taxi777
06-22-08, 08:37 PM
6 Gladiators, 2 Cheetahs, 2 Roaring Mice, 2 Taxi’s 1 Deer!
An absolutely amazing “Epic” adventure in NorCal fashion. Lot’s of amazing experiences and a very long day with the best of friends. As soon as I get some of these picts edited I’ll tell you all about the grand adventure and one of the best days of my life.
Hang on!
Pete
I came very close to riding my fixie today, but I rode myself into oblivion on Saturday at the ALC reunion ride. (later on that report). My discretion was the better part of valor in retrospect. I rode myself out of oblivion back to exhaustion and exhilaration!
Marco and Ruth were running a little late and decided to park in my driveway. They immediately started working like a well oiled Indy 500 pit crew to put their immaculate Santana tandem together.
Launch…I did my ski jump down California street. M & R missed 1 light, but we made quick time to the Ferry building.
Alan
Dan
Dave
Lisa
Ron
I was really happy about the turnout…Ecstatic! Actually. So great to see your faces guys.
We tore out of SF in a blur. Little bit stop and go along Chrissy field. Marco at one point just before crossing the bridge got a little antsy with some of the tourist and didn’t realize that Ruth had gotten off the bike! He proceeded to leave without Ruth! I see a marital spat over that one…later…
We blasted through Sausalito and so began the Deer problems. I barreled down the north side of Corte Madera grade. As I came around one corner, two cars were stopped. I hit my breaks narrowly missing the rear-end of one car while going to the right and almost off the road. I screamed multiple expletives and heard someone yell deer! Apparently the first car had hit a deer. Not sure how it all turned out though.
We we’re heading down Magnolia and some “Roid Head” without a helmet and ear buds in tried to pass Marco on the right and then a car on the right after the guy had already put his signals on!
He went ballistic on the driver then proceeded to foul mouth me cause I got ahead of him. I chased him down to offer some...”Irish Therapy”. Just as I caught him he jumped off his bike and ran into a store!...I must be scary looking or something…Oh well : (
Dave and Lisa decided to go a different way then the group so Dan chased them down and reeled them in. At the same time Ron and I played “Dueling Cameras” and started chasing each other singing the theme for “Dueling Banjos” while impedeing M&R from being able to turnaround. Really funny moment and Ron and I were cracking each other up like a couple of 2 year olds. We got into the Fairfax Roasters Coffee place and got some grub. We talked and laughed. I could have stayed there all day. Al Frankins son was working there and he came out for a smoke break and we started trading comedy bits…The guy was good but I think a got a few more insults in then he did. Nice guy though. Great sense of humor.
We climbed towards Alpine, and I pace with M&R. I split a little at the top so I could get ahead to take some descent picts of everyone. At the dam we met Lynn and Bob-(x-Taxi driver). They we’re a nice couple and helped us in our photo shoot.
Then a couple of really cute Roaring Mouse Cycle chicks showed up and I totally lost track of what I was doing and turned full attention on the two beauty’s.
Daniella, and Kate had raced yesterday in 107 degree heat (Napa) and they were out here training on Tam the next day! I took their picts till they got sick of the model shoot and started heading out. Ron had told us all we suck and took off to beat us to the top.
I chased after Danielle and Kate passed me! Game on!! We had just started heading up the backside of Tam when I heard cracking trees. I automatically headed away from the noise…Then suddenly a young deer fell from a cliff head first and just creamed himself! WE WERE STUNNED! I mean really…W T F! He had to have killed himself or her. I went over and I really thought the poor thing was dying. It couldn’t breath, so I move its head forward cause it’s head was tilted back as if it’s neck was broken. I started to pat it and talked to it calmly as it passed away and its breathing slowed. I’ve been with animals as they left the world and this one was going. The life was fading from it’s eyes. Very sad.
2 mins had passed then a slight twitch…Slowly it raised it’s head and looked at us all! With the speed of lightening it staggered to its feet and shot across the street over a guardrail smacking it hoofs on the steel and disappearing into the woods to be with its Mommy!
We just looked at each other. What the hell just happened?? Scary and cool all at the same time. I feel like all out caring and human goodness like the way Peter Pan and his cohorts brought Tinkerbell back to life! Kind of a beautiful moment that we all got to share together. Nice!
Back to riding Daniella took off like a beautiful antelope! Perhaps she was inspired by the spirit of the deer. (Daniella’s totem is now the Deer). I chased this deer till my lungs were bursting. I hung on as the crowd behind us faded. We began to realize we weren’t going to drop each other with out some intense HURT! As we began to settle into our rhythm we enjoyed some nice conversation. I really enjoyed our talk and we traded climbing tips and short stories.
Daniella just nipped me at the top before we stopped to wait for the others.
We had more conversation and headed off along ridgecrest. A couple of stops. Down the front we fought traffic and chased down errant drivers to berate their insidious behavior.
At Mike’s bikes I got on one knee and with a respectful recitation I explained to Ruth and then Lisa, that they had attained the status of “Cheetahs”. They had ridden with passion and courage along side “The Gladiators”. Maybe this seems somewhat silly, but it is not. In the days of old, woman were given much earned respect for their courageous deeds and bravery. Maybe it’s the Scotch/Irish in me but I still honor the ways of our ancestors. Now that our NorCal group has entered into the next level “Family” this all becomes important. Congrats Ruth & Lisa on your new honor we as Gladiators have bestowed upon you.! : ) All the woman of NorCal will eventuate to this level I am sure…
M&R and I vanquished an opponent heading up the corkscrew. M&R had pulled for me and then sent me out to destroy, which I did with honor. Afterwards M&R rode over the little that was left with so much glee. Alan and Dan, then Ron laughed heartily across the Bridge and spit back into the wind, sending Mother Nature into utter dumfoundedness!!
I think I better move this along, I’m so tired I going into some weird fantasy realm…
So we eventually got back to my place. My perfect Inn Keeper of a wife passed the ale and biscuits as we drunk and laugh heartily at our trials and tribulations of the day. I love my tribe and I would lay down my life for them. We are the beginning of a new emergence of spirit networking. A hybrid composite of the virtual/digital and human/matter society. I love the new world we are creating and once again I say “I’m looking forward to looking back at these days”
Wow they gave me some good medicine up there at SF General…
Nite Nite…I had a real blast with all you guys and gals today. I’ll never forget it. Let’s do it again soon
Pete
Gladiators
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Gladiator-movie-02.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/GladiatorCheeta093.jpg
Two Cheetahs
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Cheetah-1.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Cheetahscopy.jpg
Two Roaring Mice
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/RoaringMice.jpg
Two Taxis
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/2Taxiscopy.jpg
1 Deer
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/deercopy.jpg
An absolutely amazing “Epic” adventure in NorCal fashion. Lot’s of amazing experiences and a very long day with the best of friends. As soon as I get some of these picts edited I’ll tell you all about the grand adventure and one of the best days of my life.
Hang on!
Pete
I came very close to riding my fixie today, but I rode myself into oblivion on Saturday at the ALC reunion ride. (later on that report). My discretion was the better part of valor in retrospect. I rode myself out of oblivion back to exhaustion and exhilaration!
Marco and Ruth were running a little late and decided to park in my driveway. They immediately started working like a well oiled Indy 500 pit crew to put their immaculate Santana tandem together.
Launch…I did my ski jump down California street. M & R missed 1 light, but we made quick time to the Ferry building.
Alan
Dan
Dave
Lisa
Ron
I was really happy about the turnout…Ecstatic! Actually. So great to see your faces guys.
We tore out of SF in a blur. Little bit stop and go along Chrissy field. Marco at one point just before crossing the bridge got a little antsy with some of the tourist and didn’t realize that Ruth had gotten off the bike! He proceeded to leave without Ruth! I see a marital spat over that one…later…
We blasted through Sausalito and so began the Deer problems. I barreled down the north side of Corte Madera grade. As I came around one corner, two cars were stopped. I hit my breaks narrowly missing the rear-end of one car while going to the right and almost off the road. I screamed multiple expletives and heard someone yell deer! Apparently the first car had hit a deer. Not sure how it all turned out though.
We we’re heading down Magnolia and some “Roid Head” without a helmet and ear buds in tried to pass Marco on the right and then a car on the right after the guy had already put his signals on!
He went ballistic on the driver then proceeded to foul mouth me cause I got ahead of him. I chased him down to offer some...”Irish Therapy”. Just as I caught him he jumped off his bike and ran into a store!...I must be scary looking or something…Oh well : (
Dave and Lisa decided to go a different way then the group so Dan chased them down and reeled them in. At the same time Ron and I played “Dueling Cameras” and started chasing each other singing the theme for “Dueling Banjos” while impedeing M&R from being able to turnaround. Really funny moment and Ron and I were cracking each other up like a couple of 2 year olds. We got into the Fairfax Roasters Coffee place and got some grub. We talked and laughed. I could have stayed there all day. Al Frankins son was working there and he came out for a smoke break and we started trading comedy bits…The guy was good but I think a got a few more insults in then he did. Nice guy though. Great sense of humor.
We climbed towards Alpine, and I pace with M&R. I split a little at the top so I could get ahead to take some descent picts of everyone. At the dam we met Lynn and Bob-(x-Taxi driver). They we’re a nice couple and helped us in our photo shoot.
Then a couple of really cute Roaring Mouse Cycle chicks showed up and I totally lost track of what I was doing and turned full attention on the two beauty’s.
Daniella, and Kate had raced yesterday in 107 degree heat (Napa) and they were out here training on Tam the next day! I took their picts till they got sick of the model shoot and started heading out. Ron had told us all we suck and took off to beat us to the top.
I chased after Danielle and Kate passed me! Game on!! We had just started heading up the backside of Tam when I heard cracking trees. I automatically headed away from the noise…Then suddenly a young deer fell from a cliff head first and just creamed himself! WE WERE STUNNED! I mean really…W T F! He had to have killed himself or her. I went over and I really thought the poor thing was dying. It couldn’t breath, so I move its head forward cause it’s head was tilted back as if it’s neck was broken. I started to pat it and talked to it calmly as it passed away and its breathing slowed. I’ve been with animals as they left the world and this one was going. The life was fading from it’s eyes. Very sad.
2 mins had passed then a slight twitch…Slowly it raised it’s head and looked at us all! With the speed of lightening it staggered to its feet and shot across the street over a guardrail smacking it hoofs on the steel and disappearing into the woods to be with its Mommy!
We just looked at each other. What the hell just happened?? Scary and cool all at the same time. I feel like all out caring and human goodness like the way Peter Pan and his cohorts brought Tinkerbell back to life! Kind of a beautiful moment that we all got to share together. Nice!
Back to riding Daniella took off like a beautiful antelope! Perhaps she was inspired by the spirit of the deer. (Daniella’s totem is now the Deer). I chased this deer till my lungs were bursting. I hung on as the crowd behind us faded. We began to realize we weren’t going to drop each other with out some intense HURT! As we began to settle into our rhythm we enjoyed some nice conversation. I really enjoyed our talk and we traded climbing tips and short stories.
Daniella just nipped me at the top before we stopped to wait for the others.
We had more conversation and headed off along ridgecrest. A couple of stops. Down the front we fought traffic and chased down errant drivers to berate their insidious behavior.
At Mike’s bikes I got on one knee and with a respectful recitation I explained to Ruth and then Lisa, that they had attained the status of “Cheetahs”. They had ridden with passion and courage along side “The Gladiators”. Maybe this seems somewhat silly, but it is not. In the days of old, woman were given much earned respect for their courageous deeds and bravery. Maybe it’s the Scotch/Irish in me but I still honor the ways of our ancestors. Now that our NorCal group has entered into the next level “Family” this all becomes important. Congrats Ruth & Lisa on your new honor we as Gladiators have bestowed upon you.! : ) All the woman of NorCal will eventuate to this level I am sure…
M&R and I vanquished an opponent heading up the corkscrew. M&R had pulled for me and then sent me out to destroy, which I did with honor. Afterwards M&R rode over the little that was left with so much glee. Alan and Dan, then Ron laughed heartily across the Bridge and spit back into the wind, sending Mother Nature into utter dumfoundedness!!
I think I better move this along, I’m so tired I going into some weird fantasy realm…
So we eventually got back to my place. My perfect Inn Keeper of a wife passed the ale and biscuits as we drunk and laugh heartily at our trials and tribulations of the day. I love my tribe and I would lay down my life for them. We are the beginning of a new emergence of spirit networking. A hybrid composite of the virtual/digital and human/matter society. I love the new world we are creating and once again I say “I’m looking forward to looking back at these days”
Wow they gave me some good medicine up there at SF General…
Nite Nite…I had a real blast with all you guys and gals today. I’ll never forget it. Let’s do it again soon
Pete
Gladiators
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Gladiator-movie-02.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/GladiatorCheeta093.jpg
Two Cheetahs
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Cheetah-1.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Cheetahscopy.jpg
Two Roaring Mice
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/RoaringMice.jpg
Two Taxis
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/2Taxiscopy.jpg
1 Deer
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/deercopy.jpg