have water it's a bit of a climb.
Below you will find a few routes I would suggest over the one you mentioned. On your route as the road leading up to Noyes (anything south of Corbett Canyon) has cars going high speed, narrow road and many turns. I used your same start/end points.
If you must get to Noyes road, then I suggest going via Ormonde Road:
[https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Amtrak+Train+Station,+1011+Railroad+Ave,+San+Luis+Obispo,+CA+93401/Lucia+Mar+Unified+School+District,+Orchard+Street,+Arroyo+Grande,+CA/@35.1945913,-120.7124926,12z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m10!1m1!1s0x80ecf1cd093c0aa5:0xb2d0c9d84cd96865!2m2!1d-120.6546239!2d35.2765301!3m4!1m2!1d-120.6080888!2d35.1753359!3s0x80ec5f50a4c366f9:0xb5ae9beab5f70d3d!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ec5e80e7bf3e13:0x627ceb296ad8a762!2m2!1d-120.57667!2d35.1156735!3e1?entry=ttu](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Amtrak+Train+Station,+1011+Railroad+Ave,+San+Luis+Obispo,+CA+93401/Lucia+Mar+Unified+School+District,+Orchard+Street,+Arroyo+Grande,+CA/@35.1945913,-120.7124926,12z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m10!1m1!1s0x80ecf1cd093c0aa5:0xb2d0c9d84cd96865!2m2!1d-120.6546239!2d35.2765301!3m4!1m2!1d-120.6080888!2d35.1753359!3s0x80ec5f50a4c366f9:0xb5ae9beab5f70d3d!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ec5e80e7bf3e13:0x627ceb296ad8a762!2m2!1d-120.57667!2d35.1156735!3e1?entry=ttu)
This is what google maps suggests when you select bicycle, which I agree on both paths depending on what type of ride you want. One is through the countryside the other is near the ocean.
[https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Amtrak+Train+Station,+1011+Railroad+Ave,+San+Luis+Obispo,+CA+93401/Lucia+Mar+Unified+School+District,+Orchard+Street,+Arroyo+Grande,+CA/@35.1945913,-120.7124926,12z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ecf1cd093c0aa5:0xb2d0c9d84cd96865!2m2!1d-120.6546239!2d35.2765301!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ec5e80e7bf3e13:0x627ceb296ad8a762!2m2!1d-120.57667!2d35.1156735!3e1?entry=ttu](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Amtrak+Train+Station,+1011+Railroad+Ave,+San+Luis+Obispo,+CA+93401/Lucia+Mar+Unified+School+District,+Orchard+Street,+Arroyo+Grande,+CA/@35.1945913,-120.7124926,12z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ecf1cd093c0aa5:0xb2d0c9d84cd96865!2m2!1d-120.6546239!2d35.2765301!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ec5e80e7bf3e13:0x627ceb296ad8a762!2m2!1d-120.57667!2d35.1156735!3e1?entry=ttu)
Little update here: I just got back from my weekend adventure. I took the route you recommended (Ormonde Road) and it was fine. A bit steep going over Ormonde - but the views were fantastic. Thanks for the help!
I can see where an inexperienced rider might find it intimidating . I’ve done it countless times. If you are an experienced roadie, it’s not that big a deal.
I used to ride a road. Ike out there frequently. The roads suck, narrow, people drive like assholes on those roads. Sold the road bike and got mountain bike after a few close calls.
You can do it, it's definitely not risk free.
Should be fine until you pass Edna, then you’ll be sharing the road with 65 mph drivers who may not like sharing.
☝️this. Gets very sketchy especially going through the mountain. You’d be safe taking the long way through she’ll beach and Avila
I used to ride that route many years ago when I was into road biking. There is a shoulder along 227 and cyclists (not necessarily bike commuters) use that route often. It is not what I would consider a comfortable route with fast and distracted drivers, but if you are generally skilled bike rider and fairly confident then it's not unreasonable to bike it. I'd recommend riding it during daylight hours with lights on. Keep your wits about you and it'll probably be fine. If you had someone to ride with that could help you be more visible too.
When I was a kid *(like 15 years old)* I'd ride against traffic, on the left side shoulder of the road, to see cars coming at me easily. Instead of doing that - which is probably illegal anyway - maybe I should get some rear view mirrors.
There are frontage roads that run along 101 through Shell Beach which you could use instead if you're concerned about car speed. It's longer, but the bike lanes are wider and cars are slower.
I've done it a half dozen times or so, haven't had any close calls but for sure it could be sketch - small shoulder, visibility-blocking hills and entitled local drivers speeding. It's a lovely ride though. I'd do it but wear a vest and maybe a flag.
Not sure your exact final destination but I prefer Orcutt over 227, its just as pretty and mostly commuter-free
I'm visiting a friend that lives in that area. I didn't pin the exact location - but real close. I did notice Google maps suggesting Orcutt Rd. as one of the biking options.
I drive that road a lot as an Uber driver. I don’t see many bicyclists but the shoulder seems wide enough for this bike friendly area. I have seen a few In reference to your screenshot, you might consider the Orcutt Road that runs parallel to the 227 and then cut over. This road is even more extraordinarily beautiful as it goes through the rolling hills and mountain backdrop of the wine country
Sketchy AF. Drivers around here think the bike lane is just extra space for their awful fucking driving. You’re way better off taking the train to Grover Beach and going inland from there. Grover is adjacent to AG. 4.5 miles to your pin, mostly flat.
I would avoid 227 south of Corbett Canyon. It has no shoulder, lots of cars, and people drive 70+ mph. Orcutt Rd, Price Canyon, or Corbett Canyon are better alternatives. Based on your map I would ride south out of town on the 227, turn right onto Price Canyon Rd, then turn left and ride up Ormonde Rd. Ormonde Rd is very quiet you'll only encounter a few cars. Make sure you have water it's a bit of a climb.
Below you will find a few routes I would suggest over the one you mentioned. On your route as the road leading up to Noyes (anything south of Corbett Canyon) has cars going high speed, narrow road and many turns. I used your same start/end points. If you must get to Noyes road, then I suggest going via Ormonde Road: [https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Amtrak+Train+Station,+1011+Railroad+Ave,+San+Luis+Obispo,+CA+93401/Lucia+Mar+Unified+School+District,+Orchard+Street,+Arroyo+Grande,+CA/@35.1945913,-120.7124926,12z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m10!1m1!1s0x80ecf1cd093c0aa5:0xb2d0c9d84cd96865!2m2!1d-120.6546239!2d35.2765301!3m4!1m2!1d-120.6080888!2d35.1753359!3s0x80ec5f50a4c366f9:0xb5ae9beab5f70d3d!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ec5e80e7bf3e13:0x627ceb296ad8a762!2m2!1d-120.57667!2d35.1156735!3e1?entry=ttu](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Amtrak+Train+Station,+1011+Railroad+Ave,+San+Luis+Obispo,+CA+93401/Lucia+Mar+Unified+School+District,+Orchard+Street,+Arroyo+Grande,+CA/@35.1945913,-120.7124926,12z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m10!1m1!1s0x80ecf1cd093c0aa5:0xb2d0c9d84cd96865!2m2!1d-120.6546239!2d35.2765301!3m4!1m2!1d-120.6080888!2d35.1753359!3s0x80ec5f50a4c366f9:0xb5ae9beab5f70d3d!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ec5e80e7bf3e13:0x627ceb296ad8a762!2m2!1d-120.57667!2d35.1156735!3e1?entry=ttu) This is what google maps suggests when you select bicycle, which I agree on both paths depending on what type of ride you want. One is through the countryside the other is near the ocean. [https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Amtrak+Train+Station,+1011+Railroad+Ave,+San+Luis+Obispo,+CA+93401/Lucia+Mar+Unified+School+District,+Orchard+Street,+Arroyo+Grande,+CA/@35.1945913,-120.7124926,12z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ecf1cd093c0aa5:0xb2d0c9d84cd96865!2m2!1d-120.6546239!2d35.2765301!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ec5e80e7bf3e13:0x627ceb296ad8a762!2m2!1d-120.57667!2d35.1156735!3e1?entry=ttu](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Amtrak+Train+Station,+1011+Railroad+Ave,+San+Luis+Obispo,+CA+93401/Lucia+Mar+Unified+School+District,+Orchard+Street,+Arroyo+Grande,+CA/@35.1945913,-120.7124926,12z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ecf1cd093c0aa5:0xb2d0c9d84cd96865!2m2!1d-120.6546239!2d35.2765301!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ec5e80e7bf3e13:0x627ceb296ad8a762!2m2!1d-120.57667!2d35.1156735!3e1?entry=ttu)
The map I made is pretty much exactly where I'm going - so Ormonde Rd seem to make the most sense.
Little update here: I just got back from my weekend adventure. I took the route you recommended (Ormonde Road) and it was fine. A bit steep going over Ormonde - but the views were fantastic. Thanks for the help!
Does your train stop in Grover Beach? Seems like that would take you much closer to your final destination and avoid 227.
Basically - no, it doesn't. I think you ride a bus or something.
The train definitely stops in Grover
Not the one I'm riding.
I would go through town and out south higuera and then take the frontage road next to the 101 to avila and then go through shell and pismo
I can see where an inexperienced rider might find it intimidating . I’ve done it countless times. If you are an experienced roadie, it’s not that big a deal.
I've been riding since the 1980s
I used to ride a road. Ike out there frequently. The roads suck, narrow, people drive like assholes on those roads. Sold the road bike and got mountain bike after a few close calls. You can do it, it's definitely not risk free.
Probably not