HillsRUs

Let's do a ride we have not done in a while - an extended Shennedy Loop.  A shorter version of this was my first HRU ride, back when dinosaurs roamed Silicon Valley.  I was a little intimidated back then by the previous D/E label, but the nice thing about this ride is that there are innumerable ways to shorten it, so if you've been thinking about trying HRU, this is a good one.  I feel like there are a lot of C/C+ riders out there who should be joining us social climbers, but who have an exaggerated notion of our abilities. 

This route has lots of short, punchy climbs, but no big hills, although I would encourage any of the speedier riders to continue on up to the top of Hicks before joining the Social Climbers at lunch.  

In a funny twist, I noticed that William Mueller is leading a C ride on the same day that will overlap with us through the Los Gatos Hills.  I thought about changing to a different route when I saw this, but decided it would actually be fun if we happened to overlap.  Both of us owe a debt to Michael Khaw for showing us the final pass-through that allows one to avoid H9 all the way to Los Gatos.

Assemble at the Shoup Park (park up above or at the church) at 8:45 for a 9:00 departure, with D/E riders launching a bit before the Social Climbers.  We should roll by Monta Vista Park about 35-40 min later for those that want to trim off 10 miles or so.

61 miles, with 4600' of climbing.  

Bring Lunch to enjoy at Blossom HIll Park, off Shannon, around mile 40, although anyone who wants can continue on into Los Gatos proper for fancier fare.  

Route

Weather from Randoplan (looks darn nice)

Ride leader - Steve Rempel

Have you already attempted the Bike Hut Challenge but think you could do better? Or would you like to try it for the first time? Consider starting with a 27 mile warmup and 2700 feet of climbing.

We'll start at Shoup Park, and climb Kings Mtn Rd by way of Portola Valley. After descending Tunitas to the Bike Hut, we'll have a quick lunch -because there's nothing like climbing on a full stomach- then back up Tunitas. If you're out of energy but you've consumed every last calorie you brought, you'll still have to climb Skyline another few hundred feet then descend to Skylonda where you can buy food and drink at the store there. With people so spread out after the climb, and many anxious to keep riding, don't expect others to hang out for very long, if at all. From there we'll return to Shoup via Hwy 84 and Portola Valley.

Those who would prefer not to ride on Hwy 84 can backtrack straight from Tunitas down Kings and back through Portola Valley and save a couple of miles.

57 miles and 5600 feet of elevation gain.

Start time and location: meet at Shoup Park at 8:45 for a 9:00 departure. Social climbers can bolt out of the gate with the faster riders or be more leisurely.

Lunch: At the Bike Hut. Bring your own food or buy their snacks and coffee. Optional stop at Skylonda.

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51718824

Cue Sheet: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51718824/cue_sheet

Weather from Randoplan: https://bit.ly/4nPa7a6

Ride leader: Mark Huie

Portola Redwoods State Park C+/D 4.3(7353)/68.8

Wednesday July 9th, meet at 8:45 for a 9am start.

Assemble in the parking lot behind Pioneer Saloon, Meet at 8:45am for a 9am start, be there or be square.

Bring or buy lunch to enjoy at Arcangeli Grocery Co. in Pescadero. 

68.8 miles, 7353’ of climbing.

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51556117

Weather by Randoplan: https://bit.ly/3Ged8zU

Leader:

Shawnery Hardin 

We rode this route designed by Shelli a few years ago and really enjoyed it.  I've been wanting to do it for HRU ever since but school has always been in session when I thought about it and that makes parking at Lexington School problematic and the route is too long if we park by the dam. I finally thought about it at the right time so the route for Wednesday is:  Eureka with a Twist.

68 miles with 5800 feet of climbing

Starting Location: We are leaving from Lexington School (not the usual start by Lexington dam). 

Directions: take the Bear Creek Rd exit off of Hwy 17, go across Hwy 17 and turn RIGHT on Old Santa Cruz Hwy and go 0.9 mi and turn right on Lexington School Rd. Park on the gravel area immediately to your left. (Note: if this area is full you can park 0.6 mi back in the dirt area off of Old Santa Cruz Hwy.)

Start  Time: meet at  8:45 for a 9:00 departure . Faster riders will depart first followed by the Social Climbers.

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36387598

Cue Sheet: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36387598/cue_sheet

Weather: https://bit.ly/44k72G4

Lunch:  Bring or buy lunch to eat in Corralitos

Ride Leader: Don Johann

D-Group - Zyante by way of Redwood Gulch & Jamison Creek, C+/D 4.9(8755)/71.9

C-Group - Zyante by way of Redwood Gulch , C+/D 4.3(6569)/62.8

Wednesday June 25th, meet at 8:45 for a 9am start.

Assemble at Monta Vista park in Cupertino, Meet at 8:45am for a 9am start, be there or be square.

Bring or buy lunch to enjoy at Ben Lomand park or store.

D Group - 71.9 miles, 8755’ of climbing.

C Group - 62.8 miles, 6569’ of climbing 

D Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51311527

C Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51311541

Weather by Randoplan:  

D Group - https://bit.ly/4l8sjsV

C Group - https://bit.ly/460srX8

L

eader: Shawnery Hardin 

This week's HRU will be a jaunt out to Pescadero, if only because I'm feeling peckish for a gas station burrito.

For those not looking at the route (which I still recommend riders download), we'll climb Old La Honda, descend WOLH, then make our way out to San Gregorio. A couple of little climbs on Stage gets us to Pescadero for lunch, and after that we'll head back over Haskins Hill, up Alpine, and down Page Mill.

65 miles with 6500 feet of elevation gain

Start time and location: meet at Shoup Park at 8:45 for a 9:00 departure. We can attempt a staged start with the faster riders leaving first, followed by the Social Climbers. Or we can try a Le Mans start with a dash between parking lots.

Lunch: At Arcangeli's. Bring lunch or buy in the area.

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30106987

Cue Sheet: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30106987/cue_sheet

Weather from Randoplan: https://bit.ly/4k9LtOx

Your ride leader and host,
Mark Huie

D-Group Welch Creek by way of Quimby & Sierra, C+/D 5.1(8979)/70.6

C-Group Sierra by way of Quimby, C+/D 4.6(6441)/55.8

Wednesday June 11th, meet at 8:45 for a 9am start.

Assemble at Cataldi park in San Jose, Meet at 8:45am for a 9am start, be there or be square.

Bring lunch to enjoy at Ed Levin park before our ascent to Welch Creek and our last stop for water.

D Group - 70.6 miles, 8979’ of climbing.

C Group - 55.8 miles, 6441’ of climbing 

D Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51101928

C Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51157064

Weather by Randoplan:  

D Group - https://bit.ly/4dZoYdG

C Group - https://bit.ly/458Oef0

L

eader: Shawnery Hardin 

Tired of the San Mateo Coast and Tunitas after riding it on The Sequoia?  Then you will enjoy heading to Santa Cruz for a change of scenery.

53 miles with 4900 feet of climbing

Starting Location: Parking Lot .3 mi past the dam at Lexington Reservoir. There is a $6 fee to park there (Credit/Debit Card). There is also a free dirt area across the street from the parking lot that can handle about 8 cars.

Directions: take the Bear Creek Rd exit off of Hwy 17, go across Hwy 17 and turn left like you were getting on 17. Take Alma Bridge Rd and go .6 mi to the parking lot just past the dam

Start  Time: meet at  8:45 for a 9:00 departure . Faster riders will depart first followed by the Social Climbers.

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34738198

Cue Sheet: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34738198/cue_sheet

Weather: https://bit.ly/https://bit.ly/4kvIiBK

Lunch:  Bring lunch to eat at Siltanen Park in Scotts Valley (at mile 36.7 of the route and 1/2 mile after turning onto Glenwood Drive)

Ride Leader: Don Johann

With much of our tribe doing Hamilton on Monday, we'll take it slightly easier and do a ride I stumbled on in the HRU tagged WW route list.  While I don't mind descending 92 (you kind of have to run with the bulls), anyone who would rather not can drop down Kings and meet us at the Sawyer Camp bypass trail.

Assemble at the Shoup Park (park up above) at 8:45 for a 9:00 departure, with D/E riders launching a bit before the Social Climbers. 

52 miles, with 4600' of climbing.  

Lunch is at the shopping center coming up Polhemus to Hallmark.  

Route

Weather from Randoplan (looks darn nice)

Ride leader - Steve Rempel (your long lost ride leader, who thanks Shawnery for filling in while I played with the fishes).

This week's ride takes us through Portola Valley and up Kings Mountain Road and Swett, along Skyline, down West Old La Honda and 84, and back up Alpine, returning down Page Mill.

Start time and location: meet at Shoup Park at 8:45 for a 9:00 departure. Faster riders will leave first followed by the Social Climbers

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50841624

Cue Sheet: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50841624/cue_sheet

Weather:  https://bit.ly/4dzNfqj

54 miles with 5900 feet of elevation gain

Lunch: Bring or buy at Skywood Trading Post & Deli, we will eat at the tables on the right hand side of the building. 

Ride Leader: Mark Huie