Saturday, July 31, 2010

31 July 2010

Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge

My hip hasn't fully recovered, but I was scheduled to help out at the second rest stop, so I started out early. It was very foggy and drizzly. I headed up Graham Hill to Felton, then Hwy 9 to Boulder Creek, and Hwy 236 to the second rest stop. The first riders came through a bit before half past 8. Most of the riders were through by 11. I headed back at 11:30.

I started up Jamison Creek at 11:36. At first, I didn't see many riders. However, once I got to the last mile, there were some riders and a bunch walking their bikes. As I reached the top, my clock changed from 12:01 to 12:02. The climb took about 25:30. I continued without stopping to the lunch stop, where it was warm and sunny, and stopped for a little while.

I continued down Empire Grade, Pine Flat, and the Bonny Doon loop, where it was slightly chilly in the shade. The route would continue down to the coast and back up Bonny Doon, but I turned left at Smith Grade and headed back to Empire Grade and back home.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

10 July 2010

Club ride

It was very foggy in the morning when I started off. I headed up Graham Hill to Felton, then headed up Hwy 9. On Hwy 9, my right hip flared up, especially when standing, and I considered heading back home, but decided to keep going and take it relatively easy on this relatively tough route. The fog cleared around Boulder Creek, where I got signed in.

First was going up Bear Creek. I sat for the entire climb, which wasn't too bad, since it wasn't steep. At the top, there was a guy with a flat and a busted valve stem, so someone gave him a tube, which sprung a leak. Someone else gave him another tube, and that worked out. One rider missed the stop/turnaround and continued to either Summit Rd or maybe went all the way down to Hwy 17. On the descent back the same way to Boulder Creek, I got stuck behind a slow car for the twisty upper part and had to ride the brakes.

Next was going up Hwy 9. Again, I sat for the entire climb, since there weren't any really steep parts. At the top, I got a hot dog and a soda. Then, it was back down to Boulder Creek.

The remainder of the club route headed up 236 and China Grade, then down 236 through the park headquarters, up and down Jamison Creek, and then back to Boulder Creek. I skipped that and headed up Jamison Creek. The clock said it was 1:46 when I started the climb, but the GPS track said it was 1:43. I sat more than usual for the climb, but it's too steep a climb to sit the whole way, so I stood carefully to avoid tweaking my hip. It was also pretty hot in the sun and it seemed like there was a 3mph tailwind, but at least most of the climb was in the shade. I got to the top at 2:11. Then, I headed down Empire Grade, taking it very easy, but still set off a few twinges in my hip, due to bumps in the road. Around upper UCSC, there were patches of cold air, and it was cool and overcast in town.

Saturday, July 03, 2010

3 July 2010

Solo ride

It was sunny and warm. I headed up Graham Hill to Felton, then up Hwy 9 and Glen Arbor to Boulder Creek. I started up Jamison Creek at 11:56. There was one other cyclist slowly headed up near the bottom, and another pair of slow cyclists just after the bridge. They would have a long way to go to get to the top. It was warm enough to be uncomfortable. I got to the top at 12:20 and headed down Empire Grade. There was a headwind all the way back.