California 1 - the highway with a split personality

Also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, California route 1 was constructed in the 1930s and is considered as one of the most scenic coastal roads this side of the world. As a kid, Noah was attracted to this highway and the surrounding regions through the photos and stories in the National Geographic Magazine. So when the opportunity presented itself, he took hold of the chance to ride through some sections on a bicycle.

There were two stretches of about 75 kilometers each of this highway that took his fancy and Noah knew he had to tackle both, not suspecting at the start that he would eventually see two personalities of the highway in the course of his travel.

The first section ran from the region near the Carmel Highlands specifically from Bixby Bridge down to Gorda, which is more commonly known as the Big Sur.

The second section which was done about a month later started at Oxnard in the Ventura county down to Santa Monica in Los Angeles.

Both sections differ in many ways thus giving the impression of a split personality. If Big Sur was narrow and precarious where the cyclist had to share the road with the motorists...

...the Oxnard - Sta. Monica section had a wide shoulder for bicycles.

if Big Sur was rough and rugged...

...her southern counterpart was soft and manicured

 If Big Sur had long and excruciating climbs...

...Oxnard to Sta Monica was rolling and soothing.

If Big Sur had only a clump of trees and some bushes for bladder and colon relief...

The other section had porta toilets...

...and even restrooms with showers on the beaches by the highway

Notwithstanding these differences, California Highway 1 in all its entirety exuded - 

Grandeur

Natural beauty

Serenity and peacefulness.

It was mystifying, enchanting...

 ...and simply gorgeous

To truly love California 1, you have to bike through her, feel her, tease her and allow her to take hold of you in ways that only she can.