NIS Gizdich Ranch via Hazel Dell, Freedom Blvd

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Aptos, CA, US

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Route Overview

Santa Cruz County Cycling Club (SCCCC)

Enjoy the ride ...

36 mi.

1,824 ft.

Easy Pie Ride!

Beautiful Hazel Dell, followed by yummy Pie at Gizdich Ranch, and then an easy cycle ride home.

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Route Details

Fully paved, almost all quiet backcountry roads. Fairly gentle climbs, with very rewarding Fruit Pie for lunch.

# Route

* Park at the entrance to @point[Nisene Marks State Park](d,57395.36) behind the Epicenter Cycling Store in Aptos, CA
* @slice[Trout Gulch](d,261.62,1007.8) soon turns into @photo[gently rolling](854751) @slice[Valencia Road](d,1030.95,1701.05)
* Left onto @point[Day Valley](d,5302.03) - careful with the @point[turn](d,8414.25) onto Freedom Blvd, and the left @poi[back across Freedom Blvd](1130940) onto Hames Rd.
* Little Hames gives way to @slice[Big Hames](d,10185.4,10515.38), the hardest (but short) climb!
* Corralitos has a great little store (and a toilet stop). Good English Candy, if you have a sweet tooth!
* Ascend and then descend @photo[beautiful](854763) @slice[Hazel Dell](d,16313.31,22324.01). It can be cool in the Redwoods, so think about a jacket for the descent!
* Lunch at @poi[Gizdich Ranch](1130943) is all @photo[pie, pie, pie](854723)!

# Notes

* An all year ride. @photo[Rain](854759) can make the roads super slick around here, so be warned (not that we've had any for quite a while!)
* Many people avoid Bigger Hames by staying on Freedom until the left into Corralitos.
* A great variation (and to see the @poi[Cycling Skeleton](1130999)) is to turn right at the bottom of Hazel Dell onto Green Valley Road, then left on Casserly Road to pick up the previous route.
* Easy ride, although some find Big Hames a stretch.
* This is a ride that needs a modicum of fitness, but is a perennial favorite simply because of the mixed conditions, views, and pie!
* Take something to carry an extra pie home with you - you'll regret it if you don't!
* Photos courtesy of Karen Nevis

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NIS Gizdich Ranch via Hazel Dell, Freedom Blvd

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