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07-04-07, 09:19 PM
I had a nice, if somewhat tough, club ride today. Twelve club members showed up for a ride over Yuba Pass on Highway 49 in Northern California.
Here's the group at the beginning, in Calpine, CA. There is very minimal population in Calpine, CA.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k87/tomfrady/01Atthestartr.jpg
The first few miles are flat across the valley. With almost no traffic, we are somewhat casual our peloton.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k87/tomfrady/07thePelotonr.jpg
Soon we are at the base of the mountain. From this side, it is a 6 mile, steady climb of 1700 feet. I get that at 5%, but it seemed steeper. While a bit slow, I didn't have any problems with the climb. I was the 7th of 12 to get to the top, which is good for me. Of course, there a couple who double back to do part of the climb again and still beat me to the top. As is typical in our area, the road is lined with good-sized trees, and the wildflowers were in bloom.
The downhill on the other side is a seven mile run, to a Gas station/mini-mart/restaurant for a snack. There is nothing better than a Coke and Cool Ranch Doritos. One can pretty much ride full-out down the hill. It's not too curvey, but runs along the river. Before we get there, here's a view. The picture was taken at about 30 mph, which I would not remommend.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k87/tomfrady/13TheButtesr.jpg
After the snack, we head back up. The return hill is about 3.5% average, but has some steeper spots. It had gotten a bit warmer and we found that some of the tar that fills the cracks in the road were getting a little sticky. Then down the other side, maximum speed for me only about 38 mph, since I'm not real familiar with the the road. Some of the riders encountered some vehicle passengers who yelled at them. I consumed a large bottle of water and one of Gatorade, plus and energy bar and some energy goo of some kind.
Once back at the start, one of the members supplied beer and Pepsi (left over from his birthday party), which was supplemented with chips'n'salsa. We ride to eat and eat to ride.
A total of 3000 ft of climbing. The rule of the ride was "summit and circle" which means we regroup at the top, waiting for everyone to get there. It was a very fun group with lots of chatter and kidding.
Here's the group at the beginning, in Calpine, CA. There is very minimal population in Calpine, CA.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k87/tomfrady/01Atthestartr.jpg
The first few miles are flat across the valley. With almost no traffic, we are somewhat casual our peloton.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k87/tomfrady/07thePelotonr.jpg
Soon we are at the base of the mountain. From this side, it is a 6 mile, steady climb of 1700 feet. I get that at 5%, but it seemed steeper. While a bit slow, I didn't have any problems with the climb. I was the 7th of 12 to get to the top, which is good for me. Of course, there a couple who double back to do part of the climb again and still beat me to the top. As is typical in our area, the road is lined with good-sized trees, and the wildflowers were in bloom.
The downhill on the other side is a seven mile run, to a Gas station/mini-mart/restaurant for a snack. There is nothing better than a Coke and Cool Ranch Doritos. One can pretty much ride full-out down the hill. It's not too curvey, but runs along the river. Before we get there, here's a view. The picture was taken at about 30 mph, which I would not remommend.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k87/tomfrady/13TheButtesr.jpg
After the snack, we head back up. The return hill is about 3.5% average, but has some steeper spots. It had gotten a bit warmer and we found that some of the tar that fills the cracks in the road were getting a little sticky. Then down the other side, maximum speed for me only about 38 mph, since I'm not real familiar with the the road. Some of the riders encountered some vehicle passengers who yelled at them. I consumed a large bottle of water and one of Gatorade, plus and energy bar and some energy goo of some kind.
Once back at the start, one of the members supplied beer and Pepsi (left over from his birthday party), which was supplemented with chips'n'salsa. We ride to eat and eat to ride.
A total of 3000 ft of climbing. The rule of the ride was "summit and circle" which means we regroup at the top, waiting for everyone to get there. It was a very fun group with lots of chatter and kidding.