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Monterey, CA - Great rides??
Neil Brooks writes:
I'll be in Monterey from the 29th to the 4th, bringing both car and bike. My days will be free. Anybody know any "must-do" rides near there? Nearer is better, but I'd drive an hour if there's something worthwhile. Don't mind hills at all. Perfectly willing to tackle something 50-75 miles. I'd be grateful for any suggestions, or a link to a good site for that area. Nacimiento Spring Ride 06-07 Apr 04 John Woodfill and I loaded our bicycles and touring bags into the car and headed south from Palo Alto on US101 to Salinas, from where we took Main Street that turns into Monterey Rd (SR 68) south of town. From here, on Laurels Grade (a steep road) we drove south to Carmel Valley to the Blue Sky Motel and dinner. We had done this last year and found the routine works well for this loop ride that is a bit long to enjoy on one day. http://tinyurl.com/bjkew http://tinyurl.com/2n44x Tuesday morning we left street clothes behind in the motel room that we would return to in the evening and drove to the coast, heading south on (SR 1) along the beautiful almost uninhabited and steep coast past Big Sur and on to Lucia, where we parked the car to begin our ride. We took the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road about a mile south of Lucia into the mountains. http://tinyurl.com/anvyv http://www.pashnit.com/roads/cal/NacimientoRd.htm http://www.cyclingforums.com/t18451.html We chose the time because spring came early this year and without much rain to keep the hills green, we were concerned about the wildflowers that were plentiful last year. Just the same, we had clear skies, no significant wind and cool temperatures. In fact, as we drove through Big Sur, we noticed that the roofs of buildings were white with frost. The climb up Nacimiento Road starts out steeply but soon becomes a pleasant climb, especially in cool air. The steep meadows were rich green with many wildflowers along the road. Columbine, shooting stars, wild iris, blue and yellow ground and bush lupine, California poppies, paint brush, indian warrior and many more, with the backdrop of the deep blue Pacific where frothing surf and azure blue aerated water surrounded huge rocks lying off shore as though some giant had thrown them there eons ago. http://www.beachcalifornia.com/bixby.html http://www.beachcalifornia.com/bigcreek.html We entered the edges of a redwood forest about a mile inland, passing waterfalls in dark canyons under the trees where pale blue forget-me-nots lined the road. Although we didn't see many birds, we heard them warbling, black headed grosbeaks, wren tits, and tit mice while overhead a red tailed hawk soared in slow motion circles. To make up for that, we saw many blackbirds, scrub jays and steller's jays. http://elib.cs.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_...3202+4143+0078 http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/...sotisscor.html From the broad flat summit at Redwood Spring (2664ft), roads headed north and south as we crossed to the east side of the divide into a canyon with a completely different ecology along the rushing Nacimiento River surrounded by steep hills of scrub brush above and the shade of sycamores along the water. The descent that began steeply, gradually leveled off as the canyon opened toward the broad valley of the Hunter-Ligget military reserve. Here a guard station with concrete road barriers and a mechanically erectable metal wall marked the boundary. After identifying ourselves, we were allowed to pass. We saw only two or three cars on this impeccably paved road on the way to post HQ. This wilderness area seems to no longer be used by the US Army, there being no sign of vehicles, tank or tire tracks, on the unused dirt roads that crossed our path. Although last year offered a flood of wildflowers, this year we met only a few areas with a yellow carpet of buttercups and lavender and blue lupine. The whole region all the way from the coast has a type of century plant, that seems to be agave sisalana, but I can't be sure, there being hundreds of agave varieties. Some of them had bloomed others were beginning to send up the flowering stalk. Only a few were in bloom with yellow and white blossoms. http://plantsdatabase.com/showpicture/35631/ As we rolled across large open fields, sparsely populated with white oaks and a sycamore here and there, we spotted a coyote at a distance and wondered whether we should report having seen a mountain lion as we suspect is often the case. After crossing a small ridge we saw the officers club on a knoll across the San Antonio valley, and chose to use the bridge (that is off limits to tanks) and cross the richly flowing San Antonio River. Most of the roads have broad level concrete fords so that tanks can cross, because building tank bridges is prohibitively expensive. Riding through 3-4 inches of water is fun if you go slowly. The web site above shows a M/C crossing one of these fords. http://tinyurl.com/2oewy http://tinyurl.com/32dym We rode up the hill to the officer's club aka Hearst Hunting Lodge (1100ft) for a good hamburger and large Coke before stopping at the PX for a take-along soda, candy bar, and bananas for the wilderness ride ahead. http://www.pelicannetwork.net/hacienda.html The San Antonio Mission, a remnant of the effort of the Spanish to convert native Americans to domestic slaves... oh, I meant Christians, was looking as lost as ever in the midst of this wilderness, the nearest town being Jolon in the Salinas Valley. We rode through the river, heading north on deserted Del Venturi Road to The Indians (1773ft) at the upper end of the San Antonio River. At Indian Ranger Station (2086ft), we crossed an inconspicuous divide into the Arroyo Secco river, crossing the stream on a well maintained ford as we left paved roads behind. Unfortunately, the road grader, whom we met farther down, had just "shaped" the road so that it was so loose in places that we had to walk, but as the road leveled off, we could ride the two miles to Escondido Camp Ground, where the grader had turned around. http://tinyurl.com/25p45 http://tinyurl.com/2npda From here Indians Road climbs out of the canyon, the narrows of Arroyo Secco being impenetrable for a road without large expense and regular maintenance. The climb was pleasant with good traction on this fairly clean one lane road. The reason it is in good shape is that motor vehicles can not get past a large rock slide at the summit and others on the north slope. As we reached the high plateau (2800ft) we noticed a pair of old MTB tracks and a M/C track in what had been mud. At the north end of this section the road begins to climb a little before reaching the large rock slide. The rocks were easier to cross this time because some good trail maker had made a track in the slide that lies at the angle of repose that doesn't stop for nearly 400ft. We got on our bicycles again after this 100ft portage, some of it steep, that ends under a cliff with a spring that might come in handy in hot weather. The slide is at the red cursor on the map at: http://tinyurl.com/26toc On the way up, I noted that we did not have to dismount for rocks on the road but on the descent, we both volunteered to walk, having had experience with slashed tires on other such rides. The view from this road are spectacular and the remoteness amazing, so close to civilization in the flatlands a few dozen miles away. That there was almost no visible wildlife was striking on this trip. Once over the cost climb, we didn't even hear any birds although we saw blue birds, yellow billed magpies and acorn woodpeckers and an occasional soaring turkey vulture that we hoped was a condor, but no cigar. We were back on smooth road as we got down to Lucia Creek (1000ft) where there were two cars and a large camper bus that showed no signs of recent human activity. We crossed the bridge and climbed over a small rise along Arroyo Secco, a richly flowing river at this point. http://tinyurl.com/2wh2k http://tinyurl.com/yqa6u Here at The Lakes Campground (945ft) we were again on pavement, the last impassable rock slide being a short way above the camp. From here is was a pleasant cruise to the junction (704ft) with Carmel Valley Road, also known as Jamesburg Road at this end. Jamesburg Rd. climbs gradually in woodsy sheltered curves along Paloma Creek. Just the same, the afternoon wind got stronger and colder as we progressed. http://tinyurl.com/36bot The road changes name to Jamestown-Arroyo Secco Road at (1550ft) where it also begins its climb to its summit (2384ft) over which it crosses from Paloma Creek to Finch Creek watershed. This area was new to me because last year we got delayed crossing Indians Road so much that we ran out of daylight here, and with no moon at all. This year we were a couple of hours earlier and besides, there was a full moon in the event that we got delayed. Today, the land was green and lovely but the wind was not kind as it blew in our face descending Conejo Grade. It was cold enough that we put on our jackets and I put up my hood before descending Ardilla Grade along Tularcitos Creek. I was glad to have my thick doeskin leather winter gloves on. We got back to our motel (400ft) (97 miles) in good time, got a hot shower and a filling dinner before getting a good night's sleep. In the morning we stopped for breakfast at the corner grocery store before retracing the route we drove by car the day before. Traffic on Carmel Valley Rd. was regular commute traffic headed toward Carmel and Monterey. Once we were on HWY 1 heading south along the coast, traffic was light and mostly tourists. That the route is far more interesting seen from the bicycle than from the car was striking. We enjoyed the scenery immensely and were glad to find that the weather was warmer than the day before as we descended some of the longer grades around toward Bixby Creek with its beautiful concrete arch bridge. We even had a tailwind most of the way. We met three bicyclists heading north, somewhere south of Big Sur, so heavily loaded that we could hardly see their bicycles. Farther on we passed a couple heading south, but that was all we saw of bicyclists. We had an interesting incident at Point Sur Lighthouse where we had noticed in the past that the great rock was open to visitors at 10:00 on Wednesdays (today). This was one of those days and a string of about a dozen cars was making its way down the paved one lane road toward the huge rock, so we climbed over the locked gate and followed. http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/pointsur.html The tour guide at the end of the column saw us, blocked the road with his car, and informed us that bicyclists were not welcome and that the tour was a closed hiking event that took three hours. In other words, we could not ride our bicycles to the lighthouse. We were told return another time, and by car. After that event, we enjoyed the coast, sighting a pod of grey whales by their white spouts over the deep blue waters heading north as they usually do this time of year. In Lucia, we packed our bicycles into the car and headed home, once again noticing how much nicer this route looks from the bicycle. The first day was 97 miles and about 6000ft of climb and the second 60 miles and about 1200ft of climb. ------------------- |
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#2
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Neil Brooks writes:
I'll be in Monterey from the 29th to the 4th, bringing both car and bike. My days will be free. Anybody know any "must-do" rides near there? Nearer is better, but I'd drive an hour if there's something worthwhile. Don't mind hills at all. Perfectly willing to tackle something 50-75 miles. I'd be grateful for any suggestions, or a link to a good site for that area. Nacimiento Spring Ride 06-07 Apr 04 John Woodfill and I loaded our bicycles and touring bags into the car and headed south from Palo Alto on US101 to Salinas, from where we took Main Street that turns into Monterey Rd (SR 68) south of town. From here, on Laurels Grade (a steep road) we drove south to Carmel Valley to the Blue Sky Motel and dinner. We had done this last year and found the routine works well for this loop ride that is a bit long to enjoy on one day. http://tinyurl.com/bjkew http://tinyurl.com/2n44x Tuesday morning we left street clothes behind in the motel room that we would return to in the evening and drove to the coast, heading south on (SR 1) along the beautiful almost uninhabited and steep coast past Big Sur and on to Lucia, where we parked the car to begin our ride. We took the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road about a mile south of Lucia into the mountains. http://tinyurl.com/anvyv http://tinyurl.com/8cedh http://www.pashnit.com/roads/cal/NacimientoRd.htm http://www.cyclingforums.com/t18451.html We chose the time because spring came early this year and without much rain to keep the hills green, we were concerned about the wildflowers that were plentiful last year. Just the same, we had clear skies, no significant wind and cool temperatures. In fact, as we drove through Big Sur, we noticed that the roofs of buildings were white with frost. The climb up Nacimiento Road starts out steeply but soon becomes a pleasant climb, especially in cool air. The steep meadows were rich green with many wildflowers along the road. Columbine, shooting stars, wild iris, blue and yellow ground and bush lupine, California poppies, paint brush, indian warrior and many more, with the backdrop of the deep blue Pacific where frothing surf and azure blue aerated water surrounded huge rocks lying off shore as though some giant had thrown them there eons ago. http://www.beachcalifornia.com/bixby.html http://www.beachcalifornia.com/bigcreek.html We entered the edges of a redwood forest about a mile inland, passing waterfalls in dark canyons under the trees where pale blue forget-me-nots lined the road. Although we didn't see many birds, we heard them warbling, black headed grosbeaks, wren tits, and tit mice while overhead a red tailed hawk soared in slow motion circles. To make up for that, we saw many blackbirds, scrub jays and steller's jays. http://elib.cs.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_...3202+4143+0078 http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/...sotisscor.html From the broad flat summit at Redwood Spring (2664ft), roads headed north and south as we crossed to the east side of the divide into a canyon with a completely different ecology along the rushing Nacimiento River surrounded by steep hills of scrub brush above and the shade of sycamores along the water. The descent that began steeply, gradually leveled off as the canyon opened toward the broad valley of the Hunter-Ligget military reserve. Here a guard station with concrete road barriers and a mechanically erectable metal wall marked the boundary. After identifying ourselves, we were allowed to pass. We saw only two or three cars on this impeccably paved road on the way to post HQ. This wilderness area seems to no longer be used by the US Army, there being no sign of vehicles, tank or tire tracks, on the unused dirt roads that crossed our path. Although last year offered a flood of wildflowers, this year we met only a few areas with a yellow carpet of buttercups and lavender and blue lupine. The whole region all the way from the coast has a type of century plant, that seems to be agave sisalana, but I can't be sure, there being hundreds of agave varieties. Some of them had bloomed others were beginning to send up the flowering stalk. Only a few were in bloom with yellow and white blossoms. http://plantsdatabase.com/showpicture/35631/ As we rolled across large open fields, sparsely populated with white oaks and a sycamore here and there, we spotted a coyote at a distance and wondered whether we should report having seen a mountain lion as we suspect is often the case. After crossing a small ridge we saw the officers club on a knoll across the San Antonio valley, and chose to use the bridge (that is off limits to tanks) and cross the richly flowing San Antonio River. Most of the roads have broad level concrete fords so that tanks can cross, because building tank bridges is prohibitively expensive. Riding through 3-4 inches of water is fun if you go slowly. The web site above shows a M/C crossing one of these fords. http://tinyurl.com/2oewy http://tinyurl.com/32dym We rode up the hill to the officer's club aka Hearst Hunting Lodge (1100ft) for a good hamburger and large Coke before stopping at the PX for a take-along soda, candy bar, and bananas for the wilderness ride ahead. http://www.pelicannetwork.net/hacienda.html The San Antonio Mission, a remnant of the effort of the Spanish to convert native Americans to domestic slaves... oh, I meant Christians, was looking as lost as ever in the midst of this wilderness, the nearest town being Jolon in the Salinas Valley. We rode through the river, heading north on deserted Del Venturi Road to The Indians (1773ft) at the upper end of the San Antonio River. At Indian Ranger Station (2086ft), we crossed an inconspicuous divide into the Arroyo Secco river, crossing the stream on a well maintained ford as we left paved roads behind. Unfortunately, the road grader, whom we met farther down, had just "shaped" the road so that it was so loose in places that we had to walk, but as the road leveled off, we could ride the two miles to Escondido Camp Ground, where the grader had turned around. http://tinyurl.com/25p45 http://tinyurl.com/2npda From here Indians Road climbs out of the canyon, the narrows of Arroyo Secco being impenetrable for a road without large expense and regular maintenance. The climb was pleasant with good traction on this fairly clean one lane road. The reason it is in good shape is that motor vehicles can not get past a large rock slide at the summit and others on the north slope. As we reached the high plateau (2800ft) we noticed a pair of old MTB tracks and a M/C track in what had been mud. At the north end of this section the road begins to climb a little before reaching the large rock slide. The rocks were easier to cross this time because some good trail maker had made a track in the slide that lies at the angle of repose that doesn't stop for nearly 400ft. We got on our bicycles again after this 100ft portage, some of it steep, that ends under a cliff with a spring that might come in handy in hot weather. The slide is at the red cursor on the map at: http://tinyurl.com/26toc On the way up, I noted that we did not have to dismount for rocks on the road but on the descent, we both volunteered to walk, having had experience with slashed tires on other such rides. The view from this road are spectacular and the remoteness amazing, so close to civilization in the flatlands a few dozen miles away. That there was almost no visible wildlife was striking on this trip. Once over the cost climb, we didn't even hear any birds although we saw blue birds, yellow billed magpies and acorn woodpeckers and an occasional soaring turkey vulture that we hoped was a condor, but no cigar. We were back on smooth road as we got down to Lucia Creek (1000ft) where there were two cars and a large camper bus that showed no signs of recent human activity. We crossed the bridge and climbed over a small rise along Arroyo Secco, a richly flowing river at this point. http://tinyurl.com/2wh2k http://tinyurl.com/yqa6u Here at The Lakes Campground (945ft) we were again on pavement, the last impassable rock slide being a short way above the camp. From here is was a pleasant cruise to the junction (704ft) with Carmel Valley Road, also known as Jamesburg Road at this end. Jamesburg Rd. climbs gradually in woodsy sheltered curves along Paloma Creek. Just the same, the afternoon wind got stronger and colder as we progressed. http://tinyurl.com/36bot The road changes name to Jamestown-Arroyo Secco Road at (1550ft) where it also begins its climb to its summit (2384ft) over which it crosses from Paloma Creek to Finch Creek watershed. This area was new to me because last year we got delayed crossing Indians Road so much that we ran out of daylight here, and with no moon at all. This year we were a couple of hours earlier and besides, there was a full moon in the event that we got delayed. Today, the land was green and lovely but the wind was not kind as it blew in our face descending Conejo Grade. It was cold enough that we put on our jackets and I put up my hood before descending Ardilla Grade along Tularcitos Creek. I was glad to have my thick doeskin leather winter gloves on. We got back to our motel (400ft) (97 miles) in good time, got a hot shower and a filling dinner before getting a good night's sleep. In the morning we stopped for breakfast at the corner grocery store before retracing the route we drove by car the day before. Traffic on Carmel Valley Rd. was regular commute traffic headed toward Carmel and Monterey. Once we were on HWY 1 heading south along the coast, traffic was light and mostly tourists. That the route is far more interesting seen from the bicycle than from the car was striking. We enjoyed the scenery immensely and were glad to find that the weather was warmer than the day before as we descended some of the longer grades around toward Bixby Creek with its beautiful concrete arch bridge. We even had a tailwind most of the way. We met three bicyclists heading north, somewhere south of Big Sur, so heavily loaded that we could hardly see their bicycles. Farther on we passed a couple heading south, but that was all we saw of bicyclists. We had an interesting incident at Point Sur Lighthouse where we had noticed in the past that the great rock was open to visitors at 10:00 on Wednesdays (today). This was one of those days and a string of about a dozen cars was making its way down the paved one lane road toward the huge rock, so we climbed over the locked gate and followed. http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/pointsur.html The tour guide at the end of the column saw us, blocked the road with his car, and informed us that bicyclists were not welcome and that the tour was a closed hiking event that took three hours. In other words, we could not ride our bicycles to the lighthouse. We were told return another time, and by car. After that event, we enjoyed the coast, sighting a pod of grey whales by their white spouts over the deep blue waters heading north as they usually do this time of year. In Lucia, we packed our bicycles into the car and headed home, once again noticing how much nicer this route looks from the bicycle. The first day was 97 miles and about 6000ft of climb and the second 60 miles and about 1200ft of climb. ------------------- |
#3
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Try vcmonterey.org for local velo club. Meets at 7:00 at the Portola
Plaza Hotel (old Doubletree) by Fisherman's Wharf. Does a 40 +/- miler into Pebble Beach. Breaks into a couple of groups. Another group meets at 8:00 at the Pacific Grove Movie Theater for the same Pebble Beach route. Slower, no drop pace. On your own in Pebble Beach is good--some hills--follow 17 mile drive--or better yet, flag down a local--look for velo club monterey. Another option is to park at the Crossroads and go east on Carmel Valley Road. Some nice climbs, wide road and after you get past Carmel Village there is light traffic. The Cypress group map for Big Sur ride and Sea Otter Classic shows good routes in Ft Ord. Closed army base--real good road rides. The Cypress map also shows the Carmel Valley route. Stay away from south bound highway 1. Narrow, beautiful views but lots of tourist traffic that aren't looking for bikes. Drive your car south. Enjoy your time on the peninsula. |
#4
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Stay away from south bound highway 1. Narrow, beautiful views but
lots of tourist traffic that aren't looking for bikes. Drive your car south. Hogwash! I avoid it during prime tourist season - Memorial Day to Labor Day - but it is a wonderful section of road enjoyed safely and successfully by thousands of cyclists each month. A great loop is to go south past Lucca to Ferguson-Nacimiento, then take the inland route back to Carmel Valley Rd. then back to the coast - essentially the annual Big Sur ride. - rick |
#5
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It looks like there won't be any Nacimiento-Ferguson Road rides this
spring, there being a large landslide about 10 miles in from the coast (beyond the summit) for which the county has closed the road and is not attempting to repair it until the hillside stabilizes. Knowing how steep and deep these ravines are, I can imagine that there is no safe passage around the slide. End of ride! |
#6
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A good web site to check the status of NF road is
http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/publicworks/status.htm and it is currently closed. |
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