23 July 2011

Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge Workers Ride

It was foggy with drizzle in the air and some damp roads when I started super early in the morning. As I headed up Branciforte and Glen Canyon, there was a stop sign on Branciforte just after the Delaveaga for where half the road was closed due to a slide, and another similar spot on Glen Canyon. They weren't there the last time I rode that way. In Scotts Valley, I took Green Hills and Granite Creek to Glenwood and Scotts Valley High to get the route and sign in. After an extended period of waiting around, we headed up Glenwood and Mountain Charlie. A little before Riva Ridge, we were finally above the clouds. A left turn at Riva Ridge and a right on Hutchinson took us to Summit. The views on the left from Summit showed the clouds covering the lower lands. Summit ended at Bear Creek, which led to the start of Skyline. Then, it was down Hwy 9, back into the chill under the cloud cover, and Hwy 236, which was wet until it climbed out of the clouds at China Grade, then down into Big Basin, and a stop at the park headquarters. Onward on Hwy 236 led to the bottom of Jamison Creek. We started up at 11:11. I got to the top at 11:35, for a time of about 24:29, my best since last October. After regrouping and a lunch stop a little ways along Empire Grade, I went with two others back into town down Empire Grade. The fog was gone and it was sunny.