Biking the Lost Coast Part Two: Usal to Fort Bragg

[@monsterslayer4317]

I've ridden Wilder Ridge Road, and the road to Usal, but on a motorcycle. Man, I don't envy anyone tackling that on a bicycle. My hat's off to you.

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

It's going to be awhile until I try this again.

[@mistersmith158]

Dude great route but man you were the most toasted I've seen you on any of your posted rides! Epic!

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

That climb at the start took a lot out of me. Usal doesn't look as tough on paper, but it took me 6 hours to do 35 miles.

[@kylestevens1811]

I drove this but would never bike it. Props to you! One of the most beautiful places on earth and Usal is the only place you will see Elk heards roaming a beach.

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

Definitely not a short cut!!

[@csn583]

Inspirational! Rough to be socked in with fog the whole way, but as weather risks go it could be worse.

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

Oddly, it's foggier in summer than other months.

[@dewittlunsford2527]

Dawn and I did an organized ride of the Lost Coast, several years ago and it was amazing. I’ve always wanted to go back and ride more of it, having only driven or motorcycled the southern part, I knew it looked pretty challenging. Congratulations on doing it all 🎉

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

I kinda want to do it again. I probably would have stayed in Shelter Cove for another day and definitely split up the 140 mile day.

[@socaljoe]

Thanks!

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

Thank you! I definitely hope to do more (saner) adventures like these.

[@sccxvelo]

Excellent filming consider the conditions and the process. Hope one day to ride that area.

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

I thought I had more reactions at the start with that 11% climb, but I just wasn't all with it that early.

[@gravelpack8536]

Awesome stuff scouting for us

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

No!!!! Don't do it!!!

[@jfvanwijk]

An awesome journey! Thanks for filming it.

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

It was really tough to pull out the cameras as much as usual because of the difficulty. Even when the ride eased up, I was pretty beat.

[@SmartMaterial]

You have an interesting narrative style. Thanks for taking great pains to produce this.

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

Thank you. I try to do these videos getting the info I would look for.

[@havefunandbikestuffOver40]

What an adventure! Subscribed on this one!

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

Thanks! Hopefully the last installment will be out next week.

[@vanlifedad9963]

Enjoying these videos, dude.

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

Thanks. Working on Part III is going smoother than the ride...

[@paulrowland8859]

Just wanted to add that your videos are great!

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

Thank you! I'm here because others inspired me too!

[@geoffhuber8026]

I used to live in Shelter Cove. There are even steeper and longer climbs in that area. Toth road finishes at over 25%. It’s endless out there.

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

I was curious if that was easier as it looks like a longer route on a map!

[@geoffhuber8026]

If you start on Hwy 101 there is a route from Garberville that you can connect on gravel over to usual and skip most of the pavement. The average gradient in the Kings Range is 10%…to give some perspective…if you ride from Redway to Shelter Cove and back it’s just over 50 total miles and nearly misses 10k of climbing. It’s also possible to ride north from Shelter Cove and northeast starting from Garberville/Redway and head through Blocksberg all the way up to Eureka (65 miles on 101) WITHOUT touching the highway…ends up being about 135 miles and 10k+ either way. Once the bike path between Eureka and Arcata is completed you’ll be able to ride from Patrick’s Point, just north of Trinidad, Ca. all the way to where Usal dumps into Highway 1…without touching 101. Depending on the route chosen that would be around 160 miles and 15k of climbing…almost exactly what this years road worlds race was in total distance and elevation… but the winner of that race finished in 6.5 hrs!🤯…25mph ave!..🤔😳It would take most fit amateur/club riders 10+ hrs to do it.

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

@@geoffhuber8026 I was thinking about redoing shelter cove next summer, but definitely a different route

[@paulrowland8859]

What exactly was the nature of your mechanical? Wheel or tire? How did a narrower tire affect the issue?

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

Normally I run 32s on these rims, but maybe I stretched out that tire somehow. We even replaced the rim tape in Fort Bragg and that did nothing.

[@zimmejoc]

I have only been to shelter cove once and I was driving, but even in a car I remember thinking, “this will suck to ride up.” I also don’t mind climbing either. If I was normal and hated climbing, I think I would have slept at the top of the hill on the hard ground.

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

So, a year after I made the video I took my family there and the drive was so nauseating, I didn't want to leave.

[@lisahunt59]

What time of year did you ride this?

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

Beginning of July 2022. It took me this long to comprehend this journey.

[@buswell503]

What time of year did you do this?

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

Early July. I think maybe september you have less of a chance of clouds.