Northern California - Memorial Day Ride-5-26-07

Come one come all for a fun ride through the mountians and out to the coast. There will be two route options, and this is a no drop "fun ride". There is a bit of climbing involved, mileage is between 50 and 64 miles depending on the route. We will be stopping for lunch.
The A ride http://www.routeslip.com/routes/15635 plus the to and from the parking lot at Page Mill and 280 (park and ride) will be about 64 miles.

The B ride is a bit shorter and less climbing http://www.routeslip.com/routes/18311, and almost a beautiful.;) This route is about 5000ft and 50 miles.

We will be meeting at the Park and Ride at Page Mill and 280. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=page+mill+rd+at+arastradero+rd,+palo+alto,+ca&sll=37.42916,-122.25166&sspn=0.200114,0.303497&ie=UTF8&ll=37.387903,-122.163658&spn=0.001564,0.002371&t=h&z=19&om=1
Meet at 9:30 am
Ride by 9:45(wishful thinking)

Ill add your name as you chime in.;)

Attendee's
tprevost
VMC
merider1
Spingineer
John
Sesamecrunch
Nesdog
BlastRadius
James
Lisa
BigSean
NYGirl777
Dauphin
Jonathanb715
Crazy Andy
BrianK
backinthesaddle
kb5gl(maybe)
SV Commuter
lok_hkcc (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=72907)

Is there a D ride? :(

Is there a D ride? :(
Translation ... not flat enough

Is there a D ride? :(


Oh no, we will have none of that from you Asia. We all know you climb just fine. Your in for the A ride.:D

I can't get routeslip to load. Where exactly is that starting point if I were to look it up on a map?


Here are some rough directions, you just follow them from 680 to 280

spingineer's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: California

There isn't actually a physical address. It is a the park and ride lot at the intersection of Page Mill Road and Arastradero Road in Los Altos (I always thought it was in Palo Alto, until I did a google map on it).

Directions from Morgan Hill (since that's where ME is also coming from):
Head North on I-101
Take the Hwy 85 exit towards Mountain View/Cupertino
Take I-280 exit towards San Francisco
Exit Page Mill (towards Palo Alto)
Keep left at fork, and follow signs for Arastradero Rd/Los Altos Hills
L Page Mill Road
Pass the I-280 freeway
Immediate next street, hang a left, then immediate right into park and ride lot


http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&addtohistory=&address=&city=Los%20Altos&state=CA&zipcode=&country=US&location=IhfcgJiX2vvCp3WmHGYvGJ6rx7FLWrKiZFrlDD6X7zzpo90b50r%2bwmTvFFsb7TuSe%2fyD%2frUqPJozwWWFB72zU P%2fVpfYxphh035JnmkyZpAjhdgNS1eqnfUpNHChq2ziV&ambiguity=1#north

We are starting at the 280 Page Mill Rd park and ride.

Ok I dont know what kind of drugs Sean, Tiff, Trac, Ron, Dauphin, sesamecrunch and Nesdog are taking but I'm on the C/D/ maybe even the E ride.

Ok I dont know what kind of drugs Sean, Tiff, Trac, Ron, Dauphin, sesamecrunch and Nesdog are taking but I'm on the C/D/ maybe even the E ride.

Hey, no worries, I'm leaning (make that falling) to the short, less climbing version myself. I think Trac may be doing the same.

Sheldon

nygirl, we all know how tough you are. Need I bring up Sea Otter Century? For the benefit of those that don't know, it was pouring rain, raindrops the size of golf balls. Yet here is Asia, not just doing a ride, but a full century (with climbs). Not only that, Asia also did Tierra Bella the day before, which is another century in Gilroy.

nygirl, we all know how tough you are. Need I bring up Sea Otter Century? For the benefit of those that don't know, it was pouring rain, raindrops the size of golf balls. Yet here is Asia, not just doing a ride, but a full century (with climbs). Not only that, Asia also did Tierra Bella the day before, which is another century in Gilroy.


Yep, she is sandbaggin big time.:mad:

:mad: Oh no you didn't :mad: just call me a sandbagger :) I'm hanging with Nesdog.......he's the only one I can trust on here :cry: :cry: I know the rest of you are crazy climbing machines...and I refuse to drop dead in Northern California :D

:mad: Oh no you didn't :mad: just call me a sandbagger :) I'm hanging with Nesdog.......he's the only one I can trust on here :cry: :cry: I know the rest of you are crazy climbing machines...and I refuse to drop dead in Northern California :D

Okay, but your gonna miss one of the most beautiful decents.:p Oh and yes I did, you know darn well it would be no problem for you.

:mad: Oh no you didn't :mad: just call me a sandbagger :) I'm hanging with Nesdog.......he's the only one I can trust on here :cry: :cry: I know the rest of you are crazy climbing machines...and I refuse to drop dead in Northern California :D
Who you calling a climber, you climber. Besides, you didn't see yours truly, break down, and walk Loch Lomond. Good thing not too many saw that. I must have looked like a big time Fred, walking up a hill, with walking shorts! :eek:

:mad: Oh no you didn't :mad: just call me a sandbagger :) I'm hanging with Nesdog.......he's the only one I can trust on here :cry: :cry: I know the rest of you are crazy climbing machines...and I refuse to drop dead in Northern California :D

All right..Just gotta get ME to join us and I'll have all the girls on our route!

Sheldon

Who you calling a climber, you climber. Besides, you didn't see yours truly, break down, and walk Loch Lomond. Good thing not too many saw that. I must have looked like a big time Fred, walking up a hill, with walking shorts! :eek:

walking shorts - walking up a hill - perfect!!

All right..Just gotta get ME to join us and I'll have all the girls on our route!

Sheldon


Oh no you dont. ME will be up for the longer route. Its really not much. One climb of about 12 minutes, maybe 15, and 2 others less then 10 minutes.:D

The longer one is a great route - sign me up! I can do those climbs - just don't expect me to be fast.

JB

The longer one is a great route - sign me up! I can do those climbs - just don't expect me to be fast.

JB


Done. No worries, Im not gonna be fast either. Its a fun ride. :D

nygirl, we all know how tough you are. Need I bring up Sea Otter Century? For the benefit of those that don't know, it was pouring rain, raindrops the size of golf balls. Yet here is Asia, not just doing a ride, but a full century (with climbs). Not only that, Asia also did Tierra Bella the day before, which is another century in Gilroy.

I met NYgirl at Tierra Bella and we rode together for a while. I dropped out due to the pouring rain at mile 60. I was so ashamed when I learned she toughed it out and finished the ride by herself :o . She is something!

It'll be nice to see you again, Asia!

If it kills me..I will come..if only to make everyone else look good.


Is that confirmation that you will be joining us?:D

If it kills me..I will come..if only to make everyone else look good.

yeah???? Are you really showing up?

If I can make myself drive that far...:p

sounds like an excuse is coming on :p ... just get in the car and come ride w/us!!!

I've been able to get at least one other person from work to join (possibly more).

This sounds where the party is.. I am a maybe.. Need to check with the wife and see what our plans our... I am scared of the hills, YIKES!!! I have heard hills are going to be tougher for me because I chose a Compact bike, Lucas Valley. I guess I will never know till I attempt it.. I am good hands right? :)
I grew up in Woodside miles to North from there, home sweet home..

I might opt for plan "B" by default.
I am the rookie..

This sounds where the party is.. I am a maybe.. Need to check with the wife and see what our plans our... I am scared of the hills, YIKES!!! I have heard hills are going to be tougher for me because I chose a Compact bike, Lucas Valley. I guess I will never know till I attempt it.. I am good hands right? :)
I grew up in Woodside miles to North from there, home sweet home..

I might opt for plan "B" by default.
I am the rookie..


The bike has nothing to do with the climbing part of it. Its all in the motor, mainly you. Comr and join us, we will leave no one behind, and you will be encouraged.;)

OK, I'm on.

I'm an East Bay rider, and this is a loop that I've always heard about, wanted to try, but I've never done. If this is seriously a "no drop fun ride" I'd like to do loop A. I'll be the old slow guy way behind but I'll make it.

Two questions though about the route. I'm concerned about how heavily trafficked the downhill stretch of 84 will be on a Holiday weekend. How bad will that be? Also, I looked at the route map and the start at Page Mill and 280 isn't on the tracked route at all. Just want to make sure I got the start place right?

The start is actually at the Park and Ride lot, and it's at the intersection of Arastradero and Page Mill. Arastradero runs parallel to the 280 freeway at that section. So once you get off 280, he westbound, go under the freeway, then the very next street, turn left, then right into the parking lot.

....sorry...If I ride...I already have dibs on "old slow guy way behind"....:D
Then I can get the "old young guy way behind" :D

Then I can get the "old young guy way behind" :D

hey we got a competition going :D I'll be behind you!

hey we got a competition going :D I'll be behind you!

I'll be behind everyone, so no worries :p

The start is actually at the Park and Ride lot, and it's at the intersection of Arastradero and Page Mill. Arastradero runs parallel to the 280 freeway at that section. So once you get off 280, he westbound, go under the freeway, then the very next street, turn left, then right into the parking lot.

I'll be coming up 101 to Oregon Expressway to Page Mill. What do I do then? Just keep going to Arastradero?

I'll be coming up 101 to Oregon Expressway to Page Mill. What do I do then? Just keep going to Arastradero?
Yup. Just go past 280, then hang a left at Arastradero, then immediate right. If you get lost, call me, 408-315-5559.

I'll be coming up 101 to Oregon Expressway to Page Mill. What do I do then? Just keep going to Arastradero?

Once you go under 280 its the first left into the parking lot on the right. You can pm me for my cell # if you want.

Guess Ron beat me to it.

Yup. Just go past 280, then hang a left at Arastradero, then immediate right. If you get lost, call me, 408-315-5559.

thanks, no problem, I'll find it.

thanks, no problem, I'll find it.

Ron now that you've posted your number for all the world to see -- if you guys drop me and leave me miles behind :mad: I'm prank calling you everyday until I feel better about myself :D

Now this is going to be a very interesting ride. Nearly everyone who has signed up for it has indicated that "I am the slowest and will be far behind!" No inflated egos here! So motorists should be treated to the sight of a dozen cyclists nearly falling over at less than 3 mph on the flats and walking up the hills!

Sheldon

Now this is going to be a very interesting ride. Nearly everyone who has signed up for it has indicated that "I am the slowest and will be far behind!" No inflated egos here! So motorists should be treated to the sight of a dozen cyclists nearly falling over at less than 3 mph on the flats and walking up the hills!

Sheldon

:roflmao:

I am bringing a tow chain to hook my bike up behind Big Sean. :)

I'll be in Mexico, but I'll be thinking about you guys going 3 mph up OLH ;)

I am bringing a tow chain to hook my bike up behind Big Sean. :)


I dont think that'll do any good. Im pretty weak right now.:(

Ron now that you've posted your number for all the world to see -- if you guys drop me and leave me miles behind :mad: I'm prank calling you everyday until I feel better about myself :D
I guess it will only help if I remember to bring my cell phone with me .... doh!

Yup. Just go past 280, then hang a left at Arastradero, then immediate right. If you get lost, call me, 408-315-5559.
Thanks for providing your cell number. May I use it to contact you if anything goes awry on my early ride up Tunitas?

Thanks for providing your cell number. May I use it to contact you if anything goes awry on my early ride up Tunitas?
Sure, but not sure if I'll be able to do much ...

Hi BigSean,

I have been a lurker on the BF for years, but this is probably only my second or third post.

The B route good for me. I have done the A route in the past, but the start and stop of the three evil Stage sisters are just too tough to recover for an old guy like me.

I rode the Cruisin' the Conajo two weeks ago, and I might have drafted along unannounced :p behind the Southern California BF for a stretch. That's one reason I like to doing organize century. One can hang in the back of a group of strangers for a little while without someone getting really mad at you for intrusion.

Will you sign me up for the B ride?

Thanks!

Frogger

... the start and stop of the three evil Stage sisters are just too tough to recover for an old guy like me.

+1, me too. I know exactly what you mean. I don't even like the one evil Stage sister on route B.

Why don't we just dump the A route and have everyone do the B route? You might even adjust that one slightly. It sounds like lots of folks are concerned about the climbing anyway. You mountain goats can do the A route anytime you want anyhow.

No sense in having everyone be so anxious and it's supposed to be a fun hang out ride anyway!


This way, the group stays together throughout. Maybe we'll gather a few more riders this way too.

Sheldon

Why don't we just dump the A route and have everyone do the B route? You might even adjust that one slightly. It sounds like lots of folks are concerned about the climbing anyway. You mountain goats can do the A route anytime you want anyhow.

No sense in having everyone be so anxious and it's supposed to be a fun hang out ride anyway!


This way, the group stays together throughout. Maybe we'll gather a few more riders this way too.

Sheldon

Actually, part of the attraction for me coming over from the East Bay is the full A route, including the Stage Road (if that's where these evil sisters live). I may regret this, but I'd like to try it, and it's really not something I can do any time.

Also, I never got a answer to my question about Highway 84: is that an OK road on a holiday weekend?

+1, me too. I know exactly what you mean. I don't even like the one evil Stage sister on route B.
I didn't know they named portions of Stage. Is there a mother Stage?

I don't mind doing the A or B route; whatever everyone agrees to.
It'd be a shame to split the gathering in two.

Whenever I head west on 84 after coming down OLH, I take the lane on the downhill.
It's easy to do 35 mph the whole way until it flattens out by the Pescadero Rd turn off.
Besides that, the shoulders are pretty wide anyway.

I didn't know they named portions of Stage. Is there a mother Stage?

First I heard of it was in Frogger's post. But I am familiar with the climbs along Stage Rd. They're a bit boring. The climb between 84 and 1 is the worst because usually I've stopped at the general store and have cooled down some.

I didn't know they named portions of Stage. Is there a mother Stage?


They are known as the 3 *****es!:eek: