Highway 58, San Luis Obispo to Barstow
Never heard a peep about Highway 58 but was looking to get east out of Morro Bay and there it was. We took the short drive out of MB to SLO and went north on 101 for just 8 miles before exiting east onto 58. The first thing you encounter is a large sign stating: Vehicles with trailers NOT{my emphasis}, advised. There are a number of very good reasons for this warning...
If twisty, narrow two lane blacktop is your thing you will love 58. The second sign we saw stated "next services 82 miles" and they are 82 spectacular miles to be sure. Our Nexus Class C at just under 25' overall was a pleasure to drive but I cannot imagine larger rigs having any fun at all. The 36' fiver I managed to squeeze by on one of the very few passible stretches had no, zip, zero, NADA business being on this road and proved it by taking the double yellow as a mere suggestion at best... :S
When we finally dropped down 4,000' on the backside of the coastal range west of Bakersfield we saw as many tight curves as we had encountered driving Monterey, down through Big Sur to Morro Bay. While Bakersfield and Barstow are nothing to write home about, getting to and through them on 58 was never dull though we did have to endure some stop and go city traffic for a while. The climb out of Bakersfield up and over the Tehachapi pass is awesome with hundreds {thousands?}, of windmills lining the pass and they were all cranking full tilt.
My only regret was that I had left my Harley at home as 58 has got to be one of the ultimate motorcycle roads in America and I promised myself I would be back, next time on two wheels.
:B
If twisty, narrow two lane blacktop is your thing you will love 58. The second sign we saw stated "next services 82 miles" and they are 82 spectacular miles to be sure. Our Nexus Class C at just under 25' overall was a pleasure to drive but I cannot imagine larger rigs having any fun at all. The 36' fiver I managed to squeeze by on one of the very few passible stretches had no, zip, zero, NADA business being on this road and proved it by taking the double yellow as a mere suggestion at best... :S
When we finally dropped down 4,000' on the backside of the coastal range west of Bakersfield we saw as many tight curves as we had encountered driving Monterey, down through Big Sur to Morro Bay. While Bakersfield and Barstow are nothing to write home about, getting to and through them on 58 was never dull though we did have to endure some stop and go city traffic for a while. The climb out of Bakersfield up and over the Tehachapi pass is awesome with hundreds {thousands?}, of windmills lining the pass and they were all cranking full tilt.
My only regret was that I had left my Harley at home as 58 has got to be one of the ultimate motorcycle roads in America and I promised myself I would be back, next time on two wheels.
:B
