NEW WHEEL TOUR BY THE SEA AND THROUGH MOUNTAINS - J. J. Bliss - San Francisco Chronicle - Sunday, August 21, 1898

San Francisco Chronicle page 21 - Sunday, August 21, 1898

NEW WHEEL TOUR BY THE SEA AND THROUGH MOUNTAINS 

Here is the above map, georeferenced. I will try to make a kml route of the ride. - MF

To SANTA CRUZ by way of the coast is an agreeable bicycle tour that is almost unknown to the majority of wheelmen. Bicyclists have long labored under the mistaken idea that the coast route was difficult and hazardous, coupling it in their minds with long sandy stretches and much walking through a barren, forsaken country, which could afford no pleasure for a tourist. As a matter of fact, there is much less walking required required than on the overland route leading past Los Gatos and over the Santa Cruz mountains. There is an unlimited amount of interesting scenery affording a complete variation from any outing the "Chronicle's" bicycle readers hare yet taken. Practically four tours are embodied in this one, yet but three days are required to complete the round trip of 170 miles.

[See "J. W. Mullen, F. G. Montealegre and Dr. T. H. Morris of the Olympic Club Wheelmen made a trip through San Mateo County last Saturday, which was replete with incidents and accidents. ..." - MF]

This route was first traversed by Captain J. J. Bliss of the United States Army many years ago when wheelmen tempted life and limb upon the old-time "ordinary." On September 9th Captain Bliss will again make the trip in company with that now famous party of bicycle enthusiasts known as the "Bliss Tourists." They will follow out the appended schedule explicitly, spending the first night at Pescadero, the second on top of the Santa Cruz mountains at Hotel de Redwood, and on the third day they will complete the trip, lunching at San Jose and riding to Fruitvale in the afternoon. In the party will be Captain Bliss, Captain C. C. Williams, H. W. Burmester, James King, Bert Kleinhaus and N. A. Robinson.

Spanishtown, Half Moon Bay

It is advisable to take as early a start as possible from this city; lead out Folsom street to the San Bruno and bay shore road and follow this to San Mateo. At the latter place turn to the right at the bridge and follow the creek up a gentle grade until near the Spring Valley dam, then turn to the left and ride up a grade for nearly a mile, some of which it will be desirable to walk. From the top there is a corresponding amount of down grade to the dam across Lake San Andreas, and then a longer climb up past Byrne's Station to the summit. From this elevation down the long hill and the still longer flats beyond to Spanishtown an exhilarating coast may be had. An excellent meal can be obtained at Spanishtown, and after an early luncheon the trip is continued over good and almost level roads to Purissima. Past the latter place what is known as "Long Bridge" is crossed, bridging a chasm which the breakers have worn in the cliffs. Then comes a steep climb to the summit, all of which must be walked. With care the succeeding downgrade can be ridden in safety, and just beyond the town of San Gregorio is reached. Keep to the right here and over the bluffs to Pescadero. There are two steep hills to be surmounted at first, and then the road continues along the cliffs, overlooking the ocean and constantly within hearing of the breakers below. Despite the fact that the road is up and down a smart clip can be maintained, especially on the last mile and a half unto Pescadero. This stretch is like a park drive and is almost a straight slant to the beach. The tourist has plenty of time after arriving here to enjoy throughly the attractions of the place, including a visit to the famous pebble beach about two miles beyond the town.

Detail from Official map of San Mateo County, California, 1894 showing Byrnes Store

 Take an early start the next morning, continue along the road toward the pebble beach, then turn to the left into the well traveled road leading away in a southern direction. After passing along the bluffs for some distance the road swings inland into a little valley, through which it runs until it emerges again on the coast at Pigeon point. The road is fairly good and slightly rolling. After leaving Pigeon point the road continues over rolling country to Point New Year, or Point Año Nuevo, the old Spanish name which still appears on the maps. [I added the tilde on "Año". They didn't. It translates differently! - MF] Here the road follows close to the beach and for the next few miles some of the most interesting portions of the the trip are traversed. On the left the cliffs rise up eighty or 100 feet, and at frequent intervals beautiful waterfalls and cascades are formed by the many creeks as they plunge over the precipice to the flat below. At low tide along this stretch splendid riding is afforded on the hard sand, and even at high tide the sand riding at the very water's edge is much better than the road. This is undoubtedly the finest stretch of beach riding in the State.

At Waddell creek the road turns abruptly to the left and follows up the stream some distance before a crossing is made. Taking the bluffs again, the road continues for a short stretch and then drops down into the Scotch creek canyon, which is delightfully refreshing in its cool, heavily wooded depths, pierced by the swiftly running stream. For about four miles the road follows this stream to its intersection with the ocean. There is more bluff riding to Davenport's landing, an old deserted whaling station, and then commences the final stretch into Santa Cruz. Fifteen streams of water are crossed before the well-known Cliff drive is reached. Enquire at the museum as to the easiest way of getting into the city.

After lunch and a good rest at Santa Cruz take the road to Soquel and turn to the left at the latter place. Then for about three miles there is fairly good riding until reaching the foot of the long grade up to Hotel de Redwood and the summit. Most of this grade must be covered on foot and the night spent at the hotel.

The following morning the down grade encountered just beyond the start can be ridden with care. This is followed by the short and final climb to the summit. Then comes a long down grade to Alma, most of which can be ridden, and all if a brake is employed. Rolling and mostly down grade from Alma to Los Gatos and level, open country is again reached after two days of mountains. San Jose can be easily made for an early lunch, and the rider then has the privilege of returning by train, by boat from Alviso or continuing on by wheel. The after noon trip on either side of the bay is a hard one against the heavy wind that usually blows, and should not be attempted at all if the rider is at all fatigued when reaching San Jose.

PLACE.	Dist. bet. points.	Total dist.	Arrive.	Depart.	REMARKS.
San Francisco	....	....	A. M. ....	A. M. 6:00	Out Folsom street.
Milbrae	16.50	16.50	7:50	7:50	Level and rolling.
San Mateo	5.00	21.50	8:30	8:30	Level and rolling.
Byrne's	6.00	27.50	9:30	9:30	Rolling and good.
			P. M.	P. M.
Purissima	4.10	38.85	12:45	12:45	Good riding.
Lobetus Station	2.20	41.05	1:15	1:15	Along coast.
Summit	3.95	45.00	2:30	2:30	Up grade.
San Gregorio	1.85	46.35	2:40	2:40	Down grade.
Pescadero	6.65	53.00	4:00	....	Two hills, otherwise good riding.
			A. M.	A. M.
Pescadero	....	....	....	6:00	.........................
Pigeon Point	6.75	59.75	7:15	7:15	Along bluffs.
Posts	11.25	71.00	9:20	9:20	Hilly and rolling.
Davenports	7.00	78.00	10:35	10:35	Hilly and level.
Santa Cruz	14.75	92.75	1:20	....	Rolling and level.
			P. M.	P. M.
Santa Cruz	....	....	....	3:00	.........................
Soquel	4.25	97.00	3:30	3:30	Rolling.
Hotel de Redwood	10:15	107.15	6:00	....	Seven miles upgrade.
			A. M.	A. M.
Hotel de Redwood	....	....	....	6:30	.........................
Summit	3.50	110.65	7:00	7:00	Down and up.
Alma	5.10	115.75	8:00	8:00	Down grade.
Los Gatos	3.50	119.25	8:45	8:45	Down grade.
San Jose	11.75	131.90	10:00	10:30	Level and fair.
San Jose	11.75	131.90	10:00	10:30	Level and fair.
			P. M.	P. M.
San Jose	....	....	....	12:30	.........................
Milpitas	7.10	138.10	1:15	1:15	Level and fine.
Warm Springs	4.25	142.35	1:45	1:45	Slightly rolling.
Irvington	3.75	146.10	2:10	2:10	Level and fine.
Centerville	3.30	149.40	2:35	2:35	Level and fine.
Alvarado	4.65	154.05	3:00	3:00	Level and fair.
Mount Eden	3.03	157.08	3:30	3:30	Rolling.
San Lorenzo	3.90	160.98	3:50	3:50	Good.
San Leandro	3.87	164.85	4:15	4:15	Good.
Fruitvale	6.00	170.85	5:00	....	Good.

[I don't know what "Posts" means, in between Pigeon Point and "Davenports", but it's about where Swanton Road intersections with Highway 1. - MF]