Northern California - "Steel Is Real", no-drop, casual Tour of Livermore ride - August 30th

We found a sitter to watch the kids! My wife will be joining us.

If I wake up in time to make this, I'll be BARTing over for my first and last NorCal BF ride. For this year, at least. *sad*

And I have no steel so I will be riding on my soda can bike.

Now wait a minute. I never said I wouldn't get up in time to get there that early. I also never said that I preferred bucking headwinds to getting up early. All I said was that it's a gawd-awful early time to be rousing oneself from the cozy confines of a nice, comfy bed - and I stand by that statement. So there.

Having said that, I got my sorry backside up early enough to make two rides out of Davis, and I'll get my sorry backside up early enough to be there for this extravaganza, assuming I don't hurt myself in the meantime. Hey, someone has to make bigbossman look good by comparison . . . . :innocent:

And after about mile 5, there is no way in aitch-ee-double-hockey-sticks that I'll be going fast enough for the Dynamic Duo, with or without dogs, to be pulling me, so don't give me none o' that self-righteous barnyard stuff, RR. :D

Reminder to self: Don't argue with a lawyer. I'll lose and the lawyer will like it. ;)

:innocent::innocent:

Can I crash this party? I might be in depending on how my back is holding up. I drive once a week through some of those roads and I've always wondered what it would be like to ride on them.

We found a sitter to watch the kids! My wife will be joining us.

If I wake up in time to make this, I'll be BARTing over for my first and last NorCal BF ride. For this year, at least. *sad*

And I have no steel so I will be riding on my soda can bike.

Can I crash this party? I might be in depending on how my back is holding up. I drive once a week through some of those roads and I've always wondered what it would be like to ride on them.

OP has been updated.....

BTW, I don't have a steel bike. Will Ti do?:D

BTW, I don't have a steel bike. Will Ti do?:D

Seems like only about half of the responders have steel.

BBM - you should parse this out and post the stats. :)

Seems like only about half of the responders have steel.

BBM - you should parse this out and post the stats. :)

I'll do a count when we're all assembled, and make the non-steel riders fly pink flags on their bikes so we can all make sport of their shame. :D

I'm supposed to do a training ride that Saturday, but this sounds more fun! I'm in if I can get over there in time from Marin; will ditch the fancy road bike for my steel Bianchi Project-3.

Maybe I shouldn't mention that my wife will be on a Ti bike, hmmmmmmm

Reminder to self: Don't argue with a lawyer. I'll lose and the lawyer will like it. ;)

:innocent::innocent:

The version of that I heard was that you shouldn't mud-wrestle with a pig, because you just get dirty and . . . hey, wait a minute . . . . :notamused:






;)

LeeBob (my hubby) and I are definitely in!

Oh, and we both likes BBQ. :) If the after-ride BBQ is still on we'll be happy to contribute towards the cost.

Hm, mark me down as a maybe. 7:30am is really bloody early to be an hour and a half away on a Saturday morning, plus I'm (apparently :P) doing the Hamilton ride on the first. So yeah, maybe.

I have steel!

Mark me down, but I've got azzma...

Mark me down, but I've got azzma...

Hm, mark me down as a maybe. 7:30am is really bloody early to be an hour and a half away on a Saturday morning.....

LeeBob (my hubby) and I are definitely in!

Oh, and we both likes BBQ. :) If the after-ride BBQ is still on we'll be happy to contribute towards the cost.

OP has been updated.

The long-range forecast is calling for 92 degrees next Saturday, So I'd like to stick with the early start time if possible.

The BBQ is up in the air - I'll be happy to host, but other than one or two replies I haven't seen too much interest on the thread.

I will admire all your beautiful lugged steel frames from the vantage of my aluminum and carbon Felt.
I am not kidding about the admiration, steel bikes are gorgeous.

See you all Saturday! I am in on this ride for sure.

The BBQ is up in the air - I'll be happy to host, but other than one or two replies I haven't seen too much interest on the thread.

We're up for visiting a while, but will be heading to a dear friend's place in Pleasanton for the rest of the weekend. So we'll take a rain check on the BBQ, despite its appeal...our friend will be moving east soon, and we want to spend as much time with her as we can.

If the BBQ doesn't pan out, there's a nice brew pub in Pleasanton with outdoor seating. MelissaM (my bad influence) took me there. Mel, what's it called again?

Ah, now I remember - The HopYard (http://www.hopyard.com/)

azzma wife, the day is clear. CYA

If the BBQ doesn't pan out, there's a nice brew pub in Pleasanton with outdoor seating. MelissaM (my bad influence) took me there. Mel, what's it called again?

Ah, now I remember - The HopYard (http://www.hopyard.com/)

I know of, and am a big fan of, The Hopyard Brew Pub. Let's do that, if there is interest in an après-ride get-together.

Also, Remember to bring lots of water and your preferred energy bar/powder/gel. A lot of the route is rather dry, and once we leave DT Pleasanton the first real opportunity for lunch/water is at about 22 miles at the intersection of Scenic Ave and Vasco Rd in Livermore.

I know of, and am a big fan of, The Hopyard Brew Pub. Let's do that, if there is interest in an après-ride get-together.

Also, Remember to bring lots of water and your preferred energy bar/powder/gel. A lot of the route is rather dry, and once we leave DT Pleasanton the first real opportunity for lunch/water is at about 22 miles at the intersection of Scenic Ave and Vasco Rd in Livermore.

You pass a really nice Starbucks at the end of Vineyard/Isabel and then another one at Airway. Theres also a fun bike path to get to Tesla near Sycamore grove park rather than hitting Concannon.

We live near the Scenic/Vasco shopping center :)

Thank you for setting up the ride and the route. I can't make it next weekend, so I did this ride today, starting from San Ramon. I have done the wine country part of the ride several times, but never crossed over 580 to ride in the hills. Maybe not the best day, I didn't start till 10 AM, and it got HOT in the hills. I had a 100 oz bladder filled with ice water, and had to refill at the airport. No more ice though. :( The trip from BART to the start should be ~5 miles, depending on how you go.

I did not follow the first part of the route, picking it up at Greenville and Northfront road. Traffic was light and very courteous, with the exception of the black limo that blared his horn at me twice on Concannon Blvd.

On Manning Road, the pavement turns to fairly new (black, but not smooth) pavement as you enter Contra Costa County, and the heat level jumped a few degrees. I would recommend an earlier start if the day is supposed to be warmer :)

The route was great, but there were a couple of spots on the cue sheet that were unclear if you were unfamiliar with the area.
Point 224 should be Bridgeport Circle, not Court.
Point 231, the street sign at the intersection says Dalton Ave, it turns into Ames a block down.
Point 238, Ames turns into Raymond as the road curves left.

Once again, great route, and I wish I could join you next week.

Thanks,
jimc
Trice QNT

The route was great, but there were a couple of spots on the cue sheet that were unclear if you were unfamiliar with the area.
Point 224 should be Bridgeport Circle, not Court.
Point 231, the street sign at the intersection says Dalton Ave, it turns into Ames a block down.
Point 238, Ames turns into Raymond as the road curves left.


I ran the route yesterday evening, and will be making a new que sheet. It was confusing to me, and I know the area. :)

Looks like I'm out for this one. Next time...

Wow, I just got directions. Hour and 45 to the start according to MapQuest. Any chance you could send me a phone number for someone that's close in case we're running late due to traffic or something? I don't expect trouble being there on time, but you never know what'll happen on the roads around here.

Lunch after is a big maybe. Depends on when we finish. Our sitter can't stay with the kids all day.

Wow, I just got directions. Hour and 45 to the start according to MapQuest. Any chance you could send me a phone number for someone that's close in case we're running late due to traffic or something?

PM sent with my cell#. If anyone else would like it, please PM me.

I'll bring your rim tape bigbossman.

BBM - I'm afraid I can't attend. My wife recently recognized you as her third ex-husband. :eek:

http://www.rarephiled.com/images/lupino4.jpg

Incidentally - pub food sounds great. Ida says she'll pass, though.

PM sent with my cell#. If anyone else would like it, please PM me.

Thanks!

Maybe I can get out there on Saturday. Traffic from Sacramento wouldn't be a problem that early in the morning.

Rich, leave the Cooper at home and bring the Schwinn. I'd be bringing mine and the cousins from "The Cage" can hang together at the back.

BBM - I'm afraid I can't attend. My wife recently recognized you as her third ex-husband. :eek:

Finally - somebody gets it.

You must be old. :D

Finally - somebody gets it.

You must be old. :D

And here I am thinking it was William Shatner all a long

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

Rich, leave the Cooper at home and bring the Schwinn. I'd be bringing mine and the cousins from "The Cage" can hang together at the back.

Lessee, that's the second vote for the Paramount . . . okay, I'll give the Cooper the day off.

I'm a maybe ...

I'm a maybe ...

Maybe, schmaybe...what will it take to sell you on the ride?

We've missed you at two Solvang Centuries, as well as numerous other rides that I can't recall right now...brain f*rt, sorry. :o But you know, it's time for us to ride together! This will be epic in terms of BFers coming together! Do I need to bribe you with food? ;)

Never mind that some fine folks will be there. :D

Hmm, 7:30 start.... 45 miles.... possible finish by 11am.... I just might be able to make this after all.

Do I need to bribe you with food? ;)



Yeah, that's a good start .. :roflmao2:

I didn't realize the 7:30am start and possible early finish. Hmmmmmm.

I'm IN!:D

Hmm, 7:30 start.... 45 miles.... possible finish by 11am.... I just might be able to make this after all.

That was sorta the idea - in-and-out, beat the heat, and finish in time for lunch. Plus, there is always a headwind coming back from Livermore if you're out later in the day.

Finally - somebody gets it.

You must be old. :D

Clueless, actually. My wife was :lol: hysterically when she saw your avatar. I argued that it could have been a particularly good college yearbook shot.. But she has an encyclopedic knowledge of stage/screen actors.. raised in SoCal.. mom worked in the studio offices, while dad was a cameraman.

Me? I recognize old cars... (and sometimes bikes)

Clueless, actually. My wife was :lol: hysterically when she saw your avatar. I argued that it could have been a particularly good college yearbook shot.. But she has an encyclopedic knowledge of stage/screen actors.. raised in SoCal.. mom worked in the studio offices, while dad was a cameraman.

Well, give Ida a kiss for me, and tell her Howie says "hey". :D

I was born and raised in Encino, like, totaly - for sure. I used to come home from dates/parties in the wee hours, and then stay up and watch movies till dawn. One particular girl actually liked coming in and watching the old B&W's with me, so I married her. :)

Sorry to flake, but I'm going to be out on this one. My Saturday got changed up on me :)

Sorry to flake, but I'm going to be out on this one. My Saturday got changed up on me :)

Officially noted....... anyone else? :notamused:

Officially noted....... anyone else? :notamused:

:innocent: :love:

Officially noted....... anyone else? :notamused:

Not flaking .. just committing ... Consider me IN for this Saturday.

If we finish early enough, maybe I can tackle Montebello :p

Still very much in it. I am starting to get pretty psyched too.

If we finish early enough, maybe I can tackle Montebello :p


Ron, you really like that climb, don't you?! Did you sign up for Ramon's brain-replacement ride? I think it's right up your alley. :twitchy:

Ron, you really like that climb, don't you?! Did you sign up for Ramon's brain-replacement ride? I think it's right up your alley. :twitchy:

It's my way to train for Hamilton. It is a nice peaceful climb, but no, I'm not doing the brain-fried ride. Some of the climbs he is doing is gratuitous and senseless. Hey, that almost sounds enjoyable. :roflmao2:

It's my way to train for Hamilton.

Train? What is this train of which you speak?

Free water at Crank 2. :D