Marshall Wall-Tomales-Petaluma-Oh Great-More Smelly Cowshit Metric+ (2014)

(August 23, 2014) Marshall Wall-Tomales-Petaluma-Oh Great-More Smelly Cowshit Metric Plus, my ride-84 miles, 5000' climbing.  The overachievers--Jack & Kris who went 100 miles adding on to the end and Don, who did the slacker ride but on a fixed gear.  The slackers-Dr. Dave, Christine, Todd,  Recumbent David, Jeanne, Stephen-77 miles, 5300' climbing.  Who know wat they did-Rusty and Sara usually riding in the opposite direction from us, met us in Tomales and at the end.  

No long signature climbs but up and down for most of the course.

Fun ride.  It was originally supposed to be a 60 mile Marshall Wall loop which we did a month or so ago, so I wanted to add on to make it 80-90.     So instead of coming off the Marshall Wall and looping back South towards Pt Reyes Station and bakery, I wanted to head North on the Coast Highway to Tomales and bakery.  From Tomales there are 3 options to go back.  Stephen came up with a shorter 4th.  My add on Petaluma loop was a pain in the butt (long, shallow rollers) w traffic--I should have headed further north on Highway 1 to Valley Ford.  Next time.

I'm always deluded that this ride will be relaxed, but with the presence of so many competitive cyclists it never is.  Today started balls out on the first climb a few miles out--Westbound to Big Rock.  Dr. Dave picked up our pace on the climb for the same reason.  Rusty had started with us and he is one of the strongest riders and a great downhiller--and the 12 miles after Big Rock is generally downhill.  So with Todd we slammed hard up Big Rock, and then ran a three man.   We didn't want to hear Rusty fly by yelling "hey dude."  I started doing play by play and sure enough Rusty was gaining on us--about 300-400' in back.  But we continued with the three man, Dave put in a strong pull and Rusty was stuck in no mans land.

Congrats to Christine for taking out the Cheese Factory climb against the interlopers.

The Club regrouped in Nicasio and a we had a nice Diablo Cyclist paceline for a few miles.  Two women we passed latched onto the back of our paceline, which was fine, until we made the turn beginning the Cheese Factory Climb.  Then they shot off the front.   Christine and Kris were near the front of our group, and it was up to them to chase their gender compatriots.   Kris is strong on the flats but still working out her climbing--and she had a great excuse for not chasing .  "I did a century yesterday."  Yes she did, her second week of back to back century rides in prep for the Knoxville Double, so I had to let her off the hook.   Christine got her dander and rhythm up-she started slowly but picked up speed as the climb progressed--and caught her "two sistas" near the top.  The two interlopers started chasing Christine downhill but they made a tactical mistake.  A tandem had just crested and was starting the downhill, Christine wisely got behind the tandem while the two chasers didn't.  I slotted myself behind the two women chasing Christine; they kept a strong "two man" going but had "none chance."  They looked back a few times to see if I was going to come forward---nope.  Meanwhile Dr. Dave had also drafted the tandem, he backed off and pulled the old 2001.  So the women caught up to him and then realized that they had to get around him while he was slowly bringing the pace down.

David, Kris, Jeanne and Todd on the Marshall Wall

After a break at the Cheese Factory we then had a hard run in to the Marshall Wall with Dr. Dave, Todd, Recumbent Dave and Christine--and when we got to the wall Dr. Dave just shot up it as he had done a couple of months before. 

Stephen leading Jeanne and Chris up a fun roller towards Tomales.

Regroup for the ride on the Highway 1 North which features lots of attention getting rollers and the fn clam bar where a car doing a U Turn took me out on my last timed double.  Dr. Dave, Christine and I remembered being in Tomales years ago on a Stephen ride with thick thick fog.  Today it was nice and sunny.   We thought we lost Rusty and Sara but they took a different route to and from Tomales.

Don and his fixie in the Downtown Tomales.

Waffles in Tomales

Dr. Dave and Chris (David and Jack in background) relaxing at the bakery with the gas pump

.

Nice break in Tomales--at the center of town is a bakery, deli and general store.   This may be the three chief qualities of a Club Ride cycling destination.   A few other cycling clubs were also "in the middle of nowhere."  I wanted to continue North to Valley Ford but no enthusiasm for that, so we all (except for Sara and Rusty) went East.   We were in the middle of cow country and the effervescent smell of cow crap permeated the air.     I kept riding back and forth, riding and bsing with Don on his fixie and then charging up to get Todd to spring ahead on a sprint.

Across Marin--the gang with Don on a fixie and Dr. Dave in the front and camera strap

Don passing some more cows

Don and Jeanne passing one of the handful of one room schoolhouses we'd see

After a long break the original route salesman, Stephen, threw in a shorter option that didn't go to Petaluma.  Everyone chose the Petaluma bypass except for me.  The trip to Petaluma and back was non eventful except for the hay truck that passed while spraying another cyclist and me with shredded hay.

Solo by the Nicasio one room schoolhouse

Only a few other cyclists now on the road instead of the crowd we saw in the morning.  Caught up with a nice guy on the run in to Big Rock--now with 75 miles in my legs.  Told him I had to go for "Strava time" on Big Rock.  One of my favorite climbs as its steep (wish it was a little steeper) but only .2 miles--which is great as the climb is finished before my cardio goes down the toilet.  The guy on the road said he'd play rabbit and took off which got me going real hard.   Later I found out for the day I was tied for 1st on the Big Rock Strava segment with Reed Albergotti who co authored "The Wheelmen"--the expose' about the Lance Armstrong led doping ring.   Wish I would have run into him and asked him why he thought  Lancy got a pass for abandoning his team during the Spring Classics--while Barry Bonds or Joe Montana would have been skewed if they suddenly sat out (or went home) when the Dodgers or Cowboys respectively were in town.


Last short climb of the day Diablo Cyclists (orange dots) all over the top 10 positions on the climbs for the day--and some of our fastest guys weren't on the ride..

As usual the run in from Nicasio, which is real fast, and the ride over too quickly.  Most of the club was still around.  Jack and Kris were off doing a full 100 looking for another bakery so they hadn't come in yet.  Another good day of cycling and hi jinx.  I was happy that with the cortisone injection-- this was my first full first week in months that my hand didn't hurt when cycling--so it felt great to do lots of miles with great company and slam some rollers.

Patterson Pass Century (2014)

(August 16, 2014) Patterson Pass Century, w Christine, Jack, Matt, Young Andy, Vlad, Kris, 92 miles, 3,760' climbing

Significant Climbs
Patterson Pass-4.8 miles 5%--steeper with head windbuildup near the top (.3 mile, 11%)



Elevation



Midweek Christine and I ran into each other at the base of Mt. Diablo, and we both decided we DIDN'T want to do the weekend Diablo Cyclist Peet's Coffee ride--again.   My plan was  to ride the Napa Century (Tour of Wine Country) route self supported the day before the official ride if it was sizzling in the East Bay.   This would necessitate waking up early, travel.......so if it wasn't close to a predicted high of 100 degrees we'd do Patterson Pass.  Christine was in and then we sent out a mass email to the "usual suspects" to see if anyone wanted to join in.

"HELL NO WE WOULDN'T GO"   Co conspirator Chris when we decided NOT to do the Peets Coffee ride and we'd suggest a better alternative.

In response Kris sent me a string of "funny" emails; she is planning to do her first double at the end of September and is looking for some tips, and was doing the Napa Century on Sunday.   One of mine is to ride back to back century rides on consecutive days.  Kris said she was going to do that in a few weeks.    A few weeks?, the Knoxville Double is 40 days away and following the Dr. Dave tapering plan (which is more normal than mine) she really just has 30 days to ramp up.  I strongly suggested she join the Patterson Pass group and about 3 emails later she signed up.

"I trained well--tomorrow I am going to try to do the maximum-but more I can't do."- Johan Museeuw

Otherwise Christine and I had no idea who else would join up to Patterson Pass, which goes in a diametrically opposite direction than Peet's Oakland.    It involves a GREAT desolate and fast run in to the climb and then a hard windswept climb in between windmill farms.

At the group gathering at the start of the club ride, the low level fog hanging over the Oakland hills had everyone choosing to go towards Patterson Pass.  Towards--as the first 20 miles is relatively flat and half the people would turn around at "the Trees."  It was great having lots of company, even without really knowing who was going to do the route and who was going to turn around.

Big sprint to "the Trees;" I was shot out the back as Dr. Dave, Matt and Christine zoomed forward.  I regrouped with Young Andy and Vlad--the two best sprinters in the club, but they were on good behavior at this point as they were considering the Patterson Pass option, which they had never done.

At the end of the trees Christine, Kris, Matt, Young Andy, Vlad, Jack and Dr. Dave continued on--Dr. Dave wasn't going to do the PP but wanted to get in more miles where he could comment on the turning windmills ("When the windmills are turning you are screwed"--Uncle Steve.)   In the flat section Vlad and Andy are great to ride behind, big guys but real real steady--as long as Vlad doesn't decide to kick in an instant 1100 watts just for fun.

Andy and Vlad just past the dirt bike park and under the trestle--we are now leaving civilization far behind and starting the best 12 miles of cycling in the East Bay.



Matt and I on the great PP run in.

As Kris, Vlad and Andy never did this I kept telling them about the great DOZEN MILE run in to the PP climb--IMO the best dozen miles in the East Bay.   Jack disagreed but didn't offer any alternative.  The run in to PP features:

-smooth road

-no traffic control

-almost no traffic

-rolling hills with windmills off to the side

-an ever present tailwind that has you easily going 20mph on the climb

Dr. Dave turned off to look for rabbits before the trestle that starts the "miracle dozen miles" and a lanky triathlete was about 600' in front of us--starting the fast climb.   Vlad and Andy were in serious discussion--Vlad saying "he knows that the triathlete is a girl, look at the way she sits on the saddle."  No one else was THAT sure, the triathlete was two football fields away.  Vlad zoomed ahead to see if he was right, he was, and started to celebrate when he passed the woman.  Not that he passed a cyclist--but that he had been correct about the cyclists gender.  Woman was rightfully po'd and sped up and Matt and I stayed with her up the climb to Summit Garage--very smooth pedal stroke that wasn't squirrely like many triathletes.  Vlad lucky that she wasn't going up the PP climb.

I didn't have the camera out when Vlad first passed the triathlete and started an over the top celebration--so here is a re-creation.  He's lucky he didn't do that to Christine--she would have kung fu'd him in the head.

On the downhill Christine, Matt and I pushed the pace and on the sudden fast uphill rollers I had so much fun.  I just had a cortisone shot in my hand and was the first time in awhile I could stand on the pedals and push hard on the bars.  Then I flipped back to ride with Jack and Kris, giving her doubles tips.  Between Jack and me, and Don tomorrow on the Napa Century, she'll get lots (maybe too much.) useful information.  Past the Rolling Stones Altamont Speedway and past the PP climb turnoff--as it was 90+ degrees and we'd first go another 2 miles to the Tracy 7-11 to get liquored up before the PP climb.

Andy, Jack and Matt when we turn off the fast PP runin onto the Midway.   No carnival on the Midway--just some steep rollers, windmills and the Rolling Stones Altamont Speedway

Vlad has the super super super Big Gulp.

Only bad thing about the big, new, modern 7-11 is that there is no trees in the front, so its broiling.  Christine has a good idea--there is a small foyer entrance where we can watch the bikes and is also air conditioned, so we all huddled in the entranceway.

When we were going towards the PP--all the windmills on the sides were turning--not a good sign.  The helpful tailwind on the dozen mile PP run'in becomes a strong headwind on the PP climb--and the headwind becomes stronger at the top when the grade is in the high teens.

We started up the climb and Matt zoomed away.  Christine was setting a killer pace and I stayed with her.  Matt and I agreed that after the 28+ minute (Matt)-33+ minute (me) climb we'd go back down for the slowest rider.   Meanwhile we were pleasant surprised--the headwind wasn't bad--just strong enough to keep us cool but not much of a hindrance.   (Headwind strength "3"--compared to a brutal "10" headwind as can be seen clicking here   

Christine on the Patterson Pass climb

Andy on the PP

Jack on the PP

Kris on the PP.  I don't think she's THAT angry with me for talking her into this.

Vlad on the PP--he had done this once before from the EZ Livermore side (1.7 miles, 7%, tailwind) and he thought this is what we were doing today.  Surprise--but our sprinter did well. 

Matt decided he has soooo much fun on the PP that he shot by our last rider coming up and did another mile of bonus climbing.

Everyone did a great job on the climb.  Kris didn't start curing me out as promised for talking her into this, and Vlad disclosed he had mistakenly thought this climb was easier than MT. Diablo Junction as he had come up from the Livermore side once before.  Festive sit down at the Livermore Library.

Our group at the top of Patterson Pass--luckily we didn't hit all the rabbits running about.  Dr. Dave would have loved it.

Ride back was great--rode as a group or regrouped often to keep together.  The bonus mile group watches out for each other.  Stop at a fast food joint that had ice, which almost had Vlad celebrating again.  Some hijinx at the approach to Walnut Creek--a "famous" sprint point.  Andy is a strong all around cyclists who is a very good sprinter, yet Vlad is a much much better sprinter.   Meaning I was going to get killed in  the sprint so I started from far out, hoping Vlad was fried.   Nope-all of a sudden a sports car zoomed by me--oh, it wasn't' a car, it was Vlad. 

In any event it was Vlad and Andy's first time on the PP course and first time they did a century ride (the rode a little more after the ride to get a full 100.)   Kris may not be happy on the Napa Century as she rode much harder than I would before a century ride, but it was great training for her double aspiration.

Christine is getting too strong, so it's great trying to keep up with her.   I had an ez ride as it was useless to chase Matt on a climb or Vlad in the flats, so most often I was either riding my pace or trying to match Christine's--which made for a real enjoyable ride.

Mt. Shasta Summit Super Century (2014)

(August 3, 2014)  Mt. Shasta Summit Super Century, w/ Dr. Dave and Jack, 140 miles, 16,000' climbing.

2 BONUS MUSIC VIDEOS

IN THIS POST

Mt Shasta from the same spot, Summer 2010 and Summer 2014.

 

This is the ride I went into last year with minimal training after vacation, two week cold, and car trouble and I had to stop 2 1/2 miles from the end of the last climb.  This was the impetus for riding with a heart rate monitor and power meter this year.  With training, and -7 lbs the ride is still  damn hard.  The quick summary is:

-Dr. Dave spun away from me up the 1st & 2nd climbs (so did most other people)
-Dave & I  regrouped at the summit
-Dr. Dave zoomed away from me on the descents
-Dave & I  regrouped at the base of the climb
-Both of us zoomed away from Jack, he regrouped with us when we were getting a 30 minute
massage at the top of the 2nd climb.
-I plodded up the 3rd climb ahead of Dr. Dave and Jack when the temperature hit the high 90's
-Dave and I regrouped at the summit
-Dave, Jack and I all arrived together for lunch.  I split early to take a 3 mile detour to my car at the motel to get:
     1) a rain jacket & tshirt so I wouldn't freeze on the Mt Shasta downhill like last year
     2) down a bottle of cold Perpetuem so I'd be liquored up unlike last year when  I was dehydrated on the Mt. Shasta climb
     3) carrying on a Death Ride tradition, as I was already at the car changed my sweat soaked jersey & shorts
     4) took the bike stereo for the 14 mile climb up Mt. Shasta

 -At the place I finally died at last year, Bunny Flat, 2 1/2 miles from the end, I was convinced that Dr. Dave and Jack were behind me so I hung out for 15 minutes.  Turns out they were about 5 minutes in front of me.  Instead I got the honor of starting the last section with a 12 year old, turned off the stereo, and the last 2 1/2 miles were eerily quiet with no one on the road.  Last 2 1/2 miles were the easiest on the ride and finally made it to the "beautiful" Old Ski Bowl (2010-road closed with snow, 2013-I died out.)  Jack was starting the downhill when I was near the top and Dr. Dave was waiting for me.

OK, now you know the end of the story.  Now some  details and pictures.

The Mt. Shasta Summit Super Century is misnamed as there is no paved road that goes to the top of Mt Shasta.  Instead the ride loops around Mt. Shasta City and climbs 4 long hills--with giant Mt. Shasta that dominates the area as the last climb; which goes 1/2 way up.   Its distance and climbs are compatible to the more famous Death Ride/ Alta Alpina 5 Pass, and the Climb to Kaiser; actually it has a little more climbing than either.   I think altitude is much more of a problem on the Death Ride/ Alta Alpina --with Mt. Shasta climbing altitude about 2000' less.   (Death Ride/ Alta Alpina goes from around 5500' to 8300' elevation, while the Mt Shasta ride goes between 3600' and 6800'.)  Severe grades are more of a problem on Climb to Kaiser.  What makes the Mt. Shasta Summit Super Century harder than these other climbing rides is that the climbing is BACK ENDED.  After 60 miles you still have 3 of 4 climbs remaining.

Per Strava segments
(1) Parks Road--13 miles, 6%,  tree lined, narrow, winding, rough road
(2) Mumbo Summit--12 miles, 5%, tree & creek lined, narrow, winding, rough road, gets steeper near the top
(3) Castle Lake--7 miles, 5%, wide open, sunny, well paved for auto traffic.  Steepest & warm at the start of climb.

(4) Mt. Shasta--14 miles, 6%, wide open but trees to side blocking low sunny late in the day.  Well paved for auto traffic with nice shoulder.  End of paved road is only 1/2 way up Mt. Shasta.

 

Mt. Shasta is 4 hours away from the Bay Area toward Oregon, and it's NOT part of a mountain range, so its incredible when you see it standing alone from miles away.  It dominates the area.  Usually covered in snow, because of THE drought only glacier ribbons on Mt. Shasta.  Oh, it did snow--ash, from numerous forest fires near the Oregon border. 

Bicycle in Mt. Shasta City fits the New Age town perfectly; Mt. Shasta looming in background..

Impressive archway to Weed, CA but main street is mostly vacant with some nice statues around City Hall.

I wanted to go into the Mt. Shasta Brewing company in Weed (their slogan "try legal Weed") but never made it inside.

Jack looks a lot like Mr, Weed.   The nude female archer statute look a lot like Diablo Cyclist female cyclist----WAIT, this will get me in trouble, I am leaving this alone....

 

Got up to Mt. Shasta one day early so I could relax for a whole day before the ride (the ride up Hwy 5 through hot farming communities nothing to write home about.)  Worked out well as Mt. Shasta City is Berkeley North, populated by crystal and new age shops.   Many people believe Mt. Shasta has special spiritual power.  Some streams in town are the headwater for the Sacramento River--and despite signs warning about bathing and drinking the water, many "hippies" bring large jugs to fill up with the magic Mt. Shasta runoff.     Temperatures touched 100 degrees.

Filling up big jug of water or wading through the headwater in Diablo Cyclist fixed gear socks--both popular activities.

The next day I got an early start for my pre ride ez spin.  I picked a beautiful route between Mt. Shasta City and Weed--whose industry is making tee shirts with playful banter about the towns name.  Not wanting a serious climb I took Old Stage Road which is tree lines and full of rollers.  In Weed I went past the corny souvenir shops and the dead main street and discovered two great statues by City Hall--Mr. Week, the founder of the City, looks a lot like Jack.  Temperature a few degrees cooler than the day before but the haze from the smoke and ash more apparent.    My bike had a problem during trip with the front derailleur at first hesitating to shift and eventually refusing to shift into the small ring.   Cable problem? oh crap, I'll need to shit a lot tomorrow.   Go to "5th Season" Sports store who are running a time trial up Mt. Shasta. Their mechanic quickly takes my bike and dx's that my derailleur is gunked up by sports drink and does a great job cleaning and lubing it so it shifts perfectly. 

Dr. Dave took over the jute box at Mike & Tony's


In late afternoon Dr. & Mrs. Dave & Jack arrived and we all met for dinner.  Dave didn't think Poncho & Lefkowitz would have authentic Italian food or authentic Italian Music so we went to Mike & Tonys after checkin at the park with the Sacramento River headwater.  For some unknown reason I had "Venus In Furs" stuck in my head--a song I didn't even remembering having on my car stereo, or ever hearing, and Dr. Dave did his best to see if I could get stuck on some other song.   (**Finally figured out why stuck in my head--reason at end of blog**) 

(above) Dr. Dave and I in front of checkin venue (below) Dr. Dave and Jack checking in (further below) What stupid person chose that we'd do the long ORANGE route?, Road markings I can't even miss.



 

As our motel was only 1 1/2 miles away from the start, we decided to bike over at 5:45am.  Dark out but it wasn't that cold--comfortable with tshirt, vest and arm warmers--all that could be sent back to the start at any rest stop in a "Chico Bag."   

There are 4 different route options on the ride and we saw very few riders over Old Stage Road which I had done the day before.   No tiny arrows here, large turn arrows nicely painted on the road.  The first climb, Stewart Springs/ Parks Road, is 13 miles NW of town--and many 3 pass Century riders go to the foot of the climb and then turn around before doing any of the climb.

  

Jack and Dave lead out as we leave Mt. Shasta City heading north.  We're heading toward the Black Butte lava dome--luckily we don't get to climb it.

 

Jack in the early morning on his Volagi--we joked that he had a cushy ride down the first two lumpy/ bumpy hills.  No wonder he didn't need a massage at the top of climb #2

 

Parks Road climb is somewhere up there

We started up and I was wondering where everyone was--as no one besides Dave, Jack and I at the start of the climb.  That question was soon answered in the next 13 miles when about 50 cyclists passed me and I may have passed 5.   I've really gotten slow--though Dr. Dave pointed out that many were on a local club ride that were just doing our summit, while I was trying to complete the course and generally tried to hold my power down under 200w.    Still when some DFL (Dead Fuckin Last) riders passed on the right I was ready to counterattack--but in reality most were also Too Fuckin Fast.   Some were Too Fuckin Dangerous, as a later paceline would attest to.)   On the climb Dave spun on ahead while I got far ahead of Jack.  Dave and I would regroup on all the summits and base of the downhills and ride together on the rollers.  When moving we are much faster than Jack.   As when we were not moving, taking photos, whizzing, in rest stops, getting massages, we are much slower than Jack who doesn't F around--so eventually we'd all regroup.

Dave and I at the start of Parks Road climb.

 

 

 

 

Scenes from 13 mile Parks Road climb-the last photo is as we approaching the summit where we'll turn around.  Road continues downhill towards Highway 3--towards some of the forest fires.

A thirteen mile climb is serious and I downed most of my sports drink bottle and a thawing out frozen Perpetuem bottle by the top.  I drank like a fiend but couldn't keep up with drinking.  The rest stops were NOT well stocked--I wanted to duck something in my jersey "for emergency" but the only thing they had wrapped were Shot Blocks, otherwise it was cookies, mini muffins, pound cake.   (Rest stops were very good with plenty of ice and organic sun block.  Good big directional arrows on the road.  Negitives--apart from lack of "wrapped to eat while riding" items at rest stops--didn't see any mobile sags on the road.) 

Climbing UP narrow, nicely shaded, twisty, somewhat bumpy roads is great--downhill is a disaster.  My right hand wrapped up re carpal tunnel/ so is Dr. Dave's and I couldn't open a lip balm by the end of the downhill.  I was glad I took a blinking headlight to serve notice on the cyclists still coming up (I counted 50+) and the very occasional car.    

OK--enough with the Weed jokes

The 20+ miles of rollers via Weed and back on Old Stage Road to get to climb #2 in the SW corner of the area was my favorite part of the day.  Again Dr. Dave and I were riding solo for most of it, in the last few miles two paceline came by.  One was the DFL gang riding all over the road, another was a faster paceline keeping a nice straight line but a few DFL guys hooked on--a few rode on each side--a few were all over the place.  Almost a clusterfuck when Dave and I were going straight to start climb #2 and most of the DFL guys hooked a left turn from the right side of the road to grab an early lunch.

Climb #2 to Mumbo Summit a lot like climb #1--except a lot warmer.  Also lots of trickling creeks whereas Dave noticed that the road kicks up after we pass "scenic water crossings."   (In 2010 there were 10' snow banks in the summer on the side of the road.)  Dave and I were cursing half way up as almost out of water--damn, we should have detoured and refilled at the lunch stop. 

First we passed a person wearing a SAG vest and I yelled if she had water--"no."   I couldn't figure out why a stationary useless sag was there.  Then we heard some rhythmic drums and wind instruments--climbing to their repeated beat was great.  Even better was a rest stop shortly after where we could get liquored up.  Dave zoomed on ahead so he'd be first on the massage table at the Mumbo Summit Rest Stop.  The massage therapists are dedicated ice skaters who are Friends of the Rink--the fundraising arm to keep the Mt Shasta Siskiyou Community Ice Rink open.
After a half hour Jack arrived--in time for another lumpy, bumpy descent.  At least cars were diverted on half the descent so didn't have to worry about cars passing still climbing cyclists on our side of the narrow road.

 

 

 

 

This was great--rhythmic music suddenly heard while climbing through the forest.  (I would have fallen over if they were playing the "Venus in Furs" intro)

 

Scenes from Mumbo Summit climb--maybe the nicest climb of the day. 

 

Punching the wristband at the top, which is how they keep track of what climbs you did. 

 

This little piggy went to market.

 

Don't tell Kitty I'm sleeping.  They're seeing if they can stretch me out and get me to 6' tall.  Then the L orange Mt Shasta Century Jersey from the event a few years back, that I just picked up on the 'cheep' will fit--of course they had no Mediums)

Climb #3 to Castle Lake starts immediately at the bottom of Mumbo Summit.  It is the shortest climb, but the road is wide open so its in the sun, and now by midday the temperature takes a great leap forward.   The real high for the day (not sun baked Garmin high) was 92 at the base of Mt. Shasta and it was probably a few degrees warmer here.    Dr. Dave and Jack has started up before me--after a mile they were both standing in the shade on the side of the road.   Dave said he wanted to do Mt. Shasta so instead of frying himself now he was going to turn around to climb #4.   Both were OK so I started up again--now on the steepest part of the climb.  For the third time today a guy on a mountain bike called out hello as he zipped by me.   Otherwise not to many people on this climb and unlike earlier no great numbers came by me.     Near the top I caught up to a guy from Colorado State and we finished the climb together.  Near the top were lots of parked cars--with many people making use of Castle Lake in the heat.

Castle Lake climb nothing special and hot.  At least downhill will be wide open over nice pavement.

 

Dave and I resting at the end of the road by Castle Lake.

At the rest stop I chuckle that Dave is NOT going to believe me when I tell him that the grade of the climb slacked off shortly after he turned around and a breeze had soon picked up whereas it definitely got cooler than the inferno at the base.  About 5 minutes later, I'm putting final touches on leaving when I hear "surprised to see me," --its Dave coming in looking like he just was in a boxing match.   He also stopped short of the finish last year and knows we gotta finish this fn ride so we NEVER have to do it again.   I wait around for him to cool down, downed a whole bottle of iced tea as I did at every mountain summit to no hydration avail. Jack arrived and we all started down together.   Its very hazy so no great sight of Mt. Shasta off to the side like in past years.    Nice to go downhill on smooth pavement--this downhill was far to short.

Lunch stop at the Mt. Shasta resort, to the SW of Mt. Shasta City.

Just a few miles from the lunch stop we skipped coming out here and we get rehydrated and have a real sandwich.  We now have to ride a few miles NE through town to get to Mt. Shasta, and my car with needed supplies is directly N.     Dave had left a few supplies in my car but he said he'd go straight to Mt. Shasta.  I left lunch before Jack and Dave as I'd be adding 3-4 miles which involved a few blocks of relatively annoying climbing. (Summary at beginning describes what is in my car.)   When I left lunch two Benicia Cyclists were right in front of me--I'd later pass them on Mt. Shasta, one of the two reasons I thought Dr. Dave and Jack were behind me on Mt. Shasta.

Going back to Mt. Shasta City with Mt. Shasta looming in the background

New sleeveless jersey was great when hitting the base of Mt. Shasta, climb #4,  where it almost as warm as the base of the Castle Lake climb.  Ok--a 14 mile climb, never a real steep grade but I remembered very well my heart racing when I started the climb last year.  I feel much much much better now--hand hurts, bottom of my feet hurt a little, but I have lots of energy and just downed a cold Perpetuem so not worried about losing appetite.  Two rest stops on this wide open climb.  Late in the day-@4pm, and the tall trees on the side of the road are soon blocking the full force of the sun.  Even though some traffic on the main road--there isn't much--and the shoulder is nice and wide and smooth and cool.  
 

 

 

Selfie at the start of the climb up Mt. Shasta--Mt Shasta City is only about 4 blocks back.

 

 

 

Selfie approaching first rest stop on the Mt. Shasta climb.

 

 Only thing wrong was my FN Garmin.   I got it so I could monitor my heart rate on this climb.  So while going from car to climb, @ mile 110-the power/ cadence/ heart rate reading crapped out (as it sometimes does at mile @75, but I had recently updated firmware and hoped that solved the problem.)  As I really wanted the locked up data I "ended" my ride at mile 110 as the Garmin congratulated me for my most climbing miles ever.  You stupid shit, it ain't my most climbing miles on a ride and I'm just resetting your ass.  So I started a new ride up Mt. Shasta--luckily the Garmin worked or it would now be in 37 pieces.   (Dr. Dave wasn't as lucky--his wouldn't register power from the start of the ride.)

Turned on bike stereo and enjoyed the music now riding solo.  Passed the two Benicia Cyclists I had seen leaving lunch and a few other guys but didn't see much anyone else on the road.  Except for the guy on the mountain bike who passed me again.   All day long I would just chug along until I got 2 miles from a rest stop and then I'd get excited and my pace would pick up.   Same thing happened here.  Rest stop workers now ringing cow bells when you'd arrive--nice touch.  Still crappy selection of food--I'd love a breakfast bar right now.   I half heartedly asked if anyone had seen two guys with Diablo Cyclist jerseys, figuring no one would know BUT one rest stop worker energetically responded and asked what bikes they ride.  When I told him he started describing other riders on Dave's bike but no Diablo Cyclist.  Jack has a unique bike that he would have noticed so "NO-they hadn't come by."  So now I was convinced that they were behind me and Dave would soon pass me.



I'm at Bunny Flat--much much happier than last year.  Only 2 1/2 miles to go.

Leaving Bunny Flat with a 12 year old kid who is on the Century route and is doing great.

Leaving 6 mile rest stop--next rest stop at mile 11 at Bunny Flat, where last year I gave up the ghost looking half dead with  Dr. Dave telling me "we have as much climbing as the Death Ride--lets go back down." I was pissed at myself for a year.  Today feeling good--hand is actually getting better not being knocked around on descents and I'm able to keep changing hand position.  Bottom of foot is hurting which is unusual, but not hurting bad enough to prevent me from standing every so often for 50 pedal strokes to break up the monotony.  Appetite is gone, I have to force myself to have a Chomp or Shot Block.  Glimps of Mt. Shasta around a bend are cool, but otherwise its been a whole day of grinding uphill and I'm starting to feel it.

About a mile from Bunny Flat a strange sight--I'm gaining on two cyclists and one is real real short.
Well the reason he's real short is that he's a 12 year old kid!!!--he's on the 100 mile, 2 1/2  climb, 10,500' ride.  When I was his age I'd ride my bike 1 block on the sidewalk to the schoolyard.  I shout out encouragement which I'm later told got him stoked.  At Bunny Flat I hung out for 15 minutes, mostly to take off shoes and to see if Dave and Jack would come in and we could finish together.  I talked with the kid and his dad for awhile and his mom was at the rest stop where she took my photo.  Dad said the ride was hard as he was 51--I laughed, when I was 51 yers old I was fast.

 

The last 2 1/2 miles--I got lots of energy in this section and perfect for  a conversation with my dad.  

 

With Dr. Dave at the Old Ski Bowl.  We finally made it.

 

Where is the Ski lodge??  At the Old Ski Bowl there is the top of Mt. Shasta...and rocks.

 

No Jack or Dr. Dave so time to get going--the last 2 1/2 miles (800' elevation gain) I couldn't do last year.   Now I'm stoked.   In sleeveless jersey--temperature is perfect with a little breeze.  I turn off the music--nice and quiet, and have a quick talk with my dad, assuring him that not nearly suffering like on the last climb on Alta Alpina 8.   Some more quick glimpses of the second half of Mt. Shasta which has no paved road to its 14,612' top (Old Ski Bowl is at 7730'.)  Getting close to the end of the road and suddenly a familiar face is coming down--Jack.   Then I soon pull into Old Ski Bowl--no Ski resort or chair lift, just a huge field with rocks as far as the eye can see.  Dr. Dave is waiting for me--we take our VICTORY photo, Dave starts the downhill and I just hung out for a few more minutes.  I thanked the rest stop workers and one said "we'll see you next year."  I responded--"you'll have to work the Sierra Century then." 

Dave did notice a maze at the Old Ski Bowl.  Wonder if he did it while waiting for me. (Dr. Dave)

I brought a tshirt and rain jacket for the downhill--if I wasn't such a cold wuzz I wouldn't need both.   The 14 mile downhill was a million dollar downhill.  Road curves but in a grand sweeping style, well paved, no cars on it.  It was cool when I started going down but half way down I pulled off the rain jacket.  About a dozen riders still coming up; the first one I saw was the 12 year old and his dad.  What a cool thing to be able to do together. 

Back to the park for congratulatory beer glass for finishing 4 passes, and a nice soft taco meal.  Any thought of going to Weed brewpub to celebrate is veto'd by my weary body.  There is always time for the HOT TUB back at the motel; when I go in it who comes along but 12 year old and his family from Santa Rosa, and we have a nice chat about cycling.  

The next day long, long boring drive home.  The remote boring drive is probably the main reason never to do this ride again--unless I know that Mt. Shasta is drenched in snow.  The ride is just one day old and already an all time "epic."  I then thought about in 2010 doing the 3 longest passes on a heavy steel bike loaded with "stuff" was easy, now with a lighter bike and not carrying gear 4 passes was doable but hard.   At this rate, in a couple of years the 12 year old kid  will come flying by me on some ride--I hope he remembers to call out "on your left" as he zips by.

**I was puzzled why "Venus In Furs," a song I wasn't that familiar with, was stuck in my head--especially the musical intro with the plodding beat that is perfect for climbing.   Found out on return car trip--I had downloaded the 1970's classic garage band song "Vehicle" last week and had played it numerous times.  The song that follows Vehicle on the car jutebox...Venus In Furs.