Nice day on Gazos Creek Road. Once upon a time I rode here when it was dirt.
With weather like today, my plan naturally turned to a Pacific Coast ride to Santa Cruz. Clear skies and mild temperatures added to the usual tailwind common this time of year.
What more could you ask for? As I took Cloverdale Road along comes Lindsay Crawford a retired airline pilot and ex-racer from the 1960s-70s. Lindsay must have enough frequent flier miles to fund his trips to Europe for another 50 years. He likes to do L’Etape du Tour in France — part race, part tour following routes of the Tour de France. Hard-core would be the best way to describe it.
No sooner does Lindsay pass by when along comes a Team Radio Shack triathlete, probably a professional judging by his fitness. He asked me about routes home from Santa Cruz. He liked the idea of hammering up Hwy 9, as opposed to his past rides up Zayante Road.
I drafted for about a mile before he rode away, leaving me to a more civilized pace of 20 mph with the tailwind, and a 44 mph downhill.
Well, so far the most expensive coffee I’ve had is $2.25, at Arro’s restaurant in Davenport. They have a nice selection.
Santa Cruz surfers looked to be enjoying the decent waves and a competition. The nearby seals basking on a rock outcropping barked their approval.
Santa Cruz Lighthouse serves as a surfer museum.Click here for larger size.
Tags: Arro's, Lindsay Crawford, Santa Cruz
Silicon Valley Cyclist 
March 25, 2013 at 9:39 am |
sounds like a good day….i love that cloverdale/gazos road….only been on it once….but simply gorgeous….how far was your total ride ray? and looks like the radioshaq rider will be needing a new sponsor….boo hoo…..anyways, keep on keepin on.
March 25, 2013 at 11:49 am |
It was 110 miles. South from San Gregorio adds 7 miles. A few years ago, starting from Hwy 9/Skyline Saratoga Gap, I averaged 20 mph into Santa Cruz riding solo. Tailwinds.
March 25, 2013 at 5:27 pm |
One of our favorite rides from Santa Cruz is to go up Empire Grade, down Little Basin and into the Park. Then we go from Park H.Q. out Gazos Creek to Cloverdale and back Hwy 1 to The Cruz. I liked it better when Gazos was all dirt too.
Cheers,
BL
April 9, 2013 at 11:11 am |
I was out in my car during this time and saw Lindsay, too…hope you had a great ride. Let’s keep in touch,
Fritz Knochenhauer
(530) 400-7513
http://www.linkedin.com/in/fritzknochenhauer Facebook me here
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March 30, 2014 at 6:43 pm |
When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get three e-mails with the same comment.
Is there any way you can remove me from that service?
Thanks a lot!
March 30, 2014 at 7:12 pm |
Alisia: I removed the checkbox for following a comment. I don’t see anything else that would remotely help.