Right in my backyard! Way to do Strava, BTW. How did you place? And was it fun?

I'm so boring -- did the shop ride, did much pulling, found a sprint, finished the last 11 miles solo and had a blast.

I'm ready to ride some new (to me) roads, however...can't get a Strava score unless I'm on the tandem these days. *cue sarcasm*

Yes, it was a blast. All kinds of hard on a SS, but it didn't hold me back. My terrible CX skills did, though. I crashed at the barriers, tweaked my saddle and rear brake and probably lost 4 minutes in the pit. Still managed to finish with the lead lap and finish 7th, so I was really, really pleased.

Glad you made it safely! Downhill blowouts are scary.

Rode Sunday with the intention of doing 3 steep short climbs. Martino rd in Lafayette, Castle Crest rd. in Walnut Creek, then Higland in Danville.Done them all before individually...and they suck. Never strung them together. I now know why, prolonged climbing over 15% is so tough! Barely made it up Martino, same for Castle Crest, bailed on Highland.
http://app.strava.com/rides/22951597

It is a fitting thing that a monastery is on top of Highland. When I get to the top it I feel like dropping to my knees to say a prayer of thanks.

Good work you magnificent crazy bastard.

I did unspeakable things on a cheap cyclocross bike on Saturday. Sunnyvale to Half Moon Bay via Kings Mtn Rd and the Purisima Creek Trail.

Just the thing to get ready for the Levi's GranFondo.

85 miles 4500 climbing at a hard, "let's get this done" pace with Midland
His route from Concord, over Benicia Bridge, up through wind alley towards Fairfield, back homeward on Lake Herman Rd and Crockett Bridge.
McKewan Rd and Reliez Valley Rd. climbs worked into the last homeward 3rd just for good measure.
http://app.strava.com/rides/23525992

Hills make you strong, headwinds make you mean.
What do hills with headwinds make you? Am I becoming Lance Meanstrong?
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...g?t=1349023653
Nah, I like being a nice guy.

Bitter.

Another Sunday, another shop ride. And another chance to have fun on 2 wheels.

Yesterday I noodled in the hills. That was hot fun.

Had a fun ride today! We rode a flat/rolling loop out toward Lincoln and then to Newcastle. I was feeling really strong for a change. Unfortunately the crash a few miles from the bike shop on the way back took the wind out of my sails. Thankfully, I'm fine but for some road rash and stiff neck. Helmet did it's job and has been replaced. Bike is fine too, though the front wheel needs a little bit of truing.

http://app.strava.com/rides/23634313

Been off the bike since last Sunday. First just didn't feel like riding then got cold.

Did the Levi's GranFondo Medio route with Willow Creek Road for some dirt action (57.7mi), plus 9.4 miles from the rental house in Sebastopol to the start. Very nice, I could live in a place like that.

I suffered my way through Levi's Medio. Ugh, that was my longest ride in 2 years and I suffered through every inch of it. Time to get back into the cycling swing of things!

The ride I took to practice had over double the climbing and a worse off-road stretch (see the Sunnyvale to HMB thread). So the Medio via Willow Creek was a piece of cake for me.

Did a Sunday ride with bigbossman. I rode from Walnut Creek BART to Chez Bossman, and from there we did a bit over 30 miles together in Dublin and San Ramon - some in town, some out in the countryside, mostly flat, some climbing. Lunch featured prominently, as is usually the case with us.:thumb:

BBM is finally getting back on the bike after several months of shoulder/neck problems that made riding more or less impossible. He isn't 100% yet, but as he said: "I'm not dead yet!"

Crashes suck. Glad you're okay, Joel.

Thanks. I'm doing better this morning. Got out for a little 28mi spin with my bride.

Excellent.

That is one long, flat ride!

That's so bogus, Scott. It's obvious that you climbed at least 20ft.

... wait a sec. How is the weather in Sao Tome and Principe today? But that isn't the right distance at all. Oakland to Sao Tome is only about 8600mi or so (via Miami so it is closer to the straight line in Strava): http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=OAK-MIA-TMS

Weird. And that climbing figure has to be wrong, too. You'd have to at least cross the Sierras and Rockies... :P ;)

Apparently, I started in Walnut Creek, rode to Sao Tome, back to Walnut Creek, and then back to Sao Tome for the finish where it's tomorrow afternoon already and I need a nap.

but... but... but... the climbing figure is all wrong!