The Santa Cruz 70.3 Bike: 90 km on Highway 1 Where the Wind Calls the Shots

The big picture

90 kilometers out-and-back on Highway 1 north of Santa Cruz, with 752 meters of climbing (2,468 feet officially). Rolling but rideable: no long climbs, lots of ups and downs along the Pacific coast, scenery that distracts you. The factor that decides your bike split isn't the elevation. It's the wind—headwind on the way out, tailwind coming back according to the reports we reviewed.

Segment by segment

Out of T1 (km 0-5). You start with a slight climb through narrow, twisty city streets. You come out of cold water with numb feet and legs that won't respond: this is not the place to make a difference. In 2019, shoes couldn't be clipped to the bike and there was about a 150-meter run to the mount line. Stay cautious until you hit Highway 1.

Outbound heading north (km 5-45). Constant rollers along the coast, with the steepest climbs around mile 15 and mile 35. Reports mention a headwind for nearly the entire outbound leg, up to about 45 kilometers. This is where you build—or destroy—the second half of your race.

Turnaround (mile 28) and the return. Same route in reverse, with a tailwind. The return is fast and rewards those who stayed conservative. Watch for possible crosswind gusts on the descents.

Road surface. Generally good pavement, with a rough stretch around km 30-35 noted in a 2019 report. Light traffic, controlled by police at both ends of the course.

Pacing: the race is decided on the way back

The classic mistake is pushing on the way out to "hold your average" into the wind. It doesn't work: you burn watts at low return and pay for them on the run, which isn't as flat as it looks. Do the opposite: set a power target (or RPE, if you don't have a power meter) and ignore your speed on the way out. After the turnaround, the wind hands you back minutes almost for free.

Practical guideline: in the first half, stay at your 70.3 race effort or slightly below, giving a bit extra only on the two main climbs. On the way back, push over the crests of the rollers instead of sitting up, and use the momentum.

How long it will take you

Rough estimates, not official data: a relaxed finisher comes in around 3:25, a mid-pack goal is around 3:00, a fast athlete rides 2:40, and top age-groupers are around 2:25. The wind can shift these numbers by several minutes in either direction: don't fixate on average speed—ride by effort.

Gearing and equipment

With 752 meters over 90 km you don't need climber gearing: a compact or semi-compact with a mid-to-wide cassette covers the climbs at miles 15 and 35 without issue. The sources we reviewed don't list specific max gradients: for the detailed profile, check the PJAMM Cycling page. On wheels, if the forecast calls for sustained wind, consider mid-depth rims: crosswind gusts on the descents are mentioned in race reports and get sketchy with deep-section wheels.

What to do before race day

• Pacing test: a 90 km simulation with the first half at controlled watts and the second half building, ideally on a windy day.
• Cold starts: practice the cold-water-then-bike sequence to get used to pedaling with numb feet through the technical opening kilometers.
• Recon: if you arrive early, check out the first 4-5 city kilometers in person. Knowing where the tight corners are is worth more than any watts.
• Plan B for wind: decide beforehand how many watts to spend on the way out if the wind is stronger than expected. The right answer is almost always: the same, not more.