Northern California - Ramon's Sadistic SF Hills

This was Ramon's Mt. Tam ride, with a small warm up in SF before heading over the GG bridge. Well, he has a funny definition of what is a "warm up".

Anyhow, I made the trek over to meet up with everyone at Sports Basement, but seeing that I really didn't have my mojo today, I knew I would be the last up every hill.

The weather was great ... no rain, all blue skies, and no fog present. Showing up for the ride was Ramon, Pete, Glenn, Michael, Chris, and myself.

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/photos/469346613_KZ2UE-M.jpg

Pete led us on the way over to Twin Peaks, and also took us through the polo field. It was cool riding through here, and just imagining doing this in pitch black darkness.

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/photos/469373436_Ap7gv-M.jpg

After leaving the polo grounds, the climbs started getting steeper and steeper ... the type of ride to expect your heart rate monitor to buzz off constantly. This exactly what happened after I climbed this hill:

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/photos/469396869_Df54a-M.jpg

We then went up to Twin Peaks, and wow, what a view. Since the air was so clear, especially after the rain the previous night, this was a perfect day to take in the view from the top of Twin Peaks:

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/photos/469396946_idmtS-M.jpg

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/photos/469397530_MiKm5-M.jpg

After Twin Peaks, we then went over to Juanita and Dalewood ... and that was one mother #$@%# steep climb. My Garmin says it's only 20%, but I don't believe it ... I wouldn't be surprised if it was 27%. I had to tack the hill all the way. Even with that, I had to stop in the middle of the hill ... that was not because my leg power, but not enough strength in my arms, pulling up on the handlebars. Sheesh! HRM beeping off like crazy ... 185 bpm!

After this, there was nothing in my legs. After we re-grouped back at the GG Bridge, I didn't have enough to complete the whole ride going to Mt. Tam. Pete and I decided to finish the ride here, while everyone else continued onto Mt. Tam and the Headlands.

That was one, tough, sadistic, killer ride.

Sweet! I wish I lived somewhere with hills like that.

More pics

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/photos/469352334_9xnSy-M.jpg

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/photos/469352381_je2vT-M.jpg

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/photos/469361826_suMbR-M.jpg

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/photos/469365840_QVuTh-M.jpg

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/photos/469364433_GE8qK-M.jpg

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/photos/469373478_8KzUD-M.jpg

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/photos/469397255_gzq8w-M.jpg

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/photos/469397410_czeUv-M.jpg

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/photos/469396747_uyMBP-M.jpg

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/photos/469397493_RNcCn-M.jpg

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/photos/469397337_RTfWQ-M.jpg

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/photos/469397453_niLKJ-M.jpg

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/photos/469397295_TarCd-M.jpg

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/photos/469397177_C55s3-M.jpg

More pics at http://spingineer.smugmug.com/gallery/7298761_fdXky/1/469346613_KZ2UE#469346613_KZ2UE

Great pics Ron - I've developed a dumb fascination with steep climbs, but don't consider myself very good at them yet. Dalewood does look like a fearsome beast, one of those hills that you stare at from the base and feel a shiver through your bowels. I was thinking about that today watching a guy trying to climb Hiller in Berkeley and bail half way (not on my bike sadly).

How many miles did you guys put in round the city?

We got in around 29 miles, and about 3300 feet climbing ... I thought it was going to be a lot more, but that's still a good clip. I didn't take any pics of Dalewood. I remember the pain of climbing it, and I just didn't have any energy to complain while riding it.

Great pics from a great ride Ron. Here's a couple I took of you on Dalewood. (I'll post more of my pics later.) BTW - My Edge 305 registered a max grade of 27% my VDO registered 28%.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/gw_12/3a.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/gw_12/4-1.jpg

-Glenn

BTW - My Edge 305 registered a max grade of 27% my VDO registered 28%.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/gw_12/3a.jpgHo-lee ****.

Great pictures, Ron. Thanks! Another perfect day and a great ride. Thanks, Ramon for inspiring it.

I'll upload my photos to the page sometime tomorrow. I think I got some good ones, too.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/gw_12/4-1.jpg



Thanks for the pic, Glenn. Dang, that's a picture of pain, isn't it? I'm just glad I completed it. :thumb:

I'll put some pictures up as soon as I can...I'm in computor Hell! right not trying to salvage my stuff right now. BTW what happened with Tam? How was it?

What an awesome ride! I think Dalewood was my favorite (for the sheer absurdity) and the Seven Sisters (for the sheer beauty).

My first time up Tam was, well, a little underwhelming to be perfectly honest. I guess I was expecting something a little more picturesque but instead found myself deep in the forest amongst the redwoods. The road after Alpine Dam was officially closed off to cars, pedestrians and cyclists (yes there was a sign that stated this exactly) but the group carried our bikes across the barriers cyclocross style and soldiered on. Lots of debris on the road.

I peeled-off from the group after climbing out of Sausalito; Ramon wanted to do some extra climbing but I'd had enough and the winds were starting to pick-up.

All in all a beautiful day for riding and great company. Thanks everyone. :)

Beautiful day for a beautiful ride. Thanks for the pics.


Pete, did you join Pen Velo?

Some more pictures from yesterday's ride.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/gw_12/1-1.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/gw_12/2-1.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/gw_12/3-1.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/gw_12/5-1.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/gw_12/13.jpg

And more from the second part of the ride.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/gw_12/12.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/gw_12/11.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/gw_12/7-1.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/gw_12/9-1.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/gw_12/8-1.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/gw_12/IMG_3541.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/gw_12/IMG_3543.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/gw_12/10.jpg

The ride elevation profile:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/gw_12/elevation_profile.jpg

Great pics from a great ride Ron. Here's a couple I took of you on Dalewood. (I'll post more of my pics later.) BTW - My Edge 305 registered a max grade of 27% my VDO registered 28%.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/gw_12/3a.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/gw_12/4-1.jpg

-Glenn

I usually read BF ride reports with a twinge of regret that I wasn't there.

In this case, I'm d@mn*d glad I wasn't. No sirreee! :eek:

I think I may try Dalewood on my MTB with a 24x30, :lol:

I was very tempted by this ride with the Mt. Tam title. After reading the details about the SF warmup I decided it was out of my league. This is really a sadistic ride, Ron you have the perfect header for this one.
Congrats on successfully cresting Dalewood though!

great thread!
thanks for all the pictures—now i have to go out and ride to get rid of this itch ;)
-
the top flick of dalewood looks INSANE

Good job, Ron; looking fearsome there. That looks to be a monster hill, indeed.


http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/gw_12/4-1.jpg

And more from the second part of the ride.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/gw_12/5-1.jpg


Looks like 46th.

We did this on on the tandem a few months ago on Ramon's pre-Tam warmup.

I'm glad that hill was short :lol:

I was very tempted by this ride with the Mt. Tam title. After reading the details about the SF warmup I decided it was out of my league. This is really a sadistic ride, Ron you have the perfect header for this one.
Congrats on successfully cresting Dalewood though!

Thanks George. I have to admit, I am glad I did it, but I wouldn't volunteer this myself ... it would take someone to suggest it, and peer pressure me into doing it ... which is basically what happened on this ride ... :roflmao2:

Here are my batch of photos, pared down to 2 sets of 10

Getting Ready
http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr41/chrisoco/a002-1.jpg

Game Face On
http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr41/chrisoco/a003-2.jpg

City Riding
http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr41/chrisoco/a007-2.jpg

http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr41/chrisoco/a009-3.jpg

http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr41/chrisoco/a012-2.jpg

http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr41/chrisoco/a015-4.jpg

http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr41/chrisoco/a020-3.jpg

http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr41/chrisoco/a022-3.jpg

http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr41/chrisoco/a024-3.jpg

http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr41/chrisoco/a029-2.jpg

Set 2 of 2
http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr41/chrisoco/a031-1.jpg

http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr41/chrisoco/a033.jpg

http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr41/chrisoco/a037.jpg

http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr41/chrisoco/a041-1.jpg

http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr41/chrisoco/a045-1.jpg

http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr41/chrisoco/a049-1.jpg

http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr41/chrisoco/a051-1.jpg

http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr41/chrisoco/a052-1.jpg

http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr41/chrisoco/a054.jpg

http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr41/chrisoco/a059.jpg

Looks like an awesome ride! Thanks for all the pics so I can participate vicariously :)

Here's an idea ... Dalewood ... BF LKHC

Is it me, or does this look like a Soprano's publicity shot? Somebody airbrush in the faces of Paulie, Tony, and Silvio, from left to right, please! :lol:




Game Face On
http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr41/chrisoco/a003-2.jpg

http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr41/chrisoco/a037.jpg


:eek:



You


people


are


NUCKING


FUTS!!!!:twitchy:

looks like I missed a good one. Great pics everyone. Reminds me of all my old stomping ground. Went to HS right by Twin Peaks/Mt Davidson.

looks like I missed a good one. Great pics everyone. Reminds me of all my old stomping ground. Went to HS right by Twin Peaks/Mt Davidson.

* Threadjack *

Lemme guess Donald, you went to McAteer?

I had no idea the BF contingent had so many City boys, that's kinda cool! :thumb:

After looking at these pictures, I did some Googling and found a definition of Masochist which seemed to apply:

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/Slide1-1.jpg

yup, MacAteer, right before they closed it to clean the asbestos.

Is it me, or does this look like a Soprano's publicity shot? Somebody airbrush in the faces of Paulie, Tony, and Silvio, from left to right, please! :lol:

I don't think Paulie, Tony, or Silvio would be caught dead in spandex. :lol:

The "Missing photos" from when my computer exploded.

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/climb-3.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/TwinPeaks2.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/TwinPeaks-1.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/NorCal-1.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Thegang2.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Ramone-1.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/TheCrew-1.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Inthepark-1.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/GlenChrisRam.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Eclipse.jpg