Tips
September 24, 2024
Road cycling
November 4, 2024
Road cycling
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Nearby routes
Best routes near San Francisquito Creek Bridge
5.0
(6)
616
riders
78.9km
04:11
1,480m
1,480m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
5.0
(3)
417
riders
98.5km
05:02
1,690m
1,690m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
4.9
(9)
440
riders
48.6km
03:04
920m
920m
The Manzanita Way – Kings Mountain Road loop from Palo Alto is a quintessential Bay Area road cycling experience, known for its significant climbs and diverse scenery. You'll push through shaded redwood forests on Kings Mountain Road, where the consistent 7.5% average gradient demands focus, before enjoying the quieter, canopied stretch of Manzanita Way. This difficult 30.2-mile (48.6 km) route, with its 3027 feet (923 metres) of elevation gain, offers stunning views of the Bay and South Bay, making the 3 hours and 4 minutes of effort well worth it for experienced riders.
Planning your ride from Palo Alto, you'll find Kings Mountain Road to be well-maintained and signed, with turnouts for cyclists, while Manzanita Way offers a peaceful, low-traffic alternative. The best season for road cycling in the Santa Cruz Mountains generally spans spring through fall, but always check local weather forecasts before heading out. Parking is typically available in Palo Alto for those looking to tackle this popular route.
This loop is a celebrated part of the Santa Cruz Mountains cycling network, often combined with other routes for longer adventures. Kings Mountain Road is a classic climb, frequently highlighted for its challenging profile and the rewarding vistas it provides over Silicon Valley. Manzanita Way stands out for its serene, bucolic atmosphere, offering a pleasant contrast to the more strenuous sections of the ride.
Details
Informations
Elevation -10 m
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Wednesday 19 August
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15°C
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Max wind speed: 12.0 km/h
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