So is this a ride for the regulars on this board or are you welcoming first time posters as well? I've never done a this coastal century so I'd love to give it a go. Even if everyone is welcome I'm not sure I'll be able to make it - I'll need to check with my event planner for that Sunday to see what she has organised for me.

Father Ted!!!! It's Father Jack How the hell are ya!!,,,,,,DRINK!
Welcome to the board.
Pete

So is this a ride for the regulars on this board or are you welcoming first time posters as well? I've never done a this coastal century so I'd love to give it a go. Even if everyone is welcome I'm not sure I'll be able to make it - I'll need to check with my event planner for that Sunday to see what she has organised for me.

Everyone is welcome. This is a fun social ride!

Father Ted!!!! It's Father Jack How the hell are ya!!,,,,,,DRINK!
Welcome to the board.
Pete

Hmmm.. I wanna know what church you guys belong to. LOL

Okay... just so I get this straight... most of the climbing will be during the trip up to HMB?

How much climbing is there on the second half of the ride (from HMB back to Santa Cruz) since I'll be doing the second half of the ride only?


This is a "up and back" route. If you ride half the route, you'll encounter half the elevation - 2,000 ft or so. And don't worry about all this sub-5 talk. It's only for the self-delusional, testosterone crazed. Most of the riders are doing a social pace and enjoying the scenery (what a concept, eh?).

I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up... anyone else on this ride feeling the same way? Or at least will there be anyone else in a slower group that I can ride with so I don't get lost if I drop?



Hey Gary - assuming I can find a ride back to HMB, I'll be there, doing the half-century. Which means you'll have someone to ride with. Someone with the magic pills. :D

Alan, just because it's an "up and back" doesn't mean it can't have all the elevation in the first half that Gee isn't riding. Although, if HMB and Santa Cruz are at the same altitude (which they very well might be), then I agree with you.

Alan, just because it's an "up and back" doesn't mean it can't have all the elevation in the first half that Gee isn't riding. Although, if HMB and Santa Cruz are at the same altitude (which they very well might be), then I agree with you.

You're right on both counts :o.

Since SC and HMB are basically at sea level, Gee3 is safe :).

Hey Gary - assuming I can find a ride back to HMB, I'll be there, doing the half-century. Which means you'll have someone to ride with. Someone with the magic pills. :D

I'll find you a ride. You book the date and plan on being there :mad: !

Everyone is welcome. This is a fun social ride!



Hmmm.. I wanna know what church you guys belong to. LOL

OT: That reference is from one of the funniest English sitcoms of all time. 3 Misfit Catholic priests stuck on and Island " Craggy Island" I guess being born Catholic in South Boston it feels like home with the family.

OT: That reference is from one of the funniest English sitcoms of all time. 3 Misfit Catholic priests stuck on and Island " Craggy Island" I guess being born Catholic in South Boston it feels like home with the family.

Hmmm. Missed that series. Musta spent too much time in the library in my youth.

PS. Sorry we won't see you on this ride. Hope you get better soon. Are you getting professional help with this illness?

Where do we stand on this ride? Is it still in the works? I might be game, especially if it's on a Sunday.

The first post on the first page details the start time/date/location.
Sunday September 23rd, 8am..

I'm still interested in maybe doing the half-ride, but getting back to the starting point is worrying. Almost seems like it'd be easier to do the full ride, except I don't think I have much of a chance of being able to do 100 miles all at once, considering I've never ridden more than 40 miles at once. :)

Are there any shuttle spots left for those doing the half-ride?

I'm still interested in maybe doing the half-ride, but getting back to the starting point is worrying. Almost seems like it'd be easier to do the full ride, except I don't think I have much of a chance of being able to do 100 miles all at once, considering I've never ridden more than 40 miles at once. :)

Are there any shuttle spots left for those doing the half-ride?

There are going to be many people driving back from Santa Cruz. I'm sure we'll get you a ride back. Things will firm up as the date gets closer.

Looks like I'm out. Don't think my Specialized can handle the 100 miles.

This is a "up and back" route. If you ride half the route, you'll encounter half the elevation - 2,000 ft or so. And don't worry about all this sub-5 talk. It's only for the self-delusional, testosterone crazed. Most of the riders are doing a social pace and enjoying the scenery (what a concept, eh?).

Pheeeewwww.... Got me scurred for a minute thar!!! I guess I'll in the casual group. 2nd halfers paceline at 15mph!!! hehe!

And I'll be more than happy to throw in some gas $$ for driving me back as well, as I'm sure all of us half riders will be glad to do!! Thanks again!


Hey Gary - assuming I can find a ride back to HMB, I'll be there, doing the half-century. Which means you'll have someone to ride with. Someone with the magic pills. :D

Ah yes... I finally bought a bottle of yee magic pills!! They worked wonders on my 46 mile ride this past weekend! How did I ride before without them!?!? Thank you for turning me into a believer!

I'll see everyone there!
Gary

I'm camping near Big Basin the last weekend in September!

I'm taking the train to San Jose and then riding up from there.

There are going to be many people driving back from Santa Cruz. I'm sure we'll get you a ride back. Things will firm up as the date gets closer.

The only reason I"m not doing the fulll century is that I just don't feel like getting up early enough to drag my ass down to Santa Cruz in time. HMB's gonna be a stretch, as it is. :)

The only reason I"m not doing the fulll century is that I just don't feel like getting up early enough to drag my ass down to Santa Cruz in time. HMB's gonna be a stretch, as it is. :)

If I can make it down all the way from Chico you can make if from wherever you are. No more whining.

I may not be able make it now but will know for sure tomorrow.

If I do, I still need a ride back...please,please,please.:D:D:D

We are absolutely, positively, definitely going to be there for the 100 mile - maybe :eek: We are working on some final scheduling, will confirm later next week.

Hope to see everyone next week.

Smooooth and Sassy:D

We are absolutely, positively, definitely going to be there for the 100 mile - maybe :eek: We are working on some final scheduling, will confirm later next week.

Hope to see everyone next week.

Smooooth and Sassy:D

STUPID ME..All this time I keep thinking the ride is THIS Sunday....ahhhhhh.

If Smooth and Sassy make it that will be two tandem teams. Any others out there? Red Rider and I are looking forward to a not so much hammer fest. We will just take it the way it comes. I have never ridden on this route and definitely want to enjoy the scenery. We will be there and may bring a couple of riders from Vacaville to play. This should be fun. We have met so many fun people on this forum and feel honored to meet some more.

Looks like I'm out. Don't think my Specialized can handle the 100 miles.

Just spin it up.

If Smooth and Sassy make it that will be two tandem teams. Any others out there? Red Rider and I are looking forward to a not so much hammer fest. We will just take it the way it comes. I have never ridden on this route and definitely want to enjoy the scenery. We will be there and may bring a couple of riders from Vacaville to play. This should be fun. We have met so many fun people on this forum and feel honored to meet some more.

Yeah, I'm having second thoughts about the whole sub-5 thing. It'll take away the social and scenery aspect of the ride.

Plus, I'm not sure I could pull it off anyhow :(.

Looks like I'm out. Don't think my Specialized can handle the 100 miles.

Do you want to borrow my other bike? It's a 57 cm Lemond Zurich.

Yeah, I'm having second thoughts about the whole sub-5 thing. It'll take away the social and scenery aspect of the ride.

Plus, I'm not sure I could pull it off anyhow :(.

Let's just sub-5 it. It'll be cake with a paceline.

Let's just sub-5 it. It'll be cake with a paceline.

Why don't those of you who want to do it sub-5 carry on, and the rest of us will do it at +5? We'll say hi at the beginning and bye at the end. :D

We are confirmed for the 100. We will be tandem. See you all in Santa Cruz next Sunday. We can smell the roses or hammer - either pace is fine with us.

Why don't those of you who want to do it sub-5 carry on, and the rest of us will do it at +5? We'll say hi at the beginning and bye at the end. :D

I am doing the +5 half century.:D:D

I am doing the +5 half century.:D:D

steelblue - We can paceline and maybe get the half century done in the sub-5 category... maybe the 4.59 category! hehe!

steelblue - We can paceline and maybe get the half century done in the sub-5 category... maybe the 4.59 category! hehe!

We'll call it the 'rose train'...

We'll call it the 'rose train'...

More like the "SLOW rose train".

Hey, a slow 50 miles. Sounds good! :D From the sounds of things, the scenery might be too nice to blast by anyway...

steelblue - We can paceline and maybe get the half century done in the sub-5 category... maybe the 4.59 category! hehe!

Ok. 4:59 or bust...

Gee3-Btw, My name is Gary also.

Speaking of names, can we all share ours so when we show up we aren't running around trying to figure out who we all are? I, for one, know no names other than the two Gary's.

Still looking for a ride back from Santa Cruz to HMB........

Here it is. Pretty much up Hwy1 and back down.
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Coastal-Century

For the start, I'd prefer crossing the tracks on Natural Bridges rather than Shaffer, where wheeled vehicles can't cross the tracks. I think the following was referring to the tracks at Shaffer:
After getting off of highway 1, it was mostly flat and a bit of rollers the rest of the way. The second half of the ride was not nearly as nice, as it was either along busy bike paths or busy roads (except for the detour through UCSC for the last rest stop). There was one place where I had to portage my bike across raised railway tracks.

At the north end of Natural Bridges, at Mission, one option would be to turn left, which goes to Shaffer and Hwy 1, and also the start of a bike path that parallels Hwy 1 for a mile or so for those who prefer that.

Another option would be to turn right at Mission, then immediately left on Western to the final traffic light on Hwy 1 between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay, which may or may not make getting to the northbound side of the highway easier. But then, on a Sunday morning, there probably won't be that much traffic.

Speaking of names, can we all share ours so when we show up we aren't running around trying to figure out who we all are? I, for one, know no names other than the two Gary's.

Hi, I'm Gary! And steelblue is my other brother named Gary! :)

OK gang, the ride date is getting close, so here is some planning information:

Here's an updated map of the route, with suggestions by GPLiu included: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/74570

The turn directions are very simple:
Start at Delaware & Natural Bridges
Right on Mission St
Left on Western
Left on Hwy1
Right on Gazos Creek
Left on Cloverdale
Left on Pescadero Creek Rd
Right on Stage Rd
Continue on Stage Rd
Right on Hwy1
Bear right on Main Street
Right on Stone Pine Rd
Rinse and repeat for return trip...

There are many stores & parks to use as rest stops, here are my suggestions:
- Davenport, mile 10 from Santa Cruz
- Gazos Creek, mile 23
- Pescadero, mile 30
- San Gregorio, mile 39
- Half Moon Bay Coffee Shop, lunch stop

Let's plan on departing Santa Cruz at 8am. For Half Century riders, plan on 11:30 from Half Moon Bay Coffee Shop.

We need some volunteers to drive Half Century riders back to Half Moon Bay. Can anyone volunteer?

As a safety measure, I suggest we always ride in teams, so there's a riding partner with you at all times. Let's also exchange some cell phone numbers before we depart.

Look forward to a great ride, y'all!!!

... and take pics. Unfortunately, I'll be out of town, so I won't be able to join you guys. Looks like it will be a really big successful ride.

Speaking of names, can we all share ours so when we show up we aren't running around trying to figure out who we all are? I, for one, know no names other than the two Gary's.

Damnpoor-What's yours?

FYI: the Half Moon Bay Coffee Shop had some pretty good food. Andy and I ate there after our ride with Alan this past weekend. And I believe they serve breakfast until 1pm. I noticed a lot of people ordering hash browns. I guess because they give such a huge portion. :)

OK - looks like I've got a ride set up from SC to HMB, so I'm in for the 50.

I live in San Ramon, so if anyone if passing by me or if I'm passing by anyone, drop me a PM and we can get together and save some gas.

FYI: the Half Moon Bay Coffee Shop had some pretty good food. Andy and I ate there after our ride with Alan this past weekend. And I believe they serve breakfast until 1pm. I noticed a lot of people ordering hash browns. I guess because they give such a huge portion. :)

...and there's an amply supply of desserts and other sinful goodies, too :)...

...and there's an amply supply of desserts and other sinful goodies, too :)...

Are you guys sure we'll be able to ride back with all this eating we plan on doing?;)

Damnpoor-What's yours?

My name is Brian. Most of you have the benefit of already having met it seems, so I'll be the guy with the deer-in-the-headlights look Sunday morning.

My name is Brian. Most of you have the benefit of already having met it seems, so I'll be the guy with the deer-in-the-headlights look Sunday morning.

Hi Brian. I'm Tony. This is only my 2nd BF ride and I've only met some of the folks here. I'm still very new too. So if you don't mind I'll accompany you at the headlight staring.:D

Sorry guys, but my pulled hip flexor means I'm definitely out. Have a great time and take lots of pictures!

Bummer Paula, get well quickly. My right pinky is finally getting better from our crash on Labor day (I sprained it I think).

Sorry guys, but my pulled hip flexor means I'm definitely out. Have a great time and take lots of pictures!

Ouch! We'll miss you. Hope you heal quickly!