Total time in the saddle: 4 hours
Elevation gain: 4900 feet
We got a fairly early start on Day 3, and were on the bikes by 9:30. Just south of Monterey, we cruised along the 17 mile scenic drive, which was picturesque but a bit dismal with the heavy marine layer.
We had quick pitstops at both Carmel and Carmel Highlands, where we loaded up on supplies at the Carmel Highlands General Store. Outside the store I chatted with a woman (a Carmel Highlands firefighter?) about the 500 mile AIDS ride down the coast. She had done the ride the previous two years and was trying to talk me into it, but the mileage sounded excruciating: 80-90 miles each day. Crazy.
The next 10 miles were classic rugged coastline, with highway 1 winding up and down, hugging the cliffs. In places there was little to no shoulder and quite a bit of traffic, so that was a bit sketchy. Still, it was beautiful ride, and a taste of what was to come on day 4.
The last 10 miles or so took us inland a bit, through pastures and grazing cows, until we started climbing gently into the redwood forests of Big Sur. There we had reserved a tent cabin at Big Sur Campground and Cabins.
It was rustic but clean and blessedly free of mosquitos. After a quick survey of the handful of restaurants along the highway, we settled on the Maiden Pub in Big Sur Village. This turned out to be my favorite restaurant of the whole trip.. I highly recommend the burgers there. Deelish.
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