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

Saturday: Diablo ride
Sunday: 25 mile loop of Woodside road, Canada, bike overpass at Hwy 92, Ralston, Hallmark, Crestview, Edgewood, and then back south on Canada to a delicious lunch at the Woodside Cafe.

My seldom-bike-riding girlfriend Susanne did the ride with me on her super heavy mountain bike and managed all 2000 feet of climbing without complaining at all! Next weekend we'll go shopping for road bikes ;)

Ben...

Tandem man, it's the best:

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/MarcoRuthrace.jpg

Funny you should mention that! We saw 3 tandems parked at the Woodside Cafe. One had a triplet attachment (not sure if that's the right term but it's an extra wheel, seat, and set of pedals for a kid). Another had a kid trailer.

Then this evening Susanne emailed a bunch of tandem websites to me that related to her wondering "why the guy always sits in front". Anyway a couple hours of reading pro-tandem propaganda and now I could definitely see one in my future :)

Thursday: LKHC, Mt. Hamilton
Friday: Absolutely nothing
Saturday: Mt. Diablo
Sunday: Montebello

I think I got my riding in :)

Thursday: Loop through the orchards and ag fields
Friday: The reverse loop
Saturday: Gordon Valley loop
Sunday: Afternoon loop similar to Thursday

Total mileage: 165+, all tandem. Life is good. :thumb:

Then this evening Susanne emailed a bunch of tandem websites to me that related to her wondering "why the guy always sits in front".

Why is the guy always in the front? The party-line reason is that the man weighs more and it easier for the heavier person as captain holding up the tandem (and the stoker) at stop signs, stop lights, etc.

The real reason? Testoterone. Pure and simple.

No riding for me this holiday weekend. Thursday was rainy, and I was trying to shake off a bug. Friday was my birthday, and I was getting a couple of bikes ready for VeloSwap. Saturday was VeloSwap.

I was going to ride on Sunday, but the wife and daughter wanted to go hiking. So, we went up Las Trampas with the pooch and ran around up there for a few hours. Hiking is harder than riding - especially when you're the one carrying the backpack full of food, water, and everyone else's jackets and stuff.

Diablo and Danville, from Las Trampas Ridge:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/diablo.jpg

The pack mule gets a break, and everyone else gets lunch:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/lunch.jpg

Why is the guy always in the front? The party-line reason is that the man weighs more and it easier for the heavier person as captain holding up the tandem (and the stoker) at stop signs, stop lights, etc.

The real reason? Testoterone. Pure and simple.


1 part testosterone
1 part the man is usually the better bike handler
1 part the man is usually taller and fits better on the front

(snip)
Hiking is harder than riding - especially when you're the one carrying the backpack full of food, water, and everyone else's jackets and stuff.
(more snip)
The pack mule gets a break, and everyone else gets lunch:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/lunch.jpg

Actually, your pooch seems big enough for you to offload some weight onto him/her? I've seen those doggie backpacks somewhere that allows the dog to share some load?

Actually, your pooch seems big enough for you to offload some weight onto him/her? I've seen those doggie backpacks somewhere that allows the dog to share some load?

Yeah, well..... he's a pretty boy, not so tough. :)

25 miles around Reno and up HW 431 yesterday. Cold feet again so I went shopping today. Some bargain Specialized shoes a couple sizes too big. Thick wools socks, better gloves, ear muffs, and goggles. I hope it's enough for 35-40 degree temps.

On Saturday morning, I rode from Squaw Valley to Truckee, over Brockway Summit, then over Mt. Rose to Reno. Met my family for some shopping and returned with vehicle assist. It was pretty nice actually -- not that cold at all with thin hat and gloves, a windtex jacket and full length roubaix knicks. The only sketch part was off the NE side of Mt. Rose Summit, where there's lots of shade (i.e., some icy spots :eek: and a bit of a slurpee headache for the upper 500 feet or so).

http://richsteele.org/cycling/reno/002_reno.jpg

http://richsteele.org/cycling/reno/003_reno.jpg

http://richsteele.org/cycling/reno/008_reno.jpg

http://richsteele.org/cycling/reno/010_reno.jpg

http://richsteele.org/cycling/reno/012_reno.jpg

http://richsteele.org/cycling/reno/014_reno.jpg

Yesterday I rode from Reno up to the summit then back down, about 50 miles total and 5000' elevation. Yep, there are a couple of shaded sections that I am always careful on as it's tough to tell how the road will be under braking.

http://www.bosticman.com/bostic/cycling/mtrose/mrose1130.jpg

Yeah, well..... he's a pretty boy, not so tough. :)

Are we talking about the dog or the owner?:innocent:

1 part the man is usually taller and fits better on the front

This last part is one of the things keeping us from a tandem. I'm the better bike handler and the stronger cyclist. However it is very difficult to find a bike that would fit both of us with me in front.

Oh well, one day maybe we will build ourselves a custom one. :p

Oh well, one day maybe we will build ourselves a custom one. :pHow about a really big trail-a-bike? ;)

This last part is one of the things keeping us from a tandem. I'm the better bike handler and the stronger cyclist. However it is very difficult to find a bike that would fit both of us with me in front.

Oh well, one day maybe we will build ourselves a custom one. :p

Steve Rex would be a good option.

So...my achievement was your recovery ride on Sunday, eh? You probably passed us going up. What were you wearing?


Thursday: LKHC, Mt. Hamilton
Friday: Absolutely nothing
Saturday: Mt. Diablo
Sunday: Montebello

I think I got my riding in :)

Between work, illness and weather I have not been out on a bike in three weeks (12/6). Because of the extended layoff I must admit I was feeling a bit lethargic, and had more than a touch of ennui. However, good sense (and a good natured push by the wife) got me out the door.

Even though I was wearing my normally adequate winter attire of knickers, long sleeve base layer, jersey, and full-fingered gloves, I didn't get half a mile before having to stop and put on my reserve jacket. Dang - it was nippy out under that clear blue sky!

After about 4-5 miles, I was wondering if I'd made a mistake, and fought urges to turn around and go home. Realizing that I felt sluggish precisely because I had been sitting around the house too much as it was, I pressed on. After all, Starbucks was only a 6 mile ride - I could certainly make that.

By the time I hit the first Starbucks, I was feeling much more in tune, and so passed it and pressed on. At 11 miles, I stopped for a coffee and a muffin at Peet's Coffee. I felt much better after that, and decided that instead of turning for home I'd make a bona-fide loop out of it.

So, I started out with renewed vigor and decided to tackle some light climbing. Along the way, I explored new neighborhoods, got dead-ended once or twice, and eventually made it back to more familiar roads back toward the house.

One more stop (for hot chocolate!) at a different Peet's in Danville at mile 26, and I made the final milk-run to home and hearth.

It never got over 50 degrees, so I suffered a bit in a chill breeze for most of the day. My two best riding buddies bailed on me, and I sure could have used the company as it was hard to shake off the holiday induced lethargy. But, after I got into the rhythm of things it worked out for the best.

Al told, a little over 31 miles and ~2,000' of climbing.

Diablo, as seen from a new (to me) neighborhood:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Misc%20ride%20pics/diablo-7.jpg

Today was a good day: perfect blue skies and a break from the rain we've all been suffering through. The plan was to hit-up both Kings Mtn and OLH today but I ended up taking it easy today.

While on Canada Rd, on my way back home, I ran into my father who was just starting his recovery ride. I turned right around and spent some quality time with him on the Alpine loop. After it was all said and done I logged a really nice 70 miles today. Can't ask for much more than that. :)

Hey BBM what camera do you use? I'm always impressed with the quality of the pictures you post.

Today was a good day: perfect blue skies and a break from the rain we've all been suffering through. The plan was to hit-up both Kings Mtn and OLH today but I ended up taking it easy today.

While on Canada Rd, on my way back home, I ran into my father who was just starting his recovery ride. I turned right around and spent some quality time with him on the Alpine loop. After it was all said and done I logged a really nice 70 miles today. Can't ask for much more than that. :)

Nice!

Went up and over Mt. Diablo from Danville up the South Gate to the top then down North Gate into Walnut Creek back through Alamo/Danville/San Ramon/Dublin then back home to Danville. Got in 54 miles. Was really feeling the effects of not being on the road due to the poor weather as I was really struggling against the wind even on the flats.

Hey BBM what camera do you use? I'm always impressed with the quality of the pictures you post.

A 3 year old Olympus Stylus 600, 6MP point 'n shoot. I post-process through Picasa - usually just sharpen, saturate, and crop. Almost always have to crop, as a 3x optical zoom doesn't give one much to work with on the longer shots.

I keep waiting for the camera to break so I can buy a better one that's not so obsolete, but so far this one's taken a beating and still comes through for me. Maybe I should loan it to Pete for a while. :)

A 3 year old Olympus Stylus 600, 6MP point 'n shoot. I post-process through Picasa - usually just sharpen, saturate, and crop. Almost always have to crop, as a 3x optical zoom doesn't give one much to work with on the longer shots.

I keep waiting for the camera to break so I can buy a better one that's not so obsolete, but so far this one's taken a beating and still comes through for me. Maybe I should loan it to Pete for a while. :)
Yep I got a ride comin up if you need a couple of picts;) if ya know what I mean...
It might be sleeping with the fish's

Lanceoldstrong racked me out with a phone call this am, and coerced me into an impromptu ride. He came down to my place, so I reprised Friday's ride with some ride company this time. Only one stop this time, at Peet's Coffee in Danville at about mile 26. The placed was jammmed with riders - more than even at high riding season. I guess there were a lot of folks with cabin fever, and the decent weather brought them out in droves.

We had a nice spin, and ended up with 30 miles and ~2,000' of climbing in the books. That brought me to 3,350 miles for the year, and Dan to just over 4,000.

Way to go, Dan!! And thanks for pulling me out of my riding funk - I needed it.

Was in SoCal over the long holiday weekend. Due to family commitments, I was only able to go out riding once, up Chantry Flats. Had a really clear view from the Valley, and got to see the LA skyline. 31 miles, 3600 feet climbing.

30 miles, 2000 feet of climbing with the BigBossMan down on his home turf of San Ramon.
Great last minute get together. Yipee!

Chris and I were supposed to meet up with the race team to climb Mt. George, and possibly descend into Napa, but our breakfast (he made pecan-pie pancakes, mmmmm) made us run late. So we rode up to Monticello Dam, back through Winters, on the flats and through the hills just north of Vacaville, for a 40-miler with about 2500' of climbing. Climbing -- just what we needed! :rolleyes:

Anything to boost our '08 mileage while we can...

Only a brief 20mile loop, involving self sacrifice up Lomas Cantadas today before looping round and down Wildcat. I did the low key route capturing Loma Vista, bringing a little more suffering to the table earlier in the climb, clocking in around 23-24mins. Solidly 2/3rds into the pack from November's results. Still it felt a bit shorter today which is good. I need to learn how to climb this without redlining my HR/breathing every time.

PS - also nudged my first annual mileage total over 2200. :thumb:

Beautiful day on Mt. D today.

Same ride Friday and Sunday...Started in Winters, Pleasants Valley Rd over Cantelow, through Vaca Hills and back over Cantelow to Winters. Saw a ton of riders out both days, weather was cool but not bad at all.

Friday rode the flats with the race team. Saturday rode out from Vacaville over Cardiac Hill with the race team and back to Fairfield. Sunday, worked...yay!

Climbed Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. on Sunday AM..... Clear & crisp.... w/views to climb for :rolleyes:.....
even watched a pair of deer flee the mighty blue merckx by climbing WAY up over the ridge..... What a way to start the day !!! :thumb:

From Cupertino,up foothill to Alpine left on Arastradero to Page Mill to Elena back to Foothill and home, great day had a nice chat with a guy on Foothill.

Saturday was the Henry sacrifice ride up Mt. Diablo, Sunday I went dirt biking in Hollister.

I know it's not the weekend, but I figure that Christmas to New Year is somewhat like an extended weekend for some of us.

Anyhow, was feeling grouchy most of the day due to long list of annoying chores, and the weather being fantastic but with me not on a bike. So I snuck out for a 22mile ride up Pinehurst and down Shepherd Canyon to Montclair - a nice easy 40mph descent, which could be faster if one tried. Bought myself a new pair of gloves from Wheels of Justice and then climbed back up Shepherd Canyon for the first time - not a bad little climb, I'll be trying to get to know some more of the bayside climbs to the ridge in 09.

These 20-30mile rides have been order of the day for me lately with relatives in town and multiple activities to take care of. Still, I feel much better and strangely serene now. :) I didn't need my knee warmers and just had a short sleeved jersey and arm warmers. I swear I'm faster without all that extra stuff on.

Took a New Year's day spin with Bikingshearer, Marckopolo, and Lanceoldstrong. No pics, but we left my house in San Ramon, went up/over Norris and then down to Castro Valley and Redwood Road. Up and over Redwood to Moraga, and then looped back via Danville/San Ramon Valley Blvd.

We were in the overcast/fog most of the day, and it was cold and damp. I never really got warm, and when we hit the descents the sweat from climbing chilled me to the bone. Still - A nice ride with great company, with 41 miles and ~2400' of climbing in the books on the 1st day of 2009.

I went up Morrison Canyon Road for the first time today. Yikes, that sucker is steep. I pooped out shortly after Vargas Road. I'll have to try again some other time to make it up to the airplane (which, I was told, is still there). The descent wasn't all that great, lots of dirt & rocks in the road, oh well.

I went up Morrison Canyon Road for the first time today. Yikes, that sucker is steep. I pooped out shortly after Vargas Road. I'll have to try again some other time to make it up to the airplane (which, I was told, is still there). The descent wasn't all that great, lots of dirt & rocks in the road, oh well.

Cool. The only thing about Morrison Canyon is it does get very narrow, and the descent can get a little dicey. The airplane wireframe structure ... it's just weird, the way it is perched up there. One of these days, I'll try going there and taking a few pics.

We rode with Joel S and some club-mates on a Lake Loop -- Vacaville to Monticello Dam to Lake Berryessa, then through eastern Napa County back to our county, Fairfield and Vacaville. We rode to the start and then back home, and logged 66 cold, damp, foggy miles and just over 4000' of climbing. BBMan, you were so right about the chill cruising downhill. And despite proper gear my feet were like blocks of ice by the time we got home.

It was a fun time nonetheless and I'm happy to get 2009 off to such a rousing start.

I wussed out on the Lake Loop, hoping it was going to get a bit warmer in the afternoon, fat chance.
It was 43 deg at 12:30 when I left Winters and 44 when I got back 2+ hours later...Went on Pleasants Valley to over Cantelow, made a loop around the Vaca Hills to back over Cantelow to Winters. Saw a ton of riders out braving the cold!

Ken

Tuesday.... Moutain Bike.... Mt. Tam....
Wednesday AM... Moutain Bike.... Mt. Tam....PM Road Bike... Marin Headlands...
Thursday AM... Road Bike... Stinson-West Bo-Fax-Seven Sisters-Panoramic Loop.... PM Limantour Out&Back (17% !!! Yikes !!! Happy New Year !!!):giver:

My self and ~ 8 other Team Alameda members did a New Years Day century. Ran into some Cherry City Cyclists on E. Castro Valley Blvd and saw them again two more times as we had intersecting routes. Started from Alameda just after 7:00AM rode out to Sunol across Livermore and out to Blackhawk for lunch and returned back over the Dublin Grade. It was really cold, never got out of the 40s and only saw the sun for a brief 10-15 minutes in Livermore. I was worried I had over dressed NAH!

Good way to kick off the New Year.

jw

Rode in Granite Bay today. Will ride there again tomorrow. I don't like road biking in this cold :(

http://www.mattandjosey.com/cycling/pictures/mtb-gb-1309-matt.jpg

Rode with a few of my race team, 4 guys and 3 ladies (and 2 Divas :innocent:). It was 39* with 15 mph winds, gusts up to 35 mph, 33.3 miles, and I got it handed to me today. We climbed Cantelow but I was dropped even before then; between the wind and traffic lights I fell behind and couldn't catch up in the headwind. Pacelining was ridiculous; echelons hard to maintain. For about 2 months I've done long, slow distances, and my lack of intensity training certainly showed today.

I limped home with a tailwind, thankfully, and before I could get cleaned up the team owner came over to give me some pointers and work to do.

So while painful, this ride was very valuable to me. Tomorrow: Hill repeats! *feigns enthusiasm*

I wanted to join the BF crew for the Mt. Tam ride, but my friend Hans was having his 48th birthday ride. I left home at 7:20, met a few guys at the bridge at 7:35. Eric, who I just met a week ago brought me a new Specialized Toupe 130 Ti seat to replace the broken one I've been riding on for 6 months - he works at a shop and will send the broken one back to Specialized under warranty :thumb: After I swapped out the seat we were off to meet Hans and the rest of the group in Marin.

It was a bit cold in the morning, especially through Lucas Valley with lots of frost on the sides of the roads, but by the time we went by the Cheese Factory we were warmed up pretty good. We had a total of 12 for most of the ride and picked up a couple others along the way. Hans had some prizes for the schoolhouse sprint and a couple KOM's. I won the $15 Starbuck gift card for the Marshall wall KOM :D, but lost the KOM on the climb out of Stinson Beach heading toward Muir Beach to Chirs J. visiting from Philly.

Ride totals: 110 miles, 6:15 riding, just enough climbing.

The ride was followed by a huge burrito and a 2 hour nap. Perfect training. :)

I passed on the team ride with Red Rider for a easy ride of 35 miles. I have the Early Birds tomorrow, so I didn't want to get wiped out training today.
It sure was nice out today, wasn't it?
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c399/WillworkforWag/100_0893.jpg

Jeesh! that's a pretty quick 110!

I passed on the team ride with Red Rider for a easy ride of 35 miles. I have the Early Birds tomorrow, so I didn't want to get wiped out training today.
It sure was nice out today, wasn't it?


Man, scottie you sure got the racing but bad!!!

Man, scottie you sure got the racing but bad!!!

Yeah, he's who I'd be if I was his age. :rolleyes: