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| Title:
The lost highway 58 - Bakersfield to San Luis Opisbo |
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State:
California
Submitted
By: El Patron
Date Submitted: Aug 06
Motorcycle Type: 00 Yamaha XVS1100
Motorcycle Road Length: 90 Miles
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Motorcycle
Road Scenery: 
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Ask
the locals in Bakersfield about Hwy 58 to San Luis Obispo
and they'll tell you there's no such thing and then direct
you to the super-slab Hwy 46. Don't listen. Beginning about
a dozen miles west of Bakersfield, Hwy 58 is a roller-coaster
all the way to the coast. Giant sweepers with giddying changes
in elevation run through pastoral farmland for more than
an hour. Then suddenly the road tightens down into twisting
loops as you dive into canyon country. Just as suddenly,
it all stops and you find you've arrived at San Luis Obispo's
back door.
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Motorcycle
Road Quality: 
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The
asphalt is a little coarse but unbroken. Cross streets and
even driveways are few and very far between. On the western
end where turns get tight, they stay predictable with no
decreasing-radius turns, gravel in the corners, or other
hazards. Needless to say, traffic is non-existent. If
you see two cars west of Simmler, it must be rush hour.
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Motorcycle
Roadside Amenities: 
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It's
not that the amenities are bad; it's just that there are
none. Gas up in Bakersfield because it's the last
you'll see unless you detour into Simmler about half way
across the route. In fact, except for the occasional
farmhouse, you won't see much of anything. Near the western
end, about 30 miles out, there is a campground in Calf Canyon.
But it's so remote you may be the only one there. (Not for
the faint of heart.)
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Written directions:
You
start this route in a town that's just west
of Bakersfield, CA called Buttonwillow,
CA. Start in Buttonwillow and head west
of highway 58. The fun start about 5 or
10 miles west of Buttonwillow. Now all you
have to do is stay on 58 heading west all
the way to San Luis Obispo.
Note: Think about what you'll do if you
break down in a stretch not served by cell
towers. For starters, pack plenty of drinking
water. It may be awhile before a car passes
by.
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Additional
Information:
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The only bummer was we ran across HUNDREDS of spandex bikers cluttering the first part of the 58. I have ridden this road before and did not have to put up with them. It was a nice neighborhood until their type moved in ;). It was worth tolerating them in any case.