Oh how I wish I brought my mountain bike..

From Bronwyn - 2008 Rider

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So the big city is behind us and it has been a long day despite the fact that it was ‘only a 30 mile day….’ and we woke up at…10am. Many of us were tired from a pumping house party at Jess’ but the sleep-in was a well-deserved and most welcome one. After reconvening the troops, cleaning up the warehouse (to a cleaner state than it has probably been in a while) and loading up the van, we all dispersed again to enjoy some last moments in San Fran (some participating in Pride weekend, others stopping way too many times because again, the ride was only 30 miles. And others not leaving until 4:30 due to unfortunate bike problems…)

Before leaving, we had all been given two pages worth of directions to Half Moon Bay and the option of either a shorter route along Highway 1 that included the ‘Devils Slide’ and thus, muchos danger (no shoulder, gravel, construction…the works) or an alternate route given to us by the awesome bike shop dudes (insider info). This would be a bit longer and include a scenic somewhat gravelly excursion into the mountain itself. I found this rather intriguing and figured it’d also be safer…but it turned out to be much MUCH more than we expected. It turned out being Montara Mountain. Da da dum!
So first, we had to get through the city- a scenic bike route which included the Panhandle, Golden Gate Park and the zoo, and then back to the ocean and the highway. After getting lost and asking at countless gas stations where to go and also biking through a police old-up in a random town, we finally got to the trailhead and began the ascent up and up, through a tight windy, gravelly and very bumpy trail surrounded by massive trees and wildflowers- and after a lonnng but gradual incline, an incredible view of the ocean and the valley below us. Along the way up, we bumped into some cowboys, one telling us we had a long way to go and we should save our energy. Not only that, but by the time we got to the top, even more misted had shrouded us in and it was all very eery and surreal. Plus what we thought would be a simple detour ended up being an ascent up a mountain 1898 feet high!

So not the easiest day we’ve had. Possibly more dangerous than the Devils Slide but awesome nonetheless. The descent was a serious adrenaline-pumper which was a bit much for many of our wee tires and brakes. Good thing we all got tune-ups in San Fran, not to mention brake pad replacements! After the mountain, we had about 10 miles into the Bay through farmland (by that time it was getting dark already) and we arrived around 8pm to a warm church and a massive amazing potluck of lasagna, salads and freshly baked honey maple bread (made in honour of us Canadians) not to mention the desserts…

Its nice to be back on the road again and all together as a big group. And again realizing that a) never believe anything anyone tells you while on the road, and b) ain’t no mountain high, ain’t no valley low! We can handle it all.

Bronwyn Churcher, 2008 rider