Sunday A Ride: Butano Dirt Century

Ready for an adventure? Meet EARLY at 8am where our gravel escapade begins. I’ve been dying to ride Butano in non-scorching hot weather and this weekend looks perfect.

We will start by going up dirt alpine and descending all the way down to Portola State Park, only stopping briefly if needed before cutting across our second dirt section, Old Haul Road. We’ll stop in Pescadero for a coffee/snack before the challenging but stunning Butano Fire Road climb. This is an area of big basin where the fires burned back in 2020 and feels a little bit like riding on the moon with its ashen terrain (and it even features an old air strip).

The adventure really begins as we crest the climb, carefully descending off-road back towards the coast. We’ll pop out on Highway 1 right by Pidgeon Point Lighthouse, where we can stop for bathrooms/water. We’ll regroup next in Pescadero for food/water, and will take stock of our emotional fortitude to continue. But continue we must, across Stage road, up Tunitas, and home before dark.

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3432162769554649108

Stats: 100 miles, 10 thousand feet vert

Meet: Summit 8am, roll 8:10am, Sunday 12/7/25

Leader: Wil Gibb