Saturday, February 22, 2014
View the entire Google Web album
Click here to watch a short video of today’s ride
Today we’re doing a somewhat short figure eight loop around the open designated non-motorized paved roads through Fort Ord National Monument and heading inland for a climb up San Benancio Rd towards Sierra De Salinas Mountain followed by a nice rolling descent along Corral De Tierra.
We exit the RV Park and head east towards Del Rey Oaks on Fremont Blvd through the business district to Canyon Del Rey Blvd.
The turn onto General Jim Moore Blvd takes us north along the western edge of Fort Ord National Monument. The rolling climbs on this wide smooth boulevard sits on top of a ridge with views of Monterey Bay, the surrounding Fort Ord communities and the open coastal landscapes.
We continue north on 2nd Ave through the abandoned military barracks on the north end of Seaside. We roll by a huge roller hockey rink towards CSU Monterey Bay campus out to the retail box stores by Marina.
Imjin Pkwy runs along the south end of Marina through the business parks on the north side of CSU Monterey Bay campus with views of the open dunes and a huge concrete plant.
8th St, Inter-Garrison Rd and Eight Ave takes us through CSUMB’s buildings on the east side of campus.
We cross Gigling Rd and enter Fort Ord National Monument on Eighth Ave down to Parker Flats Cut Off Rd.
We take the open non-motorized paved roads through Fort Ord NM on Parker Flats Cut Off Rd to Eucalyptus Rd. The gentle terrain on these roads goes through the oak woodlands and rolling grasslands between Grant Ewing Ridge and Elliot Hill.
A huge section around the SW side of the National Monument is closed to public use because of munitions hazards-watch for the signs and stay on the designated open roads.
We continue through For Ord NM and head south on Barloy Rd; this road is a steady climb up Pilarcitos Canyon to Laguna Seca with an average grade of 5%.
The last mile up to the summit is much steeper with grades of 8-10%.
Barloy Rd levels out at the top and goes around the upper edge of the raceway with beautiful views of the landscape around Fort Ord NM. The sounds of the cars racing around the track resonate throughout the area.
We descend the steep drop on Perimeter Rd and continue downhill on B Rd to CA-68. Take a sec to enjoy the dramatic views of Toro Park from the top of Perimeter Rd!
We head east on CA-68 for the next 2.5 miles towards Tora Park.
The turn on San Benancio Rd takes us through the town of San Benancio. The first 3+ gentle miles goes through the scattered neighborhoods with horse ranches and open spaces.
The road exits the residential area and enters the wide open meadows and pastoral lands as we make our way up the mountain.
The last mile up to the summit is steep with gradient ranges of 11-15%! Distract yourself from the climb by looking around and taking in the mountain views and open ranch lands.
The swift descent on San Benancio takes us onto Corral De Tierra Rd. Corral De Tierra leads us down the mountain along the valley through the many ranches, barn yards, farm houses and vineyards.
The road drops down towards the Corral De Tierra neighborhoods around the Country Club.
We continue under the canopy of trees on Robley Rd for the gentle 1.8 mile climb up to Laureles Grade.
The road traverses its way up along the back of the ridge with views of the tennis club and ranch properties below and spectacular mountains views from above.
We descend Laureles Grade to CA-68 and return to the RV Park on Olmstead, Garden and Fairground Rd.
This short scenic route allows for extra time in the afternoon to do absolutely nothing-life is great!
Garmin Stats:
42.38 Miles with 3548′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 1416′
Max grade: 15%
Terrain: Hilly with a few steep climbs
Weather: Sunny and warm with temps ranging from the low 50’s to the high 70’s. Mild NW winds with 67% humidity
Click here to view the interactive route map & profile
Follow this route for today’s ride:
Ride Chronicles 