Northern California - "Friends Day" and Team Alameda=Looking for "Joey"

Meet up with “Team Alameda” TA
I met Ron at the Fruitvale station in Oakland. We got some erroneous directions right from the start by a local pedestrian. On top of my stop and go train ride, we were about 15/20 mins late. Fortunately everyone waited and we took off immediately.

Getting out of Alameda and Oakland was quite interesting sort of like some urban jungle quest. It was a great change of pace. TA were friendly hosts and fun to be around. I had thrown together my Sports Basement Kit this morning and lo and behold the colors we’re dead on with out intention. Only the spelling was off! I took just about an hour to get to Berkeley with the regroups. That was fine, I was really enjoying the ride.

I don’t know what’s gotten into Ron lately, but I think the Time Trial spiked his Testosterone…ala Floyd Landis! He’s been quite “challengy” on every little and big climb. Plus he looks like he’s dropping weight! I’m gaining! 3 lbs in 1 month…Cathy’s got to get a job : (

We rode through the Cal Berkeley campus. Made a visit to the tree people and that was quite interesting. I didn’t realize how high up they really are. We climbed up through Albany and Berkeley hills. At the top of Wildcat Canyon the four of us bid our farewell to TA and chased down through Tilden to Briones to begin our big adventure. Our conversations synched up and we really had a lot to talk about to each other. We were kind of a hodge podge gathering but really enjoying each others stories.

Dave and Lisa are really developing a style that I really enjoy being witness to. Some couples really work so well together… I’m a little jealous; wish Cathy were more into the idea of tandem riding. What a great way for friends and couples to grow together. You have to learn how to work out the S*** or ya not gonna make it up the hill!

Ron killed it up Pig Farm…Well done! We paced to lunch. The Mexican place we decided on was closed, so we did Bagels, Subway and Starbucks and totally attacked by killer African bees! Lisa got us all calmed down and told the bees in a stern voice to go away! It worked… Everyone had to wait for me to flirt with a Cristina Ricci look alike behind the counter and drink my Double Mocha El Necessito para vive! Shortly after we left, the Tandem busted a chain link and I thought they we’re down for the count! Dave threw it back together in 5 mins and we stoked off…The rest of the ride was super mellow. It seemed really quiet out today and unusually mellow. I can say this ride was a 10! We just enjoyed an awesome low key NorCal ride.

On the way home we just goofed off on the Bart and I really felt kind of sad when my friends left to transfer and I went home alone to the fog… : (
I really enjoyed the “Friends” tangent. We we’re cracking up. Got some great picts too!
Pete

Thanks, Dave/Lisa for inviting us, and Team Alameda for your hospitality. Can’t wait to do it again…

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

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Thegang-2.jpg



Team Alameda
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Closeup-1.jpg

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

Ron
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/CrazyRon.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/IMG_0482.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Lisa-2.jpg

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

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

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

Love the juxtaposition of the nicey-nice BART sign thanking the people into needlepoint, with the double bird.

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/RonLift.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Ronfunny1.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/teamAl.jpg

Great ride today.

Met up with Taxi777 at Fruitvale Bart station.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/3%20Bears/P7190005.jpg

I had no idea where we were going, so I was at Pete's mercy. After a few slight detours, we finally met up with Dave and Lisa, and the rest of the Team Alameda gang. What a fun group!

We passed through parts of Oakland, through to Berkeley.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/3%20Bears/P7190011.jpg

This included some climbs on the way (as usual)
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/3%20Bears/P7190014.jpg

We made a quick stop through the Berkeley campus, where Pete had time to ham it up.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/3%20Bears/P7190015.jpg

We passed through the Berkeley campus, including a quick stop by the tree people. I didn't take a picture of this, but Pete did.

After passing through UC Berkeley, we climbed up to Grizzly Peak, where we split off from the rest of Team Alameda. From there, we continued with a series of rollies, with me trailing from behind, but it was all good.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/3%20Bears/P7190028.jpg

We proceeded through Alhambra Valley, on the way towards Martinez. On the way, we passed by a farm of some interesting creatures:
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/3%20Bears/P7200035.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/3%20Bears/P7200036.jpg

All in all, it was a great day, with some good climbs, but nothing that completely exhausted me. More pics to come.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/3%20Bears/P7190020.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/3%20Bears/P7190012.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/3%20Bears/P7190013.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/3%20Bears/P7190019.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/3%20Bears/P7190018.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/3%20Bears/P7190025.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/3%20Bears/P7200030.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/3%20Bears/P7200031.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/3%20Bears/P7200032.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/3%20Bears/P7200037.jpg

Pete,
You flatter me. Good to hear I give the illusion that I am losing weight ... that hard work seems to be doing some good. :p

I've always been good short aggressive climbs, but notice I was trailing behind on Grizzly Peak and Wildcat Canyon? I think I had a little extra energy on Pig Farm, and powered it up. It felt good. :)

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/3%20Bears/P7200037.jpg


I can't believe you guys got a tandem onto BART!!:eek:


Nice report, guys! Wish I could have joined you, but I was out dancing! http://deephousepage.com/smilies/jackson.gif