Saturday Ride · San Francisco → Big Sur
Ride
The
Coast
San Francisco
Caltrain + Bus
Santa Cruz
Motorcycle · CA-1
Monterey
Motorcycle · CA-1 + Nacimiento-Fergusson
Nacimiento × Coast Ridge
Day trip · bike pickup in Santa Cruz · CA-1 to Monterey · Big Sur coast to Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd · climbed to Coast Ridge junction · short ride on the ridge · returned via CA-1 to Santa Cruz
The Map
Iconic Stops
The Deal
01
Commit or don't
You see the post, you say you're in. $40 commitment deposit via Venmo, PayPal, or Wise within 48 hours. Fully refunded when you show up — or if the ride gets canceled. Bail after cutoff? It goes into the group kitty to cover costs the flake created — like a bike reservation that can't be canceled. The organizer keeps nothing and takes no cut. Your $40 comes back to you at the ride — same way you sent it. It's not a fee — it's proof you're serious.
02
Minimum 3 to ride
If we don't hit 3 confirmed by the cutoff, trip doesn't happen. Deposits refunded. No hard feelings.
03
Don't flake
You bail after the cutoff? People adjusted their schedules, booked bikes, arranged transport — respect that. Flaking costs the group, not just you.
How it works: DM @deeplucian on Instagram to join. You'll be added to a private group chat where we coordinate the date, lock in rentals, and sort logistics. Nothing gets posted publicly — your plans stay between the group.
What It Costs
Day trip
$255–385
Caltrain to Santa Cruz · ride · return bikes · shuttle or Uber home · gear not included
Night before
$285–445
+ Friday travel + Airbnb · gear not included
Travel to Santa Cruz
Caltrain SF → San Jose ($10) + SC Metro 17 Express bus ($7) · or carpool (~$20/person gas split)
$17–20
Airbnb (night before only)
Split among group · skip if doing day trip
$30–60
Motorcycle Rental (1 day)
Riders Share · Santa Cruz/Capitola area · $120/day base, ~$96 if 20% first-ride discount applies (not guaranteed)
$96–120
Damage Waiver
Minimum $44/day · Standard $65/day (recommended) · Premium $90/day — see insurance note below
$44–90
Service Fee
Riders Share platform fee · added at checkout
~$19
Transport Home
Groome shuttle Monterey → SFO + BART (~$65) · or Uber from Santa Cruz (~$30/person split 3)
$30–70
Gear (if needed)
Some owners include helmet + jacket · otherwise buy at Cycle Gear SF day before · not included in tier totals
$0–150
Food + Gas + Parks
Packed lunch · fill-up in Monterey (~$12) · park fees $25 cash · coffee/snacks
$50–65
TOTAL PER RIDER
Day trip $255–385
Night before $285–445
+ gear if buying new ($150–250)
+ $1,500 refundable deposit hold on credit card
Night before $285–445
+ gear if buying new ($150–250)
+ $1,500 refundable deposit hold on credit card
$255–445
Damage waiver + deposit (important): Riders Share requires a damage waiver and holds a security deposit on your credit card — this is a hold, not a charge, released after the ride. The tiers:
• Minimum: $44/day · $2,000 deposit
• Standard: $65/day · $1,500 deposit · $1,500 deductible · 30k damage coverage · state minimum liability
• Premium: $90/day · $1,000 deposit · lower deductible · mechanical breakdown coverage
The deposit is per bike, held on the renter's credit card (not debit). Make sure everyone has a credit card with enough headroom. Our recommendation: Standard ($65/day) — solid coverage at a reasonable price. The $1,500 deposit is standard for the tier.
• Minimum: $44/day · $2,000 deposit
• Standard: $65/day · $1,500 deposit · $1,500 deductible · 30k damage coverage · state minimum liability
• Premium: $90/day · $1,000 deposit · lower deductible · mechanical breakdown coverage
The deposit is per bike, held on the renter's credit card (not debit). Make sure everyone has a credit card with enough headroom. Our recommendation: Standard ($65/day) — solid coverage at a reasonable price. The $1,500 deposit is standard for the tier.
Park fees (cash): Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park ($10/vehicle) and Pfeiffer Beach ($15/vehicle, USFS — credit accepted with 3.5% surcharge). McWay Falls viewpoint is free roadside parking. Budget $25 in cash per rider — included in the estimate above.
Gas in Big Sur: Fill up in Monterey at normal prices. The only stations south of Carmel are in Big Sur village — Chevron at Ripplewood and Shell near Big Sur Bakery. Expect premium pricing ($7–8/gal). A full tank in Monterey covers the round trip for most 600–700cc bikes, but topping off in the village on the way back is wise insurance.
The Itinerary
Getting to Santa Cruz — two options:
Day-of: Early Caltrain SF → San Jose + SC Metro 17 Express → arrive Santa Cruz by ~9:30 AM.
Night before: Friday evening travel to Santa Cruz or Monterey → Airbnb → fresh Saturday start.
Day-of: Early Caltrain SF → San Jose + SC Metro 17 Express → arrive Santa Cruz by ~9:30 AM.
Night before: Friday evening travel to Santa Cruz or Monterey → Airbnb → fresh Saturday start.
Saturday — The Full Send
9:30 AM
Meet at bike pickup in Santa CruzRiders who took Caltrain + bus arrive here · coffee nearby while waiting for everyone
9:45 AM
Bike pickup — paperwork + gearWalkaround, app verification, key handoff for each bike · bring: M1 license, ID, credit card, booking confirmation. Safety brief: formation, hand signals, if separated → ride to the next stop and wait
10:30 AM
Ride CA-1 south to MontereyScenic coastal warmup — 43 miles, ~55 min. This stretch is gorgeous and gets you comfortable on the bikes before Big Sur
11:25 AM
Gas up in MontereyFull tank here covers the round trip · download offline maps before we lose service · quick regroup
11:45 AM
Ride south on CA-1 into Big SurCruise pace, enjoy the road · the real ride begins
12:30 PM
Bixby Bridge — quick stopPhotos from the north pullout · we're coming back for golden hour · cell service drops south of here
1:15 PM
Pfeiffer Big Sur State ParkPacked lunch at picnic tables · redwood loop walk · river access · $10 entry
2:30 PM
Pfeiffer BeachKeyhole Arch · purple sand · 15 min detour via Sycamore Canyon Rd · $15 entry · open 9 AM–8 PM · lot holds 65 vehicles — if full, skip and add time at Bixby golden hour instead
3:15 PM
McWay Falls viewpointQuick stop — falls visible from the roadside pullout on CA-1. Group photo. Free parking.
3:45 PM
Continue south on CA-1 past Kirk CreekThe coast opens up south of McWay — less traffic, wider views, raw Pacific. This is the stretch most people never see.
~4:15 PM
Turn onto Nacimiento-Fergusson RoadThe climb starts at CA-1. Over 100 turns in 7 miles, from sea level to 2,780 ft at the ridge. Ocean views behind you, temperature climbs fast — went from 55°F at the coast to blazing sun at the top.
~4:45 PM
Forest Rte 22S01 × Coast Ridge Trail — furthest pointHit the ridge junction at the top of Nacimiento-Fergusson. Rode a short stretch (~5 min) onto Coast Ridge Trail — unpaved fire road along the Santa Lucia ridge with panoramic views of the Pacific and the inland valleys. This was the highlight.
~5:15 PM
Descend Nacimiento-Fergusson back to CA-1Same 100 turns in reverse — now with the ocean straight ahead. Arguably even better going down.
~5:45 PM
Ride north on CA-1Same road, golden light. Scenic pullouts as the mood strikes.
~6:30 PM
Bixby Bridge — golden hourStage bikes facing the bridge · film someone riding past · group shot · the light at this hour is unreal
~7:15 PM
Ride to Monterey25 min ride · regroup in Monterey
~7:30 PM
Ride CA-1 Monterey → Santa Cruz~55 min coastal ride · return bikes to owner by ~8:30 PM at pre-arranged time
~8:30 PM
Return bikes in Santa Cruz · split upGroome shuttle from Monterey for those who split off earlier · or Uber/carpool from Santa Cruz for those returning bikes
Golden hour timing: Starts ~1 hour before sunset. Check the sunset time for your trip date and adjust the Bixby return accordingly — that's the one stop where timing matters. Everything else is flexible.
Nacimiento-Fergusson Road: One of the best motorcycle roads in central California. 7 miles, 100+ turns from sea level to the ridge at 2,780 ft. Paved the entire way to the Coast Ridge crossing. Reopened November 2024 after years of fire/storm closures. Be ready for a big temperature swing — foggy and 55°F at the coast, sunny and 90°F+ at the summit. The road is narrow with no guardrails in places — ride your own pace.
Coast Ridge Trail: At the summit of Nacimiento-Fergusson, you cross Forest Route 22S01 (Coast Ridge Road) — an unpaved fire road running along the Santa Lucia ridge. We rode a short stretch (~5 min) past the junction. The views from here are panoramic: Pacific Ocean to the west, Salinas Valley to the east. We didn't have enough time to go further — next time.
Cell coverage: Service drops south of Carmel Highlands. Brief window in Big Sur village (AT&T/Verizon best). Nothing from McWay to Nacimiento-Fergusson and beyond. Download offline Google Maps before departure and agree on the "if separated, ride to the next stop" rule.
Getting home:
Option A — shuttle from Monterey: Split off from the group in Monterey before the Santa Cruz return leg. Groome shuttle → SFO → BART ($55 + BART fare, ~$65 total). Book the 8:00 PM departure at groometransportation.com.
Option B — return bikes, then Uber/carpool from Santa Cruz: After returning bikes (~8:30 PM), Uber from Santa Cruz to SF runs ~$80–100 split among riders. Or arrange a carpool pickup.
Option A — shuttle from Monterey: Split off from the group in Monterey before the Santa Cruz return leg. Groome shuttle → SFO → BART ($55 + BART fare, ~$65 total). Book the 8:00 PM departure at groometransportation.com.
Option B — return bikes, then Uber/carpool from Santa Cruz: After returning bikes (~8:30 PM), Uber from Santa Cruz to SF runs ~$80–100 split among riders. Or arrange a carpool pickup.
Note on the return ride: The Monterey → Santa Cruz leg after sunset is ~55 min on CA-1, partially in the dark, on unfamiliar rental bikes, after a full day. It's 43 miles of coastal road — doable but not casual. If anyone in the group isn't comfortable, they can split off in Monterey and take the Groome shuttle instead. No pressure.
How We Get Bikes
Don't have your own gear? Some Riders Share owners include a helmet and jacket — ask when booking. If not, walk into Cycle Gear SF (2360 Lombard St, Marina) the day before. DOT full-face helmets from ~$80, CE-armored jackets from ~$100. Staff will fit you properly — don't guess sizes online. Budget $150–250 for a helmet + jacket combo you'll use again. Cycle Gear San Bruno (1210 El Camino Real) is a backup if the SF store is out of your size.
01
Riders Share
riders-share.com Peer-to-peer. Search Santa Cruz / Capitola area. Bikes ~$120/day ($96 with 20% first-ride discount — not guaranteed). Damage waiver required: Standard $65/day recommended. Security deposit: $1,500 credit card hold per bike (released after ride). Service fee ~$19/booking. Flexible pickup/return — arrange directly with owner. 24hr free cancellation, 100% weather refunds.
Best option
02
Twisted Road
twistedroad.com Also peer-to-peer. Protection $35–45/day (deductibles $1,500–$3,000). Their $1M liability is owner-side only — renters get state minimum. Search Santa Cruz and Salinas for more options.
Strong backup
03
EagleRider SF
eaglerider.com Brick-and-mortar at 1635 Valencia St, San Francisco. ~$120/day — pricier, but guaranteed availability and gear included. Would need a 2-day rental (no same-day return after 5 PM) — adds cost. Last resort if peer-to-peer is empty.
SF fallback
Content & Photo Strategy
Do NOT mount your phone on the motorcycle. Motorcycle engine vibrations can permanently damage your phone's camera stabilization (OIS). Apple officially warns against it. Keep your phone in a jacket pocket — it comes out at stops only.
Riding footage
One GoPro per group on a helmet chin mount handles all POV footage. HyperSmooth stabilization is built for this. Use a handlebar clamp or suction cup mount for a second angle if someone has a spare cam. No permanent mods needed — works on rental bikes and your own helmet.
At the stops
Everyone shoots with their phones — no assigned roles, just make sure someone grabs the group shots at Bixby Bridge (both visits), the turnaround point, and the golden hour return. Detail shots (helmet on handlebars, road from overlook) happen naturally.
Sharing everything
Shared Google Drive folder — link goes out in the group chat before the ride. Everyone dumps their photos and GoPro files there after. Full quality, no compression, no storage limits on your end. Don't share via Instagram DMs or WhatsApp — both compress everything.
Gear & Action Items
Who this is for: Riders who already ride. Valid M1 license, confident on winding roads, comfortable on an unfamiliar bike. Big Sur's CA-1 is one of the most beautiful roads in the world — and one of the most demanding. This trip is designed to enjoy it, not survive it.
Bring to the bike pickup: Valid M1 motorcycle license · Government-issued ID · Credit card · Booking confirmation on your phone. No exceptions — you won't get the bike without these.
Gear per rider
Saved in your browser
DOT full-face helmet (rental or own — Cycle Gear SF if buying)
CE-armored jacket
Gloves
Over-ankle boots
Sunglasses + sunscreen
GoPro or action cam + helmet chin mount (optional)
Portable charger (full day, limited outlets)
Backpack (water, layers, thermos)
Packed lunch + snacks
$25 cash for park entry fees
Action items (organizer)
1–2 weeks before
Confirm date in the group chat
Book 3 bikes on Riders Share — search Santa Cruz, message owners now
Add Standard damage waiver at checkout ($65/day) — $1,500 deposit hold on credit card
Book Caltrain + SC Metro 17 Express (or arrange carpool)
Book Groome shuttle home from Monterey (8 PM departure)
Buy/confirm gear — helmets + jackets at Cycle Gear if needed
Post announcement reel / story
Confirm headcount + M1 licenses
Download offline Google Maps for Santa Cruz → Big Sur coast
Create shared Google Drive folder + drop link in group chat
Check Highway 1 + Sycamore Canyon Rd + sunset time (week of)
Pack lunch, gear, thermos day before
Good to Know
Deposit hold denied at pickup
Each rider needs a credit card (not debit) with at least $1,500 available credit for the security deposit hold. Check your limit before the trip. If your card is declined at pickup, you don't get the bike — and there's no workaround on the spot.
No bikes in Santa Cruz
Book 2+ weeks ahead. Search Salinas (15 min from Monterey) as backup. Twisted Road as second platform. If both are empty, fall back to EagleRider SF — 2-day rental, ride down together.
Owner flake (peer-to-peer)
Message owners to confirm 2 days before. Have a backup booking on Twisted Road. If one bike falls through, that rider Ubers to Monterey and we figure it out there.
Nacimiento-Fergusson Road conditions
The road reopened in November 2024 after fire/storm repairs. Check Caltrans QuickMap the day before — it can close again after heavy rain. The climb is steep with tight turns and no guardrails in places. Ride your own pace, don't push it. Temperature swings from coast to summit are real — layer up.
Dark ride Santa Cruz → return
The ~55-min Monterey → Santa Cruz leg is after sunset on CA-1. Anyone uncomfortable riding at night can split off in Monterey and take the Groome shuttle. No pressure — arrange this in the group chat before the ride.
Bad weather or fog
Check forecast 3 days out. Postpone if rain — CA-1 gets slippery. Fog kills the golden hour and the views. Spring is typically clearer than summer (marine layer peaks June–August). Riders Share: free cancellation 24hrs ahead, 100% weather refunds.
Highway 1 closure
Check Caltrans QuickMap the day before. Closures happen after rain or slides. No workaround — postpone.
No cell service
Coverage drops south of Carmel Highlands. Brief window in Big Sur village (AT&T/Verizon best). Nothing from McWay Falls through Nacimiento-Fergusson Road. Rule: if separated, ride to the next scheduled stop and wait. Download offline Google Maps before departure.
Mechanical issue
Pull over safely. Riders Share includes roadside assistance through the platform. We'll figure it out on the spot — group might wait, might split and meet up later. No one gets left somewhere sketchy.
Join the Ride
DM to join
@deeplucian -- date and logistics in a private insta group chat
The Recap
Content coming soon. Photos and a trailer cut by @balkan_films.
Trailer — coming soon
Gallery — coming soon