Northern California - Help me plan a route around Santa Cruz!

So Cycle17 is coming out mid-September. :love: I rented a cabin for us in Felton, outside of Scotts Valley. I'd like to plan a couple of rides. Not more than 2 chevrons, maybe 40 miles, and a nice place to stop for lunch! My only options, looking at my Bicyling Touring Map is down Ca9 to Hwy 1 then up and down.

Does anyone have any suggestions for routes or food? OR must sees for us two tourists? We'll be riding mid week, on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Thanks!

Ooh, I was just in Felton visiting Thomas the Tank Engine. You could ride to Santa Cruz for lunch and then back.

The roads west of Santa Cruz are mostly steep or busy. Empire Grade is probably the easiest route, but there are some steep spots.

There are some easier climbs east of Santa Cruz, such as the beautiful Eureka Canyon. Return to town via Sqoeul-San Jose Rd.

I bet your kids loved Thomas the Tank Engine, Blast!

Johnny99, I found Soquel-San Jose rd on my map, what roads go through Eureka Canyon?

Yeah, all those triple chevrons around Felton are a bit daunting...I'm thinking of the possibility of driving to the Ano Nuevo Reserve, and then riding to Pescadero via Cloverdale Rd.

Where's SesameCrunch when you need him?? lol

From central Santa Cruz, head east on Soquel Drive, Freedom, and Hames to get to Eureka Canyon Rd.

Going up Eureka and then down San Jose-Soquel rd is a popular loop ride for santa cruz area riders. It's better that direction since you get to climb the bumpy road and descent the smooth one.

Eureka is a nice climb because of the scenery and minimal traffic. San Jose-Soquel is a poor climb because of the fast traffic, but going down you can usually keep up. There is food and water at the Summit Store near the top of the hill.

I bet your kids loved Thomas the Tank Engine, Blast!

Johnny99, I found Soquel-San Jose rd on my map, what roads go through Eureka Canyon?

Yeah, all those triple chevrons around Felton are a bit daunting...I'm thinking of the possibility of driving to the Ano Nuevo Reserve, and then riding to Pescadero via Cloverdale Rd.

Where's SesameCrunch when you need him?? lol

http://deephousepage.com/smilies/hidesbehindsofa.gif

Here I am!

If you are willing to come up to Ano Nuevo, I'll lead a ride through some beautiful roads there. Ocean views, redwood trees, country lanes, no cars, cool weather. You can choose how much climbing you want to do. It's biking heaven from there.

I'm sure we could rustle up a BF crowd for this ride, too. Let me know.

Yes, when would this visit be?

Cool, Sesame! That would be great! :thumb:The day after we arrive would be best, since it can be an earlier start. That would be Sept. 23, a Tuesday. The most climbing I can handle was your 'easy' Half Moon Bay route we did last month. :backpedal:

And FOOD. I'm always thinking about food...:D What are the good places to stop for lunches?

Cool, Sesame! That would be great! :thumb:The day after we arrive would be best, since it can be an earlier start. That would be Sept. 23, a Tuesday. The most climbing I can handle was your 'easy' Half Moon Bay route we did last month. :backpedal:

And FOOD. I'm always thinking about food...:D What are the good places to stop for lunches?

OK. It's on my calendar.

As for food, I think Pescadero is a very good spot. We can do more than just the deli that we went to last time. There are actual restaurants there. Or, conversely, we can ride down to Davenport. We can decide later...

Hwy 9 from Felton, then Hwy 1 to Davenport for lunch and back would be around 40 miles. Just don't get lost going through Santa Cruz.

For another flat ride, you could start from Aptos or La Selva Beach, and head out on San Andreas, take Thurwachter over the Pajaro River, then Trafton, Bluff, and Jenson, then Hwy 1 to lunch at Moss Landing. Take Dolan, Elkhorn, Trafton, and McGowan, and then backtrack.

Another possibility from Felton, if you don't mind the traffic too much, is to head north on Hwy 9 to Boulder Creek, then take Hwy 236 to the Big Basin Park HQ and back. You'd probably want to eat in Boulder Creek. Taking East Zayante, Quail Hollow and Glen Arbor to Ben Lomond would cut out part of the traffic and would add a small hill.