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a big +1 on that. I've ridden the trail for the last 3 years. First Street heading South is a death trap. I'll be at the Diridon station tomorrow around 7:30 then off to the trail. BTW I'm riding a red/black Orbea.
I've only ridden the trail a couple times, and it was full of bugs and a section of it was all gravel and no lights what so ever. I like Coleman in the morning, then Park ave at night. It lets me ride through SCU, nice views.
I'm thinking about taking my roadie tomorrow, but will probaby ride the fixed again. If you guys see an asian guy on a all white fixed with front and rear Dinotte, that's me.
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Last year I rode my unicycle from Redwood City to Palo Alto (via caltrain) for BTWD. This year I don't have a job, plus I'm currently out of town in Arizona for flight training so I guess I can't participate this time around. It's only supposed to be 83 here tomorrow, hope everyone has fun riding in the heat tomorrow :)
I actually bypass that section. Instead, I do this: Mission to E. Market (in Colma) to San Pedro to Junipero Serra, then climb up Hickey to Skyline. Hickey is very painful, but at least it's all over with quickly :D
I've considered taking John Daly to Skyline, but I always figured if I did that, I'd be climbing in cold and wind and fog instead of just fog...
The John Daly to Skyline route is pretty nice, the climb is not nearly as steep as Hickey. One point - while you can stay on Skyline through the off and on ramps, it's better (IMHO) to bypass that by turning on Westboro (?) the last right before the offramps, then immediately left onto Skyline Drive. Over the top, then left under Highway 1 onto Gateway, left on Hickey, right on Skyline. The Skyline Drive climb is a bit steeper but this route is *much* safer than the 3 on/offramps, especially if there is fog.
I've only ridden the trail a couple times, and it was full of bugs and a section of it was all gravel and no lights what so ever. I like Coleman in the morning, then Park ave at night. It lets me ride through SCU, nice views.
I'm thinking about taking my roadie tomorrow, but will probaby ride the fixed again. If you guys see an asian guy on a all white fixed with front and rear Dinotte, that's me.
There's some small flies since it's near a creek, those tend to be out while it's still cool in the morning and around dusk. Other than that, the gravel is no biggy, it's clear enough that I ride it on my roadie with no issues.
There aren't any lights on the trail, but it's technically supposed to be closed after sundown anyways.
These days it stays light so late I don't need any additional lighting.
There's some small flies since it's near a creek, those tend to be out while it's still cool in the morning and around dusk. Other than that, the gravel is no biggy, it's clear enough that I ride it on my roadie with no issues.
There aren't any lights on the trail, but it's technically supposed to be closed after sundown anyways.
These days it stays light so late I don't need any additional lighting.
yea, some days I get to leave work after sunset. So I took it today from Coleman to the airport. I got on the street when I hit that gravel section. I'll try it again some day, today I made a right to go to ebay. Next time I'll try to go all the way to Central.
Couldn't tell you if there were more bikes than usual since this is the FIRST time I've commuted in to work. Already really warm and I sweat more than I anticipated. 16.4 mi one-way in 59:24. The natural foods co-op had free coffee and snacks setup outside on the street for us... I didn't stop because they were on the other side of the street and I was almost at work. Just smiled and waved. It felt really good to be out today. I'm doing this A LOT more often. :thumb:
I love dress crazy day. It's good to see the new commuters out today.
Saw lots of riders on the ARBT today, including a peleton of 20 or so that included the Mayor of Folsom, according to my riding buddy.
I saw far fewer bikes this morning than I have recently. Not that I blame people for chickening out. It's not even 9:30 and it's already 82 out there.
And ugh, I had a headwind the whole way this morning. Blech.
Yeah, it was kinda like riding with a blowdryer in your face the whole time.
I saw one other bike this morning ... but then again, it was 5:45 am.
I've only ridden the trail a couple times, and it was full of bugs and a section of it was all gravel and no lights what so ever. I like Coleman in the morning, then Park ave at night. It lets me ride through SCU, nice views.
I'm thinking about taking my roadie tomorrow, but will probaby ride the fixed again. If you guys see an asian guy on a all white fixed with front and rear Dinotte, that's me.
Bugs! Who cares about bugs!:roflmao2: No lights? That's why they sell them. As far as the gravel goes, maybe 25 yards of it until you hit the street. Come on I've ridden century rides in worse conditions.:rolleyes:
Hi Guys,
31.75 miles this morning from Castro Valley to Stanford (SLAC); 2 hours riding time. It's going to be brutal going home in +95 F temperatures anticipated for this afternoon. I told the people at the energizer station that they needed to have them available in the afternoon, about every 100 yards or so...:lol:
Harry
I didn't see any energizer stations on my way to work. I guess I was on the road way too early for them to set up. What's up with that?:wtf:
I didn't see any energizer stations on my way to work. I guess I was on the road way too early for them to set up. What's up with that?:wtf:
haha, that's why I waited til 6:40 to leave the house. the first station was 4 blocks from my apt.
I did my normal 30 mile ride before work. There were a few energizer stations along foothill expressway. I didn't stop though to check out what munchies they had available.
On Santa Clara to Redwood Shores today, I saw easily 100 cyclists. I kept trying to count but then kept losing count. I'd say about 3x usual. Mostly people wearing jerseys and such -- no more gapers than usual. I'm guessing it's mostly people who don't *always* ride to work, or cyclists who rarely/never do, but are still regular cyclists.
It was 88 on my bike computer when I got to work at 9:30 today. Funny, it was only 80 at 11:30am when I got in yesterday! leaving at 6pm yesterday it was about 90. I plan to leave earlier (4:30-5) today, so I reckon it'll be easily 95. Honestly I don't mind the heat that much, I don't feel it all that much when riding. I don't feel warm, just go thru water faster, and feel fatigue more easily.
Stopped at a few energizer stations, got a nifty tote bag and some stuff. Mostly coffee and water -- no thanks, I easily have 8 shots of espresso in the AM at home, and don't want coffee while riding. I've got plenty of water. I brought 2 empty 24oz bottles hoping for some gatorade or something, no love. I was even thinking of not drinking it, keeping it in the fridge at work, and enjoying it on the way home. Maybe I'll have to buy my own, it could be a nice treat for the ride home on the hottest day of the year.
One amusing incident, in about 24 hours of bike commuting so far, I had my first angry driver. I've broken countless laws and lane-shared with plenty of people up to lights, and never had so much as a sideways glance or a honk.
But today, some ****** in a gold Previa yelled "go ride on the freeway" or something like that at me at University and East Bayshore where all that construction is. What was funny about it was, I was stopped at the light going north on bayshore, and he was going east on University, turning left onto bayshore as he yelled out his passenger window -- that's right, he just saw me stopped at a light, didn't even have to pass me or anything! So I gave him the finger and couldn't wait to see him stopped at a local business or parking lot along bayshore.. the construction workers had a good laugh at him, too. Too bad I never saw him again.
Oh well, I'd be pissed too if I had to drive a POS minivan every day!
Rode in early today as part of recovery ride. Couldn't help but notice that riding was very enjoyable when you're not paying attention to your heart rate and cadence. Of course, singing along ala karaoke to rap songs instantly put me in a good goofy mood. Waved almost at every rider and secretly hoping that they'll enjoy friendliness so much so that they'll bike more often. Got my new jersey on, too, so that's always a bonus. Can't wait to ride in the heat. The trees outside of the office are absolutely still, which is strange because they typically shake and roll in the wind by this time of the day already.
Best swag: Yahoo energizer station near NASA gave a free bike tune-up with The Bike Doctor.
On a normal commute I see maybe ten other riders... today probably 15.
One year I won a $10 gift certificate, and once I won a T-shirt.
Energizer station had water and Clif bars and a certificate for Chipotle's (only good today).
Hi Guys,
31.75 miles this morning from Castro Valley to Stanford (SLAC); 2 hours riding time. It's going to be brutal going home in +95 F temperatures anticipated for this afternoon. I told the people at the energizer station that they needed to have them available in the afternoon, about every 100 yards or so...:lol:
Harry
I tip my cycling cap to you sir, that is a Metric of a commute loop.:thumb:
Yeah, it was kinda like riding with a blowdryer in your face the whole time.
I don't mind the heat, but I hate the wind. In Natomas, garbage cans were on their sides and my trees were leaning pretty good. I'll take the car :)
I saw alot more bikers today - probably 2-3x normal, but I left my house about 30 minutes earlier than usual.
I don't know what you guys are doing that you have to leave for work before 8am :P
I only stopped at the guadalupe river park station, the ebay/ppal one didn't look like it had anything better than what I'd already gotten so I just rode by. It was much warmer this morning, but still pretty pleasant. The ride home is going to be hot hot hot, but I don't mind biking in the heat since you generate a breeze to keep yourself cool. I used to (still do) run alot, and doing that in the heat is much worse since I'm not traveling fast enough to really get a breeze evaporating my sweat. We'll see if I'm still singing the same tune after my ride home.
Reid, I get a few angry drivers here and there, I've had people honk at me when I'm riding in the bike lane and people yell stuff out windows. Whatever, I get to enjoy a nice bike ride home and they have to sit in traffic.
The energizer stations almost all opened at 7:30, so yeah Ron - you were way too early.
I don't mind the heat, but I hate the wind. In Natomas, garbage cans were on their sides and my trees were leaning pretty good. I'll take the car :)
Interesting.. it's much less windy in SJ today than it's been the past few weeks. I was easily able to do 20+mph going north along the airport where I'm usually battling a stiff headwind and struggling to keep 16mph.
I saw a lot more riders on my commute.
The VTA was having power problems, so a lot of folks figured they'd bike to Mountain View and take the VTA but ended up not having trains.
So I biked 6 extra miles. Good thing we've got showers at work. :)
I got a few coupons. No tote bags for me... it seems I was too late for that.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2329/2495360648_3a646a2f0b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyberspace/2495360648/)
Interesting.. it's much less windy in SJ today than it's been the past few weeks. I was easily able to do 20+mph going north along the airport where I'm usually battling a stiff headwind and struggling to keep 16mph.
Weather.com says sustained 14mph with gusts to 24mph. no thanks :)
~42 riders left Ritual Roasters in SF at 6:30 this AM. We picked up another 6 or so at Millbrae Ave, and a few random riders either planned or unplanned. Almost like a mini-critical mass until the attacks started out on the bike paths.
Couldn't tell you if there were more bikes than usual since this is the FIRST time I've commuted in to work. Already really warm and I sweat more than I anticipated. 16.4 mi one-way in 59:24. The natural foods co-op had free coffee and snacks setup outside on the street for us... I didn't stop because they were on the other side of the street and I was almost at work. Just smiled and waved. It felt really good to be out today. I'm doing this A LOT more often. :thumb:
That's great, congrats!
This is my favorite holiday, it always feels especially good to ride today...
I don't know what you guys are doing that you have to leave for work before 8am :P
I only stopped at the guadalupe river park station, the ebay/ppal one didn't look like it had anything better than what I'd already gotten so I just rode by.
Trying to beat the heat? :D
I was shooting to get in to work by 9:15 so i could shower before a 9:30 conf call. Thanks to the energizer stations my ride took longer than usual, so even leaving at 7:40 I barely made it in time. Had to sit in damp bike clothes for 30 mins on the call, d'oh.
Good to know ebay/paypal wasn't worthwhile; I almost rode 5ish miles (r/t) out of my way. Was planning on leaving even earlier so that I could be more leisurely and check out some more stops.
No coupons for me -- but I didn't look that closely, damn. Chipotle sounds sooo good, maybe I'll go there for dinner.
Wind was calmer than usual for me as well. Looking forward to a tailwind home as usual though.
RWC forecast for 95 today, already 89. SCL forecast for 105, only 87. Shouldn't be hard to beat the 1970 record of 96 though. Looking forward to cranking the A/C when I get home :)
reid - what we want to know is - do you hate the heat? :)
Me - I live for it. No girly mon 75 degrees here...
~42 riders left Ritual Roasters in SF at 6:30 this AM. We picked up another 6 or so at Millbrae Ave, and a few random riders either planned or unplanned. Almost like a mini-critical mass until the attacks started out on the bike paths.
Very cool. Is that a daily commute group? I saw the SF2G group on google.
Do you guys keep a fast pace down the peninsula?
I was going to hop on this but realized I needed to take my kids to school at 8am
so I was going to make meeting up with the group.
There is probably a ride posted 3-4 times a week. Sometimes along the bay, sometimes skyline. There are certainly plenty of hammerheads - we made it from SF to Stanford in 2:30 and that was with 2 mini regroups before the hammer dropped, and taking the long way around Foster City on the bike path (adds 5 miles I think), and stopping at an energizer station in Menlo :)
But there are also riders who are a bit more moderate in their tempo. Group size varies from 2 to 25, today was exceptional...
Just refer to the groups.google.com/groups/sf2g
Just refer to the groups.google.com/groups/sf2g
There doesn't appear to be a group there...
404 Not Found: /groups/sf2g was not found on this server.
Ok. I just looked out of the window of an office accross from me and you can actually see the Sierras clearly. I got all excited thinking all the bikes on the road today created this until I realized it's the frickin' wind blowing the smog away... D'oh! My office side has the Diablo view that is completely obscured by smog. Must not be windy in Antioch... Curtis? Oh well. We are making a difference.
There doesn't appear to be a group there...
404 Not Found: /groups/sf2g was not found on this server.
No "S".
http://groups.google.com/group/sf2g
reid - what we want to know is - do you hate the heat? :)
Me - I live for it. No girly mon 75 degrees here...
Nah, I like it. I hesitate to say I LOVE it, because at 95+, it's difficult to do much outside without sweating profusely. But all in all, I'd say the south bay has about the world's most perfect climate. I laugh when my coworkers from warmer climes complain that it's "only" 65+ and sunny like every day all winter. And then a warm day in the summer is still only upper 80s! The fact that a (so-far) sub-100 degree day is considered hot as hell means things are about perfect for me.
I suppose if I had my druthers, it wouldn't get much warmer than 85, but I'm not about to complain -- I moved here from Seattle and the weather there was just constant misery.
I also don't mind riding in the heat. You fatigue faster, but the airflow keeps you cool. I recently went on a ride thru Pleasanton and it was over 90, and people were complaining about the heat.. I had no idea it was anywhere near 90.
After riding home in 100 degree heat, I'm glad I decided not to do Davis.
Can't wait. I just love the heat. Keeps the legs loose.
Riding home in 101 degree weather wasn't bad at all. I think I'm getting to the point where I really don't mind the heat as much as I used to.
The wind, on the other hand, was as obnoxious as ever.
Can't wait. I just love the heat. Keeps the legs loose.
:thumb:
I had a nice hot tailwind all the way home to EG today. I was cruising at 26-27mph on Franklin Blvd from Sutterville to Florin. I noticed a couple of cars pacing me. It was nice. The only part that sucks is stopping for lights... Geez! It feels 20 degrees hotter instantly and the hot sweat in your eyes, yeowww! It was just a mere 100 even today. Woo Hoo! Bring on the dog days!
40 degrees in the morning at the beginning of the week. 65 degrees today. Riding home in this wonderful oven weather now. I miss the summer rains of Chicago and Miami.
What I couldn't stand was the sweat kept pouring down me, and that was even after a shower. I finally had to stick my face in front of the vent!
Okay I did it. That's all I'm gonna say.
And I felt really good about it too!!
I left work in Redwood Shores at 5:30ish, and got home in Santa Clara shortly after 7pm. High temp was at 101 and Maple in Redwood City, 102 degrees. Low temp was on the trail in Santa Clara, 89.4, shade, off the hot roads.
The heat really didn't bother me at all in and of itself. Never really felt too warm at all. Nothing like playing sports on even an 80 degree day. I did take my 84oz CamelBack with me, and also brought 2 water bottles, which I only filled for the ride home. I was able to use the camelback hydration tablets I got at one of the energizer stations in the AM. I went thru ALL of my water -- that's right, 132oz, or over 8lbs of water. I will admit I drank a little harder near the end just to kill it off. It was hard to judge whether I was dehydrated or drank too much. It didn't sit poorly with me, but I got the feeling my body just couldn't absorb that much fluid in well under 2 hours.
However, a couple of odd notes:
First of all, I was feeling pretty noticeable hotspots in my shoes at temps over 100, and they've got carbon fiber soles. Must have been the cleat itself?
Second, I had a headwind BOTH ways of my commute, like someone else said, like riding into a hairdryer. Not uncomfortable, but tiring.
Third, I don't like the way the bike handles with 3lbs of water bolted to the frame. A bit hesitant to turn in, then it sort of falls. Not a big deal, but it's just so much easier to drink from the (much larger) camelback, and even in the hot weather I didn't mind having something on my back.
I feel pretty good now, but I just took a shower and the warm water felt good on my skin but was starting to make me feel a bit sick so I switched to cool water. 3 days of a long commute + hot weather mean I'm feeling the fatigue. Not gonna lift weights tonight, just gonna watch tv :)
Congrats to everyone who survived! If you can make this, well, the commute can't get much hotter :)
I rode and for once did not have to work on Ride To Work Day. Instead, for years, I've wanted to try to ride the 34 miles between the two furthest apart Energizer stations in the 3 hours they were open. Made it today from Healdsburg City Hall to 4th and D in Petaluma with 22 minutes to spare. Seven energizer stations countered the constant headwind. I picked up and extra goody bag which I gave to another commuter I met on the ride home.
Hmmm BART:(
I was hoping to dust off my hybrid and take it on BART, then I checked the schedules and realized that I'd have to stay at work till nearly 7pm to find a train to take it back across the trans-bay tube -- not good.
Anyhow, despite feeling bad for not representing on my bike, I did at least take BART, which I have been doing for over a year now for at least 60% of my commuting. On top of that, the system went nuts this evening -- fewer trains on a spare the air AND bike to work day. :wtf:
It was a good ride today. My commute is about 15 miles each way, from Union City over the Dumbarton bridge to Redwood City, and back in the evening. Today was my third roundtrip commute by bike this week.
It was pretty hot when I left Redwood City this evening but by the time I reached the Dumbarton the bay breeze cooled things off considerably.
As a noob I just did both my first hot weather ride and my first BTWD. I must say, the heat was brutal. My morning commute was from 8:30-9:30 and by the end, it was getting stiflingly hot. I popped some electrolyte caps the second I got to work. I waited until 7:30pm to leave work and that was better, though still plenty warm.
Since I was out so late in the morning and evening and my commute follows mostly the quiet streets, I didn't see many other people cycling. The relative isolation was worth it in the evening, though, as the sun was setting as I rode home.
I rode and for once did not have to work on Ride To Work Day. Instead, for years, I've wanted to try to ride the 34 miles between the two furthest apart Energizer stations in the 3 hours they were open. Made it today from Healdsburg City Hall to 4th and D in Petaluma with 22 minutes to spare. Seven energizer stations countered the constant headwind. I picked up and extra goody bag which I gave to another commuter I met on the ride home.
Ken - a question. If you were trying to get from Healdsburg to Petaluma as quickly as possible without riding on completely unpleasant roads, what route would you take? I really struggle between Windsor and Cotati to find something reasonable. We live in SF but go to Healdsburg at least every other weekend. Last week I decided to ride up. As I approached Petaluma, I instead went out Chileno Valley, Petaluma-Valley Ford, Bloomfield, Pleasant Hill through Sebastopol, 116, Laguna, Trenton Healdsburg, then Eastside. Scenic yes but probably not the most efficient, it's hardly a straight line and has its share of hills.
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