A Nor Cal tour for a couple of So Cal Carvers on vacation.
Rich and Charlene Goff from Azusa in Southern California got in touch with me when they decided to visit Monterey in Northern California. After Rich finished off his PONY baseball duties in early August, we decided August 13th was a good day, so I got up early to meet them in Pacific Grove at the Gosby House.
Goffing at Lovers Point.
We rode a few blocks down to Lovers Point, where we could start on the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail, and headed north toward Fort Ord. Char made it into Cannery Row before deciding to rest and encouraged Rich and I to keep on riding. Rich and I rode into Sand City before turning around and heading back to the Gosby House, completing a ride of 14.86 miles (see Garmin map here).
When we got back, the Goffs invited me to lunch at Pacific Thai Cuisine next door to the Gosby House. Rich and I had enjoyed the ride along the Monterey Bay and watched the fog recede from the coast, warming the air enough to remove our vests and jackets. The ride through the sand dunes in the well-named Sand City was fun yet taxing (due to the climbing), followed by a nice downhill.There are some nice flat areas near the harbor and through Cannery Row.
I look forward to riding this area again, as it would be easy to put a 20-mile ride together (possibly more). Wind becomes a real issue though. The reason the fog clears is because of the wind. The sand can be a bit of a problem, too, due to sliding. One part of the trail has sand completely across it so you have to go straight.
If you’re in the area let me know. We can set up a time to ride and video. The flat area from Lovers Point to Del Monte Blvd is nice for beginners to intermediate riders. The area past Canyon Del Rey Blvd is steeper. You need to be a decent climber or someone who doesn’t mind walking the hills. You definitely must have your brakes in good working order.
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