Northern California - Sat 3/22 Quimby - Mt. Hamilton +

Update:
Attendees scheduled:
Ramon, Norman, Marco, Glenn, Henry, Josh, Russell

Leave at 8am from Linda Vista Elementary School 100 Kirk Ave. 1 block off of Alum Rock.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=l&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Linda+Vista+Elementary+School&near=San+Jose,+Ca&sll=37.341464,-121.64166&sspn=0.002005,0.005021&num=10&iwloc=A&iwstate1=saveplace

Route:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Quimby-to-bridge-back-130
Roughly 5 miles of straight to warm up for hills
There is water after the Quimby descent at the entrance to the park as well as at the Observatory building. Vending machines at the Observatory as well, bring coins or crisp dollar bills.

50.2 miles, 7920' up, 7936' down
-----------------------------------------------

Putting out the feelers if anyone is interested in joining Norman and I this Saturday 8am-9am. This will be some sort of variation of one of Glenn's bikely routes but figure at least 40 something miles and 7500' of climbing. Quimby is a challenge but a satisfying one as well as having a great view of the valley during the difficult upper switchbacks. I have not done the east side of Hamilton to the bridge and back but this is a fine time as any. As far as what to expect compared to group rides from the past, McEwen road, steep part of Calaveras Road where it meets up with Felter.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Mt-Hamilton-Quimby-to-the-bridge-and-back
(Would start at Kirk, Alum rock and ride back Alum Rock to S. White to Quimby. 5 miles of warm up before climb begins. On way back just take 130 back to Alum Rock).

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Quimby-Hamiton-Metric
tougher.

Oh damn ... I'm out of town this weekend ... such a pity :p

I may be in San Jose this weekend...not sure if I'd be there by Saturday morning so I may have to do the ride solo, but I looked at your routes and am interested (after watching the Tour of California and seeing that stage). How safe do you find those roads (130, Mt. Hamilton etc.)? Iam guessing that cyclists ride those roads a lot, is that true?

I hope you have a great ride...

... How safe do you find those roads (130, Mt. Hamilton etc.)? Iam guessing that cyclists ride those roads a lot, is that true?

...

I would consider them (130 up & over Mt Hamilton) pretty safe; there're usually a good handful of folks that ride it on either day of the weekend, as well as weekdays, and the traffic after the lower residential areas below Grant Ranch thins out nicely. Road surface is pretty reasonable, but as with any other road you can hurt yourself if you looked for a way. The climbing on Hamilton you saw in the ToC was ~ the last couple miles of the east side of the summit.

I might be in. I destroyed my tire on HWY 1 on Sunday.

I can't order until tomorrow. I'll think about swapping the tire off my commuter. Maybe.

Putting out the feelers if anyone is interested in joining Norman and I this Saturday 8am-9am. This will be some sort of variation of one of Glenn's bikely routes but figure at least 40 something miles and 7500' of climbing. Quimby is a challenge but a satisfying one as well as having a great view of the valley during the difficult upper switchbacks. I have not done the east side of Hamilton to the bridge and back but this is a fine time as any. As far as what to expect compared to group rides from the past, McEwen road, steep part of Calaveras Road where it meets up with Felter.


:eek:... too rich for my blood! ... :eek:

You guys "enjoy" though :)

I'll be flying back home, have fun!

We're planning on riding the Livermore side up Mines Rd. and going through the flats past the Junction cafe to see the flowers in the valley. At least I hope there are flowers. Maybe we'll go further, maybe not. :)

Have a good rie!

Veronica

:eek:... too rich for my blood! ... :eek:

You guys "enjoy" though :)

Pete's Mt. Tam ride last year was a good chunk of climbing too since it involved Bolinas road up and down to the dam and back out up to Ridgecrest and the seven sisters. This ride does have two steep climbs but the two thirds of west side of Mt. Hamilton are not bad at the right pacing.

Pete's Mt. Tam ride last year was a good chunk of climbing too since it involved Bolinas road up and down to the dam and back out up to Ridgecrest and the seven sisters. This ride does have two steep climbs but the two thirds of west side of Mt. Hamilton are not bad at the right pacing.

Haha. Yeah, and "right pacing" does not equal trying to catch the group that started 15-20 mins before you ;)

I don't think I have the legs for Hamilton yet. Looks like a good ride, I'm going to try to get Hamilton / Diablo / Tam done this season.

I don't think I have the legs for Hamilton yet. Looks like a good ride, I'm going to try to get Hamilton / Diablo / Tam done this season.

Trust me it's not all that bad. Long, but not that steep.

*looks at the distance to the starting location and the starting time, and cringes a bit*

*looks at the elevation profile and cringes much harder*

Trust me it's not all that bad. Long, but not that steep.

Exactly, and the east side isn't so bad, either. No, really... ;)

Besides, it couldn't possibly be tougher than this epic ride last year by a few of the intrepid "hard people" amongst us:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b70/zorrov/penguins.jpg

* Thanks, Zorrov, for the use of your pic and, er, penguin.

Putting out the feelers if anyone is interested in joining Norman and I this Saturday 8am-9am. This will be some sort of variation of one of Glenn's bikely routes but figure at least 40 something miles and 7500' of climbing. Quimby is a challenge but a satisfying one as well as having a great view of the valley during the difficult upper switchbacks. I have not done the east side of Hamilton to the bridge and back but this is a fine time as any. As far as what to expect compared to group rides from the past, McEwen road, steep part of Calaveras Road where it meets up with Felter.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Mt-Hamilton-Quimby-to-the-bridge-and-back
(Would start at Kirk, Alum rock and ride back Alum Rock to S. White to Quimby. 5 miles of warm up before climb begins. On way back just take 130 back to Alum Rock).

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Quimby-Hamiton-Metric
tougher.

Oh, as long as you're not planning anything too tough! :rolleyes:

I'll stick to the TnT ride in the Oakland Hills, thanks (we'll still get 5,400 feet of climbing in 52 miles, though, just in smaller chunks).

JB

I love penguins!:)

I have to try to ride with the ALC group this weekend. I have to start scoping out for a tent mate. Anyone know any females doing the ALC that might want a New Age Senstive guy as a tent mate? I'm really a nice guy...most of the time :p

Hope you guys have a nice ride. Maybe the next weekend I'll be free.
Pete

Maybe the next weekend I'll be free.
Pete

but not easy, apparently! :D

JB

You guys really know how to entice a person. Uhh, I have things to do with the kids this weekend. Yeah, that's the ticket...

;P

Man .. this is really tempting ...... but too bad we're going to Mt Tam Saturday. Have a good time! :D

Man .. this is really tempting ...... but too bad we're going to Mt Tam Saturday. Have a good time! :D

Maybe, I'll see you up that way. I'm maybe doing a ride saturday up that way. Are you with Team A ?
Pete

I love penguins!:)

I have to try to ride with the ALC group this weekend. I have to start scoping out for a tent mate. Anyone know any females doing the ALC that might want a New Age Senstive guy as a tent mate? I'm really a nice guy...most of the time :p

Hope you guys have a nice ride. Maybe the next weekend I'll be free.
Pete

ALC group? Are you two-timing us :lol:

ALC group? Are you two-timing us :lol:

Such a gigolo. Mr. Sensitivity. Ya know, they do have sensitivity trainers ... :roflmao:

I'll stick to the TnT ride in the Oakland Hills, thanks (we'll still get 5,400 feet of climbing in 52 miles, though, just in smaller chunks).

JB

Hey JB, I might be riding up that way on Saturday - I'm planning to go up Redwood, Pinehurst, Canyon to Moraga Way/Camino Alto and out to the Bears. If you see a lone rider on a dusty rose/mauve Rivendell, give me a howdy!

Hey JB, I might be riding up that way on Saturday - I'm planning to go up Redwood, Pinehurst, Canyon to Moraga Way/Camino Alto and out to the Bears. If you see a lone rider on a dusty rose/mauve Rivendell, give me a howdy!

We should have lots of overlap - we're going up Pinehurst/Canyon, down Snake, up Tunnel, down Shephards Canyon, up Snake, down Redwood (and then up), turning around at some point to go back down to Pinehurst and back into Moraga. We'll be Yo-yos - up and down and up and down and up and down.

Hope to see you!

JB

PS - if you're bike is dusty you can always clean it off!:D

I don't think I have the legs for Hamilton yet.

Mt. Hamilton is three different climbs broken up from Alum Rock & 130 to the summit. There are some breather spots where you can descend but it does take some training and conditioning to get used to climbing for that long. A good way to prep would be to ride Highway 9 up to 35 a few times since that is a longer short climb. The grade is fairly consistent so you can get your body used to a steady rhythm and cadence.

This ride does have a lot of elevation but the only way I'm going to improve is to suffer through it and just get it done. The first time I climbed Moody road in Los Altos I had to stop three times. Eight times for Page Mill (39x23 what was I thinking..). The first group ride with Ron up 9 I had to stop halfway. My plan is to add on a climb every few weeks to pile on the elevation. Quimby/part of east side of Hamilton, Quimby & Sierra, Quimby, Sierra & Welch Creek.

After reading all these posts I may have to rethink my plan. I was planning to ride from Alum Rock, over Mt. Hamilton and down the other (East side) then turn around at the bottom and ride over that side back to Alum Rock. Is that too much (I know thats relative). I guess I'll make a call at the top.

I'll either be in a Chico Corsa kit or a Sierra Nevada Kit and on a white Postal Trek. Say hi if you go by me.

Josh

Josh, that's sort of the ride Bostic planned, except without Quimby, so I guess your route is a little less "painful" than the run up Quimby. Like Bostic said, there are two descents on the way to the observatories at the top, so there are small breaks on the way up, but unless you've done no riding to prep for this, the ride up the west side of Hamilton is not a difficult ride. The grade is easier than Honey Run up to Paradise (did I get that right, it's been a while?..). It's ~19 miles to the top though, so it's time in the saddle no matter how you cut it.

... I was planning to ride from Alum Rock, over Mt. Hamilton and down the other (East side) then turn around at the bottom and ride over that side back to Alum Rock. Is that too much...

That's a great ride. I did it last July. Make sure you refill on the top before going down the east side.

I'd love to do this ride, but I'm doing a 10k Diablo MTB climb on Saturday. Legs should feel like toast after that one.

BR

Mt. Hamilton is three different climbs broken up from Alum Rock & 130 to the summit. There are some breather spots where you can descend but it does take some training and conditioning to get used to climbing for that long. A good way to prep would be to ride Highway 9 up to 35 a few times since that is a longer short climb. The grade is fairly consistent so you can get your body used to a steady rhythm and cadence.

This ride does have a lot of elevation but the only way I'm going to improve is to suffer through it and just get it done. The first time I climbed Moody road in Los Altos I had to stop three times. Eight times for Page Mill (39x23 what was I thinking..). The first group ride with Ron up 9 I had to stop halfway. My plan is to add on a climb every few weeks to pile on the elevation. Quimby/part of east side of Hamilton, Quimby & Sierra, Quimby, Sierra & Welch Creek.

+1

Before, I had to stop on hills like Old La Honda or Kings maybe just over a year ago. Now I can consistently climb hills at a steady pace.

Have enough low gearing, keep the cadence up, focus on your breathing and find a rhythm. I like to stand up once and a while to change muscle groups and get up the steeper sections.

Josh, that's sort of the ride Bostic planned, except without Quimby, so I guess your route is a little less "painful" than the run up Quimby. Like Bostic said, there are two descents on the way to the observatories at the top, so there are small breaks on the way up, but unless you've done no riding to prep for this, the ride up the west side of Hamilton is not a difficult ride. The grade is easier than Honey Run up to Paradise (did I get that right, it's been a while?..). It's ~19 miles to the top though, so it's time in the saddle no matter how you cut it.

Yep, you got it right. Thanks for all the help and advice. I've been riding plenty...just not climbing much of late. I'll get make the climbs, they may just take a little longer than they would if I was climbing more (and eating less).

I'm looking forward to the pain, the view, and the post ride IPA.

Josh

So who is doing the Hamilton/Quimby deal??

Maybe, I'll see you up that way. I'm maybe doing a ride saturday up that way. Are you with Team A ?
Pete

Yeah.

Haha, so far it's Ramon, Norman and myself.

Anyone else!

Take advantage of the nice weather forecast .

How close is the nearest CalTrain station to the start? I've not done Mt. Hamilton yet but I'd like to.

Marco, how goes it with the tire? I have a couple spare Fortezza TriComps if you need 'em. 'Don't want to see you go off-roading comin' off the mtn... ;)

How close is the nearest CalTrain station to the start? I've not done Mt. Hamilton yet but I'd like to.

If you can get yourself (and bike) to the Lawrence Stn CalTrain stop, I can get you to and from the ride start/finish (at least). How's that? :)

That would be easier, and probably safer, than taking it to the San Jose stop and riding over E. Santa Clara which becomes Alum Rock to the meeting area, 5 miles roughly.

Did someone say Quimby :-)??? Can I join in on the fun?
-Glenn

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/9213/joe20quimbyum7.gif

"Did, ah, somebody say Quimby? I, ah, had nothing to do with whatever you're, ah, talking about."

Did someone say Quimby :-)??? Can I join in on the fun?
-Glenn

I say the more the merrier. This might be less mileage than you normally do on a Saturday ride.

Did someone say Quimby :-)??? Can I join in on the fun?
-Glenn

I had a feeling you weren't going to pass this up. :D

Marco, how goes it with the tire? I have a couple spare Fortezza TriComps if you need 'em. 'Don't want to see you go off-roading comin' off the mtn... ;)

Two new Michelin Pro3 Race tires arrive tomorrow :)

Is a 9am start good for everyone? Weather should be nice, the Mt. Hamilton website indicates sunny, with a high near 58. North northwest wind between 6 and 11 mph.

How close is the nearest CalTrain station to the start? I've not done Mt. Hamilton yet but I'd like to.

Thing that sucks, is the EARLIEST southbound Caltrain arrives in SJ at 9:36 AM.

That would mean starting the ride close to 10 AM.

That might be kind of late for some.

I am going to take both wheels off and stick my bike in the passenger seat of my car with the top down. Otherwise I'd give you a ride.

Man I need to get a rack that fits my car (the only one is the Saris Bones).

Haha, Henry I would ride in all the way with you, but we would need to start by 6 AM :eek: ... (No thanks)

Any start time works for me. -Glenn

Start time is not a problem for me as I don't have anything else going on except normal drum practice which is not till late evening.

Yeah, any start time works for me, too. If you folks want to make the run down the peninsula on CalTrain or something, we can still arrange to pick up @ Lawrence Stn, and then head over to the start. I've got a rack that'll carry all our bikes, plus I think we can stick one in the van, too, so no worries.

We'll see if Henry is going. If not I'll drive. If yes, then I will caltrain it with him and we can bike from SJ.

Seriously thinking about this one, it's not all the way to the Observatory? Only to the bridge and back.

It actually goes past the Observatory and down San Antonio Road to the bridge there.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Mt-Hamilton-Quimby-to-the-bridge-and-back

On Glenn's bikely map, point 294 is roughly the Observatory. Did you mean the concrete section right before the start of the third section of climbing?