The loop around Turlock Lake is about 58 miles with approximately 1300' feet of climbing. It is mostly flat or rolling hills with a few short steep climbs. Except for periodic gravel trucks on Montpelier Road, the traffic is minimal. The photo above is along Los Cerritos Road which is about half-way through the ride. At this location, on a clear day, you get a great view of the Sierras.

• 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. Be aware that there are sometimes intimidating gravel trucks on this portion of the route, except on weekends. To avoid the gravel trucks - just avoid Montpelier by continuing east on Monte Vista for about three miles to Bledsoe road and then turn left until you come to Keyes Road. If you take this alternate route - turn left when you get to Keyes, go one mile and then turn right onto Hawkins Road.
  
  
• Right on Keyes and continue east for 3.5 miles to Hawkins Road.
  
  
• Left on Hawkins for 4.5 miles to Lake Road. The last half of this road will include a couple of steep roller-coaster hills.
  
  
• Right on Lake Road, curve left on the bridge over the canal and continue to Turlock Lake State Park. This stretch is about 4 miles. There is water and clean restrooms just up the hill from the entrance to the park. This is the only opportunity for water and restrooms unless you take the extended ride into Snelling.
  
  
• Continue east on Lake Road for about 4 more miles past Turlock State Park to Los Cerritos Road.
  
  
• Right on Los Cerritos over rolling hills for about 6 miles to Keyes Road. If you're hungry and/or wanting more miles, turn left at Keyes Road and ride 4 miles to the little community of Snelling where there is a Town Frosty and store. You can then turn around and ride back to this point which will add 8 more miles to your loop.
  
  
• Otherwise, turn right from Los Cerritos onto Keyes Road and continue west for about 13 miles to Montpelier Road.This stretch will include mostly rolling hills with a couple of short steep climbs. Expect a mild headwind. To avoid the trucks on Montpelier, turn left on Bledsoe and then right on Monte Vista.
  
  
• Turn left onto Montpelier Road and continue south for 2.5 miles Monte Vista Road. Enjoy the tail wind. Remember the admonition about the gravel trucks on weekdays.
  
  
• Turn right onto Monte Vista and continue several miles back into Turlock.