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.

Yay for Potato Chips

Saturday, November 18th

After The Boyfriend got us coffee from Bookworks on Lighthouse Avenue, we set sail on our bike ride.  Leaving the Inn, we saw a deer meandering through the neighborhood.  Sweet.  We relied on two websites (thank you!) to figure out routes -- Local Rides from Velo Club Monterey and Top 10 Bike Rides in Monterey.  Of course we had to include 17 Mile Drive but we were looking to do something a little different having done rides in the past together as well as for me, with our bike club ACTC.  See here in 2010 and here in 2013 and here in 2007.

Wow, the sea was so blue.  The BF put together a route that included 17 Mile Drive as well as the Chacagua Road Loop in Carmel Valley Village.  It was perfect cycling weather and traffic was fairly minimal.

17 Mile Drive is one scenic photo op over and over; I present the iconic Lone Cypress Tree. 

Somewhere in the Del Monte Forest.  I just love that name!

The beach in Carmel-by-the-Sea.  While The BF took a bathroom break, I lovingly gazed at male surfers changing into their clothes ... a most pleasant sight.  But I digress.  Off we went, leaving 17 mile Drive and the quaint downtown to Rio Road, onward to Carmel Valley Road and to Carmel Valley Village.

There's The BF somewhere on Carmel Valley Road.  By the time we reached Carmel Valley Village, he made a strategic decision to curtail our planned route and head back to base camp (aka our lovely inn in Pacific Grove).  Not like I was going to argue....  And let me tell you, I was zapped energy wise.  Weenie Woman was dreaming of a glass of wine and bon bons and wondering why no firemen had appeared like they tend to do.... Returning back on Carmel Valley Road, I was wiped until I stopped at a deli (by the way, the entire route has plenty of places to stop for food and drink) to buy a bag of potato chips.  I sat on the roadside feasting on the chips.  It did wonders.  The BF circled back to find me, worried that I had a flat.  Nope, just stuffing my face with glorious chips.  It was a super ride.  We were both pleased.

Just the Stats:

50.76 miles
10.7 avg mph
31.5 mph on a descent
4 hr. 44 min.