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

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:

http://cycling.stanford.edu/Aerials/MtHamilton_ae.jpg

Here's a bikely for it too. http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Mt-Hamilton-out-and-back

Pete, are you bringing the Taxi bike? This might be a good time to try the Hammeister on the fixed gear bike. I have not done any long rides on it lately.

Ramon, If you do, I will...I feel pretty confident and would like to at least ...errr I better not say it or I'll get flamed by all the girls...
But sure why not! Taxi bike (Jodie) for sure!

Pete

I'm in.

Been off the bike for a while so why don't I climb Mt. Hamilton:p

Ramon - I'm up for Quimby if you're still doing it.

Pete - you taking the slow train to China again? Anybody offering carpool or need a carpool from SF?

Looking forward to seeing everybody. It's been a while :o

Yo B-Rock, good to see you back. I was thinking of trying this on the fixed gear but I could still be persuaded for a Quimby, depending on how many others would like to take that route.

First BF Ride!! Should be there...!

Thinking of half day tomorrow and riding up Hamilton in the afternoon while it's in the mid 90's. Toasty.

If I had any PTO left, I would join you for a Quimby/Hamilton afternoon escape.

I am just in DT SJ, so I could shoot over pretty quickly.

However, I used all my PTO on my vacation last month. Damn!

Actually, this week I am doing "4 tens" so I can catch a flight on Friday without losing any pay.

So Ramon, if you ever want to do Hamilton/Quimby/etc around like 4:30 after work let me know. It can be arranged.

No labor day off for you? boo.

I'm in.

Been off the bike for a while so why don't I climb Mt. Hamilton:p

Ramon - I'm up for Quimby if you're still doing it.

Pete - you taking the slow train to China again? Anybody offering carpool or need a carpool from SF?

Looking forward to seeing everybody. It's been a while :o

I thought maybe the BottleRocket took of a little to fast and ended up stuck on the moon!

Welcome back...Slow train to China for me! Meet you there if you don't get a ride. Remember we got a Gladiator ride on the 6th (hammerfest!) See if Chris P. wants to join in, I don't have his number.

Pete

Yo B-Rock, good to see you back. I was thinking of trying this on the fixed gear but I could still be persuaded for a Quimby, depending on how many others would like to take that route.

Hey dude, I'm gonna backpedal on the Taxi bike and take an easier ride (Klein) There's an awful lot of Estrogen...
so I need some Oxygen for all the sweet talkin that'll be goin on ;)

Yo B-Rock, good to see you back. I was thinking of trying this on the fixed gear but I could still be persuaded for a Quimby, depending on how many others would like to take that route.

Do Quimby on your fixed gear. I'll bring a few Red Bulls. Problem solved

Anyone have suggestions for a route from Cupertino over to Quimby?

Thanks - Steve

No labor day off for you? boo.

I am off, but I'll be in Canada (4-day weekend). :thumb: Just doing the 4-tens to get Friday off (for free).

I get all the holidays off, no worries.

10:30 am Kirk & Gordan San Jose...10:30am gives me more time to get down from SF to SJ

List Begin:
1.Taxi777
2.Rumbutter
3.Britpower
4. SesameCrunch (maybe on a folder)
5. Jinws
6. mtnwalker
7. jonathanb715
8. sweetnsourbkr (Madame Butterfat)
9. alainp
10. melissam
11.nachomc (Matt)
12.JoBob
13.backinthesaddle
14.Bossman
15.Lorri Lee
16.Julie Brown
17.Tprevost
18.spingineer
19.x136
20.MsIncredible
21.Gee3
22.Ty.s
23.Kster
24.iFox
25.ReidConti
26.AhPook
27.Kari S.
28.I meant2 do that
29.Rydaddy
30.Blast Radius
31.JoelS
32.AlphaLegacy
33.brron
34.Misc. Fix gear heads
35.LeeH 795
36.Harun
37.Slabby

Do I hear 99?...

So this ride has reached “Titanic” proportions…maybe “Queen Elizabeth”… The “Titanic” hit an iceberg! You all might want to pack a sandwich for yourselves, so we can spend some time on the top socializing. I don’t think the Burger King at the summit is open on Labor day. I think the Pizza guy would be pissed to have to drive that far…
Plan is the same as original. Nude volley ball will start at 1pm : ) See ya there!

I’ll put my phone # up the day before and any last minute plans, so make sure to check back.

Pete


Are we all meeting at Kirk or are the Quimby crew meeting us halfway ?

I think the Quimby crew is meeting us at Joseph Grant Park.

Newb here - I'm thinking about it - I'm going to miss my normal saturday ride, so it would be nice to find another group ride to fill the gap

This is tempting. Where are you meeting?

How does Mt. Hamilton compare to Mt. Diablo (which I've been up a whopping one time)?

Toasty.

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/9/90/180px-MKII_ARC_Toasty.png
TOASTYYY!

(Sorry.)

This is tempting. Where are you meeting?

How does Mt. Hamilton compare to Mt. Diablo (which I've been up a whopping one time)?

By most accounts, Diablo is harder then Hamilton. Hamilton is not really steep.. its just long. Why not come along, you never know until you try :).

I've been up both and I seem to recall being more gassed by the time I got to devils elbow(diablo) then I was when I hit the observatory(hamilton).

My original plan for riding up the Quimby route would be to still start at the school on Kirk Ave with the entire group at 10:30am. Only head back down Alum Rock to South White Road and take that down to Quimby and head back east. It all depends on what tempo everyone is riding to see about rejoining Pete's group at the entrance to Joseph Grant Park where the lone water spigot and restrooms are.

Steve E. - The route I normally take when riding there is Homestead all the way to the end at Lafayette. Left at Market, The Alameda or Park Ave (The Alameda has freeway ramps) and left at Heading. Heading all the way east over the freeway which then becomes Berryessa. Past the Flea Market then right on Capital ave which eventually becomes Expressway. Pass the small airport and Eastridge mall and left on Quimby. Some of the neighborhoods and road conditions are not the greatest but not downright awful either. Perhaps others that live in or know the area can offer a better route.

Man, this is going to be one huuuge turnout! :thumb:

Man, this is going to be one huuuge turnout! :thumb:

Parking is going to be a premium with this turnout.

thanks for the map! really helps for first time visuals.

man, i'm super excited now.

Where is the meeting place? Is there an address that I could input into my GPS?

Thanks,
Cliff

I'm out... have childcare but no dog-care... UGH!

Where is the meeting place? Is there an address that I could input into my GPS?

Thanks,
Cliff

Linda Vista Elementary School
100 Kirk Ave San Jose CA


For me, weekend plans are sufficiently in flux that I've not been able to commit, but I hope to join you all. Looks like it will be a great day!

Steve

I'm out... have childcare but no dog-care... UGH!

I can bring a trailer and we can haul your dog up the mountain :D

I'm out... have childcare but no dog-care... UGH!

Your dog is welcome to stay in my backyard with my dog. I have a very secure and fairly large yard. However, I live in Half Moon Bay. Don't know if that's anywhere near where you're staying....

Parking is going to be a premium with this turnout.

Ramon: Do you have any suggestions for alternative places to park if this is a problem?

Ramon: Do you have any suggestions for alternative places to park if this is a problem?

You can ride down Hwy 1, climb 84/W Alpine, down Page Mill head over to Sand Hill take Foothill Expy to Homestead, and follow Ramon's previously listed route through SJ.

Should be a good warmup for Hammy :lol:

You can ride down Hwy 1, climb 84/W Alpine, down Page Mill head over to Sand Hill take Foothill Expy to Homestead, and follow Ramon's previously listed route through SJ.

Should be a good warmup for Hammy :lol:

Really helpful advice there, big guy :notamused: :p

Really helpful advice there, big guy :notamused: :p

PS - I still can't find your computer. :crash:

However I do have your seat mounted water bottle cage.

I will give it to you first chance I get!

Parking is going to be a premium with this turnout.

Parking??? You mean people are driving to the start?

People who are driving can park all along the left side of Alum Rock on the dirt, for the New Years ride there were a hundred or more cyclist cars parked along there.

I am riding to the start this time, if anybody wants to hook up.

Weather forecast is for some marine fog to move in through Monday so it's not going to be as savage as it is today. Still gonna get pretty bloody warm in the afternoon up there though.

Parking??? You mean people are driving to the start?

I'd have to leave Sunday if I wanted to ride :\

I'd have to leave Sunday if I wanted to ride :\Ditto, except I would have to leave, oh... now? :P

It has to be cooler on Monday. A lovely 55 minutes up Quimby in 95 degree heat with multiple stops in the shade. There were plenty of orange construction trucks out and lots of paving going on. By the time I got to near the end of the second section of climbing the smell and heat were overwhelming. I sat in the shade for a few minutes and turned around to head back. There are a lot of rocks on the road on the descent back to Alum Rock so even with new pavement you'll need to pay attention. No clue how the rest of the climb looks after the second descent to the top.

It has to be cooler on Monday. A lovely 55 minutes up Quimby in 95 degree heat with multiple stops in the shade. There were plenty of orange construction trucks out and lots of paving going on. By the time I got to near the end of the second section of climbing the smell and heat were overwhelming. I sat in the shade for a few minutes and turned around to head back. There are a lot of rocks on the road on the descent back to Alum Rock so even with new pavement you'll need to pay attention. No clue how the rest of the climb looks after the second descent to the top.

Hey! it's gonna be labor day...Yer supposed to not work hard! Let's just take it easy, I'm gonna be in the full slug mode...No challenges from me...unless one of the gal's needs a spankin!:love::)

Hey! it's gonna be labor day...Yer supposed to not work hard! Let's just take it easy, I'm gonna be in the full slug mode...No challenges from me...unless one of the gal's needs a spankin!:love::)

You takin' it easy is like me going full tilt.

I can bring a trailer and we can haul your dog up the mountain :D

she's 100 pounds... that'd be interesting :rolleyes:

Your dog is welcome to stay in my backyard with my dog. I have a very secure and fairly large yard. However, I live in Half Moon Bay. Don't know if that's anywhere near where you're staying....

Ahhh thanks Alan, but I'd by driving 3 hours and dropping the boys off in Santa Cruz, then staying in SJ... there becomes a point where its just too much...

she's 100 pounds... that'd be interesting :rolleyes:

Maybe she can haul us up the mountain! Got a strong harness? :p

Ahhh thanks Alan, but I'd by driving 3 hours and dropping the boys off in Santa Cruz, then staying in SJ... there becomes a point where its just too much...

... and when is that? :lol:

Maybe she can haul us up the mountain! Got a strong harness? :p

I don't think you need any hauling ... you climb up the hill just fine!

I don't think you need any hauling ... you climb up the hill just fine!

Should have seen me on the folder this week...I discovered if I have a heavy backpack on, and am climbing > 15%, I end up wheelieing like crazy. :eek:

Should have seen me on the folder this week...I discovered if I have a heavy backpack on, and am climbing > 15%, I end up wheelieing like crazy. :eek:

Pics or it didn't happen.:innocent:

Pics or it didn't happen.:innocent:

I needed both hands on the bars!

I needed both hands on the bars!

Excuses, excuses.;)

Should have seen me on the folder this week...I discovered if I have a heavy backpack on, and am climbing > 15%, I end up wheelieing like crazy. :eek:

Probably would have still beat me up the hill.