Managed to break away from a family reunion in Pacific Grove, CA yesterday for a spectacular 20 mi coast ride on rented ebikes with cousin-in-law and friend JB.
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He picked the gray 500W
Aventon Level, maybe a Level.3. And for some reason, I felt attracted to the yellow 350W Aventon Soltera.2 .The 46 lb Soltera's sold as a lightweight commuter but has potential as an affordable flat-bar gravel bike with the right tires.
Both bikes were torque-sensing Class 2 hub-drives — a genre Aventon appears to do well. As with my neighbor's Level.2, the Soltera's pedal assist and throttle were both very nicely implemented.
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As for the ride, this stretch of the central California coast between Monterey Bay and Bug Sur is famous for its stunning rocky coastline and pocket beaches. Included are Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Carmel, Carmel Meadows, and Point Lobos.
Like the coast of Maine and the north and east shores of Lake Tahoe, it's a poster child for the magic that happens when granite and water meet.
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First we headed north on Sunset Avenue in Pacific Grove — exquisite coastline the whole way.
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This took us north to a turnaround at Lovers Point in Monterey.
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Near the tip of the Monterey Peninsula, Lovers Point stands at the south end of Monterey Bay. The Santa Cruz Mountains in the distance here mark the north end.
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Grabbed a coffee and pastry there before backtracking to the famous 17 Mile Drive through Pebble Beach.
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To the west, the 17 Mile Drive was all rock outcrops with pocket beaches in between. To the east, it was all golf courses and mansions. At one point, we passed a procession of 10+ Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and the like presumably shuttling between the two.
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Our southern turnaround was Cypress Point. The oft-photographed Lone Cypress there happens to be where the missus and I tied the knot 42 years ago. Took lots of photos for her.