My Last Ride on Strava

Short Loop

First Twins of the Year

Afternoon Mountain Bike Ride

Millennial Falcon

It was a smoky, hazy day in the valley and I wanted to get out on the bike. I hadn't ridden since my trip to North Carolina about a week ago, and I was getting restless. I usually ride in Santa Cruz on days when I have a good chunk of time, but I had been sidetracked by recent news of drug use and violence at the trailhead there, so I opted to hit the hills of Soquel Demonstration Forest in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

I don't often ride "The Demo" mostly because it is a trek to get to the trailhead, and there is also a grueling climb out. But the trails there are ultra sweet, and I had not been there for quite some time. So this seemed to be the perfect option to keep my fitness up to a level where the upcoming Turkey Ride wouldn't kill me.

The ride in took me about an hour and 45 minutes. It's a long trek to the top, but I'm also a slow climber. The parks service is nearing the end of a major fire abatement program that is tearing up the forest floor to prevent wildfires. As a result, the trail is often tough to find under all the debris and winding vehicle tracks.

The path becomes more obvious near the head of the Flow Trail. From there, it's a fun and fast ride down to the bottom, where a 4 1/2 mile climb back to the car awaits me.

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Spokesman MTB

Soquel Demo - Flow

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My Last Ride on Strava

Short Loop

First Twins of the Year

Afternoon Mountain Bike Ride

Millennial Falcon

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