There are things I can do on a solo ride that get in the way when riding with others. Like stopping frequently to take photos of things like turtles on a log at the LaHonda duck pond. Or cows in a meadow. Today was one of those days.
A bit different sort of route; up Old LaHonda (been there, done that), over Haskins to Pescadero (been there, done that), Stage Road to San Gregorio (nothing new here!) but instead of Tunitas I headed back east on 84 to LaHonda again, then headed up West Alpine. I finally managed to get a 21-something time up Old LaHonda, something I haven’t done since October, and my 2nd-fastest time up West Alpine in recent history (since 2009).
And yes, wildlife was everywhere. Not sure how I noticed the turtles on the log in the duck pond, but that brought me to a stop very quickly. Looked like a family of three, but by the time I got my camera out, two had gone back into the water. Just as I was taking the picture, a huge Blue Heron flew into a tree on the far side of the pond. Pretty amazing.
Lots of cattle out grazing too, on grass greener that we’ll ever see it again this year. And, up on Skyline, where it was really windy, Red-Tail Hawks were using the currents to stay motionless just 10 feet above a hillside, looking for prey.
Mike,
I love cycling to La Honda now because west OLH and 84 have never been in better shape–this feels so much safer than a few years ago. Why couldn’t Caltrans have done the same work on Skyline that they did on W 84?
I didn’t see your time up W. Alpine, but I’m pretty sure I’d hate you! BTW, do you think most of the Strava ranked riders parked in La Honda in order to achieve their best time? I’m certain that climbing OHL before W. Alpine takes a few minutes out of me.
Jay: Tough to say what effect Old LaHonda has prior to West Alpine. Yesterday I felt pretty good after coming up from the coast on 84 and then doing the short flat-ish lead-in to the base of West Alpine. Pretty sure that was a lot easier than when you climb Haskins from the Pescadero side and then head up West Alpine immediately after descending Haskins. In general, I think the worst thing for climbing speed is to have immediately come off a descent. –Mike–