San Luis Obispo County offers some of the best bicycling in California. You can bike along much of scenic coastal Highways, Hwy 1 and Hwy 101. Or chose quiet country back roads along the many vineyards throughout the county. Whether you like to race, mountain bike or just cruise along, you’ll find what you’re looking for. There’s even the Bob Jones Bike Trail – a dedicated bike trail safe for small children, but which adults enjoy as well. The Bob Jones Bike Trail is located in Avila Beach.
You can find everything from the flattest roads to the most steep, dangerous and challenging mountain roads with hairpin curves. (Santa Rosa Creek Road outside Cambria, if you must know.) Many roads in the city of SLO offer special marked bike lanes.
No wonder that the “Tour of California” held major segments through San Luis Obispo County for the first three years of the race. Or that the “Jeep, King of the Mountain Bike Race” was held in the City of San Luis Obispo for three years.
SLO County hosts many bike races through the area, many of which are open to non-professionals. See website Calendar for details. And for all you outdoor lovers, there are also many triathlons through out the county as well!
April WildflowerMay Central Coast Double
- June Central Cancer Coast Challenge
- July ALS Central Coast Century
September - Lighthouse Century
Volvo “Best Buddies Challenge” - October
Wine & Roses Bike Ride
SLO Gran Fondo
Cal Poly has an active bike club, and many locals also like to bike. SLO County has over 15 bike stores and an active SLO County bike club. Biking is so popular locally, that many local buses have special bike racks in front, so that you can easily travel with your bike! One of the local bus companies even provides bike maps and other local biking information.
The local bike club offers lists and elaborate descriptions of many bike trails, including a list of the easiest rides, as well as favorites selected by members.
Here’s still another local organization with Mountain Bike trail maps and another local volunteer site with bike trails.
Here’s a link to a person who has taken several major bike rides through SLO County, complete with photos of what you’ll see.
Or if you wish, you can take a guided bike tour with a van that follows along in case you’d like to take a rest – or have someone else carry the local SLO wines you purchase.
Expect to be waived at by the fellow bikers as you go along many of the popular trails – Orcutt Road – Huasna Road – Bob Jones Bike Trail – and many more.
Local SLO biking also has another fun side – after the first Farmers Market in downtown SLO every month ends at 9 PM, there is a “bike happening” with a different fun theme each month.
Our website has a great collection of photos taken along the “Bob Jones Bike Trail” and many of great biking roads.
Above photo is of the “Lighthouse Century” Bike ride held along the coast of San Luis Obispo.
