gpelpel
05-24-08, 04:27 PM
I have still not decided if I make the ride up Mt. Hamilton on Monday so I gave Mt. Diablo a shot this morning. Gotta get some miles and vertical feet before next week Sequoia Century and in preparation for the Death Ride.
After debating about my starting point I left from home, in Lafayette, around 9am. The start needed a debate because I live almost at the top of a very steep 1 mile hill with some sections at 18 to 22%. Leaving from home meant I had to conclude my ride in agony.
It took me about one hour to reach the bottom of South Gate Road via Rossmore, Alamo, and Danville. It was actually a good warmup.
The climb to the Ranger Station was done at a steady pace under a drizzle that was quickly becoming troublesome. I was starting to have doubts about the conditions at the top. Thankfully the drizzle stopped and I reached the Junction without a sweat. It wasn't cold (I was climbing) and I really enjoyed the humidity in the air. Breathing seems so much easier when it's wet outside, the air is clean, and oxygen abounds.
While refilling my bottle a guy started asking about my BikeForums name. I quickly recognized Ben'Ridin who had lead us last Fall during the Mt.Diablo-Morgan Territory ride. He was going down North Gate and mentioned the Summit was very cold but not too windy.
So I went up nonstop to the top through the clouds, nice feeling, a bit of drizzle but nothing annoying. Aside from a couple of cars the Summit was completely deserted of bikes. I did what most riders must have done, took a sip, and headed downhill within seconds.
Now I remember Ben'Ridin's comment about the cold. I only had half-fingered gloves, big mistake. I tried to reduce my speed as much as I could as the road was wet and my fingers were frozen and hurting. The wind pushed me about 10' sideway at a corner, I had to be careful up there. Thankfully I had a wind breaking baselayer, this Craft Pro S3 works really well.
I had to stop again at the Junction to allow my fingers to find their normal state of comfort. Good because I met another guy from Lafayette who was going up. The Junction is like a social bike rendez-vous.
My return to Lafayette was smooth and warmer. It got definitely warm when I finally reached my street. I couldn't climb it in one shot, had to stop about 3 times but I made it home some a nice lunch.
Stats: 50 miles, 5000 vertical feet, 3h50' riding time, no cramps, and actually a very enjoyable ride despite my cold fingers.
After debating about my starting point I left from home, in Lafayette, around 9am. The start needed a debate because I live almost at the top of a very steep 1 mile hill with some sections at 18 to 22%. Leaving from home meant I had to conclude my ride in agony.
It took me about one hour to reach the bottom of South Gate Road via Rossmore, Alamo, and Danville. It was actually a good warmup.
The climb to the Ranger Station was done at a steady pace under a drizzle that was quickly becoming troublesome. I was starting to have doubts about the conditions at the top. Thankfully the drizzle stopped and I reached the Junction without a sweat. It wasn't cold (I was climbing) and I really enjoyed the humidity in the air. Breathing seems so much easier when it's wet outside, the air is clean, and oxygen abounds.
While refilling my bottle a guy started asking about my BikeForums name. I quickly recognized Ben'Ridin who had lead us last Fall during the Mt.Diablo-Morgan Territory ride. He was going down North Gate and mentioned the Summit was very cold but not too windy.
So I went up nonstop to the top through the clouds, nice feeling, a bit of drizzle but nothing annoying. Aside from a couple of cars the Summit was completely deserted of bikes. I did what most riders must have done, took a sip, and headed downhill within seconds.
Now I remember Ben'Ridin's comment about the cold. I only had half-fingered gloves, big mistake. I tried to reduce my speed as much as I could as the road was wet and my fingers were frozen and hurting. The wind pushed me about 10' sideway at a corner, I had to be careful up there. Thankfully I had a wind breaking baselayer, this Craft Pro S3 works really well.
I had to stop again at the Junction to allow my fingers to find their normal state of comfort. Good because I met another guy from Lafayette who was going up. The Junction is like a social bike rendez-vous.
My return to Lafayette was smooth and warmer. It got definitely warm when I finally reached my street. I couldn't climb it in one shot, had to stop about 3 times but I made it home some a nice lunch.
Stats: 50 miles, 5000 vertical feet, 3h50' riding time, no cramps, and actually a very enjoyable ride despite my cold fingers.