Such a sweet view from up there. Looks like the fire damage is still apparent. We were lucky down here. The Woosley Fire burned things up pretty good, but at this point, it is like it never happened.

I got a Castelli Squadra jacket some time ago on a whim. It is super packable and has elastic material in it, so it fits closely to the body, so it is warmer than it looks.

I haven't tried it's water repellency yet ... I'm not expecting much in that regard!

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My first decent bike ride in my new city Greenville, SC. 27 hilly miles on a 1x1 Surly Lowside certainly put me to the test. It was TOUGH in spots. (Moved away from New Orleans, LA. Lost out nerve for hurricanes. Rebuilt the house one too many times.

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California aqueduct ... despite the "No Bicycle" signs... workers are cool by me

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Message for us all

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Sunflowers... cycling... something seems related...

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Last for now... California Poppies in a super bloom defy man!

Man, yall are killing me with these awesome places....

I think it might be time for another wildflower ride soon. Any idea when they should be peaking?

Well, we had bouts of rain, hail and snow (that wouldn't stick) today in the AV - so not this weekend. We're mid-30s for temp. The extra rain and cool temperatures we've had off and on the past couple of months aren't helping with germination I have to guess because usually we see a good start by now, but it's a smattering through the neighborhoods and on the sides of roads. January 27 I got some road side starting photos heading out to the Poppy Reserve - then we had more bouts of rain and cold spells. But when we get some I'll post a current photo to update. But for now a couple photo of the almost exactly a year agohttps://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...829f02020a.jpg
Before you get to the Reserve
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Coyote country - hide small dogs

We ride out to the Poppy Reserve regularly, today's results (04/06/2024). There are a lot of tourist bus patrons and folk who came from far who are sorely disappointed. With yesterday's rain/hail/snow and high 30's temperatures at 9:00 this morning what few poppies that are here, were in hiding. Temps are supposed to get into high 70's low 80's this week and hold about there for a bit. So I would put off a visit for at least til next weekend, if not two weeks. besides, by then I may have better news. Although even if you come up here, some of the better fields are actually a couple miles before you get to the reserve - around the Munz Ranch Road juncture... they should be having the honey sale stands out there too...
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The road into the Poppy Reserve (04/06/2024)
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Fields near Reserve (04/06/2024)
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and because each year I try to get some showing the poppies growing from road cracks (04/06/2024)

Took a quick bike break and was feeding this guy grass from my open hand. Super friendly and couldn’t get enough.

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From dog walk today:

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You always hear about cars ending up in the SoCal aqueducts, but NEVER A BIKE!

How did you get that flower to stand still?

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Nice day for a ride to the beach!

From the top of Mt Hamilton yesterday (10-April).

The farthest visible mountains are the Sierra Nevada, quite far away (about 125 miles). The white stuff is snow. It's very rare to be able to see that far:

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Saturday, in the park...

04/12/2024 Reserve starting to really bloom but rain expected Saturday afternoon and a bit on Sunday with temp drop - so again, maybe not the weekend to visit for blooms.

Love the snow peaks in the back

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Wild Turkeys crossing the road.

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University of Washington

Off the beaten path in Los Altos Hills, CA
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