Northern California - 9/20 East Bay Hills Ride

I am still planning to ride the original ride. Cross-country season is starting, isn't it? The 'not to be named passage' seems doable and we are only talking 30 yards or so.

I'm going to ride out to Lafayette BART (so long as it's not too dark first thing) -- which road do I take from Mt Diablo Blvd to get to the BART station, is it Happy Valley?

Happy Valley is on the west side or Oak Hill is on the east side.

Landmarks would be Wells Fargo and Chevron at happy Valley
and
Starbucks, the Roundup, a gas station at Oak Hill.

I will be there right at 7:30 as I am catching the 7:17 bart from Rockridge that arrives in Lafayette at 7:27

Thanks brentley, I've driven that stretch of Mt Diablo many times, but never had to find the BART entrance. Fingers crossed for some nicer weather in the morning!

BART has 2 entrances in Lafayette, If you are on Mt. Diablo Blvd. and turn onto Happy Valley (at Wells Fargo and Chevron) make sure you go past the freeway and then right onto the BART parking lot. There's a parking lot south of the freeway as well, we will be at the North side of the freeway.

planning for the 6:47am BART train at 24th St.

See you in Lafayette at 7:27 + .. in the North parking lot - thanks, George.

I am taking Bart in so...

Leaving North Concord/Martinez7:04 am
Arrive Lafayette7:19 am

See you there!

I am planning to be on the 7:27 train with my buddy.

Brent, Peter, Justin and I made it over Pig Farm and Reliez Valley Rd.
Thanks guys for the encouragement over Pig Farm!
When they headed to Lafayette Bart I peeled off at Mt. Diablo Blvd and rode home.
I caught a perfect rocket tail wind all the way home to Concord for 63 miles.

I hope Frank is alright.

Thanks for hosting George, great ride!

Well we had an eventful ride with the little cross country practice first and then the Frank Skid Trick.

I hope he is OK and that the stitches didn't hurt too much. Bets were on as how many will be needed. The good thing is that he was able to not only standup but also ride on his own power to the bottom of the hill, then to the Orinda pharmacy, and finally to the BART station.

I am sorry I had to bail out of the Bears as my allocated time was running short and I didn't have any sleep last night. Talk about a great ride leader/captain, jumping ship after only 35 miles.

Anyway thanks all for showing up with many new faces.

The ride started at about 7:40 with Brent (brentley), Frank (pohlf), Daniel (Lanceoldstrong), Justin (ROJA) and friend Peter and Richard (Beaker) who found a way to get a flat on the way to the meeting point.
It was kind of frisky going up Pinehurst under the redwoods and got wet and foggy on Skyline and Grizzly Peak. The top of Pinehurst was our first planned rest stop. Frank had to carry a full load of great Palmier cookies for the regal of all.

Justin, Brent, Peter, and Richard were the first to complete Pinehurst:
http://gpelpel.startlogic.com//photos/biking/BF-9-20-08/BF-9-20-5.jpg

Daniel was happy to arrive:
http://gpelpel.startlogic.com//photos/biking/BF-9-20-08/BF-9-20-4.jpg

Then it was time for some adventuring. We had decided to take our chance and brave the obstacles put in front of us. To our surprise a fence had already been pushed (may be a Potter777 trick) so we didn't have to climb any tree.

These guys are not supposed to be here:
http://gpelpel.startlogic.com//photos/biking/BF-9-20-08/BF-9-20-6.jpg

Some cross-country practice:
http://gpelpel.startlogic.com//photos/biking/BF-9-20-08/BF-9-20-7.jpg

http://gpelpel.startlogic.com//photos/biking/BF-9-20-08/BF-9-20-8.jpg

So we were able to continue our way up foggy Grizzly Peak and then down to Wildcat and its fast, twisty descent to the San Pablo reservoir. I was closing the line down the descent with Frank in front of me and the others further down. I could see Frank was going fast , I saw him pass other riders until he was out of sight. Next thing I see is a commotion on the outside of a sharp turn with somebody down and other riders already attending. The second next thing was a bloody knee and a ripped jersey. The cut was deep but thankfully Frank was doing fine and had medical patches and band aids in his bag. All made sure the nice steel bike was OK. Well steel is real... not a scratch, only the left shifter showed some scrapping (that's aluminum).

We all rode to Orinda to the first pharmacy where Frank could find more patches and impress the locals.
http://gpelpel.startlogic.com//photos/biking/BF-9-20-08/BF-9-20-3.jpg

We then split, Daniel, Brent, Justin, and Peter going back to the Bears or Alhambra Valley, and Richard and I going back home with a last steep climb up Rheem.

It was a pleasure riding with you guys and I am looking forward to do it again. Get well soon Frank, the shoulder might be sore tomorrow. You can probably go back to your chiropractor and tell him he messed it up last week.

http://gpelpel.startlogic.com//photos/biking/BF-9-20-08/BF-9-20-1.png

http://gpelpel.startlogic.com//photos/biking/BF-9-20-08/BF-9-20-2.png

Nice post Georges. Here's my contribution

Somehow it was a strange day -- Getting on the road at about 7:10, it was a little drizzly and not too light. Despite that, I had just got into the groove of the early morning ride going down Glorietta, hitting nice smooth Mt Diablo Blvd when Pssssstttt.....rear tire down. I wasn't even at the start of the ride yet. On top of that, when I got the new tube in, the top of the valve was bent at an alarming angle - I had visions of that shearing off and me being out before I'd even begun. Still my mini frame pump did the trick and saw me good for the rest of the ride.

Moraga Rd/St Marys was busy due to the closure of Mt Diablo Blvd, but still got some good conversation in with Georges and Dan - very nice to meet BF'rs in person. Pinehurst is always fun, although a bit slippery today. It was nice to chat with Justin and Peter (joining BF any time soon?) on the way up.

Justin, Brent and Peter at the top of Pinehurst
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn384/RDW5980/EastBayHills_2008_09_20/DSC00255.jpg

Frank was a hero bringing pastries up Pinehurst for the team:

http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn384/RDW5980/EastBayHills_2008_09_20/DSC00258.jpg

Frank also led the way through the potter portal - how did that chain link fence get moved? Very mysterious.

http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn384/RDW5980/EastBayHills_2008_09_20/DSC00259.jpg

Now, Georges - you noted above that "these guys are not supposed to be here". Pray tell, how do you explain this monsieur....

http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn384/RDW5980/EastBayHills_2008_09_20/DSC00260.jpg

The rest of the ride was a mix of good climbing up Grizzly peak, and then the eventful descent. Frank was testing the physical laws of friction and gravity, unfortunately for him they won. The good news for Frank - he's now got a good excuse for some upgrades:

jersey? Check

helmet (modeled below by Brent)? Check

left knee? Frank, let us know

http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn384/RDW5980/EastBayHills_2008_09_20/DSC00262.jpg

I had a blast, even though the time slipped away and like Georges, I needed to get home. So Rheem was a nice way to round it out, we hit ~46mph on the descent and I rounded out my ride home for a modest but not shabby 42mile ride. It was really great to meet all of you, we should do this again sometime, with less damp pavement and no need for first aid.

Heal up quick Frank!

It was quite the ride, the early part in the drizzle of the east bay, followed by the hair raising descent down wildcat (see the evidence above). Once we started towards pig farm the sun was out and jackets/sleeves and other cool weather gear was shedded.

Daniels gut check, no quit climb up Pig farm hill (a first for him) was overshadowed by the toughness and personal bravery demonstrated by frank after his hard crash. If you don't think that Frank went down hard, check out the shot of his broken helmet. I hope that he will be back out with us soon.

I really enjoyed the entire team and the entire day. Let's do it again soon.

Brentley

Now, Georges - you noted above that "these guys are not supposed to be here". Pray tell, how do you explain this monsieur....

http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn384/RDW5980/EastBayHills_2008_09_20/DSC00260.jpg

Wow! He was there after all!

That's Potter777 disguised as me.

Unfortunately, the space time continuum was blocked by a space demon, therefore I ran out of time to get there... I failed... : ( I sure had a great climb though!

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

Pete, is there an angel floating over your other shoulder, or is it another demon?

Great ride, guys. After our medical stop, Peter, Brent, Daniel, and I rocked down SPDR (thanks for the wind block, guys) and did Castro Ranch to Alhambra, where we squealed our way up Pig Farm Hill. Daniel had a grudge to settle with our porcine friends and did so with gusto. We continued back to Lafayette BART on Alhambra and Reliez, with Daniel setting a blistering pace on the flat sections.

All in was about 51 miles and over 3600 ft of climbing.

[a laptop SNAFU prevented my posting anything 'til now. Sorry to keep you in the dark..]

The kid survived... arranged pickup at Glen Park BART; rack'd bike (wife had to lift front end - only one working wing..); dropped off bike/dog at home (directly on the way) and was seen at SF Davies Emergency.. great place incidentally - shameless plug, but I've only had really good experiences with them. Anyway, the attendant and Dr. gave a thumbs up to our field dressing - special thanks to Brent. Today I've got a really sore shoulder and an aching, but mobilized, knee.

LOStrong/Daniel claimed 10 as his "number of stitches" pool guess - way off. Dr. Frankenstein gave me 542 stitches, which actually just happened to be my guess - I clearly remember that. Seriously, it was 6 + 1, so - not bad, for Daniel and myself.

You guys were great. Thanks so much for holding the newb's hand while I stumbled through a crash. And my apologies for letting my thrill compass override my judgement/skill/whatever. Hey, up until 26.9m, by my odo, that was a great ride. The ability of the body to allow you to physically function for some time while injured is truly astonishing. The judgment factor though, arises - as it reminds me why riding in groups is so important - thanks, again.

On a lighter tone.. one thing did come out of this. In my crippled state, this morning, as I checked her seemingly still-flawless, smoldering bright red frame, I decided:
Christine.

While we're on the topic of the supernatural.. truthfully, I'm blaming all this on Pete. No surprise there, I suppose. While he may not have been physically present, I solicit your judgment:

An ex-coworker (crash-prone, regularly destroys his shoulder; his most recent incident totaled his Harley - no sh*t) called me for the first time in 6 mos., and invited me to ride bicycles next wknd. Now, had Pete kept his hands out of the space-time-continuum wormhole business (see earlier posts and most recent image), that would have been it, but... nooo. My buddy's and (see BBM's Livermore ride) Pete's Krash Mojo combined, and then gushed out of Pete's unguarded, dark Sorcerer's portal (..careful, here.. -ed.), striking down the innocent guy from SF with whom he had last ridden. Need more be said?

This vicodin is good stuff.

see ya,

-Frank (oww.. ouch.. ooo..)

Her frame.. it casts no shadow!

Looked fun, I wish I was there. After a quick trip to Waterdog for an MTB loop, I spent the rest day at the St. Roberts festival :rolleyes:

Glad to hear that you're well enough to type Frank - it was nice meeting up with you yesterday.

I was seriously thinking about whether we should try a reprise/variant of this ride before the rainy season starts, since several of us were riding under a fairly tight time schedule yesterday. A bit more riding, a bit more sun and a bit less drama would be nice.

My calender isn't pretty right now, Oct 4th or 25th are the only days I think I could make. Any of you guys interested? If so, I might start another thread...

I'm blaming all this on Pete. No surprise there, I suppose. While he may not have been physically present, I solicit your judgment

I fully agree. Have you looked at his picture and his friend above? Blue sky on Mt. Tam when we were in the clouds with close to zero visibility over Berkeley. Another one of his tricks!

I am glad Christine and Frank are doing well today. Nice couple!

My calender isn't pretty right now, Oct 4th or 25th are the only days I think I could make. Any of you guys interested? If so, I might start another thread...

Speaking of full calendars...

I am riding in 2 Centuries in October, up in Mendocino County on Oct 5th, and in Davis on Oct 18th

Then on Oct 25th I am riding in the Halloween Spooktacular in beautiful Bakersfield, CA
(the 20 mile family version with my wife and kids)

So it looks like my dance card is full for a while but, when the time is right, I would love to have
a "Welcome Back Frank" ride where all of us finish what we started.

Frank- Glad to hear that you made it out OK! Great riding with you and here's to a swift recovery!

Heal up well Frank. Glad you didn't damage that beautiful Melton.

I am open to a repeat ride. End of October or early November would work.

Same route, no tricks would be great.