“What’s with the Deer? Somebody trying to tell me something out there in the cosmos? Do I need Doe? Yes, I know that…what, do you want? Who has a clue?”



As the Giro de Peninsula was winding up for Silent Ben and I, we received a sign from the cosmos. Along Crystal springs on the homestretch a small Deer sprinted out of the woods and made a right turn to run along side me for about 50 yards. I thought it was a mini pony heading for Bay Meadows! The little guy matched my speed. I felt like a Daddy Deerest for a minute… It finally stopped looked both ways for cars and bolted off across the street safely. After that Ben and I crossed the finish. It was pretty cool to finish with someone I had never ridden with from the BF NorCal group.

I woke up at 3am. I knew I wasn’t getting back to sleep…I had the vibe. Today was gonna be a great day in NorCal history. I jacked down two cups of Rocket fuel Joe (Coffee). Time went by fast, 4:34am and I was out the door from downtown Frisco. I love the city at night. I moved through the streets…Tenderloin, Soma, Mission, like a Dark Phantom…Up 24th, past the Pimps and Hookers and donut eating cops. Yes indeed today would be a great day.

I turned on to Cherry Ave, San Bruno just as Henry called me… “Donde esta Senor Pedro?” “Aqui! Aqui! El jefe”… “Uno momento senor Henry” He was waiting for me at the Starbucks. Henry and I speak perfect Spanish to each other, along with Cantonese, mandarin, polish and some klingon! We hooked up the bikes grabbed our coffee and bang! Through a worm hole to Bay Meadows.




We immediately struck up convesation with Becky (ExHorseRider). She was with two of her friends. Their names just floated out of my head. So many NorCals showed up it was like a convention. I couldn’t keep track of it all. Since Marco lived so close he decided to be the last to show. Pretty much most everyone had left by then and we waited till he showed on the tandem with Ruth. We all took turns berating and browbeating the young lad.



Curtis and Tricia showed up fresh from their recent getaway…BTW cutest couple of the day! Henry and I were best dressed. Blinged and Sporty! Ty & Kari, Ron, Eric, Doug, Ivan, Jacktripper, Ron, Ramon, Adam, Ifox, Ahpook, Alex…I’ve missed a few, minds going blank…

So much was going on. The group was all over the place and everyone was in their own mini epic. I’ll just speak from mine. I had my Aero bars and my knew camera mount so I spent a lot of the time working to get comfortable with all the knew bike bionics.
I was really a bit worn out with to little sleep and to much riding on my new singlespeed.
We moved pretty quick past the photo shoot on Canada 7:30 where I posted myself on the M&R tandem and planned to be there for the day.

First rest stop we ran into a large Team Benica contingent. Their group is getting huge. I think they have great kits. We should do a group ride with them.

Then the first climb after Canada up 84. I had meant to take it easy but Henry must have had a second bowl of wheaties this morning. I was fighting to stay with him on the first climb. I knew I’d be in trouble later. I ended the climb with a sprint to the top, with a couple of Hispanic dudes in Italian disguise. I caught M&R just near the top. I have to say, that Marco and Ruth really work incredibly well together. Just like watching pairs skating. Gladiator and a Cheetah in perfect sync…Cool! We semi regrouped and I did the Uguyssuckbye thing and zipped down 84 to hook up with a couple of dudes and flew till M&R passed us like we were standing still.

At Stage Road Rest stop we were barraged with A**hole Pickup truck pitbull toten wall eyed bugaloo inbreds honking and cursing at us for not burning fossil fuel! We spoke back to them in Italian sign language…On Tunitas Creek I completely bonked at the bottom and suffered all the way to the top where the Hammergel finally kicked in! Great timing. We flew down Kings…best part for me. I enjoyed it. Regroup at Roberts while the biggest motorcycle gang ever, paraded by. Had to be 300 bikes.

I was really bonky for most of the ride today. Just a bad day. I think it was so great to connect with some of the NorCals and let them know I really appreciated their support through all this year and how great and accepted you all made me feel. I’ve never felt in such a good place right now in all my life, and it’s because of each and everyone of you are really something special…Group hug! : )

The rest stop at Portola Valley Fire Station was my favorite stop. I had such a great time chatting it up with everyone. Ran into Ty and Kari again and Kari’s starting to get that bike girl polished confident look…I think Ty is creating a monster…I see another Cheetah rising!... I really didn’t want to leave. Had a great talk with Adam…cool dude. I talked with Becky and her friends, Becky’s a very strong and capable rider. I like her friends very much…nice…I can’t remember the Irish Lass’s name… She’s really cute, pretty and fun, also a potato addict like me. I’m a sucker for Irish woman…sigh… : ( My crush of the day…



I enjoyed our photo shoot with “Our Lady of Woodside” (we’re off to hell in a hand basket, how sacrilegious )!

Thankfully I was able to grab on to the M&R cruiser and sat relaxing in the slipstream. I felt guilty for not helping out, buy I didn’t have much left. I remember a few months back being in the same situation behind Marco on his solo. I think he was hurting a little today but trying not to show it. He was getting pissed at bikes passing him and bound to vaiquish them on the downhill…which he did many times. As far as I’m concerned he’s proven himself time and again. He can relax and take a day off in my book.

I had a blast with Ron as usual. He had me laughing my ass off most of the day! I wish I had spent more time with Curtis and Tricia, but I just wanted to take advantage of any pacing and drafting that was available to me. I’m starting to miss them when I have to wait so long in between rides.

We made it through the headwinds. I couldn’t hang on to anyone in the last 10 miles. Silent Ben kept me going. After the dinner was not to bad, not the best, but filling. I had 3 plates of food 4 Ice creams and 3 cokes, I was really full. I always hate parting, I already miss everyone from the bottom of my heart. Wish we could do this every weekend…Next Week!!!!!!!
“ Wheel sucker Ride” Can’t wait…I want it now. Cathy’s cooking.
See ya then!
Pete

111 miles for the day. Henry drove me to Tanforan Bart. I could barely carry my bike up the stairs. Yes it was a good day.
Tomorrow I ride in the Pride parade…with L.I.M.B’s on RIMS…Lesbians In Mens Bodies. Just after the ****s on Bikes…watch for me and wave if you come into see it.



I'll post as I edit the million picts

Ah man, I thought you were going to post a thread with the subject referring to deer.

It was good seeing you all again. At least for the, what, first fifteen minutes?

Some pics:
Dueling cameras


Ramon and Angel


Henry, Pete, Tricia, and Curtis


Eric and Ben


... and we're off






Alex and Eric


Marco and Ruth

2nd rest stop at San Gregorio










Kari and Ty


Pete, what's that in your eye?


Henry looks good in that kit


Pete is dead!


Feast time!

Great Pics! It's funny that we ended up riding a lot of the same roads yesterday.

BTW, the Luna Chick in one of Pete's pictures is Denise - I've ridden with her a few times - she's really strong.

JB

Hey you should run for congress! Is there anyone you don't know

By the way, Pete, I think I saw your evil twin's matching Klein at one of the rest stops yesterday.

you guys rock. sorry i missed out. got the flu-blues. but i did get inspired to slap together this song after watching euro-cycling highlights on youtube then imagining returning along canada after a good day of riding.... i call it "peninsula." listen here: https://www.zshare.net/audio/144101572950f3ac/

[note: some random ads on the share site might be NSFW.]

Love the no hands pic I'm not sure why I didn't make it. I think I had planned on signing up sometime after Sequoia but just never got around to it. Did some repeats on Hamilton, so at least I did more climbing and was home by 1pm

Should have come out with you guys though, it would have been nice to learn so new roads.

Ah well, there's always the next one...

No, that won't work. The people I do know would never vote for me!

JB

Well you know I'd vote for ya

gotta have someone take the heat!

Cool Report and photos (as usual) amigo !

I didn't see you at the parade (and I had my camera ready).. I'll have to review the footage again

I did the 100m and had a lot of fun!! It was good to see/meet a few of you and as for the rest of you... I'll hopefully meet you this weekend!
-Becky

Uhoh, did I miss something? What's happening this weekend?

Uhm, only this...

Well this is my ride report, late.. probably the last, but my report none the less:

My Giro actually started the day before, at 10pm (much like ahpook) I'm running around, double checking that I have everything, then around 10:30.. its time to lay down. At 1:30am I'm still staring at the clock, and starting to play out in my head the possibility of just staying up.. doing the ride and then coming home to sleep. The last time I remember seeing was 2:45am. The alarm goes off at 6am, and I'm moving like a tortise. By 6:15 the first energy drink is in the system, and a cup of coffee is on the way, but i'm up and moving so thats good.

Kari and I check in at about 7:45, I'm looking for BF jerseys but not seeing any. We set out at 7:55am, just like last year the ride starts a little bit chilly, but we're both dressed for it, so we're not too bad. The ride gets interesting right from the start. On our way up Alameda De Las Pulgas there is a dude who snaps a link out of his chain. He was in a WAAAY low gear so the tension release after the chain snapping caused him to go down to his left, taking his buddy with him. They're both laughing and waving everybody by, so we keep moving. About 300ft. away there is a young lady, enjoying her first experience using clip-ins. She is re-mounting her bike after going down as well, and we're off and rolling on another Giro de Combat Tour.

The PhotoCrazy guy was in his usual spot on Canada Rd, the first picture I was actually starting to zone out so I don't remember when I crossed the thingy, the second one was a bust (more on that later). Kari and get to Edgewood and decide to grab some eats (we missed breakfast).

This was also Karis' first ride longer then 40mi. so we had both agreed to take it easy, and use the rest stops so the experience wasn't too painful. At edgewood we bump into my step father out on one of his morning spins, so we chat it up with him for a while, and he joins us to Page Mill. As we are descedning on Alpine there is a group infront of us, who is riding 3 wide and using their BRAKES!!!. With cars behind there is no safe way to pass, so I figure on Arastradero I'll whip out and by, but my effort to do so starts an impromptu sprint contest. At first there was 3 ladies and 1 dude on a hybrid and me. Hybrid dude was done pretty quick as was lady number 1. Lady number 2 hung in until about 22mph, then she was off the back.. lady number 3 was an animal. I last looked down at my computer on the first little climb out and we were doing 31mph. I channeled a little Tom Boonen and dropped her as well, finally. Now that my heart rate was hitting 175bpm and my wife and step dad are nowhere in sight, I decide to blast Arastradero as fast as possible then wait at Page Mill for them before continuing.

The climb up Page Mill wasn't as bad as I remember, but I had company this time so maybe that was some help. The members of my sprint contest were in a little trouble as the goofing off had left them with a little fatigue, but they made it up as well, and in fine style. Once at the top I was trying to speak as loudly as possible about the descent on Altamont, and politely suggesting that people not bomb it. Some listened.. others did not, and just like last year more cyclist went into / over the guard rail. When I got to the rail there were 4 bikes piled up, 2 fire trucks, 1 ambulance, and several firemen standing on the rail waving wildly and telling people to slow down but do not stop. Sad.. there were ample warnings, plus writing on the street, and still some people didn't get it. Hopefully Altamont is taken out of the route next year as this is becoming an ugly trend.

Kari and I make the rest stop at the church and again, decide to take advantage of the stop, I mean.. why not, we paid for it right??

On our way out of the stop and up foothill we hook up with few riders who are very complimentary about the NorCal jersey !! We end up chit chatting and riding with them all the way to Portola, were again, we decide.. rest stop time. I'm glad we did too because we finally met up with some BF folks. I was begining to think we wouldn't see anybody. We stayed and chatted for a little bit, but realized that Kari was now in uncharted distance territory so it was probably best if we just kept moving to avoid getting that funky idle stiffness. On our way down Portola I see a BF jersey coming the other direction.. and its Curtis and Tricia, I give a wave and a "hey" and keep on with the downhill.

By the time we hit Canada the wind had picked up and was starting to become a little spirit crushing for Kari, so I gave her a quick lesson on grabbing the wheel and made my best effort to pull her down Canada. In the end it must have worked because once we turned off, she took off like she had fresh legs. We pulled into Bay Meadows a little after 1:30, the food was alright.. although we were both so hungry that it was gobbled up before much tasting could take place. We ended up having lunch with Eric and Ron, traded some stories, and I got a lesson on 'twitter'.

All in all a good ride, although my one planned activity was canned . As per the inside joke with me and Henry I was going to ride past the camera guy on canada and do some sort of dorky mr. olympia pose,.. but that was blown apart when I slowed down.. sat up.. started to get into position.. when he jumps on his bullhorn and tells me to grab my handlebars or he'll turn off the camera. So my one pre-meditated activity was now in the tank, but thats okay, there will always be another time.

Kari had made one more interesting oberservation I thought I would note. At our first stop at Edgewood the young lady who got trapped in her clips on Alameda pulled up with a few blood runs and some bruising. Something about her was 'off', basically her appearance seemed 'different'. Kari pointed out to me that she was indeed, sporting a fresh tanning bed glow, and the full cadre of facial make-up cosistent with a night on the town!!. By far the most done up cyclist I'd ever seen. She was a trooper though and was more embarassed about the fall then anything, didn't see her again, but I'm sure she finished just fine, no doubt with the interest of some of the single men on the ride.

Next year.. the century. For both of us

A couple comments on the ride:

1. I don't seem to recall very many SAG wagons out there. I usually will have to yell "car back", and it would be the SAG wagon. However, I don't recall a single SAG wagon while I'm out there. If someone can tell me differently, please say so. I just find it odd not noticing a SAG wagon passing me. I definitely remember at least 3 SAG wagons on Sequoia passing me up.
2. Altimont ... yes, that is a dangerous turn (as I know all too well). Even after I had descended this curve many times, all it takes is one time to bite it. So I'll have to tell you that even experienced riders may slip up here. I've done Giro 3 years in a row, and they have always had that in the route.

Ok, when is photocrazy going to have our pics up?

Man. I was looking forward to the Crab pose! Great report Ty. If you and/or Kari join the Thursday PM ride regularly, you'll be able to complete the century no prob.

If they take out Altamont, they should only do it for the shorter routes. It's one of the treats for climbing Page Mill.

That is one badass pic....

BTW, pete, what's up w/ all the noisy pics up top??

I think I saw two, and one of them was very late in the day, presumably seeing if there was anyone left on the route (and finding only me. ).


It would have been nearly impossible to be caught offguard by that turn during the ride. There were signs and cones and graffiti all over the place at that spot. Needless to say, I crawled past there, just in case.

They must've just gone up. Ta-da!

Thanks Alex !!



At the end of the ride, along with the T-shirt, they were handing out a patch and a flyer with instruction on how to get a free photo:

- Click on your favorite photo
- Select the "Image File" option" and follow instructions
- The certificate code number is K2TRH
- Save the photo

Angel