Gravel - Half Moon Bay/Purisima

25-30 miles / 2000-3000 feet climb, approx. B-pace
(distance/climb depending on how much of Purisima MTB we decide to climb, based on the gearing everyone has)

Great gravel ride with a bit of everything - dirt, gravel, road, mountain. Starts w/dirt along the coast, road climb to bottom of Purisima, Purisima MTB climb/descent (XC), road back to the coast. Good fitness required. Weather expected to be in the 50's, max 60.

Where
Meet at Cowell Ranch Beach Trailhead just off Hwy 1. Park at the dirt lot or along Hwy 1 just before the lot.
Google Maps
Apple Maps

Bring
Gravel bike
Two water bottles
Riding sunglasses, med. lenses
Energy bars/food
Tools, spare tube
Extra layer/jacket

Optional
Dropper post
Bike computer
Garmin Varia radar
Headlight

Tips
For steeper or bumpy descents, strong recommendation to use your handlebar drops with one finger covering each brake at all times. Dropper post (if you have one) in the down position for trail/mountain descents, and optionally for road as well. While using the handlebar drops with seatpost/dropper post up, flipping the bike forward / OTB can happen more easily - control your speed on trail descents. Riding on the hoods on descents is not secure, bumps can knock your hands off the handlebar, and strong consistent braking is difficult.

Control your speed on the road descents, especially on the tight steep turns. On steep right turns in particular it's easy to accidentally cross into the opposing lane - assume there's a car around every corner, even on roads with "no traffic".

Do most of your braking while moving in a straight line, before you get to each turn, and avoid locking up your brakes. Especially important on trail/gravel/dirt, where braking into turns can easily lose traction. These are not mountain bikes with mountain bike tires and suspension, these are road bikes with slightly knobby tires.

Don't move your weight too far back over your bike on trail descents. Being too much in the "back seat" takes weight off the front wheel, making front braking worse and making it more likely to lose front wheel traction.

Group policy & liability release

The group has a NO DROP policy. We'll decide together about any changes to the ride.

West Coast Mountain Bikers is a group riding community. We don't encourage individuals to come out to our rides that want to do their own ride five minutes after starting with us. We start together and stick together. If new to our group, please take the time to read our Ride Rating Guide, found at the link below.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eml9bs3b9aPik-XF9EuazGouBVefExveQXBc58Nkl9o/edit?usp=sharing

All of our rides require a helmet and properly maintained bike.
Riders should be sure to read the description of the ride fully prior to their RSVP. Rides will vary by location and organizer, so be sure to sign up for rides that are appropriate for your skill and fitness level. If unsure if an event is appropriate, contact the event host prior to the event. If you have an existing medical condition please consult your doctor prior to joining an event.

Meetup.com and West Coast Mountain Bikers do not allow minors to attend events. We will occasionally make exceptions, so long as the parent is also in attendance.

The event host and organizers ultimately have the last call on who can and cannot attend a particular event. When a member's safety is concerned we will always err on the side of caution.

Release of Liability: By joining this event, you hereby RELEASE and DISCHARGE it's owners, principals, affiliates, presenters, organizer, assistant organizer, hosts and participants from any and all liability, claims, demands or causes of action that you now have, or may have in the future, for injuries, damages, death and/or economic loss of any kind or nature, arising in whole or in part out of the activities, advice or information contained herein. You further agree that if you or someone under your supervision uses the information on this website you assume all risks of injury, damage, and economic loss, without limitation, and release providers from all liability.