Training Ride 6/13 San Mateo-Woodside-Pescadero-Half Moon Bay-return

The training group for the Arthritis Foundation rides met at Canada Rd and highway 92.  That spot is on a bit of a ridge, so you can really feel the wind blowing and since it was about 8 am, it was kind of cold.  We continued into Woodside where it was quite a lot warmer and I had to stop and take off my extra layer of clothes I put on when the wind was blowing at the start.  
 

Here I am with Mary Arnone near the beginning of the ride.  She will be riding the California Coast Classic this year shortly after I finish the People's Coast Classic.

It felt even warmer when we started climbing Old La Honda Road (well known to cyclists).  Old La Honda is a fairly quiet road that winds up from about 350 feet where it splits off from Portola Rd. to about 1,780 feet where it meets Skyline, a distance of about 3 miles.  An enterprising young resident of the street had set up a "rest stop," selling cold water (and other items) to hot cyclists.  

Not being a climber by nature, I don't really enjoy difficult climbs and often have to occupy my mind on the way up to prevent myself from getting too cranky.  One thing that helps is knowing when I'm getting close to the top.  On Old La Honda, I know I'm getting close when I see Upenuf Rd.  It is a semi-circle, so you'll actually see it twice.  I don't know who picked the street name, but I think they must have ridden a bike up it a time or two and thought "up enough!"

Upenuf road sign.

One way I cajole myself while going up hill is thinking about how great the down hill will be.  Although the pavement isn't that good once you cross Skyline, it is a great down hill which continues on to highway 84.  Highway 84 has a wide bike lane and is well paved.  You can really go fast! (25 mph or more)

We were heading for the coast by way of Pescadero, so we took Pescadero Road, however, you could continue on highway 84 all the way to highway 1 (and the coast) if you want.  Pescadero Rd. has some rolling hills and then climbs, but not too bad, and then a nice long down hill!  Lots of shade during the climbing kept the temperature reasonable.

We had a regroup and lunch stop at Arcangeli's (AKA Norm's Market) in Pescadero on Stage Road.  It is a popular place and there are always a lot of cyclists.  The food is good and picnic tables in the back make an excellent place to enjoy your food.  Try the artichoke garlic bread!

As good as the food is, it is best to share a sandwich or order a half sand because when lunch is done, it will be time to climb again.  I feel much better climbing if my stomach isn't too full.  Since we were near the coast the temperature was marine influenced, which also makes the climbing more comfortable.  There are 3 main hills on Stage Road that are all in the 412-430 feet range before you reach the top at highway 1.

Lots of great scenery and cool breezes for the downhill ride on highway 1.  It is only about a mile and a half from Stage Rd. to the right turn on Tunitas Creek Road.  Tunitas Creek is a has a number of farms and ranches on the western end.  We had a short stop/regroup at the Bike Hut's facilities and then continued.

PortaPotty at the Bike Hut.  Thanks to the folks at Potrero Nuevo Farm who make this place possible.

Are you wondering about that the Bike Hut is?  Here's a quote from another cyclist, "They have everything a cyclist needs, from snacks and water to bike parts and tools, all in this little hut in the middle of nowhere.  The honor system cash box took this little gem over the top."

Here's a picture of the Bike Hut.  It has its own Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheBikeHut

A little way from the Bike Hut, the road starts to clilmb.  The Pescadero fog was gone, but we had plenty of shade and a nice breeze.  The climbing gets serious once you pass the bridge and stays that way for about 1.5 miles.  If there is ever a climb where I wonder if I'm going to make it, it is during this part of Tunitas Creek.  I know I can do it, but sometimes it doesn't feel like it.  According to Ride with GPS, the grade goes up to 22% at the highest, but most of the hard part is between 10 and 18%.  Following that, the grade becomes less intense but the climbing continues for several more miles.  It is a beautiful road with extremely little car traffic.

Tunitas Creek Road summits at Skyline Blvd. (AKA highway 35).  After crossing Skyline, the road becomes Kings Mountain Road and it is another great decent.  There is more traffic on this road, but not too much.

After the descent and a couple of turns, we returned to Canada Road.  The temperature was quite warm in Woodside until the intersection with Edgewood.  After that, the headwinds kicked up and the breeze dropped the temperature noticeably. Headwinds can be hard on spirit as well as the body, especially after a long day of climbing, but knowing the end was near was helpful.

Stats:
64.61 miles
6,158 feet elevation gain (says Garmin)