Northern California - Any interest in a "pick-up" Slowpoke ride this weekend?

Just spit-balling. I'm sick of work already, and it's only Tuesday. I need a good ride to unwind, and Saturday/Sunday look like they'll be clear.

Any interest? I'm thinking start at the Orinda BART station and go down San Pablo Dam Road. Maybe up and over to Pinole, through Crockett, and return. Or something else entirely.

Easter might work - but it'd have to be in the afternoon for me. I have the kids until lunch.

JB

I would like to subscribe to this particular newsletter.

I'm sick of work already, and it's only Tuesday.

Well, I have NO IDEA what that's like :innocent:

This sounds good, but I'm planning on putting in a 70+mile ride in this Saturday AM that will likely start at a time of day that isn't very compatible with the Slow Poke ethos.

I could be enticed...

For me, it would have to be Saturday and I'd need to be home by 2:00 p.m.

Maybe this? 32 miles. 1800 feet of climbing.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/orinda/942123921040154793

For me, it would have to be Saturday and I'd need to be home by 2:00 p.m.

Maybe this? 32 miles. 1800 feet of climbing.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/orinda/942123921040154793

Pig Farm the hard way. Hmmmm....... maybe. :) I really wanna buzz down San Pablo Dam Road all the way into El Sobrante and see what's that way. Looks like Appian Way will reconnect me with familiar routes, but that might be a bit ambitious ands more miles than I think. Plus, I have a dim recollection of Appian Way being steep on the El Sobrante end up to hwy 80.


I could be enticed...

Remember - you'll be riding with me. No whining and stuff about how slow I am...... :)


Well, I have NO IDEA what that's like :innocent:

This sounds good, but I'm planning on putting in a 70+mile ride in this Saturday AM that will likely start at a time of day that isn't very compatible with the Slow Poke ethos.

Where are you starting, and what time? By "slowpoke", I mean "me". If there's a lot of climbing and stuff, I don't mind - but I'll likely hang you up and ruin your ride.


I would like to subscribe to this particular newsletter.

You can't subscribe - you have to be asked. are you one of the "Cool Kids"? :)

You can't subscribe - you have to be asked. are you one of the "Cool Kids"? :)Hell no!

I'm not whinning...what would make you think that?:rolleyes::cry:

Hell no!

Then you're "in". :thumb:

Then you're "in". :thumb:http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/2233/35217230.jpg

Pig Farm the hard way. Hmmmm....... maybe. :) I really wanna buzz down San Pablo Dam Road all the way into El Sobrante and see what's that way. Looks like Appian Way will reconnect me with familiar routes, but that might be a bit ambitious ands more miles than I think. Plus, I have a dim recollection of Appian Way being steep on the El Sobrante end up to hwy 80.


Pig Farm the hard way? :eek: Not a chance - check the map again.

As for the Dam Road into El Sobrante - you've seen it, at least in a car, going to and from the Pedaler. Between Castro Ranch (the turn off to get to the Bears) and I-80, the Dam Road is a four lane suburban high-speed highway with decent shoulders, but nothing to write home about, scenery-wise. Appian Way is more of the same with hills. There is another road you can turn off between Castro ranch and Appian that hooks into Appian - what applies to Appian applies to this road, too.

If you are really jonesing to see the Dam Road, stem to stern, How about this: start at Orinda BART, go over Wildcat Canyon through Tilden Park, down Spruce to Los Angeles, thence to the Circle, then along the Arlington to the end on San Pablo Ave, take that the mile or so to San Pablo Dam Road, and then the Dam Road back to Orinda BART?

Pig Farm the hard way? :eek: Not a chance - check the map again.

As for the Dam Road into El Sobrante - you've seen it, at least in a car, going to and from the Pedaler. Between Castro Ranch (the turn off to get to the Bears) and I-80, the Dam Road is a four lane suburban high-speed highway with decent shoulders, but nothing to write home about, scenery-wise. Appian Way is more of the same with hills. There is another road you can turn off between Castro ranch and Appian that hooks into Appian - what applies to Appian applies to this road, too.

If you are really jonesing to see the Dam Road, stem to stern, How about this: start at Orinda BART, go over Wildcat Canyon through Tilden Park, down Spruce to Los Angeles, thence to the Circle, then along the Arlington to the end on San Pablo Ave, take that the mile or so to San Pablo Dam Road, and then the Dam Road back to Orinda BART?

I'll take the original plan - sounds good. The jonesing for San Pablo Road is to go down it, not up it back to Orinda. :)

I'll take the original plan - sounds good. The jonesing for San Pablo Road is to go down it, not up it back to Orinda. :)

I can assure you, based on extensive personal experience, that San Pablo Dam Road between Castro Ranch and I-80 looks pretty much the same in either direction, and is no scenic wonderland however ridden. :rolleyes:

If you are up for the Orinda/Lafayette/Reliez Valley/back side of Pig Farm route, shall we meet at Orinda BART Saturday at, say, 9:00 a.m.? (Like I said, I need to be home by 2:00.) This has the added advantage of Europa, Nation's, or possibly even Village Pizza for the post-ride repast. :D

I can assure you, based on extensive personal experience, that San Pablo Dam Road between Castro Ranch and I-80 looks pretty much the same in either direction, and is no scenic wonderland however ridden. :rolleyes:

If you are up for the Orinda/Lafayette/Reliez Valley/back side of Pig Farm route, shall we meet at Orinda BART Saturday at, say, 9:00 a.m.? (Like I said, I need to be home by 2:00.) This has the added advantage of Europa, Nation's, or possibly even Village Pizza for the post-ride repast. :D

Done and Done.

Be there, or be square.

Square. :(

We'll be on Mt. D. and Morgan Territory on Saturday.

JB

I'm not going to try to not make this ride on Saturday. Or, something like that.

I haven't been on my bike since the slowpoke ride in Danville so have mercy on me.

I'm not going to try to not make this ride on Saturday. Or, something like that.

I haven't been on my bike since the slowpoke ride in Danville so have mercy on me.

You'll be with me and Rich - you can't lose. :)

Cool!

You'll be with me and Rich - you can't lose. :)Sounds like a challenge to me... ;)

Done and Done.

Be there, or be square.

Can't I be both?

Can't I be both?

Noooo.. because your shape is round :innocent:

Sorry, couldn't resist (and it's in your signature - c'mon). Actually if I can trade the caboose/tail-gunner/sweep position with B1 and then, B2, this might just work for me. So, I'm a definite maybe, since Fri. pm will be spent hoisting beers with a few old friends, making an 8:00am BART arrival the next morning a ..challenge.

I will give it a shot.

Sorry, can't make it on Sat. I have a date with the "Wheel Stooges"

For me, it would have to be Saturday and I'd need to be home by 2:00 p.m.

Maybe this? 32 miles. 1800 feet of climbing.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/orinda/942123921040154793

I'm confused. Did you guys decide on this?

Sorry, can't make it on Sat. I have a date with the "Wheel Stooges"

She better be cute because we're a good looking bunch.

She better be cute because we're a good looking bunch.

I'd join you guys, but I'm clearly not handsome enough for this group. :D Plus I'm on Easter weekend duty in Carmel with my wife's family and as you know its a bad idea to piss off Sicilian in-laws.

I'm confused. Did you guys decide on this?

Show up and find out. :D













Yes.

I'm confused. Did you guys decide on this?Why do you assume that anyone involved is capable of making a decision?

:P


as you know its a bad idea to piss off Sicilian in-laws.Second only to not getting involved in a land war in Asia.

She better be cute because we're a good looking bunch.

Yeah Moe and Curly would be pretty cute in a State prison with no woman around...:lol:

Did I just say that?:eek:

Sorry, can't make it on Sat. I have a date with the "Wheel Stooges"

L-7, daddy-o

Noooo.. because your shape is round :innocent:

Sorry, couldn't resist (and it's in your signature - c'mon).

:lol: Good point. What was I thinking? (Although, technically speaking, I think I probably qualify more as "oblong."



Actually if I can trade the caboose/tail-gunner/sweep position with B1 and then, B2, this might just work for me. So, I'm a definite maybe, since Fri. pm will be spent hoisting beers with a few old friends, making an 8:00am BART arrival the next morning a ..challenge.

I will give it a shot.

Not even close to a good enough excuse. Especially since you don't have to be at Orinda BART until 9:00, not 8:00. :p

Not even close to a good enough excuse. Especially since you don't have to be at Orinda BART until 9:00, not 8:00. :p

Poor word choice on my part. I need to stumble into a train in SF by roughly 8 (8:07) before I can tumble out of a train before 9 (8:42) in Orinda. And now, some (alleged) good friends (from out of town) are threatening a Saturday visit. :notamused:

I will update as the entertainment calendar develops. But thanks for the prod in the right direction :thumb:

Also, it occurs to me that a few recent arrivals to SF were curious about routes in the East Bay. This ride has all the earmarks :eek: of an easy intro to getting out to the edges of the Bay Area and meeting some of the BF ride organizing regulars.

Not that I'm shilling for B1, or B2, or rides w/ an average speed of less than 22MPH. Why, I'd just never do that.


-Frank "just call me anti-social, unless I'm on a bike"


For any other BART users - there is also an 8:27 (@ 24th St./SF) -> 9:02 (@ Orinda) train on Sat., according to the BART QuickPlanner (http://www.bart.gov)
For the riding group - don't depart until 9:05, in case some of us :innocent: are on the late/hangover schedule.

For the riding group - don't depart until 9:05, in case some of us :innocent: are on the late/hangover schedule.

You don't ride with us a lot, so the mis-interpretation is understandable. A call-out of 9am as the start time is more of a suggestion/guideline than an actual hard and fast rule. Guaranteed one of us will be late, or forget a front wheel, or screw around with equipment, or sleep late, or give the weather the fish-eye for an extended period of time, or......

Not that I'm shilling for B1, or B2, or rides w/ an average speed of less than 22MPH. Why, I'd just never do that.

Just to be clear, our average speed is probably more like 12 mph.

Just to be clear, our average speed is probably more like 12 mph.

I'm not planning on going that fast . . . .


Yeah, and showing up on the 9:05 train will not be problem. As bigbossman so cogently pointed out, either he or I, and maybe both of us, will find some way not to be ready to roll at precisely 0900 hours. It's all part of the pageantry. :rolleyes:

[..] not to be ready to roll at precisely 0900 hours. It's all part of the pageantry. :rolleyes:

Understood, excellent. And with items such as the Brooklyn Chewing Gum wool jersey being a potential part of the picture, well then, pageantry truly is the only word one could use :D.

Understood, excellent. And with items such as the Brooklyn Chewing Gum wool jersey being a potential part of the picture, well then, pageantry truly is the only word one could use :D.

The real question is - what bike should I ride? I mean, it is a pageant and all.

The real question is - what bike should I ride? I mean, it is a pageant and all.

Isn't it obvious? You simply have to ride the Pogliaghi. :D

Enjoy the ride guys, I'll be heading out before 8am for longer distance punishment.

So is this a private ride or can anyone one join? Not sure if I can make it, because my body does not react well to early morning rides. Yes 9 is early for me on the weekends.

Just so I understand the facts (Trying to read the thread and watch The Biggest Loser is hard to do).

Meeting Saturday at 9 at the Orinda BART station. So for someone who lives in the city and will drive to the Orinda station, how is the parking? And how would I know I am riding with the cool group ;-)

This is the route?
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/orinda/942123921040154793
I have only lived in the bay area for a year and leaving the city is a big adventure to me so I am not familar with all the roads mentioned.

Oh and my wife wants to know if any of you are ax murders or anything ;-)

Although I can't make this one, this looks like it'd be a great intro to riding in the East Bay, you'll love the scenery out here. Orinda BART has lots of parking (and also lots of rides head out from there on the w/e).

Oh and from my experience with the NorCal group, I think that the percentage of axe murderers is pretty similar to that in the other social groups that I hang out with.

And how would I know I am riding with the cool group ;-)If you find the cool group, keep looking until you find the gaggle of dorks.


Oh and my wife wants to know if any of you are ax murders or anything ;-)We're a very diverse group! (I prefer polearms)

So is this a private ride or can anyone one join? Not sure if I can make it, because my body does not react well to early morning rides. Yes 9 is early for me on the weekends.

Just so I understand the facts (Trying to read the thread and watch The Biggest Loser is hard to do).

Meeting Saturday at 9 at the Orinda BART station. So for someone who lives in the city and will drive to the Orinda station, how is the parking? And how would I know I am riding with the cool group ;-)

This is the route?
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/orinda/942123921040154793
I have only lived in the bay area for a year and leaving the city is a big adventure to me so I am not familar with all the roads mentioned.

Oh and my wife wants to know if any of you are ax murders or anything ;-)

The parking is more than ample - we''ll be on the east side, over the bridge.

I've never, ever used an axe to murder anyone. Not sure about the lawyer-fellow though - he might have a hatchet in his steamer trunk. Lord knows he has everything else in there.

The parking is more than ample - we''ll be on the east side, over the bridge.

I've never, ever used an axe to murder anyone. Not sure about the lawyer-fellow though - he might have a hatchet in his steamer trunk. Lord knows he has everything else in there.

Yeah I might . . . and I might not. You'll just have to take your chances, now won't you?

[..] You'll just have to take your chances, now won't you?

Scattante (and Mrs.) - you're actually quite safe. The BF axe murderer contingent are doing their ride on Sunday, this week.

Scattante (and Mrs.) - you're actually quite safe. The BF axe murderer contingent are doing their ride on Sunday, this week.

:roflmao2::roflmao2::roflmao2:

BTW - I should mention....... Rain cancels. :)

I'm going to try to make this one! Trying to decide whether to drive over or to stop somewhere and get on Bart instead.

The parking is more than ample - we''ll be on the east side, over the bridge.

I don't want to miss you guys but I'm confused. From the mapmyride map it looks like the start is in the large parking lot on the south-west side of the bridge over camino pablo. But we're meeting in the other smaller parking lot across that bridge, right?

I don't want to miss you guys but I'm confused. From the mapmyride map it looks like the start is in the large parking lot on the south-west side of the bridge over camino pablo. But we're meeting in the other smaller parking lot across that bridge, right?

You are correct. You see, unlike you, bigbossman doesn't bother with trivial things like route maps or instructions, :innocent: so he announced that we would meet in the parking lot on the east (or, more correctly, the northeast) side of the bridge. (In truth, that's where he and I meet when we meet at Orinda BART, so I'm guessing he was just operating on force of habit - and truth be told, I didn't give it much thought when I drew up the map.)

For the directionally-challenged among you, that means in the parking lot on the other side of the main road from the actual BART station entrance.

And yes, this is another fine "B&B Cat Herders, Inc." production.