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D/5.8 (11200')/77 ON ORBIT-ALBA

When
Sun, August 04, 2024
7:45 AM
Location
Saratoga High School (20300 Herriman Ave, Saratoga, CA

Join Jakub Solovsky (jakubsolovsky@gmail.com, 720-241-1724) for a challenging ride combining two famously hard climbs with many "easier" ones. Meet at Saratoga High School (20300 Herriman Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070) at 7:45 for 8:00 start.

Start location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dRP9GbadNf2JZCBn7

We start with a steep sequence of Norton - Kittridge - Quickert - On Orbit - Bohlman.
After a gravel connection on Montevina Ridge Trail (except for a very short segment rideable on a road bike) we descend Montevina Road and climb Black Road to Skyline.
The lunch stop is at Ben Lomont Park after the scenic part of Skyline and Zayante descend.
After lunch, we continue with long and steep Alba. It will probably get quite hot at this time of the day to make this climb even harder.
After Jamison Creek Road descend, we can do the resupply detour to Boulder Creek (5 miles total). To the best of my knowledge, there is no water in the Big Basin Park and when I've done this route before in cooler weather, two water bottles were barely enough for the segment from Ben Lomond to Skyline.
After optional resupply, we climb through the Big Basin Park and the last climb of the day is Big Basin Way to Skyline. We finish the ride with Hwy 9 descend back to Saratoga.

There are bailout options from Lexington Reservoir and after climbing Black Road. After descending to Ben Lomond, there is no easy way back. Although you can take Hwy 9 from Ben Lomond to Boulder Creek to avoid Alba you still have to climb to Skyline.

Lunch stop: Ben Lomond Park (buy in Ben Lomond Market or pack your own lunch and snacks for the ride), Boulder Creek (optional)
Water: Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek (optional)
Bathrooms: Ben Lomond, San Vicente Redwoods Trailhead (on Empire Grade), Boulder Creek (optional), Big Basin Park

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47782215