Above is a 100+ year old residence on the main street of downtown Snelling - a tiny hamlet of about 250 persons that has been in a time warp for at least the past 50 years. There is also a grocery store and a Town Frosty where you can buy food & drink.
This is a good out and and back ride of about 58 miles over rolling hills through thousands of acres of almond orchards and vineyards. There's about 1500' of cumulative elevation gain. You can also stretch this ride to 65 miles by doing the extended loop around Turlock Lake.
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East on Monte Vista from Santa Fe RR tracks for 6 miles to Montpelier Road.
- Turn left on Montpelier and continue north 2.5 miles to Keyes Road. There are sometimes some intimidating gravel trucks on this portion of the road, except on weekends. The road surface is also deteriorating. (To avoid the trucks, continue east on Monte Vista for about three miles past Montpelier and then turn left on Bledsoe until you come to Keyes Road).
- Right on Keyes Road and continue east over rolling hills for another 17 miles until you come to Snelling. (Note: Keyes Road becomes Montgomery Road about one mile before you get to Snelling.)
- Enjoy snacks at Boland's Market or a burger at the Town Frosty and then turn around and return by the same route.