Caltrans has been a good friend to SLO County bicyclists for a long time. But sometimes people make mistakes, and Caltrans made a huge mistake recently.

In October, Caltrans resurfaced approximately 25 miles of Highway 1 north of Cambria. The method of chip sealing employed large, sharp, angular aggregate that has made this road unbearable to ride. It has transformed a ride along one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the world from a pleasant experience to a bonejarring, teeth-rattling gauntlet. The surface is so bad that most local cyclists have quit riding this stretch, and those coming from north or south (caught unaware) claim they’ll never ride it again. One experienced rider fell and broke his hip when his wheel slipped into a camouflaged, 4-inch drop off.

Highway 1 north of Cambria is a recreational asset that is part of our county’s identity. Along with the beaches, the vineyards, farmer’s markets, rural atmosphere and friendly residents, it is part of the tapestry that makes up San Luis Obispo County.

It will be a sad day for our community if Caltrans does not step up and fix the problem they caused.