bigbenaugust 

Tell me if I am crazy or not.

My first inclination was to climb on Kings Mountain Rd and then take Tunitas Creek down to 1 and then head north to HMB. But that is a big detour to the south.

But I was gazing at the map last night and I noticed a shorter alternative: climb on Kings Mountain Rd, go north to Skyline a bit, and then cut through Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP on the Purisima Creek trail which ends onto Higgins Canyon Rd, which I can then ride to 1 and into HMB. Can anyone vouch for the trail quality there?

A third alternative would be to take Cypress Ridge Rd from Skyline, which looks to be an unpaved road. Is that open all the way through down to Higgins Canyon?

I will be riding a CX bike, so a little dirt or gravel is no issue. I have to get ready for the Levi's GranFondo anyway.

SesameCrunch

There is a big firetrail you can come down. It's fun, no issues at all if you have wide tires. Once you exit the firetrail, you can turn left and come out Purissima Creek Rd, which is flat, but longer. Or, you can turn right, climb Higgins (about 500 ft) and zip down to HMB. Either way, it's an enjoyable ride.

bigbenaugust 

I will be there Saturday morning!

bigbenaugust 

... if 32mm meets your definition of 'fat'.

SesameCrunch

32mm is fine. It's a well used fire trail. I'll bet that once you come down that trail, you'll come back with a MTB. There's all kinds of trails there. People come from all over to ride their MTB's there.

Have a great ride!

reidplum

So where (how) does one find the fire trail when riding North on Skyline? Sounds intriguing. Thanks!

Reid

bigbenaugust 

Here is where I am aiming for:

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Puris...12,194.93,,0,0

SesameCrunch

Yup, that's it. You have to look for it, though. Not particularly well signed.

Big Ben, it would be ideal if you had disc brakes, as it's a long and steep (at places) downhill. Otherwise, be careful of your rims heating up.

bigbenaugust 

Cantilevers all the way.

I'm also looking forward to climbing it back up.

reidplum

Ah. Good. That I can find. Thanks!

Reid

bigbenaugust 

Please note that that pic is from the other direction, but the outhouse should be visible from the south, too.

bigbenaugust 

Rode it today. The Open Space District folks have covered large portions of the really steep first mile down with crushed granite. This made it an amazing pain in both directions. After that, it got better. Full ride report later.

I need to go find some new brake pads and put new tires (they were pretty bald) on the bike before the GranFondo next week.

bigbenaugust 

I figure after flogging my bike to death on a ride like that, one of two things is going to happen:
a) the Congressional Committee on the Abuse of Cheap Cyclocross Bikes is going to have me sent to Guantanamo Bay, or
b) bikesdirect.com may make me a spokesman.

link to some pics (picasa was being a jerk about my disk space so everything is 800x600, sorry)

treadtread

Link doesn't work - page not found.

bigbenaugust 

Grr, did I really just do that to myself?

yes, I did. I am officially a doofus. Link above fixed.

SemperFiV12

I really enjoyed reading this thread and viewing the album... Great job!

bigbenaugust 

For the record, Cypress Ridge Rd is closer-to-paved than is the Purisima Creek Trail and is a little further north, but is marked as a private road (at least on the south end). But Google Maps says it goes through. Use at your own risk.

Also, a lower gear than 34x26 is recommended for the ascent.

johntrev

I was looking for a ride a little south of Half Moon Bay when I stumbled upon this thread. Believe it or not, a year and a half after the last post, it was through this thread that I learned of the Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, and ended up riding in this area today - great ride!

I started up Purisima Creek Road off Highway 1, picked up Purisima Creek Trail in the Preserve, passed 4 deer and countless banana slugs along the way, and climbed the 2000 feet to Skyline. The ride climbs pretty constantly up the fire road, but never so steeply that one might be tempted to walk.

Take Skyline 2 miles north, then grab the Whittemore Gulch Trail back down through the Preserve. The trail is typically 3-4 feet wide, not overly technical, but with enough twists, turns, roots, rocks and whoop-de-doops to make it fun and keep you on your toes. On a midweek morning, I only saw one hiker on the way down...which was great - with the significant descents, it's easy to get going over the 15 MPH park limit.

The ride was a great reminder for me of the tremendous beauty that surrounds us and what a remarkable place the Bay Area is. 45 minutes drive from my house, and I get to ride along the Pacific Coast, through rolling farmland, along rollicking creeks, past towering redwood groves, and climb to over 2000 feet, modest really, but higher than the highest point in 1/3 of the US states. Awesome!

bigbenaugust 

Awww, my old thread! *hugs*

This ride and the 2012 GranFondo's gravel-road trip through the forest were my two all-time favorite rides in the Bay Area-- and as it turns out, my last two long ones as I moved to NC in April of '13.

johntrev

Cheers, BigBen. I love that there are always new rides and places to explore around here. Even old favorites for me, like crossing SF through the Presidio and crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, still feel fresh and fun.

Hope your riding in NC is just as great!