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Zwift - Group Ride: Off The MAAP 2025: Stage 3 on Power to the Portal in Watopia

Zwift - Tides and Temples in Watopia

https://ridebike.org/sfr/adventure/old-caz-300/

What a day!

Was a little slow to get up and moving, and ended up rolling into the start a few minutes after everyone had left (sorry, Rob!). Fog horns are blaring on the GGB, which means it's wet! The ride to Occidental is very familiar and I get through it relatively quickly. Very thankful for the early start and hoping to get as far as possible before it gets hot!

Nice meeting Nathaniel Nichols Ⓥ and Matt Bickford while resupplying in Occidental.

Old Caz climb is next. I'd forgotten that there are some steep bits and some pretty exposed bits; our first glimpse at the kind of heat we will be seeing on this ride. The descent is looser than I remember and I take it nice and slow (I'm on a road bike with 32s).

Just before the creek crossing I come across a couple (not on our ride) walking towards the creek. They see me coming and ask "were you expecting this?" (referring to the creek crossing). "Yup!" I say, then I come by and ride across the creek. Chatted with them a couple of minutes...apparently they were not from the area, had planned their route using Strava, and were expecting an entirely road ride!

I took the detour into Cazadero to top up my water bottles, knowing that it would get HOT on Fort Ross rd, and glad I did! Ended up even hotter than forecast. I saw up to 103 near the top, with not much shade for relief. Worried about the folks behind me, as it's only noon at this point so it will only get hotter. So relieved when the climbing is over. The fast descent down Meyers Grade felt like jumping in a cold shower; the temp dropped from 103 to 70 in a matter of minutes!

The coast feels amazing after the heat. Lots of people out in Jenner on kayaks enjoying the cove.

Next is Willow Creek: the best part of this route, in my opinion. Forest floor, shady, twisty. Requires attention, but not overly technical. Unfortunately, there was a spot where I wasn't giving my full attention and I had a tumble. There was a deep rut in the middle of the trail and the high side I chose was loose and I dropped into the rut, and rolled over. No injuries, and I got right back up and rolled off. Only later did I realize that my front brake rotor was bent a bit, and even later I realized that my sunglasses had launched from my helmet and were gone!

Hot again after the Willow Creek climb, and through the pasture lands through Bodega and to Tomales. Nice along Tomales Bay, but hotter than expected after the water ended (~80F in Pt. Reye Sta.). Stopped for a longer break to have a sorbet and a coke to cool off. 

Warm to Bolinas, then much nicer, though with an unexpected headwind...I was OK with it, since the temps were much nicer now. Stinson Beach was a mad house. Shoreline Hwy was very crowded, so couldn't really enjoy the fun descent. Sausalito similarly crowded, especially the ice cream shop. GGB was very windy but surprisingly not many touring cyclists (maybe they were all in Sausalito already). 

Finish Control volunteers Steven and Scott greeted me at the finish and we chatted for a bit until I got cold. Thanks guys! The hot tea and pizza slice really hit the spot!

Neck is sore the next morning and feeling generally tired but not completely dead. At the moment, I'm dreading the King Ridge 400k in 2 weeks, but I imagine the feeling will pass.

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Dan Pannell

Old Caz 300k

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Zwift - Race: Zwift Racing League: City Showdown - Open Lilac League Division 1 (A) on Empire Elevation in New York

Zwift - The Big Ring in Watopia

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Zwift - The Big Ring in Watopia

Zwift - Tides and Temples in Watopia

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