The Challenge

You probably think I'm going to talk about the challenge of doing the Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge today, as in by mile 10, we'd already climbed 3,500 feet. Good Gosh no, people. The challenge had to do with how many male encounters I could possibly have, in which I did nothing along the lines of encouragement over a 62 mile course. The odds were stacked in my favor given that this ride is dominated by the opposite sex.

Oh alrighty, let's talk about the biking but only for a moment. We were enveloped in the dense marine layer for the first few hours; the temperature chilly and the air heavy with mist and big juicy rain drops. My glasses fogged up quite a lot thus causing me to stop frequently and thus, you guessed it, for men to behave gallantly and offer assistance.

At times, the sun and blue sky would appear and off came my layers, thus causing me to stop, and you guessed it, for men to behave gallantly and offer assistance.... Oh my Gosh, a woman ahead of me on Jamison Creek stood the whole way on the climb. What a babe.

Even at the end, in line for the fabulous burrito, the server told me that he recognized me from Rest Stop #2. So, how many men did I meet without really trying? Let's just say, I lost count. This is a challenge, I mean the route of course. You will be tested but if I am able to do it, year after year (and it was certainly somewhat easier this year on the Specialized Ruby compact), then, I ask that you think about it next year.

Guess who I saw at the end of the ride. The Boyfriend! He completed the 100 mile course. He is of course the only man I really noticed and the only encounter I wanted. Still, everyone on the course from the volunteers to the riders were super.

Just the Stats:

7,823 ft of climbing
62.72 miles
32.5 mph max on descent
9.8 mph avg
6 hr 22 min

Out for a Climb

Ah, The Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge. Not for the faint hearted. The Boyfriend started before the stars faded. Me, I slept in, arrived in Scotts Valley, drove around convinced that the high school had been deliberately moved, but eventually I found my way to the start. A volunteer had me park right next to the school entrance and another volunteer took photos of me and my bike. What a way to start the day!

The start was a bit cold but as you see from the photo above taken on Mtn. Charlie, blue skies arrived quickly. I later learned from the tour director that about 680 of us participated.




So many men, so little time to discuss. What can I say. I don't even try anymore. Ah, the highway patrol man at Rest Stop #1 with his aviator glasses, the beige uniform, the motorcycle. My tongue fell out. I was tongue tied. I could not think of one reason to persuade him to handcuff me. Me, at the top of Jamison Creek, which I managed to climb for the most part. At one point on Jamison, it was just a bunch of us chicks and we let out a mighty roar together.

Lots of cheering from strangers during the ride. A little boy not even 4 on his balcony shouting, "Go rider babe." Made my day. A group sitting in their camper clapping as cyclists rode by. Oh, a bobcat darted across Bonny Doon as I was descending. I also ran into club friends, too. Well, not literally.






After climbing and descending the redwoods, coming into Santa Cruz on W. Cliff Drive was just stunning. I'm sorry not to have shot a pic of Santa Cruz and the boardwalk but, get this, I was in a peleton, oh alrighty, I was in the back, but, I just didn't want to stop.





Ah, yes, the spot, you know, the one that eludes many men. But I digress.

What a ride. Perfect weather. Climbs for the 100K included Mtn. Charlie, Empire Grade, Riva Ridge, Smith Grade among others. Bear Creek was fabulous to descend.

Just as I was coming back to the start, I saw The BF leaving. I waved to him. He did the 100 mile in 7 hours! I don't think he noticed the two men (they were a hoot) escorting me back to the school. Back at the school, I ran into AC! Great way to end the day.

Thanks to the volunteers and club members who put on this great tour.

Just the Stats:

62 miles
6,470 elevation gain
10 mph avg
32 mph max
6 hours biking time

Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge

He: Time to wake up!
Me: It's 4:15am. I'm firing you as my boyfriend.
He: Okay but would you make me a cup of coffee first?
Me: For that Mister, I'm going to subject you to my music on the way to the event.

We arrived at the school in Scotts Valley in darkness. The Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge registration volunteers were still setting up! I went back to bed in The Boyfriend's car. The 100K route involved 7400 feet of climbing including Mt. Charlie (photo above), Jamison Creek, Skyline etc. and lots of fabulous descents (I clocked in at 34 mph on some). We started off at 6:30am with Mt. Charlie.

He: I'll stay with you for this climb.
Me: Really? Mumble mumble.
He: What's that you said?
Me: That's sweet of you. I won't fire you as my boyfriend.


The BF left me on Skyline. He planned to do the 100 mile. Oh lookey, there he is fixing a flat.
Yoo hoo, you know Mister, if we had slept in, chances are .... We rode to the rest stop together at Skyline and Hwy 9 and then we parted ways. Already, the day was becoming increasingly hot.



Above, somewhere in the woods as I climbed occasionally with others but mostly alone. There was a woman who I chatted with briefly and who has done the Death Ride (a lot of cyclists wore their Death Ride jerseys) and I believe that she is in her 70s. What an inspiration.



I can't remember where I was when I took the photo above. The climbs were definitely challenging and exhilarating. I must confess that I walked most of the last mile of Jamison Creek.



The last part of the ride involved Mt. Hermon (pictured above). 6 hours later I returned to the school, a sweaty but happy mess. The Boyfriend was waiting for me. He chose to shorten his route due to mechanical problems, the heat, and the time he spent being an escort for me in the beginning. What a man. We'll be back next year and I will do all of Jamison Creek. Thanks to the volunteers for a super ride.