Northern California - weekend ride reports - where'd ya ride?

I spent this weekend in Bishop, CA, riding the Everest Challenge. I completed the first day, but had to quit after the first climb of the second day -- I'm not sure if it was the 30-degree temperatures at the start each day, or the 15,000' of climbing in 120 miles from the first day, but my knees were just not ready for another long day of climbing at 8,000+ feet altitude.

It ain't the weekend but here's my writeup from the camden/hicks/almaden ride I did today

http://ahpook.vox.com/library/post/doubleplus-commute.html

It ain't the weekend but here's my writeup from the camden/hicks/almaden ride I did today

http://ahpook.vox.com/library/post/doubleplus-commute.html


Thats the tough side of Hicks, I did it on tuesday. First time I attempted it with a double instead of a triple chain ring. Pure torture, but I made it to the top, although I did feel quesy after that. The reverse route is much better climbing wise, but very scary decending. Rather then taking Hicks to Camden, if ya turn right on Shannon and left of Kennedy you can avoid alot of the traffic, plus the ride is nice. Drops ya onto Los Gatos Blvd.

Thats the tough side of Hicks, I did it on tuesday. First time I attempted it with a double instead of a triple chain ring. Pure torture, but I made it to the top, although I did feel quesy after that. The reverse route is much better climbing wise, but very scary decending. Rather then taking Hicks to Camden, if ya turn right on Shannon and left of Kennedy you can avoid alot of the traffic, plus the ride is nice. Drops ya onto Los Gatos Blvd.

Its weird cause I'm normally the "WHOO-HOO" type on the descents but the unusual steepness + fatigue just really shook my nerve.

Gonna get some new brake pads and try again next Thursday, want to meet up?

Its weird cause I'm normally the "WHOO-HOO" type on the descents but the unusual steepness + fatigue just really shook my nerve.

Gonna get some new brake pads and try again next Thursday, want to meet up?


Yeah well, that decent is a bit skechy. The side you decended is great as long as you know the road, Ive hit 48 mph going down that side. Decending the Los Gatos side is a bit hairy for me, steeper, road is not as good, and the cattle grate can be hairy at 40+mph. Then there is the fatigue factor you mentioned, that wipes out about 15 to 20% of ones reaction times and abilities.

Sure, Id love to do the ride. What time to you head out?

Yeah well, that decent is a bit skechy. The side you decended is great as long as you know the road, Ive hit 48 mph going down that side. Decending the Los Gatos side is a bit hairy for me, steeper, road is not as good, and the cattle grate can be hairy at 40+mph. Then there is the fatigue factor you mentioned, that wipes out about 15 to 20% of ones reaction times and abilities.

Sure, Id love to do the ride. What time to you head out?

I left work in santa clara just before 4:30 and I think I went by sunnyoaks right after 5. That OK?

I did the Surf City Century today. It went from Cabrillo College in Aptos to Corralitos, Aromas, San Juan Bautista, Salinas, Castroville, Elkhorn, and back to the start. I also rode an additional 17 miles to and from the start.

Huntington Beach might have the Surf City USA trademark, but not the century.

.

Sure, Id love to do the ride. What time to you head out?


Whups, an unexpected scheduling change - I am actually going to do this tomorrow, Weds Oct 4. Will PM you also to see if you're available.

Tomorrow we will ride 9 miles into Davis, take Amtrak to Sacramento, ride up the American River Bike Trail to Folsom for lunch at a great Thai restaurant, and return. Total of about 70 miles on what should be a great day for cycling. Why Amtrak? We love to ride the train, and this avoids the noisy Yolo Causeway and lovely West Capitol Avenue.

:D

Today, I started up Hwy 9 to Felton, then went up Zayante, Summit, Bear Creek, Skyline, down Hwy 9, Pierce, Mt Eden, Stevens Canyon, and Foothill. After a jaunt through the Stanford campus, I headed up Page Mill, Skyline, down Hwy 9, and Hwy 236 to Big Basin. I returned home via Jamison Creek and Empire Grade.

Up in Tahoe again this weekend. Took my buddy up Mt. Rose. He's a Masters Cat 2 and pretty fit so it was no problem for him to spin it up in his 39-23. We stopped at the lookout point to have a drink and look at the lake. A couple of guys on mtbs went by the lookout without stopping. We gave them a 15 minute headstart and then went back on the road. We were just about to catch them at the meadow when they turned off onto a fire road. Damned fat tires!

Anyway, we got to the top in about an hour, turned around without stopping, zipped up our jerseys and flew back to lake level in minutes. God, that was fun.

went with the les volantes club from the marina up to mt tam down to stinson beach and around muir woods and back.

this past weekend I did the Low Key race/ride up Montebello road, and then took the fixed gear out and around Palo Alto for an hour or so.

Today, I started up Hwy 9 to Felton, then went up Zayante, Summit, Bear Creek, Skyline, down Hwy 9, Pierce, Mt Eden, Stevens Canyon, and Foothill. After a jaunt through the Stanford campus, I headed up Page Mill, Skyline, down Hwy 9, and Hwy 236 to Big Basin. I returned home via Jamison Creek and Empire Grade.


Sounds like a fun (HARD) ride!

i was with alex

Did my first century on Sunday - Foxy's Fall Century
107.4 miles

Did my first century on Sunday - Foxy's Fall Century
107.4 miles

I keep meaning to do that ride and never get around to signing up. How was it?

I live near Ocean Beach in SF, and for a while now, I've been wondering how far south I could get while riding on the beach itself. The answer? I started on the beach below the Cliff House and made it about 7.5 miles, where the beach ended in a wall of rocks. It looked like there was a trail up out of the rocks and headed inland -- so maybe there is a way around the rock wall and back onto the beach on the other side of it. I decided I'd gone far enough for the first try, though, and decided to head back.

I keep meaning to do that ride and never get around to signing up. How was it?
I did Foxy's last weekend too. Had a good time, but it was cold in the morning. It's the home ride for me, so I know all the road pretty well. The only part I didn't like was boat traffic near Lake Berryessa, but that's a common problem up there.

I keep meaning to do that ride and never get around to signing up. How was it?


I did Foxy's last weekend too. Had a good time, but it was cold in the morning......The only part I didn't like was boat traffic near Lake Berryessa,.....

+1
I had a good time, the roads were pretty quiet and the views were nice.

The only part I didn't like was boat traffic near Lake Berryessa, but that's a common problem up there.

Yep, I tend to try and ride early around there or not at all. Today I rode from Solano to Napa county and back. I tried to keep up with the fast group, spent the last quarter of the ride riding solo behind the fast group and in front of the slow group. Next year I'll be faster and have more endurance. It's only my first season riding with a club.:D

Sounds like a fun (HARD) ride!

It was more fun than hard, but it took me 9 hrs to ride the 115 miles. The "I'm disappointed my average speed dropped to 17mph" crowd might find it more hard than fun.

Today, I started north on Hwy 1 to Pescadero, headed over Haskins Hill and up Alpine, south on Skyline, then down Hwy 9 to Felton. I headed home going up Felton-Empire and down Empire Grade.

Yep, I tend to try and ride early around there or not at all. Today I rode from Solano to Napa county and back. I tried to keep up with the fast group, spent the last quarter of the ride riding solo behind the fast group and in front of the slow group. Next year I'll be faster and have more endurance. It's only my first season riding with a club.:D
Who are you riding with? I was in that area with the Davis Bike Club yesterday, kept it in Solano County though (Putah Creek Rd, Cantelow, Pleasants Valley)...but I'm not normally with the fast group.

On Saturday I did the 2nd round of the Low Key Hillclimb series, up Old LaHonda road. I had to stop 3 times for mechanical repairs, and still beat my previous best time by over a minute.

Saturday morning I slalomed through the runners training for CIM on the American River bike trail and then fought the cross winds on the Garden Highway. Ended up with 76 miles for the day.

Later that evening my wife dragged me to a dinner party and I did not turn down seconds of desert. I so enjoy being able to eat whatever and however much I want. God bless the bicycle.

Saturday morning I slalomed through the runners training for CIM on the American River bike trail and then fought the cross winds on the Garden Highway. Ended up with 76 miles for the day.

Later that evening my wife dragged me to a dinner party and I did not turn down seconds of desert. I so enjoy being able to eat whatever and however much I want. God bless the bicycle.


+1. From Folsom (between 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM), but I was feeling quite week, so I only made it to the Sac State bridge, ended up with only 42 mi ( I sucked!). Lot's of runners/walkers but hardly any cyclists, unusual.

bonfante century ride.

Who are you riding with? I was in that area with the Davis Bike Club yesterday, kept it in Solano County though (Putah Creek Rd, Cantelow, Pleasants Valley)...but I'm not normally with the fast group.
I was riding with the Monticello Cycling Club out of Vacaville. I usually do Pleasants Valley, Putah Creek, Allendale Road, Steiger Hill, Cantelow when I've got time. Sun sets too early now though.:mad:

Over to the Coast on Saturday (Old La Honda, 84, Stage. Hwy 1, Tunitas Creek). To the top of Mt. Hamilton on Sunday.

I was riding with the Monticello Cycling Club out of Vacaville. I usually do Pleasants Valley, Putah Creek, Allendale Road, Steiger Hill, Cantelow when I've got time. Sun sets too early now though.:mad:
I'm on those roads a lot as I work in Fairfield and my parents are in North Vacaville, so some afternoons I bring the bike down with me and cruise Pleasants Valley. Longer weekend rides often end up down near you, too, when the north wind isn't blowing...

Saturday was a great day for most of us, though one of our team members had 4 flats. Not sure of the total number of riders but I'd guess ~30 left from the usual meeting place and headed across the Park Street bridge, along the Embarcadero towards Jack London Square, up Oak to Grand Ave, to Pleasant Valley Road then right on Broadway and an immediate left onto College and another right onto Claremont. We regrouped at a small park on Claremont then split into three or four groups; a long fast, long, medium, and some with time constraints opted for the short version. The stronger riders took the Euclid route up the hills, I went with the Spruce contengent which is a little easier. There was a really strong gusty wind blowing which at some points added to the challenge of the hills, and the cross winds made for some occasional excitement. At the top of Spruce we went right on Grizzley Peak. I got seperated from my group, thinking we would meet up at the bottom of the hill at Fish Ranch Road, but I never saw them again. I did run into Jim later on Skyline on the side of the road changing his third flat. He discovered the cause the of the trouble was the milar rim tape had failed around one of the spoke holes. I gave him one of my spent sticky Gu wrappers to use as a temporary measure until he got to the bike shop in Montclair. So I continued on down to Joaquin Miller made a left and another left onto Redwood Road headed out to Castro Valley. The drop down Redwood provided nice shelter from the gusty winds in the highlands. At the intersection of Redwood and Pinehurst I ran into the long fast group who had taken Canyon and Moraga Roads. We talked for a couple of minutes and headed our seperate ways. The south bound direction on Redwood has a fair amount of climbing but lots of downhill cruzing. I took Lake Chabot Road, Estudillo, Davis then Doolittle back to Alameda. I'm still a bit of a novice at hill climbing and Saturday was my longest ride I wanted to ride a number of miles near to or greater than the years of the birthday I would celebrate on Sunday it was close.

I liked the ride so much I did it all again on Monday except for the Redwood Road part. I couldn't get anyone to go with me so I did it by myself, the weather was much nicer on Monday.

Department of Transportation is putting down new pavement on Paradise Drive in Tiburon. Had the loop to myself this morning, and can't wait to hit the fresh tarmac when the road crews are done. I'm looking for people to cycle with in southern Marin.

Saturday, I did a 45 mile loop from San Ramon to Orinda and back. Not too much in climbing, but beautiful scenery and a stellar day weather-wise.

The loop consisted of tooling down SRV Blvd from Crow Canyon all the way down to where it crosses under the fwy by Walnut Creek. Then, a few quick jogs through the neighborhood on the left side of the blvd and out the other side by Rossmoor on Olympic Blvd. From there, just loop up to the backside of Moraga on st Mary's road (use the parallel MUP, if you want), past the park at the top and then right on Moraga Way down to Orinda by the east side of the Caldecott tunnel. Breeze back along the freeway, hook up with Mt Diablo Blvd, cruise through Lafeyette and Moraga, and eventually turn right onto Pleasant Hill Road to hook back up with Olympic and the return back home.

Today, I headed up to Scotts Valley, then up Bean Creek and Mtn Charlie, and down Old Santa Cruz Hwy to Holy City, up through Redwood Estates, Summit, down Old Santa Cruz Hwy and Schulties, up Redwood Lodge, Stetson and Skyline, down Highland, Soquel-San Jose, up Laurel Glen and Granite Creek back to Scotts Valley, down Mt Hermon to Felton, and Hwy 9 back home. A nice warm day in the mountains on the last day of daylight savings time.

Sunday I rode from the Cache Creek Casino north on Highway 16 through the Capay Valley and Rumsey Canyon to Highway 20, then back. Beautiful ride-low traffic, great scenery, and a RAAM finisher to draft...Next time I'll bring the camera. 54 miles, maybe 500' in gradual climbing. Lunch at the casino afterwards.

Today, I headed up to Scotts Valley, then up Bean Creek and Mtn Charlie, and down Old Santa Cruz Hwy to Holy City, up through Redwood Estates, Summit, down Old Santa Cruz Hwy and Schulties, up Redwood Lodge, Stetson and Skyline, down Highland, Soquel-San Jose, up Laurel Glen and Granite Creek back to Scotts Valley, down Mt Hermon to Felton, and Hwy 9 back home. A nice warm day in the mountains on the last day of daylight savings time.

Beautiful area. I just love it up in the hills.

Today I rode from Fairfield, around Vacaville, out to Winters, then back along the frontage road along 505 to Vacaville and down the frontage roads to Fairfield. Good pace for a solo ride (for me), and 49 miles round trip. I feel sooo good.

~40 miles, mostly flat, from Calistoga to Jimtown and back.

Today I rode from Fairfield, around Vacaville, out to Winters, then back along the frontage road along 505 to Vacaville and down the frontage roads to Fairfield. Good pace for a solo ride (for me), and 49 miles round trip. I feel sooo good.

nice ride!

My weekend riding has been a bit curtailed since I'm on-call for work this weekend. I did get out yesterday for round #4 of the Low-Key hillclimb series up Highway 9. I hadn't climbed 9 before, so I was a little too cautious on the lower parts of the hill - it's really not that steep! The final 2 miles were a little tougher, but it's a nice climb (if you do it early enough to avoid most of the car traffic).

Saturday, our club ride went to Woodside, up Old La Honda, down 84W to La Honda, up West Alpine, and down Page Mill Rd. We had avery strong tandem couple on the ride who made it up Old La Honda in about 22 minutes. I led the ride down 84W west waiting for the tandem to make its move and had to work hard to catch their wheel as they blew past me just at the red barn below West Old La Honda. Later in the ride I had a rear blowout on Page Mill, just below Moody and above the City of Palo Alto park. Fortunately for the guy sitting a foot or two off my wheel, I was able to control the bike and ride over to the park entrance. After getting another flat near the end of my ride I finally noticed that my tire had a gash in it that was allowing the tube to poke through and, eventually, pop. It's in the trashcan now.

Today was a glorious day and I went out with my daughter on the tandem and rode through Portola Valley, into Woodside, up the back entrance to Huddart Park, down Kings Mtn, and back to Cupertino (with the obligatory stop at Peet's in Los Altos). Going up Alpine Rd., we were passed by 5-6 racers (Labor Power, SJBC, LGBRC, and a couple of others) who were having a chatty recovery ride, passed them on Portola Rd., got passed on Mountain Home, and passed them again going into Woodside. It was pretty funny to hear one of the guys say "Oh,no!" as we passed them the second time!

There were quite a few cyclists out there today. I counted at least nine other riders on the road I know by name and exchanged greetings with them and another 20 or so who were hanging out at the coffee shop.

Big Basin ride on Saturday. I headed up Hwy 9 to the start in Boulder Creek, Hwy 236 and Lodge Rd to Big Basin, then continued up 236 and Hwy 9, south on Skyline, and down Bear Creek Rd back to Boulder Creek. I returned home taking 236, Jamison Creek, and Empire Grade. Some of the roads were still wet from the rain of the last few days.

bump from the grave!

This weekend I rode with a buddy of mine who doesn't ride all that much. Saturday we went over into the Stanford area, and sunday we rode down to the Steven's Creek reservoir.

Saturday Evil on/off hill intervals.
Sunday snowboarding. :D Tried out some of the bigger jumps. Not as hard as I thought it would be. Trying to slow down afterwards is tricky thought.

Benicia to Fairfield along hwy 680 on the frontage rd (Lopes). About 30 miles round trip with some rolling hills.

Saturday - Cupertino - Los Altos to meet B-Ride - Portola Valley - Old La Honda (OLH) - Skyline - 84W - WOLH - Woodside - Los Altos - back to Cupertino : 50-ish miles

Sunday - Bariani RR Master 55+ : 40 miles

Saturday...just rode off without a route...ended up doing Auburn-Folsom Rd, King Rd, Sierra College Blvd...and a bunch of others...ending up with 45 miles. Sunday...30 miles on the American River Bike Trail starting at Folsom.

Saturday - To work and back :P

Sunday - No ride, but a good bike maintenance day in between tending to sick kid.

But I have to apologize - I took off my fenders and in so doing, doomed us to the rain due tomorrow. Sorry!

Saturday: To Winters along 505 to Putah Creek Rd., then back the same way, Timm Rd. to Peaceful Glen to Cantelow, then back to Browns Valley. My legs were still toast from my 4 mi. run on Wed. (WTH was I thinking, running) and we were under a time constraint. We squeaked out 20 easy miles.

Sunday: Winters loop with a guy looking for a recovery ride & a lady on her bike for the first time since Oct.
I was up for something brisk, or hilly,or both, and it looked like I was going to be unfulfilled on both counts. Turns out the pace was just right, the company refreshing, making more an excellent start to an outstanding day.

Yeah, life is good...

Saturday: Mt. Diablo from the North Gate side. It was my first time up there since they repaved between the Junction and the summit. Nice!

Sunday: East Bay Loop (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/East-Bay-loop) starting from Fremont, over Palomares Rd, Redwood Rd, Pinehurst Rd, & Canyon Rd, passed thru Moraga, Lafayette, WC, Alamo, Danville, San Ramon, Pleasanton to Sunol, over Calaveras Rd and into Milpitas, and back to Fremont.

Sunday: From Davis down Russell bike path to Putah Creek Rd to Pleasant Valley. Refill the H2O and head to Canelow. Quick climb, then I begin to pad the MPH average on the downhill side. Take English (?) road to Timm, then to Allendale. Ride a bunch more farm land back and head into Davis via Old Davis Road.

55 miles and 3 hours later I am home with at least a thousand little black bugs (presumably dead) on my legs and arms.