Northern California - Pics of Henry' Marin ride

I don't have any, but I was hoping that others could post them here (with names and nicknames).

Thanks to Beaker, here's a video clip from a group ride that was on the same stretch of road that we were on. Specifically, it's the stretch into Nicasio from the golf course. The church where we stopped shows up at the end. What's cool about it is that you really get a sense of pack riding going real fast and he has superimposed his power, speed, and HR data on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGdyp6Is_6s

Cliff

Sorry - we all agreed to never share our pictures with those who weren't there.

I thought the pics idea was to make them jealous.

To tell you the truth, I was working so hard to keep all these spider monkeys in view that I didn't have time to take too many pictures. All I have are 4, and 3 were taken on the fly.

Some random barn:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2010%20rides/Pt%20Reyes%20loop/barn.jpg

Curtis (cccorlew) and I chat for a bit:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2010%20rides/Pt%20Reyes%20loop/curtis.jpg


A pic of most of the group - you'll have to id yourselves:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2010%20rides/Pt%20Reyes%20loop/group.jpg

Always chasing....:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2010%20rides/Pt%20Reyes%20loop/road.jpg

How long did the ride last?

I didn't take many pictures either, between downtube shifters requiring every ounce of dexterity I had (hey, I only stuck my fingers into the spokes once!), and one photo-op almost becoming a crash. But I got a few.

First order of the day was finding one of the approximately 50 bike shops along the route so that Henry could buy moar wattz.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/x136/rides/DST-Peteless/IMG_2095.jpg

As usual, this left John speechless.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/x136/rides/DST-Peteless/IMG_2097.jpg

Time passes unphotographed. Eventually the group stops at a famous landmark to catch a breath and grab a bite.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/x136/rides/DST-Peteless/IMG_2100.jpg

The new vintage aluminum wunderbike performs wonderfully on its inaugural ride. No wonder I felt so wiped (more so than usual that is) during climbs... low gear is 42x27!
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/x136/rides/DST-Peteless/IMG_2108.jpg

It was a perfect day for a ride, even after the heavy rains the day before. Sunny, not much wind, and warm enough.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/x136/rides/DST-Peteless/IMG_2110.jpg

A detour along the Cross Marin Trail was like travelling through a rainforest.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/x136/rides/DST-Peteless/IMG_2114.jpg

Except a few miles down the road, the pavement turned into dirt, which had been turned to mud by the rain. All our meticulously detailed bikes were turned into muddy messes. Well, except for that one dork with the fenders... :P

All in all, and despite me tacking on a dozen miles at the end getting completely lost, it was a great ride with some amazing scenery.

Sorry you couldn't make it, Pete. We missed you there. John was weeping openly in Point Reyes.

I didn't have my best day shooting on the bike, but I liked these.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YObKuX2krqA/S51waYEwH-I/AAAAAAAAAik/918TLlt3eKQ/s640/blast%20again.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YObKuX2krqA/S51wbX4aTyI/AAAAAAAAAio/lPw6MfuG4po/s512/bridge.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YObKuX2krqA/S51wdH4owiI/AAAAAAAAAi0/nA2u8g3qYNo/s800/bridge%20crossing.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YObKuX2krqA/S51wcGTz_JI/AAAAAAAAAis/rBsLjnfvhbE/s640/blast%20on%20gg%20bridge.jpg

This ride to celebrate Pete's comeback was conspicuously missing one thing, PETE!
He had tweeted about being busy with his new job and not having ridden his bike much.

I woke a to a glorious morning, clear and bright and I was well rested not having been
on the the bike much the last two weeks myself. Up, ready, and out the door by 7:00am gave me plenty of time to get coffee, get on the road, and be at Sports Basement right at 8:00am.

We gathered and headed out at 9:00, 15-minutes late in true BF fashion. Five of us started from Sports Basement, me, Ahmose(Bassem), ccorlew(Curtis), Frank(pohlf), and Roy (friend of mine).

The bridge was slightly windy as usual but once across the bridge, the temperature and wind were quite pleasant. So, we cross the bridge, rode through Sausalito, and met up with Todman007(Todd), x136(Alex), RoboCheme(Cliff), JP (Frank's friend) and the effervescent BigBossMan(John). When I first saw Todd, I thought he was Pete; they have similar facial hair.
Awesome, now we're rolling 10 deep.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4431241332_7a88f3b240_b.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4431241332_dc22f1a80f_o.jpg)
Curtis (ccorlew), Cliff (RoboCheme), Roy, Bassem (Ahmose), and Frank (pohlf) at Mikes Bikes.
Click Photos for LARGE version.

Off we go down the trail heading toward Camino Alto, the first small climb.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2753/4431240980_33a27d7d2d_b.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2753/4431240980_c99c223456_o.jpg)
Cliff and Todd leading the way to Camino Alto

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2781/4430471913_2e7c37e619_b.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2781/4430471913_b862eae85e_o.jpg)
Bassem, John, and Curtis. He's so happy it's a beautiful day.

Once on Camino Alto we got yelled at, through a loudspeaker, by police to ride in single file.
As you can see, we listened.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4431240022_f12ba2e663_b.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4431240022_70ab95a732_o.jpg)
Curtis pacing the group up Camino Alto.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4430471071_4c22a83eac_b.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4430471071_1806d16209_o.jpg)
Curtis, strong and fast.

Up and over Camino Alto and through the little townships of Ross, San Anselmo, and Fairfax we go. Somewhere along the way, I noticed my front tire going soft just as we roll up to bike shop. A quick tube change and we're back on the road. Then we hit the White's Hill climb and the group splinters. Most everyone regroups on the downhill for a fast straight run to the Nicasio Valley Road turn off. We're missing John, Frank and JP so I go back to make sure they're OK. I find them sans JP who had turned around; he needed to be somewhere in the early afternoon.

We continue on to Nicasio and enjoy a snack in front of the little Church there. Notice Alex is riding a vintage Vitus with downtube shifters; old school and retro, props!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4430470617_60864fe507_b.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4430470617_b6ecd5e3b2_o.jpg)
Roy, Todd, Bassem, Cliff, and Alex enjoying some warm sun in Nicasio.

Nine of us make our way to Pt. Reyes where it was jam packed with cyclists, motorcyclists, and drivers. We park our bikes along a wall and get ready to hit the market and bakery when we hear "CRASH". Some tool had knocked over his, Curtis', and Todd's bikes and broke Curtis' water bottle cage in doing so. He offered nothing but an insincere "sorry". (I think he enjoyed a nice double flat later that day.)

Todd and Bassem had some delicious Morning Buns and John had a nice looking piece of pizza and a delicious looking root beer. I, of course, forgot my money and ID baggy in my gear bag so no bun for me. As usual, Pt. Reyes was great albeit slightly wind chilled.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4431238746_40d8bf97c5_b.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4431238746_b0854b1769_o.jpg)
John, Alex, and Frank enjoying some of Pt. Reyes atmosphere.

After Pt. Reyes we decided to modify the route and follow BigBossMan along a flatter route back. It was along the bike path going through Samuel P. Taylor park which was really nice the last time that Pete led us through there. The bike path brought us through some really nice idyllic green forests. To avoid more of the busy rutted Sir Francis Drake roadway, instead of exiting the park, we continued on what seemed to be more bike path. Well a bike path it was, but not the nice smooth path we had just taken, but more wet, clay-like dirt. Now I was glad I left the fenders on my bike.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4431238358_bef7a2fd78_b.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4431238358_b0de73aef7_o.jpg)
Almost a mixed-terrain ride.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2686/4431238040_1311ec4fd8_b.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2686/4431238040_fc01e7a99c_o.jpg)
BigBossMan, "we did avoid more of the rutted busy road didn't we?".

The section of Sir Francis Drake between exiting the bike path and Lagunitas was short but harrowing. The group split up a bit but we regrouped near the intersection of Nicasio Valley Road and Sir Francis Drake. The next section of road was straight and had a good shoulder so Roy and I just chatted at the front spinning an easy 14mph into the wind. It wasn't until up and over White's Hill that we found out Frank and John stopped to pop some pills (Endurolytes I assume). Some of the group had to make it back (Happy Birthday to RoboCheme's wife) before dark so we chugged on knowing Frank had a cue sheet.

It was great season opener ride, not too hilly, great scenery, and great people to ride with.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4431237832_2afb1561bb_b.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4431237832_d8c833a869_o.jpg)
Late afternoon San Francisco Skyline from Sausalito.

End Notes:
We have some great strong riders on BF.
Great to meet new BFers, new for me, Bassem and Todd.
Awesome to see familiar faces too.
You did great Frank, remember to fuel and hydrate.
Pete, you need to get out; it was beautiful out there!

The ride sounds like a winner.

Inquiring minds would still like to know the approximate time on the road, because they want to know how close they are to being able to do a ride like this.

This ride was very slow. And I'm a slow guy.
We were out for 7:56. That's right, almost 8 hours.
I was on the bike for 5:29 at a pretty easy 13.5 mph average pace. That translates to 2.5 hours of not riding. Most rides have nowhere this amount of not moving time, even when there's a lunch stop.
Our not-moving time counts lunch, stop lights and regroups.

Alex just looks odd. What happened to his hair? Did it fall off from the climbing?

ccc, thank you. Inquiring minds need to up their doable riding time by almost two hours;-)

We couldn't have asked for nicer weather and company.
The ride was a lot of fun inspite of that little muddy trail that BigBossMan lead us onto :)
(which reminds me that i need to clean my bike)
Here are some more pics:
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Some small mechanical issue that Henry ran through during the ride. The shop owner was nice enough to let us use the facilities.
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Frank enjoying a banana
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We made a quick stop in Nicasio which as Curtis pointed out was featured in "The birds" by Hitchcock.
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Todd and Cliff enjoying the great weather at Nicasio
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This is the bovine bakery that we stopped at for lunch.
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As you can see, the selection was awesome.
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The Lunch was delicious.
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This was right before that infamous muddy trail.
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Roy and Henry right after that tough last hill
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Another random Golden Gate picture.
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Henry's last sprint of the day
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Curtis and Roy right before Sports Basement

Bummed I had to miss this ride! Looks like a great trip:thumb:

Thanks for the chance to come along on this ride, I really enjoyed my first BF ride and meeting everyone.
Will see some of you at Party Pardee and the Diablo century.
-roy

Forgot to mention that i stopped by the "First Korean Market" on Geary for some of the bay area's best Kimchi before heading back home.
http://blogs.sfweekly.com/foodie/2009/02/first_korean_markets_killer_ki.php

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Thought I'd chime in, if only so the gang knows I made it home(!). The weather, roads, scenery and my co-riders all were first-rate ('cept the muddy bits). My stamina needs a vitamin injection, though (good reminders, Henry).

Thanks to the group for sacrificing any decent timing/rate-of-speed numbers on my behalf. The ferry from Larkspur (as opposed to my legs) took me back to SF, which worked out just fine.

Henry - much thanks for all your efforts and hosting the day.

BBM - thanks again for sharing most of my miles!

See you all again - with a bit more preparation on my part, hopefully.

Frank, it's early in the season. You did great sticking it out as long as you did. I'm glad you caught the ferry and made it back safely. BBM let me know he dropped you by the ferry. Keep riding consistently, even shorter rides more frequently, and you notice dramatic stamina improvements quickly. It was good to see you again.

Alex just looks odd.Well duh.


What happened to his hair? Did it fall off from the climbing?More aerodynamic this way. Makes up for the non-aero brake levers and downtube shifters.


The ride was a lot of fun inspite of that little muddy trail that BigBossMan lead us onto :)Even though we were all a hair's breadth from death the entire time, I thought the impromptu cyclocrossing was a lot of fun.


This is the bovine bakery that we stopped at for lunch. The chocolate croissant was so good.


Thanks to the group for sacrificing any decent timing/rate-of-speed numbers on my behalf.Hey, no worries, it was to be a slower-paced ride anyway. Glad you found your way back, and I hope you had a good time despite your lack of energy.

Keep riding consistently, even shorter rides more frequently, and you notice dramatic stamina improvements quickly.Agreed. I figured I'd be toast in ten miles, but I guess my one mile bike commute four times a day helps more than I would have thought.

Thanks for the invite Henry and sorry I couldn't make it out for the ride. I really appreciate you guys. I was kind of embarrassed about not having my bike together too, it's been hanging in pieces for some time and I had been planning on selling it, but this past weekend I actually put it together while you guys were out doing your ride with out me. I figured if you had gone to all that trouble to have a ride for me I owed it to you and myself to at least get on the bike again.

I went out yesterday with a nice clean road bike (short ride) and had a great time. I actually was able today to get out for another. My big goal for this year is to get out for a ride with you guys. Things are actually starting to look better than they were a year ago, so I'm just getting the first flickers of inspiration again.

I'm really glad you all had a good time and thanks for posting the pictures. See you soon.

Even though we were all a hair's breadth from death the entire time, I thought the impromptu cyclocrossing was a lot of fun.


Hey - I merely suggested it.... someone else said "let's try it". Plus - as dicey as it was, I probably saved some lives that day by keeping everyone off that insanely bad blacktop on Sir Francis Drake. You guys owe me..... yeah - you heard right - you OWE me.

It took me a couple of hours to clean the bike enough to not be embarrassed to be seen on it at the coffee shop today.

damn, that looks awesome! The hills are soooo green. I wish I could have made it out, but was up in the mountains celebrating my birthday.