In Canada, we get two days off at this time of year, Christmas and a rather more civilized version of your "Black Friday" called Boxing Day. So I only need to take three days of vacation time to get the whole week off, and they throw in New Years the next Monday as well!

Anyway, I thought I'd just let you dudes know that I'll be heading down to California for the week. I'll be bringing my fixie, but I'll have a spare rear wheel with a freewheel on it, for reasons you'll understand below:

Christmas Sunday and the next Monday I'll be at my parents' place in Redding, CA, so I'll be doing some riding in that area. Early Tuesday I plan to drive to Fairfax and do the Fairfax-Bolinas Rd, with maybe Mt. Tam thrown in. Yeah, on the fixie, but life has its challenges.

Wednesday, I'm planning on joining the club ride up Mt. Hamilton. I've heard it's not that steep, and I did the Mt. Ham Century back in 1972 or so when I first started riding. If it looks like there's enough time, I'll even consider continuing to Livermore and then finishing off the 100-mile loop back at the Alum Rd/Mt. Ham Rd start. I'm planning on riding up on the fixed gear and then reversing the wheel to the freewheel side for the descent. I may look stupid, but...

Thursday, I'm planning on doing the Grizzly Peak club's "Duros West" ride in Marin County. Anyone know why this is called "Duros West?"

I'll be heading back to Redding on Friday, but plan to catch the Davis Bike Club's morning ride.

If you have any comments or suggestions, please pass them on. And if you're on any of the rides, please say hi. I'll be on the blue Rodriguez fixie/single speed.

I'm just amazed at the number of rides there are in Northern Cali at this time of year! (www.bikecal.com)

Luis