Ok, here it is. I'm going to do a loop, around Calaveras to Palomares, then through Fremont, and up and over Paseo Padre, before returning back to Milpitas.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Calaveras-Palomares-Loop76268

60 miles, and about 4100 feet climbing

When: 10/13/2007, 9 am
Where: Target parking lot, at Landess and Morrill in Milpitas
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=2155+Morrill+Ave,+San+Jose,+CA&sll=37.424707,-121.873741&sspn=0.029787,0.057678&num=10&iwloc=addr&iwstate1=saveplace

Current Roster:
spingineer
msincredible
bigbossman
kster
jinws
uspspro
ifox
jjones
Bostic

Motivated maybe:
mtnwalker
x136
kb5ql
NeCr0632

I'll try to arrange babysitting, so I'm a motivated maybe...

Kb5ql: Are you going to ride the folder? If so, I'll bring my Dahon SpeedPro.

Very Kewl Ride!

I just did something similar on Sunday:
Livermore -> Sunol -> Calaveras KOM -> Sunol -> Palmares -> Dublin -> Livermore. Was 58.16 with about the same elevation. Very easy to do, and it was so pretty with the start of the Fall Foliage.

Have fun, I'll be putting the final touch to the 30th High School Re Onion that day.

BR

I'm a definite maybe... if I can get prior approval from the boss. :o

Too many maybe's. Let me add one more definite maybe. I'll have to see if I can break a promise without getting killed. ;)

I swear, reading some of your replies makes me not wanna get married.

I'm a strong maybe, have to check with my gf first to see if she made plans for us.

j/k...I'm a def. in.

If this is a good beginner-y type ride, I might be interested. I haven't yet learned my lesson, apparently. ;)

I swear, reading some of your replies makes me not wanna get married.

I'm a strong maybe, have to check with my gf first to see if she made plans for us.

j/k...I'm a def. in.

+1 ... no gf, and free as a bird!

If this is a good beginner-y type ride, I might be interested. I haven't yet learned my lesson, apparently. ;)

There are some climbs that are fairly substantial. See the elevation profile. I cannot see that it is a beginner type ride (unless someone could convince you otherwise).

There are some climbs that are fairly substantial. See the elevation profile. I cannot see that it is a beginner type ride (unless someone could convince you otherwise).

He'll be fine. It's sooo much easier climbing when there are people with you. I always make it up climbs I didn't think I can when one of my buddy is pacing me.

If this is a good beginner-y type ride, I might be interested. I haven't yet learned my lesson, apparently. ;)

You'll be fine. The rollers from the Coastal Century is very similar to the climbs on Calaveras. The only difference is you won't see the rollers coming on Calaveras.

If this is a good beginner-y type ride, I might be interested. I haven't yet learned my lesson, apparently. ;)


If I decide to go, you won't be the last one up the hill.

Seriously, the only way to lose "beginner-y type" status is to get out and run with the ball. No sense waiting - it never will get any easier. :D

You'll be fine. The rollers from the Coastal Century is very similar to the climbs on Calaveras. The only difference is you won't see the rollers coming on Calaveras.

Now that I've thought about it, I believe the rollers made that one tough century. With a few long climbs its easy to prepare yourself mentally that the climbs will eventually end. But with short downhills and uphills throughout 50 miles, IMO, the only thing you can look forward to is the end.

He'll be fine. It's sooo much easier climbing when there are people with you. I always make it up climbs I didn't think I can when one of my buddy is pacing me.

+1... I find that to be the case as well. Plus you don't want to look like a wuss when you're with a group of riders! Doh! Or rather... you are more motivated to get to the top! :)

Signed,
Wuss #1

You'll be fine. The rollers from the Coastal Century is very similar to the climbs on Calaveras. The only difference is you won't see the rollers coming on Calaveras.

The toughest part of the climb is going up "the wall". The section in Milpitas that goes up Calaveras Rd (past Ed Levin park) is steep and fairly long.

Now that I've thought about it, I believe the rollers made that one tough century. With a few long climbs its easy to prepare yourself mentally that the climbs will eventually end. But with short downhills and uphills throughout 50 miles, IMO, the only thing you can look forward to is the end.

Tony, I actually used the rollers to my advantage since you can see it. I'd bomb the downhill to gain momentum and then put it on high gear and pedal hard when I'm on the bottom of the next hill. By the time you lose momentum, you'd be halfway through the climb already. Then just grind up the top half of the hill.

The section in Milpitas that goes up Calaveras Rd (past Ed Levin park) is steep and fairly long.

Well, you can avoid that part. Just climb Sierra from the west and go down Felter and make a right turn to the wall:eek:
Just kidding:D
That section in Milpitas is really not that steep, just veeeeery looooong. I usually stop at the intersection of Felter and Calaveras to catch my breath and then give it one more whooomp to get over the wall and then it's a piece of cake :)

Tony, I actually used the rollers to my advantage since you can see it. I'd bomb the downhill to gain momentum and then put it on high gear and pedal hard when I'm on the bottom of the next hill. By the time you lose momentum, you'd be halfway through the climb already. Then just grind up the top half of the hill.

Yeah, there are portions of those rolers that I was able to use my momentum to my advantage. But there were more parts where the uphill was just so steep that it felt like I hit a wall and upshifting to the lower gears and spinning all of a sudden became a shock, for me anyways. I guess my stamina and endurance is not where it should be. Yet.

BTW, I think nutrition played a part too, the lack there-off. Since this was my first century I never really had to rely on food before. I had clif bars but I didn't touch them until the last 6 miles. I was very close to bonking. Lesson learned.

Ooooops, double post

Any starting time yet? If we can get back by noon, I am in. If not, maybe I'll just cut it short.

See the elevation profile.Where would I find that? If it's on the Bikely site, I missed it.
Seriously, the only way to lose "beginner-y type" status is to get out and run with the ball. No sense waiting - it never will get any easier. :DHeh, understood. Just trying to balance the "easing into it" aspect with the "trying not to die" aspect. ;)
The toughest part of the climb is going up "the wall".Well, that sounds... pleasant.
Yeah, there are portions of those rolers that I was able to use my momentum to my advantage. But there were more parts where the uphill was just so steep that it felt like I hit a wall and upshifting to the lower gears and spinning all of a sudden became a shock, for me anyways. I guess my stamina and endurance is not where it should be. Yet.That's about how I felt as well. The first hill, I think I made it about halfway on momentum and just pushing hard in the gear I was using. As the day went on, that momentum was taking me less and less of the way up the hill, leaving me to dump into a really low gear fairly quickly. I'm not great at the spinning thing, instead preferring to push hard in a higher gear, so doing that was wearing me out. I think I'm pretty good in the strength department, but my endurance is nil. :rolleyes:

How's the traffic on the ride? I got really spoiled on some of the quiet, idyllic stretches up in Chileno Valley last weekend (tempered by my encounter with the Raider Nation traffic snarl on 880 on my drive back).

I think I can make it, put me down as a yes

Where would I find that? If it's on the Bikely site, I missed it.


click the show tab. Select elevation profile.

Ahh, ok. Thanks. Whew, that first spike looks like a doozy.

Don't forget about the Palomares climb ... but a really nice downhill :D

How's the traffic on the ride? I got really spoiled on some of the quiet, idyllic stretches up in Chileno Valley last weekend (tempered by my encounter with the Raider Nation traffic snarl on 880 on my drive back).

It shouldn't be bad. Once you get passed Ed Levin park, traffic shouldn't be that big an issue.

When you get off of Palomares onto Niles Canyon Rd, you will have to be careful, but that stretch isn't too long.

It shouldn't be bad. Once you get passed Ed Levin park, traffic shouldn't be that big an issue.

When you get off of Palomares onto Niles Canyon Rd, you will have to be careful, but that stretch isn't too long.
The big issue on Calaveras is the chip seal on the road from the intersection of Felter/Calaveras all the way to the 680 junction. Not safe to bomb those downhills especially near the edges of the road, there's still a lot of loose gravel. Make sure you have a good tire casing, or better yet, bring an extra folding tire just in case. The edges of the pebbles are still sharp enough to cut through a tire.

I'll try to arrange babysitting, so I'm a motivated maybe...

Kb5ql: Are you going to ride the folder? If so, I'll bring my Dahon SpeedPro.

Hey, how did I get roped into this ride??? :D

Saturdays are looking pretty bad as I am a ref for my son's AYSO team.

(What did BlastRadius call it? 'All Your Saturdays Occupied')

I'm 95% in.

What's the start time?

If it's late enough, I'll caltrain it down and ride from the Sunnyvale area to the start.

I'm 95% in.

What's the start time?

If it's late enough, I'll caltrain it down and ride from the Sunnyvale area to the start.

I always seem to forget the time ... we'll start at 9 am (that's late for me!) I guess I'll do some loops for an hour :p

Hey, how did I get roped into this ride??? :D

Saturdays are looking pretty bad as I am a ref for my son's AYSO team.

(What did BlastRadius call it? 'All Your Saturdays Occupied')

Ok, you're a motivated maybe!

Argh, I'm out of town that weekend :cry: and that ride's in my 'hood.

Argh, I'm out of town that weekend :cry: and that ride's in my 'hood.

Sorry Jo ... maybe next time. I only picked this weekend because a bunch of people are doing organized rides the weekend before. When I first moved to the bay area, this was my hood too.

Hey, how did I get roped into this ride??? :D

Saturdays are looking pretty bad as I am a ref for my son's AYSO team.

(What did BlastRadius call it? 'All Your Saturdays Occupied')

Just think if you had two kids playing, one at 9:30am and the other at 2pm.
Your day would be hosed (like many of mine are this season).

I'm 95% in.

What's the start time?

If it's late enough, I'll caltrain it down and ride from the Sunnyvale area to the start.

I doubt Caltrain will be going early enough for a 9 am start. If you like, we can carpool, I'm happy to drive.

I doubt Caltrain will be going early enough for a 9 am start. If you like, we can carpool, I'm happy to drive.

Yeah, you're right. Damn weekend schedules! I have monthly pass with unlimited weekend use... but it never works for organized rides due to the limited schedule.

It is, however, great for going to the city for free on the weekends :)

Thanks for the offer to carpool!

I will let you know in the upcoming few days if I am going for sure.

Thanks again :D

Ron: I'm out for this ride. I'm going up to Bend, Oregon for a few days. Good news is I'll probably take one of the folders and check out some rides up there.

Ron: I'm out for this ride. I'm going up to Bend, Oregon for a few days. Good news is I'll probably take one of the folders and check out some rides up there.

That's ok ... we'll hook up next time. Have fun out there.

Hey, what a coincidence, I'll be in Oregon that weekend too!

Uh... but closer to Portland. Yeah, that's it.

(phew, almost spilled the beans there, SC)

Hey, what a coincidence, I'll be in Oregon that weekend too!

Uh... but closer to Portland. Yeah, that's it.

(phew, almost spilled the beans there, SC)

Whew! :o:o:o

Whew! :o:o:o

Who knows, you could be carpooling together .. :eek:

??

I just got word from my friends who did Palomares/Calaveras yesterday and told me that Calaveras is now okay (whatever that means).

I've ridden Calaveras a few times after the chipsealing (most recently, about 6 weeks ago) and to be honest it wasn't that bad even back then. By now it should be fine. You just need to stay alert and use a bit of caution going around sharp bends, especially if you're not familiar with that road.

I'm in.

Great! I'm adding you to the roster.

May I join you? I will be in SF from Oct. 9 thru the 17th goofing off while my bride works at a convention. I'm looking to get some scenic riding in, as corn passes as the scenery here in Illinois. How long will it take to drive from downtown SF to the start point?

May I join you? I will be in SF from Oct. 9 thru the 17th goofing off while my bride works at a convention. I'm looking to get some scenic riding in, as corn passes as the scenery here in Illinois. How long will it take to drive from downtown SF to the start point?

Of course you can join. It probably takes an hour from downtown SF to the starting point. Use google to plot out driving directions ...

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=2155+Morrill+Ave,+San+Jose,+CA&sll=37.424707,-121.873741&sspn=0.029787,0.057678&num=10&iwloc=addr&iwstate1=saveplace

Thanks. I'll plan on it.