Amanda, Navindra, and Patrick started out at about 11AM, Feb 18, 2012 from Canyon Del Rey near the border of Seaside and Monterey.  We made our way to Hwy 68 heading towards Salinas.  At Laureles Grade we turned right and started climbing over the hill.  We departed the main road at the turn off for Chamisal Tennis Club and took Toro Way up the hill.  This little route is a nice little alternate to cycling on Laureles Grade directly because we get to avoid traffic and be in the quiet countryside.  Toro Way dead ends at a trail and we cycle up the trail for a few minutes before coming out to a road again.  We head right and make our way back to the Laureles Grade main road where we get back on the road and start our wonderful descent into Carmel Valley, max speed this time was 41mph!

At the bottom of Laureles Grade we turn right and start heading out of Carmel Valley.  Instead of heading straight out to Carmel, we took an 18 mile detour on a “secret” side road (Amanda won’t let me reveal the secret road name) which leads to some lovely redwood groves via a heart-pumping climb.

After the detour, we are back on Carmel Valley road heading to Carmel.  At Carmel Beach we enter the gate for 17 mile drive and start our final climb towards the Hwy 1 gate of 17 mile drive.  We cross the overpass over Hwy 1 and abruptly turn left onto the bike path paralleling Hwy 1, riding down to Viejo Rd, left on Soledad, right on Pacific, and voila! back at MIIS.  Total mileage about 50 miles, saddle time 4:16.