Note that all distances and elevations are based on Google Maps, Topozone, and the ACTC road profiles. I completed both rides by myself, and the routes are both loops beginning and ending at my home in Ben Lomond, California, USA.
Day 1 consisted of riding to Smith Grade in Bonny Doon, California and back home. In all, this was about 38.5 km with 1058 meters of climbing. My goal in choosing this route was to do some steep climbing and avoid longer, flatter sections of road.
I took Alba Road (see the ACTC road profiles) on the way to Bonny Doon. Alba Road is one of the steepest roads around here. It climbs 622 meters over 6 km with steeper sections separated by less steep sections. I had tried riding up it maybe five other times before, but this time I cleared it for the first time with no dismounts.
From there I continued along Empire Grade and then descended around 300 meters to Smith Grade in Bonny Doon. It was just starting to get dark under the trees--all the roads on Day 1 pass through thick Redwood forest. So I turned on my rear flasher to stay visible and started to head back up the road from where I had just come.
I headed back toward the top of Felton-Empire Road (see the ACTC road profiles) for my route back to home. It's a bit less steep than Alba Road with only 465 meters over 6 km. On the way there I rode along Ice Cream Grade, which is a nice winding, up-and-down road through the woods. There's been a outbreak of moths lately around here, and it was about dusk. So I was swatting moths left and right to keep them out of my face.
I finally arrived at the top of Felton-Empire Road and brushed the moth parts from my jersey and arms. Then I headed down the road ending in Felton, California. By that time it was dark, and I only had about 4 km of winding 2-lane highway before turning off toward home. So I added an LED cycling headlight in one hand and headed toward home.
I heard a terrible thumping noise coming up behind me, so I fortunately swerved as far over as possible on the shoulder just as a car with a flat tire passed by partly in the shoulder and at an unreasonable speed. Relieved to be done with the highway, I headed up the road that goes to my home. It climbs about 100 meters over 1.5 km. A local passing by in his car cheered me on as I crested the highest point--it's great that being odd is the norm around here. :-)
All in all, it was a good ride. It took about 3 hours and 25 minutes to complete with a few breaks for stretching and eating energy bars. I started at 4 PM, just after work on Friday. Since I wasn't sure when I was going to complete the ride, the 125 rating is based only on the distance and elevation.
10/20/2007
150
For Day 2 I still wanted to climb, but I didn't want to climb such steep grades. So I picked some less steep roads to climb. Plus, Day 2's route was filled with plenty of food options. This route is 54.7 km long with 966 meters of elevation.
I started out heading through Felton and up to Scotts Valley, California via Mount Hermon Road. That connects to Scotts Valley Drive which goes up to Granite Creek Road (see the ACTC road profiles). This is a nice steady 100 meter climb over 14 km, a perfect warm up for a long day.
From there, Granite Creek shoots up about another 40 or so meters to the highest point and then winds mostly downhill through more forest ending in the coastal city of Santa Cruz, California. Along the road I played leap frog with some bicyclists--I guess they were so tired from coasting downhill that they had to take a break?! :-)
When I got to Santa Cruz, I headed straight for downtown where I took my first extended break at Jamba Juice (a juice smoothie chain). I had the Pomegranate Paradise with a complementary Energy Boost while I rested my legs and people-watched.
From there I wound my way back up into the hills through the University of California, Santa Cruz. As I passed by a bus stop on campus, a group of 20-30 students saw fit to clap and cheer. I smiled and waved. I rode some fire road through more Redwood forest on the edge of campus that connects to Empire Grade. I ground up Empire grade until I arrived at the top of Felton-Empire Road, the same intersection as Day 1. From downtown to the top is about 600 meters of climbing, and I was greatly relieved as I came around the final bend where I could see the intersection.
Once again, I headed down Felton-Empire Road. This time I stopped at the bottom to refuel at Taqueria Vallarta. I had the chicken taco plate. Others at the restaurant commented about how cool my unicycle is.
After a relaxing meal, I climbed back onto my unicycle and finished the last bit to home. Altogether I was out for 5 hours and 10 minutes--from 10 AM to 3:10 PM on Saturday. The rating for this ride is 131 plus the previous day's carryover, making the total required rating of 150.