Northern California - The Gladiators Are Born! Maiden Voyage

I just woke up and I'm still alive! I Declared a new Sub-Group to NorCal and today was our maiden voyage... Unforntunately I was pummeled by my fellow Gladiators... into a fair maiden...Stay tuned... more picts/storys from afar...Here's a teaser, I'll be back pronto!

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/PeteGladiator.jpg

BTW I found my long lost Sibling from a land called the "Wall"

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Lydia.jpg

The we started from GGBridge, Heres the picts then I'll give you the low down
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Gladiators.jpg
The Gladiators:
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/PeteandRamone.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Marco.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Mateo.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Alan.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Henry-1.jpg

Guest Gladiators:
Elizabeth & I think Denise
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/LydiaandDenisecopy.jpg

Lydia Laura
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/LydiaWall.jpg

I just woke up and I'm still alive! I Declared a new Sub-Group to NorCal and today was our maiden voyage... Unforntunately I was pummeled by my fellow Gladiators... into a fair maiden...Stay tuned... more picts/storys from afar...Here's a teaser, I'll be back pronto!

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/PeteGladiator.jpg



Pink is apparently your color Pete... :thumb:

99.2 miles. I was too beat to ride in circles to get an even 100.

I got 98 miles.

I think I got heat stroke/sickness of some sort.

I still feel hot and kind of sick/out of it now.

That damn jacket/jersey deal that kept me warm @ 7:30, was making me really overheat later on.

I was totally drained for the last 40 miles or so.

Last time I did the 7 sisters, I was smoking. This time I was smoked.

Seriously, I have never felt so sluggish, and just plain pooped then on the last half of this ride. The was no "snap" on the climbs, like usual. Just grinding away.

I had fun though. Great crowd, as always.

Thanks for organizing this one Pete.

Arrived at the bridge right on time. Everyone showed up promptly. Mateo (Pelican) was going to ride with the Roaster ride, but decided to join up with us.

We took off across the bridge at a pretty quick pace. I made the mistake of blinking and we had gone through Sausalito! Never saw it!...We tore up the Bike path and hit the Corte Madera grade… See ya Marco…See ya Tm… See ya Mateo/Ramon/Henry…Alan and I stayed at the back and watched for traffic. : ) We decided to protect Our young Gladiators.

I blinked again and we we’re in Fairfax. I was beginning to wonder how long I’d be able to keep this up? Going up the 600ft grade on S.F.D. Blvd, I was pacing with Alan and an attractive woman just blows by me, so I hopped on her wheel and she had my over my threshold to the top. We shot down the other side and struck up a conversation. Her name was Elizabeth and we would be seeing more of each other as the day progressed. Alan and Henry cat and moused up the next grade while I did photo ops. At one point Alan said to me… Hey Pete take a shot quick, It looks like I’m beating Henry! That cracked me up.

Coming up on Nicasio, a cyclone came up on us from behind. The Roaster ride had caught up and blasted by us! We jumped on and I got some good shots. I hardly had to pedal. It was incredibly exciting. We slpit off to join the guys at Nicasio and we were all smiles from ear to ear. I decided this was the time to let everyone know that I had decided to start a NorCal sub-group, called the Gladiators and this group would be dedicated to hammering each other and pushing ourselves to the max!. I think they think I’m nuts but did kind off enjoy the my self proclaimed declaration. I am the self appointed leader, although I was the candy a** of the day.

Alan, Mateo and Henry had to head back so Marco, Tim, Alan and I pressed on. At the Cheese Factory I met a bunch of friends from the Aids Lifecycle Ride. I spent to much time talking and we took off. We we’re moving really fast now. I was sure this all would catch up with me. We climbed the wall and Marco and Tim duked it out. I couldn’t catch them on the way down, too much headwind.

We passed some Cows that were just mooing angrily! It was really creepy. I’d never heard anything like that before. Some cowboys were doing some pinning thing to their throats and it was making them hysterical.

We careened along Tomales bay. Towards the end I passed to woman, one in a pink boa. I slammed on the brakes for a picture opt. We talked for awhile, her name was Lydia with her friend Laura. I figured we’d meet them at Pt. Reyes. I was getting a bit bonky I needed some food. It’s becoming routine for me now to stop for a sandwich and chat in the park. It is something I really look forward to. West Marin really feels like home now. I’m at peace and can think clearly here.

I ran into Elizabeth from earlier and we talked for a while. Then Lydia and Laura showed up and I tried on her boa and helmet. Stylin!!

The Gladiators careened down Rte 1. I was doing ok but felt the onset of bonking. We changed the route up and decided to go up the Bolinas side of Tam. No coffee for me! And I really felt the difference. Coming down into Bolinas I was doing +40 in technical corners and I had an A**hole SUV right on my butt. As I looked back to check again I got a pot hole and had a blow out!!! I was the worst I’ve ever had. Instant flat at forty and I was sure I was going down. I had barely anytime to react. I couldn’t brake and I couldn’t turn and I was heading for the edge of the road so I tried to aim for some high grass as these friggin idiots zoomed past me not knowing how close to slipping under wheels I was.

I stopped and Tim came back to see how I was doing. At that point I was totally bonking. They went up and I was just done. I felt like forever getting up the mountain. When I finally got to the top, my phone chimed. I had 10 frantic voice mails. I won’t bore you with them but they were work related, really stupid things that I had attend to right away. I felt bad cause I was really holding up the gang, but they we’re cool and I appreciated it.

We got to the bottom and started along Hwy 1. I had some idiot driver going so slow. I got really mad and dangerously past them on a turn with about 1 inch to the guardrail but I felt proud of my self and drafted another car at 30 miles an hour to mill valley. All day the wind was really vicious. I think that’s what was really killing me. Across the bridge bouncing all over the place and bid my farewell and home.

It was a good ride except I think I was riding beyond my level. At 54 years man, I really feel the difference trying to keep up with the young guys. So it was a great ride but reality check for me which made me a bit sad and self loathing. But I’ll get over it and I made some great new friends and had a great time.
Thanks, guys… and welcome to the GLADIATORS
Pete

Great report as always Pete. So now I understand your Gladiators theme. Good description for it. It's a good thing I didn't come along, as I would have held the group back even more. Glad you didn't go down after the blow out. Good thing you didn't have to walk it back.

Well, it was apparent after mile 2 that I wasn't going to be able to keep up the pace for 100 miles. It was a blast going fast, and that's my favorite kind of riding, but for 100 miles? Not!

Pete did a great job describing the ride. In particular, hanging on to the Roaster's ride peleton was exhilirating. I've never done that before. It's amazing how much pull you get out of a big peleton. We were going about 30mph along the flats. What a rush!

At Nicasio, Mateo and Henry had to go back, and I knew I wasn't going to be able to complete 100 miles that day. Not wanting to ride back alone on unfamiliar roads, I made the wise decision to head back with them. We had a nice ride back. Had one incident - Mateo was leading and had to stop abruptly for a slow rider up ahead. I jammed on my brakes. Unbeknownst to me, there was a woman rider tailing us, and she bumped into me as we both skidded. Luckily we both stayed up, but the ol' heart was pumping!

It turned out to be a nice 54 mile ride. I came to accept that I'm simply not logging enough miles this year to hang with the Big Dogs. The only way I'm going to join the Gladiators club is as domestique. But, that's OK with me. It's a great bunch!

Thanks guys!

Hanging on the Roasters tail was awesome. I'm glad I turned back when we did. The wind was really blowing and slowed us down a bit. I didn't get home till very near 1pm. Wifey would not have been happy if I was late.

Great ride guys. I can't believe you wore down the energizer bunny (Marco). :eek:

Great ride guys. I can't believe you wore down the energizer bunny (Marco). :eek:

Seriously man I think from that "wall" climb on, I was out of juice.

It was a good ride except I think I was riding beyond my level. At 54 years man, I really feel the difference trying to keep up with the young guys. So it was a great ride but reality check for me which made me a bit sad and self loathing.
Uhhhhh.......Pete, I know plenty of 24 year olds that would do well to have your legs and fitness. Put it in perspective man.

Sorry I had to go ahead witout you guys at Rock Springs but I did the math and decided to book it home. Got here just in time to grab a bite to eat, hop in the shower and admire my new Sidi's and brakes wich were waiting on my doorstep as I came in (couldn't they have arrived just one day earlier?). My recovery was driving for an hour or so up to Napa (no nap for me) and then I had to turn it back on for the show. Got home after midnight and collapsed.

Thanks for changing the route, I don't think I would've made it had we gone back to Fairfax and up the Alpine dam way. Timing myself up Fairfax-Bolinas Rd. I was off by a minute from the cattleguard to the intersection, but it was my best time so far by over a minute from the intersection to Rock Springs (I won't consider the little break I had in between). Not bad after having over 70 miles in my legs before I got there.

I had a great time with you all. Marco and I had a nice thing going tag teaming the wind heading into Point Reyes St.

I was definately pushing it as I think I'm going to have to be off the bike for a bit and am already trying to make up for lost time and I was a little worried all day about my time constraints.

Hope we can do it again soon

I finally got to make a BF ride!!! Woot. A good group for sure.

Thanks for letting me tag a long yesterday. After months of training, it is nice to see my fitness starting to come around. On a flip side, gotta see the doctor about my hip on Monday. Don't know what happened in the last few days but it is a point where not only is it effecting my day to day life, but starting to make me wonder about 10 years from now.

The ride back was pretty fun, Alan & Henry & I had a nice paceline back to fairfax, then had some fun going through & up Sausalito. I think the sugar water I bought gave me a sugar rush causing a testosterone spike or two, but all in good fun. And WTF, 8000 girl scouts at the Golden Gate Bridge?????

Now to buy a yellow helmut.......

Uhhhhh.......Pete, I know plenty of 24 year olds that would do well to have your legs and fitness. Put it in perspective man.


Well said, Tim.

As a "younger" man, I can only hope that I'm in his shape when I reach his age :p (next year).

The ride back was pretty fun, Alan & Henry & I had a nice paceline back to fairfax, then had some fun going through & up Sausalito. I think the sugar water I bought gave me a sugar rush causing a testosterone spike or two, but all in good fun. And WTF, 8000 girl scouts at the Golden Gate Bridge?????



Mateo:

It was great to ride with you. I loved watching you attack those two guys up Sausalito, and watching the fight they put up. I was just jealous I didn't have the legs to play :o.

\Had one incident - Mateo was leading and had to stop abruptly for a slow rider up ahead. I jammed on my brakes. Unbeknownst to me, there was a woman rider tailing us, and she bumped into me as we both skidded. Luckily we both stayed up, but the ol' heart was pumping!


Sorry about that, I know what your talking about. I could of knifed in between a slow kid on the right and a casual rider approaching on the left, but thought it would be really close for those behind me and a tad asinine. I need to work on my look ahead, analyze and get signals to those behind. Like yelling glass, as you swerve around it is to late. I'm working on it, more group road rides for me.

Well, if I was out there, not being the class of a Gladiator, I think I'd be considered the sacrificial lamb ... baaa baaa.

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/PeteGladiator.jpg

Dang! I must've just missed you guys. I sat and had a nice snack on the very bench yesterday...... probably about 11:30 or so.

Dang! I must've just missed you guys. I sat and had a nice snack on the very bench yesterday...... probably about 11:30 or so.

Yeah I think you definitely would have recognized the Pink hat!

BTW Played Photographer at the Berkeley RR today... I am seriously bonked from yesterday! I had barely anything today. Great race, and I finally got to meet Red Rider! and Her aaaa.... Slave Boy!. Great couple I'll post the report and Picts. Great day! very different...
Later! Pete

and I finally got to meet Red Rider! and Her aaaa.... Slave Boy!. Great couple I'll post the report and Picts. Great day! very different...
Later! Pete

That's "Bike Slave," Pete. I'd never call a man from Texas "boy" unless I was looking for a fight. :innocent:

It was great to finally meet you, too. And this Gladiator ride sounds like fun! One of these days we can do it with a tandem. :p

Hey. You guys had fun without us.
We did Diablo and then were forced to go to a wine tasting. Glass after glass of fine reds. It was a burden.

Hey. You guys had fun without us.
We did Diablo and then were forced to go to a wine tasting. Glass after glass of fine reds. It was a burden.

That was to make up for last week ... wine country with no wine tasting???

Hey. You guys had fun without us.
We did Diablo and then were forced to go to a wine tasting. Glass after glass of fine reds. It was a burden.

Wow! Wine tasting...That should put you in excellent shape for the Davis! :thumb:

Would like to have done Diablo but my Pony wasn't going for it after yesterday.

Deborah, sorry about the confusion on Man titles...In New England it's either Slaveboy or "Hey A**Ho**"
I'm puting picts together right now, got some great shots of the race.
Pete

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/P5090123.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/P5090127.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/P5090156.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/P5100001.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/P5100008.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Tomales.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/rideRoasters.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/rideHenryAlan.jpg

Deborah, sorry about the confusion on Man titles...In New England it's either Slaveboy or "Hey A**Ho**"


I think I prefer the latter to the former:lol: I am used to that one.