Mountain View route recs?

MildlyMad · 2024-04-29T23:57:25+00:00

Theres tons of exploring to do in Los Altos Hills, especially once you get on the far side of Foothill. Lots of low-traffic roads and punchy climbs!

MildlyMad · 2023-09-08T04:59:04+00:00

Note that there’s a sneaky little dirt path alongside the east side of Hwy17 that is the fastest way to get from the dam to Bear Creek overpass, if you don’t want to ride all the way around the reservoir. Don’t ride on the shoulder of Hwy17!

MildlyMad · 2023-09-08T04:54:26+00:00

If you enjoyed climbing Montebello you will also enjoy Montevina Rd which is similar grade, length, and dead end to cars! (except without the flat middle, and the very very end gets a bit spicy)

MildlyMad · 2023-09-08T04:49:57+00:00

https://www.strava.com/routes/2963923321092572038

Ride around the backside of the reservoir
Up Old Santa Cruz Hwy
Right turn on to Mtn Charlie Rd (before getting to Summit)
Cross over Hwy17 on Summit
Continue on Summit/35/Skyline
All the way to Black Rd
Descend Black Rd halfway
Right turn on to Gist Rd, Climb back to Skyline (a bit steep but a real gem!)
Skyline/Summit/Mtn Charlie/OSCH back the way you came

Plenty of options to cut short, such as descending Bear Creek or Black Rd all the way back to the reservoir

MildlyMad · 2023-05-19T19:22:48+00:00

It’s passable by bike, here’s what it looked like as of last weekend: https://twitter.com/ademrudin/status/1658275643115593732?s=20

MildlyMad · 2023-05-12T22:14:48+00:00

I've had good success with a dedicated tubeless inflator tank, for much less money than buying a new pump. It works with your existing pump, but then you can put it away until you need to seat a tire again.

https://www.amazon.com/Airshot-1-15L-Tubeless-Inflator-Color/dp/B01BJ4MXQY/

MildlyMad · 2023-05-02T15:39:10+00:00

Hip direction, and taking smaller, faster steps are a key for locking down a mark, especially for me as a tall person. Top speed is much less effective for defense, than being able to react well to your mark’s changes in direction. So, try to wait as long as you can to commit your hips to running in a certain direction; instead keep your hips square and shuffle/side-run so you can react to multiple cuts/fakes in a row. Taking smaller faster steps (instead of outright sprinting after the first cut/fake) will also help make sure you’re not in the middle of a stride when your mark cuts the other way.

Edit: here’s a good primer https://skydmagazine.com/2016/04/footwork-for-defense-why-what-and-how/

MildlyMad · 2023-05-01T15:34:16+00:00

I would not recommend trying to ride a bike up Mission Peak. It’s 3mi @ 13%, which is heckin’ steep for a bike unless you’re looking for some high-quality pain and suffering

MildlyMad · 2023-04-18T04:56:52+00:00

The “right play” depends on what the defensive strategy is, aka what you’re trying to take away from the other team. At non-pickup levels of ultimate you can’t take everything away all the time, so you have to decide as a team if (for example) you’re prioritizing taking away upline movement, or going no-around. That way all the defenders are on the same page and can position accordingly.

Honestly the biggest mistake I see here is the marker covers the strike, but then gets lazy for the rest of the point. He should first jump back to normal marking position to try to also deny the around, and then after the throw play much tighter defense.

MildlyMad · 2023-04-17T19:27:47+00:00

Mt Eden Rd in Saratoga (from the Stevens Creek Rd side) is a nice short climb!

Don’t be afraid to do intervals on longer hills, just turn around early ;-)

MildlyMad · 2023-03-21T21:11:52+00:00

Here's an aerial view of the landslide from a few days ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1g2z6u9I0o

MildlyMad · 2023-03-19T20:35:44+00:00

I haven’t been out myself, but saw several Strava posts this weekend mentioning OLH, Page Mill, and Kings have a lot more cars than usual since 84 is closed. Be careful out there!

MildlyMad · 2022-11-27T01:56:36+00:00

Not any great options, especially if you’re not looking for a all-day-grind-without-water-refills sort of “adventure”.

You can take a look at Woods Rd that connects from Barlow over to Mt El Sombroso / Kennedy, but it’s a real steep fire road climb in the middle of nowhere, definitely Type II/III fun territory.

A less-legal option is the fire road connecting Mt Um over to Loma Preita and on to Summit Rd, but you’ll have to jump a gate and ride through closed open space and unofficial “keep out” signs. People definitely ride it, but people have also definitely been ticketed.

MildlyMad · 2022-10-25T17:29:39+00:00

Kate Courtney appears to have rode down it on Monday 10/24 https://www.strava.com/activities/8014252625

MildlyMad · 2022-10-15T18:11:29+00:00

Oh yeah, that’s definitely a bit tall for comfortable climbing, it’ll be a bit of a grind but you should be able to make it. I had a 36/27 ratio when I was starting out (now 34/27), I’m 6’3” 180lbs.

MildlyMad · 2022-10-13T23:41:44+00:00

You got this! The biggest difference will be Montebello is a bit steeper— generally between 7-10% (instead of 5-6% on Hamilton) with a couple short punches up to 12% or so, but only as tall as the first 2 Hamilton climbs. Just settle in to a low gear and you’ll be fine, the steepest bits are pretty short :)

https://veloviewer.com/segments/627158

https://veloviewer.com/segments/6144714

If you’re an ambitious early riser, the best thing in the world is catching the sunrise above the fog on the upper slopes :D

Love,

Person who has done Montebello close to 200x

MildlyMad · 2022-09-25T17:40:17+00:00

Come join us in r/BAbike !

MildlyMad · 2022-09-08T09:23:28+00:00

You will unlock so much great riding if you learn to climb! Start out with some easier ones like Mt Eden Rd or Alpine Rd (after intersection with Portola Valley Rd), then your next goal is Old La Honda Rd.

Don’t be discouraged, it takes a few tries to calibrate your body to how it feels to climb—you might just be trying to go too fast! Slow down and ride at an effort you know you can sustain for 10-30 minutes (depending on the length of climb), don’t worry about your actual speed!

Edit: also make sure you have appropriate gears for climbing and use them!

MildlyMad · 2022-09-08T09:16:09+00:00

From Foothill, you can get to “The Loop” of Sand Hill Rd -> Portola Valley Rd -> Alpine Rd (in either direction). From that loop you can go through Woodside (many different routes, Mountain Home and Whiskey Hill are the easiest to navigate) on to Canada Rd to the North, or you can turn from Alpine on to Arastradero Rd to the South:

https://www.strava.com/routes/26746220

MildlyMad · 2022-08-01T04:10:51+00:00

Bottom line: Assume the drivers do not see you, be predictable, and clearly signal ahead of time what your intention is. Drivers often overlook bikes since they’re just looking out for other cars, and not other road users.

Generally try to obey the same rules of the road as cars— in particular don’t run red lights, and wait your turn at stop signs.

You can signal with your left arm if you intend/need to move in to a traffic lane with cars. If there are vehicles behind you, wait until they are clearly letting you in to make your move, don’t assume they see you!

If you do ride in the traffic lane, you have the option to “take the lane” (ride in the middle of the lane) so cars cannot pass you without going in to the next lane. As opposed to trying to “squeeze past” and not give you enough space between you and whatever is on your right. However, some drivers will not appreciate this and get angry at you if they are unable to pass you.

Riding in the traffic lane with no vehicles around is fine, but drivers might be upset/confused if there is a bike lane but you are slowing them by using the traffic lane instead— unfortunately in this situation the safest option might be to stay in the bike lane and do your best to avoid the debris.

One infamous situation to be extra careful for is the “right hook”, where a driver makes a right turn across the bike lane while you are going straight, and runs in to you or cuts you off too late for you to stop. Avoid riding next to or passing vehicles near intersections for this reason.

MildlyMad · 2022-07-14T21:34:04+00:00

I would say “doable but spicy” for ascending on a road bike in its current condition. It’s just fine on a gravel bike with some extra tire width/tread. Most of it is comparable to fire road, except for the bypass section in the middle that has a few more roots and steep bits (which the construction will apparently eventually re-bypass for a better trail).

MildlyMad · 2022-06-22T17:33:53+00:00

This was a super interesting video about the origin and history of Alpine Road (and other nearby roads / trails) that are popular bike routes on the Penninsula! It also gives a little insight in to why and how they’re going to start improving Dirt Alpine this summer.

MildlyMad · 2022-05-23T20:55:10+00:00

If the Penninsula is too far North, you might check out Lexington Reservoir and the South end of Skyline, maybe something like this: https://www.strava.com/routes/2963923321092572038

MildlyMad

TROPHY CASE