Santa Cruz Sports Travel

Santa Cruz is a world leader in recreational cycling. The mountain bicycle was virtually invented here when I was a kid, and some of the toughest wilderness trails are in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Since then full suspension and BMX bicycles are made and used by professionals born in the area. Along the beach, coaster brake balloon tire bicycles were common during the 40's, 50's, and 60's, and have made a full scale comeback as a retro sport activity. Then, along the roadways in the mountains, along hwy 1, and elsewhere in the county, road bikes remain extremely popular. Many high tech companies provide incentives for their workers to commute by bicycle. If you are a driver, beware of the assertive style of many of these riders who are skilled at road lane management and won't easily move to the roadside just because your vehicle is bigger, especially on steep and winding downhill descents where they can often outpace the fastest sports car. There are also funny bikes and trikes of various types, since Santa Cruz cyclists are experimental techies willing to try anything new. Yet, cycling in the area is not for the inexperienced and faint of heart. Traffic in town or on the rural roadways is busy and dangerous. Some hill climbs among the great maze of rural roads in Santa Cruz mountains will burst the heart muscle of the strongest rider. While cycling to the west of Santa Cruz along Hwy 1 is a good relatively level and minimal traffic path to take, the natural gusty winds and blinding fog on some days can run interference to the enjoyment of a good ride. There are definitely restrictions on where mountain bikes can go off-road since bike trails do cause further erosion in a landslide prone mountain sides. I recommend that cyclists start early in the morning before traffic builds. Tourists, beach goers, and partiers are late to rise in the morning, particularly when the skies are overcast. In town, follow the excellent network of bicycle lanes to stay safe.

There are several small manufacturers that make all these types and more of bicycle frames. The link below is just two of many, and there are individual frame makers who work alone in their workshops. All materials--aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber, and steel are available in the local market, and the prices have been coming down a bit for increasingly better equipment. There are also local equipment manufacturers, particularly for mountain and beach going bikes. One of the great experiences when visiting Santa Cruz would be to rent a bicycle for a day or two, and then arrange for a custom frame sizing. Then have it outfitted with the type of equipment you want from the start. One should do research on-line, as most of these companies have really great websites and 800 number sales/service, and then make an appointment before you arrive in town. Don't expect to be received on a weekend or holiday. If fitting is to be done at the workshop, the bike can be easily shipped home to you later. There's no sense stuffing one of these gems into your luggage since it can be easily shipped direct to your house by UPS.

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