Red Rider

Sadly, Scott, that wasn't us, either. Although it sounds like I'm missing some fun group rides.

My schedule was jam-packed this weekend, and my captain is traveling for business, so I took my rides early, short & fast. I hope to ride with the group (any group!) next weekend.

The season's early, so take your time & heal -- and come to next Monday's club meeting. The more, the merrier!

scottmorrison99

I think I might actually make it to a meeting this time. As for healing, It takes whatever time it takes.

wmelton

Here's some additional information of the state of the bike trail ...

https://www.sacbee.com/101/story/141421.html

CampyGuy

This Wykoff sounds intriguing. Were is it?

Swampy1970

I've not been on a group ride in years..... back in t' days of the olde Lancashire Road Club (when I were a lad and livin' back in England....) I bring "the twins" with me on the training rides - Pain and Suffering.

JonRags

Like dauphin said, look towards Auburn. I grew up and used to race in the area. The American River canyon in out of Auburn has some good climbs. A loop I used to love went from Auburn through the canyon towards Pilot Hill, then Rattlesnake (I think) around to Folsom Lake and then back up Auburn Folsom Rd.

Rushfan

Northwest Vacaville. From Pleasants Valley Road heading south, go past Vaca Valley Road. First left is Foothill. Wind east, first right goes up Wykoff. Goes over the hill and comes out on Buck just west of Alamo Drive. Short but very steep. Not something you'd want to ride a fixie on.

Red Rider

LOL on the twins.

We rode half of our 30 miler today against a wicked headwind. The twins were there, to be sure. We told each other how much stronger it was making us. Still, bleah.

Red Rider

You can access Wykoff from Buck Ave. or Foothill. Either way you'll be breathing hard at the top. Enjoy!

Swampy1970

They kept me good company yesterday.... Went up Mix twice - not all the way up, just to the "two houses" at the 3.5 mile marker. I think trans-continental coaching loses something in the mix somewhere as he said "I need to develop more 'force'" and my legs just scream "no fecking way' - I've just basically been doing aerobic training on the bike the past 12 months - So 39x23 it was, with the "wimp gear" (as he calls it) of 39x25 for that last 1/2 mile section.

I think he forgets that I'm no longer 145lbs and not able to get under the hour for a 25 right now. LOL

Sore does not accurately describe the way I feel today - especially after working on the car for 2 hours afterwards too... but I think it's sore in a good way.

That tail wind up Cantelow from Pleasants Valley was nice - just call me Robert Millar or Luis Herrera.

If it wasn't for that last mile of Mix Canyon, after the Two Houses and that rather spectacular view from the hairpin bend 1/2 mile further up, I'd take my granny ring off (I have a TA Alize chainset that can be either a double or triple) and just leave it at 54/39. One of these days I'll upgrade the "retro rings" and get a big ring with the 9/10 speed "pins" on it - as the shifting from the 39 to 53 with a 10 speed chain is beyond bad.

scottmorrison99

Show up at the clocktower in Vacaville on Saturday at 9AM for the Monticello group ride, and look for a guy on a yellow Felt named Dave. He loves to climb as much as you do. Dave will take on any climb.

Swampy1970

I'll take on any climb... but unfortunately for now at least, the climb itself has the last laugh.......

CampyGuy

Thanks for letting me know where Wykoff is, but it sounds rough. I think I'll tackle Mix canyon first.

Red Rider

Wykoff is actually easier than Mix -- shorter, at least, and less steep than the top of Mix.

Have fun!

Rushfan

Wykoff is shorter than Cantelow (maybe half the elevation gain?), but probably steeper, except for the corner near the top on the west side. Mix is definitely more difficult.

CampyGuy

Really! But it is a bit out of the way for me. How urban is it? It seems really close to Vacaville, unlike Cantelow and Mix that are more rural rides.

Red Rider

It's in northwestern Vacaville. When you drop down onto Foothill & turn left you'll end up on Pleasant's Valley Rd. It's pretty close to rural VV.

I rode Cantelow from the East to West today and saw nothing but animals & hills from Steiger to P.V. I love having that road to myself. Just gorgeous.

Rushfan

One time going east on Cantelow on the PV side, I had to stop because of a flock of wild turkeys. Hate those damn birds...

And Wykoff is in Vacaville city limits, on the western edge of town. Bunch of larger estates as you go up the hill.

CampyGuy

Just checked Google maps, and there's a lot more houses than on Cantelow.
Man, that is short, looks like just over a mile. Which side is steeper the Foothill side or the Buck side?

Rushfan

Not really sure. Why not try both ways and let us know?

CampyGuy

Sounds like a plan. But probably won't ride it till next week or the week after.

Swampy1970

Campyguy,

If you're coming from Davis, come down Pleasants Valley Rd towards Vacaville, hang a right and go up Mix - but keep an eye on those mile markers.... upto the 2.7 mile point it aint too bad *cough* but it gets worse. Once you hit 3.1 miles then you're on the real deal for the following ~2 miles. I know there are parts that are steeper than 20% up there - but it feels like a constant grade. The top of the climb is open, so mornings are best unless you like making like a BBQ'd hotdog on wheels....

Apparently, going past the gate at the top is a no-no. The dusty trail to the right takes you to the otherside of the ridge. Go along it for about 1/2 mile and you'll be treated to spectacular views across Napa towards the Bay... Everytime I've been up there it's been to foggy in the distance to see the Golden Gate bridge towers though.... One day maybe.

Careful on the descent.... if you puncture, give the rims 5 minutes to cool off otherwise you'll burn your fingers. LOL

Cantelow from Pleasants Valley will be a piece of cake after Mix... Never been up Wykoff though.

CampyGuy

Ooh! Sounds fun.
The only thing that gets me up a hill is knowing that eventually I'll get to go downhill. What do you mean by going past the gate? From google maps it looks like the road continues for miles and hits Blue Ridge rd.

scottmorrison99

Past the gate is private property, and very close to a private gun range. I've been up there with the Sheriff's Dept, and the owners have had problems with trespassers. You will not be welcome and will be prosecuted by the property owners up there. Just ride up, have a look, and head down. If you make it to the top you have my respect.

Rushfan

Anyone wanting companionship attempt Mix, here's something posted on the Davis Bike Club listserv:

From: Sangho Byun <sanghobyun at yahoo dot com>

For those of you not riding in the Chico Wildflower, I will be leading an
unofficial assault on Mix Canyon on Sunday morning, April 22. The meeting place
is at Steady Eddy's in Winters, 8:30am. From Winters we'll ride at a leisurely
P3 along Pleasant Valley Rd, arriving at the bottom of Mix Canyon ~9:30. Then
everyone can ride at their own pace to the top of Mix (the 4.7 mile climb will
probably take 45-70 minutes, and the descent takes about 20 minutes). We should
be back to Steady Eddy's by noon.

I'll send out a reminder in a couple of weeks, but I thought some of you might
want some advance notice This will be my second time riding Mix, and another
rider's first time, so this is a great opportunity for you to attempt this
famous local ride.

Cheers,
Sang