Coastal Classic
Franz| October 24, 2007 11:38 pmIt is Wednesday and that means another Hills R Us ride. This weekly ride is co-listed by both ACTC and Western Wheelers bicycle clubs. Today the route is what we call the Coastal Classic, one of the more popular of the routes. It starts in Los Altos and includes 57 miles, considerable climbing, and some beautiful vistas. We first head out through the valley to Portola road. It was a slight downhill so Ann and I were blazing down on the tandem and a few of the 15 or so riders were able to catch a ride before the train left the station. At Old La Honda we made a left turn for our first real climb up to Skyline.
Western Wheelers uses Old La Honda as a benchmark climb so I did a time check of our climb and we did it in 28 minutes, faste enough to be a “D” rider. Unlike school, a “F” is the best grade and an “A” rider is the slowest so this time getting a “D” was pretty good, especially considering we were climbing on a tandem.
After making the climb we went down the other side of Old Lahonda to highway 84, were we headed for a gradual but fast descent to San Gregorio for a stop. Ann enjoyed their date bars and Franz one of their chocolate chip cookies. From there we made a climb up Stage Road up to Highway 1. Ann grabbed the camera and took these photos from the back of the tandem of some of the riders.
Michael K., the ride leader.
Rick M. the head of the Winter Series with the San Jose Bicycle Club
Bill K., a member of ACTC who does several bike tours each year.
Once we reach the coastal highway, we headed down a nice descent and reached a speed in excess of 35 miles per hour. Ann must be feeling much safer on the back of the tandem because while we were moving so fast she took the camera out and took this picture of the Pacific Ocean. Gee riding without holding on the handlebars at that speed!
We on Highway 1 for only a short while before we turned to head up Tunitas Creek, the most difficult climb of the ride. Near the bottom we saw this pumpkin farm.
It was then a 7 mile climb, going from sea level to 2,o00 feet.
We kept up the pace until we reach Skyline for a regroup to wait for the rest of the riders. Then it was down Kings Mountain, through the town of Woodside, then back to the start. The weather was fantastic, even over by the ocean. It was a great ride.
Categories: Cycling
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