May 1, 2007 Eat to Ride, Ride to Eat By: Naomi Bloom |
Like an army, cyclists travel on our stomachs. To be more precise, cyclists travel on carbs, protein, vitamins and minerals. Never mind those die-hards who insist on mashing months-old Power Bars. When the bonk threatens, we can be pretty particular about what we want to eat. For manyof us, a ride is hardly worth doing if it doesn't stop at a source of good eats. I first wrote about some of my favorite foodie rides three years ago. Now I've got a few more in mind, along with some old favorite repeats. So if you're looking for more mouth-watering stops, check out Eat to Ride. I remember the Dim Sum rides we used to do from San Jose to San Carlos. When that restaurant closed, I fell back on my many ethnic restaurant neighbors in Cupertino. These days we ride out from here, then come back to a spot about a mile from home. Then there's the Chicken Run, starting in Soquel down the Monterey Bay coast to Watsonville for BBQ at Hector's Bakery, across the street from the airport. Outstanding burritos, half chickens, and ribs, plus a real multi-cultural experience. Not far away is Gizdich Apple Ranch, which gets my vote for best rest stop on the Strawberry Fields Forever century -- with its icy cold apple juice and boysenberry puff pastries. On any ride to the Ranch, you can buy apple pie, berry pie, pumpkin pie, and yummy combos. I've watched one riding buddy, Tony, devour a whole pie all by himself more than once! If you want a real lunch, they have deli sandwiches available all year round. In winter they heat apple cider on a potbelly stove and pour it for free. October and November can be really crowded. But that's when the fall colors on Hazel Dell Road, either on the way out or on the way back, are most spectacular.
When we ride around Pescadero on the San Mateo Coast, we have so many choices! Sometimes we pedal south from Pescadero to the Costanoa Resort for lunch at their restaurant or deli. They have a nice picnic area, or we sometimes carry our lunch up Highway 1 to Pigeon Point to eat while watching the waves. Or we'll ride from Woodside or La Honda to Pescadero for lunch, stopping first at Harley Farms on North Street and Pescadero Road for some of their renowned chevre cheese. We carry that into town and pick up some garlic-artichoke bread warm from the oven at Arcangeli Grocery. Then we eat at the picnic tables in the back. Just about any ride in Santa Cruz County can head for Gayle's Bakery in Capitola. You'll fight crowds most any day of the week but especially on weekends. Take a number, drool over your deli choices, then belly up to the counter to order. It's worth every minute of your patience! Don't forget dessert -- pies, cakes, cookies, oh my! Coffee is good too I'm told (I'm not a coffee drinker). Sit outside near your bike and bask in the Monterey Bay sunshine.
I Scream, You Scream!
Take-out for a picnic
Irresistible bakeries
Sit-down restaurants Piazza d'Angelo in downtown Mill Valley. This "family restaurant" hosts everyone from prom dates and post-religious rites of passage to sweaty cyclists in Lycra. One of the best Italian menus (including wine) I've encountered. OK, by now you've probably figured out that my favorite dining destination is Los Gatos. In fact, I think I'll just get on my bike right now and pedal the 10 miles or so down there. Come with me and you'll probably return with your own list of edible rest stops. Bonne route to you, and bon appetit! |
&nbs |