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Oh, Wilder Ranch, you sure know how to turn a girl about
Due to sicky mcsickness, I started climbing up in Wilder Ranch and found myself pretty much winded. Stupid lung compromise. So I noodled around exploring for a bit - not doing anything too difficult - then finally went and explored the cliffside trails. So beautiful along there.
Even though I was out for 2.5 hours, I really don’t feel like I got much of a workout. That said, I’m slowly learning which trails go where. It’s so easy to get turned around up in the ranch. Some of the connector trails take you off in weird directions. I got turned around. And by that, I mean I ended up turning myself around and not getting up to Empire Grade so I could cross into Campus. But since I wasn’t feeling up to snuff anyway, it’s probably just as well I just took the time to explore and get my bearings. The more I ride it, the more my brain begins to link up the trails in there.
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Photo reblogged from Ride by Shooting
I came down Old La Honda yesterday, but having now done that I can see I have to put climbing UP Old La Honda on my list. Not steep, but LOOONNNNGGG.
Ended up doing 124 miles, 11,000ft elevation gain = ouch. Winter centuries means you run out of daylight. Fortunately, I actually took a light yesterday, so made it home with the help of a solid beam. It’s good prep for doubles. Will always be finishing doubles in the dark dark dark.
Glorious.
Old La Honda Road, CA
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Photo reblogged from Ride by Shooting
I actually wanted to put PB inside the tree and take the photo, but people were hovering around and I had an attack of the shies (plus I didn’t want to cool down too much - had to go climb Big Basin and up to Skyline)
Peanut Butter is feelin’ a little inadequate next to this.
Big Basin, CA
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Yesterday, I set out to explore a bit of terrain. Thought I’d head down to Carmel - to Sea Otter actually - and make a day of it. But as is the way with first time routes, I stopped to take a lot of photos, so my ‘turn around wherever you are at noon’ plan meant I turned around earlier than planned. I actually turned around at 11.30am because I wasn’t sure where the route went at the turn to Carmel and I wanted to be back by 4pm.
Never mind, I was at 51 miles at that point and I figured a century is a century and that’s a good day in the saddle.
17 Mile Drive was very scenic, as was the recreation trail toward Monterey, but the ride to get there through miles and miles of berry, artichoke, and other assorted farms was a bit dreary. Think it would be a good training ride, but scenic-wise, it’s a bit blerg. Biggest issue was on the way back and crossing Highway 1 to get to the other side. Man, Sunday sure ramps up the traffic. There were just no breaks to get across. Was very glad there was a turn lane in the middle at my intersection so I could at least do it in two parts. The headwind/crosswind also made for a bit of a grind home. I had been expecting that, and was just grateful it wasn’t too blustery.
I made the mistake of saying the route was flat, and I guess in my mind it seemed flat in comparison to some of the rides I’ve been doing lately. Judging by how I fell asleep pretty spectacularly after eating when the ride was over, and how sore my legs are today, it was still a pretty solid day.
Smiles all round. That was my punishment for not going to the ‘hopper in Occidental. I was fine with the 3 hour drive to get there, and the ride itself, but I couldn’t bear the thought of the 3 hour drive back after a day like that. Maybe I’ll do the next one?
