Ride Proposal-the other half of the Santa Cruz Mountians
03-30-08, 10:09 AM
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Ride Proposal-the other half of the Santa Cruz Mountians
I am putting together a ride that will venture through the real Santa Cruz Mountians,
Im thinking starting with a climb up Hwy 9 and dropping down the other side through Boulder Creek and Felton and into Scotts Vally. Then climbing back up E Zayante Rd, up to Summit and back to the top of Hwy 9. Then decend Hwy 9 back into Saratoga. This is a great route. The climbs are longer then the Los Altos side, and they are higher mountians. Great for getting the climbing legs stronger. We can stop for lunch in Felton. The climb out of Scotts Valley to the top of Castle Rock is a great climb, and is all about pacing. Is there any interest in this ride? Im thinking in a couple weeks.
Im thinking starting with a climb up Hwy 9 and dropping down the other side through Boulder Creek and Felton and into Scotts Vally. Then climbing back up E Zayante Rd, up to Summit and back to the top of Hwy 9. Then decend Hwy 9 back into Saratoga. This is a great route. The climbs are longer then the Los Altos side, and they are higher mountians. Great for getting the climbing legs stronger. We can stop for lunch in Felton. The climb out of Scotts Valley to the top of Castle Rock is a great climb, and is all about pacing. Is there any interest in this ride? Im thinking in a couple weeks.
03-30-08, 10:16 AM
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I'm interested. I don't know that area well and would love to see it. I also need the work on climbing.
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03-30-08, 12:31 PM
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There are lots of great climbs out of Santa Cruz. The Sequoia Century has done East Zayante and Mountain Charlie in recent years. Eureka Canyon is a popular (and easier) alternative.
03-30-08, 08:49 PM
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Ok, so there is interest from those I suspected would be. The climb up hwy 9 Im sure all of you know about. On this day it will be a warm up. In other words a nice relaxed pace. Then a long decent/rolling ride down hwy 9 through Boulder Creek and into Felton(meaning pedaling is required). We could grab a quick bite, or just snack. What lies ahead is a long,(something close to 18 miles) of climbing. Some not so steep and some rolling terrain. Not many cars will be seen on these roads. These are some of the best roads around, althoough not talked about as much as some others. But if you consider that we will be climbing for roughly 18 miles to a peak of 3100 feet you will see its not so bad. Zayante has a steep section, but there is severral areas for recovery time. The ride along Summit to Skyline and up to Castle Rock in incredable, very beautiful.
Once you know the area there are many options for routes you can put together in the area. Last year on the Sequoia Century Alan and I did Mt Charlie Rd, then Summit to Skyline. Its a great climb with plenty of recovery sections. There are several intersections where it can get a bit confusing, so we regroup at intersections. This is an endurance climbing ride, not a race. It is a great ride to get accustomed to if you want to do the Sequoia Century.
Okay so who is in, and what date works for you. We can meet at my shop at hwy 17 and San Thomas, which gives us a decent warm up before the climbing begins, about 30 minutes.
. We could grab a quick bite, or just snack. What lies ahead is a long,(something close to 18 miles) of climbing. Some not so steep and some rolling terrain. Not many cars will be seen on these roads. These are some of the best roads around, althoough not talked about as much as some others. But if you consider that we will be climbing for roughly 18 miles to a peak of 3100 feet you will see its not so bad. Zayante has a steep section, but there is severral areas for recovery time. The ride along Summit to Skyline and up to Castle Rock in incredable, very beautiful. Once you know the area there are many options for routes you can put together in the area. Last year on the Sequoia Century Alan and I did Mt Charlie Rd, then Summit to Skyline. Its a great climb with plenty of recovery sections. There are several intersections where it can get a bit confusing, so we regroup at intersections. This is an endurance climbing ride, not a race. It is a great ride to get accustomed to if you want to do the Sequoia Century.
Okay so who is in, and what date works for you. We can meet at my shop at hwy 17 and San Thomas, which gives us a decent warm up before the climbing begins, about 30 minutes.
03-30-08, 08:54 PM
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a few links
Zayante
https://www.actc.org/profiles/index.php
Skyline South
https://www.actc.org/profiles/index.php
There is some miles between Zayante and Skyline but it is also rolling like Skyline, but to a lesser degree.To gove a better perspective here is the climb and decent of hwy 9
https://www.actc.org/profiles/index.php
The ride is around 80 miles, and there are some other options to get back to Los Gatos, but they include a bit of dirt from Lexington to Los Gatos on the creek trail. A shorter route would be up Bear Creek Rd. So if some are interested but dont want to do the long route you could climb Bear creek and cut off about 20 miles.
Zayante
https://www.actc.org/profiles/index.php
Skyline South
https://www.actc.org/profiles/index.php
There is some miles between Zayante and Skyline but it is also rolling like Skyline, but to a lesser degree.To gove a better perspective here is the climb and decent of hwy 9
https://www.actc.org/profiles/index.php
The ride is around 80 miles, and there are some other options to get back to Los Gatos, but they include a bit of dirt from Lexington to Los Gatos on the creek trail. A shorter route would be up Bear Creek Rd. So if some are interested but dont want to do the long route you could climb Bear creek and cut off about 20 miles.
03-30-08, 10:01 PM
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I'm in. I'd join at the top of Hwy 9.
Hwy 236 through Big Basin would be nice little detour, rather than going straight down 9 to Boulder Creek. It's a little longer and has a couple of minor climbs, but I think it's one of the nicest rides in the area.
Hwy 9 from Boulder Creek to Felton tends to have a lot of traffic. The part from Ben Lomond to Felton, including a couple of narrow bridges, can be avoided by taking Glen Arbor and Quail Hollow to Zayante from Ben Lomond.
Hwy 236 through Big Basin would be nice little detour, rather than going straight down 9 to Boulder Creek. It's a little longer and has a couple of minor climbs, but I think it's one of the nicest rides in the area.
Hwy 9 from Boulder Creek to Felton tends to have a lot of traffic. The part from Ben Lomond to Felton, including a couple of narrow bridges, can be avoided by taking Glen Arbor and Quail Hollow to Zayante from Ben Lomond.
03-30-08, 10:07 PM
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That looks like a great ride. I've got training ride planned out until the middle of July, though. I'd love to give it a try sometime.
JB
JB
03-31-08, 09:01 AM
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I'm in. I'd join at the top of Hwy 9.
Hwy 236 through Big Basin would be nice little detour, rather than going straight down 9 to Boulder Creek. It's a little longer and has a couple of minor climbs, but I think it's one of the nicest rides in the area.
Hwy 9 from Boulder Creek to Felton tends to have a lot of traffic. The part from Ben Lomond to Felton, including a couple of narrow bridges, can be avoided by taking Glen Arbor and Quail Hollow to Zayante from Ben Lomond.
Hwy 236 through Big Basin would be nice little detour, rather than going straight down 9 to Boulder Creek. It's a little longer and has a couple of minor climbs, but I think it's one of the nicest rides in the area.
Hwy 9 from Boulder Creek to Felton tends to have a lot of traffic. The part from Ben Lomond to Felton, including a couple of narrow bridges, can be avoided by taking Glen Arbor and Quail Hollow to Zayante from Ben Lomond.
03-31-08, 10:59 AM
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Im planning on doing this ride on Saturday. If anyone want to join feel free. I like to scout out new routes and areas so I know what to expect. As far as the group ride there was a request for after the 12th, so how about the 19th of april?
As far as the group ride there was a request for after the 12th, so how about the 19th of april?
03-31-08, 11:05 AM
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What time would you be starting and from where? I have a show with the band Friday night but it should be an early evening since we go on second on the bill.
03-31-08, 11:06 AM
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Im not one for real early starts until it get hot out. Im thinking a 9:30- 10am start. My shop is right along the LG Creeek trail so it is a great place to meet then head to hwy 9.
03-31-08, 12:07 PM
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Well Id guess it is about 80 miles and 7000 to 8000 ft. Im not expecting to hammer the climbs as they are lond and more about endurance. There is little to no flats on the route, basically ups and downs. I would guess it will avg to around 15 mph for the ride.
03-31-08, 12:29 PM
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I am pretty sure that I am in.
03-31-08, 08:15 PM
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OK, now we have many interested. Im not sure but it sounds like most are interested for this weekend the 5th of April? So the start will be from my shop at 10am? Does that work for everybody? Im figuring this ride is gonna take in excess of 5 hours, maybe closer to 6 hours.
03-31-08, 08:28 PM
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The 12th, 13th, 19th and 20th are good for me. If it's the 5th or 6th, I won't make it.
The route taking 236 through Big Basin and then climbing Bear Creek is one of the rides in Bay Area Bike Rides (57 miles starting and ending in Saratoga). I think Zayante is worth the extra riding, unless you want to stop at one of the wineries on Bear Creek.
The route taking 236 through Big Basin and then climbing Bear Creek is one of the rides in Bay Area Bike Rides (57 miles starting and ending in Saratoga). I think Zayante is worth the extra riding, unless you want to stop at one of the wineries on Bear Creek.