Northern California - 46th Bday Ride Report: Diablo Snow Pics

Today for my 46th birthday I gave myself some nice presents. A day off work, a 50 mile ride, which was my first ride on a new set of LBS hand built Mavic Open Pros with Ultegra hubs. (My first decent wheel set)

I got out about 10:00 this morning when the big band of morning showers finally stopped. It was about 40 degrees out when I turned over my first crank.

Here is my layer inventory from the feet up: Thin wool socks, thick wool socks, shoe covers, leg warmers, shorts, thermal tights, patagonia base layer, jersey, arm warmers, windbreaker, rain jacket, half gloves under full finger gloves, head scarf/ear warmer.

I rode over to the North Gate entrance of Mt. Diablo and then up to the junction. I can't believe how well the new rims climb, they really make a difference, their improved stiffness must transfer more energy to the road or some such voodoo. They are way better than the Shimano WH500 set that came on my bike.

The road was closed at the junction and they were serious about it. I got turned away by a ranger with no sense of humor. At least there was some snow at the junction.

The temp at the junction was 33 degrees which made for a cold descent. I went down Southgate and I got a shower of ice crystals tinkling of my helmet from one gust of wind when I was under a pine tree.
It was the neatest shimmering sound, like a drummer when they use a brush on a cymbal.

The Venti eggnog latte with two extra shots sure hit the spot when I finally got to the Starbucks in Alamo.
It got me through the last 20 miles of headwind. I kind of bonked, I did not eat enough I guess. I always forget that when it is really cold you need more calories for your body to generate warmth in addition to calories for generating propulsion.

All in all a really good polar bear ride and a nice accomplishment for my 46th birthday when you consider that 3 years ago on my 43rd, I weighed 240 pounds and now cycling has transformed me into 185 pounds.

Pics:

Me when I swung by work on the way out.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q250/LanceOldstrong/46th%20Bday%20Diablo/PC160001.jpg?t=1229476444

Fire Danger Today Low - Ya think? the sign at the North Gate
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q250/LanceOldstrong/46th%20Bday%20Diablo/PC160003.jpg?t=1229476524

2000 feet up, getting there!
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q250/LanceOldstrong/46th%20Bday%20Diablo/PC160015.jpg?t=1229476724

Snow comes into view above "The Ranches"
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q250/LanceOldstrong/46th%20Bday%20Diablo/PC160010.jpg?t=1229476869

Snow at the junction
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q250/LanceOldstrong/46th%20Bday%20Diablo/P1010018.jpg?t=1229476949

Snowman!
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q250/LanceOldstrong/46th%20Bday%20Diablo/PC160021.jpg?t=1229477091

Me with the Snowman
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q250/LanceOldstrong/46th%20Bday%20Diablo/PC160022.jpg?t=1229477151

The chilly descent
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q250/LanceOldstrong/46th%20Bday%20Diablo/PC160023.jpg?t=1229477239

Awesome! Congrats on your ride and how far you've come in the last 3 years. Both are impressive
:bday:
ps: It looks like you got some snow in your beard ;)

Your cold weather attire reminds me of the little brother in A Christmas Story :D. Many congrats on your special day, Dan.

Happy Birthday! That's a great way to celebrate.

Next year we need to celebrate together. :thumb: Mine is tomorrow. I wish I could take the day off. The weather report sounds like it could be a nice day... but it's hard to get substitute teachers the week before the holiday break.

Veronica

Quite a few December birthdays popping up. Happy Birthday fellow Sagittarians!

Happy birthday Daniel.
Too bad they didn't let you go to the top. Must have been pretty up there.

Happy Birthday!

Awesome day and pics! Thanks for sharing, Dan! I love that last pic, especially. Wow, snow!! I think I'll see Diablo again in the Spring...

Your cold weather attire reminds me of the little brother in A Christmas Story :D.

Cold weather gear is like architecture in that form follows function.
In other words, style takes a back seat to warm.
That said, you nailed the way I felt out there today when you compared it to thishttp://www.redriderleglamps.com/images/products/randy_card.jpg

Happy birthday Dan! Nice write up - riding up Diablo on a day like today fully confirms that you are now an incurable psychlist....

Glad the OP/Ultegras are treating you well. My Roubaix has OP's on Specialized hubs - I have no idea what difference the hub makes, but I've found mine to be pretty reliable this year - I've only had to get a minor truing once IIRC.

Awesome day and pics! Thanks for sharing, Dan! I love that last pic, especially. Wow, snow!! I think I'll see Diablo again in the Spring...

It just makes you wanna go out there now, doesn't it? :)

Dan! You be numba 1 CRAZY!!!!!

Great ride brutha! I think you showed the penguin whose his Daddy.... : )

Happy Bday Daniel,
So cool to see your pics, 46 & getting it done that's nice gives me hope. I hope to join you some day on your rides-to think about your Magna & where you are now is awesome.congrats.

http://www.moppo.net/links/830411001229527326-final.gif (http://www.moppo.net)

Happy birthday LO and a great ride too. I still haven't done diablo yet.

Mine is today but it's 8 degrees....I think i'll go skiing.


Hope you join us at the BJ March Red Hair thingy....April 4th or so.

Twain

PS Big congrats on the fitness and weight loss.....better than new rims!

Yours is today? Well in that case

http://www.moppo.net/links/397800001229531645-final.gif (http://www.moppo.net)

Happy birthday LO and a great ride too. I still haven't done diablo yet.

Mine is today but it's 8 degrees....I think i'll go skiing.


Hope you join us at the BJ March Red Hair thingy....April 4th or so.

Twain

PS Big congrats on the fitness and weight loss.....better than new rims!


Hey young guy! Happy bDay:thumb:

Happy birthday. Could be a good year for snow on The Mountain, maybe something left by this weekend? Below shot is from January this year at Muir Picnic Area.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hSZo5vjiPmQ/R5v2OHcucuI/AAAAAAAACEg/LArCSdRSeBE/s800/2008-01-26%20006.jpg

Hey Scott, If the snow sticks for a few days do they usually plow the road up to the top of Diablo? My limited experience with Mt. Hamilton is that they just close the road and wait for it all to melt :(

I've never seen them plow, but the snow never sticks around that long either - especially on the road. There are a few places where they have barriers like Junction, Juniper, and the bottom of the Wall if they think it's dangerous for cars (won't let bikes up either if that's the case). Usually you just see some snow in the ditches and shady areas and the falling snow just blows off the pavement but sometimes it gets a little icey and that's when they drop the barrier.

A couple years ago there was enough snow at Junction for people to sled so they closed off Summit Road, let people park along the side of NGR all the way down to the Ranger House and let them do it. It was almost funny how many SUVs were up there.

Try Yellow Wood for coffee in Alamo next time (we're by the Safeway) :P

Grats on the Birthday Snow Ride

Happy belated Birthday, Daniel. Wow, there's lot's of birthdays this week.

Happy birthday P. Zippy and Sagebum.

Great ride report and pics, Dan. Oh, and happy birthday to you...and the other Saggits. My sister's was the 12th. She probably didn't ride her bike (she lives in NJ and only got back into cycling this year).

WTG on the ride -- you're a tough guy!

Thanks Jobob and Taxi,,,,,,did I see that it was Veronica's too? If so HBV

Yep - 12/17 is my day too. Happy Birthday to you too!

I was signing some paperwork and had to date it. I'm so accustomed to writing 12/17/66. I had to consciously think about 12/17/08.

I thought it was pretty funny, but wasn't sure my students would get it. So it was my personal little chuckle this morning.

Veronica

12/17/66! Cripes, I was 6 months away from graduating from high school then. Must be nice. :)

Yep - 12/17 is my day too. Happy Birthday to you too!

I was signing some paperwork and had to date it. I'm so accustomed to writing 12/17/66. I had to consciously think about 12/17/08.

I thought it was pretty funny, but wasn't sure my students would get it. So it was my personal little chuckle this morning.

Veronica

What the!- another birthday? Isn't there anyone normal here?:twitchy: arent' birthdays in the spring like mine...I'm normal...
Happy Birthday Zippy!:bday:

'nother spring chicken here, Pete....cluck.

Ooops, I missed your post V, my bad!

http://www.moppo.net/links/615809001229548873-final.gif (http://www.moppo.net)

Happy Belated Birthdays Mr. OldStrong, V and Twain!

Thanks for the great pictures, Dan.

(Yes, I did just discover I have an account here...)

Happy Birthday. When you see all that snow and ice, don't you worry about descending?

Happy Birthday. When you see all that snow and ice, don't you worry about descending?

The road was clear of snow and ice but wet. I did descend more cautiously than normal.
But not as slow as you would think. My Continental 4 Seasons are good "grippy" tires.