Today was our big ACTC club ride which had two different routes all merging together at Croy. One route started at our house in Gilroy with 12 riders led by Franz and Ann on a tandem. The other route started in San Jose with about 30 riders led by four ride leaders at different paces, Lane, Deb and Dave on a tandem and Joe F. 20 miles into each route we met at the end of the Croy canyon climb where Brian C. took this group shot (which Dr. Photoshop merged in from two seperate pictures).

(click above photo to enlarge)

From Croy the route lead us north on Uvas, then on Oak Glen to Willow Springs where we headed out to Santa Terresa, then back up Llagas. Three tandems we all racing up, Deb and David, Russ and Shelia and Franz and Ann. Well at least I thought we were racing up Llagas but the others were probably just coasting but Franz thinks everything is a race.

The brave riders did the Rolling Hills climb, including Russ and Shelia who even did it on their tandem!

From there the route went to Watsonville road, back to Burchill and then up Blue Bell (the steepest climb not counting Rolling Hills), down through Country Estates and Mantelli into Gilroy.

After 50 miles everyone was ready to eat. Ann and Franz had ridden back quickly so the hamburgers and hot dogs were ready when the riders started to arrive. Karen was the first one back because she was told that Mike had skipped Rolling Hills and thought if he missed a chance to do a billygoat something must be wrong, but it turns out he did the goat. Soon the riders started to roll in and everyone enjoyed a chance to get a drink, sit in the shade and socialize with the other riders.

Soon we we were cooking the hamburgers and hot dogs as fast as people could eat them. Ann had also made 3 salads that people enjoyed and several of the riders had brought things, which we appreciated very much. We had a lot of food, more than even these hungry riders could eat. Those that started in San Jose had another 30 miles to bike back to the start for a total of 80 miles, or for some over 100 miles since they biked from their house.

Thanks to Lane and Brian for providing some of the above photos.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the route, the company and the food and we had a great time hosting the event. We hope to make it an annual affair.

Click for all photos

Categories: Cycling
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