Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge

Cat. 2: Mile 41

Cat. 3: Mile 2, 13, 27, and 71

Cat. 4: Mile 9, 35, 55, 58, 69, 88, and 94

The Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge is a great event leading over ridgetops and through the redwood forest of Santa Cruz County. In addition to a challenging century, a metric and double metric century route is available. The century route consists of a big, counter-clockwise loop connected to a smaller, clockwise loop.

The ride starts in Scotts Valley, located in the coastal mountains between San Jose and Santa Cruz. After a short warm-up on Glenwood Drive, climbing begins in earnest on Mount Charlie Road. Then Summit Road, Bear Creek Road, and Skyline Boulevard lead along a ridge, before Big Basin Way drops down into stunning Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

Next Jamison Creek Road, a timed hillclimb, heads up steep switchbacks to Empire Grade, before Pine Flat Road and Bonny Doon Road drop down again. Martin Road leads up to Ice Cream Grade and Felton Empire Road down into Felton. Then Zayante Road climbs back to Summit Road, completing the first loop.

After following the ridge on Summit Road and Old Summit Road, Soquel San Jose Road descends, and Laurel Glen Road, Mountain View Road, and Branciforte Drive continue on. Finally Granite Creek Road ascends to Scotts Valley, completing the second loop and century route.

Event Website: Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge