22 November 2007

Thanksgiving day ride

Top of Pine Flat It was sunny and clear, but cool. I headed down to Natural Bridges and Delaware to join a group of 7 others. On the way up the coast, there were two flat tires, that eventually caused 2 riders to ride ahead due to time constraints. After the second tire was replaced, the rest of use continued on to Bonny Doon Rd and then up.

I had climbed Bonny Doon to Smith Grade 3 or so times before, but never beyond that and had never climbed Pine Flat before. I've done the descent a number of times, though. After regrouping at the top, we headed down Empire Grade, regrouping at the UCSC west entrance.

I had never ridden through the western part of the campus before. It was pretty much uphill on Heller from Empire Grade. It flattened out, then descended on McLaughlin, curving into Glen Coolidge. We stopped at the overlook to Pogonip. The view of the bay was somewhat clear, but Moss Landing to Monterey was obscured by fog. Then we coasted down to High St and I broke off to go home.