How did I not know abut this sweet trail on the coast? Probably because it’s too flat and smooth to interest my mountain biker friends. And I don’t have kids. I’m sure all the outdoorsy families in the area know this trail. If they don’t, they should, as should anyone looking for a mellow ride with jaw-dropping gorgeous views.
My friends and I were down in Santa Cruz competing in a cyclocross race. Let me clarify: not racing, but competing in the costume race, a single lap on the 1-2 mile official race course. Most “racers” take it slowly, we took it so slowly that CX Magazine wrote: “This group kept a leisurely pace, and got a lot of fan attention.”
We did get a lot of attention. I guess four women in shiny pink mini-skirts and fake go-go boots is the closest thing to NFL cheerleaders that you get at a cross race. More photos here and here and here.
Since the race hardly gave us a workout, we headed up the coast to Wilder Ranch State Historic Park. With our cross bikes, we skipped the rockier, steeper trails and took the Ohlone Bluff Trail instead. It was the right choice. The non-technical dirt road meant we could admire the coastal views without having to focus on the trail. And we already had enough bruises from a single parade lap at the cross race.
Five miles out, five miles back, with a lot of camera stops and a misguided attempt to clear an overgrown stretch of singletrack. We rolled along on a Sunday afternoon until our growling stomachs demanded we leave.
Do you have a favorite Sunday afternoon leisurely ride? What about it keeps you coming back again and again?
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- The weather was about as perfect as possible: 70 degrees and no fog.
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- We kept stopping to check out the coves below.
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- The spit of rock was full of elephant seals sunning themselves.
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- We followed some people down on this singletrack. I’m still pulling berry thorns out of my hands.
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- We turned back on the singletrack, followed the railroad and landed in a pumpkin patch.
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- As we rode north, the wind picked up.
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- And the fields moved closer to the trail. Ever wonder what an artichoke plant looks like? A big thistle.
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- Brussell sprouts on the stalk are just as strange looking. These are ready to harvest.
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- The headwind became a tailwind that shot us back to the trailhead.
TinLizzie72
November 4, 2012 at 1:51 pm
I LOVE your costumes! What a fun idea! And your trail looks lovely. I have a mountain bike on the way, but it probably won’t be ready until next spring. I can’t wait to do more riding outside of a city, and your pictures make me envious! : )
ladyfleur
November 4, 2012 at 5:15 pm
Cindy (far right Power Ranger) chose the costume. They turned out cuter than expected. My friends bought the boot covers, but the stores by me were out and they weren’t available online so I ended up sewing my pair, complete with rear zippers and elastic bottoms. The vinyl was too delicate to be stitched unfortunately and were torn by the end of the ride. 😦
L
November 5, 2012 at 6:02 am
You seem to have a ‘fun group’ and I love your love for ‘slow riding’.
I do have a group of friends (X-school/U mates and a few ‘village companions’) for ‘slow riding’ once a fortnight (now more than 5yrs old). They gather at my place once a fortnight for such rides, baking and creating/’experimenting’ new dessert delights and as well as for meals (BBQ etc.) together.
(‘Old’ restored bikes are made available to those who do not bring theirs along.)
Most of them (esp. those who are staying some distance away) would stay over till Sunday evening/night. I’ve made arrangement (with someone to look after their needs) for them to use my place as a ‘meeting-place’ when I’m out of town ( I do that a bit more often now when the various ‘economies’ are not in good shape … have to ‘hunt’/’forage’ for my bread and butter’. When I away, with the Internet and the multifarious gadgets I could enjoy their exploits vicariously :- D heee). (For now) I would be joining them for the new few months.
I (We) must say that I’m (we are) always looking forward to reading and enjoying your postings.
Best regards.
l (L)
Ps: We also ride out to study the flora and fauna of our surroundings. We have a ‘crazy’ botanist and a ‘mad’ biologist in our group (both are female).
L
November 5, 2012 at 6:07 am
Oooops … ” .. for the new few months’ should read “… for the next few months”
L
November 5, 2012 at 1:45 pm
O dear .. I forgot to mention that our gathering begins on (the) Friday evening … and most of them would stay on upto Sunday evening/night.
l