SaiKaiTai

Yeah I would

I'm still getting back into "long ride shape" as I build toward completing a metric by year's end.
The idea today was to do a round trip to Woodside and back for a nice 40 mile ride.
Only 2 more than tha 38 I did last Saturday but it's a different kind of ride.
I knew that, right off, I'd have to climb Sharp Park Road (I've posted about that too many times, I'll spare you the details) just to get started. I've done that as part of a few 25 mile rides so it would be a good test to go for any kind of real distance after that.

So, off I went.
In figuring on this 40 mile ride, I forgot to factor in that th4e ride doesn't start at Sharp Park Road, it starts at my house. I have to get to Sharp Park Road first. I'm doing fine but as I approach the Pulgas Water Temple -which is well short of Woodside- I've already hit 20 miles. Turn around now, go back and bag my 40? Or do I push on to Woodside anyway and see what I can do? Off course, if I do, I still have to make the ride back (or call Mrs S and the sag wagon. That ain't gonna happen; I've got my pride)
So I stopped at the Temple for a bit and thought about it.
The water temple is pretty cool... it's the terminus of the Hetch Hetchy water system which carries Yosemite snow melt across the state and dumps it into our reservoirs which are made up of 3 lakes: San Andreas Lake, Upper Crystal Springs, and Lower Crystal Springs. Not only would today's ride parallel all three lakes, I'd have to cross the San Andreas Dam to get where I was going.

Interlude:
Standing on the San Andreas Dam looking north up San Andreas Lake:


Just a reminder of where I am and a little history lesson:


The Pulgas Water Temple.
This used to be a nice place for folks to come and visit for picnics and such.
I guess now, everyone's afraid of terrorists poisoning the water supply so the gates are locked and the place is pretty much deserted.
Except there's an entry for foot traffic (no place to park so there's none of that) and... cyclists!



Where the water flows into the lake:


Who's that stud?


Well, at this point, it's pretty much a no-brainer.
I'm feeling pretty good so I'm going for it

The road behind (where I've been):


And the road ahead (where I'm going):


Roberts Market. I must be in Woodside. I made it!
Woodside was part of the route I took for the Amgen Ride with George Hincapie a few months ago.
Nice to be back.
By the way, don't fool around here; the gendarmerie will tag cyclists who run the stop signs in this town.
Woodside has a major stick up it's behind.

ad6mj

I was expecting something about Groucho, but it looks like a great ride.

SaiKaiTai

Heading back... the road seemingly has no end. I'm still feeling pretty fresh.


Back at the Temple to fill up my water bottles with that good, pure Hetch Hetchy water.
Here's a look at the area I'm riding through. Sort of...


The Eugene A Doran Memorial Bridge. Named for a fallen CHP officer.
I've driven over this countless times, here's an view from a different angle.


The "road" I took down and back is a VERY popular MUP, Sawyer Camp Road that parallels the lakes and the freeway. It's really the only way to get between here and there. You travel along a tree shaded lane full of switchbacks and hairpins. And a speed limits of 15 MPH. They're serious about that, too


That's not all it's full of.. the air is alive with birds darting about the trees, all in constant song.
And bugs. Lots and lots of bugs. I don't know how many gnats I ate today but I do know that a bug smacking you in the face at 15MPH hurts. As you travel along the many curves, it will open up into sunlight and views of the lakes.

card

.....................so................did you get the forty in******************************???


BTW, great pics and ride report

SaiKaiTai

What's with the chain link fence? It's our water supply, remember? Off limits.




Well, by now, I'm not quite as fresh as I was and I have some climbing to do.
After that, I get to ride 5 or 6 miles into a pretty stiff headwind.
Time to just gear down, put the head down and keep a steady (if slow) pace. I'm going to make it!

Or maybe not. I'm getting close to home and I look at the odometer and start doing the math.
I'm going to fall short

There's no way I'm doing and going through all of this just to end up with 48.5 miles.
Luckily I know an easy way to pad my ride a little.
And here I am back home in my driveway



I can't believe it... I've ridden a half century! And way sooner than I thought I would.
I'm tired and little sore but, damn!, I feel good.

card

congrats!!

Beverly

I'm sure there's a metric in the near future.

geofitz13

Congrats! Great ride, great pics!

BluesDawg

Nice ride! Good roads, great scenery and a milestone met.

bcoppola

Gosh, that's a pretty ride. Nothing like that around Motown.

Forget the metric. If you can do an unsupported 50 miles and still feel good you're ready for a century.

swan652

What a nice ride! Congrats on the half century.

Mojo Slim

Thanks for sharing your excitement and pictures. Nice going.

Yen

Loved your report and pics. Sawyer Camp Road looks like a route of my dreams.... very serene and pretty. Congratulations in your achievement!

SaiKaiTai

Thank you. I knew you'd understand

Sawyer Camp Road is absolutely lovely and fun... and busy.
There are cyclists (of all types), skaters, skateboarders, moms and kids galore and just plain strollers (as in "out for a ..."). Luckily they are pretty well behaved and there is room to maneuver. Mostly, if you see someone ahead, ya just... slow... down... what's the rush, anyway. Well behaved includes us, too.

Bud Bent

Great report and photos!

fthomas

Congrat's!!! Nice weather in your part of California and what a great place to ride!

Century - next weekend!

Red Rider

Well done! I'm glad you had so much fun -- and that you survived to post the pics (fantastic!) and the story.

See, you're already ready for a metric. It's a mental thing.

nondes 

The San Andreas Fault plaque would look more authentic if it was split down the middle.

DougG

Great report. Always nice to see where other folks live & ride.

Timtruro

SAY THE MAGIC WORD AND THE DUCK COMES DOWN....YOU WIN $50.00!!

PirateJim

Congrats on the fifty miles, and thank you for posting the pictures. No wonder my wife keeps threatening to run off to Cal! Just beautiful, though a bit hilly for a flatlander like me.