kb5ql

Just finished uploading. I'm beat from the return leg with the annoying headwinds. I guess Fall has officially started. It was nipply out there. Hopefully more analysis later, but here are some pics:

PROFILE:

bigbossman 

Wind? I didn't see any wind.

Dang - all the way down from The Pinnacles to the finish, howling headwinds. At least 35 miles of unrelenting, howling headwinds. Ugh.

At least you had someone to trade pulls with - I was out there all by myself, and had to grab wheels as they came by. At one point I hitched up with a couple that were struggling, and and we leapfrogged the pulls to help each other out. That lasted for about 10 miles, until the final rest stop.

I was over 1 mph slower than you, with an average of 13.3 mph for the ride.

Did I mention the wind?

It was cold at the start, at about 44 degrees. It warmed up after that, but then the chill winds kicked up and the jacket went back on.

Overall, it wasn't too bad for a ride for a "1st Annual" ride. The jerseys were cool looking, but you had to order one - you couldn't take one home. They told me 6 weeks for delivery. The pre-ride bike inspection was pretty goofy, and I had some clueless fellow eyeballing my bike and asking stupid questions. The rest stops were plentiful and well staffed with friendly folks, but the selection of snacks was a bit wanting. Good SAG support, and the routes were well marked. The after-ride food was decent, if a bit overcooked.

All-in-all - a good way to spend a Saturday, and another late season ride under the belt. The metric century worked out to 74 miles all told.

Now, who's doing the Riverbank tomorrow?

kb5ql

Oh man, those winds were annoying. Andrea and I were trading some pulls, then we latched on to a group of about 5. After about 2 miles of sucking wheel, I thought, why don't I take a pull since nobody else volunteered. I continue to pull .... and pull ... and pull. Then I get gassed about 2 miles before the last rest stop, and the group proceeded to pass me and say, "Thanks!"

Thanks for taking a turn up front. I was about to latch on again, but Andrea was starting to fade at this point. Either way, you're right. That train really helped us get to the last stop and finish the ride.

bigbossman 

A few pics:

taxi777

The winds there suck big time! I still would like to do that century next year maybe...Maybe with a group...safety from the wind in numbers!
Great picts!
Bossman...your really pumpin up the end of the year totals for yourself. If it's windy next week I'll know who to hide behind!

taxi777

By the way we were on high spider alert on Tam today...I even wore my Spidy shirt to draw them out...No deal...I think "Diablo Scott" has them all corralled up there in Diablo!

bigbossman 

If you're planning on hiding behind me, you'll have to make peace with going slow.

This time of year, you have to grab them when you can. I had foolish hopes of doing the Riverbank metric today, and even went to bed at 9pm. Still didn't make reveille.

Good thing, too, as the "guads" are a little lethatrgic today. Besides, it's WINDY out right now - don't think I could've put up with a double-dose of that.

ahpook

Nice pics John and Miguel. I am jealous of the scenery and also the nerd-porn statistics output from your Garmin.

Miguel what are you doing on a full size bike?! Won't they like...kick you out of the club?

kb5ql

Andrea made me. She gave me that look when I said I was thinking about taking the folder. I should ride it more. It was probably just as well as the "bike inspectors" would have probably rejected it.

paxtonm

Hey, thanks for all the feedback everyone. I was ride co-chair. Any specific suggestions about what you'd like to see in the way of food would be helpful. About those winds: highly unusual. I was out this morning: still. Typically, we get moderate to strong northwesterlies late in the afternoon. The winds on the Condor day don't seem to come up more than 2 to three times a year. Just lucky I guess.

Oh, and the bike check-in: it was an insurance thing. The three guys (I was one of them) are: the owner of an LBS who worked in product development for Specialized, a full-time bike mechanic and me. I've been wrenching bikes since the 70s, and I've built quite a few. Might've seemed clueless but we found quite a few bikes with stems loose enough to rotate on the steerer pretty easily, dicey tires, wheels and brakes that wouldn't stop a bike.

Lots of the riders -- particularly on the shorter rides -- are new to this stuff. Sorry for any inconvenience to competent riders. Now, how about those food suggestions?

We are planning on doing the rides again next year, and are modifying routes to minimize headwind misery. Specific suggestions are most welcomed.