![]() That’s not a major problem if you know what you’re doing and motorists are attentive. That’s not to say we didn’t have a few challenges, including several stretches of narrow, winding road with no shoulder. Inn-Escapable: Peek inside the refreshed Embassy Suites by Hilton Monterey Bay You see, smell and hear things you never would while stuck in a car. You’re generally taking it slow, so there’s time to soak in your surroundings. Other advantages? Any cyclist will tell you that there’s a huge difference between doing a scenic drive on two wheels instead of four. Motorists entering 17-Mile Drive are charged $10.25, while cyclists are free. After Martin familiarized us with our sweet new rides, we donned a couple of non-fancy helmets and were on our way. A strenuous, sweat-drenched workout wasn’t what we had in mind anyway. You can cut back on that power or increase it, when needed - like when slogging up the steep hills of Del Monte Forest. E-bikes, he explained, are pedal-assisted, meaning they use a small electric motor to boost the power created by your own pedaling. So the very idea of a battery-powered e-bike felt like cheating. Diane and I might not be ready to tackle the Tour de France, but we’ve done a fair amount of biking over the years. Martin directed us to a pair of cruiser-style electric bikes capable of reaching 28 mph. Now, we just needed a couple of rental bikes to create some happy moments along that wondrous stretch of road known as 17-Mile Drive. In fact, Jennifer and her husband, Martin Watson, prefer the term “cycling lifestyle boutique.”ĭuly noted. Then again, Mad Dogs & Englishmen upends your notions of what a bike shop - and biking - can be. But what a concept: Whimsical headgear designed to protect your noggin - and make a fashion statement. “Fancy people like fancy helmets!” For more travel coverage from the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond “Of course they do,” she replied, slightly taken aback. I snickered and asked the shop’s co-owner, Jennifer Blevins: “Does anyone actually buy these?” Still another resembled a deerstalker cap - the kind worn by Sherlock Holmes. One was emblazoned with a cheetah print, another covered in sparkly glitter. My eyes, however, immediately homed in on a display of 20-plus bike helmets that didn’t look like any I’d ever seen. There are amazing wonders to behold at the Mad Dogs & Englishmen bike shop in downtown Carmel: Snazzy, limited edition two-wheelers, quirky accessories, T-shirts and even a few funky art pieces. ![]() CLICK HERE if you are having trouble viewing these photos on a mobile device ![]()
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