Post Davis Double-Pre Alta Alpina Good Stuff (2011)

Day after the Davis Double sore and dehydrated but perfect day to meet up with my cycling guru; criminal defense lawyer/ civil rights lawyer/ law professor/ musician John who was the most interesting man in the world before the Dos Equis ad campaign.
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@14 years ago I took out my new hybrid bike for the "brutal 20 mile" beginner ride he leads almost every weekend--while "this guy" kept enthusiastically talking about cycling and bike clothes and politics and history. Our ride this weekend was no different--like sitting on your living room couch bs'ing about anything and everything. John likes to tell folks about when I showed up in a tee shirt and baggy mountain bike shorts and declared I'd never get road cycling clothes.

John and I riding out on the new Big Break bike path--John's wife/ girlfriend Margot was singing nearby as John and I were bs'ing.


Next day not dehydrated but still sore. Seemed like a good day to replicate (suffering) conditions on Alta Alpina by climbing Mt. Diablo twice. Dragged along my training buddies Ward and Dave and Mike met us for the second time up.

I'm happy that it is actually warm here (unlike coming down from the top) Photo of Ward and I going up the 18% ramp (by Dr. Dave) Man, we look as fast as Chris and Levi from this far away.

Elevation by Ward Industries, 7,000' in 50 miles--it looks cold at the top.

Dave is happy this ride is over


Then it was off to the land of auto traffic all the time and everywhere--Southern California, for Jessie's college graduation. Our baby is out of college!!, how'd that happen??--she was just so little. At the same time four years didn't "fly by"--it seems ages ago (just 5 years) where she had severe medical problems and college seemed impossible. She did wonderfully and frequently shared her ongoing college experience with us. Best graduation I ever went to (I blew off my undergrad and graduate graduations)

Returned home quickly (Jessie landed a job in her field and had to work) so went back to visit an old friend--The Gold Country--my serious cycling ancestral home. Good roads, low traffic, few traffic controls, serious roller after serious roller. Did part of the old (dearly departed) Sierra Century course, the greatest Century ever which was held the week after Memorial Day. Rode mostly uphill from Sutter Creek to Volcano up Rams Horn Grade and then continued up to Hwy 88. Return took half the time as mostly downhill (interrupted by some short but steep rollers) via Shake Ridge Road. Go from Oak fields to Pine forests.

End-May and only 72 in Sutter Creek--and it was 20 degrees cooler near Highway 88 surrounded by Pine Forest at 3,000-4,000'. Fireplaces were being run and a few controlled burns--not a good day for exercise induced asthma but great being in the best riding area I know of. Big trouble--Alta Alpina is 2 weeks away and it is gonna be C-O-L-D

Sutter Creek-Volcano Road-where a magnet seeminly pulls you uphill until the smei steep last two miles of the tree lined 12 mile road..

Wow-in Volcano a special theatre that must just show 'A Sunday In Hell" and Paris Roubaix race highlights. (So 100% Lance free.)

Vest came on shortly at high point (Highway 88) and luckily I had taken jacket for the cold descent. Highway 88 is about 100' away and strange seeing cars whiz by with almost no one turning onto Shake Ridge Road.

DAVIS DOUBLE-2011

(Resurrection Day 2011) DAVIS DOUBLE, 202.4 miles, 8,400' climbing 16.8 mph., 5:30-7:00

w, Jack & section w/ Jeanne, Don, Brian and their friend from Oregon, and Tom and his friends on tandem. Passed on 4 rest stops.

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Jeanne-What a crazy long ass day. (Jeanne after finishing her first double.)

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Rusty-Dude what do you expect, you had the flu last week. (A couple of years ago when a week after the stomach flu was 2nd on our Club 60 mile ride up Mines Road and could have been buried on the spot on the easy downhill return trip)

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Harold Camping-May 21, 2011 is the day of Judgement. At 6pm (PDST) on that date believers will be plucked from Earth while there will be a massive earthquake strong enough to throw open graves followed by slow death to nonbelievers (The Head of Family Christian Radio makes it clear we better finish the Davis Double by 6:00)

At the Resurrection Rest Stop at mile 136.66 the light hits my odometer in a funny way and an image appears.

Davis Double is supposed to be one of the easiest Doubles, and easily the best attended, with 1000 riders instead of the usual 200 crazies. It offers great support but run more like a century--frequent rest stops offering more cookies than endurance food.

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And a few years back it became significantly harder as the old gradual climb couldn't be done due to road disrepair and the tough Cobb Mountain climb in the sun with traffic was put in. 110 degrees in 2008 & 100 degrees in 2009 didn't help matters.

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Last year missed out on Davis Double due to broken shoulder and figured 2011 would be a banner year with all the great Club riders we have doing bonus miles. Wrong. Mike and Colin on the brevet series in this PBP year. Dave, who was on the 'bent the year Don and I did it on fixed gear, had college graduation. I thought Ward and Christine would give it a go--especially after Jeanne said she would (but would probably stay with the slowest group riding,) but they said "NO." Don and Brian planned to ride it but with slow friends from Oregon. Wild card was Tom who used to do doubles now getting back into it, he's a good guy but doing it with a tandem whose captain had nothing to say to me and anyone else who didn't do doubles/ race 12 years ago, and I've had nothing to say to him since. So only Jack and I are probably going to ride together but Jack usually has an insane rest stop schedule (skip every other one and 5 minutes at the ones we do stop at) so I expected to eventually solo the Course though Davis is usually full of pacelines and you're rarely riding alone.

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Weekend before Davis Double was "not the best." Was sky high after squeezing into top third on Devil Mountain Double and rode great in Santa Rosa. So last week I'm freezing all day (bringing quizzical looks by mid day) and when Ward proposes super bonus miles I pack it in for once. As soon I get home I'm on the new Hammer weight loss plan--"Dump-etuem," which lasts 3 days. Do have a good Wednesday night training ride up Mt. Diablo but its short--30 miles round trip--so I wonder how I'll do at Davis. And I never finish Davis well as if I'm feeling strong I jump on faster and faster pacelines on the fast end, and I do much better on a slower courses.

If this sign isn't enough-100' down the road is a sign from the League of American Cyclists proclaiming Davis a wonderful city.
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Can't get a moderately priced motel room downtown in the great college town of Davis, I wound up staying on the outskirts. But winds up well as motel is where Davis brevets start and loop the Northern part of Davis (Covell to Road 31 to Putah Creek Rd) on roads through the agricultural belt with wide shoulders to Winters instead of taking the narrow congested roads closer to town with the bike path that zig zags from one side of the road to the other. Nice 44 mile out and back down in the SMALL chainring to guarantee an easy spin. Much of the way thought that I should have gone to grad school here--Davis seems like the best place to live in California.The view 1 block out of Davis--miles and miles of flat ag fields.Davis' answer to graffiti laden Honey Run up in Chico, the graffiti covered Stevenson Bridge leading to lightly traveled Putah Creek Road. Close to Winters is a house with a huge bicycle sculpture on the farm property--I was told that the Tour of California came by a few years ago and the occupant--a time trial devotee, put it up for the riders to see. I'm on old steel bridge leading to historic Winters--20 miles and a world away from Davis.

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BBQ smoker on Main Street, Winters.
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Met Jeanne and Jack for dinner night before--unusually quiet Club chatter during the week unlike past years and never clear what the ride stratagy was. Turns out the Don group starting at 5:00, and Jeanne would start with them, and she'd see how things were going when Jack and I came by at 5:30--our traditional "first light" start time. We thought the Tom group was leaving with Don but as it turns out no one knew when they were leaving. Jeanne at evening check in for the Day of Reckoning Double.

Jack wants the Lancy chocolate cake with the EPO frosting.

Little chill in the morning but pleasant 78 degrees/ sun predicted for later--Jack and I meet at 5:28 for the 5:30 start, and to my surprise Tom and the tandem are also starting at that time. First part of the course is flat through bumpy ag land--perfect for a paceline so we all pull out together. The tandem pulled the whole way to the first rest stop and set a good but not taxing pace (unlike Colin on the brevet) --was easiest ride to rest stop 1 I ever had. At this point sky was cloudy but muted pastel--not grey--really nice when we passed a small pond with a colorful reflection. Poor Jack, he sat 2nd wheel and the tandem likes to spit and snot--later in the day on another paceline the person in front of Jack upchucked like the exorcist baby. We had a parade of 20 going into the rest stop.

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Grayed out rest stops skipped

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As usual first rest stop on Davis (mile 23) jam packed and I told Tom that Jack and I were going to push on. Didn't have to ask Jack, knew he didn't want to stop. We kept going and soon passed by a strong rider clad in pink I had seen coming off Mt. Hamilton on Devil Mountain and we kept see-sawing (I'd go ahead on the uphills rollers, he'd pass on the flats.) Jonathan pulled us most of the way through the ag belt until Jack and I stopped for a quick "Sierra Club Dedication" and then we hopped onto another paceline that soon turned north heading to the Cardiac Climb.

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Truth be told I don't like the "easy" part of Davis--the first flat 35 mile out to Winters when everyone is mashing away. After Winters there is a slight uphill and then some sharp rollers, eventually leading to a nice climb up Cardiac. Yeah!-can get out of the saddle. What was formerly an effort now effortless. Jack and I had stayed on the back of a big paceline that has done great in the flat ag land but now is stalling on the rollers and I told Jack I'd go to the front and get us moving. Unfortunately some headwind but I got off the front--the paceline picked up speed caught back, and now we were going at a better speed. Soon hit the county line on a bridge over the Monticello Dam where the serious climb begins and I took off.
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Nice relativly short and 5 mile climb with no steepness. At the end is a strange house in the forest adorned with American flags, keep out/ no trespassing signs, and other oddities. I head that last year the owner was out cheering the riders on while blasting music--he is out again today. Stop at top of climb so don't get to far in front of Jack and have to take this guys photo--who is screaming support at the passing cylcists. He tells me to remember that he's the "Fire Chief of Monticello." Monticello being the town that was flooded and now underwater when Lake Berryessa constructed.

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Roll into Rest Stop #2 (mile 56), which is Jack/ my first rest stop. Brief worry as I hear a click click that sounds like a Micky Mantle baseball card in the spokes--I think I have a broken spoke--relief when it turns out that its only the chain that had fallen off the chainring. There I find Don/ Brian/ Jeanne and the strongest rider if the Oregon contingent--the slower members have already left.

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Jack soon rolls in. This rest stop is crowded, so do take a little time to get everything together. Plus Don rides at everyone else's pace and will stay at a rest stop as long as everyone else wants to. So refreshed we all start up Pope Valley---a nice route doted with small rollers and loads of vineyards. Very familiar as prominent on the Davis brevet series. Only one small thing--if Sonoma County has the worst f'n paved roads, Napa County is a close second. Some of the cracks and shallow potholes are hard to pick up when across the road.

Don and Brian on a roller on Pope Valley. This year the crazy man (Don) left his fixed gear at home. Jeanne at the back, Its established that I can't see, I thought she already passed. Jeanne said I BETTER have mistaken another woman and not a guy for her (I did.)
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Brian (above), Jack (below), Jeanne (below) on one of the back roads in Pope Valley.

In Pope Valley is rest stop #3 (mile 76)--nice rest stop which is the turn around point on the 200k brevet. Jack didn't stay here long on the 200k brevet and this time he didn't even stop so we parted ways with our Clubmates and pushed on. Now in Lake County where the rollers get more serious but the roads are paved. Joined by a friendly younger Mountain bike rider out of Marin as we go nicely up the rollers passing most riders in sight. Jack is never far behind. Funny--Devil Mountain is filled with elite climbers who sometimes make me feel like I'm riding in quicksand, Davis is filled with lost of flatlanders and Jack is zipping by them.

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Great Pope Valley part of this course is over too quickly and soon at Rest Stop #3-Middletown. (Mile 95) This is on our stopping schedule and I tell Jack we will take awhile here--the serious climbs are going to soon start and I'm taking off tee shirt--knee and arm warmers for good. Stupid me--should have left tee-shirt with clubmate Craig who is working this rest stop. Original bottles of Heed and Perpetuem now watered down and have no choice but to fortify the Heed one with salt poisoning Cytomax--but mix it at quarter strength. Drink mixes may be pedestrian but Davis Bike club has ice and plenty of 50-70 sunblock that goes on like latex paint but appreciated. Loads of cookies and chips and PBJ sandwiches--I just go for a banana and slice of bread. Adding a photo to a finished Blogger is a pain in the ass (ruins the formatting)--this one of Jack & I at Middletown rest stop got to me late--but had to be added as closeup portrait taken with a real camera (good detail) and against a light wall in full sun. It cried out to be converted to Black and White. (photo thanks to Craig.)

NO--don't let Craig get ahold of that knife in the lower right hand corner--all I asked for was a pumpkinbutter sandwich.

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As soon as we get out of town the road starts going up--gently at first. Two guys in tri setups storm past and I figure I just have to hold their wheel to the start of the serious climb, while they take turns mashing at the front. To my surprise one guy zips away on the climb, but I talk his friend who he left behind for awhile before I take off. Cobb Mountain gets suddenly STEEP, WARM (totally open), and on a main road with nary a shoulder so pockets of pissed off traffic--delayed by the bicycles, will suddenly roar past. The best rest stop on this ride is at the top of Cobb--I don't know if Jack will want to stop as we did stop at the last one but I don't care--figure I can get "bonus time" at the rest stop and be ready to go when he wants to zip by.

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Near the end quick zip downhill through the town of Cobb and then a last ass kicking bit of climbing until pink flamingos on the side of the road and a schoolyard reststsop surrounded by tall pines that rivals the Slug Gulch schoolyard rest stop. (Rest stop 5-mile 105) First rest stop that is not crowded, and much cooler here than most of the climb (elevation 2640') I grab a Diet Coke and some more cookies (I should have stayed on slices of bread) and banana. Jack is only a few minutes behind and thankfully he pulls in for a good stay at this rest stop.

The pink flamingos-we reached the Cobb Mountain rest stop.

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When we leave rest stop two more annoying short climbs (all climbs out of rest stops are annoying) and then the sign for "Jack Fun Time"--the yellow sign with a truck screaming down a triangular hill meant for caution. I follow down as closely as I can--which means Jack is soon out of sight untul he scrubs some speed for me to catch up. Past the general store I camped out waiting for Jack at Knoxville Double when we climb in the opposite direction--though I knew the end was near as I had an incredible thirst on that ride and a cold large bottle of Gatorade didn't help. Past the road I steered off of and onto a grass field a few years earlier with Don. Past Mike favorite church with the huge concrete madonna on the roof. All of this is soo familiar.

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We're soon on a fast back road to Lower Lake, Rest Stop 5B (mile 117) --also known as lunch. We'll lunch for some. Under the threat of sitting on the lawn with shoes off Jack will NOT stop here and we pass after availing ourselves to the clean outhouses right at the entrance.

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We're now on the dog miles, 13 miles to the next and last climb, and its mostly in a headwind. Jack and I set a good two man on the outskirts of Clear Lake--first time I did this double I couldn't believe that I had ridden up to Peddle Around the Puddle Territory.

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Resurrection another annoying climb--not really steep or long but out in the sun in the shoulder of a state highway. Some headwind on this--another cyclist and I traded blocking into the wind. Another summit rest stop so can get some bonus rest stop time, but again Jack not far behind.

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Resurrection Rest Stop-mile 136.66. Shit-- Jack and I riding efficently but not balls out--no way we will finish at 6:00, so do we get Triple Crown Credit if the world ends before we finish the ride??? We stay here for awhile and I'm getting a little tired--first time I sat my butt in a chair all day.

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Now more Jack fun time--a long downhillback to the valley in Colusa. Now we are on slighly downhill rollers along a riverbed--Cache Creek. Usually Cache Creek is filled with rafters and usually a huge paceline is zooming along collecting cyclists--Fresno bike club had a huge paceline going here 2 years ago and it was tough telling who were from their club and who was hanging on. But today--no one up the road and no one behind us. Just as strange--no rafters--in a year with loads of rain and snowfall in the mountains Cache Creek almost dried up--20-30' banks on the side clearly visable with a trickle of water. Jack was flying over the rollers and though rollers my speciality I wasn't going any faster when I went to the front. We didn't see another cyclist from the Ressurection downhill to until a few miles from the next rest stop, or for about 20 miles. A mile or so from the Guinda rest stop we caught a lone cyclist and soon were passed by a huge paceline right before the stop.

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Guinda Fire Station (rest Stop #7-mile 163) had the drop bags and I was lucky that I pulled my extra vest from it last night as no extra clothes were needed. I has extra Perpetuem and HEED mix, and downed a full Perpetuem shake. I hoped that this would put off my waining energy level. Met one of Mike's friends, Lori, one of the best long distance riders in California--we had finished the Mt Tam Double together years ago after Mike introduced me to her.

OK stupidasses--dont cycle and talk on your cell phone at the same time.

Lori, winner of the Womens' Doubles Stage Race a few years back, send greetings out to Mike, who is on the brevet track this year (Lori is on the doubles and brevet and RAAM track).

When we leave the fire station a small paceline passes and I'm so low energy I don't care but Jack fills in nicely for me and digs in (Jack--you really don't have to) and catches up and latches on behind and I unfortunatley do the same. Paceline not going that fast but it is an effort to hang in the back and I'm not doing anything great when its my turn at the front. Incentive to stay on paceline is to get off disgusting road that is near Cache Creek. Loads of cars, barely a shoulder that occasionally cuts out--at one point I wound up riding on the dirt before jumping back on. Poor Jack--he's riding great but after getting snotted on by the tandem in the AM the guy in front of him now upchucks 2x all over.

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Finally turn off the busy Highway 16 for a few turns through agricultural land back to the first rest stop we blew off in the AM. Now Farnham Ranch is rest stop #8, mile 181. I'm real tired now but not as tired as many folks slumped in chairs. I tell Jack there is no way I can jump on a fast moving paceline in, and he says not to worry. Those "scenic water crossings" (homage to Modesto Crossroad Century) I love to count on doubles to pass the time--no matter how unscenic or "dry bed" they are, now became "another f'n ugly shitty water crossing that sucks." I'm happy that the ride is almost over. Jack's happy he's riding well and escaped most of the snot, spit, vomit missles.

The rest of the ride is through flat ag land--alternating with a stiff crosswind, a sudden turn, and tailwind. At 6:00 expected a hurricane force to hit us while hopefully someone my size would disappear on their Colnago while they ascended to heaven (leaving the bike for me)-- but nutting happened except No Energy when we'd do a crosswind stretch. The last rest stop is at mile 196--and looked very inviting but only 6 miles from the end so I just hung on. It's the route I rode day before-I was soooo happy when I recognized the last farmers market outside Davis proper. Almost done.

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Pulled in parking lot at 7:02. They have it set up so you can ride your bike to the entrance--jump off and run in to record you time but it's not a timed event so I never care. I had told Jack I probably wouldn't join him for dinner--I barely got my bike on my car--threw everything off my bucket seat--text messaged Donna that I finished but I was going to snooze a little-set the alarm and solidly slept for an hour.

Woke up feeling much better--checked in but left my glasses in the car meaning I couldn't see more that 3' in front of me. No Jack, and the Don/ Jeanne group not in yet. Sat off to the side with a big helping of good veggie lasanga when a loud voice from the other side of the room puncuated the air--Kitty was yelling at Lee Mitchell to get new clothes. I need to talk to her to harrass him to play the Doors.
Former Triple Crown Stage Race winner Kitty who loves to harrass me if I "dawdle" in rest stops on the comback trail after a bad illness.

Santa Rosa Wine Country Double Metric Century-2011

(May 7, 2011) Santa Rosa Wine Country Double Metric Century, 120 miles, 6,600' elevation, With Ward, Christine, Jeanne, and Jim (for at least the first 7 hours.) 16.6mph. Christine isn't the only one with dedicated fan, Dr Dave was a no show for this ride, but his fans were out--please see disclaimer at the end re Foto Funnies. Wonder if the guy holding the sign is named Vince. (Photocrazy+WI+WI+PC =trouble)

This ride has the greatest course. Many small rollers, some steep rollers and a few long rollers at the beginning, back road riding through $$$$ wineries and down the Pacific Ocean. Course couldn't get better--unless Sonoma County decided to pave some of their roads. (Even in good economic times, with taxes multi million dollar wineries, Sonoma County lets their roads go to hell.) Great support by the Santa Rosa Cycling Club.

This is a ride we can keep the Club together, unfortunately because of brevets and this ride registration closing fast we had a small but dedicated and fun group. Also a malingering group, 1:48 at rest stops, albeit the stiffness when finally leaving it was good to be lazy and enjoy rests stops after last weeks Devil Mountain. Especially after getting poured on 2 years ago, and doing an end-o over a fallen rider last year, this ride was GREAT. Ward-o-Garmin graph--of course Colin's Garmin would have showed rain and 2x as much climbing.
*** Jim at Ocean Song--first rest stop before dropping down to the Coast, which Jim would basically pull us down in a blustery head-cross wind. (PC)
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The plan was for me to get off the bike and get photo with "skeleton" but it suddenly got gusty and cool, and stayed that way until we turned inland again. (WI)

***) We're at the traditional team photo spot in front of the choppy Pacific--so cold at Ward didn't switch places to get into the photo. (WI)

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Back inland it was nice and warm--but first sign of trouble, Jim, Jeanne and Ward comfortable on the ramp. Jeanne would be able to do this in two weeks when she attempts her first double. (PC)

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The pelaton and the traditional Wohler Bridge Crossing . A real scenic water crossing.(WI)

***) Usually grape fields, funky architecture or rustic bridges to "nowhere" off to the side (PC)

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It will now be kinda flat through vineyards to lunch. Out of the bike photographers Miles usually takes the best photos, but for some reason he chose to shoot this one with us coming out of the shadows. Jeanne is hiding in the shadows behind Jim. (Miles Photography)

)*** Oh-here is an earlier one along the Russian River where you can see Jeanne (WI)

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Donna and her Delta Pedaler group were doing the 100 mile loop and enjoying the great lunch spot near Lake Sonoma. (WI)

***) I think I found Hammergel/ Dr. Bill's West Coast research lab (PC)

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At last rest stop Ward thinking about putting up patriotic bunting around the Ward Industries Concord factory. (PC)

***) One roller thrown in at the end--Chalk Hill. Years ago I did the 120 mile route and struggled over this, and thought this would be the hardest climb I'd ever do (WI)

***) Christine flying over Chalk Hill. (PC)

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Jeanne thinking about "Judgement Day" on May 21st--when she does the Davis Double. (WI)

***.Had to get this Photocrazy Photo--we are all stoked--even if Christine did not get the memo re the color jersey to wear. Notice the great Pumpkin/ Domo Farm Frites bag on Ward's handlebars. (Photocrazy)

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End of ride meal--Doug and Joni-super friendly doubles riders (well Doug always is, Joni is when she is off the bike) who did a great job at rest stops last week on DMD. They deserve the pile of cookies--foreground (ok-truth be told the cookies are a prop I brought over) (JK)

The following Foto Funnies are brought to you by Ward Industries. The opinions and contents of the photos are the sole responsibility of Ward Industries and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Pumpkincycle management. Any resemblance to a non-fictional character--either living or deceased, is strictly coincidental.

Jim has new 200mm cranks(WI).Jeanne sick of Cytomax and Heed by 2nd rest stop. (WI).On top of Chalk Hill I try to provide inspiration to Donna's group by singing a religious song--Patti Smith's Gloria. (WI)Super Sag Driver Lee Mitchell usually drives by with nothing more rocking than Clearance Clearwater coming out of the speakers. For years I've been yelling at him when he passes to play "The Doors." Today my gang of delinquents joined in--at the end Lee was signing Doors tunes. (WI)