Tandem Cycling - Did I have a USPSPRO sighting today?

I was coming down Mt. Diablo (on my single) and I was on Oak Grove headed out to Morgan Territory Rd. in Walnut Creek CA. I across the street headed towards North Gate Road was a group of riders. Tucked right in the middle was a white Calfee Tandem. Was that you Marco?

Yep that was us. We did a reverse Morgan Territory + Diablo loop.

Started around Danville, out to Morgan Territory, UP "The Plunge", down the front side, over to North Gate Rd, down South Gate Rd, and back to Danville.

Going up the Plunge was not as bad as we thought. FYI to the non-locals: This thing is called the Plunge, because it is usually descended, and has some crazy sections where the road just drops out from under you (think roller coaster, when you put your hands in the air). We have descended it many times, but never climbed it until yesterday.

Descending the front side of Morgan Territory sucked, will probably skip that in the future, and just go back down The Plunge and head out to Patterson Pass or something.

It was a tough day for us. After Everest Challenge, and all the doubles we did, puls the chainring skipping and all, we were only on the bike for less than 100 miles for the entire month of October! This was our second serious ride back in the saddle.

I decided we should put the hammer down as much as possible in the beginning, and see how far we last, as a way of measuring our current state of fitness. Our strong group of riders pulled ahead as expected on the steep sections of The Plunge. However, around 1/2 way up the climb I noticed we weren't too far back and told Ruthie we could catch some. We put in a hard effort, I was around 95%+ of max HR for nearly 10 mins, and we pulled some in right before the summit. :) We also pulled hard on rollers, and flats. We paid effort later, on North Gate, and were going very slow.

I did the same loop but opposite and I only went to the ranger station on Diablo, so I wimped out on the Diablo summit. I usually summit but yesterday I had to be back by 4 pm and I got a late start. Still, I gained 5600' in 69 miles so I'm happy. I like ascending the plunge side and you're totally right about the Marsh Creek side of Morgan. Horrible conditions but as you know (I think), it used to be ten times as bad.

Pics from said ride. It was beautiful out there, now that it isn't 95-100 degrees :)

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/Cycling/MT-Diablo-CCW/IMG1185/706224808_LwpWf-L.jpg

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/Cycling/MT-Diablo-CCW/IMG1186/706224819_H9fh2-L.jpg

We transport the Calfee inside the Civic with both wheels removed. Here's us getting it ready to go.

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/Cycling/MT-Diablo-CCW/IMG1177/706232137_seHMS-L.jpg

Leaving the starting point

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/Cycling/MT-Diablo-CCW/IMG1179/706224664_vZF3S-L.jpg

Nice pictures! Very impressive views of the rolling landscape, Calfee tandem, captain and stoker! :thumb:

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