spingineer

So after the cancellations, bail outs, and no shows, I figure this would be a really small ride. But I was thinking to myself there's nothing wrong with a small group of riders. This way, you know what the level of riders are, and it is a more cohesive group.

As it turns out, I did have a small, but quality turnout. At the start, SesameCrunch, Zorro, and Bostic showed up. It must have been a CSC kit day, because 3 of us were donning CSC wears.

It was a gorgeous day for a bike ride. It was still arm warmer weather, still brought my vest jacket. Uspspro called us at the start of the ride, as he was running late, and will join us on the ride.

We decided not to go to the races after all, but did a healthy route (aka hilly). We did option C, which meant going up Magdelena to Stonebrook, rollies of Elena, climbing Natoma and Black Mountain, steep climbs up Westridge, and then the creme de la creme ... King's Mountain. We also added West Old La Honda, because we just didn't have enough climbing yet.

I checked at the 8.5 mile mark of the route, and we had already climbed 1000 feet! I felt a little guilty subjecting SesameCrunch (who had played 4 hours of tennis yesterday) and Zorro (who has not done a lot of riding .... this was his second ride of the year). The constant theme of this ride is "Ooh, I've never been through here before". I deliberately chose a route like this to venture into roads that most people never heard of and to give them a pleasant scenic surprise.

We met up with Marco (uspspro) at the old historic general store at the corner of Tripp Rd and King's Mountain. By then, we had already done 2000 feet of climbing! And here we are to do 2000 more feet of climbing.

As usual, uspspro was charging up the hill, followed closely by Bostic. Zorro and I pulled up the rear. I bumped into a few friends from Western Wheelers, and it turns out they are doing the same route we are doing. When I finally got up to the top, who do I see there ... Blastradius. What??? I thought he had prior engagements ... had to see a trainer or something .... well, he was there with a friend, and they went off-roading ... about 6 miles of mountain biking. Hmmm ... well that was a big surprise. That got me thinking that maybe we'll see msincredible and taxi777 later on the ride ... but that was not the case

We proceeded towards Skylonda, and we then decided to go down 84, then climb West Old La Honda. It's a nice short climb, and not too steep or tough. Again, we were riding the same course as Western Wheelers, and I bumped into my friends Steve and Cheryl, who passes me up, and that gave me an extra boost of adrenaline.

Coming down the mountain, a few guys were getting hungry, and we stopped at Robert's Market in Woodside. Now picture this ... in celebration of my birthday, we are sitting on the ground, eating sandwiches, in front of the market. You'll get a kick out of the picture.

Uspspro continued to ride with us almost all the way back to the start. He had to turn back home, so that we wouldn't get back in darkness.

To those that came on the ride, thank you very much for celebrating my birthday with me by going on this ride. Imagine ... celebrating my birthday by going on a torture fest ride. I really do appreciate it guys.

Totals:
Distance: 58.31 miles (give maybe an additional mile, since I forgot to reset my computer)
Altitude Gain: 5789 feet (yeah, 100 feet/mile)
Average Speed: 13.4 mph
Total Riding Time: 4:20:23

Now, what do I do about a recovery ride.

spingineer

Pics

Group shot. I asked the photographer if they wanted to join us (she was cute), but they were heading the opposite direction


SesameCrunch


Zorro


Stonebrook Community




Zorro and Sesame Crunch


Spingineer and SesameCrunch


Zorro and Bostic at top of Westridge climb


King's Mountain


Well look who we have here ... Blastradius

spingineer

Here's how we spend my birthday ... sitting on a cold floor, in front of Robert's Market


Hmmm ... lunch!

uspspro

Man, I am beat.

I was riding into a damn head wind and false flats all the way home.

But it was really fun riding with all you guys for Ron's b-day.

So on my way home I took Foothill all the way until it turned all its different names finally into Alameda de las Pulgas (Just like my commute).

So I am holding a steady clip of 22 mph or so into the headwind, passing a bunch of people along my way.

I started to slow slightly on Alameda when the headwind became pretty bad. So then I see two Webcor/Alto Velo guys come up behind me. I was like ah damn... no way! So I cranked it up and pulled for them for a few minutes at 23+ mph into the difficult headwind. I pulled off and drafted, and we rotated a couple of times. Then we hit a relatively large bump on Alameda around the RWC area. The AV guys decided to hit it, so I did too (why do I do this to myself) I kept up right behind the lead guy but we dropped his buddy pretty hard. BTW... At this point I am at like mile 66 or so! Then they turned off just before San Carlos, and I was solo once again

I flew down Brittan to Old County to avoid the steep sections of Alamdea. Well Old County SUCKED! It was the worst headwind ever (close to the bay). My average speed was dropping fast

So I am home now, here are my stats:

Distance: 72.98 miles
Altitude Gain: 4619 feet
Average Speed: 16.6 mph
Total Riding Time: 4h:23s
King's Time: 29:00 (Could have done better)
Bikely: https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...n-s-B-day-ride

spingineer

Thanks for coming out Marco. It was fun.

Yea, going northbound towards RWC does suck wind. I can't imagine going 22 mph into a headwind. I would be completely wiped out. Kudos to you!

BlastRadius

I knew I was going to get busted I saw Marco and Alan at the top of Kings Mountain and decided to stop

I did say that I was going to try to get in a ride even though my legs were sore from the Personal Trainer session. I thought "OK, a mellow ride with my daughters' classmates' dad" would be a good way to loosen up the legs, but he wanted to go to SKEGGS! Oh well. We took El Corte De Madera Creek Trail around and back up Methusela. It was nice.

Happy Birthday, Ron!

Siu Blue Wind

Looks like a great time you guys had.

It's nice to see Blast Radius made it! Happy Birthday to you, Spingineer!!

taxi777

Got a call back from, an agent in my company and he was willing to do the open house! But that was 8:am so that wouldn't have given me enough time to make it down to you guys. Didn't want to play cat and mouse but really wanted to ride so, screw the car. I jumped on Bart and headed for East Bay I was hoping to catch an ALC ride but missed them! Someone wanted for me to ride by myself, when I got out of the Bart I just started riding with no plan....report to follow...very weird day, and been up since 4am to boot. Looks like you guys had a great time and I didn't get any cake!!
Pete

zorrov999

Thanks again Ron for organizing the ride.. It was though! At around mile 44 (before west old la honda) I started to cramp really bad, but after lunch I was back to life, and I really ended enjoying the ride. Tomorrow it might be a different story

Here are my statistics.. I almost feel ashamed to show them (particularly lap #2. It started from the old store in Tripp Rd. & Kings Mt. Road to the top of Kings), but I figured this is a comfortable benchmark to improve and get ready for the century in Napa.

Total Miles: 58.54 miles
Total Time: 4:33
Total Ascent: 5,336ft



A lot of loops on the ride!


Thank you again Ramon for riding back on the hills and Alan and Ron for waiting for me when I was in pain

Oh ! and how to forget the ice cream at the end of the ride !!
Angel.

spingineer

We didn't have any cake, but had ice cream at the end. I need to do a recovery ride. Any ideas?

taxi777

Well..if you happen to be up this way, I am doing a little ride at 3pm in the city. It probably wouldn't even be worth it right now for the few miles. This is for team "Low Road" I'm trying to get them up to spiff for a possible BF ride in the near future.

SesameCrunch

Thanks for the great route, Ron! I had a great time, even though my legs were tired from yesterday.

I thought the best part was eating sandwiches on the ground outside Robert's. What better way to celebrate your birthday ?

cantdrv55

If only I could keep up with you people, I'd have joined you. Instead, I was doing yard work, wishing I was on my bike. Happy bday. Glad you had a good ride and with great company.

spingineer

Thanks for coming out Alan. I have this sickness in the head, where I need to attain a 100 feet/mile altitude gain, or else I feel I'm not gaining anything physically. And this is the birthday present I give myself??? Hope it wasn't too much torture for you.

Sandwiches at Robert's ... now that's what I'll remember for my 45th birthday. I'm glad I spent it doing what I love best, with some of my best buddies. Thanks!

taxi777

........guilt..guilt.... I hope I'm still a buddy .....

spingineer

... not to worry. I consider everyone who comes out on a BF ride my buddy ... yea, I know, that's just a little too mushy.

tprevost

Ron... sounds like you had a great day!!!!! Happy Birthday!!!!

spingineer

Thanks Trac ... one of these days, we gotta ride, and I'll show you that cute little secluded community ... the one in the 4th picture ... houses there look like they are like a model or something.

alainp

Happy Birthday, Ron, on your actual birthday!

stevesurf

Happy Birthday Spingineer! Is that a Ti bike?

msincredible

Sounds like a great birthday ride, glad you had fun.

Ha ha, if I still had the hybrid I would have ridden down to my karate class at Stanford in the morning so there would have been a chance on my way back.

spingineer

Thanks. Yup, it is a Ti bike. A result of IPO cashing!

spingineer

Thanks Paula. You would have loved it. I took them on roads not traveled much ... "I've never been on this road before..."

stevesurf

OMG so that's a SEVEN...geez nice IPO!