Sat 5/12, Santa Cruz

[JoelS]

I'm hopeful that I'll be picking up my new bike on Satuday. I'm getting it through Spokesman in Santa Cruz. Once it's dialed in and ready, I plan to get some lunch and then go for a ride.

I'll know for sure probably on Friday. The frameset is due to arrive there on Thursday. I've been in touch with Wade and he's got it on the schedule for a Friday build.

Anyone interested in coming along? Maybe leading the ride? I'm thinking 40 or 45 miles with some climbing and descending to give the bike a shakedown.

[msvphoto]

Hopefully someone will step up and go for a ride with you on your new bike! I can't (stuck at work, and probably too old and slow anyway...), but here's a link to the shorter version of the infamous "Saturday Ride" that has been going on in Santa Cruz for many years now. My wife and I did it on our tandem a week ago Sunday and it sure takes it all in. For the distance you want to cover it is one of the better rides in our area without going into the really huge climbs and/or Hwy 1. One of many options, we have some very nice places to ride here (but watch out because we also have some crazy car drivers!).

[JoelS]

Thanks for the link! I'll take a look.

[Lanceoldstrong]

Wade is awesome.
1st Double Century before a Wade Hall fit and I was wrecked. Numb hands, sore feet, numb male parts.
11 Double Centuries, after a Wade Hall fit, and no problems at all. Fresh as a rose after each one.

[JoelS]

Wade is awesome.
1st Double Century before a Wade Hall fit and I was wrecked. Numb hands, sore feet, numb male parts.
11 Double Centuries, after a Wade Hall fit, and no problems at all. Fresh as a rose after each one.

Wade did a fit for me when I ordered the frameset. Turns out, my position was already perfect. Nothing needed changing. But it gave him exactly the info he needed to work with the vendor to nail down the geometry. I'm really excited about the bike!

[damnpoor]

There are some good rides in here: http://www.ucsccycling.com/forum/index.php?topic=1914.0

[JoelS]

There are some good rides in here: http://www.ucsccycling.com/forum/index.php?topic=1914.0

Thanks!

[JoelS]

I'm thinking about this one: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1162249

[damnpoor]

For a few more miles you can stay on Summit and go down Old San Jose Rd then ride along the beach back into Santa Cruz (clockwise), which I personally prefer. Also a lot of Hwy 9 has no shoulder. Graham Hill, Glen Canyon, or Granite Creek are all good alternates. I really like Glen Canyon because it's relatively short and very low traffic. This is my personal prefered routing: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/example-2

[qpliu]

I'll ride with you. Meet at the Spokesman around noon? The route I have in mind would go up High St and Empire Grade, Ice Cream Grade, Pine Flat, down Bonny Doon, then a few miles up Hwy 1 past Davenport for the Swanton loop, then returning on Hwy 1 and West Cliff.

[JoelS]

I'll ride with you. Meet at the Spokesman around noon? The route I have in mind would go up High St and Empire Grade, Ice Cream Grade, Pine Flat, down Bonny Doon, then a few miles up Hwy 1 past Davenport for the Swanton loop, then returning on Hwy 1 and West Cliff.

How many miles is that? I think we'll have time for a 3 hour ride. I don't have any idea though what time we'll be rolling. Somewhere between noon and 1. It'll depend on when everything is ready (and I'll need lunch first!).

I was also thinking of this one. The climb came highly recommended. http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1163349

Either way, I'll be happy to have some local knowledge along with us!

[damnpoor]

I was also thinking of this one. The climb came highly recommended. http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1163349

Bean Creek/Mt Charley is right there too, next canyon to the east.

[ericm979]

Zayante is a good fun climb. Bear Creek is a fairly steep descent that'll require some braking. It's probably ok on carbon clinchers if you're a confident descender.

The Saturday ride loop is nice. Or you can follow that route to Corralitos but go up Eureka Canyon, then north on Summit to San Jose-Soquel. That's a nice descent, no braking needed. Eureka is long but not steep. There is a very bumpy section of road on that route though.

[qpliu]

How many miles is that? I think we'll have time for a 3 hour ride. I don't have any idea though what time we'll be rolling. Somewhere between noon and 1. It'll depend on when everything is ready (and I'll need lunch first!).

It's 40-45 miles. I'll try to be at The Spokesman around 12:30 then.

I was also thinking of this one. The climb came highly recommended. http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1163349

That's pretty much what I did 2 weeks ago, except, instead of Soquel at the end, I took Laurel Glen, Mountain View, and Branciforte, which I'd recommend unless you're really pressed for time.

[JoelS]

It's 40-45 miles. I'll try to be at The Spokesman around 12:30 then.



That's pretty much what I did 2 weeks ago, except, instead of Soquel at the end, I took Laurel Glen, Mountain View, and Branciforte, which I'd recommend unless you're really pressed for time.

We can talk about it tomorrow! I'll have a friend or two with me as well. Thanks.

[JoelS]

Peter, thank you very much for the ride today. We really enjoyed it!