Pacific Coast Highway on a Harley-Davidson

The Laidlaw's crew take a ride down one of the most scenic sections of the Pacific Coast Highway (HWY 1). The first night they take the I-5 up to Santa Cruz - rain is in the forecast. The boys take on some harsh weather initially but it pays off the next day as they travel down the coast. Three Pan Americas, one Road King, and a Road Glide Ultra are the motorcycles of choice for this trip. They wind through a section of the redwoods just south of San Francisco, at which point, their pieced-together rain gear is put to the test.
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[@cperine39]

Your videos are more like short-films. Watching them is the next-best thing to being a participant. You must have a line out the door there at Laidlaw’s, with people who want to apply for jobs. A great place to work with great people and obvious benefits. Trips like these make great memories. Thanks for sharing!

[@MattLaidlaw]

Huge compliment! Thank you for watching

[@eleanormustang5274]

Extremely well said!!

[@ken2tou]

My old stomping grounds. Breaks my heart to see the burned areas.

[@larrywilliams5617]

Trust me I didn't see one either other than me when I was on it some of those curves it looked like one of my wheels on the trailer was hanging off the cliff and I had to take both lanes to go around some of the curves but that tunnel scared me really bad too because I didn't know if I was going to be to tall and get stuck inside it... I quickly figured out I probably wasn't suppose to be in that road especially when ever car I met was thinking at me and waving a certain finger out the window lol

[@billyweeps8610]

Thank you for taking the time to document and share this epic road trip with us Matt! Great video once again for the best Brand Ambassador that Harley-Davidson has!

[@MattLaidlaw]

Thanks Billy! I appreciate the comment

[@adarngoodjoe4043]

Always a good morning when I’ve got a new Laidlaw Harley production to go with my coffee before I go ride my Harley for the day. The wet leaves on the road are way more sketch than the wet roads and rain.

[@7ludig]

It's gorgeous, when it's not raining. Love riding all those roads......regularly.

[@thomasangelo4219]

When you're in the moment of the ride and the elements don't cooperate it can be frustrating at times, but when you look back you'll remember what a great experience it was. People who do not ride can never understand that experience.

[@MattLaidlaw]

True statement. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@peterdorscheid5652]

those are the rides that stay in your head. nobody really remembers the perfect trip, but you will remember riding through a storm, getting caught in a heavy hailstorm or simply riding through rain for hours on end.. breakdowns and who stopped to give you a hand during those stick out too..

[@paulbronnenberg2075]

THANKS MATT ! "Embrace the suck " is the best advice when the weather turns bad. I rode the PCH about four decades ago ( in good weather ) and still remember the beauty of it all. THX for sharing !!!

[@johncallahan3573]

Thanks for this .... Big Sur is as beautiful as I remember it. Traveled up the PCH using my thumb 50 years ago and hope to do it again one day but this time on my FLHR.

[@larrywilliams5617]

Try it in a 18 wheeler I had a co driver that drove his shift then went back to the sleeper and told me we were on the right road to get to where we needed to get back on the interstate... So all that road PCH 1 I that you just ride your bikes on I did it driving a 18 wheeler and trust me it was beautiful like you said I saw the seals and all that too but it was the scariest road I was ever on in my 25 year career as a driver WOW

[@MattLaidlaw]

Haha wow! I've never seen an 18 wheeler on that road before.

[@GoMotoTV]

Love sarcastic/ironic version of Matt and his comments on the weather, need more of that, very cool :)))

[@ash2250]

Awesome video Matt, would like to come see you all next spring, I'm 60 now and would like to see L.A before I depart this world and get a t shirt from your shop and perhaps a ride out with you all, an old bikers dream. Been on Harleys for 40 years in England and never ride in the U.S

[@jb856]

I've ridden on some of the most beautiful roads in America from east to west and nothing compares to the PCH, especially from Big Sur all the way to Oregon and beyond. At least you found out about the rain gear. Every time we have been there it was parched! Great video as always. Thank you!

[@kimmarshall6047]

Hello from Australia where it wont stop raining.What an epic ride.Im 64 and times getting away for me to do these sorts of journeys but your video’s give me hope and dang it just started raining again will it ever end.

[@jonomasonILoveU]

how long were you away from riding?

[@kimmarshall6047]

@@jonomasonILoveU ive ridden 19 kilometres in 12 months i need to get my desire for it up and running

[@jonomasonILoveU]

@@kimmarshall6047 oh ok so I've just come from a 32yr break from riding , feel alive all over 😁

[@markjaycox8811]

What a journey through a wet dreamland. Thanks for taking me along, and I didn't get wet once sitting in my chair.

[@wcraiderevo8078]

Used to make the ride down to SLO from Monterey on the 101 and cut across to Cambria and ride back up usually in September. Beautiful, if you timed it right to avoid the fog.

[@gated320]

That's an amazing ride, the PCH Specifically! I'll do it again soon!😎

[@concepcionortiz2898]

I love it. This is a trip you guys will never forget and will always talk about. I am jealous!

[@stevenvera3210]

Yeap I would have to agree with you Matt 1,000% that Hwy 1 is also my Road of Roads as Hwy 1 ends at Leggett and turns into 101. My other favorite is The Canadian Hwy 1 which will take you all the wat into Anchorage Alaska then back on Hwy 1 onto Hwy 7 to Juneau. Yeap, there are a few Hwy 1 around the world. My future GI~PA are going to revisit a few of those favorite Road & Places.. Don't know if Mary or Paul will be able to do the rides of my vision.. But, I will send you the photos to Prove I was There... Great Video... Really Nice Highway Pegs too...

[@Gofree16]

hi Matt, great video on a great route and as I said, there is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothes and attitude, and who has not spilled water from his shoes anymore, he did not drive in the rain, great performance from a rainy but what a great perspective, thank you for sharing it because it is also in part my memories, although not so wet, greetings from Poland and Germany

[@bobandtams]

Great trip even in the rain. We love the PCH all the up the coast even into Oregon. Thanks for your commentary of your trip. 👍👍

[@MattLaidlaw]

I gotta do PCH in Oregon. It’s on my list.

[@edsbikerstuff]

I must say I'm very grateful that you guys did this and decided to film and share with all of us. This was truly an extraordinary experience. The redwoods, the scenery along the coast is just amazing. In 1967 a show called Then Came Bronson starring Michael Parks filmed him riding his Sportster across the Bixby bridge. That show was what got me into motorcycles. Big thanks to Matt, Nick, Mickey, Brandon and all who went on this. Rain is no fun when you're solo, but when you're with friends it can be so much fun. Thanks for posting and take care.

[@hemi398]

Life sure ain't boring with you guys.

[@Dave-sw2dm]

Thanks for the memories. My first trip on the PCH was on a KLX250. Wish I had known about the dirt roads at the tops of those peaks overlooking the ocean.

[@cpf55]

This is my all time favorite ride. I used to live in Monterey and I've ridden pch1/Big Sur hundreds of times. This is a ride that you just don't become complacent with. You won't notice all the mansions built into the cliff faces your first time as their exteriors are of the same type rock as the cliffs. It's a spectacularly beautiful scenic area to ride!

[@MattLaidlaw]

Yea, there's so many beaches and places you can explore around that area. That must be rad to have it as your "local" ride

[@mikethemagnificent6631]

PCH, been riding it since the early 70s, never gets old unlike me, still get a thrill when I throw my leg over my FLSTC.

[@jeffdriggs2895]

Two weeks ago, a buddy and I did this ride from Moss Landing to Avila Beach and back. Spectacular ! Highlight was on ride back north, riding along a herd of Zebra, yes Zebra, that wonder the open space at Hearst Castle. We had bright sunshine and vest weather! As Matt says, a must for all riders!! Thanks Matt and crew, I now have a video of our ride! Ride safe!

[@2wheelsgene171]

Love that ride. We ride from the Bay Area down to Ventura. Big Sur, River Inn, Hearst Castle and more. Great footage, especially your drone work.

[@ShinobiKingYT]

I’m glad to say I’ve been through that area 🤘🏽. Definitely a place everyone should ride to on whatever bike you have man. I rode my Honda shadow to Nevada on the first day and then we made our way to Lake Tahoe and camped out for the night with a bottle of jack 😎 and then onwards to Santa Cruz the next night and ended up through the PCH dead end where that big landslide happened and had to double back and find a one way road that cut through the area to find the highway again and back home 😎🤘🏽. End up being a 4 day trip man great fucking time dude. Wish I could do it again

[@Kyle-ue5uj]

These are my favorite types of KZbin Motorcycle content videos, a nice cinematic style road trip video - they push the wanderlust to almost unsubstainable levels and boom I take off of work, jump on the bike a go!!

[@peterconnell3162]

Fantastic video. Congratulations. I have been riding in rain with wet leaves on the road for a week or so in Europe, and I almost felt like I was on that ride with you!.

[@michaelofiara9732]

That Mickey cat is badass. Smokin a cigar in downpouring rain and not a care in the world. Way to be🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘👊👊

[@ivenbike5249]

This is my all time favorite ride. I used to live in Monterey and I've ridden pch1/Big Sur hundreds of times. This is a ride that you just don't become complacent with. You won't notice all the mansions built into the cliff faces your first time as their exteriors are of the same type rock as the cliffs. It's a spectacularly beautiful scenic area to ride! Love you guys....

[@MattLaidlaw]

Hundreds? Wow nice. Yea, it never gets old. We love you too.

[@Mrspecter007]

Always great videos Matt. I love that Spoken like a true rider Matt I definitely, agree just embrace the ride. I've ridden through many storms that had me sideways . It rained so.hard cars and Big rigs were pulled over. But I kept riding though the storm. Was rained on 3 times.in one day . That was a record for me. Particularly a few weeks ago I rode to the Redwoods and back to South TX. Visited Tombstone on the way back as well. I absolutely Loved every minute of my journey. I see you had the 2 lane life socks that's what kept you alive hahahahhahah. Lmao. 😂🤣

[@craigg4246]

They used to have an impromptu race down the PCH after the GP and suberbike races at Laguna Seca. There would be roughly 20,000 or so bikes all racing to San Luis Obispo. The route was littered with crashed bikes along the way, with up to ten piled up in each corner. In 1985, I was in this wild event riding my 1983 Suzuki GS750. As the miles passed by, there were fewer and fewer bikes left in front of me, until there was only 1. A 1985 Yamaha RD500 V4. He and I raced by ourselves for roughly 50 miles, until suddenly he just sat upright and waived me on. I didn’t know why, but my guess was he ran out of gas? I was on reserve myself when I pulled into the first staion in SLO. The attendant ran out to me at the pump, asking if I had just come from Laguna? I replied yes I had, and he excitedly proclaimed me the winner! Was a great memory on the PCH.

[@mojomanmurph1925]

Enjoying these documentaries. The cast and crew are top notch too. Good rule of thumb passed on to me by experience riders: Always take good rain gear with you on trips no matter what the weather forecast.

[@MattLaidlaw]

Thanks Murph. Yea, rain gear can be worth it's weight in gold.

[@hanskrohn3206]

Matt, I can no longer get on my touring bike due to back issues but I live my old days through your documentaries. When I’m on my dyna I smile and remember those great times. Very well done and thank you!

[@PaPa-Sohns]

Another amazing trip . That road through the woods looks awesome you need to go back when it’s sunny 😎.

[@kennethmoore5629]

Epic ride (even in the rain). Rode the PCH over 15 years ago and will never forget it! Hope one day to ride it again. Thanks Matt.

[@MattLaidlaw]

Get back man. It's still just as good

[@petefletcher5380]

😂 Matt, you look like you really enjoyed that wet rain especially going through the woods with all the leaves on the road 😂 My first "off" as a teenager was going round a sharp (UK) left hander, hit some leaves under a tree covering the corner just after some rain; slippery as hell like you said but lesson learned, likewise farmyard mud during autumn muck spreading. In over 50 years of riding, commuting, touring and days out I've yet to find anything that is 100% waterproof (if you exclude my diving suit that is). Having the right bike helps tremendously and this is where my previous Electra Glide and ST1300 Pan European and now current Road King with front crash bar slip on leg shields come into their own; trail bikes being the worst IMO. Love your vblogs and especially your honesty and integrity in telling it like it is.👍

[@msportster6791]

Thank you for making it real, Matt. This is what bikes and riding is all about, not just a trip to the store and back. All the best!

[@jimmin9802]

Awesome! Rain gear was dry at home and the weight of body heat not weighing you down! 😂

[@MattLaidlaw]

Haha. Gotta keep the rain gear safe at all times. No need to get weighed down.

[@flaviohdsgs297]

Wow that Pacific Coast High Way 1 is Epic such an Awsome road and the Views are just out of This Planet... Thank You for The Ride.... 🤙🇦🇺🤙

[@bradtanner6047]

Living on the east coast, it's great seeing roads I've yet to travel .Pacific Coast Hwy. is on the bucket list.

[@willbe7442]

@20:00 “got covid probably” 😂😂😂 laughed very much out loud 😂😂😂

[@ocglide2566]

Another epic trip, you crack me up. Rain is a fact of life if your going to travel on a bike but anyone that says they really like it is lying. Riding with the wet leaves on the ground is second to being on ice glad you guys got through that okay. This is one ride I have actually been on myself really cool to see it again..

[@garylewis3780]

Superb video. The work that must have gone into filming, editing and producing something like this really shows. Great job.

[@mojomanmurph1925]

I have tried to do it and by no means is it easy.

[@milwaukeequ8ke610]

Wonderful places ⛰ 🌊 Great Tour. Greetings from Germany. 👍

[@williampalencia6682]

😊🏍👌William palencia

[@bronxbrosmotorcycles]

East Coast guy here. Riding in rain is just another day for us east coasters. Love that ride. 5 of us heading that way in March to do that exact ride and Death Valley. . Would be cool if there was a way of posting you routes for us to copy. 👍🏼

[@daveallen1973]

Matt: I love this video and I loved the ride... I rode down PCH from San Francisco on a rental back in June (I even came in and talked with you at Laidlaw's) (I'm the old bald dude w/the beard from Seattle with the 2022 RedLine Red Road Glide Special). I rode back up thru Yosemite on the way back too, amazing ride!!! Thanks for the inspiration... please keep making more videos!

[@bradwilliams4921]

Thank you for the ride-along. That was some beautiful scenery. Thanks again.

[@lawrencebrandt8448]

your sources were correct you leave in the like 3am , hilarious riding in the rain is just to easy lol the guy with no rain gear pants was definitely retreating it .least no one had those yellow fog lights .being the road captain can be the pits but someone has to do it .

[@Chris_L034]

i use to drive a truck o.t.r. and always enjoyed 152 from the 5 to gilroy.

[@larrywilliams5617]

I was a professional wrestler for WWF/WWE for years before I was a truck driver and I had never been as scared in the ring as I was on that day I drove the 18 Wheeler down that road... I'm not retired and would love to but a new Harley and ride the PCH one more time but can't figure out what the best bike for me would be!!

[@MattLaidlaw]

Haha. Love the comment. You’re a brave man for taking a big rig on that road. I honestly didn’t think they were allowed. Take the Harley next time.

[@mojomanmurph1925]

If you are a big guy, the touring line. You can always go to any Harley dealership and test ride. Unfortunately, hard to find dealerships of any other brand that you can test ride. Kudos for driving the 18 wheeler down that road. I get where you are coming from.

[@jake-px9ue]

Rode from Morro bay to Astoria Oregon in September...couldn't have asked for a better ride. Thanks for sharing your ride!

[@MattLaidlaw]

Very nice. Yea, I wish we were able to ride all the way to Canada.

[@jimlebiedz5723]

Awesome Matt, my wife Robin and I have ridden that out of San Francisco a few years ago. What a great ride the PCH (HWY 1) is! Thanks for bring back those memories!

[@MattLaidlaw]

Thanks for watching!

[@frankprettitore6192]

What can I say another Beautiful video on the best roads America has to offer... Thanks Matt

[@birchwhitehd]

Matt… your very blessed to travel so many beautiful rides, I’m very jealous !!! Awesome video !

[@MattLaidlaw]

I’m super blessed. Thanks for watching. 👍🏼

[@fililoboesparza5784]

I LOVE riding through Big Sur! First time was a little rough on the FLSS but Second time riding up there on my Ultra Limited was way easier on my bottom! Lol.. But it could’ve been way worse on my FLSS if it wasn’t equipped with the shotgun air ride.. anyways, thanks for taking the time to make this video Matt. 👊🏼😎

[@Luscious3174]

Awesome video - the epitome of freedom on two wheels. I have driven that redwood road and even by car (and in the dry) it's an amazing experience. Keep up the great work that you do and don't stop living the dream 👍👍

[@brakinggnus5229]

Absolutely stunning! Thanks to all who contributed. It must have taken hours to produce.

[@dentonschimming2825]

Fantastic!! I took this ride a couple of years ago. Time to do it again. Thanks for sharing this trip Matt.

[@MattLaidlaw]

It's time man to get out there again. Thanks for watching

[@velikijoxotnik]

Riding in the sunshine is too easy. Anyone can do it. Glad to see you guys man up! 🙂 I thoroughly enjoyed the video!

[@davepelfrey3958]

Absolutely love these motor vlogs Matt. Good bunch of guys to go on a ride with. Sometimes you have to take the bad with the good as far as weather goes. But still the scenery was Magnificent.

[@christinaseigworth7205]

I’m not a bike rider but I sure enjoyed the program, beautiful 😍 five guys are awesome especially Mickey ❤waiting for next program 😊thanks Matt awesome job 👍

[@dontcare9689]

This is good old school righting Brothers. I'm so proud of you Not even patch holders & here you are riding in the wind. You don't see that today.

[@7ludig]

Luggage for 2 days? You guys crack me up. 1 saddle bag can last me a week on the road. Great video, Matt!

[@brandongutierrez5166]

Camera equipment is a big space taker on these trips

[@7ludig]

@@brandongutierrez5166 So you ALL take camera gear? No biggie. Just an observation. No disrespect meant.

[@BadBlue32]

Once again, you’ve knocked it outta the park with another travel movie. You allow us into the world of The Harley culture, which I think is fantastic. Cheers to you guys for living your best lives as friends! I can’t get enough of these.

[@TheRider_1229]

Hey Matt, This is one of the best PCH 1 documentary on two wheels videos I ever watched. I always appreciated you and your gangs putting in excellent content on your youtube channel for other fellow riders (even nonriders). I know it is not pleasant riding through the rain but I am so glad all of you folks made it back home safely. I'll see you soon for 1000-mile service on my ‘22 RGL 🤟🏼 Thank you again 🙏

[@bobmcginn7417]

Great video, never hurts to have a good sense of humor in adverse conditions.!

[@MattLaidlaw]

Pretty much my method to combat bad weather.

[@madrat5176]

Epic to say the least. What a ride

[@brandongutierrez5166]

29:02 “soggy bottom boys” 😂😂

[@calimilk1113]

Thanks for posting Matt, great way to handle the rain, in a positive way!!!

[@MattLaidlaw]

Thank you sir. Thanks for watching

[@bikerintheblood]

Loved the fact that you guys got a good soaking, but how I would’ve liked to have joined you! Thanks for taking care of business and sharing. Inspirational as always 👍

[@LOMROB]

You out did yourself once again Matt. The quality of this video is superb. Well done sir! Greetings from sunny Arizona.

[@user-bl8bn4kb8m]

I see you have the aaeedea highway pegs, i love mine they work perfect and love the adjustability.great video matt..

[@smokeythebear9293]

I’m soaking wet though, probably got COVID! 😂 awesome video man!

[@MattLaidlaw]

LOL haha thanks for watching

[@jeffdavis5723]

@@MattLaidlaw *9 hours ago⁉️ **#KZbin** just now came through with this notification on my bloody iPhone **#Matt**.* 👀 🤔 🏍️

[@locoocho2415]

The perfect trip down PCH, thanks for the awesome footage Matt.

[@MattLaidlaw]

It was a good one. 🤙🏼 thanks for watching

[@greenhousemortgage]

This one and the Zion Trip videos are my two favorite that you've done so far. Wish we had those views here in FL

[@davidsizemore2745]

Another epic video Matt. It's a dream of mine to ride the PCH. I have drove it unfortunately in a car from San Diego to L.A. on a family cross country trip. Thanks again Matt.

[@Okey-McDokey]

Awesome, Matt! Great journey. That rain tho.

[@MerrittW]

LMAO 😂loving the sarcasm humour in this vlog Matt brillant. Superbly shot, tuned and put together loved it. 👍

[@SitiAisyah-jw7xh]

Matt dan teman2nya kembali beraksi dijalanan,dgn ditemani Harley berpetualang menyusuri jalanan Amerika yang menawarkan keindahan alamnya.

[@Rainy_Day12234]

Slow down and enjoy the ride.

[@toddaod295]

This is my favorite so far and I've watched all your adventure videos...most more than once...thank you!

[@michaelpatterson9897]

Thank you Matt! Your videos are always so well done and awesome. My first long distance multi-day ride was from the Coachella Valley up to San Francisco via Pacific Coast Highway. It will always be a favorite. Love your content!

[@CaptainsvLogs]

Absolutely one of your best videos Matt (Lake Tahoe #1). Big thumbs up for the impossible Burger. And man I really like that Pan America especially that darker color one. And thank God you didn't have ugly feet.

[@dansklenicka8403]

Thanks great video, bucket list !

[@robertmacdonald2735]

Great video...I need to get back to the west coast to ride this road, thanks for the net best thing Matt.

[@robertluttrell2058]

Matt you have out done yourself. Very enjoyable, you have a great crew. The drone shot’s were great. Keep up the good work.

[@ihitacurb]

Damn I love these films!

[@speedpig513]

Epic Into!!!

[@MattLaidlaw]

Thank you!!!

[@Rob.D.]

Another great video! Appreciate it.

[@PlanetPrinda]

I can’t tell you in words how much I love this…I almost made popcorn. I understand the work it takes to create meaningful videos. This strikes all the best chords. Thank you.

[@MattLaidlaw]

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate comments like these. Yes a ton of work goes into these videos. It good to know people see them as “meaningful”. Thank you.

[@realtorsonaharley]

Loved this. I have ridden the PCH twice this year, both times in pure blue skies so it was. nice to see it from a different perspective. So blessed to live here in California and have what I consider to be the best road I have ever ridden on my doorstop and between all of you and your guys, you captured everything about the PCH that I love, damn now I want to go ride it again :-) Thanks again Matt, love your videos and looking. forward to the next.

[@MattLaidlaw]

twice! Awesome. Yea PCH is definitely one of the perks of being on the west coast

[@harleydreamz6263]

Just beautiful man! Thanks for sharing

[@matthewvatan7478]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful scenery trip Matt! When I watch your trip videos, I always feel like I am riding along.✌🏻

[@MattLaidlaw]

Then my job is done! Thanks man I appreciate you taking the time to leave the comment

[@geraldgoodiii6993]

On my bike: Rain suit packed in a bag in the high side pannier ALL THE TIME year round .. don’t care if weather shows no rain for entire 10 day. IDK why the low side hard bag is my “main” one .. lately the chopped tour pack is on all the damn time so I mount/dismount from the high side like a bike cop so I always gotta walk around .. ppl think I’m nuts but I’m not the one scratching my bags

[@mattdean9206]

awesome video! On my list for sure! Thanks for documenting this trip, you have a great crew to ride with!

[@Alltheclubs_nogame]

Absolutely epic video, Thankyou Matt!!! A bucket list ride for me! 🤘🤘🤘