Dorothy’s Ride Saturday, September 26

Date: Saturday, September 26, 2009
Time: 11:00am – 6:00pm Location: Aptos, CA
Street: 150 Rancho del Mar shopping center
City/Town: Aptos, CA

Note: Brian Chun will lead a “ride to the ride” from the Los Gatos Park and Ride at 8 AM. Get extra credit!

Where: Meet by the KFC, South end of the Rancho del Mar shopping center, in Aptos. Route map here.

Why: Bike from the beach to the redwoods, with farmland, ranches and wineries in between! The route roughly follows the “Corralitos Wine Trail” past four (!) wineries. The best is reported to be Alfaro’s, and we’ll meet for tasting and lunch there. All wineries are marked on the map.

Stats: The “short loop” is about 25 miles, and 2000′ of climbing: 3 LM to M. The “Long Loop” adds another ~15 miles, with Mt. Madonna and Eureka Canyon as options. The “Ride to the Ride”, well, will be as long as you make it–bike from SJ to Aptos and back.

Notes:

1. You can ride to the ride with Brian Chun. Meet at 8 AM at the Los Gatos Park and Ride to take Old Santa Cruz Highway to Aptos, with other goats possible. Brian will have a sign-up sheet, and I’ll submit for club credit. You can also SAG back, if you like, in my car. (Room for up to 3 extra bikes/riders possible.)
2. September 26 is the “Corralitos Wine Trail Festival”, with live music and free food (Corralitos sausages!) at the wineries! You can purchase a pass to all 4 wineries for $35 here, or pay $10 for each winery you want to visit. Alfaro’s is the only “official” stop, however: they have award-winning wines and a good selection, and are expecting us. Also, they have limited picnic facilities, and are close to the Corralitos Market, if you want to purchase something for lunch. See the route map for locations of wineries and the market.
3. Dave will pick up your wine purchases for you! Simply text or phone me by 3 PM on the ride day at 408-230-7164 and leave a message with your name, the winery, and number of bottles. I’ll bring them back to the ride start or San Jose, as you prefer.
4. MOST IMPORTANT: Be aware that drinking and riding can be a potentially dangerous and/or illegal combination, so use good judgment. Also, be aware that there may be extra drivers on the road, some who may have been drinking–so keep an eye out! Dave and his sidekick Carlie will happily (and discreetly) SAG anyone who asks, no questions asked!

Hope to see everyone there!

Dave Adler