I think I've finally got water carrying dialed. Take a 3L bladder. It probably doesn't have to be full, but you drink more at the beginning of the ride, so what the heck. Refill at the Stevens Creek picnic area, about 1:30 in. Proceed into the remotest part of the ride, up constant hike-a-bike when you're trying to keep your heart rate below 137. Rest occasionally.
Take in the views.
Keep going, then about 4h later, turn right at Alpine Pond and tank back up at the Nature Center. Don't just fill your pack. Drink your fill and pee a lot as well: fill and empty all tanks before leaving. Now you should be able to carry on into Russian Ridge rather than turning down Page Mill for water. (Once you descend a few hundred feet by road, you never want climb back up it at this point in the ride.)
Continue across Crazy Pete's Road to Coal Creek Preserve, and eventually head back down Canyon Trail, Stevens Canyon Road, etc. until you reach home, shower waiting and refrigerator pre-stocked with cold fluids.
I figure that nailing the water stops and navigation will save time, but tacking on the extra trail miles will still take this to 8-9h territory. I'll need to adjust my food strategy as I've only been carrying enough calories for 7h, plus a little bonk insurance (usually a gel packet or some Haribo snacks).
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