Northern California - Norcal Road Riding get together

Thought I'd get this out in advance, Liz(cyclemagic) is coming out the week of may 13th and she has expressed interest in riding with some of us. I know Siu and I would like to meet up. So we're going to need some ideas for where we could possibly go for a road ride, keeping in mind that some of us are going to be brand new to road. Ideas, suggestions, etc would be appreciated. Also let us know if it's possible for you to make it. :)\

No more than 50 miles.

No more than 1000 elevation climbing-wise.

in what general area were you thinking? It's an old standby, but the Portola Valley Loop would pretty much meet those restrictions. It's not too tough, it's absolutely lovely, and there's lots of other bikers on the road.

in what general area were you thinking? It's an old standby, but the Portola Valley Loop would pretty much meet those restrictions. It's not too tough, it's absolutely lovely, and there's lots of other bikers on the road.
I'll agree with Platypus. Palo Alto, through Portola Valley, to Woodside. If that's not enough, head north on Canada Road (especially if it's on a Sunday, since they close the road off to cyclists only that day).

San Ramon to Moraga and back. About 40-45 miles/1000 feet of climbing, very scenic

in what general area were you thinking? It's an old standby, but the Portola Valley Loop would pretty much meet those restrictions. It's not too tough, it's absolutely lovely, and there's lots of other bikers on the road.
That sounds cool, I'm only putting restrictions on this because me and Siu both don't have our bikes in yet and aren't used to road. So we gotta take it easy. Views/scenic areas are definitely a plus.

Any pictures to show us what the portola valley loop looks like?

That sounds cool, I'm only putting restrictions on this because me and Siu both don't have our bikes in yet and aren't used to road. So we gotta take it easy. Views/scenic areas are definitely a plus.

Any pictures to show us what the portola valley loop looks like?


Climbing is alot easier on a road bike. Well, its adds up quicker anyway. Do some riding on the mt bike till your roadies get here, and you'll do fine.

Oh, and Im a maybe.

... I'm only putting restrictions on this because me and Siu both don't have our bikes in yet and aren't used to road. So we gotta take it easy.

Not to be smartalecky or anything, but perhaps MUTs might fit the bill in terms of getting used to pavement; asphalt minus the cars, but more than made up for w/ pedestrians, joggers, kids on Razors, kids on 40# bikes riding on the wrong side, other cyclists riding two abreast coming at you, mangey dogs, moms w/ strollers, grandparents w/ strollers, in-line 'bladers...there're a few more, but I think you get the picture. If this sounds somewhat entertaining, you could always try the Bay Trail that goes around bits and pieces of the Bay.

Climbing is alot easier on a road bike. Well, its adds up quicker anyway. Do some riding on the mt bike till your roadies get here, and you'll do fine.

Oh, and Im a maybe.
Which reminds me Sean, I was going to see if you wanted to ride SC with me next week. I've been gone alot for the last month, but next week i'll be free and I can afford the gas to get to SC!! I'll pm you when I get back on sunday.

That sounds cool, I'm only putting restrictions on this because me and Siu both don't have our bikes in yet and aren't used to road. So we gotta take it easy. Views/scenic areas are definitely a plus.

Any pictures to show us what the portola valley loop looks like?

Well, here's a little something: http://www.paloaltobicycles.com/loopmap/loop.html

YEA! how fun will this be?!! I am up for anything (well, almost anything...) as long as it doesn't kill me or make me too tired/sore/cranky to enjoy the rest of the trip. the Portola Valley loop sounds pretty. What is the mileage? OH, EDIT: just checked out the link....looks great!

Thanks for getting this organized, Jon! looking forward to meeting everyone. My trip is a Sat-Sat, so unfortunatly, I will only be able to ride during the week. Hope some folks can make it still.

Liz

If my wife is home by then, I'll be in this time.

Scotty

Heh... if you guys are riding during the week, you may catch me on my commute home (like half of it is parts of the Portola Loop)

Link:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Ride-home-Mountain-View-to-San-Mateo

That sounds cool, I'm only putting restrictions on this because me and Siu both don't have our bikes in yet and aren't used to road. So we gotta take it easy. Views/scenic areas are definitely a plus.

Any pictures to show us what the portola valley loop looks like?

Um Jon. I still won't have my bike yet. It takes 12 weeks. I have 11 left.

Siu!!!!!! you have to ride....you will take another bike. so there.

Any pictures to show us what the portola valley loop looks like?

Some here, plus detailed description: http://chainreaction.com/bigloop.htm (Note: this includes the Old La Honda climb, which can easily be skipped).

CycleMagic, where in NC are you coming from?

I live in Western NC: Hickory. We have great riding out here: lots of rolling hills and some climbs that will make you want to either cry or vomit (your choice).

Which reminds me Sean, I was going to see if you wanted to ride SC with me next week. I've been gone alot for the last month, but next week i'll be free and I can afford the gas to get to SC!! I'll pm you when I get back on sunday.


Im off the bike for a while. I have a couple of slipped discs in my back and we are trying to get those taken care of. Thats why Im a maybe, dont know when Ill be able to ride again.

Um Jon. I still won't have my bike yet. It takes 12 weeks. I have 11 left.
12 weeks :eek: Are they building it from scratch or something?

12 weeks :eek: Are they building it from scratch or something?

Yeah pretty much. Sucks. By that time, summer will be over. :(

Um Jon. I still won't have my bike yet. It takes 12 weeks. I have 11 left.
Siu, I'll pay to rent you a roadie. Not a big deal. You're coming! :p

When ya bike comes in me and you will do something but ya gotta be there when CM is comin'. :)

Siu, depending on what size you are and what day this event actually occurs, I might be able to line up a roadie for ya. PM me to discuss...

Yeah pretty much. Sucks. By that time, summer will be over. :(

What size frame do you ride?

Is this ride going to actually be on Mother's Day?

Portola Loop Clockwise or counter-clockwise? I think this is what I need for building up.

The Portola loop looks like it makes for a nice ride. I'm most likely in. What day of the week are we talking?

If you do the Portola loop, there's a water fountain at the corner of Portola and Alpine Road. Nice place to stop if you want to regroup.

The Portola loop looks like it makes for a nice ride. I'm most likely in. What day of the week are we talking?
I could ride Sunday the 13th; just have to make sure the brother has my loaner bike set up for me. does Sunday work for everyone? if not, we'll have to choose a day during the week.

Well, the 13th is Mother's Day, so that might be an issue for me.

yea, I thought that may be a problem. You guys decide which day will work best. I will be on VACATION, so I'm pretty flexible! :-)

I'm gunna be honest guys, for me this was just an idea. I have no idea if I'll have posession of my bike by the time this comes around. I hope I do. Someone else is going to have to be the coordinator though, just in case I can't show up.

I'm gunna be honest guys, for me this was just an idea. I have no idea if I'll have posession of my bike by the time this comes around. I hope I do. Someone else is going to have to be the coordinator though, just in case I can't show up.

What size frame do you ride?

:rolleyes: hey now....you telling me that I'm going to come all the way across the country just to ride with you people and I'm going to have to do that beautiful loop all by myself (and bro if I can get him to call in sick to work or something). sheesh!

j/k: I hope we can get something together. I do understand that it will be during the work/school week, so that may be a problem for the more responsible folks here....:D

What size frame do you ride?
58cm

58cm

My Trek 420 is only a 56, and the bars are back about 3" closer than stock, plus higher. You can borrow it if you need a road bike. It's a steel frame, and has Shimano 550 wheels, Conti Gatorskin tires. 28/38/48 front triple with a 14-32 7 speed cassette. You'd have to put on your saddle and pedals for comfort. Sora brifters on the bars.

:rolleyes: hey now....you telling me that I'm going to come all the way across the country just to ride with you people and I'm going to have to do that beautiful loop all by myself (and bro if I can get him to call in sick to work or something). sheesh!

j/k: I hope we can get something together. I do understand that it will be during the work/school week, so that may be a problem for the more responsible folks here....:D

I can remain a responsible folk and still do a mid-day, mid-week ride :D

yea!!!!

UPDATE: looks like Wednesday, May 16th will work best for my brother. Can anyone ride that day?

I can make that work. I may need to make some modifications depending on the ride time and route as I have an appointment in Palo Alto at 3:30 (I can ride to/from it, though).

Are we still thinking the Portola Loop as a route?

cool! hope you can make it work, 'nother.

I'm game for the Portola Loop. My brother knows it and gives it a thumbs up!

cool! hope you can make it work, 'nother.

I'm game for the Portola Loop. My brother knows it and gives it a thumbs up!


OK, that sounds good. Can I propose we meet near the Stanford Dish gate (intersection of Foothill and Stanford Ave), at, say, 1 p.m.? We can arm-wrestle regarding clockwise/counterclockwise when we get there.

sounds good to me. I'll check with the bro on the time.

.....wonder if anyone else can make it???

I know it's a little late to be jumping in on this thread, but this sounds like a fun thing to do during the middle of the week. If you're willing to move it a little earlier in the day (say 11:30 or 12:00), you can count me in.

it would be great to have you, jimples. I've not heard from anyone else, so I'm open to the time. Heck, I'll be on vacation; pretty darn flexible! 'nother? are you open to bumping up the ride a little earlier?

it would be great to have you, jimples. I've not heard from anyone else, so I'm open to the time. Heck, I'll be on vacation; pretty darn flexible! 'nother? are you open to bumping up the ride a little earlier?

Sure, I can make that work.

OK, kids.....update on the group ride:

Wednesday, May 16th
high noon
Portola Loop
Meet at Stanford Dish gate (intersection of Foothill and Stanford Ave)

WHO's IN?

Sounds good, I'm in.

yea! so far, it is:
~'nother
~me
~my bro

Siu may not be able to get the time off
Jon/Pheard may wimp out if Siu can't make it (he's riding a mtb)

jimples? you still in?

yea! so far, it is:
~'nother
~me
~my bro

Siu may not be able to get the time off
Jon/Pheard may wimp out if Siu can't make it (he's riding a mtb)

jimples? you still in?

I just fired my employee so no go for me. Oh and Jon is a surefire noshow. However he will have an excuse.:rolleyes:

you fired your employee??? sounds like rough times. sorry about that! You need to take a day off and go ride....a day off in the middle of the week, perhaps....like a Wednesday. today's already over, so you'll have to do it next Wednesday. Yea, that's the ticket!

you fired your employee??? sounds like rough times. sorry about that! You need to take a day off and go ride....a day off in the middle of the week, perhaps....like a Wednesday. today's already over, so you'll have to do it next Wednesday. Yea, that's the ticket!


If you dont get enough on that ride, I do an afterwork ride in the los Gatos area.:D

don't know where that is, but my brother does. I think he's racing one day next week and I get to go watch! wheee!

if we can break away from the rest of the fam-o-lee for an afternoon ride, I'll post here.

don't know where that is, but my brother does. I think he's racing one day next week and I get to go watch! wheee!

if we can break away from the rest of the fam-o-lee for an afternoon ride, I'll post here.


Its about 20 minutes from where you are riding on wed.