THE DETAILS EVERY RIDER NEEDS TO KNOW
Whether you're a HMB veteran or rookie, or waitlister, here are the essentials for day of logistics as well as details on what to bring, shuttles, water stops, bathrooms, etc. and if you have any questions, feel free to email me or text/call at (650) 490-0142.
UPDATE ME PLEASE
I realize things change, so let me know right away via the email/phone links above. There are a lot of moving parts and there could be alternatives for you and keep in mind there are anxious waitlisters needing to know if they need to ramp up their training or not.
SHUTTLES
Traditional Route + Short Cutters: Saturday, October 21st, meet at 4am at the Qwik Stop at Harden Way & Soquel Drive in Soquel (5505 Soquel Drive, Soquel, CA), shuttle leaves Soquel at 4:30am sharp. We will have a bag for clothes/ gear that you want to shed + post ride change of clothes that will make it back to our post-ride party at Beer 30 in Soquel...this bag will also travel the route in the sag wagon. Many people park near Beer Thirty and bike the mile to Qwik Stop to meet the shuttle.
100 Milers: Saturday, October 21st, meet at 2am at the Qwik Stop at Harden Way & Soquel Drive in Soquel (5505 Soquel Drive, Soquel, CA), shuttle leaves at 2:30am sharp or sooner if ready. We will have a bag for clothes/ gear that you want to shed + post ride change of clothes that will make it back to our post-ride party...this bag will also travel the route in the sag wagon, and/or you can also bring a personal bag of gear, food, etc. that will travel with the sag wagon too and end up at Beer 30.
If you’re arranging your own way to the drop zone, PLEASE reply and let me know asap. If you are, the regular route drop zone is at this address at the vacant Bella Vista restaurant: 13451 Skyline Blvd, Woodside, CA 94062 + we should arrive at 6am or slightly before, I’d suggest getting there by at least 5:45am just in case. Last time, there seemed to be someone in the vacant restaurant so just be respectful of the property and nearby neighbors.
SAG SUPPORT
We've just confirmed that Tim Hoppe will be our official route support! The plan will be for him to be at the 6am drop zone to grab personal as well as group gear bags. He will then proceed along the route stopping at key entry/exit points and stopping landmarks so you can grab gear/food or shed items too. We'll plan to have him meet us at the Summit Store, and then he'll meet us at Beer Thirty where you'll be able to grab your gear. Stopping points will likely include:
Star Hill/Tunitas Creek
HWY 84/HWY 35
Rapley Road
Russian Ridge Entrance
Saratoga Gap Entrance
HWY 9/HWY 35
Castle Rock Main Entrance
Southern Sanborn Exit
Bear Creek/HWY 35
Summit Store
THINGS TO REMEMBER
No social media leading up to the ride, super under the radar, invite-only ride
Also remember, this is a social, adventure ride...not a race as we always wait for the group at major intersections and entrances + exits to each preserve. If a rookie HMB rider is near you, be sure to stop at intersections to ensure they make turns...Bryce no longer hands out maps for the route so this is key.
ROUTE DETAILS
(NO e-bikes/cross/gravel bikes. MTB only)
Traditional Route
This is a relatively accurate map, but not turn by turn. All rookies should pair up with a veteran, don’t want anyone getting lost out there. Always wait for the person behind you when making turns. Route best viewed on laptop, not phone. Consensus & fatigue near end decides your route to top of Demo and out of Nisene, there are options. 76.7 mi MTB Cycling Route on Strava - about 77 miles and 11K of climbing.
Short Cut
Sweet and fun, shaves off the first two climbs in Purisima and Skeggs/El Corte Madera Preserves. If we have any takers that aren't veterans, I'll create a Strava map and share. This shaves off about 7-10 miles and maybe 2,350 worth of climbing. There is a trail transition that's right in front of the ranger's headquarters where they all live for the region, so lights off will be key.
100 MILER
We're looking at about 21 miles, 2,822 feet of climbing before we meet the main group, here's the map/route: strava.com/routes/2999448992491191110 with Bryce doing the full Nisene fire road to Aptos and an extra mile to Beer 30 just to make sure. Bryce recommends having two lights, for use at drop zone, running one at a time just in case as it took me 3 hours, plus light was needed for the 1st downhill of the traditional route. The plan is to meet the main shuttle (it will stick around if we're running late, and the traditional riders need to leave) so we can ditch the heavier light and any gear, fuel up and then get on our way. That community gear bag will end up at Beer Thirty. You'll also be able to access your personal gear bag if all goes to plan ;) as the shuttle driver needs to drop it off at the traditional route drop zone after they drop us off.
WATER/BATHROOMS
The HWY 84 store at 15.5 miles has water, and at mile 26, there's a drinking fountain at the pond (back up water is at adjacent ranger HQ if fountain is broken), and at Castle Rock parking lot (mile 37) and Summit Store (mile 51). After that there is no reliable water source...potentially at Camp Loma, but it's not reliably available since it’s private property.
There are bathrooms at the bottom of the initial descent of the regular route (don't use the one at the top since a Ranger's house is nearby) and a couple miles down Skyline from the start for the shortcutters. 100-Milers, there'll be a bathroom at the start.
ESSENTIALS TO BRING
Light for drop zone + initial 30-40 or so minutes (super fun descent kicks things off on regular route so you’ll want a decent light (good lights lasting 2.5 - 3+ hours for 100 milers), money for lunch at Summit Store and drinks/food at Beer Thirty after party. For big stuff, you can plan to have anything like spare tires you want to bring, floor pump, etc. in the sag wagon (it's up to you to bring this stuff).
Whether you're a HMB veteran or rookie, or waitlister, here are the essentials for day of logistics as well as details on what to bring, shuttles, water stops, bathrooms, etc. and if you have any questions, feel free to email me or text/call at (650) 490-0142.
UPDATE ME PLEASE
I realize things change, so let me know right away via the email/phone links above. There are a lot of moving parts and there could be alternatives for you and keep in mind there are anxious waitlisters needing to know if they need to ramp up their training or not.
SHUTTLES
Traditional Route + Short Cutters: Saturday, October 21st, meet at 4am at the Qwik Stop at Harden Way & Soquel Drive in Soquel (5505 Soquel Drive, Soquel, CA), shuttle leaves Soquel at 4:30am sharp. We will have a bag for clothes/ gear that you want to shed + post ride change of clothes that will make it back to our post-ride party at Beer 30 in Soquel...this bag will also travel the route in the sag wagon. Many people park near Beer Thirty and bike the mile to Qwik Stop to meet the shuttle.
100 Milers: Saturday, October 21st, meet at 2am at the Qwik Stop at Harden Way & Soquel Drive in Soquel (5505 Soquel Drive, Soquel, CA), shuttle leaves at 2:30am sharp or sooner if ready. We will have a bag for clothes/ gear that you want to shed + post ride change of clothes that will make it back to our post-ride party...this bag will also travel the route in the sag wagon, and/or you can also bring a personal bag of gear, food, etc. that will travel with the sag wagon too and end up at Beer 30.
If you’re arranging your own way to the drop zone, PLEASE reply and let me know asap. If you are, the regular route drop zone is at this address at the vacant Bella Vista restaurant: 13451 Skyline Blvd, Woodside, CA 94062 + we should arrive at 6am or slightly before, I’d suggest getting there by at least 5:45am just in case. Last time, there seemed to be someone in the vacant restaurant so just be respectful of the property and nearby neighbors.
SAG SUPPORT
We've just confirmed that Tim Hoppe will be our official route support! The plan will be for him to be at the 6am drop zone to grab personal as well as group gear bags. He will then proceed along the route stopping at key entry/exit points and stopping landmarks so you can grab gear/food or shed items too. We'll plan to have him meet us at the Summit Store, and then he'll meet us at Beer Thirty where you'll be able to grab your gear. Stopping points will likely include:
Star Hill/Tunitas Creek
HWY 84/HWY 35
Rapley Road
Russian Ridge Entrance
Saratoga Gap Entrance
HWY 9/HWY 35
Castle Rock Main Entrance
Southern Sanborn Exit
Bear Creek/HWY 35
Summit Store
THINGS TO REMEMBER
No social media leading up to the ride, super under the radar, invite-only ride
Also remember, this is a social, adventure ride...not a race as we always wait for the group at major intersections and entrances + exits to each preserve. If a rookie HMB rider is near you, be sure to stop at intersections to ensure they make turns...Bryce no longer hands out maps for the route so this is key.
ROUTE DETAILS
(NO e-bikes/cross/gravel bikes. MTB only)
Traditional Route
This is a relatively accurate map, but not turn by turn. All rookies should pair up with a veteran, don’t want anyone getting lost out there. Always wait for the person behind you when making turns. Route best viewed on laptop, not phone. Consensus & fatigue near end decides your route to top of Demo and out of Nisene, there are options. 76.7 mi MTB Cycling Route on Strava - about 77 miles and 11K of climbing.
Short Cut
Sweet and fun, shaves off the first two climbs in Purisima and Skeggs/El Corte Madera Preserves. If we have any takers that aren't veterans, I'll create a Strava map and share. This shaves off about 7-10 miles and maybe 2,350 worth of climbing. There is a trail transition that's right in front of the ranger's headquarters where they all live for the region, so lights off will be key.
100 MILER
We're looking at about 21 miles, 2,822 feet of climbing before we meet the main group, here's the map/route: strava.com/routes/2999448992491191110 with Bryce doing the full Nisene fire road to Aptos and an extra mile to Beer 30 just to make sure. Bryce recommends having two lights, for use at drop zone, running one at a time just in case as it took me 3 hours, plus light was needed for the 1st downhill of the traditional route. The plan is to meet the main shuttle (it will stick around if we're running late, and the traditional riders need to leave) so we can ditch the heavier light and any gear, fuel up and then get on our way. That community gear bag will end up at Beer Thirty. You'll also be able to access your personal gear bag if all goes to plan ;) as the shuttle driver needs to drop it off at the traditional route drop zone after they drop us off.
WATER/BATHROOMS
The HWY 84 store at 15.5 miles has water, and at mile 26, there's a drinking fountain at the pond (back up water is at adjacent ranger HQ if fountain is broken), and at Castle Rock parking lot (mile 37) and Summit Store (mile 51). After that there is no reliable water source...potentially at Camp Loma, but it's not reliably available since it’s private property.
There are bathrooms at the bottom of the initial descent of the regular route (don't use the one at the top since a Ranger's house is nearby) and a couple miles down Skyline from the start for the shortcutters. 100-Milers, there'll be a bathroom at the start.
ESSENTIALS TO BRING
Light for drop zone + initial 30-40 or so minutes (super fun descent kicks things off on regular route so you’ll want a decent light (good lights lasting 2.5 - 3+ hours for 100 milers), money for lunch at Summit Store and drinks/food at Beer Thirty after party. For big stuff, you can plan to have anything like spare tires you want to bring, floor pump, etc. in the sag wagon (it's up to you to bring this stuff).