A New Epic

2 men
2 machines
0 crashes
3 parks
2 empty camelbacks
5 hours
34.75 miles
5,600 feet total ascent
countless sore muscles

Joe and I headed out on this ride around 11 AM on Sunday morning. A late start that put us on the trail in the warmest part of the day. But that did not stop us from going on the longest ride that either of us had ever done. I think I have approached 30 miles a couple of times before, but certainly have never surpassed it.

We started out at ST park, on the Santa Teresa side, near the spring and the old farm house. From here we simply rode up Bernal to the top. Then we jumped into the dirt and headed through to the Stiles switchbacks. From there we headed down the trail to Harry Road and Camden.

The next phase was a road ride out to the Hacienda entrance to Quicksilver Park. We climbed up the 2.75 miles to the top and relaxed a little and checked out the views. From the top we could see our destination--Bald Mountain--still many miles away and quite a ways up too. After a brief snack we headed out towards Hicks Road.

Once at Hicks we headed straight up Mt. Umhunum (sp?) Road. This is so steep and relentless. From Hicks to the Bald Mountain lookout one gains 1000 feet in about two miles, with almost no respite in the climb. Standing on top of Baldy is very impressive. Quicksilver looks like a playground and ST Park is hazy in the distance. I realized that at this point in the ride I had already gone at least as far as most of my rides usually go. But we still had climbing to do and we wre not quite half-way.

So we headed up Mt. Um Road all the way to the Barlow Road entrance and headed down, down, down! This road is very steep and loose. Rocks and gravel everywhere. The conditions are treacherous and speed control is essential. A misjudged corner could either throw you against the mountain or thow you off it. It seems to take mere seconds to reach the Wood Road below. From this junction we suffered as we climbed out of Sierra Azul, via Wood Road, and we finally arrived back at Hicks, concluding a very strenuous loop!

From Hicks we went right back in to Quicksilver Park. Our original plan was to head out through the Mockingbird entrance. But the climbs involved in that were more than we wanted to do. Our water packs were drained and we only had a single bottle left between us. Also, by this time our bodies were aching in various places without relief. The only way to get back is to keep on pedalling, so we pushed on. So ditching the Mockingbird plan, we headed straight back down to Hacienda and took Old Almaden Road back out to Harry Road.

Jumping back on the trail to ST Park was difficult, since we knew we still had a respectable climb ahead of us. So we started up the switchbackls again...no, no. NO! We went around the hillside and back up into the parkinglot to get some water and rest in the shade. After evaluating the damage we had to decide which route to take. Push it just a little more or just head back downBernal Road?

We decided to push it some more! After crossing Bernal into the other side of the park, we climbed up the steepest hill in the place! Well, to clarify, I pushed my bike up it while Joe climbed it like a billy goat! I could not believe what I was seeing! From there we headed down the final mile, a six-hundred foot descent, and were back at the car in what felt like seconds. I don't think I could have pedalled another stroke at that point.

Now, you may ask, why didn't we just go up and down the street to make it an even 35 miles? Well, we were just that tired! I spent the rest of the day in bed. Today, the day after, I have pains in strange places, and sunburn in the spots where I missed with the sunscreen. But it was worth it! A truly epic ride. I am not sure if I will ever beat it. We'll see.