For the fifth year in a row, the Sacramento BikeHikers held a two day tour in Monterey. The event, hosted by Larry (our current president) and Yvonne was centered at the Borg Oceanside Motel, Pacific Grove. I arrived about 10:30, Friday night too late to join in any club activities, checked in, unloaded my stuff into my room, opened a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and settled in for some TV watching until it was time for bed.

     Events started out in earnest on Saturday morning at 7am. Larry and Yvonne had a big container full of coffee and a bowl of bagels with cream cheese for all the riders. The crowd assembled quickly and everyone was soon getting acquainted, talking about the weather, the ride, and the fires that were burning both to the south in L.A. and to the north near the Fort Ord reservation.

     Bikes were unloaded, tires pumped, and it was time for group pictures and route instructions. Larry advised that it was a pretty simple ride. We'd be following the coast road to the entrance of 17 Mile Drive, ride along the drive until the Carmel exit and then to the various shops in town for breakfast. Once in Carmel, everyone was on their own to go exploring, see the mission, go shopping, or try to hunt down Clint Eastwood, Carmel's ex-mayor.

     A cold wind had been blowing off the ocean as the ride started out but the weather seemed to improve in minutes. Perhaps the cycling of 50 Bikehikers increased temperatures along the way. In any case, riders were soon stopping to shed outer jackets and ride in the sun in their shirtsleeves. The hour ride along the 17 Mile Drive takes in some of the most scenic of California's coast but most of us didn't stop other than for a quick photo on the way to Carmel. We'd have time for photos and exploring on the way back.

     I followed Larry and Yvonne to Katy's, a breakfast cafe, jam packed with diners. About half of the BikeHikers came along. Others could be seen stopped at bakeries or coffee shops along Carmel's streets. Even with so many of us and the cafe packed with customers, it wasn't more than 20 minutes before we were seated and ordering. We split up into groups of fours and sixes to be seated. My Italian omelet was delicious and I enjoyed the conversation of five other BikeHikers while eating.

     After breakfast we assembled and started down the hill towards the beach. We had to stop for Carmel's annual Halloween parade though since it was going down Ocean Avenue, the same route we were taking. We watched big and little witches ride along on floats and even saw the Batmobile and Batgirl. Since we were going the same direction as the parade, when the end reached us, we just joined in for a few blocks. We even drew some applause and waved back to the spectators standing along the roadway in return. The parade turned left and we continued on straight, with some of us returning to 17 Mile Drive and others scattering out to explore.

     I took my time on the ride back along the drive with the exception of one downhill where I hit 41 mph. Once at the water I carried my bike down to a beach and walked out onto the rocks to see what ever sea creatures I could find along the crevices. The tide was still too high and the tide pools covered up so I gave up and just rode along at a leisurely pace until back at the motel.

     Next on the agenda was a cocktail hour between four and five outside Larry and Yvonne's room. They had snacks and drinks chilled and ready to serve. We stood and talked about our day's adventures and everyone remarked on how wonderful the weather was. The fires were again part of the conversation as well as the world series between the Yankees and he Marlins. 

     We were much too large a group for all of us to eat together so  groups wandered off to their favorite type of dining. Bill and Mary Fuhs and I walked the few blocks to Peppers MexiCali Cafe, 170 Forest Avenue, Pacific Grove, Phone: 831-373-6892. where I ate way too much very good Mexican food.

     We had to roll our clocks back when we went to bed since It was time to, "fall back". Daylight saving time was over. Even though the ride had been short, I found I could not keep my eyes open and was soon asleep.

Sunday, October 26, Pacific Grove to Marina Ride 25.0 miles

     With the change in time, coffee on Sunday morning started at 6:30. The "usual crowd" was there, ready to ride. The weather seemed warmer even though we were meeting a half hour earlier than the day before. Sunday's ride was to be to Marina to the Red Rock Coffee Shop. The shop's owners were opening the shop just for the club. Larry had to change the route because of the fires that had occurred the day before at Fort Ord. The change meant that we'd ride the bike trail north all the way from the hotel to Marina and then go a few blocks on city streets to the coffee shop.

     The bike path took us along the Monterey waterfront, through Cannery Row, past the historic adobe Custom's building and past the Monterey Wharf. Divers could be seen getting ready for the day along the waterfront and runners and sightseers were already on the path as we rode along. The squawking of cormorants and gulls and the bellowing of seals and sea lions echoed between the buildings. The path turned north through a grove of eucalyptus before running along side Highway One through the dunes between the highway and the ocean. The traffic thinned out once out of town with the trail occupied almost solely by cyclists for the remaining miles to Marina.

     The Red Rock Coffee Shop was open as promised and the 40 or so riders descended on the place ready for coffee or cold drinks and cookies, muffins and other snacks. After 45 minutes or so, riders left in small groups for the ride back along the trail to the hotel. I slowed my pace to enjoy the view of the ocean along the way and even stopped a few times for photos. Once in town, foot traffic along the trail changed the pace to a crawl in some areas but the people watching was worth it with buff sweaty girl joggers mixed in with families out for a Sunday stroll.

     It wasn't long before I arrived back at the Borg Motel. I had already loaded all the stuff from my room so all I had to do was load the bike and say my good byes. Larry and Yvonne were still out on the trail somewhere so I didn't get a change to thank them. I'll do it now.

     Thanks Larry and Yvonne. It was a great ride and a great weekend. As our new governor says, "I'll be back."

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