2. Shelter Cove to Rio Dell
SHELTER COVE TO RIO DELL – 74 MILES
Ride a loop around lovely Shelter Cove and visit the iconic black sand beaches, Seal Rock and the Mendocino Lighthouse. Kings Peak Road features tight dirt through the forest, with an optional advanced section on Saddle Mountain featuring steep, narrow switchbacks rewarded with fantastic views of the coast.
Take a side trip to the Kinsey Ridge viewpoint and a rest at the quaint Honeydew Store. The optional extension to Windy Point Knoll provides a stunning ride on a primitive 4wd road, dropping down to an impressive grassy knoll right along the raging Pacific. While not technical, this road is steep and would be nearly impossible when wet.
After a stop in Petrolia, Mattole Road features some of the best views of the ocean yet along blissful pavement. Enjoy the final stretch of scenic dirt on Bear River Ridge before descending into Rio Dell, the crossing point of this figure-8 loop.
2. Shelter Cove to Rio Dell
SHELTER COVE TO RIO DELL – 74 MILES
Ride a loop around lovely Shelter Cove and visit the iconic black sand beaches, Seal Rock and the Mendocino Lighthouse. Kings Peak Road features tight dirt through the forest, with an optional advanced section on Saddle Mountain featuring steep, narrow switchbacks rewarded with fantastic views of the coast.
Take a side trip to the Kinsey Ridge viewpoint and a rest at the quaint Honeydew Store. The optional extension to Windy Point Knoll provides a stunning ride on a primitive 4wd road, dropping down to an impressive grassy knoll right along the raging Pacific. While not technical, this road is steep and would be nearly impossible when wet.
After a stop in Petrolia, Mattole Road features some of the best views of the ocean yet along blissful pavement. Enjoy the final stretch of scenic dirt on Bear River Ridge before descending into Rio Dell, the crossing point of this figure-8 loop.
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