San Luis Obispo "Nine Sisters" Loop

The Last Ride of the Year. Spend New Year's Eve outside!

This is a 3-DAY 60-mile loop around the San Luis Obispo area, taking in the view of the "Nine Sisters" volcanoes as we ride. View Route. We'll be looping around the "Nine Sisters" of San Luis Obispo (see aerial image in the Photos section below) and taking in glimpses of them as we ride. (Read this wikipedia article for interesting info on the Nine Sisters.) The last night will be on New Year's Eve-- bike-camp to say goodbye to 2024!

A gravel, mountain or all-terrain bike is required for this ride. No e-bikes.

DAY 1- Dec 30: We meet at the San Luis Obispo Amtrak Station at 12:30 pm on December 30. Upon meeting, we'll immediately head off to ride on West Cuesta Ridge Road (also known as TV Tower Rd.) and wild camp somewhere up there. This first day we'll ride approximately 15 miles and climb 3000 feet.

DAY 2- Dec 31: We'll descend into Morro Bay and perhaps hang out in the town for some sightseeing. (Morro Rock, by the way, is one of the Nine Sisters.) Then we'll head to Montaña de Oro State Park and camp at Islay Creek Campground. This day will be a ride of 25 miles with only 800 feet of climbing.

DAY 3- Jan 1. From the campground we'll head back to San Luis Obispo where people can catch the late afternoon Amtrak back home, if needed. We'll ride along Los Osos Valley Road, passing some "Sisters" along the way. This day will entail riding 20 miles with 2000 feet of climbing, mostly in the morning as we ride in Montaña de Oro State Park.

Cost is $8, which covers the cost of a campsite at Islay Creek Campground. Any remaining covers the cost of maintaining this meetup account.

MEETING: We'll meet at the SLO Amtrak Station at 12:30 and tentatively depart at 12:45. This takes into account anyone who may arrive by train at 12:40. If no one is taking the train but arriving by car earlier, we may leave earlier if we don't have to wait for the train arrivals. (Driving takes 3.5 to 4 hours from downtown LA). Departure times can then be negotiated in the conversation in the comments section.
There is free multi-day parking at the train station, according to their website. You are also welcome to find your own street parking and ride to the station.
Since time is crucial on the first day (sunset time is 5 pm), eat your own lunch or pack it with you before we depart.

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Disclaimer: This bike-touring/camping group ride is a meeting of like-minded people gathering for a time of fun and social interaction. No organizational responsibility is implied in the creation of this ride. Upon registering for this event, you acknowledge that participation in the event is done out of your own risk and you accept responsibility for your own safety.