7 July 2011

Swanton Time Trial

It was partly cloudy, with a little wind. I headed north on Hwy 1. When a few cyclists overtook me, I took advantage of their slipstream into Davenport. I started second in the time trial. One rider overtook me about a third of the way up the climb. A second rider blew by me on the return leg, in the valley a little after the descent. I finished in 35:38, which, coincidentally, matched the estimate from my GPS to the second. After catching my breath for a few minutes, I headed for home.

4 July 2011

Solo ride

It was sunny and warm. By the coast, it was cool in the wind and shade. In the mountains, it was hot in the sun. I headed up Hwy 9 to Felton, then took Graham Hill and East Zayante, over Quail Hollow and down Glen Arbor to Ben Lomond. I started up Alba Rd at 11:17, and got to the top a little under 35 minutes later. There was something going on at Alba School. There were cars parked around there, chairs set up, and some people already there. There was a fire truck there too. Just as I was going by, the firemen were getting into the truck. After I had gone by, the fire truck started off, with its siren wailing. Fortunately for me, it headed downhill. Further up, the graffiti rock appeared to have been removed. Some graffiti was painted on the right side of the road instead. I headed down Empire Grade. The traffic light at the UCSC west entrance was green when I went by. Further down, to the right of the road, was a ghost bike memorializing the cyclist who had been killed there earlier.

2 July 2011

Solo ride

It was warm and sunny by the coast, and hot in the mountains. Most of the ride was in the shade. I headed up Hwy 9 and Glen Arbor to Boulder Creek and Hwy 236 out of Boulder Creek. I started up Jamison Creek at 12:12. It was hot in the sun; I stayed in the shade as much as I could. I overtook a pair of gabbing cyclists a little before the steep part. A couple of trucks hauling mountain bikes up the road went by. I got to the top at 12:37, for an estimated time of 24:49. Turning left, I headed down Empire Grade. I overtook four more cyclists early on Empire Grade. Unusually, the new traffic light at the UCSC west entrance stayed green when I got there.