I think we did about 120-150 miles before I had to bail for a prior engagement.
The ride started off poorly. 5 minutes from where we met for coffee, a jeep rounded a blind turn 80% into my lane at a good clip. :yow I was just starting to kick up a bit of speed, but fortunately I have a habit of staying to the right since I ride a lot of narrow roads. I had to do some emergency leaning to help keep some distance and the jeep came very close to taking me out, but fortunately, my lighting quick reflexes and riding habits saved my bacon.
After that it was a great day of riding. We rode a lot of narrower, twistier roads, but I threw in wider stuff with sweepers when I could.
This was the route pretty much:
Shannon, Hicks, McKee/Uvas, Watsonville Rd, 152, Pole Line Rd, Mt. Madonna Rd, Hazel Dell, Browns Valley, Haynes, Day Valley, Valencia, Rodeo Gulch, Branciforte, Graham Hill, Felton Empire, Ice Cream Grade, Pine Flat/Bonny Doon, 1, Gazos Creek, Cloverdale, Pescadero Creek, Alpine.
I wanted to toss in Stage Rd, Tunitas Creek, Lobitos Creek and 35, but ran out of time. It was a beautiful day to ride. It's so nice when everything is green here in California (which is a brief period in spring). I was kind and left out Eureka Canyon, Mtn. Charlie, Zayante and China Grade. Unfortunately, we missed Old Santa Cruz Highway, which is a favorite of mine.
It had been quite some time since I'd seen JO and Micki and it was good to meet and ride with Max. Hopefully I'll have my brick road worthy next time! It doesn't need much work, but I've just had other things to deal with. I'm kinda itching to get out on it, I picked up a used Corbin Dual Touring seat that I've yet to use. It feels much comfier than my Dual Canyon sport.
