Long Ride to the Super Bowl Party

A colleague at work threw a Super Bowl party near La Selva Beach and I had to use this experience to snag some great hills and ride to the party. Picked up Both sides of Hicks, MonteVina and Black/Gist roads before heading town Summit road to Old Santa Cruz Hwy. I descended OSCH and hit the beach for the party. Great riding, perfect weather, and a great game.

I had to wear a backpack so I could bring clothes for the party. The climbs on this ride made this decision a bit painful. This was the first time I did both side of Hicks. The back side was not as easy as I imagined. I also forgot how damn steep the last mile of Montevina is. I barely got up it. The knees were screaming. Then Black hits you in the face with at least 1.5 miles in 10+% range. This was not a ride for the faint of heart. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it was tough.

72 miles
8050 feet climbing
6 Hours Riding

Comments

nrmrvrk said…
Do you have a route saved somewhere. I was looking at gmaps and I couldn't figure out how you strung Hicks and OSCH together, especially with Black rd. Did you ride there and back?

Awesome ride. Beats the crap out of my 25/1500 on Sunday.
Chris O'Keefe said…
I dont have the route saved, but road to Hicks and did it both ways. Then back up Kennedy to Los Gatos. Took the LG trail out to the dam and then up along hwy 17. Up and down MonteVina, then Up Black to Summit. Took Summit all the way to OSCH and then dropped down to the coast.
mthead said…
1) what is osch?
Chris O'Keefe said…
Old Santa Cruz Highway. Its a nice descent from Summit Road into Soquel
Chris O'Keefe said…
You watching the TOC this year, Mike?
mthead said…
I'm still figuring out what my plans are. My wife and kids may want to check it out so Monday may be a family drive the course day, not sure yet. what's your plan?
Chris O'Keefe said…
Plan on riding up to Kings Mountain and then after they pass by, possible down to the coast. Not sure exactly. If you want to ride up there, let me know and we can hook up before the climb.
mthead said…
i'll be in touch for sure
Mike Deitchman said…
How is the ride on the Los Gatos Creek Trail to the dam? I've run it many times, but never ridden it on my road bike...

For ToC on Monday, we're planning to drive to Santa Cruz and swim in the morning. Then ride up Bonny Doon Road to catch the race going up the steep part. =)

Looks like my big race this year will be the 508. Joan and I may do HooDoo as a 2X team, so we should still see you there!
Chris O'Keefe said…
The ride to the dam is fine. I find the ride up the last bit too steep on the road bike for me and end up walking it. The section along hwy 17 is easy single track. Pretty doable. Glad your doing Hoodoo. I am hoping I dont see you for a while on the ride as I will have a 4 hour lead on you!
Mike Deitchman said…
You might not with that snazzy new bike you've got... Joan is most likely doing RAO solo as well, so you'll see us there too.

I'm debating doing the 508 on a fixie. Any thoughts? =) That might be the only way I can win my category!