North American Touring!
This week we have a virtual buffet of routes from around North America.
Kevin Lottis, Chris DeVries, Rick Norton and Alexis Berthillier.
Banff to Johnston Canyon is a stunning route, that features sweeping views of the mountain, quiet bike paths and tree-lined highways. It features a rolling profile, making it ideal for some intervals with active recovery.
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JARMANS GAP AND SKYLINE DRIVE TO THE CROZET TUNNEL
Jarmans Gap is a steep gravel climb that can be linked to the paved Skyline Drive National Park. The climb is an unrelenting 2.5 mile exercise in seeing what you’re willing to endure for the deserved sense of accomplishment. Once you crest you have a solid 11 seconds to breathe before negotiating a tricky hiking path descent to the glorious Skyline Drive road. It feels like we almost have the road to ourselves on this quiet day before Thanksgiving. We descend from Afton via a side gravel road to the recently renovated old Crozet Tunnel. The tunnel was the original 1840s construction through Afton Mountain to the west. The tunnel was quickly replaced as the trains became larger; it was abandoned for more than 150 years before recently opening as a tourist spot where you can walk the very dark and cool 1 mile to the other side!
More InfoAFTON SWITCHBACKS (GRAVEL)
Two roads diverged going down Afton’s Switchbacks and this time we take the one with some gravel! We head back to the same Crozet town but the gravel lets us hit a few scenic spots and even quieter roads. We start about 700 meters from the road bike version near the old Afton train station. We make one detour for a steep 1 kilometre kicker to a winery to enjoy an amazing view back to the Blue Ridge and Wintergreen mountain. Then it’s back to meandering over some gravel roads in the waning late autumn sun.
More InfoCALERO COUNTY PARK CLIMBING LOOP
Once part of the Pueblo lands of San Jose, and Rancho San Vincente land grant, this approximate 4,471 acre park is nestled in the eastern foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Two distinct areas define this park: the reservoir, which offers a host of water-oriented recreational activities, and the adjoining "back country" which reveals to the visitor California Oak woodland, chaparral, riparian plant communities and associated wildlife habitats. During the months of March, April and May the "back country" offers a spectacular display of wildflowers. In addition, the park offers breathtaking views of southern Santa Clara County and the surrounding Santa Cruz Mountain Range.
More InfoQUICKSILVER PRESERVE
Almaden Quicksilver County Park is the site of over 135 years of mining activities and former home to more than 1,800 miners and their families. The park encompasses 4,163 acres, occupying a majority of Capitancillos Ridge. During early spring, the park offers one of the most spectacular wildflower displays in the region. Remnants of the mining era also offer an exciting look into the mining operations of the latter part of the 19th century. This ride takes you around all the fire roads available to bikes with some interesting steep gradients.
More InfoBANFF TO JOHNSTON CANYON
A beautiful sunny day heading out from Banff townsite toward Johnston Canyon. We’ll navigate our way to the bike path alongside the A1, and then onto the Bow Valley Parkway for an undulating ride amongst the trees with the high mountains in the background. Lots of other cyclists out today so make sure to say Hello.
More InfoBEAR MOUNTAIN
This is the big climb that is closest to New York City. The Bear Mt. Strava segment is 7.1 km at 5.3%. This ride begins with some time to warm up and which is then followed by 1.4 km climb to really test the legs because Bear Mountain begins right after the downhill.
More InfoGREENWOOD LAKE
A lovely forested but challenging cross-state clockwise loop around Greenwood Lake. Starting in New Jersey you'll climb up to Hewitt where you'll first see glimpses of the lake, then it's an undulating road alongside the west shore of the lake where you cross into New York State. At the top of the lake you'll head south on the east shore and climb up to the town of Sterling Forest, then back into New Jersey. Then it's down to the finish to complete the lake lap, but there are some sneaky climbs and undulations on the way.
More InfoSHELTER ISLAND
This is a ride around Shelter Island, a summer holiday spot in eastern New York nestled between the two forks of Long Island. It begins at the North Ferry and heads south in a counterclockwise direction to the South Ferry before heading back up to the beginning.
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