Northern California - Directions help: Salinas to Laguna Seca (Sea Otter)

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richardmasoner
04-15-10, 11:10 AM
I'm taking my annual bike trek from Santa Cruz to the Sea Otter Classic. I've tried going through Salinas before, but was confounded by a "Bikes Prohibited" sign on Southbound Highway 68 at the Spreckels Road exit.

The TAMC Monterey County bike map, however, shows Hwy 68 is a Caltrans designated bike route (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bike/4523172735/) most of the way to Reservation Road. Google Streetview shows me the "Bikes Prohibited" sign is still at the Spreckels Road exit, so I'm naturally confused.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2740/4523172735_990183ba91.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bike/4523172735/)

Google Satellite view shows farm roads I could take that parallel 68, except for the creek just north of Reservation Road. With all of the rain we've had lately I don't know if it's easily fordable or not.

How about it, locals? Any bike suggestions to get me from Salinas to Reservation Road?

Thanks in advance.

caelric
04-16-10, 09:21 AM
The prohibited section is actually from Reservation Rd to Toro Park Rd. The section from Spreckels Rd to Reservation rd is not prohibited. I live off Reservation Rd, and bike into work in Monterey about 4x/week (16 miles each way) There is a way through the neighborhood that you can go, but I have gone that way 5 times in the past two years, and almost ben hit 6 times, and actually hit once, by people pulling out of their driveway and not looking, since it is completely residential. After the last time of getting hit, I started riding 68 on the prohibited sections. I do this daily and not once have I been stopped by any police. I have even ridden by CHP parked on the side of the road, and they didn't even give me a second look. This is in almost two years of riding that prohibited section twice a day, 4x/week, and sometimes on weekends. The prohibited section is just over a mile long, so you will be through it in no time flat, either.

So, my suggestion. Ride the prohibited section.