22 Jun 2019
RBC Gran Fondo
60°F
Silicon Valley
RBC hosts a fantastic ride. Big clockwise loop from Palo Alto up over the coastal range out to Highway 1, with quality time under the redwood forest canopy and some big climbs.
Brisk lead-out warmup from Palo Alto up into the hills. Solid, strong first climb… the mountain-goats of the group forging ahead.
Cruisy middle bumps weaving through a redwood forest. Roads quiet and smooth.
The beautiful coastal loop dipped out through misty foothills west to Highway 1, then pointed back northeast toward the mountains.
And back up. That meditative 10% Tunitas climb through the redwood forest was something special.
Back in town, signs for one key waypoint near the end were missing so our group went the wrong way for a few miles.
Great ride, brilliant route.
Gear notes
- Actual sleep the night before would have been nice… adrenalin and anticipation kept me up all night but for 2.5 hours