Northern California - Impromptu Sunday Ride, 5/31

I notice no ride planned, and I wanted to get one more ride weekend ride in before next week's double. So if anyone is interested, I'm planning on doing at least OLH, and not sure what else after that. I'll be starting from Santa Clara, but if anyone wants to meet up with me, I plan to be by Foothill and Arastradero by 10 am.

I am hoping to start around that time also, but will be going up and down Page Mill and W. Alpine. Perhaps I'll see you there?

I'm gonna be riding around that time too, but I haven't picked a route yet.

I'm a Single Dad again while my wife's on a trip. No weekend rides for 3 weeks. I'll be thinking about you guys, though....

I was thinking of going up Arastradero - Page Mill - Arastradero - Alpine - OLH ... then decide where to go when I get to the top of OLH and Hwy 35.

I ended up doing OLH, then headed down 84, and climbed Summit Springs, before coming back south. Checked out the new Mary St. bridge in Cupertino. Nice! :thumb:

I had this great plan of a half on-road, half off-road loop so I took the Birdy today. Went up Alpine (Jack, I think that was you headed the other way?) to 35, descended 9, then took 236 to China Grade.

I took a right on China Grade (the "Not a Through Road") part with the intent of getting onto the fire road to Butano State Park. Sadly after lots of exploring I discovered that there is no way to get through...Butano Fire Rd goes through private property and is closed off. There was one trail that had an easement through private property and actually would end up pretty close to my place (after many miles), but it didn't allow bikes, just hikers and equestrians.

I did get in a bit of off-roading - that part of China Grade turns into a dirt road (BTW riding in dirt sucks when you have cars going by you). However, I ended up having to backtrack out of there and climbed 9 back up to Skyline, reversing my route. Did a lot more climbing than I intended to. I think my total for the day was about 66 miles, ~9000'.

Oh, and no more long rides on the Birdy until I get a better saddle for it. Been meaning to replace it for a while now. :rolleyes:

Few pictures:

View from Alpine
http://paularickert.net/albums/userpics/2009-05-31_birdyride1.JPG

Dirt part of China Grade Rd
http://paularickert.net/albums/userpics/2009-05-31_birdyride2.JPG

The sign for the locked gate, no trespassing :(
http://paularickert.net/albums/userpics/2009-05-31_birdyride4.JPG

Wow, you do some adventures rides. Aren't you glad all those trails are in your (new) backyard? :)

How do the 355 Birdy wheels do on dirt?

Wow, you do some adventures rides. Aren't you glad all those trails are in your (new) backyard? :)

How do the 355 Birdy wheels do on dirt?

They are fine on dirt, not so good on sand, mud, or big rocks/tree roots. If anyone knows where to get 18" knobbies I'd love to know. ;)

Went up Alpine (Jack, I think that was you headed the other way?) to 35, descended 9, then took 236 to China Grade.



Yup! I thought that was you also. I saw a bunch of other guys chasing after you, no doubt they were in race mode. :thumb:

Sucks about not being able to get through :( It's always frustrating to plan a new route only to meet with the dreaded private road and/or gate. It happened to me last week trying to find a new way from Edgewood up to the top of Crestview although it didn't result in such a massive backtrack/detour.