Northern California - Why Silverado Trail at 10:00 a.m. Saturday Was Bad Idea

Well, staring off from Trower and the 29 at 10:00 heading over to the Silverado Trail was not the best idea I ever had. When I ran out of water going north, I realized I was closer to Calisotoga and the market than I was if I turned around. 1:40 later, I pulled into the Calistoga Market overheated to say the least. Half hour sucking down water and gatorade, refilled the Aquacell and headed back knowing it would be tough.

To say I cracked, popped would be an understatement. Most of the time when I looked down, I was only pulling about 110 watts. The wind was hot, hot, hot. My heart started fluttering a little and I got the chills, barely made it the final 5 miles to my car. I have no idea how hot the temps were between 12:00 and 2:00 on my way back, but boy, was I an idot. Quick trip to the market, for some frozen peas to put on my neck, couple more bottles of water and gatorade, and I eventually started feeling better (nasty headache lasted the rest of the day and night).

:bang:

Hey, I was out there on 29/Silverado/ 128/Pope Valley/Ink Grade finished with Oakville Grade to Dry Creek, back to Napa. We rode from about 10-2 and it was brutally hot! (We were going up Oakville grade about 1:30 and I was dying!)

I think I'm an idiot too for driving up there from nice and cool SF, but at least it was a change of scenery. :D

We did the Tam ride, started out not too bad but nicasio was over 100. I bonked on Tam. Ran out of water, big headache, but Constant rider dipped in to is JuJu bag for endurolites, and salt tabs...5 mins later I was fine!
I shouldn't have done San bruno in the heat yesterday on my single.
Pete

It was already feeling warm when I started up Diablo at about 10 this morning. The thermometer on the ranger station said it was about 88 or so, but it felt like a lot more than that out in the sun. Icewater was a tasty treat on the way up.

If you come across a spigot, I suggest pouring water on yourself, legs, arms, gloves jersey (I keep phone/wallet in ziplock bag), helmet, everywhere except shoes. It was such a relief yesterday on empire grade, like having AC :)

Thanks for the suggestions. I have salt tabs at home. Man, was I a dummy. Didn't even think to bring them. Oh well, we could live in a whole lot of worse places than the Bay Area. Most people around the country would die to have the options we have in Napa, Marin, Peninsula and East Bay.

Lesson learned re riding in the September-October Indian Summer.

Lesson learned re riding in the September-October Indian Summer.It's not so much an Indian summer as it is just a continuing summer. :P

It's always funny to hear people elsewhere in the country talking about autumn in late August or September...

I don't know why people ride on Silverado Trail. I grew up on that road (my grandparents live there) and I think the Yolo Causeway would be more fun to ride. There are so many other nice places to ride around Napa.

Try exploring Carneros. Park at one of the Marinas and ride to the other one. Then ride to Skaggs Island. Then up to Sonoma. And back. You'll get around 40 miles of nice rolling hills.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have salt tabs at home. Man, was I a dummy. Didn't even think to bring them. Oh well, we could live in a whole lot of worse places than the Bay Area. Most people around the country would die to have the options we have in Napa, Marin, Peninsula and East Bay.

Lesson learned re riding in the September-October Indian Summer.

You rode past a ton of wineries. All have water. Did you try stopping at any? I've never had trouble riding on Silverado, but I've always thought I could hit a winery if I ran out of water...

I don't know why people ride on Silverado Trail. I grew up on that road (my grandparents live there) and I think the Yolo Causeway would be more fun to ride. There are so many other nice places to ride around Napa.

Try exploring Carneros. Park at one of the Marinas and ride to the other one. Then ride to Skaggs Island. Then up to Sonoma. And back. You'll get around 40 miles of nice rolling hills.

You're kidding, right? I hate riding the Causeway. And ending up on West Capitol. Yuck.

And ending up on West Capitol. Yuck.Oh come on, how many times have you been riding and thought, "Boy, I sure could use a seedy motel, gasoline, a pre-fab home, and a hooker!"? West Capitol has all that and more.

RIP, Experience Motel.

I've never bicycled the Silverado Trail, but when motorcycling, Silverado Trail is merely a way to get from Route 29 to 128 or 121. Not very exciting on its own, and way too much traffic.

Oh come on, how many times have you been riding and thought, "Boy, I sure could use a seedy motel, gasoline, a pre-fab home, and a hooker!"? West Capitol has all that and more.

RIP, Experience Motel.

Too bad it's becoming gentrified! LOL

It was already feeling warm when I started up Diablo at about 10 this morning. The thermometer on the ranger station said it was about 88 or so, but it felt like a lot more than that out in the sun. Icewater was a tasty treat on the way up.

We must have been at the ranger station about the same time...i was profusely sweating on the bench for awhile. I was wearing a white Specialized jersey.
Frank

It was already feeling warm when I started up Diablo at about 10 this morning. The thermometer on the ranger station said it was about 88 or so, but it felt like a lot more than that out in the sun. Icewater was a tasty treat on the way up.

What!? You went up there again!! Twice in a week...trying to keep up with Paula's record for hills? :p

On Saturday I attempted the same East Bay 200K route I rode two weekends ago (http://callmepokey.blogspot.com/2008/08/i-finally-rode-my-own-permanent-route.html). Two weekends ago, I might add, the temperatures were very pleasant.

But Saturday the heat started to get to me so I bailed out at about mile 76, at the Orinda BART station.

Although I had done most of the major climbing (Calaveras, Palomares, Redwood/Pinehurst/Canyon), I could not fathom attempting Castro Ranch & Alhambra Valley Rds (Pig Farm Hill) and Reliez Valley Roads under these conditions.

So, I live to ride another day :)

Oh come on, how many times have you been riding and thought, "Boy, I sure could use a seedy motel, gasoline, a pre-fab home, and a hooker!"? West Capitol has all that and more.

RIP, Experience Motel.

It used to also include "great Laotian food" until Vientiane closed. :(

It was already feeling warm when I started up Diablo at about 10 this morning. The thermometer on the ranger station said it was about 88 or so, but it felt like a lot more than that out in the sun. Icewater was a tasty treat on the way up.

Hey Alex -

Any time you wanna have company climbing Diablo, gimme a shout. I live close by and am slow enough to make anyone feel like a sprinter. :)

It's always funny to hear people elsewhere in the country talking about autumn in late August or September...

I went out with a girl the other day who moved here from Chicago in April. She emailed me last week to ask what I was doing for my "last weekend of summer." I just laughed :)

Too bad it's becoming gentrified! LOLI think I'm the only one in town who kind of liked it better when it was all flashy, aged, and dumpy.


We must have been at the ranger station about the same time...i was profusely sweating on the bench for awhile. I was wearing a white Specialized jersey. Possibly. I hung around there for a while. (Donning cut-off slacks and a sweat-through orange shirt. :P)


trying to keep up with Paula's record for hills? :pHa, If I tried to "keep up", I reckon I'd be long dead. ;)


But Saturday the heat started to get to me so I bailed out at about mile 76, at the Orinda BART station.Well damn, I don't feel bad if even the uber-distancers were dropping in the heat. :)


It used to also include "great Laotian food" until Vientiane closed. :(Oh yeah, I forgot about that place. I think it's yet another gas station now. Meh.


Any time you wanna have company climbing Diablo, gimme a shout. I live close by and am slow enough to make anyone feel like a sprinter. :)Sounds good. Plans call for another attempt this Saturday or Sunday. Hopefully earlier in the morning to avoid the heat as much as possible.


I went out with a girl the other day who moved here from Chicago in April. She emailed me last week to ask what I was doing for my "last weekend of summer." I just laughed :)To be fair, that's probably what people in other parts of the country feel like when we talk about "weather." :P

(Okay, I think I've replied to enough posts in this thread for the moment.)