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

I've been out giving extra water to my poor plants. It's 9:07 and still 92*. There is no air moving out there. The idea of cool = sticking my head in the freezer.

But I'll pack extra clothes anyway, because "somebody" won't want to hear me kvetch about how "cold" it *may* be tomorrow.

Since we've had so many drop-outs today, what's the roll call look like for tomorrow?

Since we've had so many drop-outs today, what's the roll call look like for tomorrow?

See the OP - I've been trying to keep the list current, and it looks like close to 30 all told. I know that I, bikingshearer, and you two will be there for sure, and my girls are planning on going, too. So that's 6 "definites", anyway.

Unless last minute change I am in.
Is my vulgar plastic bike admissible? Sorry but my 1969 Gitane steel bike is still rusting under the deck.

I'm in.

Unless last minute change I am in.
Is my vulgar plastic bike admissible? Sorry but my 1969 Gitane steel bike is still rusting under the deck.

Yes, we tolerate vulgarity pretty well. The "Checkered Demon" conversation a month or so is a prime example. :D

I'm still in, as part of the BART contingent. Anyone know the best way to get to the start? Wanna bike-pool? Can google maps be trusted?

Almost catching up to the other post in responses.

I'll be there bright and early. Got the chores done and the green light from the
Sheriff.

BR

Crud... I have to cancel.

Have fun everyone.

In addition to me, a couple of friends will also be coming along.

JB

Crud... I have to cancel.

Have fun everyone.

We'll overlook that as long as you send the chick in your avatar on the ride.

JB

I'm still in, as part of the BART contingent. Anyone know the best way to get to the start? Wanna bike-pool? Can google maps be trusted?

I'll be on BART too. Getting on at Glen Park, catching the 6:17 train.

Hey - I feel a light breeze stirring.... and it's cool! Tempurature is dropping - it's now 75 out.

I'll be on BART too. Getting on at Glen Park, catching the 6:17 train.

You BART folks, remember that the start has shifted a block or so away. We'll wait for you there.

Almost catching up to the other post in responses.

I'm doing my best to run it out. :D

Do you need me to bring an extra pair of shoes? :innocent:

I'll be on BART too. Getting on at Glen Park, catching the 6:17 train.

OK, that train arrives at Dublin/Pleasanton at 7:12. I'll meet you there. Anyone else coming on BART want to meet at the same time?

Do you need me to bring an extra pair of shoes? :innocent:

You never know...with this many riders...somebody might forget something.

For the BART riders, To get to Crank 2, do the following:

Straight out on Willow Rd
Right on Las Positas
Left on Hopyard
Right on Valley
Continue on Junipero
Cross Sunol Rd and parking lot is on the left

It's about a 30 min ride, but can be shortened with the appropriate wheelsucking strategy. :D

Oh, goodie! A cue sheet just for the BARTers!

Thanks, S&SBKR!

Still very much in. See you there...

... and so to bed.

Well, I'm not up at this hour for nothing so I guess I'm in, too. :twitchy:

Over here in SJ it's 67...I dunno about that 79. Doesn't that seem a bit low? See all y'all in a bit.

Well, I'm not up at this hour for nothing so I guess I'm in, too. :twitchy:

Over here in SJ it's 67...I dunno about that 79. Doesn't that seem a bit low? See all y'all in a bit.

last minute temperature check...

weatherunderground.com: high of 81 today

weather.com: high of 85

leaving now. see you there!

last minute temperature check...

weatherunderground.com: high of 81 today

weather.com: high of 85

leaving now. see you there!

Last, last minute check - weatherunderground.com: high of 79 in Livermore today.

I'm on my way!!

(Swiped from the "other" thread)

Between limited time and between paychecks I'm down to two bikes...Maybe I'll walk up the hill!....

Just rambling to make sure my thread stays ahead of Bossman's!!!
I'm not goin down like Hillary!....

Did I just say that! ???? : (

In your dreams, my friend :p

Thanks for turning out everyone- hope you had a good time!!

Thanks for turning out everyone- hope you had a good time!!

thanks for planning it! That was an AWESOME ride. It was nice meeting and riding with you all.

We had a great time but for our tyre mishap at half way. We started up on a tandem and finished on a motorcycle :) . Many thanks to the person who lent us a tube and also a dollar. Please pm me so we can recompense you.

Thanks BBM, it was a very pleasant ride. Nice to meet new faces and see familiar ones.

Three Cheers for BigBossMan!

Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!

Thank you very much sir for the great ride you hosted. What a day, what weather, what great roads.
I enjoyed meeting your family and all the other fine Bike Forum folks.

This was one of my best days ever on a bike.

I hope I see you all again sometime soon!

Nice day, good people. Thanks for getting this together BBM. Someone say "NFLYNN"?

Dagnino Rd. Hey, Where'd everyone go?
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh168/curbtender/DSC00266.jpg

Hey that was great fun. Not only did BBM plan a fantastic ride, he somehow figured out how to get moderate weather in Livermore... in August! :thumb:

2 Gels, Cytomax powder and a couple of sports bars - $7.50...
3 gallons of gas for the drive to Pleasanton - $12...
Pete falling into the ditch while "positioning" for a better camera angle... priceless! :lol:

Thanks to all for a great morning on the bike.

I didn't take too many pics as I had my hands pretty full being Ride King and all, but I did get one or two noteable ones. Take a look:

Quote of the day, as Rumbutter gets helpful advice on fixing a flat from his SO, "Get on with it, then":
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Misc%20ride%20pics/flat.jpg

A pastoral scene on Carneal Road:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Misc%20ride%20pics/carnealroad.jpg

Part of the group leaves, after enjoying watching Rumbutter work:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Misc%20ride%20pics/group.jpg

"Steel is real" - the banner is carried, Italian style:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Misc%20ride%20pics/steel.jpg

And last but not least..... well, have a look - they pretty much speak for themselves:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Misc%20ride%20pics/petesditch.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Misc%20ride%20pics/petesditch-1.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Misc%20ride%20pics/petesditch-2.jpg

Thanks for organizing, BBM - it was a nice ride. Sorry I had to take off a bit early - my son's birthday party was at 1:00 and I needed to get back for it! With the extra miles riding to and from the ride, I ended up with 75 miles and about 2,400 feet of climbing (oh, yeah - I was part of the group that started up N. Flynn road, too).

JB

Looks like a blast! :)

That was a fun ride. Thanks BBM for planning this. :thumb::)

Ya know - in all the excitement, I never made an official count of how many steel steeds there were. Anyone have any idea?

Thanks BBM for organizing this. This was a lot of fun, and got to re-visit some old friends, make some new ones, and even meet some for the first time in person.

Thanks Rumbutter for letting me "try" to suck your wheel going up Cross Rd, before I faded away on the hill. Benriding, thanks for leading the charge on the way back ... wasn't that downhill and headwind fun on Collier Canyon ... NOT. And the nice part was finishing the ride before it really started getting hot.

Some pics ...

These two actually made it on the ride:
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Steel%20is%20Real/P8290002.jpg

Benriding, amped and ready for the ride
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Steel%20is%20Real/P8290007.jpg

That pesky penguin ... attaching himself to Tricia's ankles
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Steel%20is%20Real/P8290009.jpg

Monica is ready ... aka SweetnSour
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Steel%20is%20Real/P8290004.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Steel%20is%20Real/P8290014.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Steel%20is%20Real/P8290015.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Steel%20is%20Real/P8290018.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Steel%20is%20Real/P8290019.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Steel%20is%20Real/P8290024.jpg

Lisa ... aka Chandler
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Steel%20is%20Real/P8290025.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Steel%20is%20Real/P8290026.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Steel%20is%20Real/P8290027.jpg

Everyone helping out with the flat
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Steel%20is%20Real/P8290028.jpg

Phoebe is hi-jacking the tandem!
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Steel%20is%20Real/P8290029.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Steel%20is%20Real/P8300030.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Steel%20is%20Real/P8300031.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Steel%20is%20Real/P8300032.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Steel%20is%20Real/P8300034.jpg

Hard to believe that 2 days ago it was 104 degrees. If we had gone out this morning, we would've needed wind jackets. It's about 70 with a cool breeze right now.

Ya know - in all the excitement, I never made an official count of how many steel steeds there were. Anyone have any idea?

Thanks a lot BBM, I had a great time except for mistakenly following BenRiding up this off-route mini-hill.

I counted 28 riders at the start.

We had a great time but for our tyre mishap at half way. We started up on a tandem and finished on a motorcycle :) . Many thanks to the person who lent us a tube and also a dollar. Please pm me so we can recompense you.

I got my dollar back. Thanks. ;)