Hey guys/gals!
I decided since my DH bike is still out of commission I would go for a Cyclocross ride. Unfortunately I could not talk anyone into going with me so I went on this one solo.
I left from my apartment near downtown Santa Cruz CA and headed towards Nisene Marks in Aptos. It was around 8 miles to get there.
Once into the park, I took the main fire road to the 1989 earthquakes epicenter (it was about 14 miles from the start of my ride). That was the bottom of the 5 mile climb up to Sand Point. Unfortunately my camera was acting up so I only got this shot from there.
(Here is my Surly Cross-Check. Love this thing...)
After the 5 mile climb to Sand Point I stopped up top to take a little rest/eat some snacks. If you have never done it before, its basically a long winding fire road that gets pretty steep at times. While I was at the top a group of 3 dudes on Karpiel DH bikes came from another trail to take a breather. I didnt catch the names but they said the come onto the forums every once and a while. Props to them being out there on such big bikes.
Here are a couple shots from Sand Point. This is looking towards Soquel/Capitola. (I managed to get my camera working again for these shots)
The view:
The view + bike =]
After a short break up there it was time to head down. I wish I got some shots of the single track I rode on the way down but when I stopped I couldnt get my camera working to get a shot. It ended up being another 8 miles or so of downhill singletrack. My original plan was to take a trail that would have dropped me into this place called Medicine Buddha. It is a Tibetan Buddhist Retreat in Soquel. This is where I ended up on my first ride of the year. Really cool area.
But I ended up taking the wrong trail that dropped me back down into Nisene Marks. From there I started to head back home. Total of 40 miles, 3 close calls with cars almost hitting me, and some sore legs. All in all it was a great ride. It was really nice to take a few hours to myself and enjoy the local trails.
Anyone up for joining me for another ride next week?
I decided since my DH bike is still out of commission I would go for a Cyclocross ride. Unfortunately I could not talk anyone into going with me so I went on this one solo.
I left from my apartment near downtown Santa Cruz CA and headed towards Nisene Marks in Aptos. It was around 8 miles to get there.
Once into the park, I took the main fire road to the 1989 earthquakes epicenter (it was about 14 miles from the start of my ride). That was the bottom of the 5 mile climb up to Sand Point. Unfortunately my camera was acting up so I only got this shot from there.
(Here is my Surly Cross-Check. Love this thing...)
After the 5 mile climb to Sand Point I stopped up top to take a little rest/eat some snacks. If you have never done it before, its basically a long winding fire road that gets pretty steep at times. While I was at the top a group of 3 dudes on Karpiel DH bikes came from another trail to take a breather. I didnt catch the names but they said the come onto the forums every once and a while. Props to them being out there on such big bikes.
Here are a couple shots from Sand Point. This is looking towards Soquel/Capitola. (I managed to get my camera working again for these shots)
The view:
The view + bike =]
After a short break up there it was time to head down. I wish I got some shots of the single track I rode on the way down but when I stopped I couldnt get my camera working to get a shot. It ended up being another 8 miles or so of downhill singletrack. My original plan was to take a trail that would have dropped me into this place called Medicine Buddha. It is a Tibetan Buddhist Retreat in Soquel. This is where I ended up on my first ride of the year. Really cool area.
But I ended up taking the wrong trail that dropped me back down into Nisene Marks. From there I started to head back home. Total of 40 miles, 3 close calls with cars almost hitting me, and some sore legs. All in all it was a great ride. It was really nice to take a few hours to myself and enjoy the local trails.
Anyone up for joining me for another ride next week?
