Northern California - Tour de Max Done Deal

Ok, Here's my comment " Wicked Cool"

Pete

really awsome meeting all you fun people, like I was telling Ron today, when I first started reading the forum here I thought you we're all a bunch of gearhead bike geeks...... Hey! I was right!, and I really enjoyed it.

+1 ... it was great meeting everyone, plus meeting a few new friends

So I guess everyone wants to see a ride report from me, so here it goes. If you don't, just skip to my pic postings later on.

After doing ride registration, went back to the car to dump some stuff off, and here comes this 50-something guy, as if he knows me. Well, I guess my Triple Crown jersey gave it away. It was Taxi777 (aka Pete). He says a bunch of riders are waiting for my arrival ... gee, I didn't know I was that popular.

Met up with Jobob, LostinSanJose, along with his friends Lance and Ally (btw, they are strong riders) in the parking lot. We left about 7:03 (dang, 3 minutes late).

The biggest worry of most riders was the condition of Page Mill and Alpine, as they were concerned about the loose gravel and chipsealing. However, by the time we got to the top of Page Mill, it was packed pretty good, and it wasn't really loose at all. I thought only the top of Alpine and Page Mill had chipseal done, but the top 8 miles (till it veers right) had been chipsealed. But it really wasn't that bad. The only tricky part on the Alpine descent was avoiding all the potholes.

Everybody met up at the rest stop in Pescadero. The rest of the NorCal BF clan was re-united, including msincredible and zorrov999. We did manage to get a group shot, but Taxi777 has that (hint hint ... upload that pic please???)

Onward to Stage Road and Tunitas Creek. It wasn't overcast like it usually is on the coast, so we got a clear view of the ocean (sorry, no pics ... it would mean I'd have to stop, after going 38 mph downhill?).

The climb up Tunitas, as usual, was tough. No matter how many times I do it, it's still a tough climb. What was nice on this ride was the rest stop was 2 miles from the top ... and wow, what a relief that was. I downed a can of coke, and it felt sooooo good.

The rest of the ride was a downhill descent on Kings Mountain Road. The last 10 miles or so was nice downhill, with no climbing after that, which was nice. Met up with everyone at the start for the BBQ. No raffle winners, but it was a fun day for another successful NorCal BF outing.

Oh, and taxi777, you are a hoot! LostinSanJose, it was great riding with you. Good luck in Philly. Good luck in getting your way back here in NorCal.

+1 ... it was great meeting everyone, plus meeting a few new friends
Likewise !! Very nice to meet you all.

Everybody met up at the rest stop in Pescadero. The rest of the NorCal BF clan was re-united, including msincredible and zorrov999.

Don't forget the cameo appearance from SesameCrunch in Pescadero! (hi Alan, nice to meet you too).

I totally agree. We couldn't have asked for better weather. What a nice day to ride and beautiful scenery.

It was my first time doing Page Mill and my second time on Tunitas Creek, and it was a tough ride, but it felt great to complete it.

Here are some pictures.

Angel (Zorrov999)

http://inlinethumb01.webshots.com/10048/2544998440068796226S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb24.webshots.com/9303/2420478950068796226S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/10102/2238706860068796226S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb46.webshots.com/9133/2690347450068796226S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/9251/2441025240068796226S600x600Q85.jpg

Ok here you go 1
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/TourDeMax07038.jpg

and the Dinner
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/TourDeMax07048.jpg

Of course the "ACTION PHOTO" !!!!!!!!!http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/TourDeMax07028.jpg

Taxi777 (Pete)
http://web.mac.com/ronng/iWeb/bikeforums/Tour%20de%20Max_files/P8110042.jpg

LostinSanJose having fun with the bubble machine

http://web.mac.com/ronng/iWeb/bikeforums/Tour%20de%20Max_files/P8110043.jpg

LostinSanJose hamming it up with the bubble machine

http://web.mac.com/ronng/iWeb/bikeforums/Tour%20de%20Max_files/P8110046.jpg

Tour de Max mascot

http://web.mac.com/ronng/iWeb/bikeforums/Tour%20de%20Max_files/P8110048.jpg

Lance's mug shot
http://web.mac.com/ronng/iWeb/bikeforums/Tour%20de%20Max_files/P8110053.jpg

Allie and Lance
http://web.mac.com/ronng/iWeb/bikeforums/Tour%20de%20Max_files/P8120054.jpg

Ms. Incredible (Paula) and Dave
http://web.mac.com/ronng/iWeb/bikeforums/Tour%20de%20Max_files/P8120056.jpg

Ms. Incredible
http://web.mac.com/ronng/iWeb/bikeforums/Tour%20de%20Max_files/P8120055.jpg

Don't forget the cameo appearance from SesameCrunch in Pescadero! (hi Alan, nice to meet you too).

:love: Thanks for remembering me, Jobob - nice jersey, btw!! And thanks for forgetting about me, Spingineer :mad:

I live out along the coast, so I decided to ride the TdM route backwards, hoping to run into some of you guys. I found my friend Zorrov999 and Julie along Pescadero Creek Rd. So I turned around and rode for a while with them. Had a chance to meet some BF'ers at the rest stop. Rode with Zorrov999 through the "three b*tches" on Stage Road until we parted at Tunitas Creek Rd. I had planned to climb a part of Tunitas, but had to get back to the house to take a casserole out of the oven before it burned up :o .

You all were very lucky, it was surely one of the best days of the year along the coast.

This morning started rough, with a flat before I was even out the door, but it turned out to be another great ride. We all met in the parking lot a bit before 7, and were on the road a few minutes after. The first rest stop came quick, a bit to soon actually, and we were greeted by a large crowd of people with noisemakers, balloons, a bubble-machine, and dogs. At each rest stop the oranges were delicious, the Gu was plentiful, the water was fancy, and the volunteers were extremely nice. They also had these "Bumble Bars" that I'm going to have to track down. The rest is kind of a blur from there, but it seemed like someone had a camera out all day long, so I think Pete and Ron are holding out on the pictures.


I'm happy I got to do this ride before I left. I'm pretty sure it's the first time I've ridden the same road(s) twice, and was able to see if I've gotten better since my introduction to road cycling a couple months back. Secondly, you guys are an awesome crew, and I had a lot of fun on the ride today. Hopefully I can make it back next year (looking at you jobob and msincredible ;)), perhaps bringing a few more "Philly's" with me to experience the west coast.

This is the only photo I took that came out (and it really didn't come out):

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/6043/img3805tq0.jpg
Ron winning the Tour.

You'll have to change your handle to "PhillySteakAndCheese" Or "Rocky" when you move to Philly

"I think Pete and Ron are holding out on the pictures." I posted a cool action shot of you and group picts" check it out.
Pete

It was great to meet everyone, good ride, beautiful weather!
Lots of firsts for me, first organized ride, first time riding virtually all of those roads, most I've ever ridden in one day.
Here's a couple of additional photos.
Paula

Me and Dave at the Tunitas Creek rest stop

http://paularickert.net/albums/userpics/Paula-Dave_Tunitas-Creek.jpg

Ron and me celebrating the finish

http://paularickert.net/albums/userpics/Ron-Paula_finish.jpg

Damn another good ride missed due to the broken collarbone!!!

Looks like fun guys. I'll be back in action by September, I hope!

I compiled the pics and put it on my web page. You'll also find pics from other BF events there too.

Just having fun with my iMac and iLife ...

http://web.mac.com/ronng/iWeb/bikeforums/Tour%20de%20Max.html

and the Dinner
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/TourDeMax07048.jpg

Ya know, he does resemble Bob Roll, looking at this picture. What's his real name again?

Nice ride reports and photos guys. Good job! I can't wait to meet up with everyone again.
Henry

Just wanted to let you all know it was awesome meeting you all this weekend! I hope to see you out on some more rides!!!!! :D Everyone was so friendly- thank you!
Ali

Thanks to everyone for making this ride so great. Sure Page Milll seems to go on forever but the views around many of the curves are so worth it. I had a great time and feel lucky to meet so many great people. I hope to see all of you on other rides here in NorCal. Take care, Lance

Not sure how many will be in town, but I want to do climb up Hwy 9 to Skyline on Labor Day, like we did on the 4th of July. Make it a traditional holiday ride.

Not sure how many will be in town, but I want to do climb up Hwy 9 to Skyline on Labor Day, like we did on the 4th of July. Make it a traditional holiday ride.
Hey Ron count me in, remind me though before the fact, I'm wicked retaadad when It comes to remembering dates, to many pre helmet face plants.
Merry Easter, Pete

Count me as highly interested. Need to see what's going on with the family before I can commit...

Not sure how many will be in town, but I want to do climb up Hwy 9 to Skyline on Labor Day, like we did on the 4th of July. Make it a traditional holiday ride.


Are you just climbing up to the Gap, and back, or...?

Bostic and I (and a co-worker) did the ride you had intended to do on July 4th this past Saturday, and it was pretty good fun. They kicked my butt, but the climb up 9 and the run down Kings Mtn was worth the price of admission. I'd be interested in doing the ride again if 1) I have nothing else planned, and 2) the temps are in the 70s or low 80s because anything more would be a real stinker, like the 4th was when we all (except for gpliu) wussed out and bailed on Page Mill. :D