29 May 2010

Short solo ride

Since Hwy 9 between Santa Cruz and Felton was supposed to be closed to all traffic sometime this summer until sometime this fall for repairs, I headed up Branciforte and Glen Canyon to Scotts Valley, then down Mount Hermon to Felton. Then I headed up Felton-Empire and down Empire Grade.

18 May 2010

Viewing the Tour of California, Stage 3

I started into the headwind on Hwy 1, then up Bonny Doon Rd hours before the race would arrive. I headed up to Smith Grade, then back down a little ways to wait and watch around the steep section. Last year, the broom wagon was far behind the leaders, but this year, it was only 5-10 minutes behind on Bonny Doon, where Leipheimer, Zabriskie, and Rogers were the lead group. After the broom wagon and the rest of the caravan went by, I cut over to Empire Grade via Smith Grade. Other cyclists had the same idea, as many arrived via Smith after me. The first 3 groups in the race had had already gone by. Other small groups went by, followed by the peloton and the broom wagon and its caravan. I headed back, making good time by sucking the wheel of a stronger rider.

15 May 2010

Solo ride

It was cold and windy. I headed up Hwy 1 into a headwind, then headed up Bonny Doon. It soon became sunny and warm. I took Martin and Ice Cream Grade, then headed down Empire Grade.

1 May 2010

Solo ride

I headed up Hwy 9. It warm in the sun, but a little chilly in the shade. I got to the bottom of Jamison Creek at 10:24 and felt relatively good going up, and got to the top at 10:48, for my best time since 2008. It was a little chilly in the shade with the breeze from the descent at first on Empire Grade. There was a crowd of cyclists and tables at the top of Pine Flat. I think it was part of a fund-raiser for the Tour of California stage 3, which includes a climb up Bonny Doon Rd. It was warmer and sunnier on the lower part of Empire Grade.