It's time I climbed Hamilton: any takers 8/22?
08-17-09, 10:11 PM
#1
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It's time I climbed Hamilton: any takers 8/22?
New Update: Arrrgghhh!!!!!!
I am out of my own ride!! I just remembered I have to go to my company picnic that day. What an idiot, total brain fade.
Ya'all have a nice ride. Crud!!
Update: OK then, 10:30 AM Start it is on Saturday 8/22.
Meeting at: Linda Vista Elementary 100 Kirk Ave San Jose, CA 95127 See post #13 for routes
My wife and kids are out of town this week and I don't pick them up at the airport until Sunday.
I have been wanting to add to my climbing resume which has a big hole where Mt. Hamilton should be.
Mt. Diablo? - check
Mt. Tam?- check
Sierra Rd?- check
Morgan Territory?-check
Empire Grade?- check
Mt. Hamilton-
I knew I was forgetting something!
I would love to do it Saturday. Does anybody want to do it with me?
Maybe even play guide since I know nothing about that climb or the access roads?
If anyone from Contra Costa wants to come we could all go down in my van.
I can roof rack 2 bikes and put 2 more inside. If you can drive or BART to Concord... come on over.
Of course if you live somewhere between Concord and San Jose, I could pick you up.
I am completely free all day so, start time is open.
Keep in mind I am not a 140 pound climbing mutant.
My specialty is sustained high speeds on open or rolling roads. I'm told I am fun to draft on.
On big climbs I am more of a plugger since I go 6' and 195lbs.
I am looking for a social paced climb and or regroups. In the range of 40-60 miles for a loop?
Any takers?
I am out of my own ride!! I just remembered I have to go to my company picnic that day. What an idiot, total brain fade.
Ya'all have a nice ride. Crud!!
Update: OK then, 10:30 AM Start it is on Saturday 8/22.
Meeting at: Linda Vista Elementary 100 Kirk Ave San Jose, CA 95127 See post #13 for routes
My wife and kids are out of town this week and I don't pick them up at the airport until Sunday.
I have been wanting to add to my climbing resume which has a big hole where Mt. Hamilton should be.
Mt. Diablo? - check
Mt. Tam?- check
Sierra Rd?- check
Morgan Territory?-check
Empire Grade?- check
Mt. Hamilton-
I knew I was forgetting something!I would love to do it Saturday. Does anybody want to do it with me?
Maybe even play guide since I know nothing about that climb or the access roads?
If anyone from Contra Costa wants to come we could all go down in my van.
I can roof rack 2 bikes and put 2 more inside. If you can drive or BART to Concord... come on over.
Of course if you live somewhere between Concord and San Jose, I could pick you up.
I am completely free all day so, start time is open.
Keep in mind I am not a 140 pound climbing mutant.
My specialty is sustained high speeds on open or rolling roads. I'm told I am fun to draft on.
On big climbs I am more of a plugger since I go 6' and 195lbs.
I am looking for a social paced climb and or regroups. In the range of 40-60 miles for a loop?
Any takers?
Last edited by Lanceoldstrong; 08-18-09 at 03:26 PM.
08-17-09, 10:15 PM
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Game on! I'll do it with you Dan. I haven't done Hamilton in a while ... been about 3 months at least. But I'm not doing it on the fixie ... will bring my Seven for that!
08-17-09, 11:48 PM
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Wheres my snuggie?
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Hey Dan, that sounds great! I may be in. depending on starting time. I would have to take Caltrain.
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08-17-09, 11:51 PM
#4
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This is going to be fun. I hope you can make it.
I am glad Spingineer can show me the ropes.
Time?
I don't mind heat, besides forecast is only for 85.
I hope we can make a time work for Pete.
08-17-09, 11:55 PM
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Oh bugger all. Stupid mountain is just down the road, but I'll be up in Napa that day.
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08-18-09, 09:17 AM
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I've never ridden it, and I think I need to.
I'll be checking with the family...
I'll be checking with the family...
08-18-09, 09:22 AM
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08-18-09, 10:29 AM
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Seriously tempted. Never ridden it on my Trike and have always wanted too. What time? Cant ride a road bike till my hand heals.
Last edited by rumbutter; 08-18-09 at 11:09 AM.
08-18-09, 10:30 AM
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Show you the ropes? I think I'll need a rope to lassoo you in before you get too far up the hill ... 
08-18-09, 10:50 AM
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If my back is feeling better I'd be down for this (probably do the "shortcut" up Quimby).
08-18-09, 11:48 AM
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When you get to the top, hang a right and go up to the observatory. If you go all the way around the building to the post office entrance, there are bathrooms, a water fountain with cool water, and vending machines.
If you are looking for more of a climbing challenge, go down the east side to isabel creek, turn around and come back up. It's 2000' of climbing and averages about 9%. Team CSC used it as a test climb when they were out training before the Tour of California a couple years ago. In the summer it can get very hot back there, and there is a cattle guard right at the bottom of the steepest part and around a bend, so be cautious on the descent.
If you are looking for more of a climbing challenge, go down the east side to isabel creek, turn around and come back up. It's 2000' of climbing and averages about 9%. Team CSC used it as a test climb when they were out training before the Tour of California a couple years ago. In the summer it can get very hot back there, and there is a cattle guard right at the bottom of the steepest part and around a bend, so be cautious on the descent.
08-18-09, 12:22 PM
#12
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As I have said, I do not know the south bay worth beans.
Where should we meet?
How about an 11:00 AM start with a late lunch-early dinner after?
(I am thinking about a time late enough that makes it easy for those using mass transit)
Where should we meet?
How about an 11:00 AM start with a late lunch-early dinner after?
(I am thinking about a time late enough that makes it easy for those using mass transit)
08-18-09, 12:27 PM
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I like the back side too. More so in the Spring than in the summer, but still good.
It would be nice to head down to the Junction and get lunch too. Turns the ride into a 70+ mile ride though.
Something like this would be cool:
Option A) Front side only - standard to the summit and back - (40 miles, 5000 ft) https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...up-Mt-Hamilton
Option B) Front and back - standard route - (73 miles 8900 feet) https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...ton-front-back
Option C) Front and back - with Qumiby - (75 miles, 9400 feet) https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...ck-with-Quimby
Everyone (from all groups) could regroup at the summit (observatory) and then group B & C could descend together to the Junction Cafe for lunch.
Then we (B&C) all set off to climb the back side, regroup at the summit again, and descend the front side back to the cars/train/etc...
OF course, the standard route is just fine... just offering suggestions
Right now my back is messed up, so we might be doing the standard route, and slowly. 
It would be nice to head down to the Junction and get lunch too. Turns the ride into a 70+ mile ride though.
Something like this would be cool:
Option A) Front side only - standard to the summit and back - (40 miles, 5000 ft) https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...up-Mt-Hamilton
Option B) Front and back - standard route - (73 miles 8900 feet) https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...ton-front-back
Option C) Front and back - with Qumiby - (75 miles, 9400 feet) https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...ck-with-Quimby
Everyone (from all groups) could regroup at the summit (observatory) and then group B & C could descend together to the Junction Cafe for lunch.
Then we (B&C) all set off to climb the back side, regroup at the summit again, and descend the front side back to the cars/train/etc...
OF course, the standard route is just fine... just offering suggestions
Right now my back is messed up, so we might be doing the standard route, and slowly.
Last edited by uspspro; 08-18-09 at 12:32 PM.
08-18-09, 12:31 PM
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The ride over is a pretty much flat/urban ride of around 7 miles.
Last edited by uspspro; 08-18-09 at 12:34 PM.
08-18-09, 01:11 PM
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If the gov't weather service is to be believed, an earlier start may be preferred to a later start: of course, if all y'all wanna relive parts of the Davis Double, DMD, RedRider and cgallagh's "slo-poke" ride, et al, well, perhaps the later the better. 
08-18-09, 02:15 PM
#16
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Meeting at: Linda Vista Elementary 100 Kirk Ave San Jose, CA 95127
It would be nice to head down to the Junction and get lunch too. Turns the ride into a 70+ mile ride though.
Something like this would be cool:
Option A) Front side only - standard to the summit and back - (40 miles, 5000 ft) https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...up-Mt-Hamilton
Option B) Front and back - standard route - (73 miles 8900 feet) https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...ton-front-back
Option C) Front and back - with Qumiby - (75 miles, 9400 feet) https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...ck-with-Quimby
Everyone (from all groups) could regroup at the summit (observatory) and then group B & C could descend together to the Junction Cafe for lunch.
Then we (B&C) all set off to climb the back side, regroup at the summit again, and descend the front side back to the cars/train/etc...
OF course, the standard route is just fine... just offering suggestions Right now my back is messed up, so we might be doing the standard route, and slowly.
Something like this would be cool:
Option A) Front side only - standard to the summit and back - (40 miles, 5000 ft) https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...up-Mt-Hamilton
Option B) Front and back - standard route - (73 miles 8900 feet) https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...ton-front-back
Option C) Front and back - with Qumiby - (75 miles, 9400 feet) https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...ck-with-Quimby
Everyone (from all groups) could regroup at the summit (observatory) and then group B & C could descend together to the Junction Cafe for lunch.
Then we (B&C) all set off to climb the back side, regroup at the summit again, and descend the front side back to the cars/train/etc...
OF course, the standard route is just fine... just offering suggestions
Right now my back is messed up, so we might be doing the standard route, and slowly. Last edited by Lanceoldstrong; 08-18-09 at 02:49 PM.
08-18-09, 02:17 PM
#17
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Most of the time, people meet at the elementary school at Kirk Ave. That'll give you ~ 1 mile warmup before hanging a right on Hwy 130, and on up Mt. Hamilton Rd.
08-18-09, 02:50 PM
#18
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Meeting at: Linda Vista Elementary 100 Kirk Ave San Jose, CA 95127
For Route A, B, or C depending on how a given rider feels that day.
08-18-09, 03:03 PM
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The train is SJ Diridon Station. apx 6-7 miles from the school.
Quimby is pretty hard it effectively climbs the first chunk of Hamilton in less distance, thus being quite a bit steeper. It is a tad bit harder than Sierra Rd, if you haven't done it before. With that said, I really like climbing Quimby for some reason.
08-18-09, 03:07 PM
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You can also take VTA Light Rail to the McKee stop, and ride till you get to Kirk Ave, then hang a right. I might do that, since I have an ecopass for VTA ... 
08-18-09, 03:11 PM
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I can usually ride faster than the light rail... at least in the downtown area. I think it ramps of the speed once it gets out of downtown, since there are fewer pedestrians, stop lights, etc, etc..
08-18-09, 03:57 PM
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JB
08-18-09, 10:35 PM
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I should be in for the ride. Just got a call from my LBS today saying my rim was covered under warranty, so I have a bike back tomorrow. I will play the backside by ear, but if I go, I will head up 130 from the bottom.
Yep, Lightrail is a lot slower in downtown. I used to go to SJSU, but work in Santa Clara by Great America. I used to race the trains for quite a distance and could keep up with them for a good distance. Lots of fun. 
08-18-09, 10:42 PM
#24
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If I do light rail, I'll probably ride over to Tasman ... if I was to ride to downtown, I might as well ride all the way to the start.