Training Ride Schedule
Check back often. Dates, times and locations subject to change. Also see the note below on how to import the ride schedule to your personal calendar.
In addition to the riding and training everyone should be riding on their own to be prepared to do 200 miles this Fall, these volunteer led Training Social Rides are intended to be fun, social rides, with the intent of keeping your training going. That said, we are open to adding a faster group and leader towards the end if we have enough interest.
Please note that these rides are unsupported. You are responsible for you. Bring all your own food, drinks, tubes and pumps, patch kit, etc.
More details, starting locations, and routes are below. If you need instructions on how to load the GPX file into your bike’s computer, click here.
If you will be attending a ride, please text me, Chris (831.227.1749) and/or the ride leader to let us know. And, of course, feel free to ask questions.
Let's Ride!
Chris Benkert
2025 Training Ride Coordinator
(831) 227-1749
ChrisBenkert@gmail.com
2026 Rides Schedule Overview:
Click to view a Google Calendar containing the always up-to-date schedule of training rides.
And, here are instructions on how to subscribe to this calendar so you can see the training ride events right on your own personal calendar.
Upcoming Ride Details:
Ride #1. Saturday June 6 @ 8:30am, Ride Leader: Chris Benkert (831-227-1749). We’ll meet on the bike path (@820 Swift Street, westside of Santa Cruz) by Humble Sea Brewery and ride to Panther Beach along the north end of the Monterey Bay Reserve Scenic Trail. This trail is freshly paved and ends at the Panther Beach parking lot. We will meet at 8:30 for an 8:45 rollout. Oh and I’ll be highly suggesting we hit Ivéta on the way back : )
Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55099863
Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/3489469062040766698
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FHpQCvhppvousuZH9
GPX File: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1boGimCPHJ68AyhN6Sei5XQlUc8bbqnfQ/view?usp=drive_link
Ride #2. Sunday June 14 @ 8:30am, Ride Leader: Chris Benkert (831-227-1749). Meet at Scotts Valley Post Office (241 Kings Village Rd, Scotts Valley, CA 95066) for a 8:45 rollout to ride to Scotts Valley Highschool, up to Bean Creek, down to the Rudy & King’s Lakes, over to Sky Park and back to the Post Office. The ride is 12.2mi with 1007ftof climbing and a 9.9% average grade.
Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54998249
Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/3489469062039276778
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/q4Jqi98ogr58Vqek6
GPX File: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yHlcce8W7o64aAP8CtVXFMZ2sd21Dk2K/view?usp=drive_link
Ride #3. Saturday June 20 @ 9:45am, Ride Leader: Chris Benkert (831-227-1749). For this ride we will meet at Bicycle Trip on Soquel at 9: 45 because Aaron of Bicycle Trip has generously offered to host the start & stop point of this Saturday ride because he and hit team will be offering free safety checks on bikes before our ride. We’ll leave at 10:30 for a 13.0mi ride to Scotts Valley by riding up Branciforte & Granite Creek where we will meet up with Green Hills road to take that back to Bicycle Trip via Glan Canyon Rd. This 13 mile ride has 954ft of climbing at an average grade of 9.8%.
Since this is meant to be a little kick-off get together for this year’s Rotary Ride, so it would be fun to have as many riders as we can. Aaron would appreciate an RSVP if you are coming so please email Chris Benkert if you will be attending ASAP: chrisbenkert@gmail.com
Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54984372
Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/3489473928966662370
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dcai4GhgRMLLSJcDA
GPX File: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aHhpycjIwvLtTNSubxi6jslHMF7aAdOe/view?usp=drive_link
Ride #4. Sunday June 27 @ 8:30am, Ride Leader: Tom McCullough (831-707-4348). Aptos-Manresa Uplands Campground/Beach, 18mi, 1147ft. Meet at 8:15 for an 8:30 start at Mar Vista/Soquel Dr (please park on Mar Vista). Length may be extended to 24mi to Sunset Beach dependent on experience of who shows up. This is a a pretty simple ride along frontage road and then San Andreas.
Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54984309
Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/3489487160151468258
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XuwEnrVT4yVXAGWA9
GPX File: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FJyMIP_E_iaqHU40oDsNTNhhzyce_EuJ/view?usp=drive_link
Ride #5. Thursday July 8 @ 9: 30am. The Pedal The Pacific Meet-up ride. El Vaquero winery > Wilder > Cycle Sport > El Vaquero winery, 40mi, 1846ft. You are all cordially invited to a truly FUN and AMAZING training ride which involves riding with a group of young ladies who call themselves “Pedal The Pacific.” They are doing a fundraising ride which involves a ride of the entire coast of the western United States, They have already entered California and will be HERE in Santa Cruz on Thursday, July 10. They are riding to raise funds to wipe out sex trafficking and this is their 13th year! Feel free to text Tom McCullough so we know who is coming!!
Ride Leaders:
Jim Cumming 831 331 3999
Brent Dunton 831-247-4936
John Martinelli 831 332 5629
Rob Morse 831 801 8871
The Plan:
- 9: 00 am: Meet at El Vaquero winery in Corralitos. El Vaquero winery is at the junction of Freedom Boulevard and Corralitos Road. 9: 30am: Leave for 1.5 hours (approx.) to Wilder Ranch in North County and meet the girls at that location about 11am
- 11: 30am: Ride back to 41st Avenue, meet at Cycle Sports (formerly Family cycling)
- Your FREE lunch is provided by Togos, Greg Wimp, owner! HUGE SHOUTOUT TO GREG!! Also: Jim Cumming has organized the Cycle Sport techs to tune up the girls bikes during lunch, so they will be ready to ride to San Diego!! Thank you JIM!!
- 1: 30pm: We will then all ride together back to El Vaquero, and the girls themselves will continue on to the Martinelli home, where they will spend the next two nights.
Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52011872
Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/3489479464591289000
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BeenjPQjES8fagiC9
GPX File: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UsKKQor9pVBmN-C5ooUVnXW2fKQgt2as/view?usp=drive_link
Ride #6. Saturday July 11 @ 8:30am. Ride Leader: Chris Benkert (831-227-1749). We will meet at 112/104 Katherine Lane in Live Oak by Dominican to ultimately ride to Branciforte. We’ll then turn right on Mountain View Road and then right again to go up and over Rodeo Gulch and then back up to Katherine Ln via a few side streets to stay off of Soquel. This 17.4mi with 1526ft and an average 15.2%grade will take us through some amazing trees and past awesome vistas of north county.
Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54989228
Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/3489468343807887210
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EiYQvCXi82VZEwLz8
GPX File: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N2F-Ft39a43VmccmS8qn83xinOWNyNxC/view?usp=drive_link
Ride #7. Sunday July 19 @ 8:15am. Ride Leader: Chris Benkert (831-227-1749). It’s Swanton Loop time! This 21mi, 1506ft climb over an average grade of 12.6% grade is a fan favorite. We will meet on the bike path by Humble Sea and leave at 8:30. Park on Swift Street or nearby. We will take the bike path from there Panther Beach and then up Hwy 1 to Swanton Road, up to the top and then down to Hwy 1 and back, unless you want to turn around and go back the same way. Humble Sea opens at 11a, so we can consider and after ride beverage & snack at the nearby food truck!
Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54984329
Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/3489468343806742378
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PZ5zNnuRs3QWt19c8
GPX File: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lyuvlKz3xM5YUa_dd0-wLCp9KQxM6C8l/view?usp=drive_link
Ride #8. Saturday July 25 @ 8:15am. Ride Leader: Tom McCullough (831-707-4348). We’ll meet again at the Scotts Valley Post Office to ride past the Highschool all the way to the top of Glenwood Drive and back for a total of 25.6mi and 2301ft, which calculates out to a 13.7% grade ;)
Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54987289
Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/3489468343805629290
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/t8E2ciiFBshks2Kb7
GPX File: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NMn2aYzTeFNWsn8Z7B-BoonjyV7bj35g/view?usp=drive_link
Ride #9. Sunday August 2 @ 8:15am. Leader: Chris Benkert (831-227-1749). The Big 8. We’ll meet at Coralitos Market (569 Corralitos Rd, Watsonville, CA 95076) where we will ride to Aptos, swing around to Day Valley to Freedom and then up & over Hames Rd, past the Market to conquer Browns Valley & Hazel Dell. We’ll then take Casserly back to the Market. While it seems like a lot, it a 31.5mi ride with 2359ft of climbing for an average grade of 10.2%. We’ll roll from Corralitos Market at 8:30.
Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54987301
Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/3489468343808443242
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/JxcSi2fPdNfeY8kC6
GPX File: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YzsKEAIjVoN0-n9FC9RehZulVljqUw8M/view?usp=drive_link
Ride #10. Saturday August 8 @ 8:00am. Leader: Chris Benkert (831-227-1749). We’re back one last time at the Scotts Valley Post Office where we will ride to the high school continue along Glenwood Drive to Summit where we will connect with Zyante Road for a fun downhill and then back to the Post Office via Mt Herman Road and Sky Park. This is a 25.9mi ride with 2570ft of climbing and our steepest average grade of the season of 15.7%. Fortunately, Cruise Coffee Café in the Metro Center is open until 3 PM so we’ll roll at 8:15.
Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54998534
Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/3489479464587818664
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sw59YBdkhLGAzS7R6
GPX File: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nk_LQ5v6Rts8fvS3VqVPfd3qhz4k1Y-E/view?usp=drive_link
Ride #11. Sunday August 16 @ 8:00am. Leader: Chris Benkert (831-227-1749). It’s time for The Pie Ride! We will meet at Corralitos Market and head out to La Selva Beach via White Road and San Andreas Road. We’ll then continue along San Andreas to Trafton where we will ultimately take Vega to Riverside and then to Carlton where we will enjoy a slice of Pie at Gizdich Ranch before heading back to the Market by way of Hazel Dell and Brows Valley Roads. This ride is 40mi with 2098ft over a 14.4% (avg) grade so bring your Pie Game!
Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54987457
Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/3489473928962352354
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZNigRSMpZtjLz5k58
GPX File: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ykk5ZNv-6J65kdpv4mGH7F5azZxNiXpu/view?usp=drive_link
Ride #12. Saturday August 22 @ 8:30a. Ride Leader Deb Dutra (408-483-9505). The Social Ride of the (almost half) Century!! We will meet in Marina at the corner of Palm Ave and Del Monte Blvd at 8:30 where we will ride the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail to the Pebble Beach Market via Lovers Point. Because this 46 mile ride is almost flat at an average grade of 6% and very little climbing, the ride should take us about 3.5-4 hours total., including grabbing a bite at the Pebble Beach Market. Riders are also welcome to stay longer and enjoy the view, or turn back whenever they like. This means the ride could potentially extend beyond the estimated 4 hours.
Note: Due to heavy foot traffic in Monterey, we need to leave at 8:45.
Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54987462
Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/3489473928964958434
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RpEHTt9ejDBW39KX6
GPX File: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sG2inmj6zVGnXI1Z1ArdvF0w3r91h0yA/view?usp=drive_link
Ride #13. Sunday August 30 @ 8:00am. Ride Leader: Chris Benkert (831-227-1749). A fan favorite, the San Juan Bautista from Corralitos Market ride is a 48.4m ride with 2470ft over an average grade of 11.6%. For this ride we will meet in Corralitos by the market at 8am ands then ride through Aromas to San Juan Bautista and Vertigo coffee and back. This has been a highlight of our training rides for a few years now as it is a fun ride and a great spot to get some good food. While it has one climb that is a little challenging, it is only a mile long and as our goal is to have a fun ride we will regroup throughout to keep al of us together.
Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54987475
Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/3489473928964958434
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Jkz3e2MpKcGEyQzQ6
GPX File: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TUykxfqFWVFxP6FXdwIeef7AeWoxgGYf/view?usp=drive_link
Ride #14. Saturday September 5 @ 8:00a. Ride Leaders Chris Benkert (831-227-1749) & Tom McCullough (831-707-4348). Pidgeon Point by way of Swanton Loop. This is a variation on a fan favorite: We will meet yet again on the bike path by Humble Sea Brewery and head up Highway one to Swanton Loop and then carry on to Pidgeon point and then straight back to Humble Sea Brewery for lunch. This is a 54.7mi ride with 3067ft for an average grade of 7.8% and there could be a nasty headwind so we will roll at 8:15. Oh and the Rotary Ride is less than a month away! So get your miles in!
Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54984560
Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/3489498813565458658
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XCzu4ewm6wVdE5kn8
GPX File: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10rJCUoPY8QzMA_mbXz0isWdsivQ9TLEy/view?usp=drive_link
Ride #15. Sunday September 13 8:00am. Ride Leader: Tom McCullough (831-707-4348). We’ll meet on the Bike Path near Humble Sea at 7:45 for our last training ride of the year! We will roll at 8 AM for ride up to Pescadero to the store with the great loaves of fresh baked hot sourdough amongst other things and then back to Humble Sea for post ride refreshments. This ride is 64.9mi with 3308ft of climbing over an average grade of 9.3%.
Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54987570
Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/3489498813567861986
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3BwrVUNREp83oDn27
GPX File: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bM79OLQEWcJWD04N6RGtovUPu4JO0liS/view?usp=drive_link
Ride #16. Sunday September 19 @ 8:30a. Ride Leader Deb Dutra (408-483-9505). It’s the Social Ride of the (almost half) Century, Pt 2!! We will meet again in Marina at the corner of Palm Ave and Del Monte Blvd at 8:30 for a repeat tide along the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail to the Pebble Beach Market via Lovers Point. As before, because this is a pretty flat Because this 46 mile ride and we will be grabbing a bite at the Pebble Beach Market, plan on a 3.5-4 hour ride.
Note: Due to heavy foot traffic in Monterey, we need to leave at 8:45.
Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54998991
Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/3489468343806866282
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZWxKtcopBSdbx63b7
GPX File: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lsJ-0XFJjKZ-5VDTiQNaqV0sbn3OPPQk/view?usp=drive_link
Bonus Ride: Saturday September 26 @ 8:30am. Ride Leader: Chris Benkert (831-227-1749). We will meet at the corner of Searight & Clinton and head up the hill to the junction of Granite Creek and Bean Creek roads by way of Branciforte and then back down by way of Glen Canyon road. Before ending we will hit Lulu Carpenters on Soquel next to Bicycle Trip! This ride is but 19.8mi over 1658ft or an average grade of 13.0%. Remember when that felt intimidating ;)
Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52011884
Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/3489468343805823850
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QDXCZkzsjhc1WWYw6
GPX File: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bag_EUgw5s2lMh9EyXHnQELMJQlLbmoz/view?usp=drive_link
2026 Past Rides:
