Northern California - The first B&B Slowpoke Ride will be . . .

. . . this Sunday, February 8. We will meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Lucky's/Walgreen shopping center at 21001 San Ramon Valley Blvd (NW corner of Alcosta Blvd). Yes, it's short notice, but the response to the exploratory post was good and I wanted to strike while the iron is hot and the weather isn't. (S'posed to be sunny, BTW.)

Why statrt there? Because it is:
(1) freeway-easy for drivers (right off the Alcosta exit from I-680, which is the first exit north of I-580);
(2) BART-able from the Dublin-Pleasanton BART station, for those who would rather BART;
(3) most important of all, one of the locations of Back Forty Texas Barbecue, where a no-host luncheon will be served apres velo-ride (The ribs are good, but go for the brisket. They have killer brisket. Mmmmmmm, bbq brisket :love: . . . .); and
(4) because I'm the one taking the initiative, so I get to make up the route. :p

Why barbecue? Well, because of the drooling started by BenRidin's initial reading of the "B&B" series as "BBQ" series, bigbossman and I felt honor-bound to do the barbecue "thing."

We will ride down SRV Blvd, cross I-580, and continue on Foothill Road all the way to Sunol, where there is a store that should be open. From there, east a half mile to the entrance to the Sunol Water Temple (it'll be closed - darn) and left onto Sunol Blvd, on up to Pleasanton, and then wending our way back to our starting point. There are one or two options along the way for folks who want to put a few more miles, but this is the basic route.

The ride is about 25 miles, with flat-to-rolling terrain. I will be riding caboose, and there will be no drops. That's a promise.

So if you have felt even a little bit intimidated by some of the rides posted here, this one's for you. If you want to turn on the afterburners and add an extra 73 miles to the ride and meet us at Back Forty (yes, I'm looking at you, taxi777) you're welcome, too - just don't expect me to even try to keep up.

So who's up for the maiden run of the B&B Slowpoke Series?

EDIT: Here is a link to a map of the route.

http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ca/dublin/492300103669

Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Lucky shopping center (northwest corner of Alcosta and San Ramon Valley Bilvds, San Ramon, in front of the Back Forty Texas Barbecue restaurant (all the way at the southern end of the center).

If you drive, please park behind the Back Forty - uber convenient without being in any shopper's or merchant's way.

'NOTHER EDIT: So here is the current list of attendees and maybes, updated as of 7:25 a.m. Sunday

Claim to be Coming Along

bikingshearer (+1 for lunch, but not the ride)
bigbossman and his posse, bigbosslady and bigbossprincess
jobob - riding in from Union City, riding out with a belly full o' brisket
LeeBob - aka Mr jobob
MarkoPolo
hs845
Kedosto
Lanceoldstrong
Mrs. Oldstrong
rumbutter
Britpower
ricebowl (moving up from the "Maybe" list)
pohlf
cccorlew
t4mv
ahpook + jen + tandem for bikingshearer to draft
redsail
jonathan715
Spingineer
LanceMach

Still Not Going to Not be There

cantdrv55 (I'm trying not to jinx you, buddy)


Definitely Maybe

jonjonOnline
taxi777
Madcow1950


Not This Time, But Promising to make Another B&B Slowpoke Special
huytheskigod
BlastRadius
Gee3
I_meant2do_that
SesameCrunch
Red Rider
cgallah


Not Able to Come Due to Massive Injustice Perpetrated By Evil Plutocrats

Siu Blue Wind

pops head up ...

Did someone say brisket ?!? :)

in........

I can ride drag as well as anyone.

:cry: I'm already registered for Cherry Pie and Julie has to work. I'd much rather have brisket than go get dropped yet again (I really do like racing...what little I get to do before it turns into a solo ride).

Schedule will come out on Friday. I'll let ya know.

Dang, I'm already registered for Cherry Pie too.

Sucks because I love brisket and wouldn't mind meeting Siu too.

pops head up ...

Did someone say brisket ?!? :)


pops head up ...

Did someone say slowpoke and brisket?!?! :thumb:

I'll have to check the plans with the wife and get back to you guys...

Just in case anyone needs additional incentive, here's the San Ramon Back Forty menu . . .

http://www.backfortytexasbbq.com/dineinMenu_SR.htm

Yes, I know I'm evil.

And the ride should be fun, too. :rolleyes:

:cry: I'm already registered for Cherry Pie and Julie has to work. I'd much rather have brisket than go get dropped yet again (I really do like racing...what little I get to do before it turns into a solo ride).

It's really very simple. Go to the Cherry Pie thingie, race until you get dropped, then head for San Ramon and join us for lunch. Problem solved.



You're welcome. :D

I'm most likely in. I'm thinking of perhaps riding out there from home via Niles Canyon - could I meet you guys in Sunol?

I'm most likely in. I'm thinking of perhaps riding out there from home via Niles Canyon - could I meet you guys in Sunol?

Sure - you can PM Rich or me (John) for our cell #'s.

One possible problem - you'l have to ride all the way home by yourself with a belly full o' brisket, while the rest of us slip into a BBQ induced coma. :twitchy:

I can ride in drag as well as anyone. :eek:

To borrow a word from the snarky folks on the Road Forum... Fixed!

Oh yeah... I'm in too.

I'm most likely in. I'm thinking of perhaps riding out there from home via Niles Canyon - could I meet you guys in Sunol?

Meet us in Sunol? Sure. Or you can BART to Dublin/Pleasanton and join us from the start.

As for the BBQ-induced coma of which bigbossman speaks (and which I plan to exemplify), the BART thing should take care of that for you, too.

BTW, Dublin/Pleasanton BART is roughly 2 very flat miles from the start/gorge-fest finish.

To borrow a word from the snarky folks on the Road Forum... Fixed!

You've ruined a lot of people's lives by painting that mental picture.

For the historically challenged and to help ease the pain, I offer this:

Riding Drag: definition – The job on a cattle drive taken by the Drag Rider; a person on horseback who takes the position at the rear of the herd; who picks up strays, busts cattle out of hard to reach places and does all the jobs no one else wants to do while inadvertently eating copious amounts of dust.

You've ruined a lot of people's lives by painting that mental picture.

For the historically challenged and to help ease the pain, I offer this:

Riding Drag: definition – The job on a cattle drive taken by the Drag Rider; a person on horseback who takes the position at the rear of the herd; who picks up strays, busts cattle out of hard to reach places and does all the jobs no one else wants to do while inadvertently eating copious amounts of dust.
Then what do Border Collies do?

I am trying to convince my wife to go on the tandem with me, if not I will probably BART out to meet you all. May be bringing some others as well.

UPDATE: I will not be attending the innaugural ride of the B&B Slowpokes...this weekend *swings head quickly to see if she heard* lol

I've never been on a BF ride, but I'll try this one.

Then what do Border Collies do?

Same thing as the guys "riding drag," except that border collies like it.

I've never been on a BF ride, but I'll try this one.

Now that's what I'm talkin' about!!

Welcome, hs845. Glad to have you with us! :thumb:

Same thing as the guys "riding drag," except that border collies like it.


Back in the old days, good dogs were expensive; cowboys were cheap and available, required less care, and it was no big deal if you lost one. :)

You've ruined a lot of people's lives by painting that mental picture.
For the historically challenged and to help ease the pain, I offer this:
Riding Drag: definition – The job on a cattle drive taken by the Drag Rider; a person on horseback who takes the position at the rear of the herd; who picks up strays, busts cattle out of hard to reach places and does all the jobs no one else wants to do while inadvertently eating copious amounts of dust. check


Then what do Border Collies do?

Same thing as the guys "riding drag," except that border collies like it. check

So if I am reading this correctly, Taxi is really a cowboy?

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

To put this back on topic, I hope there is another ride soon.

So after Cherry Pie and snelling, I'm going to put off racing to build up more ability until later in the season. So, please do plan more B&B rides. I'm happy to host a similar ride to Davis Laid back Ride #1 (the one without the climbing) if B&B wants to head up this way. Lots of food opportunities too. Unfortunately, the good BBQ joints aren't near anyplace good to start a ride.

As for the BBQ-induced coma of which bigbossman speaks (and which I plan to exemplify), the BART thing should take care of that for you, too.

BTW, Dublin/Pleasanton BART is roughly 2 very flat miles from the start/gorge-fest finish.

That's precisely my plan.

It's really very simple. Go to the Cherry Pie thingie, race until you get dropped, then head for San Ramon and join us for lunch. Problem solved.



You're welcome. :D

In the book "A Dog In A Hat" it wasn't uncommon for teams to start a race and pull off soon thereafter to go to another engagement or leave the race. So there won't be any shame in leaving for some bbq! :p

This Sunday, February 8, 10:00 in the morning at the Lucky's at Alcosta. I'm there. I won't be late.

I'll know on Friday whether I can make it or not. It would suck not to make it since I alreay decided on lunch; brisket and hot links with sweet potato casserole and onion rings. Then if it looks good some pecan pie.mmmmm pecan pie.

This Sunday, February 8, 10:00 in the morning at the Lucky's at Alcosta. I'm there. I won't be late.

Tremendous! Looking forward to meeting you.


And you may not be late, but here's betting that bigbossman will be . . . :innocent:

I'll know on Friday whether I can make it or not. It would suck not to make it since I alreay decided on lunch; brisket and hot links with sweet potato casserole and onion rings. Then if it looks good some pecan pie.mmmmm pecan pie.

Drop the sweet potato whatever-it-is, and I'm right there with you. Now all I have to do is decide what to have after the ride. ;)

Hope you can make it, ricebowl. It's shaping up to be a fun one.

And you may not be late, but here's betting that bigbossman will be . . . :innocent:

"Pot calling kettle - come in, please."

Count me in.

Hooray!

Alright, I'm in - just have to skip the bbq so I can get over to my kids' indoor soccer games.

JB

edit: ok, this is amazing - all I have to do is think about committing to a BF ride, and something with the family comes up! Put me down as a maybe, if I'm lucky for this one.

I'm not going to say I can make this ride because as soon as I do, something's going to come up. So, I can't make this ride.

Okay cool. We'll see you on Sunday. ;)

Maybe.

If I can go.........:o

A friend and I may be up for this. I'll know for sure by the weekend.

Okay, here is a link to a map of the official course for the Very First Ever B&B Slowpoke Series Ride, courtesy of MapMyRide.com (which I find marginally less frustrating than Bikely - I say they both have some serious bugs to work out :crash:).

http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ca/dublin/492300103669

If you want an extra couple of miles, we can suggest something at about Mile 14.5 . . . .

We will meet in front of the Back Forty Texas Barbecue restaurant at 10:00 am Sunday. Back Forty is located at the southern end of the Lucky shopping center at the northwest corner of Alcosta and San Ramon Valley Blvds. (If you are in the shopping center facing the Lucky store, Back Forty is to your left at the end of the row of stores.) This is right on the Dublin/San Ramon border.

Please park behind the Back Forty if you drive. This should keep us out of the way of shoppers and keep merchants from getting upset at us, while still being very convenient.

Do try to let bigbossman or me know if you'll be along so we know if we have everyone at the start. We'd hate to miss you because we took off without knowing to expect you.

Nice Route, see you there!

Nice Route, see you there!

Dan,

This ride might be a good one for the wife and kids.

Dan,

This ride might be a good one for the wife and kids.

The offspring are just a little bit away from adept enough on their new road bikes for this one yet.
I worry about the stretch of Sunol Blvd just south of Bernal that has no shoulder.

I am ok with it but I need to get the kids a little more confident and steady on the 700x23's before I take them on a road like that.

I bet they make the next B&B ride though.( or one of your sweet 20 mile Ameci's:love: loops) I will keep working with them. I will take them for a practice ride on Saturday.

I bet they make the next B&B ride though.( or one of your sweet 20 mile Ameci's:love: loops) I will keep working with them. I will take them for a practice ride on Saturday.

Cool - get 'em going while they're young. :thumb:

FWIW, the Amechi's Loop can be an out-n-back, almost entirely on the Iron Horse Trail or low traffic blvd's with wide bike lanes. We can make it pretty bullet-proof for the young-uns - especially if we sandwich them in the middle.

Rumbutter and I are in. We will be cycling from home to meet up with everyone. Should be a good ride.

So is there a list of people who are going so far? Do we have to let the restaurant know how many will be showing up?

So is there a list of people who are going so far? Do we have to let the restaurant know how many will be showing up?

Is there a list? There is now; see the New & Improved OP. As of now, it looks like we have 12 definites, 4 maybes, and one extra for lunch (my honey bunch).

I called the restaurant a day or two ago to make sure they'd be open (they will be). The nice lady said to give them a call when we know about when we'll be there (and I confirmed that the call can be from the road) and they'll set up a table for us. I told her to expect in the 8-12 smelly bike riders range, so I won't be too far off. I figure I'll call from Pleasanton somwhere.

Count me out... I have to take my daughter to a school function at 11am. Hopefully next time!

Okay Bikingshearer thanks. I'll let you know by tomorrow for sure.

Gee3? ANOTHER failed attempt at meeting you. :( Hopefully one day. :)

taxi777& Madcow1950 at 85% chance...

jobob - riding in from Union City, riding out with a belly full o' brisket


You can change that to jobob & husband LeeBob.

And we'll be meeting you at the start. We'll still be leaving w bellies full o' brisket, though. :thumb:

Taxi777&Madcow gone up to 92.7% and climbing...have my Siu bike somewhat rideworthy and Cathy asked me what she should wear for brisket..."NOt White!" I responded emphatically!

I'm out, route has too much elevation gain..........:p Count me in! BARTing from Daly City.

Gee3? ANOTHER failed attempt at meeting you. :( Hopefully one day. :)

I know Siu... I suck! If there are going to be more slowpoke rides than I'll certainly be there and hopefully you will too! :)

I'm in - earlier ride plans w/ a friend fell threw, so I'll BART from SF/24th St. to Dublin/Pleasanton. Arriving 9:22 or 9:37, depending on which train my am energy quotient allows me to board.

Route from station to the start looks to be NW on Scarlett Ct., E on Dublin Blvd., N on San Ramon Blvd.

I've got a cell # for BBM, who had better be riding his Palo Alto, this time...