Cachagua Loop Finally

Saturday, December 30th

Last year, we had to abort our planned ride to do Cachagua Loop in Carmel Valley due to road works.  See this blog for details and photos.  When we selected the route for this year from this website of rides to do in Monterey, we didn't connect the dots that it was the same ride.  So, it was a delightful surprise that this year, we were finally going to do the loop.  This guy also has a good write up for rides in Carmel Valley/Cachagua and some nice photos, too.

We might not have done it this year had I listened to The Boyfriend (I normally don't anyway) who thought we should turn one way once in Carmel Valley Village when in fact, we needed to go in the opposite direction.  Here I am finally making it up the big climb.  It's like Reynolds in Los Gatos.  The BF, ahead of me as usual, waited at the summit.  Some babes in a convertible let The BF know I was arriving soon.  Sweet. 

It's a super 28 mile ride going between valleys, vineyards, and farms.  I can't believe we didn't capture how green it was, thanks to recent rains.  Sigh.  We passed a place called the Earth Station.  Of course that's code for where they take the aliens.... Meanwhile, about 6 miles to go before arriving at the start, The BF had a flat in his tubeless tire.  Wow, he had the repair done in minutes.  Impressive.  The ride tired me out.  Rollers always do.  And I am not in shape. Still, it felt great to be out on the bike and with The BF (no doubt still dreaming about the babes in the convertible).  We felt content.