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04-22-07, 09:14 PM
I did the Primarvera Century today. In case you are wondering, what the heck is the Primavera Century. Well, it's not in SoCal, but in NorCal. It is done by Fremont Freewheelers.
The whole thing about this ride was that impending threats of rain for Sunday. Well, as you probably guessed, the rain threats did not come through. That was a bit of concern. So I was all prepared, with plastic shopping bags in my saddle bag, rain gear, the whole nine yards ... didn't need them.
As usual, it took me forever to get out the door. Mostly due to lack of preparedness for the ride in the morning. I must have gone in and out of the house 5 times before I actually got on the road. I guess that's why I always get up so early.
I made it to the ride start at 7 am, and by the time registration got all squared away, it was about 7:15 am before I was actually rolling.
I have to admit, I was not the freshest this day, as Saturday, I did a 70 miler, 6000 feet climbing. So my legs were jello, even before starting the ride. I was gingerly pedaling just to keep moving, and it all went fine until I had to climb Calaveras, and the eventual first rest stop about 1 mile later. This wasn't even one of the harder climbs. I knew this was going to be a long day.
As expected, the steep climb on Calaveras (~ 14% for about 1/2 mile), I was sloooow. I heard someone say "You're almost there" ... but it wasn't Bill's voice I was hearing ... it was a woman, who was just toasting me up the hill ....oh well, I thought you'd get a kick out of that.
After this, we had rollers throughout the Calaveras climb, which wasn't too bad. I think it got me in the groove. After a rest stop in Sunol, we proceeded north towards Pleasanton, then east to Livermore. On the way, I saw a motocross practice track. Ok, not so exciting, but unexpected.
Now the climbing starts. Not only that, the wind was a bit blustery. I was climbing through a farm of windmills. Here's a short sample:
http://homepage.mac.com/ronng/.Pictures/Cycling/Primavera/P1010003.jpg
After making this climb, we had a downhill ... but there was also a serious headwind. So even though I should be gaining speed, and I was, I was still working extremely hard. That headwind sucks!!!
The headwind followed us all the way to the end of the ride. I now like hills ... I don't like headwinds! However, the last climb up Palomares made up for it all ... and the free lasagna dinner at the end ... oh that felt good.
Stats:
Distance: 103.43 miles
Total Climbing: 6,060 feet
Average Speed: 12.9 mph
Ok, you're probably tired of me rambling on. That's my report. Now time to rest my aching limbs. I have come to ghe conclusion that I like to torture myself.
The whole thing about this ride was that impending threats of rain for Sunday. Well, as you probably guessed, the rain threats did not come through. That was a bit of concern. So I was all prepared, with plastic shopping bags in my saddle bag, rain gear, the whole nine yards ... didn't need them.
As usual, it took me forever to get out the door. Mostly due to lack of preparedness for the ride in the morning. I must have gone in and out of the house 5 times before I actually got on the road. I guess that's why I always get up so early.
I made it to the ride start at 7 am, and by the time registration got all squared away, it was about 7:15 am before I was actually rolling.
I have to admit, I was not the freshest this day, as Saturday, I did a 70 miler, 6000 feet climbing. So my legs were jello, even before starting the ride. I was gingerly pedaling just to keep moving, and it all went fine until I had to climb Calaveras, and the eventual first rest stop about 1 mile later. This wasn't even one of the harder climbs. I knew this was going to be a long day.
As expected, the steep climb on Calaveras (~ 14% for about 1/2 mile), I was sloooow. I heard someone say "You're almost there" ... but it wasn't Bill's voice I was hearing ... it was a woman, who was just toasting me up the hill ....oh well, I thought you'd get a kick out of that.
After this, we had rollers throughout the Calaveras climb, which wasn't too bad. I think it got me in the groove. After a rest stop in Sunol, we proceeded north towards Pleasanton, then east to Livermore. On the way, I saw a motocross practice track. Ok, not so exciting, but unexpected.
Now the climbing starts. Not only that, the wind was a bit blustery. I was climbing through a farm of windmills. Here's a short sample:
http://homepage.mac.com/ronng/.Pictures/Cycling/Primavera/P1010003.jpg
After making this climb, we had a downhill ... but there was also a serious headwind. So even though I should be gaining speed, and I was, I was still working extremely hard. That headwind sucks!!!
The headwind followed us all the way to the end of the ride. I now like hills ... I don't like headwinds! However, the last climb up Palomares made up for it all ... and the free lasagna dinner at the end ... oh that felt good.
Stats:
Distance: 103.43 miles
Total Climbing: 6,060 feet
Average Speed: 12.9 mph
Ok, you're probably tired of me rambling on. That's my report. Now time to rest my aching limbs. I have come to ghe conclusion that I like to torture myself.