Cycle Through Carmel-by-the-Sea in Style
It can feel more like a fantasy than a bike ride — gliding along the coastline on a stylish, vintage bike, maybe even with an elegant sidecar attached and carrying your four-legged friend. The hills slip by effortlessly thanks to battery power as you adventure on charming roads through this fairytale village and along spectacular scenic views of world famous Carmel Beach and the majestic coastline.
If your idea of a bike ride is huffing and puffing up hills on two wheels, let Carmel-by-the-Sea reintroduce you to the elegance of a one-of–kind, made-for-vacation cycling experience.
Go with a Guide or Chart Your Own Course
Whether you bring your own bike, rent and ride without a guide, or book a bike tour, Carmel-by-the-Sea has numerous convenient routes to explore.
A classic Carmel-by-the-Sea tour includes Scenic Drive, the one-way, 15-mph road that hugs the coastline. Views of stunning Carmel Beach and landmarks like the Butterfly House perched above the sea greet cyclists as they pedal through panoramic ocean, beach and coastline scenery.
"Scenic Drive, in my personal opinion, is the most beautiful. Every corner you turn is an epic shot. The eye candy and the beauty on Scenic is unparalleled," said Blevins.
Other stops can include the Carmel Mission, one of the most historic and meticulously preserved of California's original missions, and poet Robinson Jeffers hand-built stone Tor House. Passing through town, cyclists can explore fairytale cottages, legendary restaurants, shops and inns.
For the more ambitious cyclists, a tour through Carmel-by-the-Sea and along 17-Mile Drive showcases even more coastal scenery. The famous Lone Cypress, Spanish Bay, Lodge at Pebble Beach, and the Crocker Grove, where some of the oldest Monterey Cypress trees grow, are beautiful waypoints.
Mad Dogs & Englishmen bike shop hosts tours through Carmel-by-the-Sea as well as through 17-Mile Drive. The shop also rents bikes to cyclists who prefer to choose their own routes.
Battery-Powered Bliss and Stunning Sidecars
If you are worried about climbing Carmel-by-the-Sea's hills on a bike, know that those hills are no match for a new breed of bike — battery-powered, pedal-assist models that turn cycling into almost effortless adventure.
But these are not your typical e-bikes. Many of the models rented by Mad Dogs & Englishmen have the sleek lines of European design and pedal like functional and fun works of art. The combination of the stylish bike frames and the battery power makes cycling around Carmel-by-the-Sea an entirely unique experience.
Add in a sidecar that can carry a Poodle, Labrador or Collie and the village's picturesque coastal scenery, and you've got an only-in-Carmel experience.
Mad Dogs & Englishmen rents the Vintage line of e-bikes with teardrop-shaped sidecars attached. Dog owners can outfit their pooch with googles, strap them into the sidecar and embark on a journey for the ages.
Aprés-Ride Espressos and 'Puppuccinos'
Mad Dogs & Englishmen have a special surprise for cyclists returning from a coastal pedal. The bike shop has a boutique coffeehouse within the shop, with specialty coffees, expert baristas and the finest grade coffees for the perfect pre- or post-ride beverage.
"We went all out to make this the best coffee experience. We think this is going to be a Michelin Star experience for coffee," said Blevins. "Having bikes and coffee together is a trend already, but we wanted to do something that is unique and special to Carmel."
And if you're worried that your dog, fresh off a sidecar tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea, will feel left out — the baristas have you covered. They'll prepare the perfect "Puppuccino" for your four-legged friend to enjoy right alongside you.
Whether you indulge in the craft coffee or venture through town for other post-ride refreshments, you will find more dog friendly options for drinks, dining and adventure than almost any town in the country.
For more on how to enjoy all Carmel-by-the-Sea has to offer for pet lovers, see why Carmel is Dog Heaven On Earth and search dog-friendly Hotels and Restaurants who cater to our furry friends.
And for anyone who has not been on a bike for a while, or is worried about how their cycling skills will stack up on Carmel-by-the-Sea streets, the combination of battery-powered bikes and the slow pace of traffic in Carmel makes it a particularly friendly place for all abilities.
"It is actually like a charming French countryside village. They don't have bike lanes in those areas. E-bikes are perfect because you don't struggle up the hills," said Blevins. "California is the most bike friendly state in the country, and bikes have equal right of way. If you can ride a basic bike, you can do this ride."
