Day 1: Downtown San José to Henry Coe State Park
Ride from downtown San Jose to Morgan Hill on Monterey Road on level ground, then up into the hills on Dunne Avenue from Morgan Hill to Henry Coe State Park Headquarters at 2640 feet.
34.7 bicycle miles during 4:10 hours.
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Date: August 26, 2007, 12h00
Size: 13 items
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The 10-ton bike is ready to leave downtown San José to head for Henry Coe State Park.
I'm only using my rear rack and saddlebags for this trip, but my load turns out to be so big and heavy that I wonder if I should have better balanced my load by using front saddlebags as well.
Date: August 26, 2007, 12h05
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The 10-ton's bike driver is also ready to go to Henry Coe.
Well, sort of... The 35-mile ride to Henry Coe is never the easiest because the big hills are on the last 10 miles of the ride. Not sure if I'm in shape or not, but I'm going anyway.
Date: August 26, 2007, 12h05
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Riding down Monterey Road in south San José.
About five miles south of home, riding through suburban sprawl.
Date: August 26, 2007, 12h43
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Still riding down Monterey Road, now about 15 miles from home, getting closer to the town of Morgan Hill.
About 45 minutes later, I'm still riding down Monterey Road. It's turning out to be a fairly warm day (in the 80s) and I'm starting to work up a bit of a sweat.
Date: August 26, 2007, 13h31
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Henry Coe State Park's land becomes visible on the distant hilltops at the centre of the photo.
The land at the top of these distant hilltops is just the beginning of the park, which extends far back into the steep ridges and canyons of the backcountry beyond.
Date: August 26, 2007, 13h33
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In the suburban town of Morgan Hill, I head up Dunne Avenue, which climbs to the top of the hills straight ahead.
After a short break in Morgan Hill's little downtown for cold drinks, then iced espresso, I'm heading up Dunne Avenue, which ends at Henry Coe State Park headquarters some 12 miles up the hill.
Date: August 26, 2007, 14h55
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Further up Dunne Avenue, well above Anderson Reservoir, looking back down toward Silicon Valley, Morgan Hill and San José.
The climb towards Henry Coe always gets slower the closer one gets. But I'm well up into the hills now and only have four or five miles (uphill) to go.
Date: August 26, 2007, 16h16
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Taking a short rest on Dunne Avenue in one of my favourite shady spots on the way to Henry Coe State Park.
I've bike-camped in Coe Park many times now, and I often stop right here for an energy bar (a Clif bar, usually).
Date: August 26, 2007, 16h16
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Somewhat tired from the climb up Dunne Avenue, especially the steep upper section of the road, I arrive at Henry Coe State Park
It has been a long 35-mile ride from home, with a noticeably heavier load than usual (with eight days of supplies) but I've done well.
Date: August 26, 2007, 18h17
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