25 July 2009

Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge

I hadn't ridden hard after injuring my hip 3 weeks ago. I had volunteered to help at the rest stop at Greyhound Rock, so I headed up Hwy 1. It was cool and overcast, with a headwind.

I had to be there at 12, and it was 11:30 when I got to Swanton, so I turned right and headed over Swanton and then back on Hwy 1, getting to the stop at 11:56. It was sunny and nice. The biggest crowds came through from 1 to 1:30. All the standing around made my hip hurt a little. After 2, the traffic thinned considerably.

At 2:30, I headed back home. The tailwind on Hwy 1 wasn't terribly strong, and it was somewhat of a crosswind, especially on the descent to Scott Creek. I turned left at Bonny Doon, following the SCMC route, then Smith and down Empire Grade. The route then turned right at Western to go down to the coast before heading up to Scotts Valley, but I continued to Bay and then home.