30 July 2011

Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge

I headed up Hwy 9 and Hwy 236 to the second rest stop. It was foggy and there was drizzle and some of the roads were wet. It was foggy for most of the morning. A little before noon, the sun came out and it was warm. A little after noon, I headed back for home, joining the mountains challenge route for a while. I started up Jamison Creek at 12:24. My bike was about 5 pounds heavier than my usual bike, and I was wearing regular shoes in toe clips rather than clipped-in cycling shoes. I got to the top at 12:49, for an estimated time of 25:37. After catching my breath at the top, I continued to the third rest stop for some food and rest, then continued on Empire Grade to Pine Flat, Bonny Doon, then up Martin and Ice Cream Grade, following the course of the ride. At Empire Grade, I turned right, leaving the course, and headed home.

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.

9 July 2011

Solo ride

It was overcast and seemed cold all morning, so I waited and waited. Finally, I started off under the clouds and headed north on Hwy 1 into the wind. I headed up Bonny Doon, and it eventually became sunny high enough in the mountains. I continued up Pine Flat and turned right at Empire Grade and headed back down. By the time I got back, it was sunny.