Time for another TdMIL(ish)
02-21-25 | 09:50 PM
#26
Thread Starter
Bike Butcher of Portland
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 12,486
Likes: 8,054
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: It's complicated.
Schedule
I, the Bike Butcher of Portland will put down my torch and get on a plane Sunday to Oakland, arriving around noon. If @BoltBreaker hasn't damaged his car while tinkering with it, he'll whisk over and pick me up. The rest of Sunday will be spent checking out bikes, adjusting deraileurs and brakes as necessary, mounting bags, filling water bottles, and wondering why the hell we're doing this in February.
Well, we're doing it because we can. I haven't been on a proper bike trip since last June, and I missed Cino last year because we were in the middle of moving, so I'm antsy to get back on the open road, carrying all I need on my Zero bike.
But you don't care much about that. You might want to know where we might be, and when, if you're in the Bay Area and want to ride along see us huffing and puffing like old men do when they're reliving their youth.
Monday, SF to Inverness. Well, we'll get on Ashby BART in the morning, get off at Embarcadero, and ride along the edge of The City to the Golden Gate Bridge, then up and over the steep hills of Mill Valley before we start heading north.
Tuesday, Inverness to Guerneville. Flatish ride, a few short climbs. We'll probably pit stop in Tomales, where I've had the best meatball sandwich ever. Coffee at Cafe Aquatica is a must. We'll head inland along the Russian River. 60 mile day.
Wednesday, Guerneville to Santa Rosa Rather than do the Westside Road towards Healdsburg, we're taking some roads I've not been on. 36 miles, but some steep climbs. We'll stop at Foghorn Brewery in Santa Rosa for a 3 pint lunch, then head over to Andy's dad's place at a retirement home.
Thursday, Santa Rosa to Napa via St. Helena Road. I've done this backwards about 20 lbs ago. I'm told the winery they used for outdoor scenes in the series Falcon Crest is on this route.
Friday, Napa to Berkeley Nothing exciting, just a way to get home. 44 miles, relatively flat if we take the link's route. Maybe we'll audible and go down Dam Road and climb Wildcat. Or maybe continue to Orinda and take BART to Rockridge. Or maybe Fish Ranch Road to Claremont...Prolly take the path of least beer resistance.
Weather Underground sez this:
If you're interested in meeting up, email me.
Well, we're doing it because we can. I haven't been on a proper bike trip since last June, and I missed Cino last year because we were in the middle of moving, so I'm antsy to get back on the open road, carrying all I need on my Zero bike.
But you don't care much about that. You might want to know where we might be, and when, if you're in the Bay Area and want to ride along see us huffing and puffing like old men do when they're reliving their youth.
Monday, SF to Inverness. Well, we'll get on Ashby BART in the morning, get off at Embarcadero, and ride along the edge of The City to the Golden Gate Bridge, then up and over the steep hills of Mill Valley before we start heading north.
Tuesday, Inverness to Guerneville. Flatish ride, a few short climbs. We'll probably pit stop in Tomales, where I've had the best meatball sandwich ever. Coffee at Cafe Aquatica is a must. We'll head inland along the Russian River. 60 mile day.
Wednesday, Guerneville to Santa Rosa Rather than do the Westside Road towards Healdsburg, we're taking some roads I've not been on. 36 miles, but some steep climbs. We'll stop at Foghorn Brewery in Santa Rosa for a 3 pint lunch, then head over to Andy's dad's place at a retirement home.
Thursday, Santa Rosa to Napa via St. Helena Road. I've done this backwards about 20 lbs ago. I'm told the winery they used for outdoor scenes in the series Falcon Crest is on this route.
Friday, Napa to Berkeley Nothing exciting, just a way to get home. 44 miles, relatively flat if we take the link's route. Maybe we'll audible and go down Dam Road and climb Wildcat. Or maybe continue to Orinda and take BART to Rockridge. Or maybe Fish Ranch Road to Claremont...Prolly take the path of least beer resistance.
Weather Underground sez this:
If you're interested in meeting up, email me.
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
02-21-25 | 10:00 PM
#27
Matt Pendergast
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,421
Likes: 7,996
From: North Bend, Washington State
Bikes: 1937 Hobbs; 1977 Bruce Gordon; 1987 Bill Holland; 1988 Schwinn Paramount (Fixed gear); 1999 Fat City Yo Eddy (MTB); 2018 Woodrup (Touring) 2016 Ritchey breakaway
Have a great time!
Looking forward to the tall tales later...
Looking forward to the tall tales later...
02-21-25 | 10:20 PM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 1,540
From: Ouest Seattle
Bikes: Mercian King of Mercia, Surly Long Haul Trucker,81 Fuji Gran Tour SE, 83 Fuji S12S LTD, Voyageur 11.8 chrome, , Voyageur 11.8
After 5 days of riding, we might just cross the Carquinez Bridge, ride to the Martinez BART station and get off at Ashby BART. @Boltbreaker lives just a block from Alta Bates.
Now where the heck did I put my Clipper card...probably the same place I stored my LIRR bike pass during the move...
Now where the heck did I put my Clipper card...probably the same place I stored my LIRR bike pass during the move...
02-21-25 | 10:33 PM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 5,056
Likes: 4,923
From: Point Reyes Station, California
Bikes: Indeed!
Tuesday, Inverness to Guerneville. Flatish ride, a few short climbs. We'll probably pit stop in Tomales, where I've had the best meatball sandwich ever.
Brent
__________________
"I have a tendency to meander sometimes." B.G.
"I have a tendency to meander sometimes." B.G.
02-22-25 | 12:09 AM
#30
Thread Starter
Bike Butcher of Portland
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 12,486
Likes: 8,054
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: It's complicated.
Ashby BART eh? I used to live near Rockridge and occasionally used Ashby. Be sure to put 4 locks on your bike and surround it with land mines at night. And then stay up with a sniper rifle and night vision goggles. We got robbed so many times down there, but it was in the middle of the crack epidemic so that was a factor. Sounds like a great ride. So many memories of SF and Berkeley
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Last edited by gugie; 02-22-25 at 12:28 AM.
02-22-25 | 12:12 AM
#31
Thread Starter
Bike Butcher of Portland
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 12,486
Likes: 8,054
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: It's complicated.
Damn. Next thing you tell me is that Bovine Bakery in PRS doesn't do peanut butter blondies anymore. It's part of the contract I have with my wife. She lets me go on this trip, I bring back a blondie.
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
02-22-25 | 12:13 AM
#32
Thread Starter
Bike Butcher of Portland
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 12,486
Likes: 8,054
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: It's complicated.
Heck, I'll tell you some right now!
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
02-22-25 | 08:17 AM
#33
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,368
Likes: 5,254
From: Central Virginia
Bikes: Numerous
There are many directions we could go with that one.
__________________
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, ‘81 Masi Gran Criterium, ‘81 Merckx Pro, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, Rivendell Rambouillet, Heron Randonneur, ‘92 Ciöcc Columbus EL
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, ‘81 Masi Gran Criterium, ‘81 Merckx Pro, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, Rivendell Rambouillet, Heron Randonneur, ‘92 Ciöcc Columbus EL
02-22-25 | 08:22 AM
#34
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,368
Likes: 5,254
From: Central Virginia
Bikes: Numerous
Well, thank you for your service but can’t say I’m terribly surprised to hear that. Place always had a fly by night vibe to it. Only place I’d say to be more likely to stiff a bill would be the Columbus Cafe next door which was rumored to be a crossroads of the North Beach drug culture.
__________________
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, ‘81 Masi Gran Criterium, ‘81 Merckx Pro, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, Rivendell Rambouillet, Heron Randonneur, ‘92 Ciöcc Columbus EL
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, ‘81 Masi Gran Criterium, ‘81 Merckx Pro, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, Rivendell Rambouillet, Heron Randonneur, ‘92 Ciöcc Columbus EL
02-22-25 | 02:09 PM
#36
Thread Starter
Bike Butcher of Portland
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 12,486
Likes: 8,054
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: It's complicated.
02-22-25 | 05:47 PM
#37
This wrench fits...
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 95
Likes: 167
From: Eastbania
Bikes: Two Rivs, and a bespoke Gugie
Damn. And I just saw that the Deli is permanently closed. That shop saved our lives on the 2021 TdMIL slog, rolling in late after they had closed but then reopened to make sandwiches for us! Guess we'll just need to make a single push from Bovine Bakery to Valley Ford. This ride is all about the eating, and the riding.
02-22-25 | 06:35 PM
#38
Crawlin' up, flyin' down
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,761
Likes: 4,415
From: Democratic Peoples' Republic of Berkeley
Bikes: 1967 Paramount; 1982-ish Ron Cooper; 1978 Eisentraut "A"; two mid-1960s Cinelli Speciale Corsas; and others in various stages of non-rideability.
02-22-25 | 06:50 PM
#39
Thread Starter
Bike Butcher of Portland
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 12,486
Likes: 8,054
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: It's complicated.
My publicist would add drinking beer.
@Andy_K
@Andy_K
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
02-24-25 | 09:07 AM
#41
Thread Starter
Bike Butcher of Portland
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 12,486
Likes: 8,054
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: It's complicated.
We’re leaving in 45 minutes to catch a train and he still hasn’t decided…
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
02-24-25 | 09:29 AM
#42
Thread Starter
Bike Butcher of Portland
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 12,486
Likes: 8,054
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: It's complicated.
Alright, we gotta go now
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
02-24-25 | 09:55 PM
#46
Thread Starter
Bike Butcher of Portland
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 12,486
Likes: 8,054
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: It's complicated.
Dayy 1 complete
Got up early to catch BART to SF Embarcadero, rode the well known route along the bay to Mill Valley, then did the loooooong climb up to Pantoll
Andy with GG bridge in background
We were hoping for fantastic views, but alas, it was a foggy day. We stopped at a market in Olema for some hot chocolate, and noticed they were well stocked with proper rehydration. A few more miles and it was kickback time.
Rehydration iat our motel in Inverness
Local @obrentharris offered to pick us up and drove us to dinner in Pt Reyes Station. Great meet up! Turns out Andy and he have a lot in common. I’ll let them comment on that.
From left to right at this table: @obrentharris, @BoltBreaker, yours truly
Andy with GG bridge in background
We were hoping for fantastic views, but alas, it was a foggy day. We stopped at a market in Olema for some hot chocolate, and noticed they were well stocked with proper rehydration. A few more miles and it was kickback time.
Rehydration iat our motel in Inverness
Local @obrentharris offered to pick us up and drove us to dinner in Pt Reyes Station. Great meet up! Turns out Andy and he have a lot in common. I’ll let them comment on that.
From left to right at this table: @obrentharris, @BoltBreaker, yours truly
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
02-25-25 | 11:56 AM
#48
Must be symmetrical
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 480
Likes: 351
From: Germany
Bikes: ... but look, they're all totally different!
02-25-25 | 12:32 PM
#49
Must be symmetrical
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 480
Likes: 351
From: Germany
Bikes: ... but look, they're all totally different!
02-25-25 | 04:57 PM
#50
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 5,056
Likes: 4,923
From: Point Reyes Station, California
Bikes: Indeed!
This morning began chilly and foggy. I met our two adventurers at the Bovine Bakery in Point Reyes Station to do what cyclists do best, consume calories. 45 degrees, our taillights glowing in the thick fog, we enjoyed the green rolling hills of the coast highway. Soon enough the sunlight devoured the fog and a lovely lady beckoned us to stop and chat a while. We were glad to oblige.
A little early for oysters though, we continued north through the small towns of Marshall and Tomales. About 20 miles into the ride I turned back towards home while the resolute adventurers made their wandering way towards Guerneville with about 40 more miles to go. As I write this they are probably basking in the sun in Jenner wondering how many more beers they can consume and still get to Guerneville before dark.
Brent
A little early for oysters though, we continued north through the small towns of Marshall and Tomales. About 20 miles into the ride I turned back towards home while the resolute adventurers made their wandering way towards Guerneville with about 40 more miles to go. As I write this they are probably basking in the sun in Jenner wondering how many more beers they can consume and still get to Guerneville before dark.
Brent
__________________
"I have a tendency to meander sometimes." B.G.
"I have a tendency to meander sometimes." B.G.