We originally scheduled our ride for August 29. This year, long time riding buddy Steve would accompany me, and we would be joined by our friend David. I was riding a lot, focusing on the San Mateo County part of the Santa Cruz Mountains this year, climbing Old La Honda, Kings Mountain, West Alpine, and Tunitas creek many times. Around August 19, I was at a peak and ready to "taper" for the ride. Right about then, I strained my lower back. I was off the bike for 10 days. I tried to reschedule for 9/2, but I was still not ready. Steve and David were ready to ride, so they did a reconaissance ride. Along the way, David hit a fist sized rock and crashed, breaking his collar bone. Nuts! Later that week, a major heat wave rolled in, with temps in Santa Cruz around 100 degrees. We didn't even want to think about riding. Eventually, we settled on 9/14.
Steve is quite fit. He has been riding a lot, and also running. In July, he ran the San Francisco marathon. In the 2 days prior to the ride, he did a 40 mile ride and a 17 mile run, both with lots of elevation. But with all of this training, even he pulled a muscle ("angry butt", he calls it). Me? With my back, and a pinch of Golfer's elbow in my right arm... We're a mess! On ride day, my back was just about sorted out, but with only about 20 miles a week average for 4 weeks, how would that affect my riding?
As usual, most pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them.
The Route and The PlanOur ride plan was an extended Santa Cruz mountains coast ride of about 100 miles, with 5 rated climbs: Old La Honda, Haskins Hill (Pescadero Creek Rd), Stage Rd, Tunitas Creek, Jefferson Avenue. Map and elevation are below - the elevation estimate is a little high. I was concerned about losing my back again, so the plan was to start out easy, and test the waters. It's amazing how much you use your back for cycling. | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
From La Honda we made a left onto Pescadero Creek Rd and Haskins Hill. This has always been a favorite road to ride. It climbs through the redwoods of Sam McDonald Park. Silent except for the occasional passing car, this is a very nice short climb. The descent to Pescadero is quick and only slightly technical. Up until the last 3 miles before town, it's wind-sheltered, so we kept up a good pace until we cleared the trees and found the wind. Steve pointed out where David had met the rock - a place you would never expect it, only about a mile outside of town, hiding in plain sight. We pulled into Pescadero right on time for lunch at Arcangeli's bakery, famous for their artichoke garlic bread. We also found Slow Coast, which is an organization and shop that benefits local artisans. Steve had been at the Davenport location the day before. Pescadero is a must-visit if you're ever in the area.
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Home StretchRecall our tailwind from the south at Pescadero? Well, here it became a headwind. Not huge, but enough to feel it. In addition, with the sun breaking out a bit, we could also feel this strange heaviness in the air - I think you call it humidity. Steve suggeted we break for water at the Pulgas Water Temple. I've been past this place dozens of times but never stopped in. This is the terminus of the pipeline from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir near Yosemite, where we hiked just prior to last year's ride. What a fitting place to stop!There was one more short climb, Jefferson road. It's a short climb, about 1 mile in length, which goes through the Emerald Hills section of Redwood City, leading to Alameda de las Pulgas (Flea Street). For the next 20 miles, the road is flat to rolling, with a bit of headwind. In the flats, it was easy to keep a good pace. In the shallow climbs, it was getting tougher, but I just found a gear that would get me though it. Interestingly, about 9 miles from the finish, on east Alpine Road, I was ahead a bit at one point. When the wind settled down, Steve caught up and asked me if I had seen the fist-sized rock in the road. I had not. They really do hide in plain sight!
Near the finish, Steve suggested a short detour over the I-280 bike bridge connecting Sunnyvale and Cupertino. I had driven under it many times, but I had never been on it. Neat! I was struggling a bit at this point. But with only 2 miles to go, all flat, we were happy to be in sight of the finish.
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Post rideWe rode 100.7 miles for the day, about 7700 feet of elevation gain. It was a good ride. Having done 100 miles total in the last 5 weeks, I'm not surprised that it was a bit slow, but that's ok. Finishing felt good. All the training paid off; I had the lungs and the legs, just had to compromise a bit on time. I was good and sore after the ride. Even that felt good in its own way. In comparison to last year, we had fine weather. Our water stops were well spaced. After a little rescheduling, we pulled it off. David is recovering, and we expect to be riding with him again in a month or so. The day after the ride, Steve and I met for lunch at Fiesta Del Mar Too in Mountain View for mole burritos, and started planning for next years ride. We talked about the ride, and about the good company. For me, next year means more stretching, more core strength training, and more riding. It will also be my 25th ride (26th year). Maybe a split east-west coast ride? We'll see.Steve's family has had a tough year. His cousin John succumbed to pancreatic cancer in July. Another cousin is fighting ovarian cancer. He has as aunt and uncle who are cancer survivors. Several of my sponsors have family members locked in the battle. We ride hard to honor those who have fought and are fighting cancer, and to honor the memory of those we have lost. The PMC makes a difference and helps us hope. This chart shows how some of last years donations were directed. The PMC and Dana Farber are great organizations. It's why I've continued to work with them for 25 years. There is still time to sponsor us. Click here for me, or click here for Steve Meier. Thanks for your support! |