Pete,
Thanks for putting this ride together. Loved the route. It's always good to venture into areas that I've never been to before. Ok, here's my ride report.

As always, I'm rushing at the last minute to get everything together, and as a result, I needed to high tail it to the Millbrae Bart Station. I was getting all worried for nothing ... got there in plenty of time.

Didn't find anybody to meet up with to ride over, so I rode over GG bridge, and onto Sausalito on my own. Still, I could tell it would be an excellent day, as I could see the sun popping out, and there was not too much fog to speak of.

There was about 7 of us to start off with at Mike's Bikes in Sausalito. As anticipated, I was the last one up the hill, but at least I was able to catch up with everyone on the downhill descent (probably my heavy weight is helping me catch up on the descents).

We had one flat, or blowout. SesameCrunch had it, and noticed some odd sounds coming from the rear. The tire had a bulge, then suddenly a loud pop. Damn. Strange thing is they couldn't find the puncture in the tube.

Met up with Princess Zippy, Thom, Jobob, and Kim in Fairfax. Onwards we go.

This was the first time I've been towards Nicasio ... I liked it a lot. Very pretty area, and we were greeted to a nice climb. We had lunch in Bolinas ... cute little area.

After lunch, Jobob and Kim decided to break off back to Fairfax. She didn't want to hold the group back, but in reality, we were only waiting at most 5 minutes. But I respect her decision.

On to rollies down hwy 1 before heading up Mt. Tam. I hope everyone didn't wait too long for me ... as I was the last one to the top. When we reached Ridgecrest, Princess Zippy and Thom went back to Fairfax, while the rest of us continued on Ridgecrest. Fantastic views on Ridgecrest.

Then, down the hill we went. This is definitely my favorite part of the ride. Nice smooth pavement ... the only drawback was traffic was a bit heavy by the time we went down.

Came back, over GG bridge, then back to Bart by around 5:00 PM. Was just turning dark, but didn't have to use my lights at all.

Stats:
Distance: 86.57 miles (including the ride from Bart Station at Embarcadero, to Mike's Bikes in Sausalito)
Elevation Gain: 6508 feet
Average Speed: 12.8 mph

Some Pics:

Bart:


I was bored waiting for Bart to take off


Obligatory beginning of ride shot




Taxi777, looking good


Thom


SesameCrunch




PrincessZippy


Kim and Jobob

Couple of strong women riders joined us after the lunch. All smiles after some java.


Just had to take a shot of these happy dogs


Pete, holding up the NorCal flag, representing


Rest stop waiting for me at Ridgecrest






Climbing Ridgecrest


Showing proof we made it to Rock Spring

I’m late getting this report on here. Cathy had a big plate of garlic pasta and short bread cookies for me when I got home and I waffed it down and crashed for awhile. You doggies wored me out today. A most excellent adventure today. I finally got to meet Thom, Kim, Veronica (PrincessZippy) with her coach. We had the pleasure of two really nice young ladies that we met along the way joining up with us, Fauna and Jenna. They were a couple of Cal graduates who were out for a jaunt. I saw they were very capable cyclists and easy on the eyes so we said come on along! We started right on time. It was great to see Tim who I had met the week before had decided come for this weeks ride. George arrived from the east bay so I knew the pace lines would be pretty quick, John arrived, I missed him on last weekends ride, Scarry on his recumbent arrived complete with a set of speakers mounted on his handle bars. That was one mean looking bike! He had a bunch of Greatful Dead Stickum bears lined up in a row down one of the tubes. I laughed and said Is that how many joggers you’ve takin out? As I said that the Jogger who was stretching out next to him stopped and gave me a stern look….oops! Going over Corte Madera I saw a NorCal bike outfit but didn’t recognize the rider. He said his handle was Pelican, but He wasn’t riding with us. He was just out for a ride. So I said I’d throw him a hey on the forum tonight. We needed to make time and get to Fairfax to meet Zippy and Jobob so we tried to blaze through Corte Madera. We ran into some Team Alameda riders in San Anselmo and they will invite us on one of the rides sometime. Looking forward to that. I had the idea to take my super fast short cut through San Anselmo so we split from team Alameda who went the regular route. We met them again as my super fast shortcut came back on to the route where they happened to just passing by at the same time? Oh well. It was scenic. Just before reaching Fairfax Alan had a blowout so he stayed behind and we went out to meet the rest of the gang. We chewed the fat for a bit, Alan showed up and we were off. Lots of bikes in pace line pursuit screaming down the first climb as we were ascending. Regroup at the turnoff for Nicasio and a chance for Veronica to peel off the first 16 layers of clothing she was wearing. This was to happen more and more as the temperature increased. We had a great pace line going through Nicasio. Everyone worked together really well. Every once and awhile Zippy’s coach would tell her to attack and she would peel off screaming this is why I hate riding with my coach!! And jam on by! Pt Reyes Station was abuzz with cyclists. I felt like a honeybee that had just arrived back at the nest. We hung out in front of the Bovine Bakery with sandwiches and I had a chance to talk with Jobob, John, Alan, and a chance to learn a little more of our new found friends Fauna and Jenna. Nice kids. We left there and looked for restrooms. I led everyone astray to where they used to be. Jenna led us back to where they actually were…I’m getting senile. Another insane pace line down highway 1 and a exciting dive down into Bolinas. We regrouped and started up the west side of Tam. Of course Tim took off like a bottle rocket followed by Jenna and Fauna. I hung with John, Ron, Alan and paced for awhile. After awhile I moved up with the girls and we shared some nice conversation about music and bikes. We regrouped at the turnoff for Veronica and Coach. They headed back to Fairfax and we did ridgecrest. I rode with Ron and John and got some great shots of the ocean. Ron and I had some good conversation. Looking forward to the great rides, club rides and centurys coming up. We tore it up going down the front side of Tam. Really sweet smooth descent. We rode back and bid out farewells. It was sad for it to end. I had a great time with some great people and the rides just keep getting better and better. Thanks everyone for a great day and some nice memories, see you again very soon. ‘
Pete




Ron and Alan

Jenna looking electric


The group glowing after the climb



Fauna

Pete,
Thanks again for organizing this ride. Thanks to you and Ron for the reports, well done.
I agree with Ron on the Nicasio part of the ride, very nice. It was also my first time up there.
Regarding the paceline between Nicasio and Point Reyes Station... thanks guys, I now know why this was one of the most difficult part for me. Leaving Nicasio I stayed way back of the pack, I catched up at the lake but kept it easy and let you go 100 yards ahead. After it was too late, I tried to come back but the headwind was not friendly and the nice working paceline you had prevented me from connecting before Point Reyes Station. I will know next time.
My favorite was Ridgecrest, this has to be one of the nicest place on earth to ride, the views are breathtaking.
My stats from Mike's and back are 62 miles and 4800' of climbing, not a bad day to recover from the Holidays festivities.

Hey taxi777, thanks for falling back and chatting me up. You all had quite a group going up Camino Alto. I was leading (from the back) a base miles ride with my cycling club, which are typically lonely miles for me. What a surprise to see a peloton full of NorCal BF.net gear passing me by! I look forward to riding with you all once I am out of SlowAsMolasses miles.

Big thanks to Pete. You are an extraordinary host. Loved the ride and enjoyed meeting the people. It's been about 6 weeks since I had a "real ride". Felt like a good way to start the year.

OK, when's the next one ?

Unreal reports and photos everyone, Well done

Yeah that was pretty cool. You'll have to do a ride with us one of these days for sure.
Cheers, Pete

Great reports, thanks for posting!
Sounds like you all had a very nice ride.

Yea, but there was someone noticeably missing

All right I finally posted!! Great ride today and it was a pleasure meeting everybody. Especially memorable for me was the section between Pt. Reyes Station and Bolinas........that was a blast! Hope to do it again sometime soon. And I really wouldn't mind getting an insiders tour of some of the rides down on the Peninsula from Ron or Alan.

Alan, did you figure out what happened with the tube? That was weird.

And Pete, thanks for the idea on my username

-Tim

Great reports and pics, Ron and Pete! Sounds like a fun time was had by all.

What a nice day! If you ever want to know where to eat in Marin, ask Pete.

I have to say, I really enjoyed the climb up Bolinas-Fairfax Rd. The pavement is good. There weren't very many cars, a nice mixture of sun and shade, pretty views. It was really nice to get to meet everyone too.

Veronica

Bolinas-Fairfax is a much better climbing road than a descending road.

Glad everyone had fun! Hopefully my wife and I will join you on our new tandem soon!

No tandems on your ride though.

As I search for Sudafed and sniffle in my chair, I am enjoying the photos and reports.
Looks like big fun was had!

Yo dude! great Handle!!!! Now ya need the avatar to go with it ...I'll see if I can Photoshop something for you.
Pete

Hey that was cool meeting someone from your club yesterday! Hope you guys host sometime. Sounds like you have a great group. Congrats on the Tandem, I'm really jealous.
Pete

Hey, Pete, we didn't crash the server yet!

Still trying!

Hey guys, it was great riding with you, albeit briefly !

What can I say, I still haven't gotten my climbing legs back - not that I have any to begin with.

Hee hee. I should know better than to listen to people who moan 'oooh I'm so [outa shape/have a cold/haven't ridden in ages], I'm gonna crawl today', lord knows I fell for that from the Princess - once.

Anyhoo, you guys are great, thanks for being so being so patient waiting up for me! I really didn't want to hold you back on Tam. Kim & I had a nice ride to Inverness, checked out another bakery and rode back via Nicasio rather than SFD.

I'll join you all again some, promise.

Let's ride again soon, I had a great time and you're a great cyclist and fun to be around. I think your bike is really cool to boot. After world war 3 the only thing left will be cockroaches and your bike! I could have used a bakery by the time I got to the top of Tam : (

Hee hee, I love my tank. I know it slows me down on the hills, but I subscribe to the 'that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger' philosophy.

Sometimes I wonder what would happen if I ever rode a bike that weighed less than my saddlebag.

Now, honestly, what fun would cycling be without all the whining/excuses/sandbagging? Heck, it would just be exercise!

Hey, I really do have a cold. My throat is all raspy still.

Veronica