Northern California - LABOR DAY Ride 1st September Mt. Hamilton

oh boy, my first BF group ride...

i'm in :)

btw: i'll be coming from tully & mclaughlin if someone wants to meet up nearby and ride to hamilton together.

Hey Pete,

I told a few of the fixed kids I ride with about this BF ride, and they will be joining us. Should be at least 5 of them.

I on the other hand hope to heal by the ride, crashed really hard on sunday and my neck and hand are killing me.

Scratch me off the list. I'm not ready for this one.

you don't know til you try.

Plus, it's not steep, it'll be my first time riding it, make it an advanture.

And the great thing about that ride is the people, the folks here are some of the finest/friendliest people you'll ever meet.

Scratch me off the list. I'm not ready for this one.

Joel,

Sure you are. If I can get up there, anyone can. Be sure to put a 13-29 cassette on, though. :)

you don't know til you try.

Plus, it's not steep, it'll be my first time riding it, make it an advanture.

And the great thing about that ride is the people, the folks here are some of the finest/friendliest people you'll ever meet.

Are you canceling the Aug 16th ride? I didn't realize you messed yourself up so bad. I read you thread but I guess it didn't sink in.

I'm on the cusp about the single speed, but if others are going fixed then I'll do it too. I'd like to at least hang on to the "Autobus" without haviing to get off my bike and take a nap! :(

Are you canceling the Aug 16th ride? I didn't realize you messed yourself up so bad. I read you thread but I guess it didn't sink in.

I'm on the cusp about the single speed, but if others are going fixed then I'll do it too. I'd like to at least hang on to the "Autobus" without haviing to get off my bike and take a nap! :(

nope, so far it's still on. My left hand is getting better but not good enough to use to brake.

And no one I know is taking their fixed. I ride fixed with them on tuesdays, they will be bring their road bikes for Tam and Hamilton.

Scratch me off the list. I'm not ready for this one.

How did you come to this conclusion?? You may suprise yourself with this. It is very do-able.

You may be tired when you get to the top.. kinda lookin:twitchy: But you'll still be able to :D , because you'll look out over the valley and be like:eek: Might as well load up and scratch this dude off the bucket list. There will be a lot of people on this ride, both in our group and in general. So the safety factor should be pretty good just based purely on our numbers. No time like the present man.:innocent:

new guy here, i'll show up that day - it has been a while since hamilton!

Gordon Ave & Kirk Ave
San Jose, CA 95127

10:30 am right?

This is going to be a packed ride! I will be riding from the start but taking the Quimby bypass. Sure would be nice to not ride that hill solo..

This is going to be a packed ride! I will be riding from the start but taking the Quimby bypass. Sure would be nice to not ride that hill solo..

I'd like to, but I'm "RingLeader":roflmao2:

new guy here, i'll show up that day - it has been a while since hamilton!

Gordon Ave & Kirk Ave
San Jose, CA 95127

10:30 am right?

Hey! Welcome...We'll throw you on the Totem Pole
Pete

This is going to be a packed ride! I will be riding from the start but taking the Quimby bypass. Sure would be nice to not ride that hill solo..

Eh.... what can you tell me about Quimby? Anything like it compare to Bohlman? or On Orbit?

This is going to be a packed ride! I will be riding from the start but taking the Quimby bypass. Sure would be nice to not ride that hill solo..

I'd be willing to go that way, Ramon, but you'd drop me pretty quickly and still be riding alone!

JB

I'll consider Quimby as well. I'd sorta like to see how fast I can climb the 'normal' route but it would probably be more fun to do something different.

As I said I've never done this ride.

Everyone's been talking about the climb.

But what's the descent like?

I keep imagining myself losing focus on a 20 mile descent, missing a curve, and flying off into space. :eek:

As I said I've never done this ride.

Everyone's been talking about the climb.

But what's the descent like?

I keep imagining myself losing focus on a 20 mile descent, missing a curve, and flying off into space. :eek:

Believe it or not, I've only done the descent to San Jose, not the climb (I've gone up a few times from the Livermore side, then down to San Jose). The descent is technical - lots of switchbacks. However, it really isn't all that steep, so as long as you're not trying to break any speed records, it's fine. The road can be a bit choppy in places, but overall it's a nice descent.

JB

Watch for sand.

As I said I've never done this ride.

Everyone's been talking about the climb.

But what's the descent like?

I keep imagining myself losing focus on a 20 mile descent, missing a curve, and flying off into space. :eek:

The descent is split up with some uphills so you arent descending all the way down. I personally enjoy the first part of the descent the least (its bumpy and usually has some debris where you least expect it). Last time I rode it, it was so bumpy one of my Dura Ace Shifters decided to self destruct. The last bit is wonderful though.

As jonathanb715 said, the top is a bit on the technical side but no big deal. As sweetnsourbkr mentioned, there can be sand or loose gravel in the corners, and since your sight lines are closed in you need to be aware of a quickly changing road bed. You really need to be more concerned with little Japanese cars flying around the blind corners in your lane than anything else. I has a deer cross in front of me about 10 yards out, you it might be a good idea to keep scanning the shrubbery. :)

It opens up about 5-6 miles down, and since you climbed up and over two minor ridges to get to the top, the descent is broken up by two smaller climbs on the way down. The last several miles of the descent are open and with good sight lines, and since it is a relatively shallow grade you get to glide on into town without too much worry.

Here's the Garmin trace from the time I went - the big pointy thing in the middle is Mt Hamilton :) :
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Mt%20Hamilton/Garmintrace.jpg

The descent is split up with some uphills so you arent descending all the way down. I personally enjoy the first part of the descent the least (its bumpy and usually has some debris where you least expect it). Last time I rode it, it was so bumpy one of my Dura Ace Shifters decided to self destruct. The last bit is wonderful though.
I just close my eyes and go!

The descent is one of the easiest and most exciting in the Bay Area.

There are some wide switchbacks and cracks/bumps in the road, but the grade is so shallow that you're not going to go very fast unless you really really work for it. Also, the entire road is exposed to the sun so there are dark shaded corners where the surface is hard to see.

They repaved the lower section which has always been a fun and fast descent, although honestly I enjoy the top part of the descent more.

The repaving (and addition of a guardrail?) makes the bottom section seem too narrow for cars to pass each other; it used to seem a lot wider.

All I know is that I hate hate hate the short climbs during the descent. It takes a long time to convince your legs to climb, and by then you've suffered and it's over. I never get into a rhythm on those 2 short uphills.

You really need to be more concerned with little Japanese cars flying around the blind corners in your lane than anything else.

This is my concern. The bay area Subaru guys would do a huge picnic up there every year. And every year there'd be that group of jerks flying up the road by the cyclists. Usually one of the cars would end up on its roof below the roadway. They never hit anyone thankfully.

There's a lot of bumps on the top 3/4. Many of them are hard to see. There's always sand and gravel in some turns and a few places have rocks. The bottom 1/4 was recently repaved and is quite nice... except that they also put down gravel on the shoulders and the cars have been kicking it up and across the road. I know of one rider who has gone down on it.

I've ridden it about 25 times a year the last couple years and I have personally come across about two bike crashes a year.

This is my concern. The bay area Subaru guys would do a huge picnic up there every year. And every year there'd be that group of jerks flying up the road by the cyclists. Usually one of the cars would end up on its roof below the roadway. They never hit anyone thankfully.

Always a good concern, although on Labor Day.. that road will be choked with cyclist, both from our ride, and from a lot of the local clubs as well. So if anything, numbers are on our side, which does increase driver awareness, courtesy.. well thats another issue entirely.

Who knows.. maybe they'll see all the bike traffic and take their 2 Fast 2 Furious act somewhere else for the day.

Who knows.. maybe they'll see all the bike traffic and take their 2 Fast 2 Furious act somewhere else for the day.
Uh .. sir, that's Initial D act for those not in the know. 2F2F was about pink Hondas.

This is my concern. The bay area Subaru guys would do a huge picnic up there every year. And every year there'd be that group of jerks flying up the road by the cyclists. Usually one of the cars would end up on its roof below the roadway. They never hit anyone thankfully.

Don't worry. I'll be packing heat. One of these should fit under the top tube.;)

http://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/imgs/rpg7.jpg

Uh .. sir, that's Initial D act for those not in the know. 2F2F was about pink Hondas.

Its all the same isn't it?? Take a simple little import car, that is good on gas.. crank up the HP by adding stickers to the side.. staple a 747 wing on the trunk and call it a day?


Okay, sorry Return to Topic:twitchy:

Eh.... what can you tell me about Quimby? Anything like it compare to Bohlman? or On Orbit?

It is not as steep as the worst parts of Bohlman or On Orbit. I would say it's not much difference however as steep is steep whether it's 12% or 18% after three miles of climbing.

Where do we meet up?

Gordon and Kirk:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=7264546&postcount=108

Basically you're headed west on Alum Rock Road out of San Jose, and you hang a left on Kirk, maybe a mile or two west of 680.

# 36! Jeff M., an acquaintance from TnT, wants to ride with the autobus.

JB

I just checked on Google maps / public transit to see Caltrain options to get there.

It wants me to leave at 9:30 pm the night before. :eek:

However, I will save $5 compared to driving. :rolleyes:

But then you'll have to rent a place to stay the night. It all evens out. ;)

No, that's 12 hours of transit time. I think it put me on about 8 buses from San Jose Caltrain to the ride start.

I'm still on a "maybe" status, but if that turns into a "hell yeah I'm there", I would like to propose those along the Peninsula area form a train and ride to the start together. Maybe this is just a Mt. Ham newbie over-confidence speaking....

I'm still on a "maybe" status, but if that turns into a "hell yeah I'm there", I would like to propose those along the Peninsula area form a train and ride to the start together. Maybe this is just a Mt. Ham newbie over-confidence speaking....

I live a few blocks from the train station in SJ, I'll probably meet up with you guys if you do. Unless the BBQ I'm going to the night before goes into overtime, then all bets are off.

No, that's 12 hours of transit time. I think it put me on about 8 buses from San Jose Caltrain to the ride start.

Just think of it as a great way to see the Bay Area :p




Hey, wanna carpool? I could pick you up. I have to go through San Mateo to drop off my son anyway....

No, that's 12 hours of transit time. I think it put me on about 8 buses from San Jose Caltrain to the ride start.

Better yet, drive about 10 miles away from the start point then ride to the meeting place for a nice warm up before the 2+ hours climb. I'm contemplating riding from Sunnyvale. Its only 13 miles away.

Thanks guys! Henry offered to drive me, so I should be all set. :)

(And I didn't mind riding from Caltrain, I was just poking fun at the Google Maps function...nice idea, but needs a bit of work. ;))

i'm in. the autobus. just so happens that i will have ridden tam, diablo, and hamilton in consecutive weekends. ... anybody have a good description of this route? where the water stops are? tricky parts. that kinda thing. ...

can anyone here who has gone up mt hamilton tell me a bit more about the climb? I've been up alum rock park and that was pretty easily but i don't know what % grade that was nor do i visually know what mt hamilton's 5% grade looks like. It's my first climb :rolleyes:

can anyone here who has gone up mt hamilton tell me a bit more about the climb? I've been up alum rock park and that was pretty easily but i don't know what % grade that was nor do i visually know what mt hamilton's 5% grade looks like. It's my first climb :rolleyes:

Starting from Alum Rock Park, the climb to the summit of Hamilton is around 20 miles with a fairly constant 5% grade. There are 2 short downhills on the way up (that become short climbs on the way back). Most people take between 1.5 and 2.5 hours for the 20 mile climb.

Do I have any excuses not to go if I literally live 5 miles from the bottom of Mt. Hamilton Road? :p :innocent:

I'm back to considering it. If I do make it, I'll be on my Bianchi. It's got a triple!

Do I have any excuses not to go if I literally live 5 miles from the bottom of Mt. Hamilton Road? :p :innocent:

No excuses to be found. See you there.


I'm back to considering it. If I do make it, I'll be on my Bianchi. It's got a triple!

:thumb: yay for the Bianchi. I'll see what condition mine is in before I choose my weapon.

Bump - and now there's a couple of friends that will be joining us as well.

JB

I just checked on Google maps / public transit to see Caltrain options to get there.

It wants me to leave at 9:30 pm the night before. :eek:

However, I will save $5 compared to driving. :rolleyes:


Well, if you really wanted to do it via Caltrain and VTA, you could, but might get there a little late:

First Caltrain arrives at Santa Clara at 9:28 am ... and VTA to Alum Rock leaves at 9:27 am ... doh! You figure they would have timed it better. The next VTA from Santa Clara leaves at 9:42 am, and gets to Alum Rock around 10:27 ... so that gives you 3 minutes to get to the start from there. :lol:

Well, if you really wanted to do it via Caltrain and VTA, you could, but might get there a little late:

First Caltrain arrives at Santa Clara at 9:28 am ... and VTA to Alum Rock leaves at 9:27 am ... doh! You figure they would have timed it better. The next VTA from Santa Clara leaves at 9:42 am, and gets to Alum Rock around 10:27 ... so that gives you 3 minutes to get to the start from there. :lol:

With so many people, you know it will be a total squawk fest, so I'm sure it will probably be closer to 10:30 before we even get rolling..."NO child left alone...and that means you and I Ron!

I'm gonna try not to use my little chainring... we'll see how that goes. If I survive it, I'll be fast! I was inspired after doing massive hills in the Seattle area on my dad's folder which is... how shall I say... climbing-challenged!