tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48288036151198244782024-02-07T09:27:57.132-08:00Gruppo PumpkincycleCycling In Northern California, Mt. Diablo, Domo Diablo Cyclists, Delta Pedalers, Double Rides, Devil Mountain Double, Davis Double, Terrible Two, Eastern Sierra Double, Mt Tam Double, Knoxville, Bicycle Riding In Italy, Siena, Firenze, Montepulciano, Orvieto, Volterra, Chianti, Pisa. Bicycle Riding In Hawaii, Oahu, Haleakala, The Death Ride, Climb to Kaiser, Wine Country Century, Chico Wildflower, Tierra Bella, Delta Century, Mt Shasta, Flanders, Belgium, Brussels, AmsterdamPumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.comBlogger364125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-10115563985067888792014-11-10T21:09:00.002-08:002014-11-10T21:09:49.303-08:00Bizarro Patterson PassNovember 8, 2014, <strong>Bizarro Patterson Pass</strong>**, w/ Dr. Dave, Christine, Jack and London Matt, 89.2 miles, 3,440' elevation (wait--Christine has 3,900' and Dr. Dave 3,800' on the same course.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQTLqwIKxTzZEte7Iq3BA0zP19t7dfvsUaUhaVxvfZ_tRsK1JWzTEPl3E6JKLtLVtPnty11-Kq6e_XbLwnr6194NA0yuHc75YLWLrsfvcwR26NWsDy7EwKMJX3E3qysYuxRQ56bUJ1F0/s1600/Route+Sheet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQTLqwIKxTzZEte7Iq3BA0zP19t7dfvsUaUhaVxvfZ_tRsK1JWzTEPl3E6JKLtLVtPnty11-Kq6e_XbLwnr6194NA0yuHc75YLWLrsfvcwR26NWsDy7EwKMJX3E3qysYuxRQ56bUJ1F0/s1600/Route+Sheet.jpg" height="198" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding routes that form art on the map is becoming popular. With a few more turns our Bizarro Patterson Pass could have done Picasso proud.</td></tr>
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Bizarro Patterson Pass as in, 1) the wind was gusting from the EAST which is incredibly rare, and we all expected to set Strava times on the climb where usually you're faced with a block wind from the West, 2) a truck smashed a car and killed the driver on the Altamont run in so the road was closed (what's this with major car accidents, last time I was here a car flipped on the nearby freeway), 3) I was riding my S&S coupling bike and it decided to either drop the chain or constantly ghost shift.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoazzdB7DmVtBQo1rt_3VyG7XDvboQFeDw65tZ1Gwze7F4vHd4YyA7C2hVl3DE9jgdkrEMPjgkUX-TJ4-gqaWhCoBAm3StFIWd_nJB3jWozsqY2IGiLie4YTvMUhWdlweVzsPi4OSAmZM/s1600/w41-christine+up+altamont.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoazzdB7DmVtBQo1rt_3VyG7XDvboQFeDw65tZ1Gwze7F4vHd4YyA7C2hVl3DE9jgdkrEMPjgkUX-TJ4-gqaWhCoBAm3StFIWd_nJB3jWozsqY2IGiLie4YTvMUhWdlweVzsPi4OSAmZM/s1600/w41-christine+up+altamont.jpg" height="362" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine leading the charge around Livermore.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlZFEAcUsF_UGWktscu6C7P2d26lZLH0AdB1LrVIFToqp76BGNTnSQxwqZxNkb1l-vDNv1n37obnJMj2XhWjhIWok7YM1vR76PODDVaI62qSIiUWzDoTIOaWViLzV87OmQvd0ABgNFHw/s1600/w28-not+a+good+day+on+teh+altamont+speedway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlZFEAcUsF_UGWktscu6C7P2d26lZLH0AdB1LrVIFToqp76BGNTnSQxwqZxNkb1l-vDNv1n37obnJMj2XhWjhIWok7YM1vR76PODDVaI62qSIiUWzDoTIOaWViLzV87OmQvd0ABgNFHw/s1600/w28-not+a+good+day+on+teh+altamont+speedway.jpg" height="230" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Altamont Road closed--the truck was laying on its side a few minutes before we reached the spot of the accident.</td></tr>
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Our club ride was out to Morgan Territory up and down the south side--and I think that Christine and Dave were surprised that I didn't start lobbying for a Patterson Pass add on early in the week. But my enthusiasm was tempered by my good bike being overhauled and my two other choices have shifting problems. When the ride started Matt was fully enthused to see Patterson Pass, and as it gets dark early there wasn't enough time to go up Morgan and then Patterson Pass. Our group announced that we were skipping Morgan Territory. Funny, then everyone else decided to skip it also though no one else went to Patterson Pass with us. (Triple Crown Kris has vowed never to do Patterson Pass again so she declared that she was tapering to do the worst downhill in the Bay area-the allegedly paved the Geysers--the next day.)<br />
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For once the windmills were not turning, so Dave didn't do his usual job of issuing ominous warnings. Who knew that the windmills are only set for the usual westerly wind, and gusts from the east go undetected.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our motley crew onto of Patterson Pass from the easy way </td></tr>
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With the Altamont Speedway closed we just planned to putt around--which was a bummer, but Dave and Christine came up with the great idea to do Patterson Pass backwards--figuring that by the time we do the reverse Altamont the carnage would be cleaned up.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gang waits to mail a letter or for me to arrive, at the Altamont Summit Garage/ Post Office.</td></tr>
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Luckily we had a great group, and super fast Dave, Christine and Matt were nice enough to keep waiting for me. My bike was consistently slipping gears but luckily held in the x27. The weather was great--it was full sun and could have been a late spring day--hard to believe it was going to get dark at 5pm. Shows how Strava is so convoluted, with the wind gusting from the East the Collier/ Highland return, which is usually difficult when we're dead tired was incredible. Between the tailwind and Matt burning off the pastries by pulling our group along, we all came close to personal bests--even if I couldn't use my hardest two gears in order to avoid chain abortion.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt fueling up before he pulls us along Collier/ Highland under unusually favorable conditions that usually are only found on the Altamont Speedway.</td></tr>
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Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-40733621748476811542014-11-02T21:35:00.000-08:002014-11-03T20:49:20.206-08:00Giants Win It All As I Get Fat In OctoberEvery two years (at least since 2010) I stop cycling in October, and put on 5lbs as all spare time is spent watching the SF Giants sweep through the playoffs and win the World Series. This year was strange--the Giants had the best team in baseball the first two months, the worst team the next two months, and scrambled enough to keep their head about water the next two months. Then in October, the playoff month, they took off, mostly with opportunism and the heroic efforts of starter Madison Bumgarner and <a href="http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/giants-bullpen-more-effective-than-kc-s-in-postseason-1.9557339">their stellar bullpen</a>. The best thing is that they were supposed to win nuttin--one major sabemetric site preseason said the Giants has the worst bullpen in baseball.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em>"<a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-worst-position-on-a-contending-team/">The only bullpen in baseball projected to be below replacement level.</a>"</em></strong></div>
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<strong><em></em></strong><br />
Maybe they were talking about the Toyko Giants.<br />
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I had an early interest in Bill James and some new statistics for baseball but sometimes sabermetricians has gone overboard. You can't quantify everything and treat baseball like the math problem we all tried to avoid in high school.<br />
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Sabermetricians had a bad year. First the Giants supposedly have a crap bullpen, though Bruce Bochy is the best manager ever (more on this later) and his biggest strength is setting up a bullpen. By the end of the season and in the playoffs their bullpen was lights out. Then the guiding light of sabermetic management, Billy Beane, makes the disastrous Yoenis Cespedes for Jon Lester trade, which was "a guarantee" that the best record A's would roll through the playoffs. This trade became the major reason for the A's falling apart and not being able to score after the trade was made--and they almost didn't make the playoffs in an epic collapse. As Bill Veeck said "<em>Never underestimate the psychological importance of the one big hitter in the lineup."</em> (41)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before Game 5 of the World Series the spaceship carrying superhuman Madison Bumgarner arrives in McCovey Cove.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSdgdvpvQ4O66HayECaoEjPoCfUi1bT_-WrexTwLST1WzwzmXGh1W0_t1zoBvjHiyfDm5Li5XjP6iqps2IUK1NF17gX0JvdXPCIN3C6Olyia-_TmnB1ERaw-3eR3OCMjIV5ZXVx2CIgI/s1600/w551-the+spaceship+has+arrived+in+teh+cove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSdgdvpvQ4O66HayECaoEjPoCfUi1bT_-WrexTwLST1WzwzmXGh1W0_t1zoBvjHiyfDm5Li5XjP6iqps2IUK1NF17gX0JvdXPCIN3C6Olyia-_TmnB1ERaw-3eR3OCMjIV5ZXVx2CIgI/s1600/w551-the+spaceship+has+arrived+in+teh+cove.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Back to Bruce Bochy may be the best manager ever. Tall claim? Well, I love Leo and Earl but you can't consider any manager before 1976 when players made relative peanuts and it was the manager's way or the highway. Now the manager has to motivate a group of millionaires. So compare Botchy to the three modern managers who just made the Hall of Fame. Tony LaRussa, the anal retentive no detail is to small manager supposedly had no clue he was managing team steroids. And how many World Series did his team lose as heavy favorites? Bobby Cox may be the best manager running a starting pitching staff but his teams usually fizzled in the playoffs. Joe Torre had the most media scrutiny being in New York, but he also had the strongest and most expensive roster. Besides Bochy being at the top of the game managing a game and setting up a bullpen, he creates confidence. What Bill Veeck said about his pennant winning underdog White Soxs could be said about the Bochy Giants.<br />
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<em>"Everybody kept saying how lucky we were and, up to a point, we were. The point where luck ceases to be the prime factor was the point where our own confidence--which was far greater than our skill--took over." (246)</em><br />
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The Giants now being a "Dynasty" is now needlessly debated? <strong>Who the hell cares.</strong> The Giants won 3 WORLD SERIES in 5 YEARS. By comparison the Dodgers and A's last won a World Series over 9000 days ago, and I can't count that high to total it up for the Cubs and Indians. Greatest team ever?, not by a long shot, but the Big Red Machine didn't win 3 World Series in 5 years. The Giants have a team with 3 people with a good chance to make the Hall of Fame (Manager Bochy-90%, Posey and Bumgarner-40% asearly in their career) and many league all stars (led by Pence and Panda.) Add in loads of homegrown solid players (their whole infield during the 2014 World Series) and a stable front office. What an incredible run--a dynasty.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Bill Veeck quotes are from his book 'The Hustlers Handbook." Veeck integrated the American League, and owned two of the three teams (and had developed the third) that were the only teams to beat the Yankees for the pennant in the late 1940 through the 1950's. A pariah among owners as he actually had the radical idea that they needed to promote and cater to the fans.</span><br />
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Cyclingwise I took two rides I probably shouldn't have. One day I boycotted out club ride to Berkeley and instead went to my favorite--Patterson Pass. I actually didn't intend to do Patterson Pass--just the great Altamont Speedway out and back. But a car overturned and fully blocked a nearby highway so the usually desolate Altamont Speedway was full of cars using it as a bypass in the opposite direction. When I reached Patterson Pass I figured it wouldn't be prudent to return on the crowded Altamont and I may as well go over the usually desolate Patterson Pass. "Usually desolate"--heard that before. Patterson Pass was also being used as a highway bypass and its narrow road was full of cars. Great.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkuBGxObSDqzME0knwsfN-Pn6mvbEUj2-afFefa6sAL_z1eHIvgl3ikgMK6DoDLZBcf9Tjz0sn3nXZFhesPy9-4sybo_2fpdu1FvumliUFpNzGykkwke2SIHksxhnD1vgtLyXydMYtUU/s1600/w15-folsom+lake-surfs+out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkuBGxObSDqzME0knwsfN-Pn6mvbEUj2-afFefa6sAL_z1eHIvgl3ikgMK6DoDLZBcf9Tjz0sn3nXZFhesPy9-4sybo_2fpdu1FvumliUFpNzGykkwke2SIHksxhnD1vgtLyXydMYtUU/s1600/w15-folsom+lake-surfs+out.jpg" height="93" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OK, if it rains this winter I wouldn't bitch--a ride on the Sacramento Bike trail to Folsom Lake <br />
shows a huge drybed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUnEeHwTc8PUa7kUacosDu0ExXjILDpALzS-rrvf7Q50AbXTl6fhWBWbmcQVPhWWQf-eYammU-cEJONfg5yY-9kXk0SH44xcDx8WChB3sFsgS-alNAyxoTopVl5wvmxuQFwNqFSK8s_U/s1600/w72-im+going+up+patterson+pass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUnEeHwTc8PUa7kUacosDu0ExXjILDpALzS-rrvf7Q50AbXTl6fhWBWbmcQVPhWWQf-eYammU-cEJONfg5yY-9kXk0SH44xcDx8WChB3sFsgS-alNAyxoTopVl5wvmxuQFwNqFSK8s_U/s1600/w72-im+going+up+patterson+pass.jpg" height="288" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Patterson Pass Highway.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixu-0deq15VdnKSdMgc1ifGqKkL_KfVcui_VS3_e3uGsuIKpwEiBbP9VranFeHOivpLcjUW6Qy3P6KMeLxCswt8RDGOm2SyQeLKBwUz0QfNroiccit68yn7wrAy0M8Ypf-rtV21urBpWk/s1600/w75-the+patterson+pass+highway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixu-0deq15VdnKSdMgc1ifGqKkL_KfVcui_VS3_e3uGsuIKpwEiBbP9VranFeHOivpLcjUW6Qy3P6KMeLxCswt8RDGOm2SyQeLKBwUz0QfNroiccit68yn7wrAy0M8Ypf-rtV21urBpWk/s1600/w75-the+patterson+pass+highway.jpg" height="252" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above resulted from the highway being ground to a stop below.</td></tr>
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Another day I had the bright idea to do Welsh Creek Road--the toughest climb in the Bay Area. Nevermind I'm not training for anything, gained a few pounds and have been pretty inactive, and it was a very warm day. We were doing nearby Calaveras from a close start so I figured what the hell. <br />
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After navigating the first 19% pitch and then doing wheelies on the next 21% pitch, I was out of water and out of any power. Discretion being the better part of valor it was time to turn around on the next 21% section and wait till next year to try again<br />
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Mrs. Pumpkin is out of the cycling loop big time--so we haven't doing our riding on Sunday morning with me on a fixie. She like nature hikes which I'm not crazy about, but I like urban hikes so we started a string of them. Usually the route involves a final destination of a Thai Restaurant or an Ale House. One was down the Coast from Half Moon Bay, another up Twin Peaks in San Francisco. But the best walks have been 5 miles walk UP the residential loopy streets in Berkeley from the flatlands to the skyline overlook. The loops are long but there are a series (100+) of paths, walkways and staircases that are stuck between houses and dead ends that provide a shortcut between blocks. A website, the <a href="http://berkeleypaths.org/">Berkeley Path Wanderers Association</a> provides maps and route sheets for suggested walks. Hike 2 gave us 1600 feet of climbing. Who needs a stairmaster.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Berkeley is inhabited by interesting folks. (above) this lady was trudging up ahead of us singing loudly the whole way (below) Mrs. Pumpkin and I usually disagree greatly on the weather (its 70 and I'm freezing while she's warm) but on this hot day we had to laugh at the woman in the sun dress with the man in the down vest</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hikers need to be visible.</td></tr>
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Intertwined with the Giants season I spent this summer reading about a dozen books about baseball. Not the usual, "I was great, his teammates were great" sports biographies of my youth. As the great historian HW Brands once said (bad phraphrase to follow) 'there are two types of biographies, the TMZ type that just talks about the person and the other type that puts the person in historical context as part of their times.' The new baseball books firmly put the players in as part of their times. <br />
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For example, we knew that Mickey Mantle had a problem with alcohol, but crawling out on the ledge of his hotel (232) or his serious car accident while intoxicated were kept hush hush (309.) More importantly the book develops the theme that while baseball was still king, in the 1950's Mays & Mantle were demigods, in the 1960's with social changes and other sports moving into the baseball monopoly, Mays & Mantle were suddenly passed by. (Micky and Willie, Allen Barra)<br />
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It's ironic that I started out with a biography on Pete Rose that detailed how he'd go overboard on almost anything,no one was greater spending time with fans, as long as he got paid--totally driven by money. He also ignored Reds management in 1963 when he was called upstairs and told to stop spending so much time with black guys (55) In 1983, by sabermetric standards, he wasn't an offensive leader on the team but his Phillies teammates point to Rose as the person who carried them and set every example . (138) Complicated guy, but the book concludes that Rose shouldn't be in the HOF because of his violating the gambling prohibition in baseball. (Pete Rose, Kostya Kennedy.) I finished three books either on or written by innovative and iconoclast owner Bill Veeck who told of new information pertaining to the 1919 White Soxs betting scandal. What was interesting to me was that the great HOF's Ty Cobb and Tris Speaker basically were <a href="http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1989-05-21/sports/8902030567_1_betting-dutch-leonard-ty-cobb">caught betting on baseball</a> the year before but because they were such stand bearers of the sport their hands were slapped on the wrist and all was forgiven. Who knew?, shouldn't this change the way we look at Pete Rose for the HOF.<br />
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We don't even have a good grasp of very modern history. From 'Ballpark'-Peter Richmond, I learned that all the credit given to HOK architects for developing the all so popular throwback stadium is unfounded--their original proposals for Camden Yards were for a suburban ballpark (like new Comisky/ Cellular Field) being built--it was only because the Orioles constant insistence that something else was developed.<br />
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Big project--converting my 10 year old bike from 9 to 11 speed. There really isn't any new bike that grabs me and I love my current bike. Trouble is I can't mash the hills uphill anymore--my cardiac blows up if I stand on the pedals like I used to. The two fastest long distance climbers in our Club (old person category), the two Daves, both converted their bikes to 11 speed so they'd have the option of spinning at x32. (Shit, they both wear eyeglass mirrors--maybe that's it.) I need to spin more and hope to do more badass climbing rides, so I'm in. <br />
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Two problems, wheels have to be converted and some hubs can't be. I have a bunch of good wheels with different hubs and there is a pecking order of what wheels I'll get done. The second issue is Dura Ace or Ultegra--the Dura Ace kit is 1k more, and when I had a full Ultegra bike I was happy enough, but I have to live with my choice for the next decade. In any event I'm planning to use trickle down economics--my present 9 speed Dura Ace kit will go on my 2nd favorite bike, its present 9 speed Ultegra kit will replace the 10 speed 105 shit on my break away bike. <br />
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OK now wintertime, time to get back to the TR biographies....<br />
<br />Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-29162683986786263282014-09-28T21:41:00.001-07:002014-09-30T23:17:40.395-07:00Trip To New York City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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(September 2014) Brother-In-Law getting married so planned a quick trip to New York City. Except for a funeral, I hadn't been in New York City in 16 years. New York City--crowded, dirty, bankrupt, disgusting, in your face, I always rejoiced when I came back to California.<br />
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When I lived in New York City, 36 years ago, it was hard to imagine a worse place to live. Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Bronx-Burning-Baseball-Politics/dp/0312427026"><span style="color: blue;"><u>The</u> </span><u>Bronx is Burning</u></a> (no--not the movie which is 80% about baseball, read the book which is 80% about bankrupt politics, finances, social policy.) New York City was the ruined city of the past--Los Angeles, with people zipping around in cars with plenty of parking was the blueprint of the future.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is almost funny when it takes a half hour JUST to get to a freeway from West Hollywood--and once on Hwy 101 (or 405) its usually a parking lot..and it takes a half hour to get in and out of the Dodger Stadium lot. Who needs mass transit based cities?</td></tr>
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We added a few days to both ends of the wedding to kick around, and when trip was planned baby daughter moving to New York City was just a scheme. With Jessie living in NYC I wish we would have added a few more days. While NYC is still CROWDED & EXPENSIVE what a HUGE SUPRISE, as we found New York City<br />
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<em><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: yellow;">CLEAN & SAFE</span> </span><span style="font-size: small;">but still in your face </span></em></div>
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NYC is such a happening place and loads of things going on. Picking up the NY Times headlines focus on the big demonstration on climate change, problems with local jails, and the sabre rattling around the world.</div>
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Of course this is all trivial and boring, so we turn to the NY Post for the REAL news. Every day we were bombarded by front page stories about some cretin Strava cyclist mowing down a woman in Central Park on his $4,000 bike.</div>
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The bike costing $4,000 is repeated often by the NY Post in every article about the tragedy. Same NY Post--they'd only like it better if a woman sticking out in her bikini was in every photo. Wonder if the NY Post constantly wrote about the cost of the tow truck that killed Dr. Carl Nacht.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6q56X0N0cUVpt94INpFOCgkNbdNyt5MgHUURoIyRWLBUkQFjLC-tm_-j1PRw4J55hhp4DunzV-JK-SvzT0nl6uDXfwW_C38Y3QRBvfpO8xlhFRqFg_3mRrRJ2D5KugRjlNDBsBSmmuc/s1600/w074-cyclist+killed+by+truck+memorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6q56X0N0cUVpt94INpFOCgkNbdNyt5MgHUURoIyRWLBUkQFjLC-tm_-j1PRw4J55hhp4DunzV-JK-SvzT0nl6uDXfwW_C38Y3QRBvfpO8xlhFRqFg_3mRrRJ2D5KugRjlNDBsBSmmuc/s1600/w074-cyclist+killed+by+truck+memorial.jpg" height="377" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Carl Nacht makeshift memorial on the west side bikepath--cyclist killed by a tow truck. Don't know if NY Post reported how much tow truck cost over and over.</td></tr>
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So the in your face--lets rabble up the population tabloids are the same as always.</div>
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In any event we walked our asses off and had a great time. Traffic was insane--on some blocks a couple of cops AT EACH INTERSECTION were trying to little avail to keep traffic moving. Well traffic did move--cars zoom in and make right turns 2" from crossing pedestrians. Prices are crazy HIGH, with the cost of some food items almost double what I'm used to. But where are the piles of garbage on the street?, strung out people laying out on any horizontal surface?, people on the street corner running a 3 card monte game, or trying to sell you something that fell off the truck?</div>
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I'm not imagining the change. Talking about his Comsky Park, bordering one of the worst Chicago neighborhoods, innovative baseball owner Bill Veeck wrote in his <strong>1962</strong> autobiography:</div>
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<em>"(Comsky's) neighborhoods reputation was about the same as Central Park in New York. You did not walk your dog at night unless you wanted both yourself and the dog mugged."</em></div>
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Moving to the modern day, <a href="http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2014/09/sorry-we-have-important-things-to.html">Bike Snob NYC/ Eben Weiss</a> wrote in his blog last week:</div>
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<em>"This is not the Central Park of 20 years ago. It is full of people pretty much all the time."</em> </div>
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So walk we did--though always into lower Manhattan. Watching out for traffic, enjoying the scores of unique stores on each block (though we rarely went in), laughing at tourists taking photos with their big I Pads or I Phones on a monopod for a selfie. I'll have to come back for a Central Park tour.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Day 1-Walk down the west side to Battery Park</span>. <span style="color: blue;">Day 2-Loop the east side for waffles then headed to THE STADIUM. </span><span style="color: lime;"> Day 3 & 4-Mercifully have wedding activities so limited walking, but walked the above ground HiLine</span> and <span style="color: #38761d;">has to walk across crosstown to wedding when bus moved 1 block in 20 minutes.</span> <span style="color: #bf9000;">Day 5-Walk down the east side thru the Bowery across Brooklyn Bridge for pizza.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Day 1-Walk down the west side to Battery Park. Mostly along the water with a quick loop in and around the new Freedom Tower. Touched 6th Avenue stuffed with people and quickly looped back to West Village and the waterfront which was clean and calm.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xSe1T8vXdljgm-Wfwu-BqtMWBEoL2VOFO67MVN99PeLrf7rsh7y2q1J47FWX2MXEAv5JMIDRelO-WQrdHNTIN5XIIUxqNJrg-Gw-TcJG7JJwfrgW48i1qDnmRD39jSVJ9Z2U7sthCoo/s1600/w072-with+my+oldest+boobeep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xSe1T8vXdljgm-Wfwu-BqtMWBEoL2VOFO67MVN99PeLrf7rsh7y2q1J47FWX2MXEAv5JMIDRelO-WQrdHNTIN5XIIUxqNJrg-Gw-TcJG7JJwfrgW48i1qDnmRD39jSVJ9Z2U7sthCoo/s1600/w072-with+my+oldest+boobeep.jpg" height="260" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my oldest, Rachie, on the ferry to Manhattan. I was worried that when the Friday night Yankee game let out and we took my youngest, Jessie, home, we wouldn't be able to get back to New Jersey. No worries--unlike SF BART the ferry's run after midnight and buses from the Port Authority run all night.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike path, gourmet eateries, golf driving range and park replace dilapidated piers on the west side</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_e-y9w12MSVB-bFbbdxtPT37_2bVxArd7A1OkYy8ycWkWw4gnirTjDNLPcGtoKSDLbQQVNKtHAjzvkdVlac745Thw8FDmBDU5rEG6ECumxl_WpF7bBWInSYXLOy4UhbKnSAQ90bZavTk/s1600/w083-bloomburgs+gone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_e-y9w12MSVB-bFbbdxtPT37_2bVxArd7A1OkYy8ycWkWw4gnirTjDNLPcGtoKSDLbQQVNKtHAjzvkdVlac745Thw8FDmBDU5rEG6ECumxl_WpF7bBWInSYXLOy4UhbKnSAQ90bZavTk/s1600/w083-bloomburgs+gone.jpg" height="187" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mayor Bloomberg was a bike advocate--now that he's retired a little ad humor.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ATiCCcznM7IY2dnlhniViO3f_GLYMptX8R6i75rXkUjMSRSYwD8qMb7dG8vaXiN9kYzKqYuCr7BhHIKL5V8SrAokD_wHdKuJ3_DqYyLU70vOvZlu1vUOiTrRmPevD0sQA9YKUbd697Q/s1600/w086-citi+bikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ATiCCcznM7IY2dnlhniViO3f_GLYMptX8R6i75rXkUjMSRSYwD8qMb7dG8vaXiN9kYzKqYuCr7BhHIKL5V8SrAokD_wHdKuJ3_DqYyLU70vOvZlu1vUOiTrRmPevD0sQA9YKUbd697Q/s1600/w086-citi+bikes.jpg" height="287" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passes many urban loaned bikes--the program seems to be going well, we saw many people on them.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGgLHMwkbFsSTmof85vefIOML_TMRt0d-stqDQgPZ3yzTLMDVdmDETWjb5VyfzAFJ9r0PwPns8F8FqBQUiaT05CpBdkxUj_9emxftIRtUXJYKvonSwgBi_wci4nXzogqdUAa8Zv4etpU/s1600/w091-freedom+tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGgLHMwkbFsSTmof85vefIOML_TMRt0d-stqDQgPZ3yzTLMDVdmDETWjb5VyfzAFJ9r0PwPns8F8FqBQUiaT05CpBdkxUj_9emxftIRtUXJYKvonSwgBi_wci4nXzogqdUAa8Zv4etpU/s1600/w091-freedom+tower.jpg" height="400" width="183" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice looking Freedom Tower which is taking the place of the World Trade Center, nondescript buildings that most NYers didn't like except for their claim to fame for height.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCHiCeROEy4F_wJyXqlNPTWGeqFdf0y2OXOvGitA3NMRxb8nylz1NlM3pGEFrKCScZ4C1XBEDw0GthErkEBK6s8dypPhNDEyK-E5_iaF2B_iGFdulJCnLTRpIJlJS6GaPVbEI-Jkyn1M/s1600/w096-manhattan+fixie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCHiCeROEy4F_wJyXqlNPTWGeqFdf0y2OXOvGitA3NMRxb8nylz1NlM3pGEFrKCScZ4C1XBEDw0GthErkEBK6s8dypPhNDEyK-E5_iaF2B_iGFdulJCnLTRpIJlJS6GaPVbEI-Jkyn1M/s1600/w096-manhattan+fixie.jpg" height="346" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fixie with new subway fare cards--wish they still had subway tokens.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAmTutAHS6gvTfFsvy-l-Io00v7LmuLDrqo9PQ7WMCDf22xLBCKwLDhboKaBCO0BMS9W-ToQUrieI9QrFYNoX2Os0-PllIYPvxD7SAl7O5PfONpQlta5AnvuD8KeLV6thhcuHW-FQMMA/s1600/w097-me-irish+hunger+monument.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAmTutAHS6gvTfFsvy-l-Io00v7LmuLDrqo9PQ7WMCDf22xLBCKwLDhboKaBCO0BMS9W-ToQUrieI9QrFYNoX2Os0-PllIYPvxD7SAl7O5PfONpQlta5AnvuD8KeLV6thhcuHW-FQMMA/s1600/w097-me-irish+hunger+monument.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irish Memorial Oasis on the west side.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOOYEzv09tKyKGCcWpUMN1AmoK3nndDv6cgDGwzWeWUqMyUW_FDSByrmbxaa5gbse6_ANRg2pdi8FqIag-qYwIBFlBW0vzD4S6u0pJmly8MMEbEJpiGTpsXgi7sjbymiEyOCyqWIwGok/s1600/w100-vollyball+in+nyc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOOYEzv09tKyKGCcWpUMN1AmoK3nndDv6cgDGwzWeWUqMyUW_FDSByrmbxaa5gbse6_ANRg2pdi8FqIag-qYwIBFlBW0vzD4S6u0pJmly8MMEbEJpiGTpsXgi7sjbymiEyOCyqWIwGok/s1600/w100-vollyball+in+nyc.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volleyball in Manhattan.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxR0xaqb7Abz6yTq7ahqd8iRbd2bL8RyMWk8Mcgu5t2wg4cWEUc9JLl3NWej1eAymiGqWq4402ZQ0_MjF7mYvnST1h3UDwrQW_niXKZ2gF20mz3Ean1AaOjexFb_hUDV7LAagfcAPsXAU/s1600/w103-rachie,+donnie,+me+sacking+out+on+nyc+artwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxR0xaqb7Abz6yTq7ahqd8iRbd2bL8RyMWk8Mcgu5t2wg4cWEUc9JLl3NWej1eAymiGqWq4402ZQ0_MjF7mYvnST1h3UDwrQW_niXKZ2gF20mz3Ean1AaOjexFb_hUDV7LAagfcAPsXAU/s1600/w103-rachie,+donnie,+me+sacking+out+on+nyc+artwork.jpg" height="242" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're a tired family and sacking out on artwork along the West Side waterway.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDliqMyyhCJWzqAtmwfktg7ZDkHklf3XNmyQM60X7UU5D1W36RT5VIgnI8Gn3EgsaTkC2OJanNeDu_dv0byqVqhQcUD7fjyX6MqEIlamMsStfSJ5CQJmKXQ72SyJG_x09oNdAQBMlvMu8/s1600/w111-freedom+tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDliqMyyhCJWzqAtmwfktg7ZDkHklf3XNmyQM60X7UU5D1W36RT5VIgnI8Gn3EgsaTkC2OJanNeDu_dv0byqVqhQcUD7fjyX6MqEIlamMsStfSJ5CQJmKXQ72SyJG_x09oNdAQBMlvMu8/s1600/w111-freedom+tower.jpg" height="400" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freedom Tower and place you can actually eat cheaply.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHk6C-adPmOAsfNUSIJRrahbqxK-s1dvNNtIyo5PeobLgu4jltHf6nC164TaKtpiY4f3VuV1UnYe3Pdvgb68AA9RkQDW9jklT5vu33QKAwO54ZKkRYCXonmsvYVqL-LZoq5Yv41uhwx50/s1600/w113-mr+softee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHk6C-adPmOAsfNUSIJRrahbqxK-s1dvNNtIyo5PeobLgu4jltHf6nC164TaKtpiY4f3VuV1UnYe3Pdvgb68AA9RkQDW9jklT5vu33QKAwO54ZKkRYCXonmsvYVqL-LZoq5Yv41uhwx50/s1600/w113-mr+softee.jpg" height="255" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">$5 for a soft serve ice cream cone (vanilla)--ok, truck was next to Statue of Liberty Ferries so maybe that is why they charged tourist prices</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixDAn0o5EpQPzIuvfTNpNA1gqwdq9qbV8g-RKlQCwPBe8sXMSGiM4Aj4zjmRzUUveWt2Uit8_kbrrKD-iRXRUFsJpTPZuG07JO52WtRARWmlS3WcTucML0pYgX8tHxYXAjCwkPK2pGo8/s1600/w114-keith+harring+and+donna+and+jay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixDAn0o5EpQPzIuvfTNpNA1gqwdq9qbV8g-RKlQCwPBe8sXMSGiM4Aj4zjmRzUUveWt2Uit8_kbrrKD-iRXRUFsJpTPZuG07JO52WtRARWmlS3WcTucML0pYgX8tHxYXAjCwkPK2pGo8/s1600/w114-keith+harring+and+donna+and+jay.jpg" height="400" width="338" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donnie and me in front of a Keith Harring statue.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxI7PdbIbDXqgun2tfg9rXXk9sFns7a_ySiCgi2b2k8XgZ-XDMfTZli-mnxDMjLa87RNqkyRI9ohwzRn6t0Zrbhl3pLs_viBalBcUjOUlhoqNq-aG5ulObH3Ey_4Q_rVDxsrD4aMqONoc/s1600/w116-alexander+hamilton+and+shoetown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxI7PdbIbDXqgun2tfg9rXXk9sFns7a_ySiCgi2b2k8XgZ-XDMfTZli-mnxDMjLa87RNqkyRI9ohwzRn6t0Zrbhl3pLs_viBalBcUjOUlhoqNq-aG5ulObH3Ey_4Q_rVDxsrD4aMqONoc/s1600/w116-alexander+hamilton+and+shoetown.jpg" height="400" width="366" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexander Hamilton buried near Wall Street in Trinity Cemetery--very close to SHOE OUTLET.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">Day 2-Loop the east side for waffles then headed to THE STADIUM. </span><span style="color: blue;">NYC is still baseball crazy--perhaps the only city besides St. Louis where baseball is still "bigger" than football. Wanted to go to both the new home of the Mets and Yankees, but could only make it to the new Yankees Stadium. Ironically Donna grew up 6 blocks away--I had pestered her before the trip to visit her old neighborhood but she didn't want to as she remembered how dangerous it was 40 years ago. Our kids also urged her to visit, and our walk through her old neighborhood may have been the highlight of the trip.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVe-hbgzFKKAUVt1spU7LuqaSojHmQzlDq5yr62uQcWJb34ZbU6aVXfTYb7dvA3XBwHMvL3sbDrQjVrRNUSBQ3L9mQWfBO1mne9IrGS3IUakfAdSmBhnvI8BjV5NJcsayY7fVSg7t4u8k/s1600/w122-square+dancing+in+bryant+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVe-hbgzFKKAUVt1spU7LuqaSojHmQzlDq5yr62uQcWJb34ZbU6aVXfTYb7dvA3XBwHMvL3sbDrQjVrRNUSBQ3L9mQWfBO1mne9IrGS3IUakfAdSmBhnvI8BjV5NJcsayY7fVSg7t4u8k/s1600/w122-square+dancing+in+bryant+park.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bryant Park is in back of 42nd Street main library and used to be (maybe still is?) across form CUNY Graduate Center. In the 1970's more drugs were sold out of here than Walgreens with people laying all over. Today--cafés and a square dancing festival.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRdgfpXL0LKSWRizJB7sImRDYMSIJH2E7XgKR6PInFCUiSQJNpznt0oXZYCvnK5MtX2eal0EanCEh-CNHm5YFqn5RtsDp3xP-ig3pgn8u_12CLTkQ-76Wwf-hJ2vYhbpILTMfO67lOA0/s1600/w124-empire+state+building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRdgfpXL0LKSWRizJB7sImRDYMSIJH2E7XgKR6PInFCUiSQJNpznt0oXZYCvnK5MtX2eal0EanCEh-CNHm5YFqn5RtsDp3xP-ig3pgn8u_12CLTkQ-76Wwf-hJ2vYhbpILTMfO67lOA0/s1600/w124-empire+state+building.jpg" height="400" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empire State Building</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWj6CkcAXZagzMY6FQs7e9PZWjoQxVwCoGedKfelz6Nn9k5k-dpwaA6i8GajZCc-HCUl5e1S0Pzmu9To1iPlGfEk-uVDDDezBFLEIPTkyHhgq3bfJrbNFuhNGuMhQW_Ez7QJA_dQ94E8/s1600/w128-finnerteys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWj6CkcAXZagzMY6FQs7e9PZWjoQxVwCoGedKfelz6Nn9k5k-dpwaA6i8GajZCc-HCUl5e1S0Pzmu9To1iPlGfEk-uVDDDezBFLEIPTkyHhgq3bfJrbNFuhNGuMhQW_Ez7QJA_dQ94E8/s1600/w128-finnerteys.jpg" height="360" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Francisco exile bar in Manhattan--Jessie and I were going to catch the Giants night game here until we realized that the west coast game would first start at 10:00pm</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKyN5dtu5_8KqqsIacKfUOuBfDe6y9e2l1ko1sQy1B2wyETRhi_JE7fkzmRUVgX0A7HzoaJscFhtpsxtayd0Qps3PM151x6K3SDDrcksH0tcjjgpXDo5eaCNW6v7W9nnt1xrNkpvumeU/s1600/w131-wafels+and+dinges+marque.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKyN5dtu5_8KqqsIacKfUOuBfDe6y9e2l1ko1sQy1B2wyETRhi_JE7fkzmRUVgX0A7HzoaJscFhtpsxtayd0Qps3PM151x6K3SDDrcksH0tcjjgpXDo5eaCNW6v7W9nnt1xrNkpvumeU/s1600/w131-wafels+and+dinges+marque.jpg" height="400" width="342" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast surprise--highly rated Liege Waffles in lower Manhattan!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XGcyTr_OQVZD-XR2smboyyrY1LPVfG6AhDsbB7HANhR507sILc1dWjSWyN_fnP-JENLpyvHIvLnmM3NwdLQuTDbmvK7ykqO7Mq7VVaXGHDO_IWT5iPO5Vwp_bOrvzNRr83B4k-Dhky4/s1600/deli+prices.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XGcyTr_OQVZD-XR2smboyyrY1LPVfG6AhDsbB7HANhR507sILc1dWjSWyN_fnP-JENLpyvHIvLnmM3NwdLQuTDbmvK7ykqO7Mq7VVaXGHDO_IWT5iPO5Vwp_bOrvzNRr83B4k-Dhky4/s1600/deli+prices.jpg" height="400" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basic meal at NYC 2nd Ave Deli <strong>50% higher</strong> than same meal at deli outside Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Both places excellent</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RaSldqAmbtJM6EMkCEkx7qU_Mb4JPES8GAMVLeEs_iJo2lgtI2louSloWmRgCAeoAhR89VTq3G0Z_Nx-IswR_CljQHy5SqiVZt4bb21TOK3rmBHsv13eD5jkb1JbPaG5ABTaNG1nUo0/s1600/w139-donnie,+rachie+and+me+at+teh+stadium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RaSldqAmbtJM6EMkCEkx7qU_Mb4JPES8GAMVLeEs_iJo2lgtI2louSloWmRgCAeoAhR89VTq3G0Z_Nx-IswR_CljQHy5SqiVZt4bb21TOK3rmBHsv13eD5jkb1JbPaG5ABTaNG1nUo0/s1600/w139-donnie,+rachie+and+me+at+teh+stadium.jpg" height="393" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Rachie and Donnie outside Yankee Stadium. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjF3QPChs-vAb-Vn6mHOGCACkyhOp_WrR1O9e1btiWrg4m_aNZJbKrllyB2-WpvEMmHSaSZkGCdi4dpQoYE2APzrW2020ZmPS0K35K9xfqLOksl1s2qeAOevWPIjvNXQDK9dPZi9TQgc/s1600/w141-babe+ruth+plaza+looking+towards+old+yankee+stadium+and+the+polo+grounds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjF3QPChs-vAb-Vn6mHOGCACkyhOp_WrR1O9e1btiWrg4m_aNZJbKrllyB2-WpvEMmHSaSZkGCdi4dpQoYE2APzrW2020ZmPS0K35K9xfqLOksl1s2qeAOevWPIjvNXQDK9dPZi9TQgc/s1600/w141-babe+ruth+plaza+looking+towards+old+yankee+stadium+and+the+polo+grounds.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking towards park where old Yankee Stadium was. In the far background by the tall housing projects used to be the greatest, most misshaped, ballfield ever, the Polo Grounds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgg5JJMR3P563lproZZnROX78tfqoTeu_nHopiagDPvGiVV30pc8R0nmSY4P4Hm2ZhyDa-axfk8CqqHB91B43tOlhqM6U0j7mBZYbBJXmiz0DQtcvmO6_ej4m11QmXGkb0Jq3mRGzfF4/s1600/w151-donnie+and+her+mureal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgg5JJMR3P563lproZZnROX78tfqoTeu_nHopiagDPvGiVV30pc8R0nmSY4P4Hm2ZhyDa-axfk8CqqHB91B43tOlhqM6U0j7mBZYbBJXmiz0DQtcvmO6_ej4m11QmXGkb0Jq3mRGzfF4/s1600/w151-donnie+and+her+mureal.jpg" height="400" width="388" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside Donnie's old school where they painted portraits of all their famous graduates. Donna is the girl in pink jumper.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRW2E6KhfMgKVbubPqSaA_vs_aFEY6S-sNWvxT5Nclsq71cxroJr3ie0yu4tNxiDbP0kB-Nh6UtXeykeWVdfEv1F3xnjcvEDJpbgtILn7-y6CMZSaxtPgap89qAi0aNIUcntoKGczAV0o/s1600/w156-donnie+and+me+in+her+neighborhood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRW2E6KhfMgKVbubPqSaA_vs_aFEY6S-sNWvxT5Nclsq71cxroJr3ie0yu4tNxiDbP0kB-Nh6UtXeykeWVdfEv1F3xnjcvEDJpbgtILn7-y6CMZSaxtPgap89qAi0aNIUcntoKGczAV0o/s1600/w156-donnie+and+me+in+her+neighborhood.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're next to Donnie's old school with her old apartment building in the background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9V3qNzG2p4DE7A3RumpwwwEB9WWj_hooedZKBk2R4xyZgpq6vDjcJmy8V7xogYBUZKtUdtqHNzYMMfZHOPqKSNM0DzC8gUz_wju7PgH7DLNfI4qCptoe-N6xbHQ-oDU_eoYWeBxzTxc/s1600/w162-da+bronx+outside+teh+stadium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9V3qNzG2p4DE7A3RumpwwwEB9WWj_hooedZKBk2R4xyZgpq6vDjcJmy8V7xogYBUZKtUdtqHNzYMMfZHOPqKSNM0DzC8gUz_wju7PgH7DLNfI4qCptoe-N6xbHQ-oDU_eoYWeBxzTxc/s1600/w162-da+bronx+outside+teh+stadium.jpg" height="236" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under the EL outside Yankee Stadium.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBTzzpxak7RLBJGUvyEp7g8n3_lyhFsdOnF2h4HGVVFw8VTxNsu2yMxCPOwuWiOxPOO1Ld1k8tjnzg7itj1-yiy1AVtIEXbWtmlueh5-bxRUrE_Z5b3dO_poNPfmmkZdcmkejjOwvZXA/s1600/w171-donnie+and+jay+in+yankee+stadium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBTzzpxak7RLBJGUvyEp7g8n3_lyhFsdOnF2h4HGVVFw8VTxNsu2yMxCPOwuWiOxPOO1Ld1k8tjnzg7itj1-yiy1AVtIEXbWtmlueh5-bxRUrE_Z5b3dO_poNPfmmkZdcmkejjOwvZXA/s1600/w171-donnie+and+jay+in+yankee+stadium.jpg" height="400" width="343" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donnie and I inside the spacious walkway in Yankee Stadium. Nice and light and wide and airy. Stadium seating is too expansive but extra room is appreciated in concession area.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlakceFWZEM02EHClPtLhDlDLCSa0s7ESRP_VzXK4UXuKIwtSe-3JbF3zV911MyloZqAjrCzQU1Puk1iICwz0AHut8nf8myka8PyJpa_xs3x1J3XyzD1pvjL31vMk8h2UKbKeiydE-z6A/s1600/w178-jays+opionion+of+yankee+stadium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlakceFWZEM02EHClPtLhDlDLCSa0s7ESRP_VzXK4UXuKIwtSe-3JbF3zV911MyloZqAjrCzQU1Puk1iICwz0AHut8nf8myka8PyJpa_xs3x1J3XyzD1pvjL31vMk8h2UKbKeiydE-z6A/s1600/w178-jays+opionion+of+yankee+stadium.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Expressing my feeling about the Yankees.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdjx5lLUNH6cMGqU3ewtPrwkwMHKM5zPbBbvKvf-jI7VphWv4R4nVlRv1KIv7CsLNHenJzIXEJqA-vhtpLUrGg0jbsbTNZ1KV3PBQg5O00HCCWHHE03LYopYKcg0rU8S2ezc9wmQ7asY/s1600/w183-view+from+the+last+row.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdjx5lLUNH6cMGqU3ewtPrwkwMHKM5zPbBbvKvf-jI7VphWv4R4nVlRv1KIv7CsLNHenJzIXEJqA-vhtpLUrGg0jbsbTNZ1KV3PBQg5O00HCCWHHE03LYopYKcg0rU8S2ezc9wmQ7asY/s1600/w183-view+from+the+last+row.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yankee Stadium view from the LAST row.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrVRZdOdJJIPxSNTAUIG-UECeI9M7cfr4Z0r0pEJ1y94hkGGBOjMU-5pC1TzbUpORHCdYOSv6gSQMKmjVyqPdkauovO2tbMRK2EhUXws-WIq-Oe6nz3qidbGMHxFfijLz5fjNVov9Hfs/s1600/w190-monument+park+with+king+george.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrVRZdOdJJIPxSNTAUIG-UECeI9M7cfr4Z0r0pEJ1y94hkGGBOjMU-5pC1TzbUpORHCdYOSv6gSQMKmjVyqPdkauovO2tbMRK2EhUXws-WIq-Oe6nz3qidbGMHxFfijLz5fjNVov9Hfs/s1600/w190-monument+park+with+king+george.jpg" height="193" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9T6QNZp1UhymZcT_bLOK85S-zS_SWCA99QFwTyzvrWpYeo85-5qmWOIacdFz5QVxPXoIg36szj6U2HnC2RKSBdVz0pOCUO-AzJNO-sQUqJNwuYPKViz-vJBez_CryXN5cJQO1j-8uQI/s1600/w185-the+boss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9T6QNZp1UhymZcT_bLOK85S-zS_SWCA99QFwTyzvrWpYeo85-5qmWOIacdFz5QVxPXoIg36szj6U2HnC2RKSBdVz0pOCUO-AzJNO-sQUqJNwuYPKViz-vJBez_CryXN5cJQO1j-8uQI/s1600/w185-the+boss.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLAa-kxM8lE">George Steinbrenner</a> convicted felon owner who made a mockery of running an orderly franchise when he bought the team. Giving the devil his due his genius was spending free agent money on one GREAT player instead of three mediocre players. In monument park which honors all great Yankee Players the biggest plaque is the in the center honoring Steinbrenner. Then there is a full sized statue of him at one of the entrances (damn, I missed it.) If that is not enough, on one side of the scoreboard is a black banner honoring the retired numbers of all the Yankee greats. On the other side, same size banner, honoring one man--King George (shhh--he once wanted to move the Yankees to New Jersey.)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCLC3Vo7JWM_sOcqCnIn_qy2PWJnnrIqFe1vSWX1BIxM-GaIPHR8P_fYcfNnMAMiKxgflAd7IKFAAS35Isfuc9iY6Zi1tW9gp0Grk4OAKQNNKPx_WwPYozgzlC-GtGy_mTo1PWK1NUDw/s1600/w187-yankee+stadium+and+the+bronx+in+teh+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCLC3Vo7JWM_sOcqCnIn_qy2PWJnnrIqFe1vSWX1BIxM-GaIPHR8P_fYcfNnMAMiKxgflAd7IKFAAS35Isfuc9iY6Zi1tW9gp0Grk4OAKQNNKPx_WwPYozgzlC-GtGy_mTo1PWK1NUDw/s1600/w187-yankee+stadium+and+the+bronx+in+teh+back.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Da Bronx is right outside the ballpark. A message later on the scoreboard indicates that liquor service is cut off after the 7th inning--EXCEPT FOR THE RICH FANS SITTING IN THE PREMIUM SEATS. Unlike other stadiums, you can't get near the premium field seats without a ticket.</td></tr>
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Al is worried that there will be a riot with Gary (a Mets fan) and me rooting against the Yankees. Luckily Gary was blasting John Kruk and not Yankee sycophant John Sterling.<br />
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Last time I was at Yankee Stadium, in 1977, a near riot broke out with the Red Soxs beating the Yankees. Roger Angell wrote in one of his books about that game...<strong>with the Yankee rooters in the upper deck "losing interest in the game and showering everyone near and below them with oceans of beer, to throwing pennies and darts and fruit and other objects...to fighting one another, and wagering violent near riots with the equally violent Stadium special police."</strong> (<u>Late Innings</u>, 1982, p.51) Like the rest of NYC--things have changed at THE STADIUM.</div>
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<span style="color: lime;">Day 3 & 4-Mercifully have wedding activities so limited walking, but walked the above ground </span><span style="color: lime;">HighLine</span> and <span style="color: #38761d;">has to walk across crosstown to wedding when bus moved 1 block in 20 minutes.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE23qeK2vt6wmDPJr-im56ZmcWKqf_1L4lBcuRjHM1vuzJsgO8QfBLe5rcqW_TsNEzH811A_CcVqMaEpCcUexQx-z5v9ArAMRTC8JfIhRYYbG6-M4S4Jyet0g2LcXqspWed3A3UBbcMSo/s1600/w207-hiline+looking+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE23qeK2vt6wmDPJr-im56ZmcWKqf_1L4lBcuRjHM1vuzJsgO8QfBLe5rcqW_TsNEzH811A_CcVqMaEpCcUexQx-z5v9ArAMRTC8JfIhRYYbG6-M4S4Jyet0g2LcXqspWed3A3UBbcMSo/s1600/w207-hiline+looking+up.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An unused elevated train track was rehabilitated and made into a 1 1/2 mile above ground walkway/ park--the HighLine. What a great idea.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflY62nn5wqnI7DddwWXZLn07-3BhcCl2B-Na3FwNIYx4Ujwvh3ck0ge9r3rDC290x0eaA_f2wcdL4A4Uct5evj97HEXyxGSDAHDubniopqOxz3k7W-xOEqsY0Kb6OAh0lEUSO6ZrcQ-I/s1600/w213-jessie+on+teh+highline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflY62nn5wqnI7DddwWXZLn07-3BhcCl2B-Na3FwNIYx4Ujwvh3ck0ge9r3rDC290x0eaA_f2wcdL4A4Uct5evj97HEXyxGSDAHDubniopqOxz3k7W-xOEqsY0Kb6OAh0lEUSO6ZrcQ-I/s1600/w213-jessie+on+teh+highline.jpg" height="400" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessie on the HighLine walkway--high above the city streets.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0w8dzu6RA0_fIJ0CvceuSwRSc9Tv1tnccuZ_fb30iuurpFMJkOAHnotvICpgxlQqaLw4J-s_50ATcG_OOC2i2P38JO8ZMFWzs3KsEUCvolNiaCMgU_oDGNyNe21GHIaJdFSyb0GznR7w/s1600/w218-empire+state+building+from+teh+highline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0w8dzu6RA0_fIJ0CvceuSwRSc9Tv1tnccuZ_fb30iuurpFMJkOAHnotvICpgxlQqaLw4J-s_50ATcG_OOC2i2P38JO8ZMFWzs3KsEUCvolNiaCMgU_oDGNyNe21GHIaJdFSyb0GznR7w/s1600/w218-empire+state+building+from+teh+highline.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empire State Building from the HighLine.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4DpDsnkq1gTl2uRhg6I5Ef-s2RPKKLpslCmf4rjDqlSIgVfMpf8rcWrsnvlL8jkcHvSP7fU-o1MHPlK3W6KupAoCRTMpQywQY5CCvC8l-b2Mjz_baAQ32fMiAq1qM3yQVQJimGNLv9Y/s1600/w219-tracks+on+teh+highlone+walkway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4DpDsnkq1gTl2uRhg6I5Ef-s2RPKKLpslCmf4rjDqlSIgVfMpf8rcWrsnvlL8jkcHvSP7fU-o1MHPlK3W6KupAoCRTMpQywQY5CCvC8l-b2Mjz_baAQ32fMiAq1qM3yQVQJimGNLv9Y/s1600/w219-tracks+on+teh+highlone+walkway.jpg" height="332" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the HighLine still has the old train tracks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyzGMcnEp_CmwNyvMplVgK4My7jK57b7orUC9q8jqxiD92lgoMFosztocG_GdT6LMvOQREkRKzPCwIWD0DEjo9c4Cp5gKlZCufAJKTZq8uY1PBNwXFXLoySOoLk8taXkLR0d4jtadVgY/s1600/w221-highline+walkway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyzGMcnEp_CmwNyvMplVgK4My7jK57b7orUC9q8jqxiD92lgoMFosztocG_GdT6LMvOQREkRKzPCwIWD0DEjo9c4Cp5gKlZCufAJKTZq8uY1PBNwXFXLoySOoLk8taXkLR0d4jtadVgY/s1600/w221-highline+walkway.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On certain sections of the HighLine have no clue you are in a city.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXv2ILtIDkEyrlWwiKTWBX-XrXPtepPLn2VQZ0xFxU89YGF8zKWQvj-TIMf4USF5M-o0Q00g5s-adysEcZYzshLswsBAaskB2JqLbEQHcRvn85jtMFS_q5B1eshFtLXS8y5GEYnaNPRJc/s1600/w226-portrait+on+teh+highline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXv2ILtIDkEyrlWwiKTWBX-XrXPtepPLn2VQZ0xFxU89YGF8zKWQvj-TIMf4USF5M-o0Q00g5s-adysEcZYzshLswsBAaskB2JqLbEQHcRvn85jtMFS_q5B1eshFtLXS8y5GEYnaNPRJc/s1600/w226-portrait+on+teh+highline.jpg" height="271" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm over some street artwork that reaches the HighLine level.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5ZjWKcORv82NyBqPmRMT11y7-IqvZXUwPDFykcyEaFMxfN_5U0-eOfolhKdMHHNjQlB-XPtiwIkOOPKecRO89K5GcG9GxABVrpwwVJlIGmkRDoeIwBL1W2FQLtAL3s2VafE1JXHyE8c/s1600/w242-golf+in+manhattan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5ZjWKcORv82NyBqPmRMT11y7-IqvZXUwPDFykcyEaFMxfN_5U0-eOfolhKdMHHNjQlB-XPtiwIkOOPKecRO89K5GcG9GxABVrpwwVJlIGmkRDoeIwBL1W2FQLtAL3s2VafE1JXHyE8c/s1600/w242-golf+in+manhattan.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No more walking--after the HighLine we went on a boat ride. Unfortunately very crowded when we got on and rest of our group went below while Jessie and I went to the top deck (more on this later.) Here is multi tiers GOLF DRIVING RANGE where balls are hit into the Hudson River.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CKxqNa47R1JEsy6dK0a0-b7YUUFRFaFPpLADIvDzy_balvhy-xYwxSzYhnMGmoKFT2gEJ6_E2j6XHZu7upB50h443v2ZRAlh48CShJ-aS3BEurgoaJ8347pXFfRqn3bjGTZZUmEXnwg/s1600/w245-freedom+tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CKxqNa47R1JEsy6dK0a0-b7YUUFRFaFPpLADIvDzy_balvhy-xYwxSzYhnMGmoKFT2gEJ6_E2j6XHZu7upB50h443v2ZRAlh48CShJ-aS3BEurgoaJ8347pXFfRqn3bjGTZZUmEXnwg/s1600/w245-freedom+tower.jpg" height="175" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freedom Tower and lower Manhattan from the boat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CJ9bEsg1sf-gkljksV7x-82pR0DDuPzZBZI8SQ78RMG3SoY8gG-TMZ6-DASZphsEy2HscOGl3z9eahTYIxEV58eOctDK3RCCmVOqXY9eJvjmFW_pF5SfgTTulCKzgx-GSjcWsjAWjHE/s1600/w246-brooklyn+bridge+and+manhattan+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CJ9bEsg1sf-gkljksV7x-82pR0DDuPzZBZI8SQ78RMG3SoY8gG-TMZ6-DASZphsEy2HscOGl3z9eahTYIxEV58eOctDK3RCCmVOqXY9eJvjmFW_pF5SfgTTulCKzgx-GSjcWsjAWjHE/s1600/w246-brooklyn+bridge+and+manhattan+bridge.jpg" height="165" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching Brooklyn & Manhattan Bridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-oKcrE_zmZWvmbQQSqff2zzU4XsoeSl-WyDvHv30VwCHB709m98Ol-8o3SkoPxUc241XmyZ_KzBxNUhcHqRKh-coKGiOsOkQSPsVKk0PSl02fil992YrAk9pDbQ9b8y9A1IiPvbH9pU/s1600/w248-brooklyn+bridge+tower+from+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-oKcrE_zmZWvmbQQSqff2zzU4XsoeSl-WyDvHv30VwCHB709m98Ol-8o3SkoPxUc241XmyZ_KzBxNUhcHqRKh-coKGiOsOkQSPsVKk0PSl02fil992YrAk9pDbQ9b8y9A1IiPvbH9pU/s1600/w248-brooklyn+bridge+tower+from+water.jpg" height="268" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brooklyn Bridge. I like Gothic architecture and Brooklyn Bridge is great to photograph/ look at. Much nicer than new wimpy tower on San Francisco unispan Bay Bridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtnIxvnkAukn7-W0tNndY74jYZq2tLIOJa6W3t_TYtWEKY-Cj_m0vV5Y6G3cDCfgN7GkvAq5KvxhdvGoXxVZAUnxwJKC02EasJvDcqnjeVRLOQhOM5QXuzrXL_GNsuTn5UNiKPonzheA/s1600/w254-another+selfie+with+jessie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtnIxvnkAukn7-W0tNndY74jYZq2tLIOJa6W3t_TYtWEKY-Cj_m0vV5Y6G3cDCfgN7GkvAq5KvxhdvGoXxVZAUnxwJKC02EasJvDcqnjeVRLOQhOM5QXuzrXL_GNsuTn5UNiKPonzheA/s1600/w254-another+selfie+with+jessie.jpg" height="400" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessie and I go for the selfie.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLiWZhQO5lwG0dallwhRU2pB46DqxxT6OCUcmhVA8wYrj3AbvABL4GwDtwG2AbvCvQ9HMsCVaJE7t8nYcGzr9v7Tz8G6zA501ZgwJwHI61guJ5VkZKjahGF9XcYpMXET8THQzeIkW57s/s1600/w256-empire+state+building+from+theeast+river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLiWZhQO5lwG0dallwhRU2pB46DqxxT6OCUcmhVA8wYrj3AbvABL4GwDtwG2AbvCvQ9HMsCVaJE7t8nYcGzr9v7Tz8G6zA501ZgwJwHI61guJ5VkZKjahGF9XcYpMXET8THQzeIkW57s/s1600/w256-empire+state+building+from+theeast+river.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empire State Building.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOQotMRpS78FTHGEdl4M6R5AKrZwJwtk6DEt1YR6ByGo3ZZglsAGiB-q0q5FcYyrZmRyrlSy5Od6zKVcCfVqtr1eSjVjlB9Xb_os2G4byiRIjFuiFNgNKLU3Q3ODY__u__sVJt4bEgXI/s1600/w259-jay+and+jessie+selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOQotMRpS78FTHGEdl4M6R5AKrZwJwtk6DEt1YR6ByGo3ZZglsAGiB-q0q5FcYyrZmRyrlSy5Od6zKVcCfVqtr1eSjVjlB9Xb_os2G4byiRIjFuiFNgNKLU3Q3ODY__u__sVJt4bEgXI/s1600/w259-jay+and+jessie+selfie.jpg" height="400" width="338" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The taking selfie skill on all the bike rides this year came in handy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnVHPZCrpsb-76JUiBiL98zk4WQ0JIobeiGJstEpU3_S1-LICZLC-9rwIpyONqxlBdwgptkYz-T3C2BokQIH3WgGVJrpob2hKOwe5oCMvrn_8QWebOh3UqsCmY9B4kttHdp3sMVwZ80U/s1600/w280-jessie+and+teh+statue+of+liberty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnVHPZCrpsb-76JUiBiL98zk4WQ0JIobeiGJstEpU3_S1-LICZLC-9rwIpyONqxlBdwgptkYz-T3C2BokQIH3WgGVJrpob2hKOwe5oCMvrn_8QWebOh3UqsCmY9B4kttHdp3sMVwZ80U/s1600/w280-jessie+and+teh+statue+of+liberty.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my feet rubbed raw from all the warning Jessie and I sat on some crate on the deck. Tour guide, a whiny wanna be Robert DiNiro, announced that we and all other people that followed us on the crate had to get down. Fair enough. But he continued to moan for another 2 minutes how he would have to take us all to the hospital, yada, yada, yada. Before leaving the boat the tour guide begged for tips--F U. NY WATERWAY--NEXT TIME DON'T OVERLOAD THE BOAT!!. (My oldest daugther, Rachie, was below deck and when she heard tour guide carrying on she told the group "dad must be the one who caused all the trouble.")</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYoYc-8vy5_Kf-FlDdTnOsQl7poinhq2CEHFUltCULR3vp0vsAlYfQDAqXMSrJOwDf8EYH33qc_ZHE5GkGmdcwahN4WUJZO5wdRTblgqR38HjDIq1R94GLWsC1FNVlkyahV8edcd1Qn0/s1600/w284-selfie+with+jessie+and+some+statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYoYc-8vy5_Kf-FlDdTnOsQl7poinhq2CEHFUltCULR3vp0vsAlYfQDAqXMSrJOwDf8EYH33qc_ZHE5GkGmdcwahN4WUJZO5wdRTblgqR38HjDIq1R94GLWsC1FNVlkyahV8edcd1Qn0/s1600/w284-selfie+with+jessie+and+some+statue.jpg" height="356" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not another selfie--OK--this one has the Statue of Liberty.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02sgzKm1Ts0bZsxVnnAexyAC_Zz0nChjNq025moSE8tY4XYmS4fBQgHTGO1Od_fYA9O77n-zhxfrpmm4RRdGDjgO6BKQkhdQIE1yyjgj6wrEK8KnLRada-UPoShce01WlNPnWkiqnleM/s1600/w289-freedom+tower+from+boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02sgzKm1Ts0bZsxVnnAexyAC_Zz0nChjNq025moSE8tY4XYmS4fBQgHTGO1Od_fYA9O77n-zhxfrpmm4RRdGDjgO6BKQkhdQIE1yyjgj6wrEK8KnLRada-UPoShce01WlNPnWkiqnleM/s1600/w289-freedom+tower+from+boat.jpg" height="243" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freedom Tower again.</td></tr>
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On Sunday, the Wedding Day, we were going to stay in New Jersey until evening. Ironically this part of New Jersey, right next to NYC, still has <span style="color: blue;">BLUE LAWS <span style="color: black;">with everything except restaurants and gas stations closed on Sunday. Though feet ailing couldn't hang out in apartment all day so started out for a late morning walk. About a mile away found a neighborhoods pizzeria that made GREAT cheese pie--by the slice. Coming from a state with crap pizza smothered with 10 topping making it more crappy--this was a treat. Thin crisp crust, cheese that doesn't fall off the slice, a little olive oil laying on the pizza. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">Later we took the ferry to NYC for the wedding and got on the crosstown bus--which moved 1 block in 20 minutes. We got off the bus and hoofed it across town--Donna had to do this in heels.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0xdsVCAlNNQb85_xYwAIJL9JkmhYjNHO0ftVgKnUlRvRNBAeU_aJpv_szYime_6pu8cZTJWjwcXVX9un1ChtrHsKjBIHMkBxJXVL43mZCagNjGsVlpLH2PqR9gcTgYA8Gqcw6bs-BZ0/s1600/w295-me+by+franks+pizza+with+slice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0xdsVCAlNNQb85_xYwAIJL9JkmhYjNHO0ftVgKnUlRvRNBAeU_aJpv_szYime_6pu8cZTJWjwcXVX9un1ChtrHsKjBIHMkBxJXVL43mZCagNjGsVlpLH2PqR9gcTgYA8Gqcw6bs-BZ0/s1600/w295-me+by+franks+pizza+with+slice.jpg" height="336" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qvIwpia7rOv_qPjU0OEgONkZ8DwcQ8BjnaAFAkNPeXRP4n6FfaXSx09PYzyS6ZMXMc2QQIFcO9GP-OiqjULLNf3Ai3th-m7WzmkUfLTfwKgrnROQjDB3tUKaDc2FZkj0GkxTbaAQhTE/s1600/w298-inside+franks+pizza+with+slice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qvIwpia7rOv_qPjU0OEgONkZ8DwcQ8BjnaAFAkNPeXRP4n6FfaXSx09PYzyS6ZMXMc2QQIFcO9GP-OiqjULLNf3Ai3th-m7WzmkUfLTfwKgrnROQjDB3tUKaDc2FZkj0GkxTbaAQhTE/s1600/w298-inside+franks+pizza+with+slice.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank's Pizza in Edgewater-very good.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAZ2G51WEq1UlIEgfFXgbkLi976calJZJo1KTHDGB5a1T7ePTru2vlb3Kq1HLr502IodZIUJnUJrE3d-9wV2TxYEhlfPZ7znwN9d_RtTOObHc8OVQ5PhyphenhyphenWH8tpPH3DOE13KUdcNua9HM/s1600/w304-wedding-me+with+jessie+pooh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAZ2G51WEq1UlIEgfFXgbkLi976calJZJo1KTHDGB5a1T7ePTru2vlb3Kq1HLr502IodZIUJnUJrE3d-9wV2TxYEhlfPZ7znwN9d_RtTOObHc8OVQ5PhyphenhyphenWH8tpPH3DOE13KUdcNua9HM/s1600/w304-wedding-me+with+jessie+pooh.jpg" height="400" width="327" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessie and I at my brother in laws wedding.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehWHAPCCmMl-eVeDkA0mw4o6GQPYhsX19sSh35IxefkqQ0N5aZr7ISgQAySHreTl0EdwFZAqno0-wSynQyeZn5E87hCoOsM1RV_hTsoc3nKbLx_n2tGWqN1e0rgPWR0w7jbj7sBImzno/s1600/w309-im+with+jessie+and+rachie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehWHAPCCmMl-eVeDkA0mw4o6GQPYhsX19sSh35IxefkqQ0N5aZr7ISgQAySHreTl0EdwFZAqno0-wSynQyeZn5E87hCoOsM1RV_hTsoc3nKbLx_n2tGWqN1e0rgPWR0w7jbj7sBImzno/s1600/w309-im+with+jessie+and+rachie.jpg" height="400" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Rachie and Jessie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvvI4CneCX9XoPWOttuv9cE-KIO3rAwWFZO4j18sm-JFMXZsNGlBy3VkVnYMD9Or1ykRHrVA_BBndWPPwU6V5jZLPI4jM-0BIS2rkyLH_qbeN7JjsiardUu1CC2cHhIuDyWLef8XAv_o/s1600/w318-wedding-jay+and+jessie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvvI4CneCX9XoPWOttuv9cE-KIO3rAwWFZO4j18sm-JFMXZsNGlBy3VkVnYMD9Or1ykRHrVA_BBndWPPwU6V5jZLPI4jM-0BIS2rkyLH_qbeN7JjsiardUu1CC2cHhIuDyWLef8XAv_o/s1600/w318-wedding-jay+and+jessie.jpg" height="302" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where did I go wrong--Jessie still drinks crap beer.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #bf9000;">Day 5-Walk down the east side </span><span style="color: #bf9000;">thru</span><span style="color: #bf9000;"> the Bowery across Brooklyn Bridge for pizza. Down 3rd Avenue with every intersection in midtown having a police presence. Eventually on the Bowery with every furniture and kitchen store imaginable.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzK3uiuFqlkxTLHoQK6EFgf1JVC4j1vUgIVcnHjxnpgT2NidvLRummHZYQYMnnKFNW_NlMZtmi9nW3scVkkass2_tkqpNLdWgMRuuVylq8XgdxZ0uWd-UV5kYHaXzi2J5RZJ_82oUwm_M/s1600/w338-garment+district+statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzK3uiuFqlkxTLHoQK6EFgf1JVC4j1vUgIVcnHjxnpgT2NidvLRummHZYQYMnnKFNW_NlMZtmi9nW3scVkkass2_tkqpNLdWgMRuuVylq8XgdxZ0uWd-UV5kYHaXzi2J5RZJ_82oUwm_M/s1600/w338-garment+district+statue.jpg" height="400" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sculpture at the edge of the garment center.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IC4UcReAcZeBfWnVHnBLDvaiwS1qrPd3vsd6PSntIMBe5OY9CxPs0YmKKDMe16oOckpR9IAtVTINQ47GylWmFcH0ahaBrov7KBBwicuT2AMPg5pnxGn4EIcxDWyf4SghgNNEtnpj-3g/s1600/w339-two+cops+at+crowded+intersection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IC4UcReAcZeBfWnVHnBLDvaiwS1qrPd3vsd6PSntIMBe5OY9CxPs0YmKKDMe16oOckpR9IAtVTINQ47GylWmFcH0ahaBrov7KBBwicuT2AMPg5pnxGn4EIcxDWyf4SghgNNEtnpj-3g/s1600/w339-two+cops+at+crowded+intersection.jpg" height="243" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yet another crowed intersection at 11am with two cops trying to move the mess.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqn10qD35jLQ4Hf8w2QVbpjG6xUtt9MJYojqlRUQP25KHAR9iNv_A6N77RZAv-OGNkUOlOKVPRY3nLzBI-d61PuCboWyp6xoaWklhgG-Oee0yw-a7x2pU-mRfoMv5DT0pMKJcNdZ3mbHU/s1600/w350-bicycle+art+by+lower+east+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqn10qD35jLQ4Hf8w2QVbpjG6xUtt9MJYojqlRUQP25KHAR9iNv_A6N77RZAv-OGNkUOlOKVPRY3nLzBI-d61PuCboWyp6xoaWklhgG-Oee0yw-a7x2pU-mRfoMv5DT0pMKJcNdZ3mbHU/s1600/w350-bicycle+art+by+lower+east+side.jpg" height="400" width="372" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of a string of cycling art near the Manhattan bridge entrance. Wonder why I picked this one to photograph.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtBeEXqJQlkOIljJN0iNewUKypEaBcyJq27C0q9RoZVv2fsGHuZby4b5R3MAIotFql1SRdr1k5JNvHQarNy47JGzrk14e0LRsLVdcpqsCwzbhpm3Zis-lg56V_JV_Tp7Cz-Ubp8IbhQo/s1600/w353-at+teh+hot+dog+cart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtBeEXqJQlkOIljJN0iNewUKypEaBcyJq27C0q9RoZVv2fsGHuZby4b5R3MAIotFql1SRdr1k5JNvHQarNy47JGzrk14e0LRsLVdcpqsCwzbhpm3Zis-lg56V_JV_Tp7Cz-Ubp8IbhQo/s1600/w353-at+teh+hot+dog+cart.jpg" height="356" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside the NY Supreme Court (which is not THE SUPREME court of the state) Donna finds a cheep place for food.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EpzwfYrnL_H0KgFX2frFCaG6nqz_huUF3rOYz3OXj7Qb4gUBiogh4is2e2Zxx0prfy622AVYyT61zu3qeInDcH1uX91gCqzCEp526JbQ9A4w35h23ZYRDWcZlSVJmlKHyWrV_-pGlMQ/s1600/w359-rachie-donnie-me-brooklyn+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EpzwfYrnL_H0KgFX2frFCaG6nqz_huUF3rOYz3OXj7Qb4gUBiogh4is2e2Zxx0prfy622AVYyT61zu3qeInDcH1uX91gCqzCEp526JbQ9A4w35h23ZYRDWcZlSVJmlKHyWrV_-pGlMQ/s1600/w359-rachie-donnie-me-brooklyn+bridge.jpg" height="247" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Donnie and Rachie on the Brooklyn Bridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2JPxahdGb_S_3YcE9L8TQ5u6CllpKhaU32iL3xh3GKxUd4Xt1clRyaxFIb-2HVEyy_2VDpFfEykFXOUHyyk9RuzWLYpVEL2J6PgsKWdLgL2JEyd7sAKAh9iIuIE2NA6vU7uEk_DPZSI/s1600/w366-closeup+of+me+and+the+kids+on+brooklyn+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2JPxahdGb_S_3YcE9L8TQ5u6CllpKhaU32iL3xh3GKxUd4Xt1clRyaxFIb-2HVEyy_2VDpFfEykFXOUHyyk9RuzWLYpVEL2J6PgsKWdLgL2JEyd7sAKAh9iIuIE2NA6vU7uEk_DPZSI/s1600/w366-closeup+of+me+and+the+kids+on+brooklyn+bridge.jpg" height="243" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Jessie and Rachie on the Brooklyn Bridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRX8GM4pZO1Ms8_SDwvrUoo9ltrzquZ-pk87cwGgqR12nC3M0eaK7ACSdYW2um5kK8gIUx3WyC7SiBp3YL-DK_tXnhZir13Md5uUjvb9GK8LPEV3lceL87oLPLGJsOXhWWwzRh5AbX3Kg/s1600/w373-donnie+and+jay+on+brooklyn+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRX8GM4pZO1Ms8_SDwvrUoo9ltrzquZ-pk87cwGgqR12nC3M0eaK7ACSdYW2um5kK8gIUx3WyC7SiBp3YL-DK_tXnhZir13Md5uUjvb9GK8LPEV3lceL87oLPLGJsOXhWWwzRh5AbX3Kg/s1600/w373-donnie+and+jay+on+brooklyn+bridge.jpg" height="400" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Donnie on the Brooklyn Bridge. How did we get rid of the mass of people on the usually crowded walkway (the left side is a two way bike lane)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycQl1UjCzMNEaNGH3K1fGx67F_4aeaIE5NMonzfTuMMYWVWr9Zre5gacZrfEA5PP5JPGT2z3oahX5gGu-RIbvJRmjKOG-A1xA15Kc8yLY55f4rEc6VvBZzKL3ENF9FZkrQoZ4wb2Dy2k/s1600/w377-manhattan+bridge+and+empire+state+building+from+brooklyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycQl1UjCzMNEaNGH3K1fGx67F_4aeaIE5NMonzfTuMMYWVWr9Zre5gacZrfEA5PP5JPGT2z3oahX5gGu-RIbvJRmjKOG-A1xA15Kc8yLY55f4rEc6VvBZzKL3ENF9FZkrQoZ4wb2Dy2k/s1600/w377-manhattan+bridge+and+empire+state+building+from+brooklyn.jpg" height="372" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manhattan Bridge and Empire State Building from the Brooklyn Bridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFMK7fXIl_0h6AZ8eXlHRUoiX5IzmgyynTtt4U7tIXyClW0ntEglK5dF-zo5Q3U3uPjEuOq0LBsNRvDMvbEk_pqGfyEXr1owgRQezDa34BseK-5fYPciTMpDMb6dceaAdKpcunnbOy44/s1600/w378-start+if+brooklyn+bridge+walkway+from+brooklyn+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFMK7fXIl_0h6AZ8eXlHRUoiX5IzmgyynTtt4U7tIXyClW0ntEglK5dF-zo5Q3U3uPjEuOq0LBsNRvDMvbEk_pqGfyEXr1owgRQezDa34BseK-5fYPciTMpDMb6dceaAdKpcunnbOy44/s1600/w378-start+if+brooklyn+bridge+walkway+from+brooklyn+side.jpg" height="362" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raised pedestrian/ bike lane over the Brooklyn Bridge roadway.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSdswiVosvlDk0C3ipQ1p3cV_GOPh__LThhyqJhwFgQ4nnSuip_n8kXf03kOeuUhTFr-4OykG3KjGgVh3i4oCmNj1LWcbAwCEqsG7kxJlroKIjjwFB05dghHedng1H2PIGN71vliW3zVY/s1600/w380-manhattan+bridge+from+brooklyn+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSdswiVosvlDk0C3ipQ1p3cV_GOPh__LThhyqJhwFgQ4nnSuip_n8kXf03kOeuUhTFr-4OykG3KjGgVh3i4oCmNj1LWcbAwCEqsG7kxJlroKIjjwFB05dghHedng1H2PIGN71vliW3zVY/s1600/w380-manhattan+bridge+from+brooklyn+side.jpg" height="400" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manhattan Bridge from Brooklyn. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyZ5XHpJZXt0iJc3xlNGHUkMOAzWgPvSIvmL3EFffrJj1w6Chc9sb7zcBFLOfE3iV5HcFx3AnDsdnaXfaeSHy2OAFQlqMtqOeXxsaAX8t8aU6eSMRq2SfsDSAp2WNog1FRHrqEpvQ3bw/s1600/w386-julianaias+pizza+bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyZ5XHpJZXt0iJc3xlNGHUkMOAzWgPvSIvmL3EFffrJj1w6Chc9sb7zcBFLOfE3iV5HcFx3AnDsdnaXfaeSHy2OAFQlqMtqOeXxsaAX8t8aU6eSMRq2SfsDSAp2WNog1FRHrqEpvQ3bw/s1600/w386-julianaias+pizza+bike.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pizza bike next door from where we ate--the owner of the pizzeria is related somehow to the one we ate at.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlkyVxmaFzM7KpVO8TSyU4U-CVz4k8RB7eaxNy2FGJdeVQZTND3k6_IiEdWFM2caEUgL0Z9DqTLyX2Ou5Sl90R2FNp8nRvT9pOdjocKvLe66RXauc_70XsrOlJtBuPOBZ4qB2quYs5Io/s1600/w387-brooklyn+bridge+from+brooklyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlkyVxmaFzM7KpVO8TSyU4U-CVz4k8RB7eaxNy2FGJdeVQZTND3k6_IiEdWFM2caEUgL0Z9DqTLyX2Ou5Sl90R2FNp8nRvT9pOdjocKvLe66RXauc_70XsrOlJtBuPOBZ4qB2quYs5Io/s1600/w387-brooklyn+bridge+from+brooklyn.jpg" height="331" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brooklyn Bridge redux</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW93xPGEeo34KGM8tVjf1Y7QUheEwJYUEwczIadiogs9kdYcYwesYfWNzBYcuU02TKn1lU1_BQeTP5uH2Tc3sw42Hdel3yooRTWBXxL3FFDY6YPdJtQLQE4-iCjq29uBHuxjr3B6-npdc/s1600/w389-family+by+brooklyn+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW93xPGEeo34KGM8tVjf1Y7QUheEwJYUEwczIadiogs9kdYcYwesYfWNzBYcuU02TKn1lU1_BQeTP5uH2Tc3sw42Hdel3yooRTWBXxL3FFDY6YPdJtQLQE4-iCjq29uBHuxjr3B6-npdc/s1600/w389-family+by+brooklyn+bridge.jpg" height="350" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gang by the Brooklyn Bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Brooklyn Bridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyHx1ewAOWheI5ynoIhNaEP_TlMh_aywi-yBbhlBZlmHs9anf0KYlfV-ZwUaQYt-l9DdHcUExz5OAviuTKCJPeoHWsgzUfYiamWBoCiFOa3un3dUz4FERomAlvETCoY_alixspjHHQoI/s1600/w397-brooklyn+bridge+pizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyHx1ewAOWheI5ynoIhNaEP_TlMh_aywi-yBbhlBZlmHs9anf0KYlfV-ZwUaQYt-l9DdHcUExz5OAviuTKCJPeoHWsgzUfYiamWBoCiFOa3un3dUz4FERomAlvETCoY_alixspjHHQoI/s1600/w397-brooklyn+bridge+pizza.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grimaldi's Pizza under the Brooklyn Bridge, in an old bank building. Line to get in--NO SLICES--NO CREDIT CARDS. Pizza was great with Donnie and Rachie liking the white pizza with no tomato sauce and extra garlic and Jessie and I voting for the regular cheese pie.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRdUjbf_KShMPSCOGP8otfm8QPgYxgNafgxQqG6sV7wbWGP5mffhA-W-RcXpTXTJJVU32HX1uuJhQgu1Vp90RrNQ4yWws-UjT36zm8Ik1ooQuCHIvdEHnpBYOMWJME_gxCCl_x83AWpk/s1600/w403-brooklyn+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRdUjbf_KShMPSCOGP8otfm8QPgYxgNafgxQqG6sV7wbWGP5mffhA-W-RcXpTXTJJVU32HX1uuJhQgu1Vp90RrNQ4yWws-UjT36zm8Ik1ooQuCHIvdEHnpBYOMWJME_gxCCl_x83AWpk/s1600/w403-brooklyn+bridge.jpg" height="400" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last look at the Brooklyn Bridge and the crowd going over it early afternoon on a weekday.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxL0I5M60xmiC2gFvysm5Y1KulL7RiZX6iOoYQWPSSOJuDTxR7AFYIc1plqo4EwoJOxHQHnWHS1njK7_mnRAwJ0MqRk_CQXw0oMz9hsBqR-YK-SqlDssmmMDN1i8STQ-N7GTZfMP42GA/s1600/w409-im+leaving+ny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxL0I5M60xmiC2gFvysm5Y1KulL7RiZX6iOoYQWPSSOJuDTxR7AFYIc1plqo4EwoJOxHQHnWHS1njK7_mnRAwJ0MqRk_CQXw0oMz9hsBqR-YK-SqlDssmmMDN1i8STQ-N7GTZfMP42GA/s1600/w409-im+leaving+ny.jpg" height="400" width="396" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Manhattan. Hope I get back there before 16 years pass again.</td></tr>
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Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-61225463264138506622014-09-14T19:29:00.000-07:002014-09-14T19:36:48.406-07:00Redwood Road> Palomares Road> Calaveras Road Century (2014)(September 13, 2014) <strong>Redwood Road> Palomares Road> Calaveras Road Century</strong>, 101 miles, 5,600' climbing with Jack & Kris (they did Diablo Junction preride) and Christine, Dr. Dave, Elizabeth through Calaveras and start with Ward.<br />
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<span style="background-color: red; color: orange;">Palomares from Castro Valley 5 miles 882' 3%, last mile 470' 9%</span><br />
<span style="background-color: blue; color: orange;">Palomares from Sunol 4 1/2 miles, 1040' 4%</span><br />
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First we revisit one week ago when we did the Palomares Loop clockwise (come in to the climb from Sunol) for a 73 mile, 3,100' ride. On the climb passed two cyclists, neother with a build, helmets tied onto handlebars, look a little older. One came out and rode with me for a few minutes--really funny guy. (His line of introduction--"<em>I'm from the Russian Mafia and I have a gun in my shorts.") </em>He was from the Tunitas Creek area and said he does that often, and said that me, being <strong>a young guy</strong>, was climbing well. Cool being told I was a young guy while feeling old--turns out the Russian <span style="color: red;">was 70 years old!!, </span><span style="color: black;">and still enjoying riding the hills--nice. Told him that at the top I was going to go back down to come up again with our slowest climber. Shortly Russian was a bit winded and declared "<em>I need to wait for my brother." </em>When I came back up again his group was looking for someone to take their group photo, and they were really enjoying life. Nice.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOx-H4fcdK5P3iEGcZaY53H_dbOg_Wx4GstQUUpVovjcLucP-dRlBpA6zk6X066DxwS6hcM733gGHw-svXS9KZ_5_orUQFokaUBQPbqvS0HnpdzZjvFarRx9yJzR6rU1ufa2bswY4zvI/s1600/w10-christine+photos+the+russian+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOx-H4fcdK5P3iEGcZaY53H_dbOg_Wx4GstQUUpVovjcLucP-dRlBpA6zk6X066DxwS6hcM733gGHw-svXS9KZ_5_orUQFokaUBQPbqvS0HnpdzZjvFarRx9yJzR6rU1ufa2bswY4zvI/s1600/w10-christine+photos+the+russian+group.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Russian group at the top of Palomares last week. The funny 70 year old 2nd from left. When Christine then passed him on the climb he said that <em>"I had told him to tell her that she has to poosh him up the hill."</em></td></tr>
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Flash ahead to today. Jack, veteran of doubles, and Kris who has never done one, are training for the Knoxville Double. So they are going to add on before we start the Club ride which is a metric loop around Redwood Road, and put bonus miles at the end of the ride.<br />
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At the start Ward came out to start the ride with us. He is competing with Marco Scutero to see who will be on the disabled list more this year. A new person Elizabeth joined us--she'd done some rides with a fun racing group the Fighting Bobas in Santa Rosa. Years ago when I rode with them they had "<span style="color: #a64d79;">How Ya Doooin</span>" plastered on the backside of their shorts. Dr. Dave was in his hot weather Hawaii jersey--I like when he shows up in it as the weather will be great, though Dave will disagree.<br />
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Our ride starts on a bike path where we usually try to be cautious--coming up in the opposite direction were a big group of Valley Spokesmen flying up the crowed multiuse path. I hope they got their Strava times. Multiuse path blues continued. When we left Lafayette we usually go up a short steep climb -- but today no one was game for it so we took a loooooong ride up a crowded path. Even going slow we were dodging lots of dogs on extend leashes, walkers with MP3 players tuning out any warning that you're passing, strollers, kids on bikes. Wonderful when we finally got to the street.<br />
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Long stop at Moraga commons--Jack isn't rushing us out of rest stops as he used to. Kris trying to get her eating, equipment, training geared up for the double. She consulted with Ward and picked up a new set of carbon wheels. (Something must be wrong with them--they don't advertise the brand in HUGE neon letters like other wheelsets.) Don't think Kris was trying to be funny when she suggested that a wheelset is an investment instead of bling.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVrRPFX0hblL6UrTrKp4ggizBcrYV6RK8mk1M46iBHNeyB7Ex3gvqo4SVlJj1y0_scOlJ7VSGY_U0TxNBCK-JSvmfaQHltsCAV94B5-7kDXYGHrUqPiMA3HDmZ93gvmH7kcdeXbcpqTk/s1600/w17-jersey+fashion+at+moraga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVrRPFX0hblL6UrTrKp4ggizBcrYV6RK8mk1M46iBHNeyB7Ex3gvqo4SVlJj1y0_scOlJ7VSGY_U0TxNBCK-JSvmfaQHltsCAV94B5-7kDXYGHrUqPiMA3HDmZ93gvmH7kcdeXbcpqTk/s1600/w17-jersey+fashion+at+moraga.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris telling Kris that when you are a good cycling all rounder you can get a jersey covered with rounders. </td></tr>
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We left Moraga minus Ward and rode pretty cooperatively at the start of Redwood Road. Then I tried to get away on the climb from downhill QOM Christine--hoping that she wouldn't zoom past me until we were half way down the hill. No dice, she and Dave successfully counterattacked and started the downhill before me so I had "nochance."<br />
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Regroup at tennis courts in Castro Valley. Christine jazzed that for once the male/ female ratio on our ride is even. I'm jazzed that the weather is great--felt like mid summertime warm, and for the last few weeks for the first time in a year I can hold onto the handlebars with no pain. (Thanks Kaiser Perm for f'ing up the diagnosis a year ago by not running the proper arthritis test--THRIVE my ass.) So when its suggested that we add the Palomares climb I'm in, as was everyone else.<br />
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Palomares from the Castro Valley side gets much steeper. Sweating bullets, Dave, Christine and I went up hard and we regrouped at the top. For once I didn't mind resting in the shade. The fast curvy downhill was great until going over a gravel patch where the tyers almost slid out; then descended much more slowly with more falling rock gravel patches on the road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehu6nyntMrJvlVd6ZQ4p1Foa3rjUCVRNAPI_9jPGQ0hiczdXaBSgkDXukX81DOGlxMhNBpNnCeSNYQjPHtK5arN7xU9d1oGz0QV3m_e7PzAUvapBIBqWmrqAEt81PU_DpnfOUx1xJ-VM/s1600/w19-dave+leading+paceline+up+palmares-use+this+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehu6nyntMrJvlVd6ZQ4p1Foa3rjUCVRNAPI_9jPGQ0hiczdXaBSgkDXukX81DOGlxMhNBpNnCeSNYQjPHtK5arN7xU9d1oGz0QV3m_e7PzAUvapBIBqWmrqAEt81PU_DpnfOUx1xJ-VM/s1600/w19-dave+leading+paceline+up+palmares-use+this+one.jpg" height="293" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Dave led the group up Palomares. Yippie--he is wearing his very very very warm weather jersey.</td></tr>
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Then came the slight uphill to Sunol, which is actually faster than the slight downhill the other way, as the prevailing wind is always West to East. I love shallow climbs with tailwind and got into a zone where I pulled the whole way--with Christine and I taking turns shouting out "scenic water crossings." We gained on a triathlete that was all over the wide shoulder and almost turned into us even when we yelled out a warning in plenty of time.<br />
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Great stop in Sunol filled with frozen fruit bars and Rice Krispie Treats (which have almost a dozen essential vegetables, vitamins and minerals.) Kris had a great idea and bought a full bag of ice for us to dive into now, and then she'd have the storekeeper put it back for when we return. Jack and Kris decide to tack on Calaveras. Dave, Chris and Elizabeth are going to head back before their tyres melt. Tree lined gentle climb Calaveras is my 2nd favorite Club ride (after Morgan Territory) so I head out with Jack and Kris.<br />
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Kris had asked me how I train, and though everyone else warned her don't follow what I do (eg. I start tapering midweek before an event--not 2 weeks before) we've been emailing back and forth. On Calaveras we got into much more depth re training then a series of emails allow, which led to finding out about my and her sports background. Found out that we both had very tragic years (mine in 2004, hers last year) that probably pushed us into Doubles. When we started to BS going up Calaveras a <strong><u>park</u></strong> cop came by and yelled that we have to ride single file (though we were riding next to each other on the shoulder but I was on the white line--blocking the shoulder--a "Team in Training' tactic.) <br />
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Kris had bonked on a long ride a few weeks ago with Jack, so was a little gun shy re pacing and holding the group up--today we pushed the pace at times and with better eating and constant liquoring up she did great. At the end of Calaveras we did the Brother Vic add on --the Dreaded Wall. Coming back up the Wall Jack was just arriving, and declined our offer to wait for him while he rode down and up it.<br />
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Only bad thing about the out and back on Calavaras on a very warm day is that two water bottles are almost fully drained before you return to Sunol. The good thing is that the return trip to Sunol is much faster than the trip out. On the trip back Kris had to slow to wait for Jack and I to catch up to her. Sure enough trip back was on a fast course and I ran out of water a mile before we hit Sunol.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHUCP50XUXg-qac0kAnKx688g4l2j2fwtGP7jGibW2MAKfBIUtoWdGNyT8XuP5oE6ZFdoT6Vq776YCvO-ZtLhiXcXfiMG80xiER72Rt-gCLp9DKKDCNq2p0NlexoPQxkXiIxuQqU9KgE/s1600/w32-ice+pop+about+to+be+shoved+up+my+camera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHUCP50XUXg-qac0kAnKx688g4l2j2fwtGP7jGibW2MAKfBIUtoWdGNyT8XuP5oE6ZFdoT6Vq776YCvO-ZtLhiXcXfiMG80xiER72Rt-gCLp9DKKDCNq2p0NlexoPQxkXiIxuQqU9KgE/s1600/w32-ice+pop+about+to+be+shoved+up+my+camera.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm about to be threatened that if I don't put the camera away a frozen fruit bar will be thrown at me</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSf6mGTPy4njmxG-f0ffCxYC67oL1J5WbDvWMmD6dnYm8WKawzcJTUXLa7BnFx_cfw3Nyj0LycfmNfpKLUUiUqIVWcGT_fohJKKvnNlBLZ0tPcEQ4Tq68jP-W9YuSouWLoppZRRb1Bv2E/s1600/w33-jack+suntan+lotioning+the+rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSf6mGTPy4njmxG-f0ffCxYC67oL1J5WbDvWMmD6dnYm8WKawzcJTUXLa7BnFx_cfw3Nyj0LycfmNfpKLUUiUqIVWcGT_fohJKKvnNlBLZ0tPcEQ4Tq68jP-W9YuSouWLoppZRRb1Bv2E/s1600/w33-jack+suntan+lotioning+the+rock.jpg" height="320" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack putting suntan lotion in a rock in Sunol</td></tr>
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Another great stop at Sunol--excuse for another Frozen Fruit Bar. Good paceline going back, I had lots of energy and did most of the pulling. The road to Dublin is great with almost no traffic controls. Then you cross the highway and the road to Walnut Creek is lined with <span style="color: red;">red</span> lights every 2nd block. In Danville Kris turned off to go home, but was first going to add another 15 mile loop. Good deal--my training MO was to make every training ride as hard as possible, then the event would be easier. I then stopped off to reload my bottles with ice in Danville while Jack scurried off. <br />
<br />
When I returned to my car only two cars were left in the parking lot. Of course the other one was parked next to mine and the driver and passenger were loudly BSing while sending smoke signals out the open windows. While packing up my car I had "Sisters of Mercy" blasting out of the speakers hoping the two smokeheads would move. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JVkT2DphJDpA352QpMMTJzRqyxFPOVW7F9v5qZPDS8Nm-U5MWB8fdXCjcOgGMyvZqtj4qypp6c-rgaK0gbe6xyqEanMADJpClbevTNiHpnl9_Z0kIrIFLWgNtd_DbQYGX8fnLW-bizs/s1600/w36-fresh+air+by+car+at+hf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JVkT2DphJDpA352QpMMTJzRqyxFPOVW7F9v5qZPDS8Nm-U5MWB8fdXCjcOgGMyvZqtj4qypp6c-rgaK0gbe6xyqEanMADJpClbevTNiHpnl9_Z0kIrIFLWgNtd_DbQYGX8fnLW-bizs/s1600/w36-fresh+air+by+car+at+hf.jpg" height="400" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CAN YOU GO BACK TO YOUR HOUSE AND SMOKE!!!</td></tr>
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Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-20397596761569910072014-09-01T07:53:00.001-07:002014-09-14T19:29:46.970-07:00Mt. Diablo-Morgan Territory, Patterson Pass Century (2014)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkR7I05YUMyA-VxAWMIhcArkrGfVag3FQ50BuhZDhOPop5y8E4LoZtVhQkABZbmidX_Tep0ZH0e-e8mdU0MCxdedMZeNqSDX0ZQ3dBByhE80ESWit_uTuZuiH3h34bk589n5fV1eTFP0/s1600/w-diablo+cyclist+ride+description.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkR7I05YUMyA-VxAWMIhcArkrGfVag3FQ50BuhZDhOPop5y8E4LoZtVhQkABZbmidX_Tep0ZH0e-e8mdU0MCxdedMZeNqSDX0ZQ3dBByhE80ESWit_uTuZuiH3h34bk589n5fV1eTFP0/s1600/w-diablo+cyclist+ride+description.jpg" height="158" width="640" /></a></div>
I did Mt Diablo Northgate preride to 3000', 112, 7,880' climbing. Matt did Mt Diablo Southgate preride to Junction. Dr. Dave and Christine joined for the bonus mile fun up Patterson Pass.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QHafwZtcsQtFAODbYnPeC8k70Ah_Kwo2Mm9PHnuOlXPl45i57yJbBmJaKjF-PuK2pwJZ9A12VEYKNenHF705xlsQV6H-AmDxXnYw8110jzgLF6vg4TPXpkaq6vwrlFwZ0YtPVm62BKw/s1600/w-elevation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QHafwZtcsQtFAODbYnPeC8k70Ah_Kwo2Mm9PHnuOlXPl45i57yJbBmJaKjF-PuK2pwJZ9A12VEYKNenHF705xlsQV6H-AmDxXnYw8110jzgLF6vg4TPXpkaq6vwrlFwZ0YtPVm62BKw/s1600/w-elevation.jpg" height="65" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elevation but something is strange--I was next to the 3,000 foot sign on Mt Diablo and my Garmin said I was at 2,800'. At least after a full reset my Garmin no longer craps out after 70-90 miles.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Significant Climbs (rounded out)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mt Diablo (to
Juniper) --9 miles, 2600', 5-6% (pretty even)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(230, 145, 56); font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Morgan
Territory--3 miles, 800', 5% (steeper at top with short hairpin kicks)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Patterson
Pass----5 miles, 1200', 5% (steeper at top with growing headwind)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Best Diablo Cyclist ride on the
schedule, the climb up Morgan Territory, a desolate, shady, twisty climb on a
narrow road; fitted with hairpins that kick up to double digit
grades. One of my favorite climbs. After going
down the wide open, uncovered downhill there is a natural bonus mile route--the
Altamont Speedway to Patterson Pass. As the Altamont Speedway (for the
good) and Patterson Pass (for the not so good) exacerbates any wind
conditions--midweek showed a mild wind forecast for the Livermore Valley and
toasty temperatures in the 90's. Cool--another bonus is naturally added
on--an early morning assault of Mt. Diablo before joining in on the club
ride. The trip to Morgan Territory features some serious rollers so
even if you miss the Club you can eventually catch onto the back--even worked
when Ward and I once went back to his house and had a 10 course breakfast
before trying to make up 30 minutes on the Club.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tried to get some buy in on the
Patterson Pass add on but generally the emails were noncommittal.
Finally it was proposed that we'd decide at the top of Morgan Territory where
the bonus mile group would continue. That worked out as well as expected,
with a contingent forming the "Anything Except Patterson Pass" group.
So we had a split and Christine, Matt, Dr. Dave and I went towards
Patterson Pass. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'm getting a little ahead of
myself. To do the Mt Diablo preride necessitates getting to our
traditional ride start 2-2:15 hours earlier than normal, hence the
forecast best be for early morning warm weather. I put on a
mini-headlight--good for trying to get an approaching car's attention when
going down Mt. Diablo (where stupid asses pass on blind curves), and the narrow
roads of Morgan Territory and Patterson Pass. I put on the mini
bike stereo in case I wound up riding alone--always a chance of not catching
the bike club and/or no one doing the Patterson Pass bonus loop. Put on
the handlebar bag stuffed with food and drink mix for a 100+ mile
day. Of course I threw in a t-shirt for the cold Mt. Diablo morning
descent. I never did use the t-shirt so just wasted bag space.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The Mt. Diablo ascent was beautiful at 7:15.
Only a few other cyclists were going up and no cars. When I started I was
happy to be wearing a vest and that I had a t-shirt in reserve. At the
Mt. Diablo entrance the vest and arm warmers came off. As it would
be a long day of climbing </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">I tried to keep the power output under
200w--luckily no one passed that might incite me to chase. I figured
I'd have to turn around wherever I was at 8:45 to merge with the Diablo
Cyclists starting, in theory, at 9:00. In theory, as in past years Ward
got us moving at 9:01 but with him being on the injured list the Club's start
time has crept toward 9:15</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYL8T2_XYdh4TqMsyObFSBOMtFpLTpDbfOpU8UUVpZIRCcAU-ypeC0PBhvidFjB2CVM-m3ZMUhM15otx0WyYYZIQcfvmdS8r2LSmNBOtHhDdzc3xV0VHtU1WpbU9bPtrrGRPXbw75lBM/s1600/w06-the+crowd+at+heather+farms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYL8T2_XYdh4TqMsyObFSBOMtFpLTpDbfOpU8UUVpZIRCcAU-ypeC0PBhvidFjB2CVM-m3ZMUhM15otx0WyYYZIQcfvmdS8r2LSmNBOtHhDdzc3xV0VHtU1WpbU9bPtrrGRPXbw75lBM/s1600/w06-the+crowd+at+heather+farms.jpg" height="310" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huge crowd at the start at Heather Farms</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Was riding slowly and taking photos
but could have left a half hour later---made the Junction well before 8:45 so
continued to go up. The temperature was really perfect, some spots in
heavy shade were cool but usually you could feel the warmth even early
on. Got to the Juniper overlook around 8:35 so figured I'd go around the
corner just to stop and take in the view from the 3000' sign. Strange, at
the 3000' sign my Garmin said I was at 2800'. So someone has made a
7% error. Went down to the Juniper picnic area to down a Z-Bar and
refill water, but water was shut off at the campsites. The ride
down is what I call a $1,000,000 descent. (Go down Diablo shivering on a
50 degree day and you'll see what I mean.) Of course there was the idiot
driver driving on the wrong side of the road when passing cyclist on a blind
curve (I have written to State Parks to <span style="background: black; color: yellow;">DOUBLE CENTER STRIPE</span> all of the curves on Mt.
Diablo.) When having to stop at the Junction a cyclists
spotted my Devil Mountain Double Jersey and congratulated me and said he was
thinking about doing that ride over two days. To his amazement I told him
I was going out to basically do half of it today self supported. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxckI_m_8L3LYChyphenhyphencT6wedjTmOFjb5ONhLoXLsJwgJOpz5EIBDkImk6dzJTQRxNI3nmijRUrV-9ZK9aKiyijRn4QDz86KwF_Rmi-rwt9m6cjNXqc7Rj6c8Efslz2T-8VFc9VLBDBAqiZc/s1600/w23-turn+around+on+diablo-3000+feet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxckI_m_8L3LYChyphenhyphencT6wedjTmOFjb5ONhLoXLsJwgJOpz5EIBDkImk6dzJTQRxNI3nmijRUrV-9ZK9aKiyijRn4QDz86KwF_Rmi-rwt9m6cjNXqc7Rj6c8Efslz2T-8VFc9VLBDBAqiZc/s1600/w23-turn+around+on+diablo-3000+feet.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3000'--my Garmin doesn't think so</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVJjv9t3iDxctnoJJRkiWwI-gOQtgUVq3ZeaQ81Y3_H2dbPIwhWI29TG8rBxyb5HBeE2zs_uV13zbX3dUxWHa3tfg0GgHVdisBiChyphenhyphenHZvr45xuc2wWwQtkPkXFvfa95xTYE4jmBmkuP8/s1600/w28-this+sign+should+be+at+teh+top+of+pp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVJjv9t3iDxctnoJJRkiWwI-gOQtgUVq3ZeaQ81Y3_H2dbPIwhWI29TG8rBxyb5HBeE2zs_uV13zbX3dUxWHa3tfg0GgHVdisBiChyphenhyphenHZvr45xuc2wWwQtkPkXFvfa95xTYE4jmBmkuP8/s1600/w28-this+sign+should+be+at+teh+top+of+pp.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign when leaving Mt Diablo, but it should be at the top of Patterson Pass where we saw some litter--but absent a biohazard bag and tongs we left it up there.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Stopped for a few photos and got to
the intersection where I hoped to meet the Diablo Cyclists at
9:23. No sign of them. OK, I think that if they left at 9:05 and
made the turn here at 9:15 I'm about 8 minutes behind. So I open up on
the immediate hill and expect to see some of them descending the other side
but--NO CYCLISTS for as far as the eye can see. I'm still serious
as I go up the next hill--again no one in view--I look back and no
one is coming up. What the F. OK--its Plan B, my safety
net. On this ride Christine usually leaves from her house and meets the
Club en route. So if I see Christine waiting in a few miles I'll
know that for some unimaginable reason the Club is behind me. If I don't
see Christine either she is not doing the ride, started with the Club, or I
have to start hauling ass on the next series of intermediate hills to catch the
club before Morgan Territory.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make the turn toward Clayton and go
down about two dozen blocks and spot my safety net--Christine. It's about
9:35, she's been out since 9:30, and she expects the Club to come by in the
next 5 minutes. About 20 minutes later Christine is wondering if the Club
actually passed here BEFORE 9:30, its now 9:55 and certainly they would have
come though by now. We contemplate kicking off in the next 5 minutes when
we see one lone cyclist--Dr. Dave. Dave describes a
cluster F at the beginning of the ride with late arriving cyclists and
flat tires. In about 5 minutes the Club arrives. Nice
surprise--Mike is out, slowly trying to get off the injured list.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_Qq5ZTzXRBfkmhmWfQZo5x5h3Km5QjPcFWcu5zchFp_Sa7XC1Y3lLnsZr31oNAGATxMmpAMDs6pCStTsfFsOysux1T2YTixACrbdbtxTGEDi3oogk_JFYjfUOJFuzsIT5ClHOueIgfs/s1600/w31-where+is+everyone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_Qq5ZTzXRBfkmhmWfQZo5x5h3Km5QjPcFWcu5zchFp_Sa7XC1Y3lLnsZr31oNAGATxMmpAMDs6pCStTsfFsOysux1T2YTixACrbdbtxTGEDi3oogk_JFYjfUOJFuzsIT5ClHOueIgfs/s1600/w31-where+is+everyone.jpg" height="303" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine wondering where the group is and Dr. Dave checking the satellite photo.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Big car show in Clayton and another
member of our group decides to have a flat. This gives me a chance to
reload on water as I'm only running with one bottle of sports drink; my other
bottle is frozen Perpetuem that us just about thawed out and I'll drink on the
Morgan climb. Later we had a big discussion on whether Perpetuem is
properly a sports drink or food--the correct conclusion is that it doesn't
matter. It only matters that you drink/ eat it when cold, if you let
it become warm its taste like something dogs do on bicycle paths. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11N7r7AALQspdBmjDJ6cz1dGJQ0iFjNl_zvltUzGfMznVhzQ18Zz59EFOYz4aQJQyHi5MlkP0qrNyhG551H6Z0pgO78mrjmFvBSwQtgf2K13Qd-C_ew9iNK7rewfCsyu5fuO4Y6jAw8w/s1600/w33-mike+on+morgan+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11N7r7AALQspdBmjDJ6cz1dGJQ0iFjNl_zvltUzGfMznVhzQ18Zz59EFOYz4aQJQyHi5MlkP0qrNyhG551H6Z0pgO78mrjmFvBSwQtgf2K13Qd-C_ew9iNK7rewfCsyu5fuO4Y6jAw8w/s1600/w33-mike+on+morgan+road.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike starting up Morgan Territory</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Morgan Territory climb is great with
its fast beginning that slowly morphs into a gentle climb and then into one
with sudden steep sections. We have a new recumbent rider, David,
and he was setting a nice pace up the climb before we hit the oppressive
part. Dave, Christine and I decided not to push the pace and waste energy
we'd need later for our unknown bonus miles. I briefly turned on
the bike stereo and a favorite of Christine's and mine--Hurricane/
Scorpians--came on which got us jazzed. It was also VERY warm on the
Morgan climb, which is unusual in the dense shade. (Of course this didn't
stop Dave and I to start sprinting up the steep pitch at the end, though Matt
has claimed 1st on the climb hours ago.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvF0Hj8C3K7ccHjjkoskhY9UKuFxSlZQYpVtpnTP_ZIC_490pejbe0oBjogLuKE6KuFiarytMpj7AJdtC9QTYjB5oo45tMMIMdXpY9AgxFqlEeAwsrvyhFs8R6EnOaNb7laVVkyCOueE/s1600/w34-water+fight+at+the+top+of+morgan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvF0Hj8C3K7ccHjjkoskhY9UKuFxSlZQYpVtpnTP_ZIC_490pejbe0oBjogLuKE6KuFiarytMpj7AJdtC9QTYjB5oo45tMMIMdXpY9AgxFqlEeAwsrvyhFs8R6EnOaNb7laVVkyCOueE/s1600/w34-water+fight+at+the+top+of+morgan.jpg" height="400" width="348" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt, Christine and Mike about to start a water fight,</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RMuafzA2c-6z_SxJAxohTo_pZKBh8rwQiWBfzmyqXLBcPMnVVFTNAkTujL4Qa2bj9Cav9NNjjJaagGuvop1xMweYNFMZ0T-u4sFAC7Guc5GFTtebTDZvzzBmRHFb3GxbGlarDeCZ-i0/s1600/w35-i+coordinated+my+outfit+with+don.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RMuafzA2c-6z_SxJAxohTo_pZKBh8rwQiWBfzmyqXLBcPMnVVFTNAkTujL4Qa2bj9Cav9NNjjJaagGuvop1xMweYNFMZ0T-u4sFAC7Guc5GFTtebTDZvzzBmRHFb3GxbGlarDeCZ-i0/s1600/w35-i+coordinated+my+outfit+with+don.jpg" height="362" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don and I made sure to coordinate outfits</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At the top we all hid behind a
barn casting shade. No consensus was decided on the bonus miles,
with one person saying "I'll NEVER do Patterson Pass," which got
instant resolve from Christine and me to do it. Today. Matt
was quickly on board and Dave was on board as best as he could be on a
very very very warm day (we don't use the </span><a href="mailto:h@t"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">h@t</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> word.) I didn't even
think of putting on the vest for the fast downhill off of Morgan Territory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJbxDYnEGX6j2nYXtDVFwrydaRZIIKvrHnIhPMX2rm-B9NCmGJy7m3HEnBCqBUAXXdjDrcwzgy9jWGu1wXrDlbNHcGjKE8wzILlr4X0uvd7zrlYTsJ3OGb8OTF0VV3pqb4_VMsredCsU/s1600/w37-the+little+guys+on+the+top+of+morgan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJbxDYnEGX6j2nYXtDVFwrydaRZIIKvrHnIhPMX2rm-B9NCmGJy7m3HEnBCqBUAXXdjDrcwzgy9jWGu1wXrDlbNHcGjKE8wzILlr4X0uvd7zrlYTsJ3OGb8OTF0VV3pqb4_VMsredCsU/s1600/w37-the+little+guys+on+the+top+of+morgan.jpg" height="336" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little guys start down Morgan Territory.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We had a real nice paceline through
Livermore and decided to liquor up before starting the Altamont Speedway,
instead of looping towards Tracy. Soda and fill my bottles
with ice--that seemed to be the recipe at all stops for the day. Weird moment-bananas
were .69 each or 2/$1.00 so I picked up two. When paying Dave was behind
me on line and he said he was going to get a banana so I gave him one of the
two I had just purchased. The clerk wanted to re ring the price of the
bananas at the higher rate. Nice moment--a driver in back of me saw
the climbs on my DMD jersey and said "that's crazy" and wanted to
know how I felt when I did it. (Unusual moment--a driver outside wanted
directions and to the astonishment of my compatriots I was able to give precise
ones.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuivZJFpZ-81Y3ofUYa0K9B22qmdYPqciBbSv3_gP2MoJbDzBEzji3YWsXTwcbWKHUMIpZIjRq4LH6xD0lOXcBDEDF8wxrbQJdLkSOrCmh1e3AbGhem9Sm_FgJlO8qqZMkfvhhurQBgY/s1600/w38-they+need+a+train+set+here.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuivZJFpZ-81Y3ofUYa0K9B22qmdYPqciBbSv3_gP2MoJbDzBEzji3YWsXTwcbWKHUMIpZIjRq4LH6xD0lOXcBDEDF8wxrbQJdLkSOrCmh1e3AbGhem9Sm_FgJlO8qqZMkfvhhurQBgY/s1600/w38-they+need+a+train+set+here.jpg" height="231" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lionel Trains fake rock as you go towards Livermore</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxs3BO2RF5qIgwRaXZ1wmC5UtvWhL9taxcGB8B2EXiyfm3_J1vTxZQGUeuW2Hat6U93SGU4IclAk1vTDAY0Df3drDGl2nnIDRpMqc-Axq-sLG-iHIrYyRR0mNEOzxmDrhJ8MyM2KyZQE/s1600/w39-dave+going+by+the+motocross+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxs3BO2RF5qIgwRaXZ1wmC5UtvWhL9taxcGB8B2EXiyfm3_J1vTxZQGUeuW2Hat6U93SGU4IclAk1vTDAY0Df3drDGl2nnIDRpMqc-Axq-sLG-iHIrYyRR0mNEOzxmDrhJ8MyM2KyZQE/s1600/w39-dave+going+by+the+motocross+park.jpg" height="230" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Dave passes the motorcycle jump park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiNsD8crRZWGQOYSFCBbYYeM1qMybEOA8K-K2gt7agM1r6LM2FGYWRShAPsPo1ZKykpsXrBuneesdgbQGi2_-SPfZS2NoF77Mr21TQwNOKZyj-pD2CplVvDYq4uKNZWrjFZlf60anhEQ/s1600/w40-start+of+the+magic-2%25+grade-24+mph-50+watts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiNsD8crRZWGQOYSFCBbYYeM1qMybEOA8K-K2gt7agM1r6LM2FGYWRShAPsPo1ZKykpsXrBuneesdgbQGi2_-SPfZS2NoF77Mr21TQwNOKZyj-pD2CplVvDYq4uKNZWrjFZlf60anhEQ/s1600/w40-start+of+the+magic-2%25+grade-24+mph-50+watts.jpg" height="400" width="371" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt and Christine about to enter the Altamont run in--the miracle dozen miles</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nice paceline into the Altamont
Speedway with Matt taking long pulls and the rest of us getting involved in
much shorter ones when Matt was finally tired. No hi
jinx on the rollers like a few weeks ago. Christine giving Matt "how
to fold yourself into origami art" tips on the descent. I wrote a
few weeks ago why the dozen mile Altamont Speedway is the BEST ride in the East
Bay. Will not relist the reasons here--just one summary statistic. <span style="color: red;">On a 2% section we were going 24 mph while expending a mighty
<b>50</b> watts of power.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7y4ZR6ABEun-AmfQDic9sGfP0rUunGJLPlEi73WDVE4Ce358NypkjVsBNYDdmaqtRooJeHqPD_5_DsWFlTx7o3rzXw_6NNu394cTeugkUHONwQkCzL9K-v7fkui_5Hu1FjRykNUCFEU/s1600/w41-matt+at+the+start+of+the+pp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7y4ZR6ABEun-AmfQDic9sGfP0rUunGJLPlEi73WDVE4Ce358NypkjVsBNYDdmaqtRooJeHqPD_5_DsWFlTx7o3rzXw_6NNu394cTeugkUHONwQkCzL9K-v7fkui_5Hu1FjRykNUCFEU/s1600/w41-matt+at+the+start+of+the+pp.jpg" height="243" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(above) Matt at the start of Patterson Pass. (below) Dr. Dave at the start of Patterson Pass. I best get their photos at the start of the climb as soon they will be little dots in the distance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZP7_RaxsAj3oy9fPboi9WxFlRDfbc8JJuYjU2bkdQAAfmtfpLpm2-Zc2SzSOmkF3sW2BW8wnE6kxk-mv2IP6ya1jjFc0nca58F0CFyK2aJFDmu-H7Wg0e-NIEtyI50KJJBrcv6U4CZT8/s1600/w42-dave+at+the+start+of+the+pp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZP7_RaxsAj3oy9fPboi9WxFlRDfbc8JJuYjU2bkdQAAfmtfpLpm2-Zc2SzSOmkF3sW2BW8wnE6kxk-mv2IP6ya1jjFc0nca58F0CFyK2aJFDmu-H7Wg0e-NIEtyI50KJJBrcv6U4CZT8/s1600/w42-dave+at+the+start+of+the+pp.jpg" height="307" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzgMSBE7aIHlt1q24GVsvEJ6GO2yu6iZlUVduqprI-oiDCbxb_y2sAxUMy0HLdgjLjl3iGtweohmvkz1tUE5g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Christine summits Patterson Pass</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MJ0iVMQfDcG3D3PksIHnj8PaiglyiT6g5DEs8CXiH2dwbdxUXLgqzhQi_EAImfz1IcCAz9rvil-XVSoxFjDcDoK2ag17px9Saf6Q0J5m1wpRvCaWyLg-fJ3lJktKLtLFrcrqEu293Q0/s1600/w46-another+great+day+on+the+pp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MJ0iVMQfDcG3D3PksIHnj8PaiglyiT6g5DEs8CXiH2dwbdxUXLgqzhQi_EAImfz1IcCAz9rvil-XVSoxFjDcDoK2ag17px9Saf6Q0J5m1wpRvCaWyLg-fJ3lJktKLtLFrcrqEu293Q0/s1600/w46-another+great+day+on+the+pp.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm in Holland, no its Patterson Pass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jIKpGuedMXzJm7FWMI98CPfT1VLPwh1vsBMAQnK7dWMXb62QZ583pJcGU2SaEujgNmCE-V8Sj2PalcTUJmzouWvsfcKR2ClMUGbS2RoKxIrqj05mlhaMHBht1gna31JH8xpAaIM2-Pc/s1600/w48-tourists+come+from+around+the+worlds+to+see+the+view+from+pp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jIKpGuedMXzJm7FWMI98CPfT1VLPwh1vsBMAQnK7dWMXb62QZ583pJcGU2SaEujgNmCE-V8Sj2PalcTUJmzouWvsfcKR2ClMUGbS2RoKxIrqj05mlhaMHBht1gna31JH8xpAaIM2-Pc/s1600/w48-tourists+come+from+around+the+worlds+to+see+the+view+from+pp.jpg" height="255" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tourists come worldwide to the scenic Patterson Pass overlook.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlibsBbhILs6ow8FEADR4HVSR-r1QRN93T7FAbmfynmVmVHmr2uxm7CMDzgwCVNWKZr10K-efWQvGndcDjjlUJeSCN7-9cu32XpEsmJ3KystJWSn2c0nLnCC9OpVg32vFfOA9pjFdbnp8/s1600/w49-does+this+thing+have+a+warranty--christine+with+the+diablo+cyclist+mystery+bottle+on+the+pp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlibsBbhILs6ow8FEADR4HVSR-r1QRN93T7FAbmfynmVmVHmr2uxm7CMDzgwCVNWKZr10K-efWQvGndcDjjlUJeSCN7-9cu32XpEsmJ3KystJWSn2c0nLnCC9OpVg32vFfOA9pjFdbnp8/s1600/w49-does+this+thing+have+a+warranty--christine+with+the+diablo+cyclist+mystery+bottle+on+the+pp.jpg" height="400" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine's Diablo Cyclist water bottle warranty has just run out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Of course the friendly tailwind on
the Altamont Speedway becomes an oppressive headwind on the climb. Last
time we did Patterson Pass the headwind was a gentle cooling breeze--my wind
rating was "3." A few times the wind has been so strong--a
"10, " whereas you can fly your bike with one hand at the
top." <span style="color: red;">Today it was a "7" </span><span style="color: black;">The headwind was strong when we started but seemed very
manageable, but soon was bit oppressive when we got closer to the steep section
at the top. (I should have known we were in trouble when the antique
windmill down below was actually turning-albeit slowly.) Matt and Dr.
Dave zoomed off, they could have finished the Sports Section of the newspaper
by the time Christine and I arrived if they could have actually held a
newspaper open. Christine would have beat me to the to except that her deluxe
Diablo Cyclist water bottle had sprung a leak from a crack in the bottom.
Dr. Dave likes to pick up trash but there was some stuff up there that absent
tongs and a bio hazard bag he wasn't going near.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuqzgoEgaaCBaiqqbSUH-CkBmy-fvDVcTYnb0psAJP50E8Q2yY9yM3Ga-KqLWfupSr1Z3mhyrpQo39PhRY6ml_mCrwKDB5_1M0Pr9EZN4rPCoW4yKoB4COi5qlj_RmnN3_gV36LNUJi4/s1600/w51-rolling+thru+livermore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuqzgoEgaaCBaiqqbSUH-CkBmy-fvDVcTYnb0psAJP50E8Q2yY9yM3Ga-KqLWfupSr1Z3mhyrpQo39PhRY6ml_mCrwKDB5_1M0Pr9EZN4rPCoW4yKoB4COi5qlj_RmnN3_gV36LNUJi4/s1600/w51-rolling+thru+livermore.jpg" height="307" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our paceline heading towards Livermore.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcdUFEPqv1qOIzx-vYTKKkil2pArwkjhQ9qVwUHfbl3y2Mf5zJAf0o7OoSgottifku_jerVGagSESP5OnmxOw2PWNIjl5i65nIqaC2BPZ2AJ47Stw64JMxH4jauhyphenhyphen5wrQYaf05bzSkC4/s1600/w53-christine+passes+the+concannon+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcdUFEPqv1qOIzx-vYTKKkil2pArwkjhQ9qVwUHfbl3y2Mf5zJAf0o7OoSgottifku_jerVGagSESP5OnmxOw2PWNIjl5i65nIqaC2BPZ2AJ47Stw64JMxH4jauhyphenhyphen5wrQYaf05bzSkC4/s1600/w53-christine+passes+the+concannon+garden.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine by one of the many Livermore wineries</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On the descent back to
Livermore two cars were speeding up the unstripped road in the center of the
roadway--one car suddenly spotted me (or my blinking light), over steered back
to their side of the road and almost flipped off the road. Good
paceline back to Livemore and the Livermore library café for more soda and ice
and the peanut/ pumpkin butter sandwich on Ductch Nut Crunch roll I had carried
around all day. As the Knoxville training group needed 120 miles we
originally talked about going up Del Valle, but as the Knoxville training group
wasn't here and we weren't training for nutting--it was unanimous, <b><u>skip</u></b>
the @12 mile out and back climb to Del Valle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZyowGwjjfnAf40SQctTQHWJrVletAcRS27xZCy-PPhVTKPO4C21mxAFDjzDJkIhJh5bpP_I8cBWgAiHD3f0u7_a596b_lNbNLGVUzUJphPwIqJvWQ2OR0aVKO0qCWW8KnG0ohtRMqk0/s1600/w54-christine+using+the+diablo+cyclist+mystery+bottle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZyowGwjjfnAf40SQctTQHWJrVletAcRS27xZCy-PPhVTKPO4C21mxAFDjzDJkIhJh5bpP_I8cBWgAiHD3f0u7_a596b_lNbNLGVUzUJphPwIqJvWQ2OR0aVKO0qCWW8KnG0ohtRMqk0/s1600/w54-christine+using+the+diablo+cyclist+mystery+bottle.jpg" height="308" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous Diablo Cyclists multi spout water bottle.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A little hijinx back toward
Blackhawk when we got near the County line and I took off--with Dr. Dave and
Matt successfully chasing me down. Problem was that Matt is our fastest
Doubles guy and Dr. Dave one of our fastest Double metric guys--two 'Endurolytesdites'--so
they weren't gassed. When we hit the climb into Blackhawk, with
60-90 <s>HOT</s> warm miles in our legs we rode a hard four man up the
climb--rotating nicely. Strange phenomena, Christine was really slamming
the climb and I had a hard time hanging when she set the pace, but then
when I went to the front I gave it full throttle as not to be the slacker in
the group. So it was easier being in the front pulling than being in the
draft.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IolsGeg37EP4yiecwS64FmH5WaYLYTjLyCJzrKkP6xWtZ6oaXzh59y-LD1Cigij6DWSpJuAn8iYFlqq9lTgT4Fn2GtdYR8I75NR7HMVtJavZf1SQOPoAQHqW74Z5LfEs7MdeOXcLKh8/s1600/w56-the+kids+get+a+whopper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IolsGeg37EP4yiecwS64FmH5WaYLYTjLyCJzrKkP6xWtZ6oaXzh59y-LD1Cigij6DWSpJuAn8iYFlqq9lTgT4Fn2GtdYR8I75NR7HMVtJavZf1SQOPoAQHqW74Z5LfEs7MdeOXcLKh8/s1600/w56-the+kids+get+a+whopper.jpg" height="400" width="397" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids always have to go to Burger Kingg--minimally for ice.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Matt turned off to go home.
The rest of us stopped at a neighborhood Burger King to reload on ice.
Good paceline back to the end: I did lots of pulling and then Christine and
Dave shot off at the proper time for a nice sprint. Unfortunately on the
bike trail, the last mile, my bike started bouncing around--you know, the
bounce you try to ignore and then stop, reach down, and yell out FLAT.
Pulled into the shade and started changing it when a dog owner took their dog
directly across from me on the path where it shit all over. Suddenly it
was HOT and it STUNK. I said something out loud to catch the dog owners
ear, she was half indignant and half apologetic--saying her dog bag had fallen
out of he pocket--but then she went somewhere and scooped up the odoriferous
fertilizer.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Great day of riding with Dr. Dave,
Christine and Matt. Hard ride but not pernicious, even with
the warm weather. Probably the longest self supported rides I've
done this year, but the great company made it seem like a much shorter ride..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-81119551675436641292014-08-24T18:32:00.000-07:002014-08-24T21:45:30.224-07:00Marshall Wall-Tomales-Petaluma-Oh Great-More Smelly Cowshit Metric+ (2014)(August 23, 2014) <strong>Marshall Wall-Tomales-Petaluma-Oh Great-More Smelly Cowshit Metric Plus, </strong><span style="color: orange;">my ride</span>-84 miles, 5000' climbing. <span style="color: red;">The overachievers</span>--Jack & Kris who went 100 miles adding on to the end and Don, who did the slacker ride but on a fixed gear. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">The slackers</span>-Dr. Dave, Christine, Todd, Recumbent David, Jeanne, Stephen-77 miles, 5300' climbing. <span style="color: blue;">Who know wat they did</span>-Rusty and Sara usually riding in the opposite direction from us, met us in Tomales and at the end. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No long signature climbs but up and down for most of the course.</td></tr>
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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.<br />
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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 <em>"hey dude."</em> 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.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Congrats to Christine for taking out the Cheese Factory climb against the interlopers.</td></tr>
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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 . <em>"<span style="color: magenta;">I did a century yesterday."</span> </em>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.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4Gt0J02Nm1elXa0P0p48rnZMNmlsaom4ZNxJ0ixOWmVhZgUWNC3bxUKXlwKTzjzMKzAPf60jk46Zs3X-IPbl0mcmwx2sMr-JksquX4pt2rpZI8qiS2kf5uh3w-TCSAM9v6SwgkJPJdc/s1600/w16-todd+on+the+marshall+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4Gt0J02Nm1elXa0P0p48rnZMNmlsaom4ZNxJ0ixOWmVhZgUWNC3bxUKXlwKTzjzMKzAPf60jk46Zs3X-IPbl0mcmwx2sMr-JksquX4pt2rpZI8qiS2kf5uh3w-TCSAM9v6SwgkJPJdc/s1600/w16-todd+on+the+marshall+wall.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David, Kris, Jeanne and Todd on the Marshall Wall</td></tr>
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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. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0L2QY6vVVlVxuE_6dsqgtldl4D8btGQhmjXKlgVy5LM0AfBbya5GF_DjT40BFiw0qnDrrysDrgMslaY7bbY1v6OXWtydJz_XP1NYKi1rnrusB9prvNQnqu28-Gjdg-OX5Fx9O2VlcJho/s1600/w23-stephen,+jeanne,+christine+on+hwy+1+to+tomales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0L2QY6vVVlVxuE_6dsqgtldl4D8btGQhmjXKlgVy5LM0AfBbya5GF_DjT40BFiw0qnDrrysDrgMslaY7bbY1v6OXWtydJz_XP1NYKi1rnrusB9prvNQnqu28-Gjdg-OX5Fx9O2VlcJho/s1600/w23-stephen,+jeanne,+christine+on+hwy+1+to+tomales.jpg" height="332" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephen leading Jeanne and Chris up a fun roller towards Tomales.</td></tr>
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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.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don and his fixie in the Downtown Tomales.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QMztyO7F6g82ZVjFuLtEyyXceEdAWUt0U1RxJTL_CjX0F4RtL3uc3DydY0EH80PWeeLaMWvU7xzEwQY7Ak1SVtOjKpoACyPB_9TKi-Yn37X8GPz6F2YcONV5aCe8yJskxxuHuOC5pv8/s1600/w30-waffle+at+tomales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QMztyO7F6g82ZVjFuLtEyyXceEdAWUt0U1RxJTL_CjX0F4RtL3uc3DydY0EH80PWeeLaMWvU7xzEwQY7Ak1SVtOjKpoACyPB_9TKi-Yn37X8GPz6F2YcONV5aCe8yJskxxuHuOC5pv8/s1600/w30-waffle+at+tomales.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waffles in Tomales</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2Jiop7txwI1QjG2vXyYwmxVO72zzKHFKD34gQDg7iecgMEMyzlAruJL4EHefTdFNkQhKBMfqTCB8_FHlmrNH8D46LG9dy50mCuh0oy6FeX_-cMpK-Cw-R95s5dKld15x8-7IijED9TU/s1600/w31-relaxing+in+front+of+tamales+bakery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2Jiop7txwI1QjG2vXyYwmxVO72zzKHFKD34gQDg7iecgMEMyzlAruJL4EHefTdFNkQhKBMfqTCB8_FHlmrNH8D46LG9dy50mCuh0oy6FeX_-cMpK-Cw-R95s5dKld15x8-7IijED9TU/s1600/w31-relaxing+in+front+of+tamales+bakery.jpg" height="400" width="361" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Dave and Chris (David and Jack in background) relaxing at the bakery with the gas pump</td></tr>
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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.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Across Marin--the gang with Don on a fixie and Dr. Dave in the front and camera strap</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUZ21NEeIWvrZXenSi_WlZYXbX9e16AAonROetLToHQiOzUeAQX89Ab7zvRkTr4UI9h2X9-O1DHefhceQzCcb3JintLnGZucbAjKfH18r4CT1fifU1GBRcfioRsCgMxUruC4Pvnw50us/s1600/w37-don+and+why+west+marin+smels+like+cow+shit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUZ21NEeIWvrZXenSi_WlZYXbX9e16AAonROetLToHQiOzUeAQX89Ab7zvRkTr4UI9h2X9-O1DHefhceQzCcb3JintLnGZucbAjKfH18r4CT1fifU1GBRcfioRsCgMxUruC4Pvnw50us/s1600/w37-don+and+why+west+marin+smels+like+cow+shit.jpg" height="193" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don passing some more cows</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAFie9wiKb4HkPVh-NB6MHuIHHv_6_b0Os_eBPaIt348w6EoODgUGIUdnr0BlkWPpAgFyr2NxKe0EhVOFbuVBDAE2eEgGyu5aBHhYnp0RWTcDexcuxB8KxGCAWLkwUlppQKn0fa4gL-U/s1600/w39-bonanza+by+laguna+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAFie9wiKb4HkPVh-NB6MHuIHHv_6_b0Os_eBPaIt348w6EoODgUGIUdnr0BlkWPpAgFyr2NxKe0EhVOFbuVBDAE2eEgGyu5aBHhYnp0RWTcDexcuxB8KxGCAWLkwUlppQKn0fa4gL-U/s1600/w39-bonanza+by+laguna+school.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don and Jeanne passing one of the handful of one room schoolhouses we'd see</td></tr>
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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.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlz7uMtg7boEfYzdlQimH6AmwF-vrHE1dkjy-01rsKnhLOLbI0BGG0qhIv2PvA_oFIXEFdC76KC0hWOeDoYOsYMoZ1VtBFbJ31WPzUf_ZPsDOptnY-cTql6zs_KoMwFfdNO90idlbnrQ/s1600/w43-me+&+nicasio+schoolhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlz7uMtg7boEfYzdlQimH6AmwF-vrHE1dkjy-01rsKnhLOLbI0BGG0qhIv2PvA_oFIXEFdC76KC0hWOeDoYOsYMoZ1VtBFbJ31WPzUf_ZPsDOptnY-cTql6zs_KoMwFfdNO90idlbnrQ/s1600/w43-me+&+nicasio+schoolhouse.jpg" height="400" width="395" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solo by the Nicasio one room schoolhouse</td></tr>
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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 <u>"The Wheelmen"</u>--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.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtXxkD4bbqfgZ8XikzKWpK1mBid6f27VRP5smUjNAZD6ThHDcUuEJEqQAPY6_lGUvnX-v5Dy9KdZ-ItADLu98yp_giaHDgaBZ7ANgH_hcKUb1w63K_QqSq4uS0O4FcVzCw5D5ABIeM5Q/s1600/Big+Rock+Eastbound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtXxkD4bbqfgZ8XikzKWpK1mBid6f27VRP5smUjNAZD6ThHDcUuEJEqQAPY6_lGUvnX-v5Dy9KdZ-ItADLu98yp_giaHDgaBZ7ANgH_hcKUb1w63K_QqSq4uS0O4FcVzCw5D5ABIeM5Q/s1600/Big+Rock+Eastbound.jpg" height="400" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">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..</td></tr>
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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.Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-62256266810216090262014-08-17T20:45:00.000-07:002014-08-17T20:48:38.567-07:00Patterson Pass Century (2014)(August 16, 2014) <strong>Patterson Pass Century</strong>, w Christine, Jack, Matt, Young Andy, Vlad, Kris, 92 miles, 3,760' climbing<br />
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Significant Climbs<br />
<span style="background-color: #cc0000;">Patterson Pass-4.8 miles 5%--steeper with head windbuildup near the top (.3 mile, 11%)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwF9sfO5dkABFmxNuKMNcnMVkazYnYqO1-ftbgCVMVn1jZz6NoHtVqeLlbeE7ub5r1cP1MTZW2ogXQJQ4zCxsA7K4A07G8wHxwc5CWN2Pxj8LGzP67tmOhcPP_WpNnW-na97BfZZT3LFE/s1600/elevation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwF9sfO5dkABFmxNuKMNcnMVkazYnYqO1-ftbgCVMVn1jZz6NoHtVqeLlbeE7ub5r1cP1MTZW2ogXQJQ4zCxsA7K4A07G8wHxwc5CWN2Pxj8LGzP67tmOhcPP_WpNnW-na97BfZZT3LFE/s1600/elevation.jpg" height="61" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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Elevation </div>
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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.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXMTwjtGv5y-_-yUA3wI3ERMi3Gk7SadIi-MKyDJ0SV4tYum6Og-764qOJYfjUheTRUeYncvIMRgwuvIkOpDOOIUW8L_jUUxb2KhuRm3A-8COlLn29zANZIkRON4U4RZwyv4OXCpZYW0/s1600/w01-co+conspirator+alaskan+fish+lady--just+say+no+to+peets+coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXMTwjtGv5y-_-yUA3wI3ERMi3Gk7SadIi-MKyDJ0SV4tYum6Og-764qOJYfjUheTRUeYncvIMRgwuvIkOpDOOIUW8L_jUUxb2KhuRm3A-8COlLn29zANZIkRON4U4RZwyv4OXCpZYW0/s1600/w01-co+conspirator+alaskan+fish+lady--just+say+no+to+peets+coffee.jpg" height="400" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"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.</td></tr>
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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.<br />
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">"</span><em><span style="color: #b45f06;">I trained well--tomorrow I am going to try to do the maximum-but more I can't do</span></em><span style="color: #b45f06;">."- Johan Museeuw</span><br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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 ("<em>When the windmills are turning you are screwed</em>"--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.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNUT9ZuF0TJaTyOLSdGyMdSX8d7Zmf-dqIj5Rpc2XZUhfW3p5iMJp1Gc2yLsWJ55d7sdgjiOkjGqJzPFEgJyScjYgdLgQIN6ZOsUg3tcUmEZ1tXSrdZ2x6FITRcOngJ-9gkcT77yTKsU/s1600/w08-under+teh+trestle+and+the+start+of+the+miracle+13+miles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNUT9ZuF0TJaTyOLSdGyMdSX8d7Zmf-dqIj5Rpc2XZUhfW3p5iMJp1Gc2yLsWJ55d7sdgjiOkjGqJzPFEgJyScjYgdLgQIN6ZOsUg3tcUmEZ1tXSrdZ2x6FITRcOngJ-9gkcT77yTKsU/s1600/w08-under+teh+trestle+and+the+start+of+the+miracle+13+miles.jpg" height="323" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">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.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzPVmCtRBSLYrhkmB4q3gzM9aJTFv_BNUgr_Hp_OdXx43Ykc4IpJxWag8yNnYp8aTxeQMwS_oeJ87sfWvjjRJBwQsD-5zovJWgNFuWLWX6JrhqWIotX6Tgw5EmmU1qhMtGOlH2Ma_HRw/s1600/w11-im+with+matt+on+the+magic+13+mile+run+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzPVmCtRBSLYrhkmB4q3gzM9aJTFv_BNUgr_Hp_OdXx43Ykc4IpJxWag8yNnYp8aTxeQMwS_oeJ87sfWvjjRJBwQsD-5zovJWgNFuWLWX6JrhqWIotX6Tgw5EmmU1qhMtGOlH2Ma_HRw/s1600/w11-im+with+matt+on+the+magic+13+mile+run+in.jpg" height="400" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt and I on the great PP run in.</td></tr>
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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:<br />
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<strong>-smooth road</strong></div>
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<strong>-no traffic control</strong></div>
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<strong>-almost no traffic</strong></div>
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<strong>-rolling hills with windmills off to the side</strong></div>
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<strong>-an ever present tailwind that has you easily going 20mph on the climb</strong></div>
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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 <em>"he knows that the triathlete is a girl, look at the way she sits on the saddle."</em> 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.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLUbIsN3kmt1LBATrBonRFPyPTI4R3JNpdGzEg6yLlZDxX_MOlJ_pg1YOgqwnnQjJf8bhDT_IdckdRiCN9yrP4yK2Dzza-Wk9MdiPZkU8zVGCdu2RICKK_NQmR7Gs_YRbNwYfxc_Jw_8/s1600/w13gif-vlad-celebrates-pass.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLUbIsN3kmt1LBATrBonRFPyPTI4R3JNpdGzEg6yLlZDxX_MOlJ_pg1YOgqwnnQjJf8bhDT_IdckdRiCN9yrP4yK2Dzza-Wk9MdiPZkU8zVGCdu2RICKK_NQmR7Gs_YRbNwYfxc_Jw_8/s1600/w13gif-vlad-celebrates-pass.gif" height="365" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">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.</td></tr>
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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.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKCZCQwapCGxxIfZl15D1mkYECrEtKMh6XCsptqmWIb0IGHuu66P-yDAxSZzuKoebtHMUZJT7hJpJ0xcmq9IMLVGbu2LexbqxDR2lg9dO0EK7vD5Pr-kGzvW5I9LgdmcZ0Xnvfw4kQLA/s1600/w16-the+start+of+the+midway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKCZCQwapCGxxIfZl15D1mkYECrEtKMh6XCsptqmWIb0IGHuu66P-yDAxSZzuKoebtHMUZJT7hJpJ0xcmq9IMLVGbu2LexbqxDR2lg9dO0EK7vD5Pr-kGzvW5I9LgdmcZ0Xnvfw4kQLA/s1600/w16-the+start+of+the+midway.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">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</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YHU5xy0EaYv-UQZk7dQatvEAK6iWL3lAYyNEHSmhJeHlKbxQELRkG3GP28Q2pWgE3f1b6XPlfCmfqEEjQLRipHfd9kgbFighfIwtKFdAX8wf8NGfajmgKG4nNQgkhy-64AffDwE2Iz8/s1600/w21-vlad+getting+the+BIG+bottled+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YHU5xy0EaYv-UQZk7dQatvEAK6iWL3lAYyNEHSmhJeHlKbxQELRkG3GP28Q2pWgE3f1b6XPlfCmfqEEjQLRipHfd9kgbFighfIwtKFdAX8wf8NGfajmgKG4nNQgkhy-64AffDwE2Iz8/s1600/w21-vlad+getting+the+BIG+bottled+water.jpg" height="400" width="330" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vlad has the super super super Big Gulp.</td></tr>
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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 <span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkLLXEZqCKM">clicking here</a></span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hZFqBzdyMk-rIGkRh_c9Sr1z39ZY9OrfotnIkD_u3iFxpHCLS24kF5p18nitE8YicAQdsay84tJyyrBkCi5pgHOJbbHBpV5xw-R9KLxnTxSAdbeZwcXvwluAmJRGbe_el5ArF5ifXjk/s1600/w24-christine+zooming+up+pp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hZFqBzdyMk-rIGkRh_c9Sr1z39ZY9OrfotnIkD_u3iFxpHCLS24kF5p18nitE8YicAQdsay84tJyyrBkCi5pgHOJbbHBpV5xw-R9KLxnTxSAdbeZwcXvwluAmJRGbe_el5ArF5ifXjk/s1600/w24-christine+zooming+up+pp.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine on the Patterson Pass climb</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSgdPpkdgS02hyphenhyphend8uRwZyY18G7_SyyuBFrfNmNBDfKqNsNkGFftpg80ClzNUS0Cu5MzxpwADzbNquBxK2jF93xsqDrwqJ5Pi79T3SxoweJI54byzWkX8pe6QRcmfDcmH3fT1W47dW0eE/s1600/w27-young+andy+enjoying+pp+on+his+first+century.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSgdPpkdgS02hyphenhyphend8uRwZyY18G7_SyyuBFrfNmNBDfKqNsNkGFftpg80ClzNUS0Cu5MzxpwADzbNquBxK2jF93xsqDrwqJ5Pi79T3SxoweJI54byzWkX8pe6QRcmfDcmH3fT1W47dW0eE/s1600/w27-young+andy+enjoying+pp+on+his+first+century.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy on the PP </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16aOGafAm608t2GFLa7SSnlFK9ZBan9GtWVQbuLKzAdEiWld67oyOvvCmhAxikwlluQZ09y9Mpiyna4HT5dTqZ9lb-nCNnCn0xdFeZHCR0PU-K1XZjzwJamMKWPtsIyg1y1DvCvc3Hl8/s1600/w28-the+captain+on+pp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16aOGafAm608t2GFLa7SSnlFK9ZBan9GtWVQbuLKzAdEiWld67oyOvvCmhAxikwlluQZ09y9Mpiyna4HT5dTqZ9lb-nCNnCn0xdFeZHCR0PU-K1XZjzwJamMKWPtsIyg1y1DvCvc3Hl8/s1600/w28-the+captain+on+pp.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack on the PP</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GTNiuyC0pBAJu__8iZL1l54-qg8GGx1JnXCBrR9sfYbYZbmry8C8QUMWLHXD4XqyzciPVoLJRhIazHqoTZO6CwudK-XR5F2U9dHVMbqoFiKBScYRLb0nzMPWniiALdM2_XXjOXtWXQw/s1600/w29-kris+forgot+to+curse+on+pp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GTNiuyC0pBAJu__8iZL1l54-qg8GGx1JnXCBrR9sfYbYZbmry8C8QUMWLHXD4XqyzciPVoLJRhIazHqoTZO6CwudK-XR5F2U9dHVMbqoFiKBScYRLb0nzMPWniiALdM2_XXjOXtWXQw/s1600/w29-kris+forgot+to+curse+on+pp.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kris on the PP. I don't think she's THAT angry with me for talking her into this.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHk4f5SZ27BwMR9_zbRrmsO4JLHzHl64wDeefNKZQl2Gq7fYrTyYCnVhTjld3dhIEmMlLYc3hOG5kFyOgfocuPcGJVGgfZ5dWDSzxpklH1ORyNWoF9uMHr31aRFnQdwdhowQ1SFtZVhk/s1600/w30-vlad+on+first+century+and+first+pp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHk4f5SZ27BwMR9_zbRrmsO4JLHzHl64wDeefNKZQl2Gq7fYrTyYCnVhTjld3dhIEmMlLYc3hOG5kFyOgfocuPcGJVGgfZ5dWDSzxpklH1ORyNWoF9uMHr31aRFnQdwdhowQ1SFtZVhk/s1600/w30-vlad+on+first+century+and+first+pp.jpg" height="312" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">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. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmej9GU6Qu5PHFrhxlcvKhmDTnySgSfOdcvzQjm8gpj7EPb6f7BL50SGVX554JBC1OijyKR3xHT-b0bsOJqsUjg89Mda7ZfJdKhvOOP531yExipdd_KTNy8CLui8xK3tY0234r8pKMo-k/s1600/w31-matt-2nd+climb+up+after+going+to+get+a+donut+at+7-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmej9GU6Qu5PHFrhxlcvKhmDTnySgSfOdcvzQjm8gpj7EPb6f7BL50SGVX554JBC1OijyKR3xHT-b0bsOJqsUjg89Mda7ZfJdKhvOOP531yExipdd_KTNy8CLui8xK3tY0234r8pKMo-k/s1600/w31-matt-2nd+climb+up+after+going+to+get+a+donut+at+7-11.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">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.</td></tr>
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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.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVuufZxfS8Amwu1nrfuDj2t5qGAnkxPANIfdQ-7ugKLtCBQIZZ7pnKSFOZRBXuALAQOWENGeY1fX4lb9vnBO88Kkekp8_V9-sBTtR-2rlxBpI5Rrc7EoDqzthWvDFB1ymuG2P4146px4/s1600/w35-dr+dave-look+what+we+found+on+patterson+pass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVuufZxfS8Amwu1nrfuDj2t5qGAnkxPANIfdQ-7ugKLtCBQIZZ7pnKSFOZRBXuALAQOWENGeY1fX4lb9vnBO88Kkekp8_V9-sBTtR-2rlxBpI5Rrc7EoDqzthWvDFB1ymuG2P4146px4/s1600/w35-dr+dave-look+what+we+found+on+patterson+pass.jpg" height="195" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our group at the top of Patterson Pass--luckily we didn't hit all the rabbits running about. Dr. Dave would have loved it.</td></tr>
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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.<br />
<br />Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-35526813133214849622014-08-07T23:46:00.002-07:002014-08-10T07:56:01.283-07:00Mt. Shasta Summit Super Century (2014)(August 3, 2014) <strong>Mt. Shasta Summit Super Century, </strong>w/ Dr. Dave and Jack, 140 miles, 16,000' climbing.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: orange; font-size: x-large;">2 BONUS MUSIC VIDEOS</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: orange; font-size: x-large;">IN THIS POST</span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: orange; font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguthd3vH6u8LlLzNLcSsK3xWsmIW-AL3gkmRCgU5zfog352O4Jzjx63PJpYRnDjCl-eSVhgayinncogQnBl9P8CM75xX_muOoKkd19bVWxsWoibYLrjbNLrGJ-q7qNGhAhTmAXtr_fOig/s1600/w004a-mt+shasta+2010-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguthd3vH6u8LlLzNLcSsK3xWsmIW-AL3gkmRCgU5zfog352O4Jzjx63PJpYRnDjCl-eSVhgayinncogQnBl9P8CM75xX_muOoKkd19bVWxsWoibYLrjbNLrGJ-q7qNGhAhTmAXtr_fOig/s1600/w004a-mt+shasta+2010-2014.jpg" height="95" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Shasta from the same spot, Summer 2010 and Summer 2014.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTwYEgikMK-NxPxHgz4_D7v4xNF75pQDl7PpMVrDs46QQUhB5t_mYMvkw-UDKovYWEGAQSbsxWx_9iKQdHbMOcaxfiGHn-StDgJlrwzpaQx1Iravgs39QqcmF9zJN6jtMWBe9xBwQMnw/s1600/elevation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span> </div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">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:</span><br />
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-Dr. Dave spun away from me up the 1st & 2nd climbs (so did most other people)<br />
-Dave & I regrouped at the summit<br />
-Dr. Dave zoomed away from me on the descents<br />
-Dave & I regrouped at the base of the climb<br />
-Both of us zoomed away from Jack, he regrouped with us when we were getting a 30 minute<br />
massage at the top of the 2nd climb.<br />
-I plodded up the 3rd climb ahead of Dr. Dave and Jack when the temperature hit the high 90's <br />
-Dave and I regrouped at the summit<br />
-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:<br />
1) a rain jacket & tshirt so I wouldn't freeze on the Mt Shasta downhill like last year<br />
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<br />
3) carrying on a Death Ride tradition, as I was already at the car changed my sweat soaked jersey & shorts<br />
4) took the bike stereo for the 14 mile climb up Mt. Shasta<br />
<br />
-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.<br />
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OK, now you know the end of the story. Now some details and pictures.<br />
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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.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Per Strava segments</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(1) Parks Road--13 miles, 6%, tree lined, narrow, winding, rough road</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(2) Mumbo Summit--12 miles, 5%, tree & creek lined, narrow, winding, rough road, gets steeper near the top</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(3) Castle Lake--7 miles, 5%, wide open, sunny, well paved for auto traffic. Steepest & warm at the start of climb.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">(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.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTwYEgikMK-NxPxHgz4_D7v4xNF75pQDl7PpMVrDs46QQUhB5t_mYMvkw-UDKovYWEGAQSbsxWx_9iKQdHbMOcaxfiGHn-StDgJlrwzpaQx1Iravgs39QqcmF9zJN6jtMWBe9xBwQMnw/s1600/elevation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTwYEgikMK-NxPxHgz4_D7v4xNF75pQDl7PpMVrDs46QQUhB5t_mYMvkw-UDKovYWEGAQSbsxWx_9iKQdHbMOcaxfiGHn-StDgJlrwzpaQx1Iravgs39QqcmF9zJN6jtMWBe9xBwQMnw/s1600/elevation.jpg" height="93" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">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. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bOTcBmztlWc4ZVAGqG4YRJdKTV7w1j6vDWL_U6lTygSCTsMAtHD099-rqNtDkkrZf0KQ9uMvkUb9VeLmQgs9bFbycwHxOkewrdp9O7sWnSepPJtxrG1zVkddKNOeLtx7_fRiiauIROg/s1600/w023b-mt+shasta+bicycle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bOTcBmztlWc4ZVAGqG4YRJdKTV7w1j6vDWL_U6lTygSCTsMAtHD099-rqNtDkkrZf0KQ9uMvkUb9VeLmQgs9bFbycwHxOkewrdp9O7sWnSepPJtxrG1zVkddKNOeLtx7_fRiiauIROg/s1600/w023b-mt+shasta+bicycle.jpg" height="352" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bicycle in Mt. Shasta City fits the New Age town perfectly; Mt. Shasta looming in background..</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUQ8EDCIahst2KxrJ3DuxWizdmBuZ-BNW-aJmb5pi3uuhrgg6qAkQs3tht31y7P6CxHAZ9UmwedTpc4FrxXLDr8ndjNxlY2lHEqV6equXZH9E3xR5cOiTxM_BMykzR34RH7t7avnvdWA/s1600/w083b-enough+with+the+weed+jokes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUQ8EDCIahst2KxrJ3DuxWizdmBuZ-BNW-aJmb5pi3uuhrgg6qAkQs3tht31y7P6CxHAZ9UmwedTpc4FrxXLDr8ndjNxlY2lHEqV6equXZH9E3xR5cOiTxM_BMykzR34RH7t7avnvdWA/s1600/w083b-enough+with+the+weed+jokes.jpg" height="311" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Impressive archway to Weed, CA but main street is mostly vacant with some nice statues around City Hall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsf92XTeBNWUyEHcSqi33Kf4TLhHfiIJSQItVEfEY0vVIt2-VGazXXJn9PwyK7iuKcMbt2RWE_AYjn3OP6Q7jcS790XaTpz_ee44_IJdyib8G11gpHXjRPT8dw73cre97b4nxwQh1YevY/s1600/w059a-im+at+mt+shasta+brewing+co.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsf92XTeBNWUyEHcSqi33Kf4TLhHfiIJSQItVEfEY0vVIt2-VGazXXJn9PwyK7iuKcMbt2RWE_AYjn3OP6Q7jcS790XaTpz_ee44_IJdyib8G11gpHXjRPT8dw73cre97b4nxwQh1YevY/s1600/w059a-im+at+mt+shasta+brewing+co.jpg" height="291" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wanted to go into the Mt. Shasta Brewing company in Weed (their slogan "try legal Weed") but never made it inside.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgsTNZe5EBvTY5tg_Z1ceF4mh-GAr0Kyk8b2N0k1DetfMyXIvL5MfoLl_JNtwxMCBAaV1i1FoQ9ICjkGW1HQJsw8RBRR8X2fnN2vumKT_E65XB8y3JhGR2YnL6KUD3LxkSMaAkEva9hI/s1600/w070a-mr+weed,+use+for+jack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgsTNZe5EBvTY5tg_Z1ceF4mh-GAr0Kyk8b2N0k1DetfMyXIvL5MfoLl_JNtwxMCBAaV1i1FoQ9ICjkGW1HQJsw8RBRR8X2fnN2vumKT_E65XB8y3JhGR2YnL6KUD3LxkSMaAkEva9hI/s1600/w070a-mr+weed,+use+for+jack.jpg" height="400" width="351" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">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....</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_ZHZFc7KFADBLqJ3AAZwZKApvJsAkmIX9Kt6zfV1DMlN6ceRHgY_fD1NIi2IsRVKtUG45ure5JgNx2BWdk00DuVv2ivHiI4tSgf59kD_iRe-F3hB8JBLAWBYj1WA1Y2b_MWb7i_dt44/s1600/w078-weed+archer+statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_ZHZFc7KFADBLqJ3AAZwZKApvJsAkmIX9Kt6zfV1DMlN6ceRHgY_fD1NIi2IsRVKtUG45ure5JgNx2BWdk00DuVv2ivHiI4tSgf59kD_iRe-F3hB8JBLAWBYj1WA1Y2b_MWb7i_dt44/s1600/w078-weed+archer+statue.jpg" height="400" width="191" /></a></span><br />
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</span>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.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filling up big jug of water or wading through the headwater in Diablo Cyclist fixed gear socks--both popular activities.</td></tr>
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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 <span dir="auto">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 <span dir="auto">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 <a href="http://www.thefifthseason.com/">"5th Season"</a> 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. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Dr. Dave took over the jute box at Mike & Tony's</span></div>
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<span dir="auto">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 "<em>Venus In Furs"</em> 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. </span><span dir="auto"><span style="color: magenta;">(**Finally figured out why stuck in my head--reason at end of blog**)</span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(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 <span style="color: orange;">ORANGE</span> route?, Road markings I can't even miss.</td></tr>
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<span dir="auto"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFXwYxQDF1cW-0lFjS4XoSndYlfBwVPS6OzzdG6cUg7sMZFJ17KqeY-DRAtd3G6Ob_LNRIMCxr3zZuoVNagEvIVEyXq6walhyK_Uy5rMQXw7EuvrJk5y61_zY_C7kxTSNjGOGnFKE1LY/s1600/w119-dave+and+jack+at+registration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFXwYxQDF1cW-0lFjS4XoSndYlfBwVPS6OzzdG6cUg7sMZFJ17KqeY-DRAtd3G6Ob_LNRIMCxr3zZuoVNagEvIVEyXq6walhyK_Uy5rMQXw7EuvrJk5y61_zY_C7kxTSNjGOGnFKE1LY/s1600/w119-dave+and+jack+at+registration.jpg" height="321" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLq4RlgvmVu3PmULdf8ON0EDpqNe548YMZe-ZJFqwUhIvVEc5EACAYCOCZj6FtYVx8nFpFxpbLSbemK8tIsLrTBvTzejEGv3l88X5BM03cSxoeRdjlh-kXmTcIgiZjif2KTibyN6ThmJ8/s1600/w120-what+arrows+do+i+follow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLq4RlgvmVu3PmULdf8ON0EDpqNe548YMZe-ZJFqwUhIvVEc5EACAYCOCZj6FtYVx8nFpFxpbLSbemK8tIsLrTBvTzejEGv3l88X5BM03cSxoeRdjlh-kXmTcIgiZjif2KTibyN6ThmJ8/s1600/w120-what+arrows+do+i+follow.jpg" height="320" width="261" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicu8CvPEk1vZ8B0SNwovlnZ34Dsd2aY2kZPdrvpBfOSGpMyIlncinb6eCdrE0UYVQtLACHfMno6_ND0P8pgFHifm8WHQTXXy_KCzTH6hJgkJ2XYPb9Kg5h4BGHdDT3znSYXE0kHShAS8A/s1600/w088b-road+markings+you+cant+miss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicu8CvPEk1vZ8B0SNwovlnZ34Dsd2aY2kZPdrvpBfOSGpMyIlncinb6eCdrE0UYVQtLACHfMno6_ND0P8pgFHifm8WHQTXXy_KCzTH6hJgkJ2XYPb9Kg5h4BGHdDT3znSYXE0kHShAS8A/s1600/w088b-road+markings+you+cant+miss.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>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 <a href="http://www.chicobag.com/">"Chico Bag."</a> </span><br />
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<span dir="auto">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.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">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.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaT5YEpXtx9E42GI5m0vrCaM0LYPbilRkWBXoCMJP-3KrgBxx3mPNTGLnVtb-GIo2PsrD_HJHrRrD7czBdXHGABRlQ97o8w0JhlbwVS2DRAKSTUbX940XTG8y49wCnARYWzlgRYym8VWI/s1600/w126-early+morning+old+stage+road-jack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaT5YEpXtx9E42GI5m0vrCaM0LYPbilRkWBXoCMJP-3KrgBxx3mPNTGLnVtb-GIo2PsrD_HJHrRrD7czBdXHGABRlQ97o8w0JhlbwVS2DRAKSTUbX940XTG8y49wCnARYWzlgRYym8VWI/s1600/w126-early+morning+old+stage+road-jack.jpg" height="247" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">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</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parks Road climb is somewhere up there</td></tr>
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<span dir="auto">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.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave and I at the start of Parks Road climb.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">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.</td></tr>
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<span dir="auto">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.) </span><br />
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<span dir="auto">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. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8QyRBgwGenFNnfdrVeOUseMiZBZ3ZbsItwywm9XvZuiweZWJIj6h2NPeOTh8Je1QbkaCdbq-q8PO_0CV7Hois6t_lTRQS1NzB8cRurBXBkALbMexfrAMjqdAwiCDznd3sqkiCxJYQyc/s1600/w150-dave+passes+weed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8QyRBgwGenFNnfdrVeOUseMiZBZ3ZbsItwywm9XvZuiweZWJIj6h2NPeOTh8Je1QbkaCdbq-q8PO_0CV7Hois6t_lTRQS1NzB8cRurBXBkALbMexfrAMjqdAwiCDznd3sqkiCxJYQyc/s1600/w150-dave+passes+weed.jpg" height="400" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OK--enough with the Weed jokes</td></tr>
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<span dir="auto">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.</span><br />
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<span dir="auto">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. </span><br />
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<span dir="auto">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 <a href="http://www.siskiyourink.org/">Friends of the Rink</a>--the fundraising arm to keep the Mt Shasta Siskiyou Community Ice Rink open.</span><br />
<span dir="auto">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.</span><br />
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<span dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This was great--rhythmic music suddenly heard while climbing through the forest</span>. <span style="font-size: x-small;"> (I would have fallen over if they were playing the "Venus in Furs" intro)</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPCNu2kGGabBOyuFy1U1iUDK3WI-7jrHdetniErmt3neK_n-1i8p-DTm8J6n-pwLnwfMOKgVJsHnsYcYwgN-XnZq5wQfrheP5DhmX5FSJ2hFmJKd-TOTkfcqox71nXCqv2Vi68fAd2Tw/s1600/w169a-climbing+mumbo+summit-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPCNu2kGGabBOyuFy1U1iUDK3WI-7jrHdetniErmt3neK_n-1i8p-DTm8J6n-pwLnwfMOKgVJsHnsYcYwgN-XnZq5wQfrheP5DhmX5FSJ2hFmJKd-TOTkfcqox71nXCqv2Vi68fAd2Tw/s1600/w169a-climbing+mumbo+summit-2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenes from Mumbo Summit climb--maybe the nicest climb of the day. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgP6Ha5dwMPJXSB7Vi8ee2QfY5JQYKbcyfTUTK2RaQ56wkAGg6kab37sbMOg-FhAbXm7-5hVDTG-ucJKmcd2lPwFXKx7OlgKhZCVVxYrD3Nub4hFTLXDFa8aiWYpkIL_zk8Qj3h_kfSE/s1600/w173a-drawing+blood+on+mumbo+summit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgP6Ha5dwMPJXSB7Vi8ee2QfY5JQYKbcyfTUTK2RaQ56wkAGg6kab37sbMOg-FhAbXm7-5hVDTG-ucJKmcd2lPwFXKx7OlgKhZCVVxYrD3Nub4hFTLXDFa8aiWYpkIL_zk8Qj3h_kfSE/s1600/w173a-drawing+blood+on+mumbo+summit.jpg" height="301" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Punching the wristband at the top, which is how they keep track of what climbs you did. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHqndohgeWIWnEp2czdDnYvZ_yh4Rfsu5wlQAccVf6OBfqRGz9EPYKfeyV00xTqf1GBAq0cjKXv1PfCQOhUQMmETUr00_9KAQ9eWI57CJHzgXhZV4msyAHY_PSjrSQkAdO-uVReQ72UU/s1600/w176-b-this+little+piggy+went+to+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHqndohgeWIWnEp2czdDnYvZ_yh4Rfsu5wlQAccVf6OBfqRGz9EPYKfeyV00xTqf1GBAq0cjKXv1PfCQOhUQMmETUr00_9KAQ9eWI57CJHzgXhZV4msyAHY_PSjrSQkAdO-uVReQ72UU/s1600/w176-b-this+little+piggy+went+to+market.jpg" height="252" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little piggy went to market.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvqBH7wGSY61m7dyCM9t0OXr8ChphnRStgw_9o5oJYT3vdwMtxKraSkhxyTP4ZJtcQrAWxi6OaT_nFI3JcsXwMPWRzLKmpePab3wcXcdRL-YcwPouND-RydqRRHfMPOLimrSO9K28t8c/s1600/w178b-im+getting+taller+at+mumbo+summit-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvqBH7wGSY61m7dyCM9t0OXr8ChphnRStgw_9o5oJYT3vdwMtxKraSkhxyTP4ZJtcQrAWxi6OaT_nFI3JcsXwMPWRzLKmpePab3wcXcdRL-YcwPouND-RydqRRHfMPOLimrSO9K28t8c/s1600/w178b-im+getting+taller+at+mumbo+summit-2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">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)</td></tr>
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<span dir="auto">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.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFR3yuX1nKAuMII_5lvh3B9Gyd2DCrFuo0IoiD-htqaaTxTOKpY_FxOE9lddET1iRiKHuHNuMJWdqA3v0vc0ayhsgflBUGr7xP3UGYX1UuUrdfW_9B26gYAdHKRzwG7BbBkgij3oPinw/s1600/w185-castle+lake+road-climb+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFR3yuX1nKAuMII_5lvh3B9Gyd2DCrFuo0IoiD-htqaaTxTOKpY_FxOE9lddET1iRiKHuHNuMJWdqA3v0vc0ayhsgflBUGr7xP3UGYX1UuUrdfW_9B26gYAdHKRzwG7BbBkgij3oPinw/s1600/w185-castle+lake+road-climb+3.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castle Lake climb nothing special and hot. At least downhill will be wide open over nice pavement.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtT43W8K2GNfsAEX7K3IpD3HsITi8yS0yoQtAFUvhSs42PE3gYFUKcp1WcBrEpFj5l3vgWUNvb2gXHB0spieLM3p-DRbdJ4Ohe8FwZ8GmT_0fMnh8cFzmjU3PmrjrzZCtZR0f3LuOklM/s1600/w193b-dave+and+me+at+castle+lake+summit-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtT43W8K2GNfsAEX7K3IpD3HsITi8yS0yoQtAFUvhSs42PE3gYFUKcp1WcBrEpFj5l3vgWUNvb2gXHB0spieLM3p-DRbdJ4Ohe8FwZ8GmT_0fMnh8cFzmjU3PmrjrzZCtZR0f3LuOklM/s1600/w193b-dave+and+me+at+castle+lake+summit-3.jpg" height="360" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave and I resting at the end of the road by Castle Lake.</td></tr>
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<span dir="auto">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 <em>"surprised to see me,"</em> --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.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfRzUhPyq8j7EUol72BtQOYNJCM9bIZoyB0BISjsjv06KzFAEH45-p8Xj3jkJrs2f40QUyBrhdajVMcLDzz4Mbt6CJTrGvgSEZu6sVTvkoS5VnqW9OurKum0YQQPj5m9QujB3x0vIMFU/s1600/w195-jack+and+dave+at+lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfRzUhPyq8j7EUol72BtQOYNJCM9bIZoyB0BISjsjv06KzFAEH45-p8Xj3jkJrs2f40QUyBrhdajVMcLDzz4Mbt6CJTrGvgSEZu6sVTvkoS5VnqW9OurKum0YQQPj5m9QujB3x0vIMFU/s1600/w195-jack+and+dave+at+lunch.jpg" height="400" width="372" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch stop at the Mt. Shasta resort, to the SW of Mt. Shasta City.</td></tr>
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<span dir="auto">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.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGrFXio7rV3VCSdCqfGfRiPYWqPTdpG4b0Q8uvQOOD_1l83Z3FvZX_kjbrUWAXC4JeLfeD_pucxfHRD5vrBtUKaOOx0Wq7_Yz6pQ6tnXS0QMMTE4Zv-tFT1WuW6LFSaqlF7tpR_CibL8/s1600/w196-mt+shatsa+from+resort+lunch-going+back+to+town.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGrFXio7rV3VCSdCqfGfRiPYWqPTdpG4b0Q8uvQOOD_1l83Z3FvZX_kjbrUWAXC4JeLfeD_pucxfHRD5vrBtUKaOOx0Wq7_Yz6pQ6tnXS0QMMTE4Zv-tFT1WuW6LFSaqlF7tpR_CibL8/s1600/w196-mt+shatsa+from+resort+lunch-going+back+to+town.jpg" height="220" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going back to Mt. Shasta City with Mt. Shasta looming in the background</td></tr>
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<span dir="auto">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 <a href="mailto:day-@4pm">day-@4pm</a>, 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. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGm2OaiUpzZOOPhOu9rhu4AUfEBBo_oddEj_8S6u5s3AJgtl_6hCSb9fgF3madhhz_E58R6eqgfWblUwcVnhkJOw2gtYcQTIw1S3Rq5qDt50HZLa4e6tPDprQFg-kTvZop_YAP6lfLa0k/s1600/w201c-strating+mt+shasta+climb-leaving+city-it+is+hot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGm2OaiUpzZOOPhOu9rhu4AUfEBBo_oddEj_8S6u5s3AJgtl_6hCSb9fgF3madhhz_E58R6eqgfWblUwcVnhkJOw2gtYcQTIw1S3Rq5qDt50HZLa4e6tPDprQFg-kTvZop_YAP6lfLa0k/s1600/w201c-strating+mt+shasta+climb-leaving+city-it+is+hot.jpg" height="400" width="370" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie at the start of the climb up Mt. Shasta--Mt Shasta City is only about 4 blocks back.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie approaching first rest stop on the Mt. Shasta climb.</td></tr>
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<span dir="auto"> </span><span dir="auto">Only thing wrong was my FN Garmin. I got it so I could monitor my heart rate on <strong>this</strong> 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.)</span><br />
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<span dir="auto">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.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOO80FlB_fA6cO7iyN9oTZC3LYUAYkyYCaU27iEogsLblYPnO8ZmF3LLsb3dWyqUGqGSF2KvJoikEWZr2MWUEZRiK4St5Njcx7cATy9oN-bRyfH-MQ2RLYkHq4qak53X8_SHTFp4r6eY/s1600/w213a-im+at+bunny+flat+where+i+died+last+year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOO80FlB_fA6cO7iyN9oTZC3LYUAYkyYCaU27iEogsLblYPnO8ZmF3LLsb3dWyqUGqGSF2KvJoikEWZr2MWUEZRiK4St5Njcx7cATy9oN-bRyfH-MQ2RLYkHq4qak53X8_SHTFp4r6eY/s1600/w213a-im+at+bunny+flat+where+i+died+last+year.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm at Bunny Flat--much much happier than last year. Only 2 1/2 miles to go.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Bunny Flat with a 12 year old kid who is on the Century route and is doing great.</td></tr>
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<span dir="auto">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.</span><br />
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<span dir="auto">About a mile from Bunny Flat a strange sight--I'm gaining on two cyclists and one is real real short.</span><br />
<span dir="auto">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.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last 2 1/2 miles--I got lots of energy in this section and perfect for a conversation with my dad. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Dr. Dave at the Old Ski Bowl. We finally made it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where is the Ski lodge?? At the Old Ski Bowl there is the top of Mt. Shasta...and rocks.</td></tr>
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<span dir="auto">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 <em>"we'll see you next year."</em> I responded<em>--"you'll have to work the Sierra Century then."</em> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave did notice a maze at the Old Ski Bowl. Wonder if he did it while waiting for me. (Dr. Dave)</td></tr>
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<span dir="auto">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. </span><br />
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<span dir="auto">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. </span><br />
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<span dir="auto">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.</span><br />
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**I was puzzled why <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLQzaLr1enE">"Venus In Furs,"</a> 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 <span style="color: red;">Ve</span>hicle on the car jutebox...<span style="color: red;">Ve</span>nus In Furs.<br />
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Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-20821015064370118492014-07-31T14:42:00.000-07:002014-07-31T14:48:57.647-07:00Sacramento Bike Trail and Auburn--The Marty "Herms" Herman Memorial Century (2014) (July 29, 2014) <strong>Sacramento Bike Trail and Auburn--The Marty "Herms" Herman Memorial Century (2014)</strong> 99 1/2 miles, 3160' climbing, (1800' is on 34 mile Auburn segment)<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">Martin "Herms" Herman--as a few of us joked
this is a photo of Herms<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">racing after a fly ball in the
outfield. Big and strong and fast he had<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">to be the most "unquick" person we knew.
As we were always playing<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ball he was teased a lot but always kept calm and was always
good natured.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Unfortunately I saw him again only a couple of
times in the</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">last 36 years and though we had good long conversations
on the phone,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">and always promised to talk more often, the calls
remained infrequent.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">Suddenly taken away by cancer--RIP to a good guy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I usually take off the week before a big event and my idea of a tapering ride is the Sacramento Bike trail. I did it solo a month ago when the temperature touched 92, now the retiree group wasn't going to do it with temperatures touching 100, so it was solo again. Probably best that I was solo as unsociable due to my childhood friends sudden terminal illness, and our failure to get together more often in recent years. As I had just done the 75 mile Sacramento Bike trail (includes the few mile add on to Old Town,) I figured I would make this ride more interesting and when I got to Folsom take the aptly named <span style="background-color: yellow; color: black;">Folsom-Auburn</span> road to ________________. (This is to see if you are paying attention.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Metrics and description of the great Sacramento bike trail can be found in my blog from a month ago <a href="http://pumpkincycle2008.blogspot.com/2014/06/sacramento-bike-trail-2014.html">click here</a>.</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwXpZbcYSF3CVPe08gXdtrudhMHdJ-Nc96OGyzXcoVXhgD7V2V-oO15Iktrk1E3bOcHCTLPEz4mKKX30igYeA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Two minute video of the Sacramento Bike trail and the disappearing Folsom Lake. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Nothing special--</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">no commentary added. At 1:52 is my favorite shaded little rest spot on the trail where I want my</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> ashes eventually spread--and here is where I got the news about Herms.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Same start at Sac State, still took the steel GT bike w a rack (and flatland gearing) so could load it up with food. Kept in the small ring on the trail so could spin a lot. As the 25 added miles would be the slow miles of the course (slightly uphill with some long rollers to Auburn) and the temperature would be hotter than last months ride:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">-Didn't detour to the Folsom Historic District</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">-Didn't sit out at Folsom Lake for picnic (just took quick photo)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">-Didn't come back via the Folsom Dam and Folsom Prison</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">-Didn't add on Old Town Sacramento (so no soft serve ice cream)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Making this trip unique:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">-Took video camera with idea of making a Sacramento Bike Trail movie, but because of the heat trail was almost deserted on afternoon ride back. Nice and shaded in the morning, not so much in the afternoon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">-The ride out to Auburn is on a well paved road with a nice shoulder and quickly goes from strip mall to rustic development to gleaming subdivisions on steroids, with lots of traffic at both ends. Nothing special. Also kinda slow as slightly uphill with some significant uphill rollers. Just when I started thinking that it was a mistake to do this section another cyclist came by and we bs'd about rides we've done--both agreeing that the Sierra Century was the greatest. When they turned off only a few miles remain to Auburn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">-Shifter cable was "stuck" in the shifter coming back from Auburn, which is slightly downhill, so couldn't get out of the x27. So I was either spinning like madly in the 53x27 or gave up and just coasted. Good bike shop next to Folsom Lake got bike to shift when they got it off the floor and with very light tension on the pedals--but they had no idea how they did it. Half way back on the bike trail there is an 18% option which I took and again bike wouldn't come out of the x27. Luckily I did what they did at the bike shop and cable/ shifter unfroze. I was sick of fn spinning.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmw9-OVSMYK-v8UEY64ZrbngWJ48HpoEoiOOrO88mDdyrkQcDlHLj4444pSeCKSZ9WE5iKjvBZ6NICymOpJezct4Kn3UcYYbsk7lOljEBpvwKw7cktkZyUud9LNrPqNDpx4zE6yP54e78/s1600/w64-pinarello+display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmw9-OVSMYK-v8UEY64ZrbngWJ48HpoEoiOOrO88mDdyrkQcDlHLj4444pSeCKSZ9WE5iKjvBZ6NICymOpJezct4Kn3UcYYbsk7lOljEBpvwKw7cktkZyUud9LNrPqNDpx4zE6yP54e78/s1600/w64-pinarello+display.jpg" height="400" width="385" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">-Folsom Lake has even less water in it than last month--I think they gave out on the concept of swimming--moving the lifeguard chairs back 900' from where the water now starts.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtj3Cvo00yWY4r9P3EbiGc6LMLoCn4gSUXMOrEVC-ZKAIFZ2d2VV8q3xOcocLfzrOBluFSMG_q7T7FQP_qVqzWQHtHj9SMsKQ8JCkfCUQt7J6duCjFXMCJuKWJA-D_1ePebstrH8dXDCI/s1600/w51-folsom+lake+am.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtj3Cvo00yWY4r9P3EbiGc6LMLoCn4gSUXMOrEVC-ZKAIFZ2d2VV8q3xOcocLfzrOBluFSMG_q7T7FQP_qVqzWQHtHj9SMsKQ8JCkfCUQt7J6duCjFXMCJuKWJA-D_1ePebstrH8dXDCI/s1600/w51-folsom+lake+am.jpg" height="201" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">-Old town Auburn looks a lot like old town Folsom. Best thing there was getting ice for the drinks.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGUtQ1Pqh9NOk00k_fMgcumkN2EeP9WWGncfEIwoAgZ7YtgD5OnePKNnlKAnJHgdMIQU7fHW9VTbyq4OSShS6wT81Z_UBvA3u8EwiBoI32-mm-HQsXSiZpkx0qMDdhL1U-DtBLElJWLI/s1600/w54-aubun+hillmen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGUtQ1Pqh9NOk00k_fMgcumkN2EeP9WWGncfEIwoAgZ7YtgD5OnePKNnlKAnJHgdMIQU7fHW9VTbyq4OSShS6wT81Z_UBvA3u8EwiBoI32-mm-HQsXSiZpkx0qMDdhL1U-DtBLElJWLI/s1600/w54-aubun+hillmen.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNBUV2SOO988l5nlItrxobxHVFco0J02KtCHDT8tRsfRVZgosmLuFpdChreIcOyHWocpS0e6kD6E_13he2pFiR3el9TlRw77L6pks0BlvJjpZFmQjjSWXWqsKYlOumgVIobjmPzL5Kds/s1600/w59-placer+courthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNBUV2SOO988l5nlItrxobxHVFco0J02KtCHDT8tRsfRVZgosmLuFpdChreIcOyHWocpS0e6kD6E_13he2pFiR3el9TlRw77L6pks0BlvJjpZFmQjjSWXWqsKYlOumgVIobjmPzL5Kds/s1600/w59-placer+courthouse.jpg" height="273" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">-Finally, in the how strange department. I am not religious (more like anti religious) and when my wife asks me what they should do with me if I go first, I tell her have me cremated and sprinkle my ashes on the American River along the Sacramento Bike trail. The spot to do so is a little picnic area close to the college. The first time I every did the Sacramento Bike trail 16? years ago for 40? miles on a hybrid bike I got to this little rest spot--chained up my bike, and slept on one of the tables for an hour or more. Now, every time I pass it or get water I fondly remember "my favorite rest/ sleeping" spot. So today I pull in to get water, glance at my phone (as I had sent Dr. Dave a text showing him the water level at Folsom Lake); I did get a text but it was from one of my old friends back home who wrote "<em>Herms Slipping."</em> What a weird place to get that text.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NjJjSAt02OGGnj99B1ItCXL1ALt0KQynH-0OCvsNcFQ1OYsilEHFhjmi6x0nIRqDSjItJnS56QvNlJ-GyLcONpwRn1VRlLzVPt4OaXbJri2GhT1N6HQSFTbTkYTmXsQ2S9d-qTo-F4U/s1600/w69-selfie-bike+trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NjJjSAt02OGGnj99B1ItCXL1ALt0KQynH-0OCvsNcFQ1OYsilEHFhjmi6x0nIRqDSjItJnS56QvNlJ-GyLcONpwRn1VRlLzVPt4OaXbJri2GhT1N6HQSFTbTkYTmXsQ2S9d-qTo-F4U/s1600/w69-selfie-bike+trail.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span> Photos (1) Bike shoppe display (2) No water in Folsom Lake (3 & 4) HS & Courthouse in Auburn <br />
(5) Selfie on the Bike trail</div>
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Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-57620162662547509312014-07-29T00:04:00.001-07:002014-07-29T06:33:19.468-07:00Mt. Tam without the Seven Sisters Loop (2014)<br />
(7/26/2014) <strong>Mt Tam without the Kardashian Sisters Lo</strong>op, 75
miles (inc 8 mile bonus at the beginning), 5,200' climbing. With Dr.
Dave, Cisco Dave, Grasshopper Matt, Christine the 1st, Southern California
Kris, Penguin Don, Captain Jack. (I'm Mickey--mixing the 'Rocky' and 'Karate
Kid' movies together)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawG_hRalcN5fXDHRyzP4tfrrl9iY3LAK-PVpkXjtVhpyseflvCoXI_sTlBMPomF50UwrodE3AYeIFdRTA5ZhZZtaKSEwhCAFEFyhhlHUCU5cp_msdYUEgA9ppIjJAs1otwb2AQxVKkus/s1600/Elevation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawG_hRalcN5fXDHRyzP4tfrrl9iY3LAK-PVpkXjtVhpyseflvCoXI_sTlBMPomF50UwrodE3AYeIFdRTA5ZhZZtaKSEwhCAFEFyhhlHUCU5cp_msdYUEgA9ppIjJAs1otwb2AQxVKkus/s1600/Elevation.jpg" height="127" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbs and Towns</td></tr>
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Significant climbs<o:p></o:p><br />
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<strong><span style="background: orange;">Big Rock Westbound</span></strong><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="background: orange;">.9 miles, 8%</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<strong><span style="background: yellow; color: black;">Mt Tam</span></strong><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="background: yellow; color: black;">White's
Hill-
.7 mile, 187', 5% (steady grade)</span><br />
<span style="background: yellow; color: red;">Drop Down into
Fairfax-2.1 miles, -4% (straight drop down)</span><br />
<span style="background: yellow; color: black;">First
Climb-
3.2 miles, 945 feet, 5% (steady grade)</span><br />
<span style="background: yellow; color: red;">Drop
Down-
4 miles, -4% (downhill rollers)</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="background: yellow; color: black;">Reclimb-
2 miles, 919 feet, 8% (with .4 mile 17% section)</span><br />
<span style="background: yellow; color: #999999;">Seven
Sisters-
3.7 miles, 558 feet of rollers, 2%</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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100 degrees inland had us thinking about the Coast--where temperatures can
be 30 degrees less in Northern California. Actually thinking about a lot
of things, none of them good. I was going to ride solo in Marin but Dr.
Dave proposed a Marin ride in lieu of the inland Diablo Cyclist club ride. I helped spread
the word and we had a nice turnout 1 week before the Mt Tam Double--even without a route finalized.
Matt is going to do the Mt. Tam Double, he's never done ANY part of the course, so it was fortuitous
timing. Dr. Dave and I are doing the Mt. Shasta Super Century next week, a ride we both never finished.<br />
<br />
I didn't sleep well so woke up early, which was more fortuitous
timing. My minor problem is that for two years I thought I
had arthritis, as my hand under the thumb joint continually hurts. The
last few weeks it’s gotten worse so I looked extensively online and found (good
news) it’s not arthritis, (bad news) its carpal tunnel, which I had thought only
affected the wrist. So I've taken sleeping and working with heavy duty
wrist wraps, and a medium duty one when riding. The good news is that
most medical articles indicate that wraps might resolve the problem without
surgery--but between a partially torn ACL that I have to wrap when
cycling, and varicose veins under control with compression calf guards--I look
like I'm doing a commercial for ACE Bandage Wraps.<o:p></o:p><br />
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The major problem is that I am going back to the homeland for a wedding in a
month and started sending out emails to see if I can get many from my old ball
team together. Growing up we had a dozen guys basically <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">inseparable </span>for 8 years--I've seen a few of the group 2-3x at most in 35
years.<br />
My lame excuse is that I live so far away, but out of the people who stayed in the area almost no one has seen anyone else. A more socially delinquent group may never have existed. So I get one email back that one of our childhood friends was just send home for
hospice care--he had less than a week to live. This will be the 3rd person of 12 from our old ball team that
is now gone. We wanted to be like the Pittsburg Steelers but not like this. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grizzly Mark--tapering on a 120 mile ride</td></tr>
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In any event got to the start of the ride a hour before our club was going
to meet, and figured I'd ride over and take some photos of Marin Civic
Center while brooding about. Instead I find the Grizzly Peak Cyclists preparing for a
tapering ride, and a good cycling friend Grizzly Mark. When we
first met on Doubles we tried to ride each other into the ground, later we'd
usually found each other on the course near the end, and we'd run a strong two man at the end of the race. He's also slowed down a lot but is still doing doubles and his
group was going to do a tapering ride on the Mt. Tam Course--120 miles!
He invited me to ride with his group, at least until the first hill shows up, which was
perfect as I could then double back for my Diablo Cyclist ride.
Dr. Dave showed up right before we left as he would never believe that
someone (apart from me) was doing a 120 mile tapering ride the week before an
event.<br />
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Nice turnout for an impromptu ride-good choice as it would top out at 100
degrees back in Walnut Creek, while inland Marin reached 83 and the
coast would even be cooler. Problem was that there was no consensus on
the route we were going to do. Some people wanted to do the
Marshall Wall loop, I wanted to do the whole of Mt. Tam via
Fairfax, others said that Mt. Tam was OK if we didn't do the four
miles of "Seven Sister Rollers" at the top. So it was up Mt. Tam
but cutting it short, a little disappointed but I could live with it.
Hell, when we got to the "Seven Sister Rollers" I could take off and solo that part.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
The route we were doing was the start of the Mt. Tam Double and I'm always
psyched for it--but today planned to ride sanely with the group. Matt and
Cisco Dave are light years ahead of me now, and when only one of them is with
our group they'll do a lot of pulling and help keep our group together. I
figured, correctly, that with both of them together they'd push each other all
day and constantly be ahead of the pack. When we'd start a segment
or regroup I'd give Matt lots of pointers for the Mt. Tam Double, as there are lots of
places to paceline between climbs. Case in point was when Matt & Cisco
were ahead of the group and a strong rider came along on the flats hammering
and I'd jump on their wheel and coast by Matt & Cisco; of course this
revved them up and they soon shoot by.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJTVFMmOCF3z0m0juI3lB-jodHdOm077QWzcdYDrWb3-5lrle5pql9ZQ6OGvNOmEoyZa4uQqZHNdF2mO9JEgx09UqLotHS-KiE_Um6Q_om_pzvkA_WTw0in-uDendnALJ2uaK6QUs5xk/s1600/w12-paceline+down+sir+francis+drake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJTVFMmOCF3z0m0juI3lB-jodHdOm077QWzcdYDrWb3-5lrle5pql9ZQ6OGvNOmEoyZa4uQqZHNdF2mO9JEgx09UqLotHS-KiE_Um6Q_om_pzvkA_WTw0in-uDendnALJ2uaK6QUs5xk/s1600/w12-paceline+down+sir+francis+drake.jpg" height="241" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diablo Cyclists go down Sir Francis Drake towards Fairfax and Mt. Tam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All notions of riding sanely with the group ended when we hit the first
climb--Big Rock Hill. Matt and Cisco shot on ahead, I'm taking it easy
and passed two guys with Mike's Bikes jerseys standing off the
road. Get about a quarter way up the climb and one Mike's Bike
guy--earbuds in both ears (smart thing to do when cars pass closely by)
shoots by without saying anything. He's going so fast he looks like he'll
catch Matt and Cisco Dave. I don't care, I rev up ignoring that it
suddenly gets nice and warm and my heart is racing. Soon I'm closing in on the guy , he
hears me coming and starts standing. Now standing is a real
inefficient way to climb, and I can still stand on many short climbs so I know
I got him. I pass by while he is weaving--telltale sign that his climb
is over. Matt and Cisco waiting at the top of Big Rock but I don't want
to stop as I'm not a good descended, we now have a fast @6 miles, and I don't
want to see Mike's Bikes Guy again. In any event it was decided that
whoever got to Nicasio first would pick the route we were going to do, and I
wanted to make sure we were headed to Mt. Tam.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYC6l-L4gPBeRpFsgxdhuQla-6faH666tGy3_c08Tex-SwtipBxssZisGXmKrQ3W5zl-9eJJBvVI76FLB__mC7BW7fpx7dHDy60PJpyzASpShsLuMPQtV2o5DZG_on0CwX9zfv1Q6PfBw/s1600/w18-dr+dave+worried+about+them+using+pink+cable+housing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYC6l-L4gPBeRpFsgxdhuQla-6faH666tGy3_c08Tex-SwtipBxssZisGXmKrQ3W5zl-9eJJBvVI76FLB__mC7BW7fpx7dHDy60PJpyzASpShsLuMPQtV2o5DZG_on0CwX9zfv1Q6PfBw/s1600/w18-dr+dave+worried+about+them+using+pink+cable+housing.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dave's talking about the benefit of <span style="color: magenta;">pink</span> cable housing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zgDEMIGuSKzdRgU-7DPMtpyVqSH8jyoD3g5gQaltXKViJBIvwZ1eqvZMJbdSC0h3TaBKTvO1oNSH1HzA2coR-tUW9TyeUJsYQIkCb_KHFZwArluGK-vVwnBwEQ_5toyYXMfh16VN-GQ/s1600/w19-chris+number+1+in+front+of+fairfax+cyclery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zgDEMIGuSKzdRgU-7DPMtpyVqSH8jyoD3g5gQaltXKViJBIvwZ1eqvZMJbdSC0h3TaBKTvO1oNSH1HzA2coR-tUW9TyeUJsYQIkCb_KHFZwArluGK-vVwnBwEQ_5toyYXMfh16VN-GQ/s1600/w19-chris+number+1+in+front+of+fairfax+cyclery.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine in a special rainbow world champion jersey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dr. Dave pulled in and he indicates that he discovered a frayed cable which
he'll want a bike shop in Fairfax to look at. Over a few more
hills to Fairfax where our group splits getting into town. We spot a
convenient bike shop we never went into (a few years ago another bike shop in
town had to replace my derailleur when it exploded on Mt. Tam.) Dr.
& Cisco Dave Matt, Christine and I stopped at the bike shop while the
other part of the group pressed on--maybe figuring it was a quick fix.
Well, problem is that this was seemingly a mountain bike shop, the mechanic
slowly started changing Dave's cable while roofers were going THUMP THUMP BANG
THUMP right over our head for a half hour. When we left we thought the
other half of our group would be at the Fairfax 7-11 but they
weren't. (Where the F are those guys)<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiu-GjMijoz6Ok1Fb4SLUVeSHqn5h-TUT6_aQ8XnkDHRILNLNYrzk3t8wbVMbcOV5kDCwEuNW69Ud0AAcpYgO0v9CXtDOc5pAp-jzvhP76rqldK7L0vnD5KlIrSO_RqnufX0XO_2WsYZ4/s1600/w25-la+gazzetta+dello+sport+stupidass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiu-GjMijoz6Ok1Fb4SLUVeSHqn5h-TUT6_aQ8XnkDHRILNLNYrzk3t8wbVMbcOV5kDCwEuNW69Ud0AAcpYgO0v9CXtDOc5pAp-jzvhP76rqldK7L0vnD5KlIrSO_RqnufX0XO_2WsYZ4/s1600/w25-la+gazzetta+dello+sport+stupidass.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Gazzetta Delo Sport guy checking to see if he should call out when passing other cyclists and what side of the road he should ride on. Everyone regrouping at Alpine Lake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Climb up Mt. Tam was great. With apologies to Diablo Scott, it’s much
more interesting than climbing Mt. Diablo. The first part is Diablolike,
with a steady grade. Then a long, rolling, twisty downhill to Alpine
Lake. Then you have to reclimb much of what you already did on a road
with a mild grade interrupted by steep hairpins. On the Mt. Tam Double I
was always passed going down to Alpine Lake and then would repass on the fun
climb out of it. Today some turkey shoots by on the downhill on the
narrow road without saying a word, and then takes the WRONG side of the road
into a blind turn. Again kumbaya out the window and I'd flash by the guy
on the short uphill sections and he'd come around on the longer downhill
ones--again going into a turn ON THE WRONG SIDE of the road on a curve. Figured I'd
drop him for good on the climb out of Alpine Dam but both my group and his
group had a regrouping on Alpine Dam--in the shade. (It was almost
hot)<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHB37Z_qwFlWQHUb-fmiRXyTi5jGYTn4KTI84SDulIPVqdrozjLdf8BpL9thH1UOVzBy7Xvlxv-E0-coSPJR76g9Kn_14TQlvVoLyv8dcSHxqHkTJqqlsnpu7Tk5KV9FhAes0eVTiV49U/s1600/w26-matt+starting+up+alpine+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHB37Z_qwFlWQHUb-fmiRXyTi5jGYTn4KTI84SDulIPVqdrozjLdf8BpL9thH1UOVzBy7Xvlxv-E0-coSPJR76g9Kn_14TQlvVoLyv8dcSHxqHkTJqqlsnpu7Tk5KV9FhAes0eVTiV49U/s1600/w26-matt+starting+up+alpine+lake.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65n1O6cAufb9dszrpTvzPFeEhSkxgiHh9lmUdtxRKh_9fMjp6ik7uomEhievD1YAEuAoYJfU3YXLNVU-ntQjU7HMzqR0kM_8QqW48NbbqWFlrX7W2_uDAkcOdj0QOFgVvyc2m0Tef6ig/s1600/w27-cisco+and+grasshopper+start+up+mt+tam+from+alpine+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65n1O6cAufb9dszrpTvzPFeEhSkxgiHh9lmUdtxRKh_9fMjp6ik7uomEhievD1YAEuAoYJfU3YXLNVU-ntQjU7HMzqR0kM_8QqW48NbbqWFlrX7W2_uDAkcOdj0QOFgVvyc2m0Tef6ig/s1600/w27-cisco+and+grasshopper+start+up+mt+tam+from+alpine+lake.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt and Cisco Dave start the Mt Tam climb from Alpine Lake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtH0PesZANBTvRKvFB0InLSnC6AbuY9qmakjst58LAlvd1NHMil3HhjoOKf9jZD70ZOw8OSSJ1Y94bzhdDkeZZnD8rKQcbbo4cORKz99FoDDUdO8L0ZVBLZL49QuGE1sSwEe0kO7wOWnE/s1600/w33-regroup+on+top+of+mt+tam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtH0PesZANBTvRKvFB0InLSnC6AbuY9qmakjst58LAlvd1NHMil3HhjoOKf9jZD70ZOw8OSSJ1Y94bzhdDkeZZnD8rKQcbbo4cORKz99FoDDUdO8L0ZVBLZL49QuGE1sSwEe0kO7wOWnE/s1600/w33-regroup+on+top+of+mt+tam.jpg" height="246" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both parts of the club come together at the top of Fairfax-Bolinas Road.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nnFi91RoWbeRpW6Yz0Pcx2A2NOwfx2mABrQ2z70eO398Gnz_L3vXCkQLVFeLGFQaBO4AwTe7L2H0uRndH6QFmazmo_KKG-R8W6bXdTQBOQIP3BiAocUyi2DQze4HFqf40hJt3MmTWiQ/s1600/w34-matt+ready+to+use+the+cycling+newspaper+for+the+downhill+off+mt+tam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nnFi91RoWbeRpW6Yz0Pcx2A2NOwfx2mABrQ2z70eO398Gnz_L3vXCkQLVFeLGFQaBO4AwTe7L2H0uRndH6QFmazmo_KKG-R8W6bXdTQBOQIP3BiAocUyi2DQze4HFqf40hJt3MmTWiQ/s1600/w34-matt+ready+to+use+the+cycling+newspaper+for+the+downhill+off+mt+tam.jpg" height="400" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt asks Cisco for a section of the cycling newspaper for the downhill. Why is Lance pissed off and pointing at Cisco Dave??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Nice climb up through the redwoods with the twisty steep hairpins. I
used to know this road down to every detail--today I forgot where the last
hairpin before the ridgeline was. Nice guy came along and passed me,
spotted my jersey, and asked if I was doing the Mt. Tam Double next
week. Told him I was retired from doubles but I do wish I could still
ride them like I did a few years ago.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Big surprise at the top--the other half of our club had been waiting for us
in the densely shaded redwood grove. At least that is what
they told us--I'm sure they had gone out and back on the Seven Sisters Mt Tam
ridgeline. Any thought I had of doing the ridgeline was gone after the
1/2 hr delay at the bike shop, and F it, my hand was hurting on the climb.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Which was nothing compared to my hand HURTING on the twisty downhill on
Bolinas-Fairfax Road every time I touched the brake. Many cyclists coming
up, luckily no cars. Where are those sudden, unmarked hairpins again?
Fog was rolling in on this side of Tam; was glad I took a small headlight with
me. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Fog broke when we got down to Highway 1. BIG PLUS--lots of fun rollers
on this section among great smelling stands of eucalyptus trees.
Example of one such roller (if you can stand the whole way it’s a roller)<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<span style="background: black; color: orange;">Dogtown Fun Roller</span><br />
<span style="background: black; color: orange;">.9 miles, 281, 6%</span><br />
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BIG MINUS--lots of cars, with no shoulder. Wish I would have
brought a rear blinking light. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgait7xk_7CEpHSunNfSguzVgPsywqY7YA08glYojHfe13XkRUV9VReQiFSAsieEkd2K_X-qglT1zfgWGN-p-mrVsFwASMOJnBglQr4r7cQzkhpIZ5EEWnyd9tggUeioH4PZLAvRbfl8tY/s1600/w42-at+pt+reyes+station+everyone+trying+to+ignore+the+yogamaster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgait7xk_7CEpHSunNfSguzVgPsywqY7YA08glYojHfe13XkRUV9VReQiFSAsieEkd2K_X-qglT1zfgWGN-p-mrVsFwASMOJnBglQr4r7cQzkhpIZ5EEWnyd9tggUeioH4PZLAvRbfl8tY/s1600/w42-at+pt+reyes+station+everyone+trying+to+ignore+the+yogamaster.jpg" height="231" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big break at Pt Reyes Station---one guy from the hippie fest followed us and thinks he hears the Grateful Dead</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don at the Coach Toby Training compound practicing his climbing and descending</td></tr>
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This wasn't flat so couldn't paceline. Matt and Cisco Dave zoomed on
ahead. Dr. Dave, I, Christine and Don form another group and Jack and Kris rode together shortly behind. On the first
roller (derision for using that term from the group who felt it was an Fn
hill.) I stood the whole way, on the next one I sat and spun like crazy while
Dr. Dave stood. Christine, wearing the florescent world champions
rainbow jersey had enough of our goofing around, and she hammered the next few
miles while Dr. Dave and I hung on. That got me psyched so when I went to
the front I continued to keep the pace high.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Regroup when we turn off Highway 1 for the run in to Pt Reyes Station but
first Jack detoured us into the Pt Reyes Visitors Center, which was great as I
just ran out of water. Then we passed the Pt Reyes Station Far West
Hippie Fest--sundress city. I wanted to go but wasn't dressed
properly. Kris was in an all black kit that collected heat all day, and she definitely wasn't dressed for the Far West Hippie Fest--Christine with her multicolor rainbow jersey would have fit in. <br />
<br />
Then into town for the great Vegan Whole-wheat
Scone. Numerous people followed my lead and ordered it--I think that they
liked it isn't overly sweet and that they could save half for both dinner and
tomorrows breakfast. Actually I wish Cisco and Matt had eaten a whole
whipped cream cake so I could keep up with them. <br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRkIRiABOp-9FjL08qT1dqkPRojjjZP8-rVy3b5InXTLSQ9XfLTKwHOiAYDtEQO9v3I5YpXx0qIKM4UL7UIzX3wdZtj_TGpoxjaABHKG2MF-5OQe_sQ6UDZ1CnK3FUaxtpUySpAPvJvk/s1600/w46-matt+by+nicasio+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRkIRiABOp-9FjL08qT1dqkPRojjjZP8-rVy3b5InXTLSQ9XfLTKwHOiAYDtEQO9v3I5YpXx0qIKM4UL7UIzX3wdZtj_TGpoxjaABHKG2MF-5OQe_sQ6UDZ1CnK3FUaxtpUySpAPvJvk/s1600/w46-matt+by+nicasio+school.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grasshopper Matt zooming by the Nicasio School---he'll be zooming by it next week close to the finish of the Mt. Tam Double.</td></tr>
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Leaving Pt Reyes Station one cyclist with a homemade sign on his back, one that looked like it was ripped off a bum on the side of the
highway entrance ramp, came by our whole group on the hill out of
town. The sign said something like <strong><em>"....2 feet, stay
away"</em></strong> Couldn't read the whole thing--surely a passing
motorist couldn't make anything out. Was it meant for other
cyclists? Soon Matt and Cisco were chasing back to the guy--meanwhile
someone big and fast came by when the road flatted out, I went hitchhiking
again, got into the guys draft, and was soon by Matt and Cisco. That has Cisco Dave start
chirping about I am Mr. Myagi with all the tips I was giving Grasshopper
Matt. Either all of Dave’s chirping or that we were now within 2 feet
from him, has the cyclist sign guy quickly pull off the road. Then Cisco and Matt
took off and the big guy continued to pull me closely behind. Dr.
Dave, Christine and I regrouped and then Dr. Dave made a great bridge up to
Cisco and Matt for the fast ride back to Nicasio.<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
We all all came together before Nicasio, and did a few crit laps so the
other half of the club could hook on. Matt and Cisco shot up Lucas
Valley Road--a great slight uphill with a tailwind. Dr. Dave and Don
dropped back to watch for Jack and Kris. Christine and I tried to slam
Lucas Valley--at least ride to the point of exhaustion.<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<span style="background: black; color: orange;">Big Rock Eastbound</span><br />
<span style="background: black; color: orange;">.2 miles 595 feet 6%</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
The Big Rock Eastbound momentum killing roller is a climb I love, and for the
month Christine and I were in the top 78% of all Strava riders on this segment. But we were pikers compared to
Cisco Dave and Matt who were ahead of 98% of the other Strava riders who had done the same climb in the last month. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Christine and I slow to regroup with the rest of our squad coming off Big Rock, and then a great paceline back to
the start. Damn--this ride is always over too quickly. Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-25831837924769329922014-07-20T23:32:00.003-07:002014-07-21T21:34:28.620-07:00Palomares Loop Bookended by Mt. Diablo Junction Climbs Century (2014)(July 19, 2014) <strong>Palomares Loop Bookended by Mt. Diablo Junction Climbs Century, w </strong>Dr. Dave, Matt* and Jack, 99 miles, 7090' climbing. Middle of the ride with the Diablo Cyclists.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(*Matt went all the way up Mt Diablo at the end</span>) <strong> </strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: red; font-size: x-small;">Significant Climbs</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: x-small;">Mt Diablo North Gate to Junction...................6.6 miles, 1825' 5%</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: x-small;">Palomares (from the South)..............................4.5 miles, 1058' 4%</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: x-small;">Dublin Canyon Road (from the west)..............2.6 miles, 475' 3%, which leads into the</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: x-small;">Muur de Schaefer............................................... .3 miles, 159' 10%</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: x-small;">Mt Diablo South Gate (Athenian) to Junction.6.4 miles, 1575' 5%</span></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
Didn't we just do Mt. Diablo as many times as you can until you drop, in prep for the Alta Alpina? Now Dr. Dave and I have the Mt. Shasta Summit Super Century in two weeks, and Matt is in for the Mt. Tam Double on the same weekend, which had been my favorite. Dave and I had talked about doing the Mt. Diablo repeats again but he came up with a much better idea---to ride "half way" up Mt. Diablo before and after our club ride--the metric Palomares Loop which features the Palomares climb. <br />
<br />
The only part of Dr. Dave's plan I didn't like was leaving Heather Farms at 7:15, but apart from lack of sleep it was nice enough once I got going. Funny, the area was surrounded by low lying clouds, unusual for California Summers. It would rapidly warm up when we returned at 9:00 to start the Club ride, and there would be more humidity in the air than usual. Would be great returning to the car as I could dump off excess clothes and had a partially frozen Perpetuem bottle, and Gatoraid bottle for the rest of the ride.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgurtzq0iXiDClspr-Mb5PHpWeAnazjvsrlGuXeZqmWfAhOqI9-aZvYRidcvs5752sqlewHVMS8-cWC8LJTk63fgLMKt6P4Q-oEiK5D8GOH5_509DM7H7mzzmRdVsfWKXfmSbZ_yZcNo/s1600/w04-no+dogs+allowed--only+duck+poop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgurtzq0iXiDClspr-Mb5PHpWeAnazjvsrlGuXeZqmWfAhOqI9-aZvYRidcvs5752sqlewHVMS8-cWC8LJTk63fgLMKt6P4Q-oEiK5D8GOH5_509DM7H7mzzmRdVsfWKXfmSbZ_yZcNo/s1600/w04-no+dogs+allowed--only+duck+poop.jpg" height="178" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowd at the start of the Century.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTLqoSh72UOmEbVHhUeZc8t17HtMx_1z2tCv8_NpcTUuNea1tSZxwXTKu4yaWtFZXpAp7IGsUjZnVb4WkK32-fJBRkKRsExR89BBTxzgRmPeATlYaIlBX3ZdOUEejmaVtky-s2klDqqA/s1600/w06-matt+and+dave+going+up+ng1-no+worry+that+it+will+get+hit-look+at+that+fog+ready+to+move+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTLqoSh72UOmEbVHhUeZc8t17HtMx_1z2tCv8_NpcTUuNea1tSZxwXTKu4yaWtFZXpAp7IGsUjZnVb4WkK32-fJBRkKRsExR89BBTxzgRmPeATlYaIlBX3ZdOUEejmaVtky-s2klDqqA/s1600/w06-matt+and+dave+going+up+ng1-no+worry+that+it+will+get+hit-look+at+that+fog+ready+to+move+in.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Dave and Matt on start of Mt Diablo Climb--unusual cloudy California summer sky.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVancuYK0LlL-50YaKDNmnusExuD_Dl06ujsa8hWMbM5EsFwrUFsANvVqUcKYwXg_a26gMfENVtNw4YofndYgI7khW-8DZi5A3TJiKyFDQXHjJlkhoAdrX_8eX1TeEvK3odljH1qrr82c/s1600/w07-dave+and+matt+at+ng1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVancuYK0LlL-50YaKDNmnusExuD_Dl06ujsa8hWMbM5EsFwrUFsANvVqUcKYwXg_a26gMfENVtNw4YofndYgI7khW-8DZi5A3TJiKyFDQXHjJlkhoAdrX_8eX1TeEvK3odljH1qrr82c/s1600/w07-dave+and+matt+at+ng1.jpg" height="262" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Dave and Matt at the Junction before the Diablo Cyclists club ride--a month ago this place was jammed with cyclist training for the Death Ride.</td></tr>
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Met up with Matt and Dave and the foot of Diablo--we were always out of synch with Jack on the climbs as he's start way ahead or behind us. We rode up at an ez conversational pace, Dave and I telling Matt about the interesting Mt. Tam course. We <strong>weren't</strong> keeping the speed artificially low as we did on the <em>'Mt. Diablo Till You Drop'</em> ride, when we'd slow down when we hit 200 watts. Today we were <span style="color: red;">2 1/2 minutes faster</span> than a month ago. Also different-- now post Death Ride the mountain was pretty quiet; maybe 1/5th of the riders on Mt. Diablo today than a month ago. At the Junction we all wolfed down an energy bar and headed back down. We were puzzled that we never caught/ saw Jack, as he had texted that he'd start a little before us. Just when we started going down Jack was about 500' short of his Junction arrival.<br />
<br />
Cool descent though I overdressed with both a vest and rainjacket. No stopping to "strip" as we had to make haste back to where our Club ride started. Our timing was impeccable, we arrived back for the 9:00 Diablo Cyclist ride at 8:55. The rain jacket, knee warmers, arm warmers, tshirt went into the trunk and out came the new refreshments. Bunch of new riders at the start--at least ones I didn't recognize. When I hit the bathroom I heard a familiar voice--Ward was coming off the DL again and would do the flat part of the ride with the Club.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Paceline mistake--Rider in the front trying to get into a time trial position and suddenly zig sagging--in a paceline keep your hands on the bars. (WI Moto 3)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The beginning of the Club ride is flat along the main street connecting Alamo-Danville-San Ramon-Dublin; busy during the return trip but not too bad in the morning. After Dublin there is a nice stretch without many traffic controls or traffic. One new rider was zig sagging while trying his psudeo time trial position;, I didn't realize he was the same person riding unevenly at Tunitas Creek last week. Actually I was almost never riding mid pack to notice, I was either riding in the back of the paceline to make sure that no one I knew fell off, or would go to the front and pull a little before rotating back. I didn't know how Ward would do, but in Wardlike fashion he was going to the front and cranking up the pace numerous times.<br />
<br />
On the run in to Sunol there is an annoying little hill that kills me<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: yellow; color: black; font-size: x-small;">Mur* de Sunol-- .7 miles, 83' 2% (*I don't like it so we'll make it French)</span><br />
<br />
I do much better on a climb (Schaefer) later than is half as long but 5x as steep. We had a fast moving paceline into Sunol, and the inevitable was to watch young Andy rocket away from us on the Mur de Sunol with 1000 watts of power if we all went into it together. So the old guys--Dr. Dave and I--reached into the bag of tricks. Dr. Dave volunteered to cause trouble and jump off the front--my job being to slow the peloton down. Either Dave would have a free ride as he disappeared down the road or I'd get a free ride back to him. <strong>The "Old 2001" !!"</strong><br />
<br />
Dave took off, no one chased, and I went to the front and soft pedaled as Dave moved further and further down the road--great. All of a sudden a rider flashes by me--its Matt, who is hauling butt back to Dave as I barely hang on. He gets back to Dave right when the climb starts, I attack as soon as Matt makes contact, my attack is short lived as Matt quickly passes and just keeps zooming up with Dave hanging on and Bob coming in from the back following. One of the two places I hit my max heart rate; now I backed off, later I wouldn't.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zL7Qcmicrxk7D5wxWxSMyKzDu0vdhCO26KZjSlZeiF5wpHjo3nrmlmH5X7jNL88moU8i1RdUuhqgNk4Nr1KLRgv0Pp_T3pfC6hnsnLOWejRPFY1J4O9uh4XuBpYrRuQDGI2n-aubOWk/s1600/w12-the+luggage+of+the+long+distance+riders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zL7Qcmicrxk7D5wxWxSMyKzDu0vdhCO26KZjSlZeiF5wpHjo3nrmlmH5X7jNL88moU8i1RdUuhqgNk4Nr1KLRgv0Pp_T3pfC6hnsnLOWejRPFY1J4O9uh4XuBpYrRuQDGI2n-aubOWk/s1600/w12-the+luggage+of+the+long+distance+riders.jpg" height="400" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funny--at Sunol my, Dave and Matt's bike lined up, and we all had top tube bags.</td></tr>
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<br />
Nice rest stop in Sunol. When we started down to Palomares I was in the back and we soon has a split--with Coach Andy in our group having trouble clipping in. I stayed in the back until pedal problem were worked out--but by that time it was impossible to move up the paceline on Niles Canyon which has no shoulder and lots of traffic. When we picked up Jack who had been dropped from the lead group was now doing the pulling and the gap between the two groups became larger and larger. Half way down there was room for me to go to the front and pull but the gap between the groups was great. This may have been a blessing as it prevented me from committing suicide trying to keep up with Matt and Dr. Dave on the Palomares climb.<br />
<br />
Warned the new riders in our group about the sudden right turn where you best be in an ez gear as Palomares is steep right on the turn in. Rode solo up the climb where it was warm but the road is well shaded. Cracked up when some peacocks started cackling off to the side--as they always did in the evening when this was ridden as part of DMD. Passed a few people who had been dropped from the front group and shouted out encouragement. Unfortunately the road was just chip sealed so occasionally you hear something rattling around the tyres--shit, how bad will the steep downhill be? It was warm in the climb with a tinge of humidity but much of the climb is in the shade.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-ScgqYX0AjjEDV_2xXPuJkfHPX9PVqe9hfB6As5QEOqLU_cn2x8_gU0EdDbhHNSmbZ2mmXyBJzm9mFMdME2aLHHEfvEVOuhrNgtw4AFXFLYtM2Luraxt9XI92dP6d_Pa6AyO5DNapoE/s1600/w15-motley+crew+in+top+of+palomares.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-ScgqYX0AjjEDV_2xXPuJkfHPX9PVqe9hfB6As5QEOqLU_cn2x8_gU0EdDbhHNSmbZ2mmXyBJzm9mFMdME2aLHHEfvEVOuhrNgtw4AFXFLYtM2Luraxt9XI92dP6d_Pa6AyO5DNapoE/s1600/w15-motley+crew+in+top+of+palomares.jpg" height="375" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motley crew regroup at top of Palomares. Coach Andy (r) tell Young Andy (tall) to get sponsers to advertise on his wheels</td></tr>
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<br />
When we got to the top Matt-Dave-Andy and Bob buried in the shade, along with another cycling group. I turned back and went back down to come up with our last rider--carrying on a great tradition that someone did in my old club a long time ago. We all regrouped at the top and the fast downhill on the loose gravel wasn't that bad--though the signs every 500' indicating <span style="background-color: yellow; color: red;">"Slow 25--Loose Gravel"</span> were ominous. Coach Andy had a pebble lodge in his brakes.<br />
<br />
Next came an enjoyable climb along Hwy 580. Its only a 3% grade for 2 1/2 miles and frequently there is a wind blowing in from the West, and we usually do it from the West>East direction. As I'm a standing climber, and it suicide to climb standing into a headwind, I love a 3% climb with a tailwind. The BEST part of this climb is that it turns under the freeway and on the other side is a .3 mile, 10% roller (its a roller if you can stand the whole way on it.)<br />
<br />
Matt and I started up together. Ahead was a guy in 'Fast Freddie' shorts who had passed our group on the Palomares downhill, now Matt and I caught him before turn into the Muur de Schaefer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkabAMpV8VVhuYV36VpaD85FbX15Nik4NQq1GHQ7Ca6WtjHVFbIgYxvVIuVR44_mxS_FfwMBI-jRo8cXSk7CZK49edjXnb-aCzC-R7S4gio348DURPoI8QmYnqHlfKzHSaL8yvW1feF4/s1600/w18-young+andy+reading+his+wheels+on+the+schaefer+beer+roller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkabAMpV8VVhuYV36VpaD85FbX15Nik4NQq1GHQ7Ca6WtjHVFbIgYxvVIuVR44_mxS_FfwMBI-jRo8cXSk7CZK49edjXnb-aCzC-R7S4gio348DURPoI8QmYnqHlfKzHSaL8yvW1feF4/s1600/w18-young+andy+reading+his+wheels+on+the+schaefer+beer+roller.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young Andy near the top of the Muur de Schaefer after a nice and fast climb.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWMNGrkroG9vIaXXkVgeCK6kK_8vuW1GVVIoVcrWICuQynWMCpIDmhwlX0ols0HvCzhtk94grxVTeO70V-aliswty06hs_ugw64bFKSNJwRBOgWXVKAddSLi_WulDjSTxdKGTfqnwQYo/s1600/w19-dr+dave+and+bob+on+schaefer+beer+roller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWMNGrkroG9vIaXXkVgeCK6kK_8vuW1GVVIoVcrWICuQynWMCpIDmhwlX0ols0HvCzhtk94grxVTeO70V-aliswty06hs_ugw64bFKSNJwRBOgWXVKAddSLi_WulDjSTxdKGTfqnwQYo/s1600/w19-dr+dave+and+bob+on+schaefer+beer+roller.jpg" height="276" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Dave and Bob enjoying the end of this 10% roller.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack sticks out his elbows and outsprints Coach Andy at the top of the Muur.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanne enjoying her trip up the Muur.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODZRnQWWX1ShPS_Ps5r-u5HFNegtQhRvk171QWKdZ-zDgfdFYM9-Ei7DY35e_JDTtLUo2lwJRLfu1Ml8_RXH6wbcGP1fRNnmBd5ATNIBsmCzd_facDb5XflbYNaeoOSpr99fggYPJFSk/s1600/Muur+de+Schafer+Metrics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODZRnQWWX1ShPS_Ps5r-u5HFNegtQhRvk171QWKdZ-zDgfdFYM9-Ei7DY35e_JDTtLUo2lwJRLfu1Ml8_RXH6wbcGP1fRNnmBd5ATNIBsmCzd_facDb5XflbYNaeoOSpr99fggYPJFSk/s1600/Muur+de+Schafer+Metrics.jpg" height="167" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For the day--of anyone posting on Strava--Matt was #3 on the Muur de Schaefer, Andy was #4 and I was 5th. Incredible that Matt's heart rate much lower than mine and Andy had the very high estimated watt output.</td></tr>
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On the Muur Matt scurried up ahead. 'Fast Freddie" went by me but I wasn't letting up on this climb and kicked it into gear and passed FF. Heart rate maxed out again but didn't stop the effort until I stayed in front of FF and stomped to the top. Still having to ride Mt Diablo again was momentarily forgotten.<br />
<br />
Rest stop/ regroup in Schaefer Ranch and then a good paceline back--though often interrupted by the frequent red lights. About a third of the way back we said goodbye to the larger group and turned heading to Mt. Diablo from the South side.<br />
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At this time I was sick of warm sports drink and pretty thirsty. On the rollers out to Mt Diablo Matt, Dave and I lost Jack. Dave said we should stop at a gas station for water--great move as I put ice in my bottles of warm sports drink, which then would greatly improve, and downed a Diet Coke. Now it felt like a real Century ride. While we were at the station we saw Jack roll by , and he'd reach Mt Diablo well ahead of us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXq8qZHdlQ-L2M6L7qQcrfT_1ZA35gwGA9BZzsJKJjecV7KtQgmPP4ctg1wiLyzvlf-0SNqiWOVRTKvkIu830UB9iDrhBG6oJYT5jwwiHNRWZBCtJQvz9JMJ47YXnZ0R8Wt2jVRtb-sw0/s1600/w25-dr+dave+washing+with+bottled+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXq8qZHdlQ-L2M6L7qQcrfT_1ZA35gwGA9BZzsJKJjecV7KtQgmPP4ctg1wiLyzvlf-0SNqiWOVRTKvkIu830UB9iDrhBG6oJYT5jwwiHNRWZBCtJQvz9JMJ47YXnZ0R8Wt2jVRtb-sw0/s1600/w25-dr+dave+washing+with+bottled+water.jpg" height="400" width="138" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Dave doing his part druing the California drought--he washes with out of state water bottled water...</td></tr>
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Felt good when we reached the Athenian School which is the start of the Southgate Climb--though about 3/4 mile out of the park. Reminisced with Matt about the time before they fixed the road and this section leading into the park was covered by toilet bowl sized potholes--and the worst part of DMD was riding this stretch in the dark trying not to disappear in a pothole. <br />
<br />
Dr. Dave complains often how HOT it is (at least as often as I complain it is cold), but it really was hot on the Mt. Diablo Southgate climb today. We've ridden and enjoyed hotter weather but it was humid today. The speedway through Rock City was refreshing and enjoyable. Any question which side of Mt. Diablo--Northgate or Southgate--was put to rest as with 70 more miles in our legs and 25 degrees warmer, we were <span style="color: red;">3 1/2 minutes faster</span> than in the morning.<br />
<br />
When we first started toward Mt. Diablo there was a rider about 600' in front of us moving at a good clip, and he'd frequently look back. Usually that gets me into chase mode but we rode sensibly and this guy was always about two football fields away through Athenian and going up Diablo. Half way up he was on the side of the road rubbling his legs like crazy--heat cramps. After Rock City we caught Jack and then prepared for the final run in by the heliport where suddenly the fun is over and the road gets steep.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRcfySViZIKYy5kdTZ3CC3x026dde8xWMqdJ0MQ_O1dHYmBKYFyaNlTz7aY8VKlvsvEBT47lfycM5Hd_t-Ye1T9TULY8D3h-GRWYywj9XfXOVxLwKsVh-359thpWJUWBYBH73w1XKMZ0/s1600/w26-matt+and+dave-southgate2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRcfySViZIKYy5kdTZ3CC3x026dde8xWMqdJ0MQ_O1dHYmBKYFyaNlTz7aY8VKlvsvEBT47lfycM5Hd_t-Ye1T9TULY8D3h-GRWYywj9XfXOVxLwKsVh-359thpWJUWBYBH73w1XKMZ0/s1600/w26-matt+and+dave-southgate2.jpg" height="323" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt and Dave on the Southgate climb.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7t9AGasxW28ncx9LtazSqeMyVNa7iKrDu5_qhlyb-6ikayLFqkuqZzGI52apmX8jwmOh14LuSU6fo7E1J2jN8TZJsecF1g1JvDEFLPEsPyiuOI2Gl4bBrMSJDshpbOjHpEFqDHcMeo0/s1600/w27-selfie+with+matt+on+southgate2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7t9AGasxW28ncx9LtazSqeMyVNa7iKrDu5_qhlyb-6ikayLFqkuqZzGI52apmX8jwmOh14LuSU6fo7E1J2jN8TZJsecF1g1JvDEFLPEsPyiuOI2Gl4bBrMSJDshpbOjHpEFqDHcMeo0/s1600/w27-selfie+with+matt+on+southgate2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey--how did I get into a photo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqo3x04SfdU4RsycYtbzXh0V56ttbmyPT49rybRff3sb9DiLat6VUnkG4bnbRcD5U5C85-yWGz-GH9nI2YycQutLxyONLVOsUzOAl2Os5cF2kJ90kfs8J_nugBiUZKOmqYoXY8pteR90/s1600/w30-matt+and+dave+at+junction+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqo3x04SfdU4RsycYtbzXh0V56ttbmyPT49rybRff3sb9DiLat6VUnkG4bnbRcD5U5C85-yWGz-GH9nI2YycQutLxyONLVOsUzOAl2Os5cF2kJ90kfs8J_nugBiUZKOmqYoXY8pteR90/s1600/w30-matt+and+dave+at+junction+2.jpg" height="268" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didn't we see the junction today when it was 30 degrees cooler.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlPN-iUYPvQXtZkW8I3IhSkE9TTpy3Zdaf0vc3BbJbG7Z3TI5ad3pEHNimYB7lwZVJQgIsyEAAKHSyK1aS_7OONfcedF0OOBTsUYyZNdZePOcebZcWPFPE7LPZrhS-ojyBQznZS_eqWI/s1600/w32-in+the+shade+at+2000+feet+on+mt+diablo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlPN-iUYPvQXtZkW8I3IhSkE9TTpy3Zdaf0vc3BbJbG7Z3TI5ad3pEHNimYB7lwZVJQgIsyEAAKHSyK1aS_7OONfcedF0OOBTsUYyZNdZePOcebZcWPFPE7LPZrhS-ojyBQznZS_eqWI/s1600/w32-in+the+shade+at+2000+feet+on+mt+diablo.jpg" height="400" width="171" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">88 degrees in the shade at the 2,000+' level</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3qEmmMe4DhJxeZsFNjhNJxdUzOBUyTk_wf6kul6xXECdj5n-h8P2TCNI4fIKLShgc9t3ObzQSXBPykPt8i6cDsvGhNmqJfJijW1n32blwSVJPZukKJhXEiEfvHpWPxnRo1Ezev0-Geg/s1600/w33-rare+photo+of+jack+sitting+down+at+rest+stop--we+need+beth+to+be+standing+next+to+him.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3qEmmMe4DhJxeZsFNjhNJxdUzOBUyTk_wf6kul6xXECdj5n-h8P2TCNI4fIKLShgc9t3ObzQSXBPykPt8i6cDsvGhNmqJfJijW1n32blwSVJPZukKJhXEiEfvHpWPxnRo1Ezev0-Geg/s1600/w33-rare+photo+of+jack+sitting+down+at+rest+stop--we+need+beth+to+be+standing+next+to+him.jpg" height="273" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack finally sitting down at a rest stop,</td></tr>
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<br />
Funny how in the morning having a power output of 250-275 isn't hard, now every time I thought I had to back off my power meter seemingly said 177 watts or less. At one point I put in a jump to get a photo of Matt and Dave and I quickly had to slow and recover. Rock City did provide relief and I felt good through the last few turns to the Junction, so much so I tried a sneak attack on Matt on the last turn before the Junction. Well my legs wanted to go but my breathing sucked--Matt heard me coming and easily took off. <br />
<br />
At the Junction Matt said he was going to the top. In retrospect we should have gone also as the downhill was one of the best ever on Diablo--it was HOT. Dave and I declined, figuring Matt is training for a hilly 200 miles and we are only training for a hilly 140 miles. Jack, the man who never rests on rides, came in looking wiped out and he quickly grabbed a spot in the shade.<br />
After awhile Matt went up, Dave and I went down Northgate, and Jack back down Southgate. In late afternoon we truly owned the Mountain---saw no other cyclists or cars.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhND4krMKx5RjIy4LHgv5qUlB6qvRu4Yq7O8g0_9muVlAzhuuymrDsVAFPw8bLA1-sfwW2lr_UV8acuvwNBKxdC9MXPdT2VWKbdiHw9Ew-p3WGq7oY7Fx2ZIJXekqKbWBVHcPtpdRVGCDU/s1600/w35-special+after+ride+brussels+t-shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhND4krMKx5RjIy4LHgv5qUlB6qvRu4Yq7O8g0_9muVlAzhuuymrDsVAFPw8bLA1-sfwW2lr_UV8acuvwNBKxdC9MXPdT2VWKbdiHw9Ew-p3WGq7oY7Fx2ZIJXekqKbWBVHcPtpdRVGCDU/s1600/w35-special+after+ride+brussels+t-shirt.jpg" height="400" width="365" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great century ride always has a great ride t-shirts.</td></tr>
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<br />Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-69139387648165347392014-07-13T22:55:00.000-07:002014-07-13T22:55:55.518-07:00Tunitas Creek Redux (2014)(July 12, 2014) <strong>Tunitas Creek Redux</strong>, w, Dr. Dave, Christine, Don, Jack, Sara, Young Andy, Southern California Kristine with a K*, Vlad, New Recumbent Dave**, Zig Zag Dave, 68 miles, 6,300' climbing.<br />
<br />
People with the same. similar names so it was time to break out the nicknames<br />
*Yes, I know we have to shorten this nickname, I alternated between Kristine with a K and Southern California Kristine.<br />
**Dr. Dave is the original Recumbent Dave. The new recumbent Dave followed in Dr. Dave's footsteps and rode nicely in the group.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #ffd966; color: black;"><strong>Significant Climbs</strong></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffd966; color: black;"><strong>Old La Honda</strong>-3 miles, 8%, on it almost immediately at the start of the ride</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffd966; color: black;"><strong>Stage Road Climbs</strong>-1.1 miles, 4%, downhill, .8 mile 7%</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffd966; color: black;"><strong>Tunitas Creek</strong>-9 miles, 4%, in heavily shaded Redwoods, 1st and 4th quarter are gentle, middle section is 6 miles at 5% including one 1.2 mile section at 9%</span><br />
<br />
This is one of the classic (hilly) metric (hilly) loops, and great to do when its 95 in the East Bay as usually 20 degrees cooler on the Coast. Trouble was that it was only supposed to be an East Bay high of 80 so 60 and foggy predicted for the Coast, and my backside still feeling the effects of getting paddled at school--I mean flipping off the bike two weeks back. Additionally, CA Mike, Mr. Tunitas Creek, is on injured reserve so he wasn't going to do this ride, no email chatter about the ride during the week and I felt like skipping it. No good alternatives so I did the ride and glad I did. <br />
<br />
We had a big group turnout. Dr. Dave kept zooming up the hills, Young Andy wasn't far behind Dr. Dave. Our group had a great paceline on the Pescadero-Hwy 1/ Ocean-Gazos Creek loop, with Recumbent Dave and Vlad leading us through the flat sections and a bunch of us leading over the rollers. Weather was far from foggy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoUEg1raV4i8E5GDteYhufRz2VcMU4ba_DEqNq3xoEkv121LJiTMkby-F_uT_z5Ijw3pKRmuyjiQE_XG_8i9gsHPBwqRGCMdM5mF8gKJyqX5d2-Jg_xgWJuVg8gdmzyXl3daaHUy8BXw/s1600/w24-sara+putting+the+wammy+on+the+recumbent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoUEg1raV4i8E5GDteYhufRz2VcMU4ba_DEqNq3xoEkv121LJiTMkby-F_uT_z5Ijw3pKRmuyjiQE_XG_8i9gsHPBwqRGCMdM5mF8gKJyqX5d2-Jg_xgWJuVg8gdmzyXl3daaHUy8BXw/s1600/w24-sara+putting+the+wammy+on+the+recumbent.jpg" height="390" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;">Top of Old La Honda, Sara puts the hex on (New) Recumbent Dave</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOweLaXnmg41D7k9aOY2zRabkGjQySfn_GoJU-kqqTG3-a2Jv5XiN6D_zf1DNZewoT7JEx2kcwq7MM5fXLT6uL-T_Mgq8so64aiQIkVB63h26hrv_FFEwOxbxITNJ8sdh6swhObi1Azc/s1600/w28-sara+either+checking+out+her+nails+or+the+bike+group+we+are+about+to+pass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOweLaXnmg41D7k9aOY2zRabkGjQySfn_GoJU-kqqTG3-a2Jv5XiN6D_zf1DNZewoT7JEx2kcwq7MM5fXLT6uL-T_Mgq8so64aiQIkVB63h26hrv_FFEwOxbxITNJ8sdh6swhObi1Azc/s1600/w28-sara+either+checking+out+her+nails+or+the+bike+group+we+are+about+to+pass.jpg" height="248" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;">Regroup where Old La Honda meets Hwy 84 (New La Honda Road). Sara puts the whammy on the Fremont Freewheelers who are massed in front of us for the speedy trip through La Honda, Fixed Gear Don sees that his bike has gears today, and he is trying to remember how to shift</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQ0asUeekCBZ41Q4DHEvQuEeFLORajyqbtz1wEEO9VnyPmHpp-rr01qQQZm4YRf3yY45If_19Na4ZKAOxYw-cmOQSatuBo95qiBh80kFhePBYKw8xxz5y-nriPLeF2D9Ar13WlmWVfVU/s1600/w29-vlad+dreaming+of+a+ride+with+lots+of+hills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQ0asUeekCBZ41Q4DHEvQuEeFLORajyqbtz1wEEO9VnyPmHpp-rr01qQQZm4YRf3yY45If_19Na4ZKAOxYw-cmOQSatuBo95qiBh80kFhePBYKw8xxz5y-nriPLeF2D9Ar13WlmWVfVU/s1600/w29-vlad+dreaming+of+a+ride+with+lots+of+hills.jpg" height="327" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;">Vlad is wistfully hoping for lots of hills today</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQusGrgL35Vst_jtI6yORhc1KtoU9r6jUteleehc0XQWipIfB-Br7E1BuS8xBSvnjX52TI-2gU913eRSO51thXH6nf4a4C5PJ8k3zCPxfAFurcpyjSoQVh2DWekOGsGv_AJvf-a7kVHiY/s1600/w30-the+red+barn+bathroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgq6g91ODVNBgD1CQylQID6alUxAdqa8NHKFcMUNzki5YZiuJ0tnIvh1RsY8wSSB0358-4E8AqXim3EBBqoslkD-wDW5nEMMnb7dozOQpkYTO142MFcTdG97EExSRn_aOwyhD_DwjWSCI/s1600/w32-andy+is+faster+than+the+tree-but+not+taller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgq6g91ODVNBgD1CQylQID6alUxAdqa8NHKFcMUNzki5YZiuJ0tnIvh1RsY8wSSB0358-4E8AqXim3EBBqoslkD-wDW5nEMMnb7dozOQpkYTO142MFcTdG97EExSRn_aOwyhD_DwjWSCI/s1600/w32-andy+is+faster+than+the+tree-but+not+taller.jpg" height="335" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;">At Memorial Park Young Andy sees if he is taller than a 490 year old.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRa2DIF8ZDq_bRp5S0B9C1oKr8_clz8kTuNTthSnICoEiAgt9osijD3DasJgTjY4ndpQ_0h1VTbLo4Qp90BzIxiJLClvd0h0CHVt1hQJmvKWi628RVXTJHIA2RPbRPs-Q2mFiDQnOEIw/s1600/w33-chris+leading+the+charge+up+another+fun+roller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRa2DIF8ZDq_bRp5S0B9C1oKr8_clz8kTuNTthSnICoEiAgt9osijD3DasJgTjY4ndpQ_0h1VTbLo4Qp90BzIxiJLClvd0h0CHVt1hQJmvKWi628RVXTJHIA2RPbRPs-Q2mFiDQnOEIw/s1600/w33-chris+leading+the+charge+up+another+fun+roller.jpg" height="260" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;">Christine on the charge up at the start of Bean Hollow Road; we'll loop to the Coast and ride south along the Pacific before cutting back inland</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDggZ39D0d-OW4RB2yNHebyFRWanL7xJn_Ocqzdx4U1GWDSjgHvfJ2zFOLHY3KwvrMuOR70vgcy0GBI7aIhoEmbo7gMDvrsqcqlrJrjh0fMMFynZu_9fZVuNAkoMShbRve4jsi5J2QKdg/s1600/w38-so+cal+kris+looking+for+the+barn+sale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDggZ39D0d-OW4RB2yNHebyFRWanL7xJn_Ocqzdx4U1GWDSjgHvfJ2zFOLHY3KwvrMuOR70vgcy0GBI7aIhoEmbo7gMDvrsqcqlrJrjh0fMMFynZu_9fZVuNAkoMShbRve4jsi5J2QKdg/s1600/w38-so+cal+kris+looking+for+the+barn+sale.jpg" height="172" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;">Southern California Kristine wants to go to the Red Barn sale</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJxhxQmRhJmQkBAHqXuTQwFyfAjzk9D_7bg9Wcdlpf8y_H9eHPS1GhFCimAOhJK0AxGKkbSF-BKkP5NDlgSezNfTpcgIDSFrSeWDCIEO5xHfSTsK3zDr6BUuqPzQAdC-KNuY91bbzAPs/s1600/w43-dr+dave+doing+his+contador+gun+immitation+by+gazos+creek+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJxhxQmRhJmQkBAHqXuTQwFyfAjzk9D_7bg9Wcdlpf8y_H9eHPS1GhFCimAOhJK0AxGKkbSF-BKkP5NDlgSezNfTpcgIDSFrSeWDCIEO5xHfSTsK3zDr6BUuqPzQAdC-KNuY91bbzAPs/s1600/w43-dr+dave+doing+his+contador+gun+immitation+by+gazos+creek+beach.jpg" height="306" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;">Dr. Dave doing the Alberto Contador gun at my beautiful Alta Alpina Club jersey.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSp6pFnuQM1AVLooH1p2wy9o9LhP1k-WqEvs0oJLYkKFQdyp6PNlxMjB5JayY4DQxZeT_jWkWUtMIsYiTkc2gnJ8UfVmqBBa1ZAGI2G-Gmya6T5talTUQbw7lLGZWIEbr8mOUdglwiB8/s1600/w44-christine+is+getting+pissed--if+we+didnt+stop+here+she+could+have+been+number+1+on+bean+hollow+loop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSp6pFnuQM1AVLooH1p2wy9o9LhP1k-WqEvs0oJLYkKFQdyp6PNlxMjB5JayY4DQxZeT_jWkWUtMIsYiTkc2gnJ8UfVmqBBa1ZAGI2G-Gmya6T5talTUQbw7lLGZWIEbr8mOUdglwiB8/s1600/w44-christine+is+getting+pissed--if+we+didnt+stop+here+she+could+have+been+number+1+on+bean+hollow+loop.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;">Christine po'd that we are stopping for photos while on the Bean Hollow-Hwy 1-Gazos Creek loop. Even with us bs'ing for @5 minutes, and a crosswind coming in when we got closer to Pescadero, Christine is the #5 fastest (Strava) woman on the 16 1/2 mile loop</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6JtoJKO0QoIamGRhBC6oG1IO6T-tiHbZFgHaevLpVqT-X42Mylf4QA5iJZINeuy0k6s1p5z6B4-JO6AodKazSimOA-DIwncduP6-q4NIBx-px_BrHE2iF2h536KwWNI-90xnfdWvOmE/s1600/w46-dave+chris+and+don+on+a+fund+gazos+creek+roller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6JtoJKO0QoIamGRhBC6oG1IO6T-tiHbZFgHaevLpVqT-X42Mylf4QA5iJZINeuy0k6s1p5z6B4-JO6AodKazSimOA-DIwncduP6-q4NIBx-px_BrHE2iF2h536KwWNI-90xnfdWvOmE/s1600/w46-dave+chris+and+don+on+a+fund+gazos+creek+roller.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;">Recumbent Dave, Kristine with a K, and Don on a roller on the Gazos Creek loop.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTCMEaEclHuDqBA4BRDQIkX5iHQax_RL7cXXWbXGJfojjvo4r6kjKYv0FPfPecIRnB8MKPK01Nn_UAVTnTA119g4vQ3zgU-fcHofUMEi7JPZsGJr8GelXJZy9g8qIZJouHqfsvludXiI/s1600/w47-someone+give+this+boy+some+lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTCMEaEclHuDqBA4BRDQIkX5iHQax_RL7cXXWbXGJfojjvo4r6kjKYv0FPfPecIRnB8MKPK01Nn_UAVTnTA119g4vQ3zgU-fcHofUMEi7JPZsGJr8GelXJZy9g8qIZJouHqfsvludXiI/s1600/w47-someone+give+this+boy+some+lunch.jpg" height="290" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;">Young Andy (r) heard the story about how Jack (l) wouldn't let Big Mike eat lunch on the Sierra Century years ago--so he didn't order the super sized on freshly baked artichoke bread sandwich at the Pescadero general store picnic spot.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-GF7M7BTzkbLq0Ur4lSkYRpb8tNuBmcXeT82OUsSSRAbfQyzEimRvH57PAb5n2PtOA8PyRDFmHJLlS3DUMHlvIHfRoUezitaQkDwjQTaW3bkXjF02le5Iy-fSMdNTHYpX6BhVzm5Brc/s1600/w54-andy-our+stage+stage+winner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-GF7M7BTzkbLq0Ur4lSkYRpb8tNuBmcXeT82OUsSSRAbfQyzEimRvH57PAb5n2PtOA8PyRDFmHJLlS3DUMHlvIHfRoUezitaQkDwjQTaW3bkXjF02le5Iy-fSMdNTHYpX6BhVzm5Brc/s1600/w54-andy-our+stage+stage+winner.jpg" height="400" width="353" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;">Andy #1 on the Stage Road stage, climb out of San Gregorio.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeAXS_WHAK-8y6XiwF2IIyjGj4ydVM0nvufJ35UAtvMfW-nL-KW0IsCuJ_QyEdplpbQQ4Ce2rhLGu_GWbiXmF1CZHoWmGhUQLwKRVQtp7NB4hTVI4JIVOW-1xodrLVVQmru8iMkPzpvp4/s1600/w56-jack+and+don+and+the+support+motorbikes+on+stage+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeAXS_WHAK-8y6XiwF2IIyjGj4ydVM0nvufJ35UAtvMfW-nL-KW0IsCuJ_QyEdplpbQQ4Ce2rhLGu_GWbiXmF1CZHoWmGhUQLwKRVQtp7NB4hTVI4JIVOW-1xodrLVVQmru8iMkPzpvp4/s1600/w56-jack+and+don+and+the+support+motorbikes+on+stage+road.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;">Jack and Don finish the Stage Road climb surrounded by neutral support vehicles (they lost our spare wheels.)</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9sZPHHty3TaO8oij_IC_j36VXtaLjhubRKZuGf61DQCCv3fpkfyRfD_xf0O5iZBIBL0i68pDYDc2f5IQ8yTFRWE1Kgp3ChSoZBYe2PHbut6OlW5O_I_slUCwPkcLBtlHp5WVp6ZyhcM/s1600/w58-christine+on+hwy+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9sZPHHty3TaO8oij_IC_j36VXtaLjhubRKZuGf61DQCCv3fpkfyRfD_xf0O5iZBIBL0i68pDYDc2f5IQ8yTFRWE1Kgp3ChSoZBYe2PHbut6OlW5O_I_slUCwPkcLBtlHp5WVp6ZyhcM/s1600/w58-christine+on+hwy+1.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lz05-kFp_VHCCA13NDgzyWGgiyOjFeXemWl3SMZ4E-REVkJQAQNZD_4NHIBTtsDIHLFMoVrde4GkqUCYpBfZKQOHBzO1ZsjyiaPD4pnW7lxLbbMw0xZ564R-IIQeBPNZfFR6P13Guzo/s1600/w62-jay+on+overlook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lz05-kFp_VHCCA13NDgzyWGgiyOjFeXemWl3SMZ4E-REVkJQAQNZD_4NHIBTtsDIHLFMoVrde4GkqUCYpBfZKQOHBzO1ZsjyiaPD4pnW7lxLbbMw0xZ564R-IIQeBPNZfFR6P13Guzo/s1600/w62-jay+on+overlook.jpg" height="253" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;">Christine and I stop on Hwy 1 for photoshoot with great Pacific Ocean background.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQusGrgL35Vst_jtI6yORhc1KtoU9r6jUteleehc0XQWipIfB-Br7E1BuS8xBSvnjX52TI-2gU913eRSO51thXH6nf4a4C5PJ8k3zCPxfAFurcpyjSoQVh2DWekOGsGv_AJvf-a7kVHiY/s1600/w30-the+red+barn+bathroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQusGrgL35Vst_jtI6yORhc1KtoU9r6jUteleehc0XQWipIfB-Br7E1BuS8xBSvnjX52TI-2gU913eRSO51thXH6nf4a4C5PJ8k3zCPxfAFurcpyjSoQVh2DWekOGsGv_AJvf-a7kVHiY/s1600/w30-the+red+barn+bathroom.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Lup68brBfym1aJH-DHeONxNdpJTuwmoef7QQ7g0Wraq5wFLLSbDvCYBxANpncnj8urGHPrxAcctxbzv_-vLADWV5Ws7V1OQb90YuvqHqPYnCp1H2wq5z_GuXeCUETVzh4o8m98TwMJ4/s1600/w-recumbent+urine+check.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Lup68brBfym1aJH-DHeONxNdpJTuwmoef7QQ7g0Wraq5wFLLSbDvCYBxANpncnj8urGHPrxAcctxbzv_-vLADWV5Ws7V1OQb90YuvqHqPYnCp1H2wq5z_GuXeCUETVzh4o8m98TwMJ4/s1600/w-recumbent+urine+check.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;">You don't know how quickly a conversation while riding will go down the toilet. After Kristine had to donate 50 cents to use the Red Bike Hut bathroom we started talking about not stopping while on the bike and taking care of business. Hmmmm, wonder what 'bent riders with fully enclosed fairings could do. Oh, never mind.</span> </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQusGrgL35Vst_jtI6yORhc1KtoU9r6jUteleehc0XQWipIfB-Br7E1BuS8xBSvnjX52TI-2gU913eRSO51thXH6nf4a4C5PJ8k3zCPxfAFurcpyjSoQVh2DWekOGsGv_AJvf-a7kVHiY/s1600/w30-the+red+barn+bathroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VwAcoNXJadUgsecbhIZlc3k-cJHBw-RiKQ3GaeNu2pkFq_NiARJR5LW8Pqub-npGCVYASDxfuS93-0gDVivk5QHkczIp9Dq3ppL0skolNKMAE0_dDmk4iWKUVqLjIKzjXh6vJoE5cHI/s1600/w64-andy+and+nunzio+on+the+podium+of+tunitas+creek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VwAcoNXJadUgsecbhIZlc3k-cJHBw-RiKQ3GaeNu2pkFq_NiARJR5LW8Pqub-npGCVYASDxfuS93-0gDVivk5QHkczIp9Dq3ppL0skolNKMAE0_dDmk4iWKUVqLjIKzjXh6vJoE5cHI/s1600/w64-andy+and+nunzio+on+the+podium+of+tunitas+creek.jpg" height="252" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;">Dr. Dave and Andy on the Tunitas Creek climb podium.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Lup68brBfym1aJH-DHeONxNdpJTuwmoef7QQ7g0Wraq5wFLLSbDvCYBxANpncnj8urGHPrxAcctxbzv_-vLADWV5Ws7V1OQb90YuvqHqPYnCp1H2wq5z_GuXeCUETVzh4o8m98TwMJ4/s1600/w-recumbent+urine+check.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-53858186186260965312014-07-03T22:13:00.003-07:002014-07-06T19:31:46.812-07:00Alta Alpina 5...4....3 (2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNspyIorpvua4l1EoerYhOZu1YivnE2tJjvwcvhGwRGvaYCa9IRIgEMZpUgvbbadUUJlTWWcLNyQvbQUSvsQ_EUKwsleOZxOnD8n_6cMBdlMDalF4R05_CCMKH8bbp1rpRZTKNv2QVNI/s1600/w247-freeway+boulder+ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNspyIorpvua4l1EoerYhOZu1YivnE2tJjvwcvhGwRGvaYCa9IRIgEMZpUgvbbadUUJlTWWcLNyQvbQUSvsQ_EUKwsleOZxOnD8n_6cMBdlMDalF4R05_CCMKH8bbp1rpRZTKNv2QVNI/s1600/w247-freeway+boulder+ad.jpg" height="67" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: 10pt;">This Blog Brought To You By <strong>Freeway
Boulders of America</strong>--Celebrating your Motorist Taxpayer Constitutional
Right</span><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;"> to Block Traffic on the
Freeway and slow the Left Lane (which used to be known as the fast lane) to a
crawl.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
(June 28, 2014) <strong>Alta <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.1" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"></span></strong><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Alpina</span></b><strong> <s>Five </s> Three
Mountain Pass</strong>, 89 miles, 8235' climbing. w Dr. Dave who did Four
Passes--117 miles, 12,198'.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteSNBgTkoQRMB0kjQwEPzhy1aVFQBMwMvEZ9nbHFSYniSfLAQEtxj1p2MmYBjz2CLsm8XeVdfbpcr43sOd8dxTvQF3ZZkbYNbWokkqn2elfQGAkkwNV44ZTR3HPENrNuzniPIaPgnpiE/s1600/elevation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteSNBgTkoQRMB0kjQwEPzhy1aVFQBMwMvEZ9nbHFSYniSfLAQEtxj1p2MmYBjz2CLsm8XeVdfbpcr43sOd8dxTvQF3ZZkbYNbWokkqn2elfQGAkkwNV44ZTR3HPENrNuzniPIaPgnpiE/s1600/elevation.jpg" height="68" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elevation of my ride--Dr. Dave did the last climb labeled in red</td></tr>
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<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: yellow; color: red; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;">Congrats to Matt
for doing 8 passes and joining Colin, me, & Toby (8 1/2 passes)--making four
people in our small club, </span><span style="background: yellow; color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;">the <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.2" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Diablo</span> Cyclists</span><span style="background: yellow; color: red; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;">, who have
completed the </span><span style="background: yellow; color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;">Alta <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.3" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Alpina</span> 8.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3h0Ter1HpFm9uLiQwd901_g_D1mjJWHLXgR8fJavNCUXVQXOA_i5teyOGKTjbbQtKWPdJ3xvvPpKp9NSLxbcYUHg6ssIWRSwiGDtOaqC5v2g-TMevsuZju6LftQkPd6bSVMbYhODHa1g/s1600/w-022-atop+carson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3h0Ter1HpFm9uLiQwd901_g_D1mjJWHLXgR8fJavNCUXVQXOA_i5teyOGKTjbbQtKWPdJ3xvvPpKp9NSLxbcYUHg6ssIWRSwiGDtOaqC5v2g-TMevsuZju6LftQkPd6bSVMbYhODHa1g/s1600/w-022-atop+carson.jpg" height="198" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the drive in on Carson Pass overlook</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lWN7dTJNxh5KwX6uJK9WYdrjLWuoIhZ1-gtg4K-UyshFSUMjC1WRpl-rD8Zvx_3hInBMhl9z_BZurySosZbWp8H5uBE-_kMjBYiOzfSE-rRgmrgNqsLxXyfyNdxYEvLH39a4UGVPlkU/s1600/w-028-the+passes+are+open.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lWN7dTJNxh5KwX6uJK9WYdrjLWuoIhZ1-gtg4K-UyshFSUMjC1WRpl-rD8Zvx_3hInBMhl9z_BZurySosZbWp8H5uBE-_kMjBYiOzfSE-rRgmrgNqsLxXyfyNdxYEvLH39a4UGVPlkU/s1600/w-028-the+passes+are+open.jpg" height="400" width="393" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the climb passes are open--a month ago they probably were shut because of snow.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhittpbK4uoYXXb4OeIybiBX4H81lVczQ7PPF2Er7ZzQp_vLiXZ4lWhQfqjcFSXeprD9J1dTDdkbETboWjE7YPWpvdJcuFzaSDzp5k8Hv5PXnY0Caaggh8jdHKiHeq15ZnmD0zZxDmCsdI/s1600/w-060-fredrick+church+mt+scene%252C+i+have+no+idea+where.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhittpbK4uoYXXb4OeIybiBX4H81lVczQ7PPF2Er7ZzQp_vLiXZ4lWhQfqjcFSXeprD9J1dTDdkbETboWjE7YPWpvdJcuFzaSDzp5k8Hv5PXnY0Caaggh8jdHKiHeq15ZnmD0zZxDmCsdI/s1600/w-060-fredrick+church+mt+scene%252C+i+have+no+idea+where.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_DcD7vPZoprXXPOl_BYonCJ8KAXLXQdPHvL6xGVLy9djqQATuAnuGAop4rOvhBq2h3Annb9n3Uf_ppP_p-vh4eFj9hlqTDD_DzvxMTAszbGrFAH7u3ioocJMielsTNu8d6Oysloi2y0/s1600/w-064-fredrick+choruch+type+scene-have+no+idea+where.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_DcD7vPZoprXXPOl_BYonCJ8KAXLXQdPHvL6xGVLy9djqQATuAnuGAop4rOvhBq2h3Annb9n3Uf_ppP_p-vh4eFj9hlqTDD_DzvxMTAszbGrFAH7u3ioocJMielsTNu8d6Oysloi2y0/s1600/w-064-fredrick+choruch+type+scene-have+no+idea+where.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From outside Woodfords. @6000', looking toward a 8800' climb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">Don't know what is more disappointing--riding coming to a sudden <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.4" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">flippin</span></span>
conclusion or my altitude gain of 8200'+ being so damn hard. I was
feeling OK (though far from great,) ready to start the 4th climb--the <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.5" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">front side</span>
of Monitor, but was a bit weary as I would have sworn we already climbed over 10,000'. Yep
the two remaining climbs would have been done but not at any speed--I
felt more tired than at the end of the <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.6" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Motherlode</span></span> or Sierra Double Metric (both with
over 10,000' climbing.)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmmYNRAaMyKdtn0piRkPBoDm2_8qXanTjb6X3edIVPOGAIAhr3Zmz9uNFj7C3dHolGRjb9xH37F2-XBTcyaKjeF1KCZyoS7kdUt2cq85ToRfj6dyK6x3GQrZWAJh9Foo3cYxnBNh3xoo/s1600/w-034-blue+lakes+picnic+grounds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmmYNRAaMyKdtn0piRkPBoDm2_8qXanTjb6X3edIVPOGAIAhr3Zmz9uNFj7C3dHolGRjb9xH37F2-XBTcyaKjeF1KCZyoS7kdUt2cq85ToRfj6dyK6x3GQrZWAJh9Foo3cYxnBNh3xoo/s1600/w-034-blue+lakes+picnic+grounds.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkejCv0eiJ0bpbooamtpBt9L-QvrRBMySDvqRDnGREBKpvOFK8EtfWiYH2-PkHq2Zzjqs0gAyj64Q-5HT9QeI98RLQ3BpeVnJGtpL5k1dA8bg2qcPvVK5AMemCB6ipHMvUeIZ4oeA_Ty4/s1600/w-050-blue+lakes+at+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkejCv0eiJ0bpbooamtpBt9L-QvrRBMySDvqRDnGREBKpvOFK8EtfWiYH2-PkHq2Zzjqs0gAyj64Q-5HT9QeI98RLQ3BpeVnJGtpL5k1dA8bg2qcPvVK5AMemCB6ipHMvUeIZ4oeA_Ty4/s1600/w-050-blue+lakes+at+sunset.jpg" height="201" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Picnic at Blue Lakes Road--cold when the sun set behind the clouds.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">So......I left a sandy rest stop at the base of Monitor, took a photo of Dr.
Dave heading for the turn, was <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.7" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">inattentive</span>
as I put my camera away, hadn't wiped the sand from my tyres (when I got back
to the motel I wiped them down as so much sand was on them), and all of a
sudden the bike went out from over me and I flipped sideways. My tailbone took
the brunt of the fall, my head a little but enough to crack the helmet, and
somehow the pedals slammed into my calf with already bulging <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.8" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">varicose</span></span> veins and my
leg froze up. Two days later when writing this my tailbone is fair,
head is OK, and my calf is still throbbing. So, in a matter of seconds my
Alta <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.9" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Alpina</span></span>
Five was over and two great days of riding with Dr. Dave. Dr. Dave
continued up Monitor 1 but he said he was hurting so he didn't descend the far side
and come back up Monitor 2--I know if I was with him he'd continue to race away from my
bad jokes and good music and would have easily completed 5.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"> <span style="color: red;">*****</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: red;">Lots of people I talk to have no clue what the ALTA <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.10" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">ALPINA</span></span> is, through every cyclist
knows about the DEATH RIDE, and many have the Death Ride 5 mountain passes as
their ultimate goal. So for the uninitiated, the ALTA <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.11" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">ALPINA</span></span> is run over the same 5
mountain passes as the Death Ride, and is run by the Club that started the
Death Ride & then was booted out by its County partners when the Death
Ride became a cash cow. So the ride goes over numerous mountain
passes that separate California and Nevada, all at high altitude. The LOW
portion of the ride is about 5,500.' So with the thin dry air breathing is harder and one is never as thirsty as riding here.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">***</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: red;">So what are the differences between the DEATH RIDE
and ALTA <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.12" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">ALPINA</span></span>:</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">***<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: 10pt;">-On the Death Ride 4 of the 5
mountain passes are closed to traffic, none are closed on the Alta <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.13" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Alpina</span></span>.
This is really no big deal as the 4 passes that are closed on the Death Ride
are very lightly traveled, and the one that is open, Carson, is a major road
that is heavily traveled. On the Alta <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.14" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Alpina</span></span>, as you do Carson early in the day, you
have better conditions on it than on the Death Ride when it is the last pass of the
day with more traffic and more cyclists crowding the road..</span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-size: x-small;"><o:p>***</o:p></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: 10pt;">-The Alta <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.15" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Alpina</span></span> has a
fraction of the thousands of cyclists that participate in the Death Ride, which
includes many cyclists first starting out on endurance cycling (<span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.16" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">eg</span></span>. Team in Training.)
So there is more room to ride unencumbered on Alta <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.17" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Alpina</span></span>.
On the long <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.19" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Ebbets</span></span>
downhill Dave and I were happy that though we had to navigate past a couple of cars going uphill,
there were no cycling <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.20" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">blockades</span></span>
ahead of us or cyclists whizzing closely by us (in fact there were no cars on
the 15 mile downhill going in our direction.)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: white;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: 10pt;">-The Alta <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.21" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Alpina</span></span> is far
easier to get into than the Death Ride, that now runs a lottery to get in.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: white;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: 10pt;">-The Alta <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.22" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Alpina</span></span> doesn't
offer tons of event memorabilia (<span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.23" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">eg</span></span>. coffee cups, license plate frames, shorts)
that the Death Ride does. The Alta Alpina jersey hasn't changed in the last few years.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: white;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: 10pt;">-The Death Ride is 1-5 passes which
run from Southeast to Northwest, the start of Carson Pass is about 15 rolling miles away from the end of the other four.. Long ago the Death Ride sometimes
offered a 6th bonus pass, but hasn't done so in a while. The Alta <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.24" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Alpina</span></span>
includes the old Death Ride bonus pass options, so its 1-8 passes (doing 8
passes makes the Alta <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.25" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Alpina</span></span>
8 the hardest Double Century in California), the order running in the opposite
direction from North to South. There are four passes on each side of the Markleeville area.</span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-size: x-small;">***</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: 10pt;">-On the Death Ride about 80% of the
riders take off at first light, or 5:30, so there is a mass start and cyclists
to maneuver through. On the Alta <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.26" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Alpina</span></span> there are numerous start times and as
there are multi options of substituting passes there really is no mass start.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: white;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: 10pt;">-Death Ride support is very good,
there are numerous rest stops that are generally crowded. The Alta <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.27" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Alpina</span></span> has less rest stops, but the existing stops are uncrowded--many times the number of cyclists and rest stop
workers are about equal.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: white;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: 10pt;">-The Death Ride course is lined
with family and friends and locals cheering you on, and at one point a local
track team </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: 10pt;">runs alongside to fill up your water bottles. No one is
cheering or running alongside on the Alta <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.28" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Alpina</span></span>.</span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-size: x-small;">***</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: white;">The Death Ride is like going
to see the Rolling Stones with 60,000 other people at the Oakland
Coliseum. The radio station plays Rolling Stones music for a week
solid. Then you can get a few Rolling Stones t-shirt and other <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.29" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">souvenirs</span></span> at the
Coliseum, and enjoy the concert shown on the video board as your seat is 500'
from the stage. Then next day at work everyone wants to know about the Stones concert. The Alta <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.30" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Alpina</span></span> is like a Patti Smith concert at the
Fillmore, no publicity, no opening act, just you and 1,000 other fans standing
within 25' of the performance. So if you want to partake in AN EVENT do
the DEATH RIDE. If you want to experience PURE RIDING do the ALTA <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.31" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">ALPINA</span></span>.
Both on the same course at high elevation under snowcapped peaks--everyone should do one of these
unique rides at least once.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"> <span style="color: red;">*****</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYcQI181dXzzxE8y3LJniD0Vr3-TvFQv7NjTBrOxcb5gi2EJMvmjRBA6sPt7zNyEHqAuhJF2urF9cbmOomZDacQN_M9SOOcflO_kr4dxYYULL7XbIgst1qN6OH9Ziisv62vWoRXMJIcE/s1600/w125-dual+selfie-blue+lakes+road+preride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYcQI181dXzzxE8y3LJniD0Vr3-TvFQv7NjTBrOxcb5gi2EJMvmjRBA6sPt7zNyEHqAuhJF2urF9cbmOomZDacQN_M9SOOcflO_kr4dxYYULL7XbIgst1qN6OH9Ziisv62vWoRXMJIcE/s1600/w125-dual+selfie-blue+lakes+road+preride.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LjQzEeKViD0Pf_V4G3iiHC372f8NJERDnGlTVUhMROPzQaDPzSFoIAmk2gj231nxcV2lcJHG9-aYAlCPTffWXs_snoX-P1I1FHcIR0txuTaKJFY1nt6kmkYI5jNnFVRZZfDfCEm5WYE/s1600/w131-dr+dave+turns+his+nose+up+on+teh+lite+snowpack-mid+blue+lakes+road+preride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LjQzEeKViD0Pf_V4G3iiHC372f8NJERDnGlTVUhMROPzQaDPzSFoIAmk2gj231nxcV2lcJHG9-aYAlCPTffWXs_snoX-P1I1FHcIR0txuTaKJFY1nt6kmkYI5jNnFVRZZfDfCEm5WYE/s1600/w131-dr+dave+turns+his+nose+up+on+teh+lite+snowpack-mid+blue+lakes+road+preride.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Dr. Dave and I on the Blue Lakes Road preride</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KxSGOFMhbxn7PZR0tetBQa1IZ4HtEvv4FcJmvn-K-O8xUVSwJlL_RnA2hYuKwVzjAZ78nBW4YRUcewVIvg0SGnVQpWG67RYNSMbGrhSTp4ioyPNWiTt6wgO-GihyphenhyphenumdB5aBpf6KQTUE/s1600/w133-the+artist+at+work,+blue+lakes+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KxSGOFMhbxn7PZR0tetBQa1IZ4HtEvv4FcJmvn-K-O8xUVSwJlL_RnA2hYuKwVzjAZ78nBW4YRUcewVIvg0SGnVQpWG67RYNSMbGrhSTp4ioyPNWiTt6wgO-GihyphenhyphenumdB5aBpf6KQTUE/s1600/w133-the+artist+at+work,+blue+lakes+road.jpg" height="286" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Artist on Blue Lakes Road--someone removed the Bike Mike statue</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bY_kfiBQa7PleehVg4xjl0zivIjQXNtaRQH5RbtVYXBihqmpglWaeyFleJeghDDoqN14lFmOjOEz9hNoosKSCs8A6q6PZgxrLBfmu_mqytnG4-NZtXIsxVLne3uOno_3R1_gucCQ56U/s1600/w136-dave+on+blue+lakes+road+preride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bY_kfiBQa7PleehVg4xjl0zivIjQXNtaRQH5RbtVYXBihqmpglWaeyFleJeghDDoqN14lFmOjOEz9hNoosKSCs8A6q6PZgxrLBfmu_mqytnG4-NZtXIsxVLne3uOno_3R1_gucCQ56U/s1600/w136-dave+on+blue+lakes+road+preride.jpg" height="305" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5J3GBgJvfcjJJSs-IyOgnRyArRdoIHOjlMDRzIT_wP4KQY2LOE0IkmMvMgzBHeHXdc7fPn9p2F8UXEezu33XfJEMwd-IfrAmxr71OyEdLJa0RQDkhizgOaniAyM3KI5LqbJduC6qG3o/s1600/w137-jay+at+blue+lakes+road+on+preride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5J3GBgJvfcjJJSs-IyOgnRyArRdoIHOjlMDRzIT_wP4KQY2LOE0IkmMvMgzBHeHXdc7fPn9p2F8UXEezu33XfJEMwd-IfrAmxr71OyEdLJa0RQDkhizgOaniAyM3KI5LqbJduC6qG3o/s1600/w137-jay+at+blue+lakes+road+on+preride.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Blue Lakes redux--much warmer than the evening before--lunch before we head back</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qTmyxCV_sfM5eu0plNQyt5yTvJAwC7Ny3X_CaHaIHHQbG0UWXp2VZm186GyP8YdkwOrvc75h2Y4fsEYrVM9UPv6J6PLy3aAf3v1Df5HQc9wCIF9Pi1KPHWEDMKkqWMIvx8CX5QALvfE/s1600/w140-dave+by+toby+pond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qTmyxCV_sfM5eu0plNQyt5yTvJAwC7Ny3X_CaHaIHHQbG0UWXp2VZm186GyP8YdkwOrvc75h2Y4fsEYrVM9UPv6J6PLy3aAf3v1Df5HQc9wCIF9Pi1KPHWEDMKkqWMIvx8CX5QALvfE/s1600/w140-dave+by+toby+pond.jpg" height="273" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Dave at Toby's Pond.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UnYWxBbwM-Wtz_hwLsLEk1MkB29XORg0dt8CmT0jF-bp_oRGnq5mtxuviQQQEihtNuAUds_kUhEEsxqH6qop2YYZRhruoUx6mp75kQsLl35QfGIqjApJPYRKCuqq2yMkquEXfK6tUAw/s1600/wa-why+blue+lakes+is+closed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UnYWxBbwM-Wtz_hwLsLEk1MkB29XORg0dt8CmT0jF-bp_oRGnq5mtxuviQQQEihtNuAUds_kUhEEsxqH6qop2YYZRhruoUx6mp75kQsLl35QfGIqjApJPYRKCuqq2yMkquEXfK6tUAw/s1600/wa-why+blue+lakes+is+closed.jpg" height="236" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">2011 Photo--Snow on Blue Lakes Road</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">I'm doing this ride with Dr. Dave who is incredibly great to ride with but
somehow carries a curse. On my first attempt on the AA8 I blew up on the
5th pass riding with Dr. Dave, last year on the Mt. Shasta Summit Century I
blew up on the final pass riding with......Dr. Dave. Last week
experienced brevet rider CA Mike suddenly fell for no reason riding with...you
guessed it. I <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.32" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">trained</span>
well so I thought I could avoid the "blowing up" whammy, but didn't
account for the new mystery sudden fall curse.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="color: white;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">When Dave and I signed up for this event we decided to do 5 passes, which on
the Alta <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.33" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Alpina</span></span>
would have us start climbing Carson Pass. Carson is the worst pass of the 8 on the
Alta <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.34" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Alpina</span></span>.
The long (14 1/2 mile pass) is steep at the bottom and top--and there is
usually a prevailing headwind. It is so long that two other mountain
climbs, Luther Pass and Blue Lakes Road, spur off of it in the
middle. The length and steepness at the ends aren't what makes it "<span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.35" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">sucky</span></span>"---it’s
the climb with the MOST traffic, has a disappearing shoulder, and the
road surface of the steep part near the top is...let’s use "<span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.36" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">sucky</span></span>"
again. I don't know what's worse. The climb or the downhill with
the same <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.37" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">RV's</span></span>
that blocked traffic on Hwy 88 for miles now being pissed off and trying to
pass cyclists closely going back down Carson. So Dave and I decided we'd forgo
the top of Carson, and turn off on Blue Lakes Road--making our 5 pass ride 12
miles longer but more enjoyable.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">***</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">We also were staying at a motel in Woodsford which is at the start of Carson. So it seemed like a good idea to start the ride right outside our motel than the official Turtle Rock Park start-4 miles away.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">***</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Blue Lakes Road is everything Carson is not. Its nicely paved that
dead ends into a campground after 12 miles, so there is very little traffic on
it. It’s a gentle climb until the last quarter. On Carson you are
heading towards the snow covered peak, on Blue Lakes the snow covered peaks are
constantly off to your side.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: white;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Choosing to do Blue Lakes Road was great, but somehow Dave and I got brain
freeze with the start time. Alta <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.38" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Alpina</span></span> told us that the Blue
Lakes rest stop, 20 miles from our motel in <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.39" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Woodsford</span></span> (8 miles up Carson
then <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.40" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">turning</span>
off onto the 12 miles up Blue Lakes Road) would open at 9:30--as it really
is a pass for the Alta <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.41" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Alpina</span></span>
8 riders after they have done <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.42" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Kingsberry</span></span>-Luther and Carson. So we
figured what a deal--we could leave from our Motel at 7:30. In reality,
we were doing a longer 5 pass Death Ride that essentially starts at 5:30, so we
would be leaving 2 hours after what most people do on a comparable ride. No big deal when we
started but we could have banked 2 more hours of riding in the cool dry air
instead of the very warm afternoon dry air later on--and eliminate the very
late afternoon when the winds pick up. Later we wouldn't feel rushed to finish before the afternoon winds come in. We'd have missed getting the <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.43" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">coveted</span></span> Blue Lakes
Road pass stamp but what the hell. Next year I'll leave at least 1 hour
earlier and carry Postage Stamps to cover my jersey number slots for completed
passes. There is a bathroom and water at Blue Lake, so even if a rest
stop isn't open it’s no big deal taking care of some necessary business.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxWfTSAOPfEYXtNqjy1uZX-Iqpnr9JlDEaq3a2U5Dxyipx4_p6Ryc4wq9fAyYHseNxFyYmg-C05QrFfVJI16u6-drltFD42gIo7JD49BeeXytOWfeyiQuV6agpMxMOq0syClUPJgHupQ/s1600/w151-hey+lady-you+call+me+phat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxWfTSAOPfEYXtNqjy1uZX-Iqpnr9JlDEaq3a2U5Dxyipx4_p6Ryc4wq9fAyYHseNxFyYmg-C05QrFfVJI16u6-drltFD42gIo7JD49BeeXytOWfeyiQuV6agpMxMOq0syClUPJgHupQ/s1600/w151-hey+lady-you+call+me+phat.jpg" height="272" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">At checkin with Kitty, first woman to attempt RAAM--Race Across America. Kitty has ridden for too long--she is delusional. When she first saw me she said<em><strong> "wow-did you lose 30 lbs from last year"</strong></em> (NO, I lost 8 lbs.) Later when I told her about my killer veins that need compression guards she pointed to a little blue spider on her leg and said <em><strong>"I have varicose veins also."</strong></em> I think she needs to start a 1200k brevet--right now.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">Blue Lakes is so much fun that Dave and I continued a tradition I started
long ago when still doing the Death Ride:, the day before we <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.44" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">prerode</span></span> the 24 mile route, just
spinning like crazy. Dave had never done the whole
thing--previously being stopped by snow drifts that closed the road a quarter
of the way up--in JUNE!. This year the California Drought was
evident, there were traces of snow on the mountains alongside but not the heavy
<span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.45" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">snowpack</span></span>
seen in past years. From the outhouse monument at the end someone had removed the
Big Mike statue--named by CA Mike on a long ago on a Death Ride <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.46" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">preride</span></span> that my wife also
did. We passed the ponds Toby really liked when we did the same <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.47" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">preride</span></span>
2 years ago on the Alta <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.48" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Alpina</span></span>
8. Saw the spot where I got the Death Ride 6 Pass sticker in 2004 when it was a bonus pass and I
first discovered Blue Lakes Road. Man--time has quickly passed by.
At the end of the ride Dave discovered a <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.49" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">rough</span> spot in his wheel--luckily he is
anal like me and we both brought spare wheels. We also discovered
that Dr. Dave's <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.50" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Garmin</span></span>
lies like a rug about the temperature--his read that it was 83 degrees
when mine read 75. I'm surprised Dave's <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.51" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Garmin</span></span> didn't give him 60 miles and 20,000'
climbing for Blue Lakes also; so I now discovered why he is always calling out
oppressive temperatures when its nice outside. In any event the <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.52" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">forecast</span></span> was
for it to be 5 degrees warmer tomorrow for the Alta <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.53" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Alpina</span></span>.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">***</span><br />
<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" style="background-color: white;" tabindex="-1"></span><br />
<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" style="background-color: white;" tabindex="-1">Dave and I scouted around for a preride pasta meal and Dave figured out that of our three choices one was a dump and the other was so fancy we weren't dressed properly (what--no cycling clothes at dinner.) He suggested Saletti's Italian Resturant and it was great. Minden has a few cowboy bars on each block and it was pretty apparent that World Cup ain't big here.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">***</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">The next day came quickly and it was Blue Lakes <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.54" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Redux</span></span>--this time adding the 6
miles up Carson. It felt strange starting at 7:30, late for an organized
ride, but the Blue Lakes rest stop first opens up at 9:30. Its the fourth pass the Alta Alpina 8 pass riders would do. Leaving
right from out motel at the base of Carson we began climbing immediately
with no <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.55" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">warmup</span></span>.
The <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.56" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">warmup</span></span>
was when the dry air hit our bodies and Dr. Dave pulled off his jacket within a
minute.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">
</span><span style="background-color: white;">
</span><span style="background-color: white;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXC_xodT9tJUGEp8ch8GDSORJEwqfxdXj1VvwdBNj-iOeT6Id4JhSithGm08t16HfUJ_YYOtPWKNIgWlKmqMZG9ED84CahPd2zdK7WSVLiqUVOpRYYkci2Ss1Ql1u7PNMk15-gJOUm4g4/s1600/w159-making+friends+on+carson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXC_xodT9tJUGEp8ch8GDSORJEwqfxdXj1VvwdBNj-iOeT6Id4JhSithGm08t16HfUJ_YYOtPWKNIgWlKmqMZG9ED84CahPd2zdK7WSVLiqUVOpRYYkci2Ss1Ql1u7PNMk15-gJOUm4g4/s1600/w159-making+friends+on+carson.jpg" height="400" width="253" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Making friends up Carson into the headwind. We'll lose everyone when we turn on Blue Lakes Road.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">We wound up mixing in with a few other cyclists, either 8 pass riders who
has started very early who were going to turn on Luther Pass, or 5 pass riders
who were going straight up on Carson. This must be the friendly ride--<span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.57" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">everyone's</span></span>
jersey number had their first name in BIG letters. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">
</span><span style="background-color: white;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggaNo3_kXrt09G71hOIVXXk34g5ZV2ou990ep5U41dl75-bMV4cHWlV8XVIgdKY0_y_OtwYQuS6jhrLS_5dPRCOrbu40kd5Yzbn1YkLFCIMe4yFrqSvEORdzHrMfKfxDs1_NdtxKKAaAY/s1600/w171-daves+double+selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggaNo3_kXrt09G71hOIVXXk34g5ZV2ou990ep5U41dl75-bMV4cHWlV8XVIgdKY0_y_OtwYQuS6jhrLS_5dPRCOrbu40kd5Yzbn1YkLFCIMe4yFrqSvEORdzHrMfKfxDs1_NdtxKKAaAY/s1600/w171-daves+double+selfie.jpg" height="400" width="352" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Dual selfie on Blue Lakes Road taken by Dr. Dave during the event (Dr. D)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzGEPuqzRA42zFItumcnUkOv30m4kz7OEVAz4rB0IFSP0uQ3WEVe7x2xyH7NgDufJ4j5cRcXkDuf1nvy6AlRqS3sCzIhhCv1Evt8pihdtnvzSAuReWi-jc3jJc9OD44-5abFFF2k_LkA/s1600/w176-dave+near+end+of+blue+lakes+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzGEPuqzRA42zFItumcnUkOv30m4kz7OEVAz4rB0IFSP0uQ3WEVe7x2xyH7NgDufJ4j5cRcXkDuf1nvy6AlRqS3sCzIhhCv1Evt8pihdtnvzSAuReWi-jc3jJc9OD44-5abFFF2k_LkA/s1600/w176-dave+near+end+of+blue+lakes+road.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkpNWNPkVCzAzH4w7wwhdH18Iz33MWYbG34QQrUp7xya6rXISPcK_5HhGfln6bdFj-HSEOv_8vP42E61IdP7g9adsW4al1D1d-5dgZa1TNnsEFjI1MVj_3iKejG9sk98b8yUpPrM23XE/s1600/w183-dave+by+toby+pond,+blue+lakes+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkpNWNPkVCzAzH4w7wwhdH18Iz33MWYbG34QQrUp7xya6rXISPcK_5HhGfln6bdFj-HSEOv_8vP42E61IdP7g9adsW4al1D1d-5dgZa1TNnsEFjI1MVj_3iKejG9sk98b8yUpPrM23XE/s1600/w183-dave+by+toby+pond,+blue+lakes+road.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYvGePzhSOvKEOkWl2_rt7k67FbeMk9UpEtA0U2D6NBS8my7XyVfJ3qks3fV9KnCM_oJk9jqFSP3RKyOcET-TAXJNTzmkmMAih7_Nj-Nh-ToQpdamQMPXM_1u4mywjv9DOnWLdfI1Vi0/s1600/w184-at+end+of+blue+lakes+dave+either+gets+stamped+or+gets+an+enema.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYvGePzhSOvKEOkWl2_rt7k67FbeMk9UpEtA0U2D6NBS8my7XyVfJ3qks3fV9KnCM_oJk9jqFSP3RKyOcET-TAXJNTzmkmMAih7_Nj-Nh-ToQpdamQMPXM_1u4mywjv9DOnWLdfI1Vi0/s1600/w184-at+end+of+blue+lakes+dave+either+gets+stamped+or+gets+an+enema.jpg" height="386" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CQhatUO16FB6rDiP6lYdnxfQoD9ASSHTacfHv3_Yg_lcqkkWM-20amYEYeyGY6ipmakivG_pr5_6zW2_pFJewPGwOGytYyMQpsyRn-9CI4G1HSslBCja0jobP158ZfbhWIObYn_6XTE/s1600/w185-dave+and+jay-blue+lakes+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CQhatUO16FB6rDiP6lYdnxfQoD9ASSHTacfHv3_Yg_lcqkkWM-20amYEYeyGY6ipmakivG_pr5_6zW2_pFJewPGwOGytYyMQpsyRn-9CI4G1HSslBCja0jobP158ZfbhWIObYn_6XTE/s1600/w185-dave+and+jay-blue+lakes+road.jpg" height="400" width="377" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Scenes from Blue Lakes Road. Dave getting the sacred sticker at the end of the climb. If I had a lounge chair I would have set it up at the end and stayed there for the rest of the day.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">A stiff morning headwind hit us on the startup Carson and Dave and I
traded pulls, religiously keeping our power under 200 watts (none of the "is 450
less than 200" goofing around that was heard often on the Sierra Century.) We
smartly organized with a few other cyclists to trade pulls. Actually, one
cyclist passed early on without <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.58" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">giving</span>
a shout out, which always gets my dander up, but keeping in the 180-200 range
we came back to him, and then he was more than happy to join our rotating group
blocking the wind.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="color: white;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">We lost almost all the other riders when Dave and on turned onto Blue Lakes
Road--only one other cyclist, nicely decked out in a Sierra <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.59" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Century</span> Jersey, was doing our route.
We expected a cross wind but Blue Lakes Road was pretty calm, and once again
Dave and I enjoyed the mountain scenery and wild flowers off to the
side. We were riding real easy--especially on the beginning
gentle grade, and <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.60" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">bsing</span></span>
about our kids, diet (we can lose weight in the winter but when the riding season starts and we have to stay stoked on carbs, the best we can do is maintain our weight) and music and taking photos. We also had the joint <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.61" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">revelation </span></span>that we
started to late and we should have begun the ride a hour ago--big deal if we
don't get a summit stamp, we know what we did. We reached the end
of Blue Lakes Road 15 minutes before the rest stop was due to open, but they
just finished setting up and we were first to get the Blue Lakes sticker.
<span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.62" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Unfortunately</span></span> the only
sports drink mix on this ride is HEED which I think has a vile aftertaste, so
I had a pocket full of Scratch/ Gatorade baggies throughout the
day. After a banana and fig bar it was time to head back
on the downhill trip that would take us less than half the time of the
climb. When we headed back down we saw lots of cyclists starting up,
including teammate Matt now on his 4th pass of his 8 pass attempt, and
he looked real happy.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="color: white;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Stop at end of Blue Lakes for 3rd whizz of the day in first 30 miles--which
was a result of already downing 3 bottles of sports drink.
Altitude riding is not like riding up sea level mountains. Apart from it being much easier to lose your breath with modest effort, you're
continually thirsty, and Dave and I would continually drink like crazy
throughout the day. </span><br />
<span style="color: white;">***</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Fast downhill after the Carson intersection where we picked up some
traffic. Luckily the pavement is good at the lower level of Carson.
We stopped at our cars in the motel parking lot-ditching knee and arm warmers,
t-shirt, and picking up more drink mix, <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.63" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">pre</span></span> frozen drink bottles, MP3
& speaker (under 200g) setup that slides into light bracket, and downing a <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.64" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">pre</span></span> chilled bottle of <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.65" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">PERPETUEM</span></span>.
<span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.66" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Perpetuem</span></span>
isn't an electrolyte sports drink but a high <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.67" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">carb</span></span> replacement drink, and it
is great when really really cold and with a shot of <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.68" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Hammergel</span></span> mixed in.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: white;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Turtle Rock Park, where the ride officially began and lunch waited, was only
4 miles away over some steep rollers. It was around 11-, too early for a
real lunch so we just reloaded our water bottles and downed another fig bar/
banana combo. I hoped they would have <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.69" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Perpetum</span></span> here but its
availability was spotty. All the rest stops, however, were flush with ice
which was appreciated, but NO DIET SODA (or ice pops) which was not.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">***</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Next came the speedy downhill to the tiny town of <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.70" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Markleeville</span></span> and the 8 mile <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.71" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">drag out</span>
to the base of Monitor and <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.72" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Ebbets</span></span> climbs, which begin next to each
other. No cheering spectators filling the lawn of the <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.73" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Markleeville</span></span> Courthouse
as on the Death Ride--hell, the lawn is gone from in front of the
Courthouse. Maybe it was the weather getting warmer in a full bright sun
or some <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.74" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">weariness</span></span>
after 52 miles, but the 8 miles seemed much longer, <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.75" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">even</span></span> though much of
the ride is on gently rolling road alongside a strongly running stream lined
with fishermen. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.71" role="menuitem" style="background-color: white;" tabindex="-1"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-inOmBny3NK8yo7SLXC8QOz7x02DruW6Vkdn1JCKSuHsc2H1lJptbcMAkSI1EJ_m9N9W7S8pHMP7C7C6PIjl6fTSYdMUW50-ksATsWAjue53q4eBWMChNncjoAhi69fpHRStgboaAy8/s1600/w192-dave+zooming+towards+ebbets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-inOmBny3NK8yo7SLXC8QOz7x02DruW6Vkdn1JCKSuHsc2H1lJptbcMAkSI1EJ_m9N9W7S8pHMP7C7C6PIjl6fTSYdMUW50-ksATsWAjue53q4eBWMChNncjoAhi69fpHRStgboaAy8/s1600/w192-dave+zooming+towards+ebbets.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.71" role="menuitem" style="background-color: white;" tabindex="-1"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.71" role="menuitem" style="background-color: white;" tabindex="-1"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZB9SJTgHPp55sdj701tShP32nBDTZ0B6QQVJKM1-Yl2czOKG9u1DxRRpEgRnJ7Ml4i2HbjxX7nj1akp5eVw-A-gNmhNN33Lf4PNG7qX5VwECzaEHk4bBipFgajRBF0m9pEeXHVNpxpM/s1600/w199-dual+selfie+at+start+of+ebbets-use+this+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZB9SJTgHPp55sdj701tShP32nBDTZ0B6QQVJKM1-Yl2czOKG9u1DxRRpEgRnJ7Ml4i2HbjxX7nj1akp5eVw-A-gNmhNN33Lf4PNG7qX5VwECzaEHk4bBipFgajRBF0m9pEeXHVNpxpM/s1600/w199-dual+selfie+at+start+of+ebbets-use+this+one.jpg" height="348" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7nVpiLIhyjs0jBrTYyvQsscHV_f-4WAyuZ-HaHd_99dKc0GKy49l9V1TCbRTVUgNwLRmgfrhkE1yZJCbnobdXkryi9qBbogDIbN63N_f2OkTcEK8C6z1A_9_RhBbZ9g9do7JwG17fSZ4/s1600/w205-dave+on+scenic+water+crossing+ebbets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7nVpiLIhyjs0jBrTYyvQsscHV_f-4WAyuZ-HaHd_99dKc0GKy49l9V1TCbRTVUgNwLRmgfrhkE1yZJCbnobdXkryi9qBbogDIbN63N_f2OkTcEK8C6z1A_9_RhBbZ9g9do7JwG17fSZ4/s1600/w205-dave+on+scenic+water+crossing+ebbets.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Heading towards Ebbetts 1 and going by REAL scenic water crossings</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">In years past there was no water available after a stop at the base of <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.76" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Ebbets</span></span>
1/ Monitor 1, and I always ran out on this 14 mile climb--which is the steepest of
the day. <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.77" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Additionally</span>,
I'd hit <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.78" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Ebbets</span></span>
1 after 4 passes had already in the legs, and would be extremely weary
on the climb. Today the Alta <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.79" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Alpina</span></span> folks added a water stop 6 miles into
the climb, so running out of water was no longer a concern. As I
only had 1 pass in my legs instead of 4, so I hit <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.80" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Ebbets</span></span> 1
feeling really good.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="color: white;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.81" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Ebbets</span></span>
1 (Monitor and <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.83" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Ebbets</span></span>
are up and overs where you descend the other side and have to <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.84" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">reclimb</span></span> the mountain's backside,
so the frontside is "1" and the backside is "2") had a gradual grade for the first 8 miles, then
the last 6 are filled with long double digit sections. The road is twisty
and tree lined with glimpses of snow covered peaks and other great views.
Hard to believe this is the same Highway 4 that runs near my house--it looks
more like a bike path. Dave got miffed when two guys shot past us but
they weren't on the ride--we rationalize that they just started and were doing
this as their one climb of the day. We still kept the power in the
180-200 range and my heart rate under zone 3 (aerobic/ tempo training) but I
was real conscious of my taking harder and deeper breaths at this mild effort
level that often felt like I was close to maxing out .</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOgYi8wuhD5DUa1WMhTU-aU5i6Gs7nzSXcup-4Btv0UoFOEvvJ52RYwFXTk_nVlnLPGDn_h8VTnFwyLLeQkdHoTTRE46AhU3gk90NCOcGWCTNkpuEHS4fgcVN3RcKA0BEsFaLqn5MnRA/s1600/w207-selfie+on+mid+ebbets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOgYi8wuhD5DUa1WMhTU-aU5i6Gs7nzSXcup-4Btv0UoFOEvvJ52RYwFXTk_nVlnLPGDn_h8VTnFwyLLeQkdHoTTRE46AhU3gk90NCOcGWCTNkpuEHS4fgcVN3RcKA0BEsFaLqn5MnRA/s1600/w207-selfie+on+mid+ebbets.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Selfie on Ebbets 1</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusRC6gC3dcEi4Y4N2XwGfrzCSfH1hG2idQYWsmTOIS55uXto2nSonmN6mgRZzBfoMqJXhzPB990-2NwZZFvo0Tbqr71oYQh536-nCMZ6Oifq1Ip5wY7Dj7LZlWfsBtx_-_wqdaAFj_sM/s1600/w221-dqve+at+kinney+reservior+ebbets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusRC6gC3dcEi4Y4N2XwGfrzCSfH1hG2idQYWsmTOIS55uXto2nSonmN6mgRZzBfoMqJXhzPB990-2NwZZFvo0Tbqr71oYQh536-nCMZ6Oifq1Ip5wY7Dj7LZlWfsBtx_-_wqdaAFj_sM/s1600/w221-dqve+at+kinney+reservior+ebbets.jpg" height="253" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6xZTk8-HoLxUYT1mrQ4cy7HHl7D54GAJj59nmftI951sPlCpQBT809O12hiW0Ify01PuUrQare20eI3OWKSMnFuMdIRFtTfGNRjjS4eknt2iGETNOgoOmOPOM_8OfWpqc7Rb4gHkN_k/s1600/w222-jay+at+kinney+reservior-ebbets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6xZTk8-HoLxUYT1mrQ4cy7HHl7D54GAJj59nmftI951sPlCpQBT809O12hiW0Ify01PuUrQare20eI3OWKSMnFuMdIRFtTfGNRjjS4eknt2iGETNOgoOmOPOM_8OfWpqc7Rb4gHkN_k/s1600/w222-jay+at+kinney+reservior-ebbets.jpg" height="292" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">In front of reservoir near the top of Ebbetts...and what did it look like 3 years ago??....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcCMIL4aX6QYgIu5hZCd0y3o9FydrraN04eEpc348hR0T0Q_4EKyQ0Q1KiAumjx5Mo6lPLXaZH0BdtixH_V8z_bIvyQ9myV7i35qRSWkpe6Kl4xWHZoaW5_6_Z8itmxpzG0fykSNxTSY/s1600/wi-jay+by+lake+on+ebbets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcCMIL4aX6QYgIu5hZCd0y3o9FydrraN04eEpc348hR0T0Q_4EKyQ0Q1KiAumjx5Mo6lPLXaZH0BdtixH_V8z_bIvyQ9myV7i35qRSWkpe6Kl4xWHZoaW5_6_Z8itmxpzG0fykSNxTSY/s1600/wi-jay+by+lake+on+ebbets.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaLFv5r_J0phTG1TdQmeLYWjtAUY7w9QxxLKnlQdbjQvpx4y4MsH4i3ct2JQviZgDa6kXRq7huncoLE-s5GjLy7B8RDVnxYQQsYLtZL0LtEDOFPdPEx0mU1Ll5PmG2pyMaIu1SWLQ_q8/s1600/w223-jay+and+dr+on+ebbetts+pass+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaLFv5r_J0phTG1TdQmeLYWjtAUY7w9QxxLKnlQdbjQvpx4y4MsH4i3ct2JQviZgDa6kXRq7huncoLE-s5GjLy7B8RDVnxYQQsYLtZL0LtEDOFPdPEx0mU1Ll5PmG2pyMaIu1SWLQ_q8/s1600/w223-jay+and+dr+on+ebbetts+pass+1.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Dave and I at the top of Ebbetts Pass</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Dave wanted to hear stuff he could sing with so the jazz was turned off
and Van Morrison singing Gloria, or U-2/ Patti Smith singing Dancing
Barefoot got us over many of the 15% sections. Funny moment when a <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.85" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Liggett</span></span>/
Sherwin Paris <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.86" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Roubaix</span></span>
highlight came on and a cyclist we passed said <em>"oh Bob Roll."</em>
<span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.87" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Ok</span></span>,
give her credit for coming close. The guy ahead of her was wearing a <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.88" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Domo</span></span>
Farm <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.89" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Fretes</span></span>
jersey so when we passed him I shouted out<em>--"hey, you team won this
race."</em> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">When we left the water stop Dave was 200' ahead and riding tempo--on a
training ride I'd bridge back to him but today I just kept sitting 200' as the
mild effort seemed hard enough. We regrouped when we reached Kinney
<span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.90" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Reservoir</span> near
the 8700' level top that was frozen over 3 years ago. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Another few uphill kicks from the <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.91" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Reservoir</span> past the cattle grates at the
top of <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.92" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Ebbets</span></span>--at
8730' the highest point on the ride. I just grabbed another fig bar to
munch on the downhill--no need to stop as we would cover the 6 consistently
semi steep downhill and reach the next rest stop in Hermit Valley
quickly. As nice as <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.94" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Ebbets</span></span> 1 is, <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.95" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Ebbets</span></span> 2 doesn't have great scenery, the trees
seem to thin out, and though the climb back is only 6 miles its seemingly
annoying. At least the road--which was very rough in the past, had
been fairly repaved, and my favorite rest stop on the ride is in desolate <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.96" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Hermit</span></span> Valley
below.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwVpFmF1F3KuNKZs3B6ACWgPcmD0IjHaWnSV49X1kZ0jfcT5YQD5hXTZnaDCNeDuG_MNES6NGk383CqaeoCfKbMM29zlpdyg0yNOFCwlrr1-lD8u1c9x7eQBX7Fj_Eur_a51-we3fLtY/s1600/w227-banana+tiera+hemit+valley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwVpFmF1F3KuNKZs3B6ACWgPcmD0IjHaWnSV49X1kZ0jfcT5YQD5hXTZnaDCNeDuG_MNES6NGk383CqaeoCfKbMM29zlpdyg0yNOFCwlrr1-lD8u1c9x7eQBX7Fj_Eur_a51-we3fLtY/s1600/w227-banana+tiera+hemit+valley.jpg" height="400" width="210" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Rest stop worker at Hermit Valley keeps the mood lite.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyCxVHCtv0mKDs2y0vjT6wOktsweJNNUxfl0YIC1pUeolhSSXT7PJh1pmRvoLqo_X3VUZwxx61K-l-emiAXqFkC4Lf9xTJTtxSglw-zBLSiN57UZOY_KzUw3bt2BC9r-lvbpTByJFY8g/s1600/w231-hemit+valley+spectators.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyCxVHCtv0mKDs2y0vjT6wOktsweJNNUxfl0YIC1pUeolhSSXT7PJh1pmRvoLqo_X3VUZwxx61K-l-emiAXqFkC4Lf9xTJTtxSglw-zBLSiN57UZOY_KzUw3bt2BC9r-lvbpTByJFY8g/s1600/w231-hemit+valley+spectators.jpg" height="171" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Cowbell symphony at Hermit Valley</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzCPeJSGK-y5zPDEigRZo-H8rWDsx5WAvTcb1VByhr26j8_fTqNoK79ilRS1V9UKb-DC7s5KU9u4aoj4I5fHRMAMS87qMLHtmXpFye1Wu0Opsfm85cWMQ6p6VtNIh-_SUqqr3fmz5RRc/s1600/w234-karen+on+ebbets+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzCPeJSGK-y5zPDEigRZo-H8rWDsx5WAvTcb1VByhr26j8_fTqNoK79ilRS1V9UKb-DC7s5KU9u4aoj4I5fHRMAMS87qMLHtmXpFye1Wu0Opsfm85cWMQ6p6VtNIh-_SUqqr3fmz5RRc/s1600/w234-karen+on+ebbets+2.jpg" height="301" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Karen riding Ebbetts Pass 2 solo</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Downhill was nice with the repaving job and that there was no blocks of
cyclists going up and down the narrow road (only a couple of bicycles and
cars.) <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.97" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Hermit</span></span>
Valley is a small flat patch that lays between <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.98" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Ebbetts</span></span> 2 and the hilly Pacific
Grade that climbs into Bear Valley. More rest stop
workers than cyclists at the stop, highlight was long legged rest stop worker
dancing around with a banana <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.99" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">tiara</span>.
<span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.100" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Unfortunately</span></span> this
is one of the stops they decided NOT to have <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.101" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Perpetuem</span></span>.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">It is a 5 mile climb back to the top of <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.102" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Ebbets</span></span>, so it kinda like the
climb to the ranger station on Mt. <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.103" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Diablo</span></span>.
But it was tougher, much tougher though it averages 6%. Sun was out
and it was real warm on the climb which is only in semi shade and the sun
reflects off the side of the mountain on the other side of the
road. Maybe it was the altitude, the climb starts at over
7,000.' Now when I thought I was putting out too much
power (over 200w), and looked down to check I was in the 160-180 range. I think this is when Dave said he ran out of gears and he has an 36x32. (Next year I will also.) A few
cyclists were coming down, almost no one was going up near Dave and I. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: white;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Nice moment when we passed a woman and she yelled out <strong><em>"hey waffle
man."</em></strong> I didn't recognize her immediately so I slowed to find out how
she knew me (I'm usually living on homemade Liege waffles leading up to an
event.) Turns out that Karen, who worked the best rest stop a few
years in a row at the Sierra Century, and I have a mutual friend. She was
soloing <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.104" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Ebbetts</span></span>
which is a nice job as there is only one campground to get water on the route. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: white;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Wecsaid goodbye and got back to Dave and we discussed skipping the top rest
stop. When we did arrive Dave noticed that they had <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.105" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Perpetuem</span></span>, so we did stop so I
could make a shake. Dave also spotted the women from Alta <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.106" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Alpina</span></span> who we saw on the <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.107" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Motherloade</span></span>
wearing the great Alta <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.108" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Alpina</span></span>
Orange club kit. So Dave had to tell her that I got the club jersey, whereas
she wanted to know "<em>how come I wasn't wearing it today?"</em></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Downhill of <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.109" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Ebbets</span></span>
1 is narrow and curvy and scenic, and on the Death Ride here is where you
suddenly come face to face with four Team in Training climbers riding side by
side and blocking the road. Nothing like this today. When we
started the descent we saw Matt and ex <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.110" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">clubmate</span></span> <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.111" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Rebecca</span></span> climbing near each other
and still looking good. A couple of cars were passing uphill cyclists on
curves and a little too close to us. Dave is much faster than me on the
downhill (who isn't) so he shot ahead on the steep part and waited for me when
the road leveled out a bit so we could speed towards Monitor together for the
last 2 passes of the day.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYvG6USSlHh3qhcQwxxb7brV8Rth_WJxqZumbtLlCk594WgnRx7zx0IQBs5l8sV4PEU7pmty3oHUCnpNDvhEgM0pvMdKCyxXxeZY1l799Qh94fdLkC-oJKu67oifRWlHdkeIzfrJZvNc/s1600/w237-my+day+is+about+to+end.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYvG6USSlHh3qhcQwxxb7brV8Rth_WJxqZumbtLlCk594WgnRx7zx0IQBs5l8sV4PEU7pmty3oHUCnpNDvhEgM0pvMdKCyxXxeZY1l799Qh94fdLkC-oJKu67oifRWlHdkeIzfrJZvNc/s1600/w237-my+day+is+about+to+end.jpg" height="201" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Right turn ahead to Monitor, we just rolled out of sand lot to the right, my ride is about to come to a crashing halt.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">
</span><span style="background-color: white;">
</span><span style="background-color: white;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNfQ_S92FypTucP9QeO38cDUeLVpd7uCww2N50vu3OtUhSe2-9TvEo3cVuzi4EQ5ERHucGustFhAsjdul5efhY0jmbWR6kQgKzQ1_CIpxC8yoFSB9_YDZ6rho-pLHu0F91clvtNbO178/s1600/w241-the+st+marys+cycling+team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNfQ_S92FypTucP9QeO38cDUeLVpd7uCww2N50vu3OtUhSe2-9TvEo3cVuzi4EQ5ERHucGustFhAsjdul5efhY0jmbWR6kQgKzQ1_CIpxC8yoFSB9_YDZ6rho-pLHu0F91clvtNbO178/s1600/w241-the+st+marys+cycling+team.jpg" height="308" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Dr. Dave & Rebecca, the St Mary's College Cycling team.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">If early in the morning we wouldn't have had to stop at the rest stop at the
base of Monitor, but it was now a good idea to top off our bottles for the 9 mile climb of
Monitor 1. It’s fairly steady and I did a nice job on it a few years back
on the Alta <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.112" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Alpina</span></span>
8--I was looking forward to getting revenge on the Monitor 2 climb which had
killed me. Still feeling good though hand which I think is arthritic (but
Kaiser doesn't) is hurting under my thumb, and I'm slowly losing <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.113" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">appetite</span> so additing more water in strong <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.114" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Perpetuem</span></span> mix
will be a good thing. Maybe I was losing my concentration. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">***</span><br />
<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" style="background-color: white;" tabindex="-1"></span><br />
<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" style="background-color: white;" tabindex="-1">I reset
the <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.115" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Garmin</span></span>
when we pulled into the rest stop and I got a whole .03 miles out of the stop with an average
moving speed of 6.6 mph (max speed 8.8mph) when suddenly the bike slid out. Think I was shocked that bike
was going down and didn't prepare quickly for a fall, though I know to hold handlebars
tight so you don't <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.116" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">instinctively</span></span>
stick out an arm and break a wrist or collarbone. I landed strangely, rolling under the bike--getting hit hard on my lower back and calf and a light helmet shot (enough to crack it.) My varicose veins, already swollen at altitude, must have gotten hit by the pedal as my right calf was on fire.The Medics checked me out
and had to hang around awhile at the rest stop which was in full sun, as SAG
that was just minutes away had to go up <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.117" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Ebbets</span></span> for cyclist who just broke
collarbone. SAG driver I finally got in with was a nice guy and was
going home for the day, so he nicely dropped me off at the motel which was 4
miles away from the Turtle Rock Park start. When I was ready to bring my
bike inside I noticed loads of <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.118" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">san</span>d</span> stuck to the <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.119" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">tyers</span></span>--so
much so I wiped them down before bringing them into the room. Maybe this
is what caused the fall??</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Figured it would take Dave 1 1/2 hours to ride up and down each pass,
and then another 1/2 hour to ride back to the motel. So figured 4 hours
to get back and it was now 3:30 so...what were we thinking again starting at
7:30. After a shower I was set for a good nap except I couldn't lay on my
back or side and had a slight headache from either the altitude or my head
bumping into pavement. So tossed around for about 2 hours when, knock on
door, Dave appeared. Dave had cramped up the front side of Monitor so he didn't
go down the backside for the last climb. I know if we were riding
together he would have had 5 in the bag. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: white;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">We drove over to <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.120" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Turtle</span>
Rock Park so I can check in. It’s kinda depressing--a dozen cyclists are
eating in a room that can hold 6x as many, the Alta <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.121" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Alpina</span></span> club
is selling clothing but they gave no Medium shorts left. Dave and I
had planned to go back to <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.122" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Minden</span></span> to try JT Basque House which my working Cousin Bob had recommended for years.
As Cousin Bob once owned a restaurant, I take his food recommendations
seriously.</span> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: white;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Outside we ran into <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.124" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Rebecca</span></span>,
who had stalled out on the 7th pass and didn't do the 8th. She's a
perpetual dynamo who used to ride with our club before she moved away. She used to run everyone into the ground for 80 miles and
then figure out she was tired after going at 110% all the time. Looking at
her Alta Alpina <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.125" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Strava</span></span>
times, she wasn't pacing herself. For the month Rebecca was 7th of 126 people on the Blue Lakes climb--and the
Alta Alpina club uses this road for a club time trial. On ride day she
was 2nd, and the guy in front of her didn't finish the whole course
either. Next year, with a few
more climbing doubles and better pacing, Rebecca will easily do the 8 pass ride.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.126" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Rebecca</span></span>
reported that <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.127" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">clubmate</span></span>
Matt broke a chain on Monitor. Later we found out that he fixed it and
finished the 8th passes!! No ride report from him yet, can't wait to find
out if he had the <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.128" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">horde </span>of moths flying into his light on a cold Monitor descent once the sun
set. At my motel I spoke the next morning to the person who was the LAST
one to finish the 8 passes--at midnight--while riding a hybrid bike. He
experienced the moths and cold. Great job.</span> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: white;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Dave and I passed on the Alta <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.129" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Alpina</span></span>
end of ride offering and we drove to <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.130" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Minden</span></span> to JT Basque House.
A unique dining experience in an old building where the waitress recited what
main <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.131" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">dishes</span>
are available. We never saw a menu, and, no one mentioned that we had a choice of
a complete dinner or <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.132" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">ala</span></span>
<span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.133" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">carte</span></span>.
Before we knew it we were brought bowls and platters of
soup--bread--beans--green salad--French fries--stew meat, all before the main
dish. Waitress was amazed that we were leaving so much food over.
When I got back to work Cousin Bob said "<em>I like to eat but the full dinner
is too much, I always order <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.134" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">ala</span></span> <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.135" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">carte</span></span>.</em> " Who knew. I did know I
should wipe a tyre down covered with sand--not taking care of a little detail
quickly ended what promised to be an epic ride. Instead it was just great.</span></span><br />
<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" style="background-color: white;" tabindex="-1"></span><br />
<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-color: white;">I really didn't care much that I didn't finish the 5 passes, as I have done 8 passes once, 6 passes once, and 5 passes a half dozen times on a combo of the Alta Alpina/ Death Ride. In one month it is the Mt Shasta Summit Century (with as much climbing) which I have never finished, so there I'll be royally pissed if I don't complete that ride. Give myself a week off the bike to heal, and then its back to</span> climbing training.</span>Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-48072199890315358332014-06-25T22:27:00.000-07:002014-06-26T08:45:44.030-07:00Sacramento Bike Trail (2014)<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">(June 17, 2014) <strong>Sacramento Bike Trail, </strong>Solo in small ring,
74 1/2 miles, 1,500', 15.1mph, 79-92 degrees</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfYIMv4cKI3pDG8sl22yoHHLhRyQ5cLHNSDLKXnKORYlb3fJ61DlbXvSouVWnBA1wJJSONb9N4zMaZvx613BJdOUnpZCHXj8foEJ12u-CMFQ3XW4Aou6wNB7CBK8uEPJfu8JT3ahk5gA/s1600/route+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfYIMv4cKI3pDG8sl22yoHHLhRyQ5cLHNSDLKXnKORYlb3fJ61DlbXvSouVWnBA1wJJSONb9N4zMaZvx613BJdOUnpZCHXj8foEJ12u-CMFQ3XW4Aou6wNB7CBK8uEPJfu8JT3ahk5gA/s1600/route+map.jpg" height="157" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting at CA State Sacramento follow <span style="color: blue;">blue</span> arrows to Folsom Lake, follow <span style="color: #bf9000;">yellow</span> arrows via Dam and Prision and Historic Downtown Folsom back to the trail. Continue with <span style="color: #b45f06;">yellow</span> arrows past the college to Old Town Sacrament. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">Green</span> arrows back to the college.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 340px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 6058; mso-width-source: userset; width: 128pt;" width="170"></col>
<col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 3754; mso-width-source: userset; width: 79pt;" width="106"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="19" style="height: 14.4pt; width: 128pt;" width="170"> </td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">Miles</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; width: 79pt;" width="106">Elevation Gain</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.4pt;">College-Nimbus</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">15.47</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">226</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.4pt;">Nimbus-Lake</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9.20</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">561</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.4pt;">Lake Piddle Around</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.20</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">30</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.4pt;">Lake-Folsom</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">7.96</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">217</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.4pt;">Folsom-Nimbus</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">5.55</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">167</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.4pt;">Nimbus-College</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">15.25</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">151</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.4pt;">College-Old
Town</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9.51</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">52</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.4pt;">Old
Town-College</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10.35</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">92</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl64" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.4pt;"> Summary</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">74.49</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1,496</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times New Roman;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;">I rode naked today!</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times New Roman;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I love the Sacramento Bike Trail. It's worlds apart from the <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.1" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background: yellow;">multiuse</span></span>
trail in Walnut Creek that is filled with earphone zoned out joggers, baby
strollers and dogs on extend leashes. Or the Antioch <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.2" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background: yellow;">multiuse</span></span> trail that gets no use
due to no trees and lots of glass and <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.3" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background: yellow;">goat head</span> plants. Or the trail in
<span style="background: yellow;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.4" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Danville</span></span> that
crosses a street every 200'. The Sacramento bike trail is for exclusive
use of bicycles--joggers/ walkers have to use the dirt cutout at the
side. It is well shaded, runs along the American River, and is well
maintained. Plenty of bathrooms and places to get water. There is a
crossing about every 4 miles (for rafters to get to the river) and for most
crossing the cyclists have the right of way.</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5m8UpXgNgZxPh9XOLCRVRUnjM1ZjopDF4OX5UwYh2grwxImQKL6cmX8w5k9Nuz0vTcJoS3_yt11e1uMhpZ8SEY7jR5O0klPO0kbvfY12BBL55nk5ExH_i_MEP2rLTTDhbV_BVn2UXsvk/s1600/w09-park+in+the+shade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5m8UpXgNgZxPh9XOLCRVRUnjM1ZjopDF4OX5UwYh2grwxImQKL6cmX8w5k9Nuz0vTcJoS3_yt11e1uMhpZ8SEY7jR5O0klPO0kbvfY12BBL55nk5ExH_i_MEP2rLTTDhbV_BVn2UXsvk/s1600/w09-park+in+the+shade.jpg" height="315" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Make sure to find a parking spot in the shade.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrDIzBFxfRbF1n-p-8jUZmJTJxxKdfYRVJMnfPLoVEPPD35ZzB6fDToYdwTTjKTr3vtQxPSL5nPgsAM3ScSOYtlV5Y1m5lX1sRkMcaaOSB58B_K6ZydCCD_TXF5u6TGNGxCcPO4HIqYZU/s1600/w15-crossing+over+from+college.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrDIzBFxfRbF1n-p-8jUZmJTJxxKdfYRVJMnfPLoVEPPD35ZzB6fDToYdwTTjKTr3vtQxPSL5nPgsAM3ScSOYtlV5Y1m5lX1sRkMcaaOSB58B_K6ZydCCD_TXF5u6TGNGxCcPO4HIqYZU/s1600/w15-crossing+over+from+college.jpg" height="310" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Gate Bridge replica crosses American River to bike path.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgper_X6026JdYvbIuuAnp9RBVFP-Id2CDvUwpIr1XEETC6Wsh3cZW6Ihz1_vWAVmpR5Q51UdFKVJ9iGGBK41lHx8IeItRlPWyUdLdbYEUIU0uyuJd-Nje7EzU0e2Py2lNKOrdi3TYrXoM/s1600/w18-morning+on+teh+bike+trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgper_X6026JdYvbIuuAnp9RBVFP-Id2CDvUwpIr1XEETC6Wsh3cZW6Ihz1_vWAVmpR5Q51UdFKVJ9iGGBK41lHx8IeItRlPWyUdLdbYEUIU0uyuJd-Nje7EzU0e2Py2lNKOrdi3TYrXoM/s1600/w18-morning+on+teh+bike+trail.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike path nice and shady in the morning (@10:30) around college. Note weed abatement on both sides of bike path, which is where walkers, hikers, joggers, runners should be.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I start at the State College which is 10 miles from one end of the trail at
Old Town Sacramento (the other end is at Folsom Lake.) This way I can shorten
the 74 1/2 mile route by 20 miles if I want to call it a day. Plenty of
shaded parking at the State College for a $6 permit--and do get into the shade
as Sacramento temperatures can easily climb over 100 degrees.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times New Roman;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The 10 miles from Sacramento State to Old Town used to be a little
ratty. Instead of doing piecemeal trail repair, much of the 8* mile
section has been rebuilt a little higher than the old trail--which made for a
nice ride. (*The bike path to Old Town is 8 miles, with each mile stenciled
onto the trail--then there is an additional 2 mile trail ride that
doesn't count in the numbering scheme)</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times New Roman;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiScrl0ifoivbwIXCc2q31wOAlxiOcZOIKKPS4C7LsSiBjU90CWm3RZ1WRH0ruxnZ1wMML5UDefw3YxkZ3nOYAmJBlcfez30V2Bka9a6jIc2IdkRiyzTHPRF64-0BbwlBEJt9LL221Cro/s1600/w86-walkers+get+off+the+fn+bikepath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiScrl0ifoivbwIXCc2q31wOAlxiOcZOIKKPS4C7LsSiBjU90CWm3RZ1WRH0ruxnZ1wMML5UDefw3YxkZ3nOYAmJBlcfez30V2Bka9a6jIc2IdkRiyzTHPRF64-0BbwlBEJt9LL221Cro/s1600/w86-walkers+get+off+the+fn+bikepath.jpg" height="233" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Read the fn message, it only appears every 200' on the bike path.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">On the other hand, on most rides the <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.5" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background: yellow;">sanctity</span> of the cyclist has been well
preserved but today idiots abound on the bike trail. Immediately after
crossing over to the trail two old ladies were walking side by side and
blocking the bike trail. About four additional times families or teens
were doing the same thing, which is four times more than usual.
Wonder if there was just a full moon or a growing number of people don't give a
shit.</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: white;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I started going East towards Folsom which is a little over 15 miles and
virtually flat to the Nimbus <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.6" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background: yellow;">overcrossing</span></span>.
My goal was to keep in the small <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.7" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background: yellow;">chain
ring</span> today for a non taxing tapering ride before Alta <span style="background: yellow;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.8" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Alpina</span></span>--luckily
I took my GT with regular gearing so the small <span style="background: yellow;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.9" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">chain ring</span></span> is
x39. I didn't bother throwing on the <span style="background: yellow;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.10" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Powertap</span></span> wheel; today was cadence work where my
goal was to keep over 80 rpm. You laugh--everyone can keep over 80 rpm
but I have a lousy cadence and I love to push big gears, but I am trying to
change and become more efficient. GT is also good as I could load up a
rack bag with tons of stuff for a long self-supported ride.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">In any event you can't go too fast on the bike trail. 15mph is the posted max--I expected a few cyclists on tri setups to go by at 24-25mph as usual, and to see many more people tooling down the road on cruiser bikes at 11mph. Unfortunately, the later group usually has a need to ride 2-3 across and block the road (kinda like a mini-Death Ride with the turkeys riding 3-4 across and blocking Ebbets.) While the trail is very flat there are a few sudden curves and "S" curves--and with the slow groups and joggers who can't read and stay on the path, 18-20 is a good maximum speed.</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Oh yeah the naked part. I have a partially torn <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.11" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background: yellow;">ACL</span></span> and always have to bandage
my knee--for stability on climbs or to prevent it from freezing up when it gets
cool (cool like in 75 degrees.) Last time I did a whole ride without my knee wrapped was in 2005 or 06 and I paid dearly for not wrapping it. So since
then I haven't ridden naked, but figured today was a good day for my knee to
catch some rays as it would be warm and virtually flat.</span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times New Roman;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Ride became interesting right away when two wankers came by thrashing on the
pedals without saying anything. Now, I already get <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.12" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background: yellow;">po'd</span></span> about this, and the
Sacramento bike trail is narrow and at times curvy, and it best shout out a
warning. Not these guys--so I had some fun. Staying in the small
ring I caught up to them and stayed about 6' back (didn't want to draft) with
my bike hi-<span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.13" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background: yellow;">fi</span></span>
going. At first they both started thrashing some more trying to pick up
speed, and then kept looking back and changing who was pulling their two
man. This went on for two miles with me just sitting 6' back, and they were kinda comical stomping on the pedals, and
first time the road went up (as in maybe 2%) I just kicked it in gear and
didn't see them again. This happened two more times on the ride.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVOH3BupjoxXczDsgh3ykSSNCvwsCEj4GcmwPv8Gtz9m65YLmx60NJ3rBC_vdq9Ok5ak6Q9zMPg9n3qXqzO5pMicLeyjo2b3iVFKoXgCOkt1wzTKsSPgceelw6bkvB6VOFPEL5c2cTFI/s1600/w33-early+morning+wankers+1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVOH3BupjoxXczDsgh3ykSSNCvwsCEj4GcmwPv8Gtz9m65YLmx60NJ3rBC_vdq9Ok5ak6Q9zMPg9n3qXqzO5pMicLeyjo2b3iVFKoXgCOkt1wzTKsSPgceelw6bkvB6VOFPEL5c2cTFI/s1600/w33-early+morning+wankers+1a.jpg" height="253" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wanker's 1 & 2 thrashing down the bike path</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjy4ezbSSSjil78NCooTsP-fnNxpTZCgUQI5h7VA0JpDSI3AzftgLfNjYWLObUcehjVcTw2Vu54gv5-ZqcRs0hnTiFPY3_oQMDLxeCz3GY1P7mfW-JMUTmiSw2zvWN9ghZLB0i10PPzK4/s1600/w34-early+morning+wankers+1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjy4ezbSSSjil78NCooTsP-fnNxpTZCgUQI5h7VA0JpDSI3AzftgLfNjYWLObUcehjVcTw2Vu54gv5-ZqcRs0hnTiFPY3_oQMDLxeCz3GY1P7mfW-JMUTmiSw2zvWN9ghZLB0i10PPzK4/s1600/w34-early+morning+wankers+1b.jpg" height="326" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now its wanker 2 & 1. Wish I would have gotten photo when these guys looked back, as they kept doing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times New Roman;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">After the Nimbus <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.14" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background: yellow;">Overcrossing</span></span>,
which is a little tricky to follow as the bike trail climbs over a bridge and
then loops under the bridge, it is 9 miles to the lake but with almost 3x as
much climbing as the earlier/ longer segment (560' vs 225'.) Again,
relatively flat but many of the people who just like to pound the flats don't
come over to this side. Historic downtown Folsom is off this section but
I figured I'd loop on the main road later to Folsom on the return trip form the lake..</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFa2jkpqGcaYRJU2O6po00Uelzh0Sv4iHStSiwF5P4GLc0THVe_Ud96MKpheZbSbYtdJyuu7d4kiOlRyNPdip7Ed-i1wkHniw3aaq9u821voL6nhpBWv-3Kfl_AwaAwexX44lOfM4RnnE/s1600/w37-selfie+on+nimbus+overcrossing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFa2jkpqGcaYRJU2O6po00Uelzh0Sv4iHStSiwF5P4GLc0THVe_Ud96MKpheZbSbYtdJyuu7d4kiOlRyNPdip7Ed-i1wkHniw3aaq9u821voL6nhpBWv-3Kfl_AwaAwexX44lOfM4RnnE/s1600/w37-selfie+on+nimbus+overcrossing.jpg" height="370" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie on high Nimbus overcrossing that is the first (small) climb of the day and a bit confusing. Eventually you go UNDER the overcrossing and loop under the busy street.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times New Roman;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">A few more uphill miles and I arrive at the Folsom lake rec area which used to have a large beach. Well, I guess it still does. The lake was as shallow as Dr. Dave and I saw in the fall--but they moved
the lifeguard chairs down (a quarter mile?) to the water’s edge--with life
preservers <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.15" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background: yellow;">hanging</span>
nearby. I sent Dave a photo and he quipped <span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"are those to prevent the
kids from drowning in the dirt"</span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNs2fJohZC7G83OOgCbjNNMq30gfWng9gtv3dn83lEfSVC3ql8FhKmoII0ihNukZtYaqj1e0o4keo6uJJKty8zt2Zn4dzsqa5gMAftl22cRH3vBmxNqEQn-rDP6GuiffvHWYj-HOkGNg4/s1600/w46-watch+your+head+tunnel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNs2fJohZC7G83OOgCbjNNMq30gfWng9gtv3dn83lEfSVC3ql8FhKmoII0ihNukZtYaqj1e0o4keo6uJJKty8zt2Zn4dzsqa5gMAftl22cRH3vBmxNqEQn-rDP6GuiffvHWYj-HOkGNg4/s1600/w46-watch+your+head+tunnel.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A public service message</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.15" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"></span></span><br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcuCc2WFTEZsMke-nmnc4JIzyPTnYR0snggc7r9lGLPbDydkOINzmxfSpGQV1fFsDZDLlbiLP8gHrWKm_9BuWtw4Vp1HcVnl6YqNZzjgBqivezYSZk3X2pANX26GiaJpjKxI3n8LZVw0/s1600/w47-dont+drown+in+the+folsom+lake+sandbar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcuCc2WFTEZsMke-nmnc4JIzyPTnYR0snggc7r9lGLPbDydkOINzmxfSpGQV1fFsDZDLlbiLP8gHrWKm_9BuWtw4Vp1HcVnl6YqNZzjgBqivezYSZk3X2pANX26GiaJpjKxI3n8LZVw0/s1600/w47-dont+drown+in+the+folsom+lake+sandbar.jpg" height="242" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In past years the water in Folsom Lake would be 50' from the sign, not 600'.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.15" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"></span></span><br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mNymVpC6MscM30GenroS0CAFc5EKCwALZHhLeJL-8Jgj_ca8lm7dUV82vpMr5AvgDqWnFI7L5oIx-hsn7k5RRN-gE__23k0cbTSP-6U9xVCsJTC_8SZfiPL7371ZKr2mp93HIfjITBU/s1600/w59-graphic+bike+warning+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mNymVpC6MscM30GenroS0CAFc5EKCwALZHhLeJL-8Jgj_ca8lm7dUV82vpMr5AvgDqWnFI7L5oIx-hsn7k5RRN-gE__23k0cbTSP-6U9xVCsJTC_8SZfiPL7371ZKr2mp93HIfjITBU/s1600/w59-graphic+bike+warning+sign.jpg" height="400" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ouch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Folsom picnic areas was empty. A Hispanic trio rolled in on <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.16" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background: yellow;">Colnagos</span></span>
and we had a good conversation about training and hard rides. Then
I took off to ride past Folsom Dam, Folsom <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.17" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background: yellow;">Prison</span>, and into downtown
Folsom--knowing fully well that most times due to construction that this
alternate route isn't available. But truth be told, the out and back on the bike path is nicer.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5JctqpEjHgrbrd3cbNYSjryH2WgzIsj4JFDmIYfjNxVpu6bZBxGj0FmksK5WhQtK4UDiyFK26gZ6Nz78clPiQqLitI9Z8kAYkKnO5vIWlxPCIVNaIw4-odpQowPsWvX0AxgkXwTO2Us/s1600/w57-im+by+folsom+dam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5JctqpEjHgrbrd3cbNYSjryH2WgzIsj4JFDmIYfjNxVpu6bZBxGj0FmksK5WhQtK4UDiyFK26gZ6Nz78clPiQqLitI9Z8kAYkKnO5vIWlxPCIVNaIw4-odpQowPsWvX0AxgkXwTO2Us/s1600/w57-im+by+folsom+dam.jpg" height="335" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of Folsom dam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJg0nrDrjxEy6wIGTDe5ErpdkDi3-bRfp445KN9PzPMOX05yErTF2FMp3jU1_PglSKPbBmW5c6acfqilvUd9k-cPUgg-baw6YdA84RJFr-Q2-K7j9y2SfvW1r5Zd8L2i7Twy_O13Rcmgs/s1600/w-58-folsom+dam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJg0nrDrjxEy6wIGTDe5ErpdkDi3-bRfp445KN9PzPMOX05yErTF2FMp3jU1_PglSKPbBmW5c6acfqilvUd9k-cPUgg-baw6YdA84RJFr-Q2-K7j9y2SfvW1r5Zd8L2i7Twy_O13Rcmgs/s1600/w-58-folsom+dam.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNOIURc5bbZOy_OmbYTMz6V3G1WPYtEW2ZsRIGNXSp12eUm8ne9qYi8LLuQKc59xe1bfccVcd2fLHG9Jgd-I82uBjwAYrgpLAYFFfa4nkkdQz4-uO50uJziI8cBclfJRk3Tz9Cqz1row/s1600/w71-folsom+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNOIURc5bbZOy_OmbYTMz6V3G1WPYtEW2ZsRIGNXSp12eUm8ne9qYi8LLuQKc59xe1bfccVcd2fLHG9Jgd-I82uBjwAYrgpLAYFFfa4nkkdQz4-uO50uJziI8cBclfJRk3Tz9Cqz1row/s1600/w71-folsom+bridge.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pedestrian bridge from Folsom back to the bike path.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEp6KMubcPoccqgibWOsqvch20qyFdvq6z0BSxBIFCMsjeFXsB37ozGxWElFQj8L3frGF9WcAYUEAm8fbXoOViKw2LIaUUg_Fv6RHFTntr88MKCXrRpPNNaqkI4JQAcBG1J7jojfEw0zU/s1600/w60-folsom+prision+road+ahead+with+handcuffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEp6KMubcPoccqgibWOsqvch20qyFdvq6z0BSxBIFCMsjeFXsB37ozGxWElFQj8L3frGF9WcAYUEAm8fbXoOViKw2LIaUUg_Fv6RHFTntr88MKCXrRpPNNaqkI4JQAcBG1J7jojfEw0zU/s1600/w60-folsom+prision+road+ahead+with+handcuffs.jpg" height="400" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prison road ahead--check out the handcuffs on the sign</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Stopped briefly in a good bike store in Folsom. <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.18" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background: yellow;">Unfortunately</span> what I need they no
longer make (<span style="background: yellow;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.19" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">eg</span></span>.
Shower Pass Clear Vest, Time Impact Pedals...) Trip back is a little
faster with almost no climbing, and less bikes on the trail so less 3 side
by side "bike boulders" blocking the road.</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Times New Roman;">***</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">One almost mishap, a nice looking jogger and a mountain biker in
front of me and the mountain biker kept turning his head and tracking the
jogger and turning his head--and he continued to go straight while the trail
turned. He caught himself before going off the road and
corrected. When I passed him I said nicely <em>"you can't be looking at
joggers that long"</em> to laughter.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIhCaUkyPOmhytb-MxJ8DhKhGE_Pao0uvk1PO9pG_X7XzLKx_dEwm-fgu6Pd7CMrA4vgSB26gGorxJrBGTgpbaNFtisJRu-eptTHltJ5RThjIFqHmf7NFrlJtM2zCEJYGMOOSlpxW5dE/s1600/w91-jogger+late+in+the+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIhCaUkyPOmhytb-MxJ8DhKhGE_Pao0uvk1PO9pG_X7XzLKx_dEwm-fgu6Pd7CMrA4vgSB26gGorxJrBGTgpbaNFtisJRu-eptTHltJ5RThjIFqHmf7NFrlJtM2zCEJYGMOOSlpxW5dE/s1600/w91-jogger+late+in+the+day.jpg" height="201" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keep your eyes on the road</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Passed College with 54 miles in and enjoying the very warm weather (mid 90's
tops--I've done this ride when its 110 degrees) and not tired from taking
it so easy. #1 reason to go to Old Town is best soft serve ice
cream--my adult daughter will be <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.20" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background: yellow;">jealous</span>
once she found out I went to what once was here favorite place. I didn't know the ratty trail to Old Town has been redone.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times New Roman;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Man, was I surprised. They rebuilt a major portion of the trail and
moved it further from the river bank. I took a photo of a passing train
and a passing cyclist called out, so we rode together until he split to
downtown and I continued to Old Town. The trail could be better marked
through Discovery Park where there is one bridge that's a combo pedestrian/
auto bridge (autos are just going to theparking lot)--then its about a mile
along the river to Old Town.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpclBaO61hLCqScLUPf9EzhhovkBOzi4JWzdUKiO3qM_aLSZSSKIS-I9GGTBQuK9y2KLXm__U5Nf0znIEussBk78OLRL2I5O66P_gWRlJOGvMgJolsKNJVImxwFFgyIAr_NyP0ybVb_Q/s1600/w101-no+alcohol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpclBaO61hLCqScLUPf9EzhhovkBOzi4JWzdUKiO3qM_aLSZSSKIS-I9GGTBQuK9y2KLXm__U5Nf0znIEussBk78OLRL2I5O66P_gWRlJOGvMgJolsKNJVImxwFFgyIAr_NyP0ybVb_Q/s1600/w101-no+alcohol.jpg" height="331" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign heading towards Discovery Park which lots of people in Discovery park ignore.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97wV4ukl4wHw6wx0xj0AsR2t8nLmq6xATdkEKoCa2NYdv9zgs0J3_UDB1UC7I_7fD2jezs9LcvuTFbLBQ98drX65D8nX3pyfso-KdWmd7Q5Jzi5kdvQDdyucsa5ojIUhXw0OBZgf3Er4/s1600/w102-discovery+park+to+old+town+crossing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97wV4ukl4wHw6wx0xj0AsR2t8nLmq6xATdkEKoCa2NYdv9zgs0J3_UDB1UC7I_7fD2jezs9LcvuTFbLBQ98drX65D8nX3pyfso-KdWmd7Q5Jzi5kdvQDdyucsa5ojIUhXw0OBZgf3Er4/s1600/w102-discovery+park+to+old+town+crossing.jpg" height="170" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge to get out of Discovery Park and towards Old Town</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTErN07FqxC3Af_SnyKOghqXm66m9FTBfmS6enEA56MhKNoGR9eWafZAiiBNlk-AlQeKCCV2C7PlbW9VIYzBNnVZypQqCmaXzDFSQ-bbVNqMPmnuJLdUlPKv823E65QnSufUeiOIHmMw/s1600/w108-sacramento+old+town.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTErN07FqxC3Af_SnyKOghqXm66m9FTBfmS6enEA56MhKNoGR9eWafZAiiBNlk-AlQeKCCV2C7PlbW9VIYzBNnVZypQqCmaXzDFSQ-bbVNqMPmnuJLdUlPKv823E65QnSufUeiOIHmMw/s1600/w108-sacramento+old+town.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scene from Old Town and the Sacramento River</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOtxDBdlgxRLuAHpQDUBEuk67eKiYGK1zISh-44PJLKTts4XkRFOSrWCP6FNR_YpML2ORtr0lb-voW1-if_1e1yZBQNYBxpiEkOJLgguSAPBP2TFhn4TYgxDLzv-UKIAX0kVML2UP-3g/s1600/w109-soft+serve+heaven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOtxDBdlgxRLuAHpQDUBEuk67eKiYGK1zISh-44PJLKTts4XkRFOSrWCP6FNR_YpML2ORtr0lb-voW1-if_1e1yZBQNYBxpiEkOJLgguSAPBP2TFhn4TYgxDLzv-UKIAX0kVML2UP-3g/s1600/w109-soft+serve+heaven.jpg" height="268" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Multi flavor soft serve</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jKZciSl1Jz6sxMT5jFNisd_s3_VUTqKuld6nWYJQGxHiIdIK9rBT26Fmt-MxJr1gQE1p_1lAG8tQ2Nse6diMryzJdcs92QAmdB6HXU8J-EI3eRg71H43t281CvBsfcYMbuSSzA7Bx6M/s1600/w111-bike+stereo+on+old+town+cobblestones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jKZciSl1Jz6sxMT5jFNisd_s3_VUTqKuld6nWYJQGxHiIdIK9rBT26Fmt-MxJr1gQE1p_1lAG8tQ2Nse6diMryzJdcs92QAmdB6HXU8J-EI3eRg71H43t281CvBsfcYMbuSSzA7Bx6M/s1600/w111-bike+stereo+on+old+town+cobblestones.jpg" height="173" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bike hi-fi on the Old Town cobbles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TGmslUNso8sVz79f7SCi-v3mNJrSzw9bOg_phjlP-NoVnJrYPEz6oyPmo0IDLc0KFC_R2lLbOTRBrV4IN0oCcrVbMEp-bM_eMQuT3eP0bUP0znmG-9oQYdAQrj024xc1ph9khPotAqY/s1600/w113-sacramento+river+by+pumping+station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TGmslUNso8sVz79f7SCi-v3mNJrSzw9bOg_phjlP-NoVnJrYPEz6oyPmo0IDLc0KFC_R2lLbOTRBrV4IN0oCcrVbMEp-bM_eMQuT3eP0bUP0znmG-9oQYdAQrj024xc1ph9khPotAqY/s1600/w113-sacramento+river+by+pumping+station.jpg" height="202" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sacramento River</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBa5jEHg1sptwTQhfW1x1XWkFSGfulSkAXoqYLFKnlKB3gioPtfqSYZWrTlBEG3hK6dS7zHP8mKDlMfG9HYRPYYU2ce7G_TCjDNYEt7K6P6EBRQipIMg32fWv2ryLg2fbfA_Mx89zbj8/s1600/w117-selfie+by+old+town.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBa5jEHg1sptwTQhfW1x1XWkFSGfulSkAXoqYLFKnlKB3gioPtfqSYZWrTlBEG3hK6dS7zHP8mKDlMfG9HYRPYYU2ce7G_TCjDNYEt7K6P6EBRQipIMg32fWv2ryLg2fbfA_Mx89zbj8/s1600/w117-selfie+by+old+town.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Old Town, nice day of riding</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">After soft serve and ice water it was time for the 10 mile
return. Now a few <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.21" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background: yellow;">AARP</span></span>
groups were out riding 3 across. An <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.22" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background: yellow;">AARP</span></span> trio bolder was far down
the road and a fast cyclist is in front of me was fast approaching them, but
didn't have room to pass. When I came along I called "on your
left," no one moved, and I rode down the yellow center strip with a <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.23" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background: yellow;">crit</span></span>
elbow out. The faster cyclist got on my wheel and I pulled her until we
got back to the mini-Golden gate Bridge. "<em>My stop"</em></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> -the ride was suddenly over.</span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times New Roman;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Really nice day. The State of California could increase some signage
when the bike path crosses a roadway--sometimes it’s hard to pick up the
path. They also could <span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.24" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1"><span style="background: yellow;">increase</span>
the signage saying "hikers-<span style="background: yellow;"><span aria-haspopup="true" id=":v.25" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">stay</span></span> the F off the bike path." Maintenance
and design is first rate and what an enjoyable way to go from Sacramento to
Folsom with only a couple of intersections to navigate. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-58837619322211054282014-06-23T16:34:00.002-07:002014-06-25T20:28:21.897-07:00Peets Coffee and Mt Diablo Redux (2014)(June 21, 2014--Baby Daughter's 25th birthday) <strong>Peets Coffee with Mt Diablo Add On Redux</strong>, 86 miles, 8600' climbing. Most of the ride with Dr. Dave, Peet's Coffee portion w/ CA Mike (after getting shot at on a 600k brevet last week), Young Andy, Pleasant Hill Michael, thru Tiden with Cisco Dave and Don on a fixie.<br />
<br />
<br />
One week to go to the Alta Alpina 5 and was hoping we'd have a great club ride on the schedule like Morgan Territory (which means Patterson pass add on) or Tunitas Creek. Instead we got Peets Coffee, again. <span style="font-size: x-large;">F</span>. Every time I have an out of town event Morgan Territory is that weeks ride and I come back to.....Peets Coffee. I guess I shouldn't complain that we ride 27 gently hilly miles to Peets in Oakland--in 15 years our Peets coffee ride will be riding one block out of the park we start from, cross cautiously with the <span style="color: #6aa84f;">"Walk"</span> sign, and ride through the shopping center on the other side of the street to the Peets Coffee 1/4 mile away. "<em>Hey, when's our rest stop."</em><br />
<br />
<br />
Meanwhile I'm feeling great. A couple of months ago, before the Motherlode, I had the weird sensation that I was missing a month of training and somehow it should be late March instead of May. Dr. Dave had the same feeling. The Motherlode and Sierra Century went off really well and all of a sudden all climbs seem undaunting. Not that I am going up any faster, but easier at a moderate speed.<br />
<br />
We had a small group for the Peets ride, which goes thru Contra Costa County on the rolling "Three Bears climb," and then enters Alameda County when climbing up to Tilden Park and the Skyline ridge. On the return trip the big climb is up Tunnel Road. The roads have little traffic and are fairly scenic. So why am I down on the ride? For one, when we get nice warm weather there is a fog bank hanging over the Oakland hills that we ride into. Secondly, the destination is nothing to write home about--across from the big Claremont Hotel. There used to be a small bakery where we got great coffee (which was better than Peets and Peets is pretty good) and handcrafted baked goods--it is gone. So is the woman run bike shop down the street that had a good selection of bike stuff to lust after.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pyTkNt-MHQAuNatOMfepe-s0o99gEBFZyOIBpvo8qwDywUz3pcjk-HshCZdMpWqse5mPBiNw6eXzjFQ_d3_Qz92SvxHpPVARKfrfV0SyJb2cc0-YTLP57cj98I1tWwZtINFj9kEVMKE/s1600/w04-dr+dave+weight+weenie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pyTkNt-MHQAuNatOMfepe-s0o99gEBFZyOIBpvo8qwDywUz3pcjk-HshCZdMpWqse5mPBiNw6eXzjFQ_d3_Qz92SvxHpPVARKfrfV0SyJb2cc0-YTLP57cj98I1tWwZtINFj9kEVMKE/s1600/w04-dr+dave+weight+weenie.jpg" height="400" width="385" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Dr. Dave must have had an extra piece of chocolate cake last night for dessert.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
Dr. Dave is really turning into a weight weenie. My saddle bag with wallet was 887g and before the Sierra Century I went through and took out all the crap I really didn't need/ put in a lighter CO2 setup, and got it down to 702g. I must have mentioned this to Dr. Dave as he showed up for this ride <strong>With</strong>out a saddle bag. He's already kicking my butt on climbs. He looked real pro--trouble is we don't have a team car following us (as I found out last week.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhH0hFkUC0N9LASM89ipqSLVYDoFsOx7xy05PsO3Pa2UP2quyvoyRKKa-7t4oY2m280pl_2RkCkNRfscURdDrJLhQce_h8YL9tsWQuCDuDp7u98YhgKgOaEIzui2_tfr5fkadHqmTwVLw/s1600/w06-cisco+in+pleasant+hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhH0hFkUC0N9LASM89ipqSLVYDoFsOx7xy05PsO3Pa2UP2quyvoyRKKa-7t4oY2m280pl_2RkCkNRfscURdDrJLhQce_h8YL9tsWQuCDuDp7u98YhgKgOaEIzui2_tfr5fkadHqmTwVLw/s1600/w06-cisco+in+pleasant+hill.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Cisco Dave at the start of the ride</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3NilnDQGXgLaURKRLsK8dWGkOlkkL6RRsSeAfl2tpb8m1DHFzqo9WrFnKtMHZTejA5gcbtheg7aWxDnFaPVLgbZK7DbFvAf-kzun3N5ia-LxqMzalMYc7b6Cp6ogJn7NqcKBYN-Sufw/s1600/w09-nunzio+on+pig+hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3NilnDQGXgLaURKRLsK8dWGkOlkkL6RRsSeAfl2tpb8m1DHFzqo9WrFnKtMHZTejA5gcbtheg7aWxDnFaPVLgbZK7DbFvAf-kzun3N5ia-LxqMzalMYc7b6Cp6ogJn7NqcKBYN-Sufw/s1600/w09-nunzio+on+pig+hill.jpg" height="276" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Dr. Dave on the Pig Farm climb</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAS7hS2RnkEgD3owZ2FeUBeACJ7Vk0D2SqXd6kPv4gR1t4NoMFEM8JAelDBQ4QD_EC542SwvyHXuBiFK8lwuKNE2TbE2M_r5wj7r1SFwC3_CRFg60JNnCex8v6nLTlHy4DLDYyMeSWx0/s1600/w15-mike+going+up+the+bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAS7hS2RnkEgD3owZ2FeUBeACJ7Vk0D2SqXd6kPv4gR1t4NoMFEM8JAelDBQ4QD_EC542SwvyHXuBiFK8lwuKNE2TbE2M_r5wj7r1SFwC3_CRFg60JNnCex8v6nLTlHy4DLDYyMeSWx0/s1600/w15-mike+going+up+the+bear.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">CA Mike on the 1st Bear climb--happy that no one from Gridley is shooting at him</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With a big group there is always racing hi jinx to the first rest stop at the foot of the Bears, but today we all rode very cooperatively. Maybe we all wanted to hear CA Mike's stories from the 600k brevet last week when a guy with a gun chased the brevet riders at 3am in the greater Gridley area, and then try to run them down with his car.<br />
<br />
There was some training event for beginner riders on the Bears and we hit the tail end. Cisco Dave was a little to glib when he called out with a little too much snarkiness to some walking riders, Dr. & I admonished him, and then there was a battle to the end of the Bears. Andy shot through on the last steep pitch and looked like he had a sizable gap until Cisco caught him--hopefully he didn't taunt Andy while he pulled away nicely.<br />
<br />
I may have been the last person on the Tilden climb. I got cold when we were waiting for the achatvulgers, and riding in the shade with the temperature dropping didn't help. Cisco and Dr Dave assured me it wasn't that cold but I was. Should have worked harder to warm up but just lazily pulled into our second rest stop.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Many ways to get out of Tilden Park. The steepest way is South Park Road--one of the steepest roads in the Bay Area. An annoying climb is by the golf course, not steep enough to be a challenge but a long slow drag out affair. My favorite way is one CA Mike introduced us to a long time ago--riding the Sonoma like pavement toward Lake Anza and then making a sudden left turn where a 16% wall appears. Its short--maybe 5 blocks long, but you get the climbing out of the way and vola you're on the Skyline Ridge. The Mur de Mike is .4 miles at 9% but as they teach in stats class averages lie. The Mur starts out briefly at 5%, the last third is about 5% an actually dips down right at the end. So the first two thirds are about 16%.<br />
<br />
<br />
Only Cisco Dave (who really wanted to do South Park) and I really wanted to do the Mur de Mike, but as Mike was with us and he was its founder it would be unseemingly if he didn't do it with us. Andy didn't know any better so he went with us as Dr. Dave and Pleasant Hill Michael did the golf course route and Don wanted to see how he'd go downhill on the fixie so he turned around to head back. Dr. Dave is sitting at #2 on the Mur de Mike on Strava but he began his Alta Alpina tapering so I didn't hector him to protect his placement--no saddle bag and all.<br />
<br />
<br />
I was again real lazy, suddenly about 200' behind the group as we turned into the home stretch for the Mur de Mike. My vest was off and I was cold again but I knew I'd warm up quickly on the Mur. When I hit the sudden left turn everyone was about 1/2 block ahead but I had my best moment of the day and shot by everyone with Cisco being the only one who came with me. He was really enthused and running a commentary I couldn't really hear as my lungs burned as I thrashed up the 18-20% section. My legs felt fine--my breathing always goes out first but I knew the Mur is short enough where that's OK. On the turn where the road flattens out to 5% I overestimated my power and swung around in too hard a gear and stalled out momentarily. Cisco Dave still coaching from the side. Finished the climb and knew I had taken it well--so much so when I saw Dr. Dave later I predicted I wouldn't be too far behind his 2nd place Strava ranking. Oh yeah--Andy went straight instead of taking the last turn so a scouting party had to organize and find him. Then Cisco called it a day and went back.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFflve_zJqJKg93dcMYu1wh9uMsbFXCTT7ACsjDleJRepn9sbbISwxaFAa45gY3rbdttzjvWQNvbeH_Q_jIL3iriVoE7l_750XR58hgH5m6HHQFzwDY8c1MTn8rjXAOhaOQFrWp0_g1Y/s1600/w17-16+percent+mur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFflve_zJqJKg93dcMYu1wh9uMsbFXCTT7ACsjDleJRepn9sbbISwxaFAa45gY3rbdttzjvWQNvbeH_Q_jIL3iriVoE7l_750XR58hgH5m6HHQFzwDY8c1MTn8rjXAOhaOQFrWp0_g1Y/s1600/w17-16+percent+mur.jpg" height="285" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #990000;">House sign spells MUR wrong but gets the grade % correct</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0kUVmuD6Yhoxg3SyR_dSPaIabOiaOuuNEqxoD4blj2pv7sjABfFauOPR7T3N74LckJA3dPtUkdDuuuA3gozyVtEH6GrB4APVwbKWGFzVqnhSNCFjRFSKIedhs5h7ysxO1VKVp6Emuj0/s1600/Mud+Rde+Mike+STrava.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0kUVmuD6Yhoxg3SyR_dSPaIabOiaOuuNEqxoD4blj2pv7sjABfFauOPR7T3N74LckJA3dPtUkdDuuuA3gozyVtEH6GrB4APVwbKWGFzVqnhSNCFjRFSKIedhs5h7ysxO1VKVp6Emuj0/s1600/Mud+Rde+Mike+STrava.jpg" height="400" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #990000;">Domo Diablo Cyclist Farm Frites 1-2-4-7</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Skyline overlook wasn't bad even with a cloud laying over Oakland. Neither was downhill into Oakland. Peets was uneventful though a perfect day for coffee and homemade biscotti. Dr. Dave and I rode hard up Tunnel Road but no one was out pushing the pace.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04MsphoBty_6ita40kpo-GSXAbSy-VQkUdM6SIJbKEmM9m2aLfPke2mtpr38mz8_eYUGdElmmppkhe9XSGGdQ_4244qYmmZcFj9eWU0MwD5CbCBd8iByWthAeGl4oRsD4BY2L6htD5j0/s1600/w19-view+of+cal+and+the+willie+brown+bridge+from+skyline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04MsphoBty_6ita40kpo-GSXAbSy-VQkUdM6SIJbKEmM9m2aLfPke2mtpr38mz8_eYUGdElmmppkhe9XSGGdQ_4244qYmmZcFj9eWU0MwD5CbCBd8iByWthAeGl4oRsD4BY2L6htD5j0/s1600/w19-view+of+cal+and+the+willie+brown+bridge+from+skyline.jpg" height="218" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1m_-7qkjnsvNVtuAG6DMMIfMiUrtbkb8GCFzCGk5akjWXwrYIhcHVjPDtenykqu8hwZNtLOI0PgGZxOu9vHi1pXnKVuEPcrjjLfN4n_yr_BO_e1LEtHb2YH8_7D1722gXImImvuL18eM/s1600/w21-the+boys+on+teh+oakland+overlook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1m_-7qkjnsvNVtuAG6DMMIfMiUrtbkb8GCFzCGk5akjWXwrYIhcHVjPDtenykqu8hwZNtLOI0PgGZxOu9vHi1pXnKVuEPcrjjLfN4n_yr_BO_e1LEtHb2YH8_7D1722gXImImvuL18eM/s1600/w21-the+boys+on+teh+oakland+overlook.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T<span style="color: #990000;">he view and the boys, Andy, Cisco Dave, CA Mike, on Skyline</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<br />
Regroup at Sibley, where <span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">NO MORE STRAVA TALK--EVER <span style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;">(or at least to the end of this column)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
Two skinny young guys were at the rest area, and one had memorized his ranking on all Strava segments<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Heavier Cyclist</strong><em>--"I'm 5'10" and weigh 140 lbs"</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Lighter Cyclist</strong><em>-"That's to much weight. I'm 5'8 and weigh <span style="color: red;">127</span> lbs so it helps me climb. That is why I'm 10th on the Claremont Climb and x on the</em> (a segment with a stupid name) and x on (another sergment with a stupid name) and......."<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIB_9YhxCaglZaLQZNmXOyuCR2KN0ZMHvPwJhz4DJG1cY5D9d7GfGTp3IMsMvZoy9tQxHQUvmWLYE2LUS_6sHGrjFEWfzGkNnCIgnR3bV_0vs8t-RfU-Uinewb_KT2b8lRCwrilFaNhgk/s1600/w30-sibley+strava+time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIB_9YhxCaglZaLQZNmXOyuCR2KN0ZMHvPwJhz4DJG1cY5D9d7GfGTp3IMsMvZoy9tQxHQUvmWLYE2LUS_6sHGrjFEWfzGkNnCIgnR3bV_0vs8t-RfU-Uinewb_KT2b8lRCwrilFaNhgk/s1600/w30-sibley+strava+time.jpg" height="305" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">The two leaders on the Strava Sibley Stairs Smashup Segment. Please don't tell them where the Mur de Mike is.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<br />
We decided to go back the short way through Canyon which involves a twisty downhill, where I fell off. Dr. Dave waited for me, and then we almost caught Andy and Mike at the front. On the downhill Dr. Dave especially liked the car with a flat tire trying to make a U turn on a hairpin and fully blocking the road. We thought that Mike's friend from the 600k had followed him down here.<br />
<br />
<br />
The return to the start made for a 55 mile ride with just under 5,000' climbing. I felt good and in anticipation of bonus miles I had a frozen sports drink in the car. I threw out that I was going up Diablo, Dr. Dave accompanied me, and we did what was so painful a few months ago--adding Mt Diablo at the end of a long ride. Today, however, it wasn't painful and we were <strong>5 1/2 minutes faster</strong> to the Junction than in the middle of March when we last did this add on insanity.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfZ8EZ9Bt7CCpbpDn5XPP1XXBo1-xWy5hwB-JuxrVuRoSuet_mJvwyzgFdeix_16Yhj7Y_tnk8a8rAT3vz7v-l2cSQI4tWDhLR46v7qZu2rfwMr69pfbE2Ds6QjOU06of_DU37dWe10M/s1600/w40-view+south+from+diablo+with+charred+remains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfZ8EZ9Bt7CCpbpDn5XPP1XXBo1-xWy5hwB-JuxrVuRoSuet_mJvwyzgFdeix_16Yhj7Y_tnk8a8rAT3vz7v-l2cSQI4tWDhLR46v7qZu2rfwMr69pfbE2Ds6QjOU06of_DU37dWe10M/s1600/w40-view+south+from+diablo+with+charred+remains.jpg" height="210" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">On Mt. Diablo, view from the climb-near the top.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1RJW_VEQ0-szTCRockwvoIgNsMXIJRwJU6n9B1jVISdVw1LTc_GcOWEe6FflNImaluTGvZaK1hK-LNnR6bjEJeL8BP6RTs2C83qyu8-h8N0u9hb5NPJ6exhbzoLvCkx8fpplwDU-5_g/s1600/w45-selfie+at+the+top+of+diablo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1RJW_VEQ0-szTCRockwvoIgNsMXIJRwJU6n9B1jVISdVw1LTc_GcOWEe6FflNImaluTGvZaK1hK-LNnR6bjEJeL8BP6RTs2C83qyu8-h8N0u9hb5NPJ6exhbzoLvCkx8fpplwDU-5_g/s1600/w45-selfie+at+the+top+of+diablo.jpg" height="400" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Selfie at the top of Mt Diablo</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
At the Junction Dr. Dave felt bad that I had to climb with a 800g seatbag and he didn't, so he called it a day and I continued on to the top. Late afternoon, no cyclists in sight. Weather now was much better than last week, no overcast at all. When I reached the top took a photo or two, then dropped down to the LOWER parking lot BBQ area where my BBQ lunch was a Z-Bar and I called my daughter from high atop Mt. Diablo wishing her a great 25th birthday.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrzZaV5HtucVktMJ6dEZEkB0iMBLYLWKD56SCdd1_352xF1k5strTsOigeoSxbn7ZUPuw_T-Ab7O8dkmI2ol-Hj3HskI4NYiYVlMovbZnd1F0NXLBX6soIMIu9WYFLlemeUnmCgqiNDA/s1600/w50-lower+parking+lot+bbq+area.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrzZaV5HtucVktMJ6dEZEkB0iMBLYLWKD56SCdd1_352xF1k5strTsOigeoSxbn7ZUPuw_T-Ab7O8dkmI2ol-Hj3HskI4NYiYVlMovbZnd1F0NXLBX6soIMIu9WYFLlemeUnmCgqiNDA/s1600/w50-lower+parking+lot+bbq+area.jpg" height="112" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Lower Parking lot BBQ/ Picnic area. Top of Diablo is in the background.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I hadn't seen another cyclist for an hour--going down I saw some crazy guy going up pulling a baby trailer. When I got close it was Matt !!, who is going to try the Alta Alpina 8 next week. When successful he'll add his name to Collin, Toby (8 1/2), and me of the Diablo Cyclists who have done the toughest double in California. The Alta Alpina 8 is 200 miles with 8 Death Ride passes--all at altitude. Matt had daughter duty and it was the only way to get a training ride in--22 miles with 3,390' climbing with baby trailer in tow up Diablo. Later we found out that Todd, training for the Death Ride, did Mt. Diablo 4x and rode 109 self supported miles and 14,130' climbing. Good deal!!<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
Hmmm, did want to see how I did on the Mur de Mike, as I thought I had a good "climb". I moved ahead of Dr. Dave sitting at #2 and the guy we didn't know who was #1. Wow. But wait--some bum moved into #1st in the last month and was ahead of all of us. Oh.....its Matt. If I would have known this when I saw him on Diablo I would have insisted that I get in the trailer and he pull me up the mountain.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-57631666576351077952014-06-18T23:39:00.001-07:002014-06-23T16:07:30.747-07:00Mt Diablo-Climb Repeats Till You Drop (2014)<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">(June 14, 2014)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Reviving Diablo Cyclists 9 year in hiatus ride—<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Climb Repeats Till You Drop—Climb Mt. Diablo Over and Over.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mostly with Dr. Dave, Christine, Cisco Dave
and Matt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dr. Dave climbed the most,
3.75x up Diablo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had hike and bike
record, 3+x up Diablo and 4 mile mid ride hike.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixk0QHyg4b5JNsW-P2RKCyGVoxIBP9IMkWcSfCsvbSQzS6pN46znYBetwCxDGSU-rdirYOFeZPZCiXDEVTYiI1L5XjX59CRgPnEbdZDvppgGYEGDasxpF1xSN-thxsJ9dkkBpMGym49qc/s1600/elevation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixk0QHyg4b5JNsW-P2RKCyGVoxIBP9IMkWcSfCsvbSQzS6pN46znYBetwCxDGSU-rdirYOFeZPZCiXDEVTYiI1L5XjX59CRgPnEbdZDvppgGYEGDasxpF1xSN-thxsJ9dkkBpMGym49qc/s1600/elevation.jpg" height="85" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Diablo Elevation Repeats-<span style="color: red;">red</span> is hike portion of the ride</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">After last week’s great club ride (with Mt Tam add on)
I was looking forward to this Saturday’s ride and hoped to add on again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However the weekly hilly Club ride wasn’t
situated well, so Mines Road or Patterson pass twice seemed like a good
idea—though I’d have to probably go it alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just in time Dr. Dave threw out a great idea—why not revive a tradition
and do Mt. Diablo repeats as many times as we want.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">When I first joined the Diablo Cyclists in 2004, club
participation on the Death Ride was a big deal, and one of the training rides a
few weeks before were Mt Diablo repeats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the last decade Diablo Cyclists mass participation on the Death Ride gradually fell
by the wayside—Dr. Dave remembers the last hill repeat ride in 2005.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I</span>t was a great idea and the plan
was to go up Diablo 4x, alternating coming down (and then back up) the North
and South side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">To our delight, Cisco Dave, Christine and Matt jumped
aboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plans quickly came together. At the top of Diablo after the 2<sup>nd</sup> climb we’d break out lunch at the newly renovated Upper parking lot picnic area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <strike>Upper</strike> Lower Parking Lot picnic area has BBQ pits—I thought we ought to organize like a handicap horse race and have the two strongest climbers, Matt and Cisco, carry up a half bag of charcoal---but there wasn’t enough time to get this together. As
we’d park down the road from the Mt Diablo North Gate, before the 3<sup>rd</sup>
ascent we could grab cold drinks from coolers in our car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQB3x-M4tR2Jbu-9J-SazrcIuSH9-hzUPYbN9Q7PxNHB78e3raQ3Fh3BtZBVd1V-Ti-z93KfBZp-yoUVvB4E2ryE3QVW0wAzDL45DUEbc33I2YX6iEhLak_cU7D-kinhQPCix8LIoqq8/s1600/w53-the+group+looks+depressed+when+told+taht+matt+forgot+to+carry+the+bag+of+charcoal+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQB3x-M4tR2Jbu-9J-SazrcIuSH9-hzUPYbN9Q7PxNHB78e3raQ3Fh3BtZBVd1V-Ti-z93KfBZp-yoUVvB4E2ryE3QVW0wAzDL45DUEbc33I2YX6iEhLak_cU7D-kinhQPCix8LIoqq8/s1600/w53-the+group+looks+depressed+when+told+taht+matt+forgot+to+carry+the+bag+of+charcoal+up.jpg" height="190" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This wasn't a fun ride. Matt forgot the charcoal so no promised BBQ and everyone looks disappointed at lunch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In any event, no matter what pace Matt and Cisco set, Dr.
Dave and I were going to try to ride sensibly at the beginning and keep under
200 watts. This may be the power meters
best use for endurance rides. There is
an old cycling saying “conserve your matches”---whereas each cyclist has a
limited amount of energy, a hard effort burns energy or a couple of matches
from your matchbook, and too many hard efforts you have burnt through all your
matches. On the Alta Alpina 8 a couple
of years ago Coach Toby kept us at a ridiculously easy 160w for the first few
climbs—as I was almost dead on climb number 8 the early puttering around had to
help later on. So Dr. Dave and I needed
practice not to getting caught up in the
moment and chase/ race, so we predetermined a 200w limit. I have to get my Garmin to beep when
exceeding a limit as early on I was often surprised to look down and see 350w
and then have to knock back. (On the 3<sup>rd</sup>
climb I was having a hard time exceeding 200w)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxvR0-MW6y_4fadzjs9UefQRs1ZIwQ8Rrr1bEps-mwPMdPyRcTlnOoMhdiOP9X-Zo34AF2faAvliWn9VgM3D2SQTmSrxW3zyZHSEAu_fY3whM_il6edwIL73RKRxd7c-CBs24BC4xKl8/s1600/w457-cisco+dave+leading+early+mirning+group+to+diablo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxvR0-MW6y_4fadzjs9UefQRs1ZIwQ8Rrr1bEps-mwPMdPyRcTlnOoMhdiOP9X-Zo34AF2faAvliWn9VgM3D2SQTmSrxW3zyZHSEAu_fY3whM_il6edwIL73RKRxd7c-CBs24BC4xKl8/s1600/w457-cisco+dave+leading+early+mirning+group+to+diablo.jpg" height="340" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cisco Dave leads the early morning charge to the Mt. Diablo entrance at Northgate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMflysivkELQUr9eAdCQwQNJW9UzM0dZISuNElic76m-G7jYVBlpfzhbY0OgBhrqYQ-EPadJaVwnGoWuzZ64iMlxxUQeH2VweQdAjBMOiMqFxJrLSamEJ_wxZdgDXVp9ithFZE8BxdygU/s1600/w463-dave+and+christine+early+on+climb+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMflysivkELQUr9eAdCQwQNJW9UzM0dZISuNElic76m-G7jYVBlpfzhbY0OgBhrqYQ-EPadJaVwnGoWuzZ64iMlxxUQeH2VweQdAjBMOiMqFxJrLSamEJ_wxZdgDXVp9ithFZE8BxdygU/s1600/w463-dave+and+christine+early+on+climb+1.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave and Christine at the start of climb #1</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRIe7ePEf9FM8oIJe3fNKlrVHo-VQYbCqb3_dznFaLNl4PeNYuKp30UI7UCdruSEfKvyqY-MrkSlPu0TWKCrn9xmLe-8q55vzpER-9MpDRPxcMQHhGOJ0fcV8a6gkAH_XGBbSSiPDmZk/s1600/w467-selfie+with+christine+at+start+of+number+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRIe7ePEf9FM8oIJe3fNKlrVHo-VQYbCqb3_dznFaLNl4PeNYuKp30UI7UCdruSEfKvyqY-MrkSlPu0TWKCrn9xmLe-8q55vzpER-9MpDRPxcMQHhGOJ0fcV8a6gkAH_XGBbSSiPDmZk/s1600/w467-selfie+with+christine+at+start+of+number+1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group selfie-Christine and I up climb #1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fL1HO6QjIsNyoi_3LrNlXrl_x9H3t8lHBT6I_180XUKYAml6YtlOMOn4J7vdk6I97C7lBMVXdSb-li-QHxsYE-Ww1uDtvDZm5OWKF78JX1OqZbuoBYPJHcnaOOO7YpXw7B3B4GtUowU/s1600/w502-christine+on+1st+summitt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fL1HO6QjIsNyoi_3LrNlXrl_x9H3t8lHBT6I_180XUKYAml6YtlOMOn4J7vdk6I97C7lBMVXdSb-li-QHxsYE-Ww1uDtvDZm5OWKF78JX1OqZbuoBYPJHcnaOOO7YpXw7B3B4GtUowU/s1600/w502-christine+on+1st+summitt.jpg" height="293" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine arrives at the top of Mt Diablo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Now 200 watts may seem real easy to those who look at their trainer
and yell out <em>“I just hit 950 max power."</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How you can’t sustain power indefinitely is best shown by the <a href="http://home.trainingpeaks.com/blog/article/power-training-levels">AndrewCoggins study</a> of all different types of
cyclists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> For example, a</span> good domestic pro (@140 lbs)
can hit 1375 watts for 5 second but only put out 360 watts of power for a half
hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such is the falloff in power over
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So, trying to ride under 200 watts led to us using a modification of
Diablo Scott’s famous pass me-pass you ratio, it was something like 25:5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No—neither number indicates the number of
cyclists we passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>25 was cyclists who
passed us and 5 was the number of cyclists that actually called out while passing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get pissed when some Strava Boy silently
whizzes by, and Cisco reminded me I shouldn’t get upset over, as there is no obligation
to do so this unless someone pass on the right in close quarters without
calling out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Which happened later on
the downhill off the ramp by the a small group of goobers who probably never
did anything tougher than ride up Mt Diablo)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is no obligation ,but cycling writer<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maynard Hershon wrote a great piece a while
back about the snobbery of some road cyclists:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: blue;">“After a few miles, she asked me why serious
cyclists act so unfriendly…sometimes guys coming up from behind her would
sprint by: they wouldn’t speak or nod, or even acknowledge her presence on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d been a runner..and almost all runners
has smiled and waved at each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why
weren’t cyclists like that?...So why the snobbery?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clearly, there are subgroups within cycling ,
each secretly imagining itself to possess a certain elite status.” (Tales From the
Bike Shop, Maynard Hershon, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(1989))</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">In any event the weather on Diablo was perfect—about 70 when
we started the first climb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The air was
still a little damp and it smelled real nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At 8:00 Mt Diablo was jammed with cyclists—which would dramatically
change as the day wore on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seems that
cyclists set out on Mt Diablo so early for a combo of 3 reasons; either because
1) it is the coolest part of the day, 2) less cars on Diablo early, 3) they want to do
other things later in the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The car
thing is big, I usually ride Diablo after work when there aren’t many car
sightings. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, on the weekend it’s
a big destination, and many cars insist on exercising their god give right of
passing cyclists on an uphill blind hairpin so they are sticking half way into
the lane going downhill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course a
number of Hummers regularly going downhill would end this practice, but it’s a
bike usually going downhill when they suddenly meet an car going uphill
traveling in the wrong lane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happened to
me today on the descent, I had flashing headlight and was far to the right side
of the road when an oncoming SUV decided to give me less than a foot when it
passed a group riding uphill.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2MDx3p0E6IytpMmrQxUG3ga1l48ZA8qCvnpoCZRykZvjARWiPGRE2fFU6ZzKd_IijUkJdCniVSfHYOsM_WBRBuA8KQkgnzFGDULIl9fClR2qkXUzmtTuUT8nzuNgtdKTM82XUFqLvMg/s1600/w507-cisco+dave+at+start+of+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2MDx3p0E6IytpMmrQxUG3ga1l48ZA8qCvnpoCZRykZvjARWiPGRE2fFU6ZzKd_IijUkJdCniVSfHYOsM_WBRBuA8KQkgnzFGDULIl9fClR2qkXUzmtTuUT8nzuNgtdKTM82XUFqLvMg/s1600/w507-cisco+dave+at+start+of+2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cisco Dave starts up Southgate on climb #2</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65r2g9_Wj0r4D-r-Zv-kKg9TBdaEcHDFZITVPbBaAk6icBzErarPol6CWyCqTCLrX1hGkNONWi6_TvwRP6h2Z6hSUqOPauLiFpIL_dxWUQXURor7C6ejWMshuPKv8e5tPQrK7jMT_shk/s1600/w507-group+at+start+of+climb+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65r2g9_Wj0r4D-r-Zv-kKg9TBdaEcHDFZITVPbBaAk6icBzErarPol6CWyCqTCLrX1hGkNONWi6_TvwRP6h2Z6hSUqOPauLiFpIL_dxWUQXURor7C6ejWMshuPKv8e5tPQrK7jMT_shk/s1600/w507-group+at+start+of+climb+2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cisco Dave and Matt trying to draft off other riders</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwqCz2WV52ISY5TTzaRhdc15HSsyN7sh9VyOYcM8yC9q1wpDVmi6eoG25cDx7XaQ7W_CbAGnYMDsvQP3AGX1v4FGRhhz2kAFV3YOKA-kxJeg0eLgVMoOUPU9iaz3DsjJiGiuiEPeNEy4/s1600/w508-cisco+calling+911+about+some+cyclist+riding+on+teh+wrong+side+of+teh+road--climb+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwqCz2WV52ISY5TTzaRhdc15HSsyN7sh9VyOYcM8yC9q1wpDVmi6eoG25cDx7XaQ7W_CbAGnYMDsvQP3AGX1v4FGRhhz2kAFV3YOKA-kxJeg0eLgVMoOUPU9iaz3DsjJiGiuiEPeNEy4/s1600/w508-cisco+calling+911+about+some+cyclist+riding+on+teh+wrong+side+of+teh+road--climb+2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cisco calling 911 to report Matt riding on the wrong side of the road.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Christine was glad I decided to limit my power—she set a
nice constant uphill pace so I just matched her speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With our bsing it seems we got to the top
much quicker than when I’m trying to “beat the clock.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Same phenomena on climb 2 from the South Gate
side,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when the two Dave’s’, Matt and I
bs’d to the top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one point we were joined
by a nice guy named Joe who wanted to know about the Alta Alpina and if they do
the same route as the Death Ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was nice and toasty on the climb but we didn’t really notice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During a lull in conversation I’d turn on the
now under 200g bike stereo that mounts on my light mount—MP3 and speaker held
on by an angle iron (OK I said stereo, I can set another speaker on the other
light mount.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">At the top of Diablo after pass #2 we found a nice table in
the shade, and we couldn’t feed the starving raccoons so we fed our starving
poster boy—Cisco Dave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nice half hour
break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most cyclists go straight up the
nearby wall to the top crowded with automobiles and cyclists and bypass the
hidden parking/ picnic area to the side, complete with remodeled bathrooms and
water.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCy8dqm-TEtyhjeiw8zW2uxpnGTuAHOq9IT5oW7_43pvaiqPi-kSqZRmNHG8tMED_VboNVy3sCaEbkaPT0W4F8gIHG9a5w6YMLidmc2G44mEZ8Y9YUS5oYhnYkRwh57nEQ7nXYWnwXKgA/s1600/w524-the+mt+d+picnic+after+2x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCy8dqm-TEtyhjeiw8zW2uxpnGTuAHOq9IT5oW7_43pvaiqPi-kSqZRmNHG8tMED_VboNVy3sCaEbkaPT0W4F8gIHG9a5w6YMLidmc2G44mEZ8Y9YUS5oYhnYkRwh57nEQ7nXYWnwXKgA/s1600/w524-the+mt+d+picnic+after+2x.jpg" height="323" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch at the <strike>upper</strike> lower parking lot after climb #2</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Looking forward to the Northgate descent back to the car
where a cold soda and cold sports drink waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Christine had faded a little on climb #2 so she was going to go down
Southgate so she could come back up the easier side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the downhill I was soon off the back, but
the guys slowed so I could keep them in view.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Of course with me in the back I was out of their view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I rode solo downhill I had the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>bike stereo going and on a steep downhill
section by 1000’ I thought I heard a tyre blowout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I immediately stopped and checked—both tyres
were good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started rolling but within
50’ was the familiar rumble, where you know you have a flat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure enough—front tyre dead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Walked another 200’ or so..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rule #1 when changing a flat on a hot day—Find shade!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the Mountain had been jammed on climb
#1, and crowded on climb #2, the cycling crowd had really thinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About every minute someone came up and most
nicely called up <em>“have everything you need."</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><em> </em>
</span>Oh yeah—front tyre fix no big deal—but first concern was couldn’t find
anything in the tyre that would cause a flat or blowout.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Closer visual inspection needed and I saw that corded bead
had broken through the rubber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh
crap—tyre probably wasn’t seated well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpIW2NcKec7U_4U3ehl0v2keZpW4VMtab_pY1z1XcG5hYUB_7ljFjNZIn_T4jDgrDR7BsK3bb4F8KLKOfh5wtIzXkSw8vNS9AON8WlZ_xgkxI4PDtciayY_8SY2l5g5T4-kjBELpDzw4/s1600/w526-finding+shade+for+flat+fix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpIW2NcKec7U_4U3ehl0v2keZpW4VMtab_pY1z1XcG5hYUB_7ljFjNZIn_T4jDgrDR7BsK3bb4F8KLKOfh5wtIzXkSw8vNS9AON8WlZ_xgkxI4PDtciayY_8SY2l5g5T4-kjBELpDzw4/s1600/w526-finding+shade+for+flat+fix.jpg" height="288" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finding shade to fix a flat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsIT7dj7FmNMsnolQ5HtXB8uY81bTYcYAT1IA3zhNELHT10h5sXHD7ul6fhRdghcWZ_9bCztAEO55b_wjjBN_r3NoANurQ5VNpsfYmbIj0N2IlYWGwL3bzXbnvK4MjwU1U_Wjfrg6YSs/s1600/w528-you+are+fucked+tyre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsIT7dj7FmNMsnolQ5HtXB8uY81bTYcYAT1IA3zhNELHT10h5sXHD7ul6fhRdghcWZ_9bCztAEO55b_wjjBN_r3NoANurQ5VNpsfYmbIj0N2IlYWGwL3bzXbnvK4MjwU1U_Wjfrg6YSs/s1600/w528-you+are+fucked+tyre.jpg" height="258" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, I am so F'd</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So changed front tyre—started out again and in another 100’
BOOM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another blowout—luckily before I
picked up speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had left phone in
the car—parked 4 miles away, and my bike was unsafe at any speed so it was time
to walk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And what a long walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kept flipping from side to side on the road figuring out where I was
more visible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bike shoes with raised
cleats hurt, not a lot but enough for sore feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thought about walking barefoot but…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faith in other cyclists reaffirmed—about 75%
who passed called out to see what was wrong and if they could help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately they couldn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started getting pissed that I felt great
after 2x and my day was over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Dr Dave-Cisco Dave and Matt came back up when I had gone
about halfway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cisco thought we should
try a patch but I didn’t want to try. Big black cloud over the day grew bigger
and bigger as I continued to march back. Was warm with a touch of humidity as I
downed the two bottles on my bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Funny scene at gate entrance—someone was holding up a line of cars
trying to get everyone a senior citizen discount.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5YjDILhc9lvOBfHJnvYkCiS-BaQeHFQrKu5LU9Ya5MHXHotK_7nYw99GytESP_F9xWSiDYpOS74Y3K38VfNr_4lEicfsOiHO2vOugNGzBcHXIHE3M92J138ds5hWtneCCZaAsoD5tTE/s1600/w526-aarp+protest+to+get+senior+discount+at+teh+gate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5YjDILhc9lvOBfHJnvYkCiS-BaQeHFQrKu5LU9Ya5MHXHotK_7nYw99GytESP_F9xWSiDYpOS74Y3K38VfNr_4lEicfsOiHO2vOugNGzBcHXIHE3M92J138ds5hWtneCCZaAsoD5tTE/s1600/w526-aarp+protest+to+get+senior+discount+at+teh+gate.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cars backing up until everyone gets a senior citizen discount</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">When 4 miles from my car didn’t think I’d do any more
riding, but now in the last mile a little optimism crept in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely I must have an extra tyre in my car’s
cycling milk crate that has duplicates of anything I’d ever need while cycling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So two plans of action. If I had a spare tyre I’d change the
tyre and ride up for a 3<sup>rd</sup> time...BUT, when I got back to the car I wouldn’t rush to change the tyre and
find the group; I’d hydrate and eat first—and take the fn cycling shoes off as
soon as I got back to the car.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Car finally in sight, yep a spare tyre in the bike
crate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t bother me much that it was
a new folded which are usually a bitch to get on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Threw off bike shoes and put on sandals,
grabbed diet coke and an Arizmendi mini sandwich and laid out under the shade tree
for 10 minutes.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0W2PwTvOownAnifuZMhxTRSiAQ3obB647ZIR1k9jw1ZN2E5-Z6BQLD5UWKE0TbDfhHkMpY3-AWSne_WswT82av7NU4AvJ80A0mG5aYauQ4dD7qthFKSA6VL1SZwhV4-ytc3gXYS9VsYk/s1600/w530-fix+a+tyre-have+a+coke+picnic+spot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0W2PwTvOownAnifuZMhxTRSiAQ3obB647ZIR1k9jw1ZN2E5-Z6BQLD5UWKE0TbDfhHkMpY3-AWSne_WswT82av7NU4AvJ80A0mG5aYauQ4dD7qthFKSA6VL1SZwhV4-ytc3gXYS9VsYk/s1600/w530-fix+a+tyre-have+a+coke+picnic+spot.jpg" height="335" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shaded lawn is great on hot day for a tyre changing picnic</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Cisco Dave appeared—was a bit frazzled, disappointed he wasn't going up 4x,
and was calling it a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reminded me
to take my phone so I can see if I can hook up with the group at the
Junction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He left and using techniques
in a video Bikeland Curtis had found on putting on a wire beaded tyre (the
worst), I never had an easier time putting on a new folding tyre.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Changed into
a no sleeve jersey and it was sooo warm the base of Mt Diablo, around 3:30, I didn’t
even grab a vest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Took two half frozen Gatorade
bottles from the cooler and added a Z bar to the half-eaten Chomps and
Atingers—both good for instant carb hits and sodium.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Just when I
was about to leave Ward showed up after coming back from a Berkeley ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing him was great and he’d accompany me
to the base of the 1000’ section.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
we started my mood was further lifted by two girls on motorized “Barbie”
bikes—when we passed I yelled “<em>I wanna get that I wanna get that”</em> and the girls
cracked up.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnf89OSIwXYrHdDTdtVMNMgR3b2s577LIMFCcHU1SAhMOIp3fs6_e6k7QD55_R4F2QzXxtono5jTWBuRYsh3ZEoBD84aNIjs20AqK8joXNcpvdPKL3AV8_b03y_RWtrvxUoLPflN3vbo/s1600/2014-06-14_DiabloRepeats_8529c_North_Gate_-_Jays_new_riding_group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnf89OSIwXYrHdDTdtVMNMgR3b2s577LIMFCcHU1SAhMOIp3fs6_e6k7QD55_R4F2QzXxtono5jTWBuRYsh3ZEoBD84aNIjs20AqK8joXNcpvdPKL3AV8_b03y_RWtrvxUoLPflN3vbo/s1600/2014-06-14_DiabloRepeats_8529c_North_Gate_-_Jays_new_riding_group.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new club, happy lightweight speedsters who'd bring the charcoal up Mt. Diablo for a BBQ. (WI)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9sa_nIg6_XJEJNTzDQgsZYddSMeUXcQ7WGAnYxrPFxgN251eD_N27tmCGDhTM5Ba4xY4gvNNyp5O7VZdrXYH4YMl7oQKdiXsK5Y1bKqy_6xKpKOe1RJMKPvuUFqil2QtQNCwpz3ZlSM/s1600/2014-06-14_DiabloRepeats_8534_North_Gate_-_Jay_begins_ascent_%233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9sa_nIg6_XJEJNTzDQgsZYddSMeUXcQ7WGAnYxrPFxgN251eD_N27tmCGDhTM5Ba4xY4gvNNyp5O7VZdrXYH4YMl7oQKdiXsK5Y1bKqy_6xKpKOe1RJMKPvuUFqil2QtQNCwpz3ZlSM/s1600/2014-06-14_DiabloRepeats_8534_North_Gate_-_Jay_begins_ascent_%233.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm at the start of Northgate-climb #3 (WI)</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Diablo #3
started out nice and ez—though in the morning when it was hard to keep power
under 350 for steeper sections, now it was hard to go over 200.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mountain was now almost empty, maybe I
saw 5 riders for the next 6 miles to the Junction-with one being Fredrick who
was training and slowed enough to say hello and that he had heard from Cisco
what had happened, before he zoomed by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Another was Christine coming down after doing 2 ½ passes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt so good I thought of going down Southgate
after the Summit so I’d have 3 ½ climbs on the climb back, so set up a plan in my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I got to the Junction I’d
call Dr. Dave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he & Matt
were<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>above the Junction I’d then solo to
the top and add the extra ½ pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
they were below the Junction I’d ride down to where they were and do some bonus
Southgate climbing.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0sLFHPW-DtMbSpsh3gyCMgivODDswdnhNiOZT_6O5KuZ4OG6sCE8ClbSvGkYQMuvshyI1q-9uXV82IUaWspxKghdpo5X0x1fJz-HXmBzj80ZlZilc6LnX6RP7UxBLXUtd6yw-j2kjK8/s1600/w534-selfie+skills+elusive+the+3rd+time+up+diablo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0sLFHPW-DtMbSpsh3gyCMgivODDswdnhNiOZT_6O5KuZ4OG6sCE8ClbSvGkYQMuvshyI1q-9uXV82IUaWspxKghdpo5X0x1fJz-HXmBzj80ZlZilc6LnX6RP7UxBLXUtd6yw-j2kjK8/s1600/w534-selfie+skills+elusive+the+3rd+time+up+diablo.jpg" height="268" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm too tired to focus the selfie properly--higher up Mt. Diablo on climb #3.</td></tr>
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It turns out that when I was about 1000 meters from the Junction some guy came past, out of the saddle, and I was tired of being “in restraints” by the power meter so I responded and jumped out also and whizzed by him. Truth be told, this was only my 2<sup>nd</sup> stupid moment of the day. I called and found that Dave was below the Junction—between Rock City and the heliport, so I went downhill and the ride back to the Junction would be the bonus portion of the ride.<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Looped around when I met up with Dave, who was riding solo. Matt had split after the last downhill so Dr. Dave was doing 4x climb by himself. When we started he said “let’s have some music” so Bowie’s ‘Panic in Detroit’ quickly took over. Dr Dave looked like he was riding easily, so was surprised when he said he was going to turn around soon. When we got to Juniper and I was on my own.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRBp6_x9NAQtgSRZIDqg_s-kM5uvcqsK0ntUWeMTOQ_I97VkZs0l7vnxwlAbwDCxo50iwyXjB0qU3P2DYaCb3x-P5QStP-rUDWCkKsioSgi8u1QOI312qLPE4W3PLq1Rh4ZWvuWIba9U/s1600/w546-dave+going+up+diablo+teh+4x+time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRBp6_x9NAQtgSRZIDqg_s-kM5uvcqsK0ntUWeMTOQ_I97VkZs0l7vnxwlAbwDCxo50iwyXjB0qU3P2DYaCb3x-P5QStP-rUDWCkKsioSgi8u1QOI312qLPE4W3PLq1Rh4ZWvuWIba9U/s1600/w546-dave+going+up+diablo+teh+4x+time.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Dave looks very happy on climb #4</td></tr>
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Well, 3rd
training stupid moment was that it was a bit windy and overcast on top of Mt.
Diablo and I was wondering why I had changed into a no sleeve jersey and DIDN’T
take a vest.<br />
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<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I was, however, very happy that
day didn't fully go down the toilet and I did get to do Mt Diablo 3x plus the Rock City/
Heliport reclimb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Figured I m</span>ay as well bring back
another Diablo Cyclist tradition, one that Big Mike and I started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I got to the 15% ramp for the final time
I has to do it twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gets easier the 2<sup>nd</sup>
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Downhill was
refreshing and sun was back out at lower elevation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Around 5 o’clock-maybe saw 5 riders going up
on the 12 mile downhill—in the morning saw 5 riders going up ON EVERY HAIRPIN
PASSED BY A CAR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bring on Alta Alpina. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-29148434121955012442014-06-12T22:08:00.002-07:002014-06-12T22:08:46.807-07:00Marshall Wall-Mt Tam Century (2014)(June 7, 2014)<b> Marshall Wall Loop with Mt Tam Bonus</b>--Marshall Loop with Diablo Cyclists; Ward, Christine, Jeanne, Vlad, Young Andy, R Craig, Robert-R Craig's Friend, Kristine, John-Corn Guy, 43 miles, then 59 solo up and over Mt Tam. 103 miles, 7,000+ climbing<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCr4NuftvHM_nrllOeiukGKvGy54IwBzQu77l3Q1M5jbvk0FvJkRPl-nil9euicLEo4VREbXocm-rp5UgUa2mYpDHW7WnPp5-1FxxdyS9OjX-yYsAUEm1Tly5vQe0quAbL5_6JyZkbPTc/s1600/Route+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCr4NuftvHM_nrllOeiukGKvGy54IwBzQu77l3Q1M5jbvk0FvJkRPl-nil9euicLEo4VREbXocm-rp5UgUa2mYpDHW7WnPp5-1FxxdyS9OjX-yYsAUEm1Tly5vQe0quAbL5_6JyZkbPTc/s1600/Route+Map.jpg" height="340" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Red</span> is outbound portion, <span style="color: orange;">orange </span>starts when coming back from top of Mt Tam</td></tr>
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We had a very different group on the Club ride, considering Ward, Jeanne and I were the grizzled Club vets. None of the real old timers were on the ride. Only us pseudo old timers and Christine ever did this great metric loop. Vlad and Andy are powerhouses on the flats and this course is fairly fast, but with enough climbs thrown in to keep everyone honest. Short but steep Big Rock-Cheese Factory Climb-Marshall Wall climb, the basic metric loop has about 3,700' climbing. Though the Diablo Cyclists have no "ride leaders" we have sensible regroups so after a climb we could all stay together--especially to paceline down Highway 1.<br />
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Problem is that 60 miles and 3,700' climbing ain't gonna cut it for me. My fun is over; the Sierra Century with 10,000' of rollers is now gone. The Alta Alpina 5 and Mt Shasta Summit Century are coming up and they just have long, long, long, sustained climbs. Though I wanted to do the whole ride with the club, nearby Mt. Tam had to be done.<br />
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Mt. Tam is very unique, as both sides are totally different. From the Coast Mt. Tam is one long, steady, sustained climb. From Fairfax (inland) Mt. Tam is my favorite, a steady climb with a sudden drop down where you will have to reclimb the elevation you lost on the downhill, but this time on a series of hairpins that intermittently KICK the grade up.<br />
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I'd have loved to come in from the inland side but two problems. I'd then split from the Club with only 10 miles from the cars, and it would be too tempting to blow off the bonus miles. Additionally, to get to Fairfax involves two sections of serious rollers/ climbs. To get to Mt. Tam on the Coast is a little easier, involves continuing on Highway 1 for 11 miles, and turning where the <span style="background-color: orange; color: orange;"><a href="http://voices.yahoo.com/bolinas-californias-most-culturally-obtuse-community-36468.html">"Welcome to Bolinas"</a> </span>sign was torn down. So the add on would be "from the ocean" side.<br />
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I was doubly lucky that Christine had a gift for me at the start of the ride so I had to go back to my car (our cars parked all over as usual spots taken over for nearby 'Swim Meet') When I got back to car I realized I yet again forgot something at the start. I once forgot to pull off my garbageman gloves and replace them with riding gloves. Today I forgot my head & tail lights; putting them on made me feel much better when soloing down and overcast Highway 1.<br />
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The metric loop was great where a funny thing happened. We didn't have any of our top climbers on the ride, Mark and two Dave's, so I could set the pace on the climbs instead of chasing. On two climbs I didn't think I was going up nearly as hard as when I chased Dr. Dave and Mark around all day last time. But on Big Rock (.9 mile, 8%) I was 28 seconds faster and on the Marshall Wall (1.4 miles, headwind, 6%) 55 seconds faster. Either my fitness has gotten better in the last 1 1/2 months or it pays not to overexert yourself at the beginning of a climb.<br />
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Now on the third, the Cheese Factory Climb (1.4 miles, 5%), I did go up hard. A couple on Colnagos decorated with <span style="color: red;">Italian</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">Flag</span> saddles came off our paceline and started storming up the climb and I was determined to stay with the. Guy was nice and he had a relaxed ez sitting spin but the woman was standing more than me and her bike was sliding all over the road as she stomped the pedals. I didn't dare ride side by side with her as she was moving over 1' with each pedal stroke. Crap-is this how I waste energy on climbs? I stayed with them and did the climb 48 seconds faster than 1 1/2 months ago.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFK3C2d1O31RL16E1W6zkEQVW_q1ewBYig219j82aEYORBaVT6C58_M2REDPEkX0QpvjAOe9FB9wHPHZhZSiFxP0d3Sm7tUtRu5pCPsIkdeqc5et-kjTnj2e3Ck0LqAanpYSXOX2kes-w/s1600/w330-the+two+kris's+or+chris's-jeeze-the+two+dave's+dont+cause+spelling+problems.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFK3C2d1O31RL16E1W6zkEQVW_q1ewBYig219j82aEYORBaVT6C58_M2REDPEkX0QpvjAOe9FB9wHPHZhZSiFxP0d3Sm7tUtRu5pCPsIkdeqc5et-kjTnj2e3Ck0LqAanpYSXOX2kes-w/s1600/w330-the+two+kris's+or+chris's-jeeze-the+two+dave's+dont+cause+spelling+problems.jpg" height="301" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris and Kris in the paceline when we start out on Lucas Valley Road. Vlad and Andy in back of them and thankfully not contributing to further name confusion</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm with Christine before the Cheese Factory Climb. Her shifter/ cable is about to go wacko.</td></tr>
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Meanwhile Christine broke a cable and after a Ward fix had to do the rest of the ride in the middle ring. We had a good working paceline out to the Marshall Wall. Vlad started it out and riding behind him was like riding behind Fabian Cancellara. Luckily he chose to keep the pace modest and not throw in some 800w digs. Poor (new to our Club) Kris--when she went to the front a large string of motorcycles passed us so she had to stay on the front for awhile. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGdQd9rvZ2sdD32Pn-eJGfK_-D946gIusAP_gv199F5yau5TbFRBvXaUKLwrt-K5tMwLC3MjGC7nCmeqAEJcu4n3x7twvJgkYNgjkRd4v2GMs5dmydGTwOaPPqVvOoadgoHGeLyOeWGI/s1600/w339-christine+by+the+hicks+valley+school--didnt+we+put+out+no+parking+signs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGdQd9rvZ2sdD32Pn-eJGfK_-D946gIusAP_gv199F5yau5TbFRBvXaUKLwrt-K5tMwLC3MjGC7nCmeqAEJcu4n3x7twvJgkYNgjkRd4v2GMs5dmydGTwOaPPqVvOoadgoHGeLyOeWGI/s1600/w339-christine+by+the+hicks+valley+school--didnt+we+put+out+no+parking+signs.jpg" height="357" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine cycles past the Hick Valley School. Many one room schoolhouses sprinkled around in the area.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rUKV0w3LBpz3V5EitZFhzI3-btS0ZuhOLsKP3LykFdUANttr4UNBUaaQyUWrTJfNx7k6-nMpj2zEF45wElFFVpSbmpBhY4yGMzF8w8YUlxojVf71_YZEAQmwOQvOQ7H9F-_jKE9AYXk/s1600/w344-vlad+and+andy+lead+the+charge+towards+the+marshall+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rUKV0w3LBpz3V5EitZFhzI3-btS0ZuhOLsKP3LykFdUANttr4UNBUaaQyUWrTJfNx7k6-nMpj2zEF45wElFFVpSbmpBhY4yGMzF8w8YUlxojVf71_YZEAQmwOQvOQ7H9F-_jKE9AYXk/s1600/w344-vlad+and+andy+lead+the+charge+towards+the+marshall+wall.jpg" height="400" width="390" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vlad and Andy lead the disintegrating paceline into the great Marshall Wall run in. </td></tr>
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When I got up to the top of the Marshall Wall I pulled over to take photos of our group, John the Corn guy sped past and continued on, not realizing we would minimally regroup when we came to Highway 1 so we could paceline in. (Group also waited at the top so I could put camera away.) Next time we saw John he was attaching a big ear of BBQ corn in Pt Reyes Station.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97DDHSH6Ak1ciOPDxX1spveja5E1X8zQ_2s8WbJ3tafa_uFUURufIS-V6K28kTPRtUDEoxtV8s1hdMTYzsBiNN2cuClWNL56B3pwdHENMyQcapocCiE1B_70KpCipGeQMM5Z70KSZoeA/s1600/ww-2014-06-07_Marin_8412c1_Marshall_Wall_-_KrisJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97DDHSH6Ak1ciOPDxX1spveja5E1X8zQ_2s8WbJ3tafa_uFUURufIS-V6K28kTPRtUDEoxtV8s1hdMTYzsBiNN2cuClWNL56B3pwdHENMyQcapocCiE1B_70KpCipGeQMM5Z70KSZoeA/s1600/ww-2014-06-07_Marin_8412c1_Marshall_Wall_-_KrisJ.jpg" height="258" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kris starts the Marshall Wall climb.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy on the ridgeline on top of the Marshall Wall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKP3X-YnTyffPEBX5gl2sBIFGx-gOxOp0m9Kjj1kp0cBPTzUH6Sm8_rmYpRT4CiSJ2bkO0pJJxDCIye6gHNji2cx_2ge4TqppUWn_7wpoD-_66JwhTSwLe6ipQ8SB583INht4zefdOCyU/s1600/w349-ward+and+christine+ignoring+me+on+marshall+wall+ridgeline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKP3X-YnTyffPEBX5gl2sBIFGx-gOxOp0m9Kjj1kp0cBPTzUH6Sm8_rmYpRT4CiSJ2bkO0pJJxDCIye6gHNji2cx_2ge4TqppUWn_7wpoD-_66JwhTSwLe6ipQ8SB583INht4zefdOCyU/s1600/w349-ward+and+christine+ignoring+me+on+marshall+wall+ridgeline.jpg" height="246" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ward and Christine at the top of the Marshall Wall...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNLYRNkDNmXumrp2N5scOQX9AO3qxTV-LdiPZ4_e8uizDsuO7amz5wxLcL9cInGWBmr1KzyiYecbL0-45jdUi9TUbyfJzin_EpRwA-DAxR0xmtdR-Y6wSogZwiHkfANM_9-d-cdnz3bI/s1600/w352-ward+riding+back+on+marshall+wall+ridgeline+to+get+his+photo+taken+again.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNLYRNkDNmXumrp2N5scOQX9AO3qxTV-LdiPZ4_e8uizDsuO7amz5wxLcL9cInGWBmr1KzyiYecbL0-45jdUi9TUbyfJzin_EpRwA-DAxR0xmtdR-Y6wSogZwiHkfANM_9-d-cdnz3bI/s1600/w352-ward+riding+back+on+marshall+wall+ridgeline+to+get+his+photo+taken+again.jpg" height="235" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Ward didn't remember his time in the first photo so he goes past again.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rfc9lOFVnUiv2pDADQPPNpZNeFtqPUPIfAYweY5TKtZBmPy3PSKte3R4raFVHBuPoJdMxxd0jk2l88C7KewqpCpP6v8uUav0tg-Z7oVsNcxsQIpcv2iTY9s2cCAZ2g7v80GxzjqE6kw/s1600/ww-2014-06-07_Marin_8419_Marshall_Wall_(Summit)_-_Jeanne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rfc9lOFVnUiv2pDADQPPNpZNeFtqPUPIfAYweY5TKtZBmPy3PSKte3R4raFVHBuPoJdMxxd0jk2l88C7KewqpCpP6v8uUav0tg-Z7oVsNcxsQIpcv2iTY9s2cCAZ2g7v80GxzjqE6kw/s1600/ww-2014-06-07_Marin_8419_Marshall_Wall_(Summit)_-_Jeanne.jpg" height="290" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanne at the top of the Marshall Wall (WI)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqn970sx8AaVA3zMO-4ujOP8xWOjmwKEOQlUdrsMvVyGUDQWDcM0NTKUmoTiDttV_Lm23SFbTZxWTnw70D_uNvdt7v6nRr4S4q-q_d5Xmm7X-7TX7OXZb8mizWf3zMfZLr4L8zCjKIXtc/s1600/ww-group+from+amrhsall+wall+ridgeline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqn970sx8AaVA3zMO-4ujOP8xWOjmwKEOQlUdrsMvVyGUDQWDcM0NTKUmoTiDttV_Lm23SFbTZxWTnw70D_uNvdt7v6nRr4S4q-q_d5Xmm7X-7TX7OXZb8mizWf3zMfZLr4L8zCjKIXtc/s1600/ww-group+from+amrhsall+wall+ridgeline.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group photo at the top of the Marshall Wall except for John who raced down to get BBQ corn.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9gfCjBXDIou_GZ1oCO0WBCYY_BtMoquvc0lgnj-VNo8rnyI-Hg-UK6aw5vgxilkjP8nT_Msm8CZM8e6o68jURf5jtD9fyWyCYm7G0bKSIZ32CQYSC8XP2YTFiUvZS0WKXc0zls2sggw/s1600/w355-group+just+got+bell+rung,+now+arriving+hwy+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9gfCjBXDIou_GZ1oCO0WBCYY_BtMoquvc0lgnj-VNo8rnyI-Hg-UK6aw5vgxilkjP8nT_Msm8CZM8e6o68jURf5jtD9fyWyCYm7G0bKSIZ32CQYSC8XP2YTFiUvZS0WKXc0zls2sggw/s1600/w355-group+just+got+bell+rung,+now+arriving+hwy+1.jpg" height="258" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group coming down the Marshall Wall after ringing the Peace Bell at the church in the background</td></tr>
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Weather and paceline was perfect along Highway 1 to Pt. Reyes Station, except for the chaos at the handful of oyster bar parking lots where drivers have their heads in their butts. I love this part of Highway 1 as lots of "fun rollers" and most of our group stayed together nicely. You can hear Jim Morrison:<br />
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Can you give me some fun roller?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I must find a place to ride<br />
A place for me to ride </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnhJkrPKGxrepByNWUVt-EFUU7IAxp7fRC7UO4EwzbJlHw_oYUUAO0Dk-QC3grEpWr6FL-uaqem98N0hdGhi5UHsizBPMNxFmmWjeuD_vR6wZ1nAHd8Y42AOMcb53St8AIsL3-XwgQQQ/s1600/w357-vlad+leading+teh+cahrge+down+highway+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnhJkrPKGxrepByNWUVt-EFUU7IAxp7fRC7UO4EwzbJlHw_oYUUAO0Dk-QC3grEpWr6FL-uaqem98N0hdGhi5UHsizBPMNxFmmWjeuD_vR6wZ1nAHd8Y42AOMcb53St8AIsL3-XwgQQQ/s1600/w357-vlad+leading+teh+cahrge+down+highway+1.jpg" height="268" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The paceline going down Highway 1</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxUMruW1WtFsPE56MmKTk-X3gYHUlUhw-2yGPASDj2I4ZbK5RZCgRC5JE_yIhhMaK3Kvd8RoU4EigTEDw8GcvhyphenhyphenwUa8Q848Kqqr6Qzoaql9HZyroj8dpJFBGS5E79yrJcYFEuDxVrHok/s1600/ww-2014-06-07_Marin_8430_Hwy_1_at_Tomales_Bay_-_KrisJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxUMruW1WtFsPE56MmKTk-X3gYHUlUhw-2yGPASDj2I4ZbK5RZCgRC5JE_yIhhMaK3Kvd8RoU4EigTEDw8GcvhyphenhyphenwUa8Q848Kqqr6Qzoaql9HZyroj8dpJFBGS5E79yrJcYFEuDxVrHok/s1600/ww-2014-06-07_Marin_8430_Hwy_1_at_Tomales_Bay_-_KrisJ.jpg" height="318" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzreHTUP4xWwEybI-v6njyi_jh_kwVWY455DKwptAixBEp2iBsOO-SJIyS6XeqqUuUvIn7AzAxOy3hoaSe5o9E-2L1j-dvHMt3OoMKaGXE1yezyY_cL19oU4GKeqttFnVs2hZ6ie6Mq8/s1600/ww-2014-06-07_Marin_8442_Hwy_1_at_Tomales_Bay_-_Jeanne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzreHTUP4xWwEybI-v6njyi_jh_kwVWY455DKwptAixBEp2iBsOO-SJIyS6XeqqUuUvIn7AzAxOy3hoaSe5o9E-2L1j-dvHMt3OoMKaGXE1yezyY_cL19oU4GKeqttFnVs2hZ6ie6Mq8/s1600/ww-2014-06-07_Marin_8442_Hwy_1_at_Tomales_Bay_-_Jeanne.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2W-Q-Hjm8_fbvMbNLc5k7F0MlRqCQnYAPl4Z7Z5OlRk-oIbAnKNUo9uyYvI7yFbGU8j4rKdS7ngafNvg8xIzUn-Q8sAJQI6RxyOtfetD_JNFWL86TofmnjbFAGYDnwZLGQ1JVC6bKObo/s1600/ww-2014-06-07_Marin_8443_Hwy_1_at_Tomales_Bay_-_Jay_and_Vlad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2W-Q-Hjm8_fbvMbNLc5k7F0MlRqCQnYAPl4Z7Z5OlRk-oIbAnKNUo9uyYvI7yFbGU8j4rKdS7ngafNvg8xIzUn-Q8sAJQI6RxyOtfetD_JNFWL86TofmnjbFAGYDnwZLGQ1JVC6bKObo/s1600/ww-2014-06-07_Marin_8443_Hwy_1_at_Tomales_Bay_-_Jay_and_Vlad.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closeups from the Paceline (WI)</td></tr>
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Pt. Reyes Station was jammed with cyclists and I had called the bakery ahead for my "<i>Whole Wheat Vegan Oat Scone," </i>which has one newbee in our group think I was a vegetarian. (Sacto Doug would be sooooo happy) Andy and Vlad must have called ahead as they got the BBQ Sandwich special--I thought Andy had brought back food for all of us. In reality, I'm just jealous of riders who can eat alot on hot days, the Collen and Kitty's who can get a sandwich with onions, guacamole, pickles.... while I'm having a slice of plain bread and one slice of deli meat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8px60xAfMRghb2i-FSCPKNERgPHhZlJjFSRqbwlXWLAxdo8PkSH1RfBBmr3lHppEezLcQhW_C1g6ADbNQknh1o8h-ljonNGwpPRz0KdIQuz9FleMSUYb255c4RffPMzUPk3Lb0nMVsk/s1600/ww-2014-06-07_Marin_8461_Pt_Reyes_Station_-_Jay_and_Ward_on_the_Podium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8px60xAfMRghb2i-FSCPKNERgPHhZlJjFSRqbwlXWLAxdo8PkSH1RfBBmr3lHppEezLcQhW_C1g6ADbNQknh1o8h-ljonNGwpPRz0KdIQuz9FleMSUYb255c4RffPMzUPk3Lb0nMVsk/s1600/ww-2014-06-07_Marin_8461_Pt_Reyes_Station_-_Jay_and_Ward_on_the_Podium.jpg" height="362" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ward jubilant that he beat me in the soapbox derby--podium girl Christine with the soap presentation</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2u6MR-5YRZfDVBgJhTTZ06n7e_lkTu25dTUTAo-Es1YuTfMhhWmhCEQ8f1Bu-uX7MDRr9Q9Up_maMoxBJhwKK9FdYv40xgEN2xmU2GfGsfae5kZBg6FMxGtTN5FjIsTv997WimhWoTY/s1600/w371-vlad+and+andy+take+this+lunch+thing+seriously.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2u6MR-5YRZfDVBgJhTTZ06n7e_lkTu25dTUTAo-Es1YuTfMhhWmhCEQ8f1Bu-uX7MDRr9Q9Up_maMoxBJhwKK9FdYv40xgEN2xmU2GfGsfae5kZBg6FMxGtTN5FjIsTv997WimhWoTY/s1600/w371-vlad+and+andy+take+this+lunch+thing+seriously.jpg" height="400" width="356" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vlad and Andy emphasise <span style="font-size: x-large;">LUNCH</span> at the Pt Reyes Lunch stop. (There is more deli on Andy's sandwich that that in the whole Organic Cafe in Placerville--home of the tasty turkey sandwich.)</td></tr>
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Fun over--time to depart from the group. Luckily I put on a blinking head and taillight. Not alot of traffic on this inland portion of Highway 1--maybe 1 car a minute--but no shoulder and slow with lots of medium sized rollers. Even worse was it started getting overcast, breezy and cool--maybe the only place in the Bay Area on Saturday to be able to say this. OK, I whine about it being cold, but it wasn't cold enough to stop and put back on a vest and arm warmers. But I thought about it, alot. Ward and Christine thought I'd miss the unmarked turnoff, which is right across the unmarked turnoff to Bolinas--as they recall when our group missed this chasing Rebecca down Highway 1 a few years ago. But I did my homework and knew it would be about a mile after the Dogtown Art sign.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4uD_q47BhoLnkY8ILK7zxMbMuStx6ZyvbkSAuD4uiJa1cBwRf5X8XIoyDhCuxzCkEr6pwbY7eKuJYWypJB2lWx1E-_FKthBkzP5E4MjOeH7TF9H2PD2BOp86lCW8dZwp5Fx4kFMeoK8/s1600/w148-dogtown+fine+art+bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4uD_q47BhoLnkY8ILK7zxMbMuStx6ZyvbkSAuD4uiJa1cBwRf5X8XIoyDhCuxzCkEr6pwbY7eKuJYWypJB2lWx1E-_FKthBkzP5E4MjOeH7TF9H2PD2BOp86lCW8dZwp5Fx4kFMeoK8/s1600/w148-dogtown+fine+art+bw.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the archives-in about a mile to the right is the unmarked road to Bolinas, to the left is the road up Mt. Tam.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The climb up to the Mt. Tam ridgeline in Fairfax-Bolinas Road is a 4 mile 7% climb along a narrow, unstripped, undulating road with little vehicle traffic (most cars are going up Mt Tam on a "more regular" road near Stinson Beach further down the Coast.) The straight portions seem easier than 7% with a sprinkling of hairpins that pack some of the kick you get from the other side. I enjoyed the climb as the overcast hung below and the sun was soon full out until I hit the redwood tree line. How many times did I try to follow the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYuQAlEWME8">piano line in ELO's 'Evil Woman' </a>repeating in my head?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9djdYenAdG-WDzdocOSktdITn-ATXSprA0KGfh0UJLXGekaAor6wsxW-OwIsz-wDow2ZHuCAAQMq5aKjnnTjGJSciSO9ndsNkB2rZo6yT38nNFZCWqhAHLKGkVj3WWqswiFj_wbJ9mvc/s1600/w380-looking+west+from+start+of+mt+tam+climb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9djdYenAdG-WDzdocOSktdITn-ATXSprA0KGfh0UJLXGekaAor6wsxW-OwIsz-wDow2ZHuCAAQMq5aKjnnTjGJSciSO9ndsNkB2rZo6yT38nNFZCWqhAHLKGkVj3WWqswiFj_wbJ9mvc/s1600/w380-looking+west+from+start+of+mt+tam+climb.jpg" height="161" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jsQZpx2jWQjTmZm6O8xshlXOmn6wpczV-sZv7TZmMxihSfDFI-v0dw1PyszrdHKXK_bDTG7IwF6XOG0JseEcBum4TugAjax1dGa1Eil8TrgV2eVALVzZqEO5FtnT6jXJ6VlnD7EaRxw/s1600/w400-start+of+mt+tam+st+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jsQZpx2jWQjTmZm6O8xshlXOmn6wpczV-sZv7TZmMxihSfDFI-v0dw1PyszrdHKXK_bDTG7IwF6XOG0JseEcBum4TugAjax1dGa1Eil8TrgV2eVALVzZqEO5FtnT6jXJ6VlnD7EaRxw/s1600/w400-start+of+mt+tam+st+park.jpg" height="276" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">above (1) Looking back at foggy Bolinas at the start of the Mt Tam climb; (2) the sign and the redwoods at the start of the "7 Sisters" ridgeline</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (below) (3) Looking at the Pacific, or the clouds hanging over the Pacific, from the sunny Mt. Tam Ridgeline (4) Looking ahead at a fun "7 sisters" roller (5) San Francisco far in the distant cloud bank from the top of Mt Tam</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-2bRI9NSpgRvfI3Bh2UK-zY5DXVRy-gy1O7HD5yEQ4k8-suBPr0eIhMgpGx4rLDGENA7LXGN4scz8Fopoh6UXBpGz0BH1NdjQY0ngsKzqHAsHBH0BX4CODwd6Pqb6rKcLD2mX5dRHZc/s1600/w401-looking+west+from+the+ridgeline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-2bRI9NSpgRvfI3Bh2UK-zY5DXVRy-gy1O7HD5yEQ4k8-suBPr0eIhMgpGx4rLDGENA7LXGN4scz8Fopoh6UXBpGz0BH1NdjQY0ngsKzqHAsHBH0BX4CODwd6Pqb6rKcLD2mX5dRHZc/s1600/w401-looking+west+from+the+ridgeline.jpg" height="208" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3FOi9I_7Wn_jpM707ZPTfe_5GmUFHsp7UuzAulIkSR-TUfB6xuz8LYc16g3cERui60S1hntgKKLlM4DudwufZcXSz_ilpAQLmeEMIsD4NxbZvIw9hPKqJ7JXCC6sDjdl6BhHbqJQpek/s1600/w404-one+of+the+mt+tam+sisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3FOi9I_7Wn_jpM707ZPTfe_5GmUFHsp7UuzAulIkSR-TUfB6xuz8LYc16g3cERui60S1hntgKKLlM4DudwufZcXSz_ilpAQLmeEMIsD4NxbZvIw9hPKqJ7JXCC6sDjdl6BhHbqJQpek/s1600/w404-one+of+the+mt+tam+sisters.jpg" height="206" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVEDzwB2wUDzqEV8lsUZZl1zRzjZ7nMoWFGEzC4gbZd79u9kSLgIRjCqn4Am7mc_-MbeBF6FnVG2NBHWRjJZEIHisNvV_YwaK4mBacoTEx-XHnQyWBy8xmaD_tDHSsCRPdwTDMsKr204/s1600/w420-sf+from+the+top+of+mt+tam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVEDzwB2wUDzqEV8lsUZZl1zRzjZ7nMoWFGEzC4gbZd79u9kSLgIRjCqn4Am7mc_-MbeBF6FnVG2NBHWRjJZEIHisNvV_YwaK4mBacoTEx-XHnQyWBy8xmaD_tDHSsCRPdwTDMsKr204/s1600/w420-sf+from+the+top+of+mt+tam.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As Dr. Dave is fond to note, the climb to the ridgeline is only half the battle. The Mt Tam ridgeline, aka the 7 sisters", is 4 miles at 2%, but that average grade doesn't mean much as the sisters are all long uphill rollers (generally .3-.7 miles, 3-9% grade.), with short dowhills between them. You look down and see the Pacific Ocean--oh wait, that's not the Pacific, those are low lying clouds. Eventually you get a great view of San Francisco.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Only two problems ruining the festivities. My Garmin (not power meter for once) said <b>"low battery"</b>--I stupidly had useless backlight on high all day. I hoped to save the ride at the "top" of Mt. Tam, and then didn't care if I ran out of power. Meanwhile, I kept thinking about the 36 mile ride back to my car. While the return trip on "the Sisters" ridgeline is fast, the downhill on BoFax road is too narrow and curvy for me to enjoy, Then there is a long climb from Alpine Dam in the Mt. Tam basin, a long hill out of Fairfax, eventually followed followed by a few steep rollers back to Nicasio, I needed to conserve energy on Mt. Tam. Man--this warm sports drink sucks--time to get a banana and soda at the <span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="color: red;">CLOSED</span></span> snack shack at the top of Tam. Fuck.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0LUWuT-Fs_Gbc3D5zHqYhtSDKT_ogJDYrcr6ps7LTlvoPw6ILK_4b-sbnLxqajxyESVgGkYug2B0OsQi7f-40XlF5E66j9Hni_zzBj_ysUE6h0iMxR8A0x249bqhWhKPzWPgTXzxAXc/s1600/w428-alpine+reservior-mt+tam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0LUWuT-Fs_Gbc3D5zHqYhtSDKT_ogJDYrcr6ps7LTlvoPw6ILK_4b-sbnLxqajxyESVgGkYug2B0OsQi7f-40XlF5E66j9Hni_zzBj_ysUE6h0iMxR8A0x249bqhWhKPzWPgTXzxAXc/s1600/w428-alpine+reservior-mt+tam.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-7HEbJJkSBshsbvEQCztFCn6WwX5xXlcslaKBCSOK81vf8IZAGIMpbfbCLaexQjG7beDaRxhvpNPql2dXvmGmv7SmDNJDgsSymmbosVSU_gzwyMbCMOznxMG4pWaY7P8lSNJdYZ1twI/s1600/w432-mt+tam+ridgeline-alpine+lake-reclimb+toards+fairfax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-7HEbJJkSBshsbvEQCztFCn6WwX5xXlcslaKBCSOK81vf8IZAGIMpbfbCLaexQjG7beDaRxhvpNPql2dXvmGmv7SmDNJDgsSymmbosVSU_gzwyMbCMOznxMG4pWaY7P8lSNJdYZ1twI/s1600/w432-mt+tam+ridgeline-alpine+lake-reclimb+toards+fairfax.jpg" height="186" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Approaching Alpine Lake and then the view when its behind you on the reclimb (Mt Tam ridgeline in the background)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7twnvNTMCVifxdVijFHRLHMK25UoA__wzhthUa0eMtC0nyTOtlGwraMtG9gBDZkp2QvWzvSx-EorHY_Tb05mVEZUrrbjJ4qk_8NEOy4QE_t4-VSD26VSYtzTll3hLRni4nn5FFkb7mE/s1600/w434-recumbent+car+in+fairfax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7twnvNTMCVifxdVijFHRLHMK25UoA__wzhthUa0eMtC0nyTOtlGwraMtG9gBDZkp2QvWzvSx-EorHY_Tb05mVEZUrrbjJ4qk_8NEOy4QE_t4-VSD26VSYtzTll3hLRni4nn5FFkb7mE/s1600/w434-recumbent+car+in+fairfax.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX475wriKWcu5d2jC1ucOxB5cOqQi4Vliowpz9uaBdHYk_6lEig7tgd8RTzgee-CHKI4-71Rgs2X_DiRc-h3XnvUEKCwZNn6K1Cdi1Ioo6KP20hRUmzNRH6BFrhhSItHXiNvrzsSUFg_Y/s1600/w440-save+our+oyster+farm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX475wriKWcu5d2jC1ucOxB5cOqQi4Vliowpz9uaBdHYk_6lEig7tgd8RTzgee-CHKI4-71Rgs2X_DiRc-h3XnvUEKCwZNn6K1Cdi1Ioo6KP20hRUmzNRH6BFrhhSItHXiNvrzsSUFg_Y/s1600/w440-save+our+oyster+farm.jpg" height="400" width="360" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Recumbent car in Fairfax where you are always guaranteed to see something strange and CLOSE THE FN OYSTER FARM, BARS--then maybe area drivers will get their heads out of their ass</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Had to wait until back in Fairfax for the cold Gatoraid, Soda, Banana and Frozen Fruit Bar. Nothing really strange in Fairfax, there is usually a 1960's throwback sighting, until leaving town when I saw a recumbent car. The climbs were OK--just slow and I wanted the day to end--or at least get to Lucas Valley Road. Lucas Valley road is mostly a gentle climb and always has an afternoon tailwind, and once again it didn't disappoint. From this side the Big Rock Climb is much shorter (.2 miles @ 6% vs. .9 miles @ 8%), which is a great distance for me. I wish I had Garmin power to measure how I did, but so be it. The last 8 miles shot by as I thought of all the times finishing the Mt Tam Double race--sometimes catching someone along this stretch and sometimes hammering for naught but always feeling great.</span></div>
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Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-57605063496616011242014-06-02T21:27:00.000-07:002014-06-06T21:43:18.794-07:00Sierra Century Double Metric (2014)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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(May 31, 2014) <b>Sierra Century Double Metric, 124 miles, 10,000' climbing. </b> w/ Dr. Dave. Started with Mountain Bike Racer Jerry (who I 1st rode this with in 2003.) We joined up with Cisco Dave (30th-2013 DMD) , "I am not a Climber "Fredrik (10th-2013 DMD, 21st-2014 DMD) and Blinky Ray (26th-2013 DMD) at 2nd rest stop. Jerry dropped off, Fredrik took off and it was the two Daves, Ray and me for most of the ride, 15.5 mph.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF209hsNFO756LOqUoXSRSXsNU48INGBHlZZrzR-r6pnpnMqvk7kp_HWMaAoqGsozonK8pm0bwV12KtQ9tgsyXOOV76lx9wrx0LT2UUoo82yOhAgH145WojNrJnenYbl6jDx210ATnQcU/s1600/Elevation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF209hsNFO756LOqUoXSRSXsNU48INGBHlZZrzR-r6pnpnMqvk7kp_HWMaAoqGsozonK8pm0bwV12KtQ9tgsyXOOV76lx9wrx0LT2UUoo82yOhAgH145WojNrJnenYbl6jDx210ATnQcU/s1600/Elevation.jpg" height="340" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Route map & elevation. First follow <span style="color: orange;">orange</span> arrows to Fiddletown and up Slug Gulch/ El Dorado National Forest, <span style="color: blue;">blue</span> arrows 2nd time to Fiddletown and back to Plymouth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid34mP30pWkF-j1cwjfXWZJLNMUcCGbgpN8SncIrZn4uB8GQVKlbkYjt7Pel_NPGaH_wcB9SdPQBOOQiQZoLyWiILZ2HCFsrEllsfrX6gnYiOIy-8qe00P9aQ93COxY35GVgb92suMWbg/s1600/w238-heicopter+shot+of+dr+dave+and+jerry+on+sutter+creek-ione+rd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid34mP30pWkF-j1cwjfXWZJLNMUcCGbgpN8SncIrZn4uB8GQVKlbkYjt7Pel_NPGaH_wcB9SdPQBOOQiQZoLyWiILZ2HCFsrEllsfrX6gnYiOIy-8qe00P9aQ93COxY35GVgb92suMWbg/s1600/w238-heicopter+shot+of+dr+dave+and+jerry+on+sutter+creek-ione+rd.jpg" height="400" width="346" /></a></div>
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Dr. Dave and Jerry on climb out of Ione<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00rAnq-DR-NZgrL9TjrlcwW-ERzBb7dd0IzafZODTLzbj2IrQ_LHGZW_kgFAA79pKV5QF3wv8OyDg9H6zPigQ7sZZZBB6zdocNjK-nYFTz6ul8n_J2vaU9T6H0vxgqa2GMRY3WZu6-_M/s1600/w243-fredrik+and+ray+at+volcano+rd+rest+stop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00rAnq-DR-NZgrL9TjrlcwW-ERzBb7dd0IzafZODTLzbj2IrQ_LHGZW_kgFAA79pKV5QF3wv8OyDg9H6zPigQ7sZZZBB6zdocNjK-nYFTz6ul8n_J2vaU9T6H0vxgqa2GMRY3WZu6-_M/s1600/w243-fredrik+and+ray+at+volcano+rd+rest+stop.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Fredrik and Ray at rest stop on the way to Volcano</span></div>
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Someone emailed me for a ride report and since I put it in one paragraph there is no reason for me to write 'War and Peace' about this great ride. The email:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Dr Dave killed Slug Gulch--I killed the steep rollers--we both slammed down the Fiddletown freeway the 1st time chasing a guy wearing a non Flanders, non New Zealand foreign jersey. I was pissed that I got dropped on the initial steep descent--we eventually worked as a team with the guy wearing a London Underground jersey. Dr Dave and I finally agreed once our thumb thawed out from the initial 45 degrees that the weather was perfect. Dr. Dave and I were constantly mathematically challenged; we agreed to keep our power below 250 watts before the Slug Gulch climb--and we constantly shouted out <i>"is 375 less than 250?"</i> Dr. Dave and I met up with the Cisco Dave group in 35 miles and rode with him and Blinky Ray, who wasn't feeling well at the start, for the rest of the day; while Fredrik eventually took off (all three finished 30th or better on DMD in the last two years.) Slug Gulch wasn't bad; when I got to the top I rode back down 1/2 mile to make sure our group was all together. Joanie ('on your left') was once of the chief rest stop workers at the top of Omo Ranch where everyone got deluxe treatment. Well maybe not Fredrik as he might have just grabbed a new water bottle as he sped past. El Dorado National Forest was perfect, esp with a little cooler weather than in the past. Ray was the man of the match doing Slug Gulch while hurting but he enjoyed the ride. When we joined with the 100 milers they were coming off a downhill and some passed without calling out, so we then raced a few of them in. Dr. Dave and I happy with our speed/ endurance; on the significant "Strava Sections" we were faster than 80-85% of the riders that day--though much slower than those at 90%, (which is where Fredrik and Cisco would be if they were on Strava), including one woman, Sarah, who shot up every climb. Great day. Glad I'm not slowing down as much as I was trending downward last year. </span><br />
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Let me use the rest of this space to give you the <span style="background-color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;">TWENTY-FOUR REASONS why the SIERRA DOUBLE METRIC CENTURY is the GREATEST organized ride in California.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>1) Day Before EZ Spin</b>--Lots of nice possibilities for ez spin the day before. One of the best is the 24 mile round trip between Sutter Creek and Volcano (see #5 below.) At Volcano, water, bathrooms, and idyllic setting for carbo loading in either the Volcano Park or Mayor Rosie's bench on the porch in front of the General Store.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwARz5vwmTOjRfDFbg-c0VF-4DueG8f9vbIF5TkRyEf5Kg16F7uJHfBoqaHMAzjBGtmTpb9ASSBkNZsKeSl3zHH1p8Whjf3nw_2_6yAeB2RfhQDPwO8ICgxGE1wTuuvrK4x_DdYljPX0/s1600/w187-im+high+above+sutter+creek+near+volcano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwARz5vwmTOjRfDFbg-c0VF-4DueG8f9vbIF5TkRyEf5Kg16F7uJHfBoqaHMAzjBGtmTpb9ASSBkNZsKeSl3zHH1p8Whjf3nw_2_6yAeB2RfhQDPwO8ICgxGE1wTuuvrK4x_DdYljPX0/s1600/w187-im+high+above+sutter+creek+near+volcano.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day before ez spin, I'm above Sutter Creek near Volcano</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>2) Day before sightseeing/ dining options</b>--Old West ambiance with collectible possibilities on main street Jackson or Sutter Creek. Lots of unique dining, one favorite is the Imperial Hotel, elegant dining in an almost ghost town.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihE-obqrYWzaang-izD8VLPXKA8DLweFwVs-vgi6trNxVH5_GlNL6nfgz9LWRH6ea7bbogZpy3tE-zPqgAKK7uXPTBOT7YOPxH7tDbB1R6qQljuXtw0xMgrpgwm-jgB4exYdeMB5HSdyo/s1600/w219-tonite+we+have+a+tasty+turkey+sandwich+at+teh+imperial+hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihE-obqrYWzaang-izD8VLPXKA8DLweFwVs-vgi6trNxVH5_GlNL6nfgz9LWRH6ea7bbogZpy3tE-zPqgAKK7uXPTBOT7YOPxH7tDbB1R6qQljuXtw0xMgrpgwm-jgB4exYdeMB5HSdyo/s1600/w219-tonite+we+have+a+tasty+turkey+sandwich+at+teh+imperial+hotel.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imperial Hotel dining room, Amador City</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0v3IJ7TnhuivjlAcPpQ0qE93w4sZDcXAieudmemaxnrPcqVpSBhMn7Ow7k3j0WcQ_kQ7AmQTRyBvFQHSv_rX-bOh2y6v07nTcY7Ry1Mc7xcyE2K3YGNfrtD-jmZ9GNcprHPCUM2y3NJE/s1600/w221-dr+dave+in+amador+city.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0v3IJ7TnhuivjlAcPpQ0qE93w4sZDcXAieudmemaxnrPcqVpSBhMn7Ow7k3j0WcQ_kQ7AmQTRyBvFQHSv_rX-bOh2y6v07nTcY7Ry1Mc7xcyE2K3YGNfrtD-jmZ9GNcprHPCUM2y3NJE/s1600/w221-dr+dave+in+amador+city.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr Dave in the heart of bustling Amador City, may be as crowded as Times Square</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: red;">Something for everyone</span></b>--Lots of varied sections--Mix of flats, downhills, rollers and climbs.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>3) To Ione. </b> About 15 miles on a series of fast rollers.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-ln6dSgtrdJTkwYa2ge2XH7Nr9bQliI6ePPY0kKQYjGYfy1RNC6pesmAxF9Ry06bYlsUQ0QHT4r2hc9ByBKucx413_fhdrDCn5UkEhXse6EHmNpRnLXtuT5MC5wxI50U7sG4asWpbU8/s1600/w228-jerry+at+start+of+ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-ln6dSgtrdJTkwYa2ge2XH7Nr9bQliI6ePPY0kKQYjGYfy1RNC6pesmAxF9Ry06bYlsUQ0QHT4r2hc9ByBKucx413_fhdrDCn5UkEhXse6EHmNpRnLXtuT5MC5wxI50U7sG4asWpbU8/s1600/w228-jerry+at+start+of+ride.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jerry on the fast section of the course from Plymouth to Ione</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>4) To Sutter Creek.</b> About 6 miles on a series of attention getting rollers (aka mini hills)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>5) To Volcano.</b> Twelve miles of a mostly very gradual (1%) uphill along a road shaded with oak and California Buckeye and Sutter Creek running nearby. (Road does kick up for the last three miles)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWZfj3RqOf0oaDWu4CdeXKqyBcNraKLl7pG7S9Cpcol7OAGNVrreCTRbuX4ZC_lZZZcPU8cTep8-5zgXHv-EI2b6SWj84DB-M5fR_YIVHx-10ZshXihjA3ktTN50_Tn2t8EU9nV6bAGA/s1600/w183-dr+dave+on+sutter+creek-ione+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWZfj3RqOf0oaDWu4CdeXKqyBcNraKLl7pG7S9Cpcol7OAGNVrreCTRbuX4ZC_lZZZcPU8cTep8-5zgXHv-EI2b6SWj84DB-M5fR_YIVHx-10ZshXihjA3ktTN50_Tn2t8EU9nV6bAGA/s1600/w183-dr+dave+on+sutter+creek-ione+road.jpg" height="286" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr Dave on the road to Volcano</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWf1Kk8q8D-rbQJ6o7ADOtRgSWRxFXSE8rKHfWKnwoq5oYo2-bcEL04Zot0u4bCvddv6cttZMy9QDfKJXpwr1lidO36dV68HIMa5hY7fNoTQPYJwOZjUvSr4vazqC6C_hVjpTvYwL4r4/s1600/w246-fredrick+on+his+way+to+volcano-wc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWf1Kk8q8D-rbQJ6o7ADOtRgSWRxFXSE8rKHfWKnwoq5oYo2-bcEL04Zot0u4bCvddv6cttZMy9QDfKJXpwr1lidO36dV68HIMa5hY7fNoTQPYJwOZjUvSr4vazqC6C_hVjpTvYwL4r4/s1600/w246-fredrick+on+his+way+to+volcano-wc.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fredrik on the road to Volcano, why is he going the opposite way of Dr. Dave? Eventually we didn't see Fredrik and didn't know if he got lost or finished way before the rest of us, which is what he did. </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>6) Rams Horn Climb.</b> Two and a half mile steady climb of 6% with another mile of uphill rollers at the top. Sun is coming up but road is nicely shaded by tall pine trees.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>7) Fiddletown Expressway.</b> Twelve miles of downhill punctuated by a series of fast rollers. </span><span style="background-color: white;">An E ticket ride. This is so much fun no one minds doing it twice on the ride.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNvgsyhRvDn4PgSsn6Nbe7Xhyphenhyphen3Rh3M6E4Hmdoj1SQcb2-7jVMgVvwiMBlpGjwmuWmGEBN-oQg6CiFfIMaVjgpXjZ_S1hWdV0A6wBLls-MzaIwyLLQBGFvx3DyVtcbgOpLb9W16E1LfLg/s1600/w265-fredrik+contemplates+his+breakaway+as+the+fu+boys+study+the+course+at+fiddletown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNvgsyhRvDn4PgSsn6Nbe7Xhyphenhyphen3Rh3M6E4Hmdoj1SQcb2-7jVMgVvwiMBlpGjwmuWmGEBN-oQg6CiFfIMaVjgpXjZ_S1hWdV0A6wBLls-MzaIwyLLQBGFvx3DyVtcbgOpLb9W16E1LfLg/s1600/w265-fredrik+contemplates+his+breakaway+as+the+fu+boys+study+the+course+at+fiddletown.jpg" height="301" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cisco Dave, Ray and Fredrik discover that we get to do the Fiddletown Freeway another time. That seals it for Ray, he'll continue on.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>8) Slug Gulch. </b> The serious climb of the day, 5 miles at 6% but most of the climb is packed in the first half with many double digit sections. Lead in to Slug Gulch is no picnic as Perry Creek has some serious rollers but is well shaded.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTmBNd7V6GDFvfyHnTxj1zycHPa5_hVNDYxPnUeYCI7d08RpttOB_gPBthmMwgcE2cv_DnJY6NJknUg7jQyGDhziE7uUnl7p9fafqMqTs8oHMf21NrGAP2KDvHmG07jZEXQZIN2Oq4Ck/s1600/w2667-the+two+daves+on+slug+gulch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTmBNd7V6GDFvfyHnTxj1zycHPa5_hVNDYxPnUeYCI7d08RpttOB_gPBthmMwgcE2cv_DnJY6NJknUg7jQyGDhziE7uUnl7p9fafqMqTs8oHMf21NrGAP2KDvHmG07jZEXQZIN2Oq4Ck/s1600/w2667-the+two+daves+on+slug+gulch.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two Dave's on Perry Creek Road</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdLtLFPZtj6VTUb7liGaRutU5WjkDHUOIJmoicrU4AR6spLj9afuUVKBT2b4vH4neP3xO1ng6CIUSPYwegQzkpm8782Mm6pdVEPoEt8TEXx5asH7R8iyHkPfa-WrjbWYsgDVCq5FD-lg/s1600/w270-dave+and+ray+at+teh+end+of+slug+gulch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdLtLFPZtj6VTUb7liGaRutU5WjkDHUOIJmoicrU4AR6spLj9afuUVKBT2b4vH4neP3xO1ng6CIUSPYwegQzkpm8782Mm6pdVEPoEt8TEXx5asH7R8iyHkPfa-WrjbWYsgDVCq5FD-lg/s1600/w270-dave+and+ray+at+teh+end+of+slug+gulch.jpg" height="243" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cisco Dave at the end of Slug Gulch</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>9) El Dorado National Forest.</b> Twelve miles through the pine trees in the EL Dorado National Forest at 4,000'. Mostly gentle climbing with a few kicks, and some great views at the end of the rolling hills filled with pine trees.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfzZEfK5giWIfAZVhrpBvxFo8meqVBchdQtQ6qrtb5vhfaijZNExtQDeXEaE8TzFTTJ6ST0yBXjGi5Qe43c43APuQEpsArBhct59DgznxSZ_-Fp6NayGyE4I55M2VTzLVg3UO6y2z4DM/s1600/w300-ddphoto2-im+in+el+dorado+national+forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfzZEfK5giWIfAZVhrpBvxFo8meqVBchdQtQ6qrtb5vhfaijZNExtQDeXEaE8TzFTTJ6ST0yBXjGi5Qe43c43APuQEpsArBhct59DgznxSZ_-Fp6NayGyE4I55M2VTzLVg3UO6y2z4DM/s1600/w300-ddphoto2-im+in+el+dorado+national+forest.jpg" height="400" width="326" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm having a great time in the El Dorado National Forest (Cisco Dave)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWaGPgoGTFdLHjWedh72H3ZiyTkGpYqS3mHnaJEPgS0QCy2OVg9JdoFCEF1qPtg2t7majdA689itwM5XkPj-BUnZp4O4ntIB-dw8ha5C1lWuQvuu04z1xkisl_Ci0THNdP2tgY5lx0_MU/s1600/w278-dr+dave+in+teh+el+dorado+national+forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWaGPgoGTFdLHjWedh72H3ZiyTkGpYqS3mHnaJEPgS0QCy2OVg9JdoFCEF1qPtg2t7majdA689itwM5XkPj-BUnZp4O4ntIB-dw8ha5C1lWuQvuu04z1xkisl_Ci0THNdP2tgY5lx0_MU/s1600/w278-dr+dave+in+teh+el+dorado+national+forest.jpg" height="291" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Dave is enjoying this ride as much as I am. </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>10) Omo Ranch Road.</b> About eight miles of mostly downhill among houses sparsely placed near the pine forest, punctuated by some rollers, getting you back to Fiddletown.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>11) 90% of the ride on good-excellent road surfaces with virtually no traffic.</b> Only notable exceptions re road surface are the middle 4 miles to Volcano and 9 miles of real crappy (Sonoma County like) roads through an oak forest getting you from Fiddletown to Mt Aukum-Fairplay. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>12) Virtually no motor traffic! </b></span><span style="background-color: white;">Only real traffic is early morning for two miles along Highway 16 and one mile climb out of Ione on Highway 104--but both sections have a good shoulder. Later you go screaming downhill on Highway 88 for about three miles, much with no shoulder, but there is virtually no traffic on this road. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>13) Less than a dozen traffic controls </b>and about half of these are a series of stop signs streets when rolling through Ione.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: red;">Oh Wow Spots</span></b> (aka Kodak Moments)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>14) Sutter Creek</b>--Making the sudden left turn and seeing main street Sutter Creek, the Jewel of the Mother Lode.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>15) Volcano</b>--population 108 and the St George Hotel perched onto of the roller into Volcano, the oh wow view is the stone amphitheater.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIlKQ-u8WqiBO4Qc7hDZu9aHdY04Z8vc-7wXj2CXBR6S57vtyPkdgMfkEO6wHc4YJuDErcCyqJhh-yhxQsGjDyCmxL8S4WMZBDjznfDnB8jw42Dxj8ZiTFpRipiKhyEA9Ez0n8bLeMtE/s1600/w248-entering+main+st+volcano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIlKQ-u8WqiBO4Qc7hDZu9aHdY04Z8vc-7wXj2CXBR6S57vtyPkdgMfkEO6wHc4YJuDErcCyqJhh-yhxQsGjDyCmxL8S4WMZBDjznfDnB8jw42Dxj8ZiTFpRipiKhyEA9Ez0n8bLeMtE/s1600/w248-entering+main+st+volcano.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering Volcano</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgentDAGo31tTFqKC4j5zn4kYwY-sH3ICz1uIkec-RBe90G1rvuafjGn1dgFAQ1z9uvPS9-821DIzJuBQ3dyWjzSpJjrwzTAYqT6SIhuubHdLwyXlE3-FIctwBphESTEq5JmzkZoRYTL8Q/s1600/w189-jay+riding+teh+cobblestones+in+volcano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgentDAGo31tTFqKC4j5zn4kYwY-sH3ICz1uIkec-RBe90G1rvuafjGn1dgFAQ1z9uvPS9-821DIzJuBQ3dyWjzSpJjrwzTAYqT6SIhuubHdLwyXlE3-FIctwBphESTEq5JmzkZoRYTL8Q/s1600/w189-jay+riding+teh+cobblestones+in+volcano.jpg" height="400" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The day before in Volcano riding on the pave-the Cobblestone Theatre should show "A Sunday in Hell'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyv1KmHbDwpqWhhIF_Jk5unjfz86t4k8mDjQECrUQf1PbR2POJKG6MrA3HKtZUSYM3sR9mxtb_uCMa-EQ60WuHuosDIIriIqMe8yG1aAiWrzRtmqOIZY3Ni_FmwrHcpmZZ6n6B01WVfBk/s1600/w251-cisco+dave+in+volcano-what+pricelist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyv1KmHbDwpqWhhIF_Jk5unjfz86t4k8mDjQECrUQf1PbR2POJKG6MrA3HKtZUSYM3sR9mxtb_uCMa-EQ60WuHuosDIIriIqMe8yG1aAiWrzRtmqOIZY3Ni_FmwrHcpmZZ6n6B01WVfBk/s1600/w251-cisco+dave+in+volcano-what+pricelist.jpg" height="318" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An "oh wow" moment in Volcano when Cisco Dave discovers this food ain't free</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;"><b>A few seconds of the great ride through the El Dorado National Forest (Cisco Dave)</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>16) El Dorado National Forest </b>encasing you in pine trees, with glimpses of the valleys off to the side covered with more pine.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: red;">Sacramento Wheelmen Support</span></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyK5ponG9pLbcf7aHHFUvGq6hZcI0KXbTYlJAwDuE0NARRncA8e7Sov7c8mrI-xPjB_kR5bLqqXE4tnRsFI_Z6V3OZAUlXHHxeMJA__71Te8P5FW4zC_uveb7g2JMSngnXfiRnGNltZA/s1600/w213-i+need+a+photo+of+the+dummys+butt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyK5ponG9pLbcf7aHHFUvGq6hZcI0KXbTYlJAwDuE0NARRncA8e7Sov7c8mrI-xPjB_kR5bLqqXE4tnRsFI_Z6V3OZAUlXHHxeMJA__71Te8P5FW4zC_uveb7g2JMSngnXfiRnGNltZA/s1600/w213-i+need+a+photo+of+the+dummys+butt.jpg" height="322" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sacramento Wheelmen got your backside</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>17) Check in (and start/ end) of ride at the Amador Fairgrounds </b>that resembles an old western town. One of the two most quaint/ picturesque California County fairgrounds (the other being Humboldt) that I've seen.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnGOM-kpmPfXJ9D7LHmSRLb7hrNjVwHfOMFyeKvqNAMJ0uNYo3JZ58VkN685yBeiW6EJyuCfJkBUlekbNYhgMwbNuGEhEyy_9O4d31iJIygRw-hlFqRl-9REFomMWtoXgIjL4I_mvbf0/s1600/w211-im+w+dr+dave+at+the+amador+fiargrounds+check+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnGOM-kpmPfXJ9D7LHmSRLb7hrNjVwHfOMFyeKvqNAMJ0uNYo3JZ58VkN685yBeiW6EJyuCfJkBUlekbNYhgMwbNuGEhEyy_9O4d31iJIygRw-hlFqRl-9REFomMWtoXgIjL4I_mvbf0/s1600/w211-im+w+dr+dave+at+the+amador+fiargrounds+check+in.jpg" height="211" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr Dave and I at the day before checkin at the Amador Fairgrounds</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>18) Preride Checkin</b>--the Sacramento Wheelmen great support starts at ez pre ride checkin with food (This year fruit salad and antipasto)--you think you are part of a Club social event.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjez7mvRaJq5pmGule37XpS0DDAJWmrN6tsCMkOs6_KZohuPRgM_rZumoklxfFF6SnBjQUQqpdoP2tE7OxQMeTP6io3UV2Sc4GKl9zY1nhKBnStasaIjHsmAzlAoayRK6moXPwLP8Eaz2s/s1600/w212-pre+ride+spread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjez7mvRaJq5pmGule37XpS0DDAJWmrN6tsCMkOs6_KZohuPRgM_rZumoklxfFF6SnBjQUQqpdoP2tE7OxQMeTP6io3UV2Sc4GKl9zY1nhKBnStasaIjHsmAzlAoayRK6moXPwLP8Eaz2s/s1600/w212-pre+ride+spread.jpg" height="205" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Food at the preride checkin</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>19) Start</b> with ez parking, real bathrooms, food and coffee at the Amador Fairgrounds.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8zTWMWUOGT_UxwhgTRWWYIqLBC2hhLMu88XauBIF57_gr8VErJkZFNjwZXUY7PFT__tsLr1YmemRuqglb_ZSF7SAkryVhIpOeJGZYFsRLfyWFjtqPnzZoo1pOXDarlsOas4xRXyotXw/s1600/w224-pokerville+hall-early+am.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8zTWMWUOGT_UxwhgTRWWYIqLBC2hhLMu88XauBIF57_gr8VErJkZFNjwZXUY7PFT__tsLr1YmemRuqglb_ZSF7SAkryVhIpOeJGZYFsRLfyWFjtqPnzZoo1pOXDarlsOas4xRXyotXw/s1600/w224-pokerville+hall-early+am.jpg" height="343" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early morning at the Amador Fairgrounds before the start of the ride</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>20) Rest stops nicely spaced </b>and right after all the signature climbs (mile 20-35-46-59-74-83-95-@110) (OK, they have to work on Fiddletown #2 rest stop at mile 110 which was still open but depressingly was closing up shop when we pulled in, and many riders still behind us.)<br /><b>21) One of greatest rest stops ever </b>at Mt Aukum School after Slug Gulch. At 3,000' in school yard surrounded by tall pine trees and wading pool (foot bath) set up.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qwclqI76EZ5p9qILxbvkC4b_6iJ-6j4dyIjUWguinhyphenhyphenAcdmksFLNvLSvCl72r5LyJjMRXk4DpqfGzeqpHEsWRiog6mZGnqjYcXh1Hn0ZG5n-rtg41kw2UIN3unSpyoFRdQmXNoSUlUg/s1600/w276-doug+at+school+rest+stop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qwclqI76EZ5p9qILxbvkC4b_6iJ-6j4dyIjUWguinhyphenhyphenAcdmksFLNvLSvCl72r5LyJjMRXk4DpqfGzeqpHEsWRiog6mZGnqjYcXh1Hn0ZG5n-rtg41kw2UIN3unSpyoFRdQmXNoSUlUg/s1600/w276-doug+at+school+rest+stop.jpg" height="400" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug at the Mt Aukum school--when the rest stop closes I know we'll find him on the swings. Great Sacramento Wheelmen support.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>22) Free food in Volcano</b> by local merchants just for the taking by cyclists (Cisco Dave asked me to put this one in, no one else knew about it)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>23) Sacramento Wheelmen</b> rest stops well stocked with plenty of ice, and surprise treats like Ice Coffee before Slug Gulch, and Ice Bars at Mt Aukum. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>24) Free Jewelry-</b>a Slug Gulch pin once you complete the climb.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TKnV0vENUnRv4U7V2uTGvIvpGNiAyz2Q3k0vPEPE3Pc3YkixQ8e1W-IDFy30KsLo7pxIwkoV_lxjFZ4kGWzQ9SCPMF5PdbovFdZcsdQggotPjhkoIzyZJoGgMBfrXempbuJYxcW1zz0/s1600/w286-cisco+dave+starting+up+the+ostrum+climb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TKnV0vENUnRv4U7V2uTGvIvpGNiAyz2Q3k0vPEPE3Pc3YkixQ8e1W-IDFy30KsLo7pxIwkoV_lxjFZ4kGWzQ9SCPMF5PdbovFdZcsdQggotPjhkoIzyZJoGgMBfrXempbuJYxcW1zz0/s1600/w286-cisco+dave+starting+up+the+ostrum+climb.jpg" height="315" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(top) Ray and (below) Cicso Dave after last climb (honest Ray) right before we join in with 100 milers for last 5 miles of ride.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>25) End of ride meal</b> at the Amador Fairgrounds. Nice food and venue to discuss the highlights of the day.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another great Slug Gulch Sierra Century.</td></tr>
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<br />Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-41661321668195912492014-05-28T00:15:00.000-07:002014-05-28T00:15:24.892-07:00Sierra Century Training-Norris-Redwood-Mt Diablo While Knackered Metric + & Sutter Creek-Volcano-Rams Horn-Share Ridge Recovery Ride<span style="background-color: yellow;">****************<span style="color: orange;">1 week to the Great Sierra Century Double Metric</span>****************</span><br />
<span style="background-color: lime;">****************<span style="color: red;">1 week to the Great Sierra Century Double Metric</span>****************</span><br />
<span style="background-color: cyan;">***************<span style="color: magenta;">1 week to the Great Sierra Century Double Metric</span>*****************</span><br />
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Memorial Day Weekend<br />
May 24, <b>Norris & Redwood Road w/ Mt Diablo Bonus</b>--Diablo Cyclist ride with Dr Dave and Ward on the bonus miles 80 miles, 6,720' climbing<br />
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May 25, <b>Sutter Creek-Volcano-Rams Horn-Shake Ridge</b> Recovery ride-solo, 47 miles, 3,870', (80% of climbing on first half of ride)<br />
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I was excited. Weather promised to actually be 'don't need to take a vest or arm warmers HOT' and our club was going to do an always popular, relatively flat ride in Solano towards Lake Berryessa--and I need to get some speed work in. That is we were going to do it until Ward figured out that crazy Memorial weekend drivers towing boats towards Lake Berryessa and bikes may not be the greatest mix. All of a sudden everyone on the email tree opted for the local Club ride. I think this is the first out of town ride the bonus mile group ever blew off in unison.<br />
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The local Club ride was nothing special, a metric loop with the Norris Canyon climb (1.8 miles, 4% with a 7% kick near the top), the ugly Crow Canyon Road leading into the Redwood Road climb (2 miles, consistent 5%.) Only item of note was that a club member who never pulls latches onto Dr. Dave's and my wheel at the start of the Norris climb. I wanted to open it up but didn't want Dave to think I was attacking. Soon Dave sensed the passenger so he picked it up gradually, we traded blocking the wind on the climb, and dropped our passenger. Dr. Dave is really riding strong---resulting from hard training for the Sierra Century in case he has to drop Gustavo (his unwanted buddy from two years ago.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr Dave flying by on his way to Redwood Road and chasing down someone</td></tr>
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Going into Redwood Road some guy whizzed by on a hill leading into Redwood Rd (1/2 mile, 6%) and I tried staying with him but failed miserably--hill too long and too gradual for my liking. Dave jumped out of the group and eventually caught up to the guy. I pulled over to take photos of our group and then rode hard to get back near the front--I was leading Christine up Redwood when she yelled the warning "Postal." Oh crap--a 120 lb young guy with no saddle bag, I already got clocked moments before. But about 5 second back his normal sized friend came along and I jumped on his wheel and rode hard with him back to his friend until we crested the top. Then it was Dave, Ward, Christine and I back down for our acktavulgers--a new lady was amazed that we come back down hills to ride up with the slowest rider. Why not--Bonus miles.<br />
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Our group then went to shit during the hard ride down Redwood (sudden uphills and headwind.) Brian flatted so when we waited at the regroup point for 10 minutes and with a quarter of our group missing some of us rode back up Redwood and some split to go home. Brian had double flatted. Later he and Don skipped the Moraga Park while Ward, Dave, Jack and I pulled in to get liquored up--it was definitely getting warm.<br />
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Next week on the Sierra Century the big climb of the day, Slug Gulch, comes at @mile 70 during the heat of the day. What better way to get ready for it than to go up Mt. Diablo after 50 miles during the heat of the day--even though Slug Gulch will be shorter--steeper and hotter (very dry in the Gold Country.) Ward and Dave hate hot weather but they were game and we started up at what was supposed to be a friendly pace. Until the first guy (unbeknownst to us doing intervals) roared past.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave and I at the Ranger Station (WI)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave and Ward channeling the happy riders on the Tour of California (Dave insert)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The three troublemakers at the Junction.</td></tr>
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Now in the past I was the competitive maniac and we depended on Dr. Dave to calm the waters, but now he just throws gasoline on the fire--so we both start chasing the guy doing intervals. This was good as I could no longer hear Ward laugh at my lousy pedal stroke. We briefly caught back to the guy between his interval set until he took off again but Dave and I rode hard chasing which meant we paid little attention that we were dead tired. Dave was much more consistent, and above the ranches he pulled away from me. When I got to the Junction I yelled we should go back down for an unhappy Ward, who was doing his first bonus miles since injury. So double bonus climbing miles for Dave and I.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave in the remodeled lower parking lot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave and I at the top of Mt Diablo--the Pittsburg-Antioch-Brentwood megaplex behind us.</td></tr>
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After a rest at the Junction--where we chatted with the interval racer and a guy we had passed ironically wearing an old Sierra Century jersey, Dave and I took off to the top. This time we were really dead and didn't do much to keep up with another guy who passed us--though we rode hard enough to stay 500' behind at all times. Downhill was great in jersey only. <br />
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My original plan was to do a hard ride on the Sierra Century course after such an ez/ flat Saturday ride. A great ride is the 24 mile climb from Sutter Creek (elevation 1200') to Hwy 88 elevation 4,000') where the pine forest gets thicker and thicker the higher you go. I was going to start in Ione which would add about two dozen miles of serious rollers to each end of the ride, but after getting knackered on Satuarday I talked myself out of the "bonus rollers" and started in Sutter Creek.<br />
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The first 12 miles is along the fairly shaded Volcano Road (12 miles, 1%, though picks up with some 6% rollers for the last mile or so.) The first and last few miles of pavement is good but the middle section has terrible and uneven patch jobs (it would still be the BEST road surface in Sonoma County.) At the end of the road is the tiny town of Volcano. I've been in Volcano dozens of times but never checked out the ancient cemeteries until today after a tip off from Dave. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sutter Creek</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While the Sierra Century is the greatest organized ride--I tell folks not to expect any "oh wow" views. But when I did the Metric for the first time, circa 2000, I was amazed when we made the right turn and saw the quintessential western town, Sutter Creek, for the first time. Early morning, not covered with cars yet, kind of like this photo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm in Sutter Creek</td></tr>
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After Volcano is a signature Sierra Century climb, Rams Horn Grade (2 1/2miles, 6%) which is actually longer as it leads into a bunch of 6% rollers for another few miles. Eventually the 6% rollers give way to 9-10% rollers. In any event the ride to Hwy 88 is slow--and not a consistent grade--which I like. Shake Ridge Road is lightly populated, beautifully forested, nicely paved and had very light traffic--along with NO traffic stops.<br />
At 3,000' its cooler than Sutter Creek and smells great from teh densly packed trees..<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volcano is also a Kodak Moment on the Sierra Century. Though the "Greek Theatre" has all the integrity of a Hollywood Set, it still is always impressive to look at. Unfortunately, a rest stop is no longer in Volcano Park.</td></tr>
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As a recovery ride I was trying to keep my power down and spin alot--until some guy comes by without saying a word. Jesus--we'll see a half dozen cyclists today--everyone calling out greetings/ warnings they are passing except for this unfriendly douche. So I get my dander up and go over what I wanted to do until I drop the guy on the next sharp roller.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RxN9ZvxH85WFSwomrI_pAnTs-8teAWISk4sFI_b60bTK3cAWF45Vv3uwp5J31MsVR6NPhu0OimR2H2bjVvzE43HcoX1qt5r9e9pvC5BgRYeCDwRu1iMcX0j_kembgDcIw4KNMK2XAAo/s1600/w204-lookimng+backwards-rams+horn+climb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RxN9ZvxH85WFSwomrI_pAnTs-8teAWISk4sFI_b60bTK3cAWF45Vv3uwp5J31MsVR6NPhu0OimR2H2bjVvzE43HcoX1qt5r9e9pvC5BgRYeCDwRu1iMcX0j_kembgDcIw4KNMK2XAAo/s1600/w204-lookimng+backwards-rams+horn+climb.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look back down Rams Horn shaded climb.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shake Ridge climb to Highway 88--on the Sierra Century we'll go down the Fiddletown expressway twice--coming in from both ends of Shake Ridge Road</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Film short of riding along Shake Ride Road --which is constantly lined by tall trees.</span><br />
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There is one general store on Shake Ridge that looks like a museum/ junk yard and I get another bottle of water now so I can picnic when I reach Hwy 88 and don't have to stop on the fast return trip. <br />
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A few steeper rollers near the end (last mile averages 5%) and a few cars actually pass as close to Hwy 88. There were actually two people hiking up Shake Ridge Road--I'd see them 20 minutes later when I was picnicking.<br />
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Though not scorching hot it is dry. You can feel the moisture being sucked out of you. When I got to the point where Shake Ridge Road meets Highway 88 I walked down an embankment into the pine forest and ate my peanut butter/ pumpkin butter sandwich in the shade.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPh_tnTMY-Lp8UQ1YWTZvxif_wJql7Axf0otuTrhf4_0Mt4iTorlNyWscB1_-ly1LXg8-IV1pKMqZSS0EA7KXBrwZTjsfaDpvh8bybvCEdL-2E216S-NRwkPQm7UBYPUEOMm7trfn08-g/s1600/w228-picnic+by+hwy+88.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPh_tnTMY-Lp8UQ1YWTZvxif_wJql7Axf0otuTrhf4_0Mt4iTorlNyWscB1_-ly1LXg8-IV1pKMqZSS0EA7KXBrwZTjsfaDpvh8bybvCEdL-2E216S-NRwkPQm7UBYPUEOMm7trfn08-g/s1600/w228-picnic+by+hwy+88.jpg" height="311" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picnic at the end of Shake Ridge Road/ @Hwy 88</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daffodil Hill covered with squawking peacocks</td></tr>
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Return trip was uneventful. Instead of a pure out and back instead of going into Volcano I deviate near the top of Rams Horn and take Shake Ride almost all the way back to Sutter Creek. There is more traffic. I was probably passed by 12 cars all day--about half on Shake Ridge as I approached Sutter Creek. The Shake Ridge road surface is much better than Sutter Creek-Volcano Road's midsection, much better for the usual high speed downhill punctuated by sharp uphill rollers. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sutter Creek in both directions early in the day--later lots of people will be in the water in the bottom photo., </td></tr>
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Back in Sutter Creek I saw what its like when its hot--many families were playing in the creek. I picnicked on another peanut/ pumpkin butter sandwich at the creeks edge.<br />
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May 26, <b>Mt Sutro Walk</b>, 7 miles. <br />
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In 2003 before my first double metric Sierra Century, I took the week off and rode every day needing "more prep--more prep" until the witch ordered me off the bike on Thursday. Now, after two days of climbing rides on warm (hmmm, maybe hot) weather--I figured I'd change up and take a hike around San Francisco where it will be 20 degrees cooler.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtGFy-DhCGpZzuX1xQ2fcUHl1WxlqC3G6vMqvnVUakHzARrlZ-lZE5D_P__L4fiew3mXhvnMAQ4sraQAFXsQ3O4DSSigabZ0IO-aVZhg9ijkzWPdPacy8EXS4Y_6k-d0U5JupwMjvyds/s1600/w137-finally+a+smart+car+doesnt+look+so+goofy+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtGFy-DhCGpZzuX1xQ2fcUHl1WxlqC3G6vMqvnVUakHzARrlZ-lZE5D_P__L4fiew3mXhvnMAQ4sraQAFXsQ3O4DSSigabZ0IO-aVZhg9ijkzWPdPacy8EXS4Y_6k-d0U5JupwMjvyds/s1600/w137-finally+a+smart+car+doesnt+look+so+goofy+-+Copy.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SMART cars look so stupid on the highway, but parked in a tight space between SF Driveways they finally look good.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9hyyyO0y3O1IejfjYf3zsq0crljFE97kVOBaDblVpyw9FfOH1QI_mCkKlJbNw2QHPkVHnFUEwD9xHmxDbrbMvVr_Zgd5w6W9gQNXiUHRrpd5pNXlxUnzNeQkmQfwxMlIuDFu2V02b-M/s1600/w138-vinnys+truck+has+been+banned+form+parking+here+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9hyyyO0y3O1IejfjYf3zsq0crljFE97kVOBaDblVpyw9FfOH1QI_mCkKlJbNw2QHPkVHnFUEwD9xHmxDbrbMvVr_Zgd5w6W9gQNXiUHRrpd5pNXlxUnzNeQkmQfwxMlIuDFu2V02b-M/s1600/w138-vinnys+truck+has+been+banned+form+parking+here+-+Copy.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Painted Ladies--tour buses and paint company vans prohibited.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiU8GpNII0nAr0fqsh8iNmYnN4meH3_aZIWOvz014077qZz5dL7xQ4a5Vvr3U_Ep17MQzqng-h2ynj2xM8-xPPFIjRgYBDhX7zuqcTEpFXk3HrLRKo-fNKjzwYMMOqOG6OGcvuGLPvRw/s1600/w140-the+secret+mt+sutro+entrance+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiU8GpNII0nAr0fqsh8iNmYnN4meH3_aZIWOvz014077qZz5dL7xQ4a5Vvr3U_Ep17MQzqng-h2ynj2xM8-xPPFIjRgYBDhX7zuqcTEpFXk3HrLRKo-fNKjzwYMMOqOG6OGcvuGLPvRw/s1600/w140-the+secret+mt+sutro+entrance+-+Copy.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The easy to miss entrance to the Mt Sutro Forest</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddqBsGb0rx_RblrAmfbUZYyjxz2mabqjy_XaZ8LG90miqN-NNJwN9fmSghbe-kcLocpk8JYTe48eaEOTkbEJfGxBoesatCM_-Q86Ed64Aq8hHuUSM4HS3Zpo66jJ2S9nFPQiHFqSP8uk/s1600/w142-view+from+between+the+trees-goldne+gate+bridge+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddqBsGb0rx_RblrAmfbUZYyjxz2mabqjy_XaZ8LG90miqN-NNJwN9fmSghbe-kcLocpk8JYTe48eaEOTkbEJfGxBoesatCM_-Q86Ed64Aq8hHuUSM4HS3Zpo66jJ2S9nFPQiHFqSP8uk/s1600/w142-view+from+between+the+trees-goldne+gate+bridge+-+Copy.jpg" height="400" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rare view from the forest.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhdE1eyzPsSPQbCbLWG7RPpbgFRR5DBX0z3ZPM8H73omnc1mu00ECWFG3aWwqOIlkuN5PmM-qP0RDF1tVx1TZEv1LqVGAgi18UEB-Lrd4A_4fSR89N5Xmdf6qiLFipsO78kAOzoZ8lFw/s1600/w144-im+hiking+mt+sutro+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhdE1eyzPsSPQbCbLWG7RPpbgFRR5DBX0z3ZPM8H73omnc1mu00ECWFG3aWwqOIlkuN5PmM-qP0RDF1tVx1TZEv1LqVGAgi18UEB-Lrd4A_4fSR89N5Xmdf6qiLFipsO78kAOzoZ8lFw/s1600/w144-im+hiking+mt+sutro+-+Copy.jpg" height="205" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a typical trail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNA-3vmx56fDYwLQWoaNZzr3zy2RxtRjWWj1qQGedtoZO-8C7vWc1q5qTfceblhWp6SJWuphyphenhyphencipyaVzmg_HSOp-yeyDHxds3Ozlq15u11OJ2q1q9gysYKc1P6cXwezV2iMR89R1Pl99s/s1600/w145-ward+needs+a+sign+like+this+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNA-3vmx56fDYwLQWoaNZzr3zy2RxtRjWWj1qQGedtoZO-8C7vWc1q5qTfceblhWp6SJWuphyphenhyphencipyaVzmg_HSOp-yeyDHxds3Ozlq15u11OJ2q1q9gysYKc1P6cXwezV2iMR89R1Pl99s/s1600/w145-ward+needs+a+sign+like+this+-+Copy.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not much to see at the top--if there was a souvenir shop I'd get this sign for Ward.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHE_AByDFb6Fh1H42wFN4yuqs79oT3h1Z7bbECGtPKVjei4n7W34UBhi9y1j9_o5SW6zzNZiwDdFEBfjDYGwNj_WM8fzMnL2t-fx4Iz5ZGC0lGjs43Ab0l9LbLvQfw_n2sOsv1P_xQGc/s1600/w151-Jimmi+and+the+Haight+Street+Market+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHE_AByDFb6Fh1H42wFN4yuqs79oT3h1Z7bbECGtPKVjei4n7W34UBhi9y1j9_o5SW6zzNZiwDdFEBfjDYGwNj_WM8fzMnL2t-fx4Iz5ZGC0lGjs43Ab0l9LbLvQfw_n2sOsv1P_xQGc/s1600/w151-Jimmi+and+the+Haight+Street+Market+-+Copy.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking back through the Haight</td></tr>
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Destination was the Mt Sutro forest, but instead of taking mass transit over I walked over from downtown, outward via the picturesque Alamo Square area with the "7 Painted Ladies." Back I went through the interesting Haight Ashbury. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Nothing much happening in the Mt Sutro forest except birds chirping and eucalyptus swaying--real relaxing</span>.<br />
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The real surprise was the Mt Sutro forest. Though a holiday there were not that many fellow hikers and no deadbeats. For much of the hike you have no clue you are in a city, save the small part you are right behind UC Hospital's air conditioning plant, and the few times you can make out the Golden Gate Bridge through the giant eucalyptus.<br />
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If the idea was to rest my legs I sorely screwed up--my "well developed cycling legs" always get a bad case of shin splints whenever I do something as intense as taking a long walk.<br />
<br />Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-3105403139665937752014-05-19T21:58:00.001-07:002014-05-22T22:01:40.125-07:00Patterson Pass From Hell Redux (2014)<span style="color: magenta;">***13 days to the GREAT Sierra Century***</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"> </span><span style="color: orange;">***13 days to the GREAT Sierra Century***</span><br />
<span style="color: lime;"> ***13 days to the GREAT Sie</span><span style="color: lime;">rra Century***</span><br />
<span style="color: lime;"><br /></span>
(Sunday May 18, 2014) <b>Patterson Pass From Hell Century</b>, 88-92 miles, @4,000' climbing. Who the hell knows--Garmin crapped out.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patterson Pass has an average grade of 5% for 4 1/2 miles, but the higher you get the headwind and grade pick up together. When I went up today the head/ cross wind was a steady 26-30 mph with gusts of 38-42mph. This was about the same as <a href="http://pumpkincycle2008.blogspot.com/2013/02/thank-god-michele-bachmann-isnt.html">President's Day Patterson Pass 2013</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">One rule before we do an organized century ride is to ride EASY the day before. Before power meters to keep the bike in the SMALL chainring so wouldn't be temped to chase anyone. This went down the toilet this weekend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Usually I ride ez with Mrs. Pumpkin on Sunday--but Mrs. Pumpkin and oldest Miss. Pumpkin off doing a 1/2 marathon this weekend. So I figured I'd do the Diablo Cyclist club ride both day (oh crap--on Saturday its Peet's Coffee, again) and on the Sunday ride--which is usually short--I'd add on the GREAT Patterson Pass.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Two things threw a monkey wrench into the plans. Though only 50 miles the Peet's ride goes over a few hills into Oakland for it was a heavily contested ride with 4,700' climbing. Powerhouse Todd and climbing Matt (who just finish highly on DMD) and I were racing the Bears, though Todd set me up for a nice finish on the last steep-short hill. Ward was out--this was his ride with most climbing in 1/2 a year. Christine kept slamming the steep rollers at the end. So much for taking it easy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Top) Todd and Matt on the breakaway on the Bears (2nd) Amy yells sprint point and gets ahead of Jeanne at the end of the Bears (3rd) Christine in Tilden Park waiting for the long downhill into Oakland (Bottom) Todd wants to go back to the Attractions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">At the end of the ride Todd was going to add Mt Diablo. I had some home repair projects to do so it was either bonus miles today or Patterson Pass tomorrow. And even though everyone else said the weather was perfect and I was delusional, I thought it a bit cold--not a day to ride down Diablo after such great mid week weather***--so the next day sounded better and better. (On TOC day and the next it was 90+ on Mt Diablo. Most people and the pro riders were fried but I loved it--going up 3 hours after the TOC was over and the Mountain was a ghost town. The next day was even warmer where the downhill is worth a million bucks with no need for t-shirt or vest.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Next day was the Diablo Cyclist breakfast ride--where after a stop at a coffee shoppe we decide where to ride. Unfortunately the trees were dancing in the parking lot--not a great sign. On our ride for coffee the wind was hardly noticeable as we all line up behind Mark and Amy and their tandem. Hmmmm-maybe the wind is dying down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">My being tight from the day before was certainly a bigger problem than any wind. At breakfast I talked my compatriots to ride to "The Trees"--which is in the Patterson pass direction.</span></div>
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So much for taking it easy--on the first part after breakfast Cyclocross champ Mark and Amy hammered up the hill and dropped the group while I stayed in their draft. Things got a little more civil when they turned off, though Ward pushed the pace to the County line. It was now mile 25 and a few people kept saying <i>"are you really going to Patterson Pass?" </i>every time we were hit by a wind gust.</div>
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But as you may recall from prior posts the Patterson Pass loop is almost magical. No traffic signals, virtually no traffic, smooth roads, through desolate land dotted by windmills. Always a tailwind to the run in to the Altamont Speedway-though you hope not a HUGE tailwind as you have to go back into it on the Patterson Pass climb.</div>
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In short the windmills were fiercely turning, I was dead tired when I started the Patterson Pass climb, and things did not get better for the rest of the day. The wind was as fierce as two years back when our group was pelted on the Climb. Also can be seen as a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXEWoDpSl1A">high quality u-tube video</a>--here is a smaller version of today's ride.<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxdSj78__3XqCzWUDivpnBAZR8dbksze6-Ic9Z_vZnegHOALZ7O7n5WzBNF7a-x4dZ_YbXUqnt79xmeizuscg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Some highlights (or lowlights)</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">There was GREAT food on my Century ride</span></div>
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-Stopped at 7-11 on Vasco to liquor up and so I wouldn't have to ride down into Tracy. When I left my power meter wouldn't register. This is the exact spot my power meter shut down when I was coming back from Patterson Pass two months ago???</div>
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-Run in to Altamont starts past the Livermore dirt bike park. Usually when we go by there loads of activity. Quiet today as serious accident-rider laying down on track with ambulance on the scene.</div>
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-Toting peanut and pumpkin butter sandwich and planned to eat at the Altamont Speedway--but too windy.</div>
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-On half the climb up couldn't use the handheld to take video as needed two hands on the bars.</div>
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-Near the top had both my hands on the bars and a sudden gust of wind moved me 3-4' to the left--luckily no cars coming down. Two cars coming down a little later on the steepest grade and I virtually stopped until they went by.</div>
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-At the top flew my metal bike with one hand as Cisco and Blinky had done with their carbon bikes two years ago. To get video I basically hid next to a parked van.</div>
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-Frazzled-got lost in Livermore and took wrong turn which got me to busy airport stretch on Isabella/ Conconnon instead of the quieter N Murrieta for leaving town.</div>
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-The rest of the day there was a constant cross/ headwind until the downhill past Blackhawk where miraculous I caught 3-4 green lights in a row.</div>
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-At end of ride--after saving ride on Garmin, Garmin froze up. When I turned it off and back on it said there were no saved rides. Oh well, didn't need to see that I went 8mph.</div>
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Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-38145574159296514382014-05-11T23:56:00.002-07:002014-05-11T23:59:03.139-07:00MothersofInventionLode (Motherlode) Century (2014)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #ffd966; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">***** 21 days to the Sierra Century ****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May 10, 2014, <b>Motherlode Century</b>, 100 miles with bonus add on of ALL of Highway 153, 10,000'+<span style="color: red;">**</span> climbing, w Dr. Nunzio</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">per my Strava 10,820'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">per Nunzio's Strava 10,305'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">per my Garmin 9,453'</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vicki Ashworth for El Dorado County Superior Court Judge--unless she's a Tea Party member</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dr. Nunzio has been pimping this ride for two years, with great views and great steep climbs in the middle of the Gold Country. While I'm real versed in the lower Gold Country (Sutter Creek-Plymouth) and have done some riding in the upper Gold Country (Auburn)--I have never ridden in the Placerville-Coloma region.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Funny thing is I
used to really scout out and study new rides that I was doing, but I just
signed up and didn’t do much scouting (except reading some blogs that told
about white knuckled twisty descents.) Nunzio told me of the great time he has
staying at the campground on the American River next to where the ride begins,
and in a fit of insanity I said I’d camp out also--and then regretted
committing to it. I hadn’t camped out in 15 years. My old bike club camped out
a lot--the President for life would tell everyone how great camping
and biking was as he retired post ride to his rolling taj-mahal while the tent campers
took a cold shower from under the enema bag hanging from the tree or
jumped into the cold lake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The </span>Earthtrek Expeditons <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">campground
already had tents on platforms but Nunzio warned their foam pads were a bid
worn--so it was time to find and clean off the thermorest pad & mummy
sleeping bag that I wouldn't get into cause of my claustrophobia. Coffee and
breakfast???--Nunzio thought there may be electric outlets but unsure if by all
tents, so it was packing a plug in coffee pot and the Colman stove and stinky
gas canisters. My camping tube florescent lanterns were all dead--5 years
obsolete anyway, so just packed my work lights that can work off a charge.. The
weeks leading up to this ride was studying all the crap I need to take camping
(40 degrees at night--what change of HEAVY nighttime clothes to bring), and never looking at
the bike route, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nunzio and I
couldn’t go up together the day before, when I always try to get in an ez spin
the day before an event. I could have gone straight up to the area where this
event was being run but figured why not take the GREATEST pre ride route which
is part of the Sierra Century course--the Sutter Creek-Volcano out and back. Mild
climbing (2-3%) for 9 of the 12 miles along a shaded road next to a running
creek bed to Volcano, then a few steeper (4-8% ) sections in the last 3 miles
until hitting the tiny town of Volcano. Almost no traffic and though the road
is now a bit rough it is not in disrepair.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnVsLXmjS-TN9SJGVX9VHl1M0s1v6m1sFmiW530KMhj7_xWC7AVDdCPqrohM0Vzp9So9763ovoJlxPMeWPxpXUs_AmJYQcp9QG8yLb-wLvi_i5KdDA9pQs9rlcW2ek7rgrWubNkjFhCM/s1600/w179-sutter+creek-volcano+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnVsLXmjS-TN9SJGVX9VHl1M0s1v6m1sFmiW530KMhj7_xWC7AVDdCPqrohM0Vzp9So9763ovoJlxPMeWPxpXUs_AmJYQcp9QG8yLb-wLvi_i5KdDA9pQs9rlcW2ek7rgrWubNkjFhCM/s1600/w179-sutter+creek-volcano+road.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along Sutter Creek-Volcano Road</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving in Volcano and the St George Hotel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waffle in the Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZKbnjX34qWNMXMtymxXtH3sbtsyRKMi1syVuy3j18fieUSJnWmpp2a9x8YaMNyZyST32W7Rn0rBaeNSHNCvknAnF2Oy2KQyP8riPYibtpC4uolSHHZw3NSNQXBwhS0ofkzZd2JY7dUw/s1600/w195-jay+on+teh+cobbles-volcano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZKbnjX34qWNMXMtymxXtH3sbtsyRKMi1syVuy3j18fieUSJnWmpp2a9x8YaMNyZyST32W7Rn0rBaeNSHNCvknAnF2Oy2KQyP8riPYibtpC4uolSHHZw3NSNQXBwhS0ofkzZd2JY7dUw/s1600/w195-jay+on+teh+cobbles-volcano.jpg" height="400" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm on the Volcano Cobblestones</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In past years the
rule on pre event rides was to keep in a small chain ring but with a power
meter I was going to keep under 175w. When you ride slowly by yourself you
think a lot and that’s what I did towards Volcano. Its almost 10 years since my
dad died and was thinking a lot about him. At the start of the ride I wanted to
be in Volcano--right now--so I could quickly GET BACK---and start driving to
Coloma. I get this ADD thing from my mom, if I’m on Avenue A I have to go to
Avenue B thinking they have the greatest thing ever there. All of a sudden I
could hear my dad, always laid back, never in a rush, saying “you know, Rome wasn’t built in a
day.” Hell, enjoy the moment, and for the rest of the day I enjoyed riding
slowly to and back from Volcano taking in the running creek and birds and
butterflies buzzing about. In Volcano, instead of eating in front of the
general store, as we always do, I went into Volcano Park that used to be a
Sierra Century rest stop. There I slowly enjoyed a Liege Waffle lunch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOkbnpYGMBR-BxgYtW-6hPmXqcRm-5D9tNKNyIdB5nsdvV6kXvWHQdFtc9nYxVUTd89zV69WYOIXRNaLYybi_BwV115-4kuzq7JF3NG-VvkMlr5DuRXoa8tf-3nXmXYB23fcBBXFDnKY/s1600/elevation+and+route.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOkbnpYGMBR-BxgYtW-6hPmXqcRm-5D9tNKNyIdB5nsdvV6kXvWHQdFtc9nYxVUTd89zV69WYOIXRNaLYybi_BwV115-4kuzq7JF3NG-VvkMlr5DuRXoa8tf-3nXmXYB23fcBBXFDnKY/s1600/elevation+and+route.jpg" height="400" width="388" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elevation and Route Map--Route Started going clockwise with two bonus loops at southeast and southwest portions of the map.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Highway 49 (no
not <span style="color: #990000;">49’ers</span>) runs through the middle of the Gold Country, and before the
internet and EBay a relaxing days was driving along and stopping at the dozens
of collectible stores that dot the route looking for ANY Polo Grounds souvenir. Hadn’t driven the section from Plymouth to Placerville in 3
decades, and I had never gone North of Placerville on Highway 49. When I got
near the campground I saw a sign for the town its supposedly in and made a quick left turn and
was suddenly lost so I had to pull the Garmin from the trunk. It took me on
this ½ lane semi paved hilly road eventually looping back to the main drag--I passed what I had passed a
half hour ago, and learned I had turned 1 block from where I was supposed to
go. A bit frazzled I was lucky that Nunzio was in the confusing parking lot
shared by a half dozen businesses all down their own side street to show me
where to park.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqs-_NC7ckOBTESq4EXwytLuX21ltkQGROdSOEDlDljPGN542K9VJMed49-Y9otYKiOLipkvI70U-6QMNa2oeXcSgNdyLzb2yhExYUtuzxr2AuZPZMiVHzmbwIZUQbxNb39rZyirP8bY/s1600/w290-jay+at+end+of+mothersofinventionlode+century+dressed+properly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqs-_NC7ckOBTESq4EXwytLuX21ltkQGROdSOEDlDljPGN542K9VJMed49-Y9otYKiOLipkvI70U-6QMNa2oeXcSgNdyLzb2yhExYUtuzxr2AuZPZMiVHzmbwIZUQbxNb39rZyirP8bY/s1600/w290-jay+at+end+of+mothersofinventionlode+century+dressed+properly.jpg" height="366" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm wearing the official MothersLodeofInvention Ride t-shirt</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggaQQ2Qqefi3XbvkOxvo0FChyphenhyphennBDjvY2eJ4vL3U3hu9Y-pWjdSgU3jcL45li6ZWi__10vLKEmfMJfcwEKhC2wnP6Oe5jdd9nhtP99qxBc5zJX4eg1pgkDBDJKpQjvrhbdvOD4dNAKaHR4/s1600/wd130-jay+needs+coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggaQQ2Qqefi3XbvkOxvo0FChyphenhyphennBDjvY2eJ4vL3U3hu9Y-pWjdSgU3jcL45li6ZWi__10vLKEmfMJfcwEKhC2wnP6Oe5jdd9nhtP99qxBc5zJX4eg1pgkDBDJKpQjvrhbdvOD4dNAKaHR4/s1600/wd130-jay+needs+coffee.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm read for a pot of coffee</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvWJ2rSCD5TI4rfdEUQPSz1EVVzYJ78aDAPTfP-srzZKKIsOXdTrgfTUVJjIZBOMoms5F4W8bACO6gmSSXJcmG4ZnQ8fR7KRuiE1jvRATvEjekp7nuEU9K-EqUyUCcuTcDBlLV9UaMtk/s1600/w212-campgrounds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvWJ2rSCD5TI4rfdEUQPSz1EVVzYJ78aDAPTfP-srzZKKIsOXdTrgfTUVJjIZBOMoms5F4W8bACO6gmSSXJcmG4ZnQ8fR7KRuiE1jvRATvEjekp7nuEU9K-EqUyUCcuTcDBlLV9UaMtk/s1600/w212-campgrounds.jpg" height="116" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picturesque campsite at dawn</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The campground was real nice--canvas tents on
platforms. As getting individual tents I thought Nunzio booked the smaller tens
along the river but he had us each in huge cabin tents about 150‘ away from the water. What
drought?--the South Fork of the American River was fiercely running and the booming sound of
rushing water was great, which intensified at night. Yes there was an electric
outlet--at ONE tent three tents away. Only real complaints were that the parking
lot was 400’ from the tent so it took 7-8 long trips to unload. Bathroom facilities
were indoors with showers but very small (and dim) for such a large place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Low key check'in across the street at a table set up by Friends of the El Dorado Trail. They gave out a route
sheet that was real confusing--instead of having a route sheet for each course,
they gave out an all in one route sheet (with NO map) that had the basic metric
course and then the add on loop options for a full century. To follow this
you’d have to 0 out the mileage on your cyclocomputer beginning at the two
extended loops. I was just hoping the course was well marked--and it was except
that sometimes we followed <span style="background-color: orange;">orange</span> arrows and sometimes we had to follow <span style="background-color: yellow;">yellow</span>
arrows.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFZU_FCJDL8mLEV3nxQg6UEhCJfwmWoxbUntFRvEsiEVYrSRnP_7et-yLGvAcdp5_Y0wmA67WjJcCNVehpBz7AwiyifAZaSlM_bQg8wYP9Q77W6ioWokg8vAIStplzhsBJ5Y3-UdqGzo/s1600/w205-ca+vs+east+coast+deli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFZU_FCJDL8mLEV3nxQg6UEhCJfwmWoxbUntFRvEsiEVYrSRnP_7et-yLGvAcdp5_Y0wmA67WjJcCNVehpBz7AwiyifAZaSlM_bQg8wYP9Q77W6ioWokg8vAIStplzhsBJ5Y3-UdqGzo/s1600/w205-ca+vs+east+coast+deli.jpg" height="400" width="361" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of these is a REAL deli sandwich. One of these is a phony deli sandwich with lots of sprout thingies</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZ_y9d8nhzDnoBU4oa6haBKoNkO-_HEc7EHByCK-bZOLhNdt8qJNKGRlpDMm94nm2Whe_wN7Yyb5jmKvYbdYq230BFZOhUCYrSxvZqJl72_8p99gGBM_9GnshRLz6tKHiVdNPUO1UTEE/s1600/w206-redneck+check+out+redneck+bling+store.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZ_y9d8nhzDnoBU4oa6haBKoNkO-_HEc7EHByCK-bZOLhNdt8qJNKGRlpDMm94nm2Whe_wN7Yyb5jmKvYbdYq230BFZOhUCYrSxvZqJl72_8p99gGBM_9GnshRLz6tKHiVdNPUO1UTEE/s1600/w206-redneck+check+out+redneck+bling+store.jpg" height="283" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redneck looks into a store of interest</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nunzio was down
on all the local choices to eat and he suggested driving back to
Placerville--there was a nice organic restaurant in an old stone creamery
building that Mrs. Nunzio really liked. Red flag as Mrs. Nunzio is a vegetarian
but I was told they did have some meat dishes. How can anyone ruin pasta so I
was up for it. MISTAKE. The menu had NO pasta and had only 1 NON veggie or tuna
filled dish--a turkey sandwich. OK, not my favorite but safe before the ride--how
can you ruin a turkey sandwich?? BY PUTTING 23 DIFFERENT VEGGIES ON THE
SANDWICH AND BURYING THE ONE SLICE OF TURKEY AMONG THE FIELD OF WHEATGRASS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back at
campground I fired up the stove for some coffee--coffee does taste best when camping,
and after bs'ing a little Nunzio and I turned in. He and Ward did fill me in on
a trick--to take an extra old water bottle you no longer use so in the middle
of the night…… In any event it was warm when I closed the tent flaps, didn’t
need all the sleeping clothes I had taken, used the sleeping bag as a blanket,
found out the batteries were dead in my Walkman (so no Giants game), read for a
little and was asleep in the dark at 9:30.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listening to the
running water was great. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wow, this camping
is.....shit... <b>I’M FREEZING</b>. Its 3:30 and icicles are growing in my tent. OK--not quite but
temperature had gone from 65 to 45 degrees. Thank Buddha for the old extra
water bottle. Decided to use my sleeping bag as a mummy bag. Was up for awhile,
or so I thought, but the alarm at 5:30 did wake me up. I was surprised when I
opened up the tent flap and saw it was already light and there was lots of
activity going on.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We planned to
start the ride at 7:00 so in the next 1 ½ hours it was stretch, make oatmeal
and coffee, start the 7-8 trips bringing crap back to the car (next year will
take less and stay 1 more day), shave in the too dark bathroom, wait for an empty throne and out on my
cycling kit which was very very cold. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(<span style="color: red;">Warning</span>: Miles below are from memory--I tossed the useless route sheet)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Miles 1-10)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dave and I
started at 7:10--and most other cyclist were already on the road. The first 10
miles are along Highway 49 on long but gentle climbs. Dave and I saw less than
a handful of cyclists, many more cars that were speeding past next to us.
Fingers were frozen--it was definitely cold. At that point I figured this was
going to be a real crappy ride if we just rode along the Highway.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GVUZq4F_zV3Rr2Mt4uJqZIOf5pBrSoQRDFsrvzHJ5vOB37_keEbpfPoFRfItBbGbK4xBNm7XP_dBZCJH1ONDI7v2k6QaS2mswdqkFSOggwqUpIF8VNDJ67hCEulqOxYObykqIcYt8hM/s1600/w216-dave+early+on+hwy+49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GVUZq4F_zV3Rr2Mt4uJqZIOf5pBrSoQRDFsrvzHJ5vOB37_keEbpfPoFRfItBbGbK4xBNm7XP_dBZCJH1ONDI7v2k6QaS2mswdqkFSOggwqUpIF8VNDJ67hCEulqOxYObykqIcYt8hM/s1600/w216-dave+early+on+hwy+49.jpg" height="368" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nunzio on Highway 49, early morning</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Miles 11-30)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We suddenly
turned on a back road toward picturesque town names like Pilot Hill and Cool.
Not a lot of traffic on this road, which meant the road surface became a bit
rough. A rest stop at around mile 15--usually we’d skip it but Dave and I were
already hydrating well for the climbing ahead so we figured good to top off our
bottles. Friendly rest stop workers at each AID stand, with lots of basic food
and good fresh bananas. Up to about mile 30 was nice rollers along a forested
back road. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCTUoRPsIgOT6tNT8evg6RZro7Xlr5zKCccl-QSSDi2b7pJROdlTV5QptHwwJ4eSLf9yeyPT_rN1Wpz_DzCVvJvUgxzKvEMVf4ly8Kw4MexClhglrtBPpiYNxpnmPgic5KxBkFZhaJpA/s1600/w221-inside+pilot+hill+grange-wc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCTUoRPsIgOT6tNT8evg6RZro7Xlr5zKCccl-QSSDi2b7pJROdlTV5QptHwwJ4eSLf9yeyPT_rN1Wpz_DzCVvJvUgxzKvEMVf4ly8Kw4MexClhglrtBPpiYNxpnmPgic5KxBkFZhaJpA/s1600/w221-inside+pilot+hill+grange-wc.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbYeYVmygV9ZWhIXr4EbzidmGxjuTmAQUMYcqLycG7vXLMy7to1pw4xOlc5pN2tBQZ3leMSamORXJ5_w2s7fYt6ClXzeHL0_2c4NfJNzMwFmZQdRvwXdDjGU9CiuMr83_yp5tE6iSjSI/s1600/w222-rest+stop+1+and+flea+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbYeYVmygV9ZWhIXr4EbzidmGxjuTmAQUMYcqLycG7vXLMy7to1pw4xOlc5pN2tBQZ3leMSamORXJ5_w2s7fYt6ClXzeHL0_2c4NfJNzMwFmZQdRvwXdDjGU9CiuMr83_yp5tE6iSjSI/s1600/w222-rest+stop+1+and+flea+market.jpg" height="291" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pilot Hill rest stop and antique show</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TQL7MXPnP_rQtSIh1jDKjHZQRKzzgDnvdTKjOPJdGjl4w3MK63YTyzMotrZJvbyAbQg0EKVdmeF_EBwYTmZhKmZxXIQ1y3fiYbyrZkbk8APz8FFEmG-1DEV9kc4Hiae2kVPdvnW9uUE/s1600/w223-sefie+through+early+morning+rollers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TQL7MXPnP_rQtSIh1jDKjHZQRKzzgDnvdTKjOPJdGjl4w3MK63YTyzMotrZJvbyAbQg0EKVdmeF_EBwYTmZhKmZxXIQ1y3fiYbyrZkbk8APz8FFEmG-1DEV9kc4Hiae2kVPdvnW9uUE/s1600/w223-sefie+through+early+morning+rollers.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dual selfie</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Miles 30-50)<br /><span style="color: blue;">Rock Creek Climb 3 1/2 mile, very steady 6%</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mosquito Road Descent 2 miles, -8%</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mosquito Road Climb 3 1/2 miles, 6% with the first 1/2 mile at 15%, the first 2 miles 8%</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From mile 30-50
the route would basically be big climb of the day along a Nunzio friendly
climb--nice steady grade. A long death defying twisty steep grade downhill to a
scenic water crossing. Then a Johan friendly climb with sections of double
digit grade back up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we pulled
into an AID station before the first climb I saw the Alta Alpina Bike Club,
decked out in beautiful new ORANGE kits. Now, I am not impressed with their
Alta Alpina Events jersey or 8 pass finishers jersey--I have to see if I can
buy their Club kit at this years event. On the first climb a
blond wearing the new Alta Alpina jersey was climbing well and setting a steady
pace, so I just settled in to her pace while Nunzio kept the pace down as he
can easily spin away from me on the steady climbs. We did put some digs in at
each other near the top.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nMtfk_99ph9_XpW0Zyij8xjULqq0Dx9aqtdpQxmWfz9hKvdGUyvjqIsNHpTluTRNJTtzWM-ltzG6zxfGICjHlm51tcmyFiB8hx-61yCCzrRt1iudZf91lrP8U71BX382rbeS_Oiv5tY/s1600/w235-alta+alpina+girl+models+new+club+jersey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nMtfk_99ph9_XpW0Zyij8xjULqq0Dx9aqtdpQxmWfz9hKvdGUyvjqIsNHpTluTRNJTtzWM-ltzG6zxfGICjHlm51tcmyFiB8hx-61yCCzrRt1iudZf91lrP8U71BX382rbeS_Oiv5tY/s1600/w235-alta+alpina+girl+models+new+club+jersey.jpg" height="295" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alta Alpina Event Jersey's not the best. Here an Alta Alpina club member has on a great club kit I gotta get.</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another AID
station before the “fun”--the twisty, knarly, steep descent, the first part was
terrible as the narrow road was a bit rough and heavily shadowed--the second
part was just as steep but smoother and in full sunlight with a view. I pulled
off on one cutout to take a photo and then continued on surprised how the
descent had gotten better. Funny as just a sheer dropout off the road for most
of the descent--and one 100’ had a concrete guard rail wall.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDO3rnFFHauvQ1Y42NNO2Ucr6k4XNtRW307l-K_gHj6gcjAXeb8FsArQvRWtBPS4RYPT_ixrabfFqXTmz3SqZMHdoLIlD8TyuR67B5YGTY9a2WUlCVEzG-tKNEU_ql-esU5gzdg4M00R4/s1600/w229-we+are+going+to+drop+down+and+reclimb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDO3rnFFHauvQ1Y42NNO2Ucr6k4XNtRW307l-K_gHj6gcjAXeb8FsArQvRWtBPS4RYPT_ixrabfFqXTmz3SqZMHdoLIlD8TyuR67B5YGTY9a2WUlCVEzG-tKNEU_ql-esU5gzdg4M00R4/s1600/w229-we+are+going+to+drop+down+and+reclimb.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down from Mosquito Road.</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another AID
station where I debated whether t-shirt, arm warmers and knee warmers should come off as alternately hot and cold. A brief climb and then another more twisty and narrower descent. I was
enjoying it until an unmarked hairpin suddenly appeared that I wasn’t ready
for--luckily no cars were coming up as I swung wide. And even though not lots
of traffic there was some, as the line of cars waiting to go over the one lane
bridge at the bottom would attest to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3sRZVYqnv2BrXEZ9ImsIW_i0kAuzlwnLHAwoB1l5Y1V-wb4hzw8XK6Oq0sNEVcyNfDDdLsDAs83idPSYc38PbzFzha9LFLCC_1K6wCIQMzbL6JM232Wlz1NDTf7IsItgRByw9hqIips/s1600/w237-its+a+mike+coconut+ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3sRZVYqnv2BrXEZ9ImsIW_i0kAuzlwnLHAwoB1l5Y1V-wb4hzw8XK6Oq0sNEVcyNfDDdLsDAs83idPSYc38PbzFzha9LFLCC_1K6wCIQMzbL6JM232Wlz1NDTf7IsItgRByw9hqIips/s1600/w237-its+a+mike+coconut+ride.jpg" height="287" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coconut jersey for CA Mike </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lfrcbht01wGr-IIp2qnM_qKbMTrv4bGeBK6eay0TmQ5B5qjZ9C5_S5gem3KZGntjHj-PM8eBibrpffo7OidzmcfO-DTz-ajUSDxt409x1Ia13CTa58B993KEdFco06amch9zjMOUtS8/s1600/w238-dabe+and+jay+mugging+for+teh+camera-rest+stop+3+after+long+climb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lfrcbht01wGr-IIp2qnM_qKbMTrv4bGeBK6eay0TmQ5B5qjZ9C5_S5gem3KZGntjHj-PM8eBibrpffo7OidzmcfO-DTz-ajUSDxt409x1Ia13CTa58B993KEdFco06amch9zjMOUtS8/s1600/w238-dabe+and+jay+mugging+for+teh+camera-rest+stop+3+after+long+climb.jpg" height="271" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave and I enjoying the sunshine--the cold wuzz just pulled off the arm and knee warmers</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Few cyclists at
the bottom cuing up to cross the bridge once the traffic backlog settled down,
some taking photos. What waited for us on the other side was the 13-15% grade
to get us out of this place. It was really too long a climb for my liking, with
the long 13-15% grade settling into a relief section of 7%, and then a few more
double digit kicks. It was the Sierra Road of the Gold Country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUhyphenhyphenJxX9-8tZUvKAZYxAVvuzyQ1J75JmO3Or_HL4Fjc_T8kadTYLrpj72KQBDEPGo9gajUxJhZj18j0yy2HrtfkXiSjkawewRz4bRor10iDegQQr8X46AhCfsSpekfQqT7xrvmJwbrE4/s1600/wd137-jay+at+mosquito+bridge+before+the+climb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUhyphenhyphenJxX9-8tZUvKAZYxAVvuzyQ1J75JmO3Or_HL4Fjc_T8kadTYLrpj72KQBDEPGo9gajUxJhZj18j0yy2HrtfkXiSjkawewRz4bRor10iDegQQr8X46AhCfsSpekfQqT7xrvmJwbrE4/s1600/wd137-jay+at+mosquito+bridge+before+the+climb.jpg" height="295" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenic Water Crossing Bridge where 15% climb awaits </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qPwet2CAhptn9zz9R9gpUoCBR6wAe-yRXMMGUKZ-jwFOipa6I7cmO2CmHQromMkp8zAlXa4cJaLKdiO1AZ2GAC2r1JDQ-iY4U9taWJrQcGyaiap0qecyxltN0OAAzIi0uGHttPEfR0A/s1600/w246-dave+on+mosquito+climb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qPwet2CAhptn9zz9R9gpUoCBR6wAe-yRXMMGUKZ-jwFOipa6I7cmO2CmHQromMkp8zAlXa4cJaLKdiO1AZ2GAC2r1JDQ-iY4U9taWJrQcGyaiap0qecyxltN0OAAzIi0uGHttPEfR0A/s1600/w246-dave+on+mosquito+climb.jpg" height="241" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">15% hairpin Nunzio is about to navigate--<i><b>"Hit Me"</b></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To kill time on
long rides, we yell out “scenic water crossing” on all bridges, no matter
how small and even if there is no water. (Long story how this came about) On
this ride a few real scenic water crossings but not many. So I came up with a new
game. Tons of billboards for the El Dorado Judicial Candidates. One billboard had the picture of the candidate-a young cute woman. So every time passed her billboard
had to cheer and yell out support, every time passed an opponents billboard
would yell out “he’s a bum.” Hopefully the judicial candidate I support isn’t a
Tea Party member.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Mile 50-69)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mile 50 had an
AID station right outside Placerville (who knew we were so close) and the start
of the optional 20 mile Apple Hill loop. This stop had premade Subway
sandwiches. I didn’t want to chance tasting week old lettuce so I passed, though Nunzio said
they were quite fresh unlike those found on a Planet Ultra ride. A lady who saw
me shaking my hand offered me some arthritis cream---don’t know if it helped as
no more killer down hills but I could start grabing my front water bottle
again. Her male companion had a huge MR BILL-<i>Noooooooo! </i>Doll on the back of his
bike--nice change from a few of the OH SO SERIOUS cyclists we see on the road
who can’t say anything when passing fast (most start to stall out 200’
later--I got back to one but my heart was racing and I backed off--oh to be 10 years younger.) <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilU41dd_FdvqLjpzOSq99zURyXruCglPSUn54coWDVJvI_4TB-QyYnSnAeztbNEiGukaVq6IqThQQ_ziyHxYiCai8DkXxG3sPFhYGEMVfYVBui5bJAh1Yqgd4RI_Av3smrD8Muv-wNyvM/s1600/w251-oh+no-its+mr+bill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilU41dd_FdvqLjpzOSq99zURyXruCglPSUn54coWDVJvI_4TB-QyYnSnAeztbNEiGukaVq6IqThQQ_ziyHxYiCai8DkXxG3sPFhYGEMVfYVBui5bJAh1Yqgd4RI_Av3smrD8Muv-wNyvM/s1600/w251-oh+no-its+mr+bill.jpg" height="400" width="372" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"OH NO" Mr Bill confused by the course route sheet and markings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5-kQsjWtbdX-HfFU9t8PxZnnIaT4gEKjZvTyY4DTre3MFqpif5pWBF82ZRMq_MT6jf31SRpiLdPqBS1W13j8PxUPhzSqp68lcxL-YTQaLBA12MFl16pR5iX6Z3uJqjiYbOTOPBB3RRM/s1600/w254-apple+hill+loop+bike+path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5-kQsjWtbdX-HfFU9t8PxZnnIaT4gEKjZvTyY4DTre3MFqpif5pWBF82ZRMq_MT6jf31SRpiLdPqBS1W13j8PxUPhzSqp68lcxL-YTQaLBA12MFl16pR5iX6Z3uJqjiYbOTOPBB3RRM/s1600/w254-apple+hill+loop+bike+path.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Nunzio on the bike path that starts the Apple Hill Loop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3p9DsM1jFb7pBxKFXefD5s8FkmLve5bZYSmcFLaSPfBdsMum-4k1rD6OrxceWFyOeNS4hnVWtIoYyY2Njfd8Cgn_XlRe5OLnUWIkjszgxgJYvE0ZTkubfiDFS1pH2NovjwfZon0G44I0/s1600/wd134-jay+at+lasen+apples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3p9DsM1jFb7pBxKFXefD5s8FkmLve5bZYSmcFLaSPfBdsMum-4k1rD6OrxceWFyOeNS4hnVWtIoYyY2Njfd8Cgn_XlRe5OLnUWIkjszgxgJYvE0ZTkubfiDFS1pH2NovjwfZon0G44I0/s1600/wd134-jay+at+lasen+apples.jpg" height="220" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenes from the Apple Hill Loop</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apple Hill loop
begins on a steep bike trail. When we hit the main road we saw a few cyclists
coming back so I thought it was a short out and back. No, turns out it’s a self
supported picturesque shaded loop among apple orchards and xmas tree farms,
with the first half real slow as continual uphill rollers. Luckily I grabbed an
extra power bar at the last rest stop. The first half seemed to be the dog
miles that drag on and on---then the second part was a very quick return to the
right outside Placerville AID station. I was cold on the
return--earlier I had been happy pulling off my knee/ arm warmers, now I wished
I stopped to put my vest back on. Mile 69, AID station, where we saw lots of
cyclists just beginning the loop and lots of cyclists in the AID station
puzzled when trying to understand the route sheet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Mile 69-74)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right
down the hill at mile 70 was downtown Placerville. Holy crap, the wheatgrass
sandwich restaurant we ate at last night was right in front of us. Going
through now crowded Placerville was cautious but nice and then we started back
up Highway 49 for the next 4-5 miles and this was a clusterfuck.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSacO5LNuz6gL2Ix1EP-mE24ywl6i2gSsPRbrk5XkFqkFJrS_cLPEGFdcmgf5eu2dQkAZQC6_GN3tqKjWQaeyd_S3A4J1C8FsX3hba3TLdRs9NffwLdyW7LCR1JYHSXNRgQmDjKatEJg/s1600/w204-cosmic+where+is+the+turkey+cafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSacO5LNuz6gL2Ix1EP-mE24ywl6i2gSsPRbrk5XkFqkFJrS_cLPEGFdcmgf5eu2dQkAZQC6_GN3tqKjWQaeyd_S3A4J1C8FsX3hba3TLdRs9NffwLdyW7LCR1JYHSXNRgQmDjKatEJg/s1600/w204-cosmic+where+is+the+turkey+cafe.jpg" height="400" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noooo-don't make me eat lunch at the Cozmic Cafe.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Going up means
grades of 4+% along a Highway with no shoulder and now lots of traffic. At one
point a line of angry pickup trucks were stacked behind two cyclists 200' in front
of us on a narrow section--Nunzio and I had to travel slower than the bikes
in front of the pickups so we didn’t roll into them during a frequent sudden
stop. Lots of pickup truck horns blasting until the road widened and the
cyclists could pull over and let the angry motorists pass. I was happy when we
turned off Highway 49 at mile 75 to start another confusing bonus loop.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Mile 75-97)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were on a ridgeline and the wind picked
up where we’d get a strong headwind that suddenly morphed into a crosswind and
even a tailwind. We were joined for most of the rest of the ride by a strong
couple from the lower Gold Country who were puzzled by the esoteric route sheet
and were glad that Nunzio knew this course. Some nice semi long--noticeable but
not steep rollers. “<i>HE’S A BUM</i>”--Judicial candidate signs. All of a sudden, a
turn marked for a <span style="background-color: #999999; color: yellow;">“Dead End road” </span>Volunteer at the turn assures us its not a
dead end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That was debatable. The road ended at a creek with a nice current. I was going to ride though and
picked a shallow line when a volunteer told me that the path I picked was wrong
as the pebbles gleaming were loose and the bike would slip out. With that I
lost my nerve like most folks down there except Nunzio and the guy who had been
riding with us. Off came my shoes and socks as I waded through the stream with
a volunteer carrying my bike. Timing is everything in life--a bunch of riders
arrived right after us so a pickup truck drove them across the stream and the
riders all got a head start as us walks had to dry our feet and put on our
shoes and socks. The unltimate sholding<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Luneman Climb out of Weber Creek 1.5 miles, 8% grade</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few short,
steep hills up, my favorite, and my goal to to catch all the riders who had
gotten a free ticket in the pickup and were able to take off quickly. Felt good and didn't need to hold anything in reserve and probably did my best climbing all day. All of a
sudden we were at mile 95 and ride that had gone by slowly at the beginning was
now nearing the end. Fast downhill for the last mile or so right before we'd have to turn back into the campground.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTD6tZ0HNbr_9BnjK87a0wl9yF4V2fdad1L5cuWrigZwxi-GqZlwNzRBf9z9MSAkBR2mMLSRwNB9AZFlB2ur3_IQOAkxBiSucJQL6xmO1DQRfPGDwkytzuco0I4n1rWYZSz3n95o4ZpZk/s1600/w277-dave+riding+trhough+stream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTD6tZ0HNbr_9BnjK87a0wl9yF4V2fdad1L5cuWrigZwxi-GqZlwNzRBf9z9MSAkBR2mMLSRwNB9AZFlB2ur3_IQOAkxBiSucJQL6xmO1DQRfPGDwkytzuco0I4n1rWYZSz3n95o4ZpZk/s1600/w277-dave+riding+trhough+stream.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr Nunzio rides though the creek while I walk through it. He got the Strava time in this section.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDY0XlXRJf2kLaZBIpz5vr3newwjqIOZgVkMtePkOocUOKLBxfM5HhPJOTXxF7TQ3uy3jqweqQbkB-slhxD1ssAc2425uJF16WCS6G-zDPSnOuJ28AyjZ_456pMTu2C1RsAHmI1q36O5Y/s1600/wd144-jay+crossing+teh+stream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDY0XlXRJf2kLaZBIpz5vr3newwjqIOZgVkMtePkOocUOKLBxfM5HhPJOTXxF7TQ3uy3jqweqQbkB-slhxD1ssAc2425uJF16WCS6G-zDPSnOuJ28AyjZ_456pMTu2C1RsAHmI1q36O5Y/s1600/wd144-jay+crossing+teh+stream.jpg" height="186" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Mile 98-100)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This ride was
epic--glad Nunzio clued me in on it, and even the camping wasn’t that bad. But
he was still on the shit list for my wheat berry deli sandwich the night before
so he suggested we add some bonus miles at the end to see statues--knowing that
the lack of historical statues in California is a pet peeve (no statues but
those dark bronze plaques no one can read.) So we cycled a mile away from the
end where we hit <b>Highway 153</b>--self proclaimed <i>“California Shortest Highway.”</i>
The highway portion is just about ½ mile where the road (still a highway)
morphs into an alley past the rangers house (still a highway) and then into a one way path (still
a highway) around a huge James Marshall monument over where he is buried and
his pointing to where he discovered gold (and his eyes blazing from no doubt frequenting
the hydroponics shoppe down the street.)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPvN6uDGNChoRs5k4GSGlAmncbnMtMmPfEWeveyeEfN24Y8YqLCrfsNhuCCqeg10LehX3CPuvxW8E-qnTHpvdNCUvuMj2mEL9sL1UrdbrJFUUWUBXa1GwcljdNYATGLmeM_u-0H5kALk/s1600/w280-ive+seen+that+indian+statue+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPvN6uDGNChoRs5k4GSGlAmncbnMtMmPfEWeveyeEfN24Y8YqLCrfsNhuCCqeg10LehX3CPuvxW8E-qnTHpvdNCUvuMj2mEL9sL1UrdbrJFUUWUBXa1GwcljdNYATGLmeM_u-0H5kALk/s1600/w280-ive+seen+that+indian+statue+before.jpg" height="323" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue I passed a few times when I got lost driving in.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgK-iyMpk1e39I5I58tHD0cR4nM8oReG5Fj0zZp1C1dlKScTlldYWY6kxNne-njnBih_EmEH8t8YiAq6RoHvldhkjygrpe8lRWOh3GCtG2KRIadlkJjTqpBfEqFn3gPPijcwVO47Mljo/s1600/w281-california+153-shortest+highway.jpg" height="317" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lets ride the WHOLE Highway</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsX6QMEbohTnoPzq9b905reSiS8zOeCW_k8Gc9ElzLlC04PIf9DWDwj62IblWSh_tf4rjeIy6YuGAr-XGhZ7tn-exph7fzx_WubQV_-9TF_3C_HGTg0a-8l27ppaALufng28IKDhS3kss/s1600/w284-jay+by+marshall+statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsX6QMEbohTnoPzq9b905reSiS8zOeCW_k8Gc9ElzLlC04PIf9DWDwj62IblWSh_tf4rjeIy6YuGAr-XGhZ7tn-exph7fzx_WubQV_-9TF_3C_HGTg0a-8l27ppaALufng28IKDhS3kss/s1600/w284-jay+by+marshall+statue.jpg" height="400" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marshall burial site--I'm standing on Highway 153</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uux9V7HiR7x-UzUIUifBc3wzGMrjxVsXYoEdIAaho61wxm5YSVvasyDYVxQj_FpA_VmUp9Tdd6ChL_qebf8vIShFvwmlIuHyOwvp9CJhkmuVMRdwMT0zH-iMup8yqA11X5Q4yaCHH5M/s1600/w286-dave+on+coloma+overlook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uux9V7HiR7x-UzUIUifBc3wzGMrjxVsXYoEdIAaho61wxm5YSVvasyDYVxQj_FpA_VmUp9Tdd6ChL_qebf8vIShFvwmlIuHyOwvp9CJhkmuVMRdwMT0zH-iMup8yqA11X5Q4yaCHH5M/s1600/w286-dave+on+coloma+overlook.jpg" height="260" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nunzio standing on Hwy 153--overlooking Coloma where gold was discovered</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Around 3:30 when
we finished--epic ride with great company. Nunzio suggested we shower at the
campground--great “a nice hot shower.” Now Nunzio has been touting cold showers
at the end of a ride to lower the core temperature and he got his wish--for
everyone--campground was out of hot water. Brrrrr. So end of ride spread was
doubly appreciated--great hot chili and 3 kinds of BBQ chicken, with a nice
assortment of cold salads. Take as much as you want, there is plenty. Come back
for 2nds. Great way to end the day. AN EPIC RIDE.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8B1vs7JzVnhhVkyw5-WVGgSwBo7q9Yc9ksTsbuHy3VejqQg2htO8al4-jWuCk6lrJo_D1Sl6Crjlcm4d8KMBtm8Lyvkb375nldmfbiDZiR8vo9WOXsWql532FdIes7NNrVuKS0wQ94vI/s1600/w289-end+o+ride+bbq+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8B1vs7JzVnhhVkyw5-WVGgSwBo7q9Yc9ksTsbuHy3VejqQg2htO8al4-jWuCk6lrJo_D1Sl6Crjlcm4d8KMBtm8Lyvkb375nldmfbiDZiR8vo9WOXsWql532FdIes7NNrVuKS0wQ94vI/s1600/w289-end+o+ride+bbq+food.jpg" height="338" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Century Ride Organizers take note--THIS IS AN END OF RIDE MEAL!!!</td></tr>
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Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-82029902021968860222014-05-07T23:26:00.000-07:002014-05-11T19:22:27.248-07:00Stockton Delta Century on a Fixie (2014)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>**27 days to the Sierra Century***</b></span></div>
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<br />
(May 4, 2014) <strong>Stockton Delta Century</strong>, 98 miles, 17.1 mph, 644' climbing (where??), w Don also on a fixie, Brian on a recumbent, Jack and Jeanne<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Nice day on a pedestrian course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I joined fixed gear king Don on my fixie, and
we were accompanied by Jack, Jeanne, and Brian on an anti fixed gear
recumbent.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Ride through the Sacramento Delta is almost pancake flat except for the transition 100’
10% hills between the rest stops and levee roads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Usually one of the windiest portions of the Bay Area. </span>Big concern is the wind and it the wind
chimes were going crazy overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Luckily, at dawn the wind died down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Day before we went on a metric club ride, also flat, but
with constant attacks and a crosswind, so put in lots of effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dr. Dave was worried I might be overdoing it
but in the past we rode the Santa Rosa Double Metric had the day before doing
the Delta Century on a fixie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(This year
skipped Santa Rosa to avoid the honor of paying $60+ to wake up at 2:30am to
ride the crappy Sonoma roads and get fed rabbit food at the end.)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Bq-acAfnOnNbbGJCXXE7nQ53Ehpiv5Pwxi9mC8EosiDlKfJPI9olRQhDGZr5FZlEKoclGQgaN5NFQguqsFLGJGrKKikvq1atXiR-PquVWYHLG25_10IyIDchqCJyJGxMWEySvXTVT7M/s1600/w178-we+follow+the+pink+arrows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Bq-acAfnOnNbbGJCXXE7nQ53Ehpiv5Pwxi9mC8EosiDlKfJPI9olRQhDGZr5FZlEKoclGQgaN5NFQguqsFLGJGrKKikvq1atXiR-PquVWYHLG25_10IyIDchqCJyJGxMWEySvXTVT7M/s1600/w178-we+follow+the+pink+arrows.jpg" height="242" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh--you are supposed to study the route before the ride? No wonder I get lost often.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The pavement on this ride wasn't chewed up as in Sonoma, but was continually rough. Didn't help that I keep my fastest but harshest <u>front</u> wheel (I hate it on my road bike)--an American Classic 420--on my fixie.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Delta Century route starts with a ride through vineyard and
goes downhill from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of
decently paved but mundane farm roads, lots of roughly paved flat delta
levees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some draw bridge crossing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of delta views, draw bridge views,
vineyard views and “Stop the Tunnels” signs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMPcMGYRgB7CMymqYTb85FbpjFO8kmTCQWaoQJ-ZCE06Vd-PcQ8oOvYfRroMcjh99Y0rL-Ghr-EGxUHdgLwSnW8NmzjUndmLNLezcwcsyE2xbpnNss67-ZxPKVymqvnfwAAjOjxH_v3w/s1600/w185-don+is+having+fun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMPcMGYRgB7CMymqYTb85FbpjFO8kmTCQWaoQJ-ZCE06Vd-PcQ8oOvYfRroMcjh99Y0rL-Ghr-EGxUHdgLwSnW8NmzjUndmLNLezcwcsyE2xbpnNss67-ZxPKVymqvnfwAAjOjxH_v3w/s1600/w185-don+is+having+fun.jpg" height="286" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIDmEh8AMbI11Kl7I7IISU8IjevPeoRC1IME4mHeY1rkgqdU0MBNQjvrnzHQ0Y1wYwXE4gi_NuzIKG1czzf9dw-niJRlPHgiD6Z-rI_zHo-R6IWEgCOQXz7ckXvL73p29_GiTSHdFZWw/s1600/w188-jeanne+likes+the+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIDmEh8AMbI11Kl7I7IISU8IjevPeoRC1IME4mHeY1rkgqdU0MBNQjvrnzHQ0Y1wYwXE4gi_NuzIKG1czzf9dw-niJRlPHgiD6Z-rI_zHo-R6IWEgCOQXz7ckXvL73p29_GiTSHdFZWw/s1600/w188-jeanne+likes+the+food.jpg" height="382" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don having the most fun on the fixie, Jeanne having the most fun when she is off the bike seat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I haven't used my Contour Action Video Camera in over a year--takes a very very long time editing into a movie. I wanted to capture riding through the vineyard so I took the video camera out of deep freeze. Would have helped if I cleaned the lens and didn't have the camera tilt. The result--with a long portion devoted to vineyard riding and the high speed ferry crossing is at:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ1qYJk6KFc" style="background-color: #b45f06;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ1qYJk6KFc</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">A fine <span dir="auto">Avant-garde </span>film. ***Movie Review At the End**<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmuW3I2wjyUiwk6YnW973k3Z20TeS6MtMxe978SvU8UyxFGSNV13Xxl4rfY2TTUVWYggCk01H3ceUWHZ7iwXIqCzMNqKGgZhZZ-3ofZSQQjLYeVXztJAMC7s8cAdX0UyCNPdJUYy2RuY/s1600/w191-its+a+mf+fixie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmuW3I2wjyUiwk6YnW973k3Z20TeS6MtMxe978SvU8UyxFGSNV13Xxl4rfY2TTUVWYggCk01H3ceUWHZ7iwXIqCzMNqKGgZhZZ-3ofZSQQjLYeVXztJAMC7s8cAdX0UyCNPdJUYy2RuY/s1600/w191-its+a+mf+fixie.jpg" height="248" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crazy fixed gear riders</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFllENTw6fG5pLCqZDaCkHTRLsyThKYXgmvfhShbB5xyZadUs3D_p86gIQumYm-1vCcPWMZPBfjeSzLFSVZieZMFmG9Ig9sJNIgrum4tMFe_2-XFxq2jebE0PC0kdM91hxSL4QloECfg/s1600/w192-brian+poses+by+the+happy+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFllENTw6fG5pLCqZDaCkHTRLsyThKYXgmvfhShbB5xyZadUs3D_p86gIQumYm-1vCcPWMZPBfjeSzLFSVZieZMFmG9Ig9sJNIgrum4tMFe_2-XFxq2jebE0PC0kdM91hxSL4QloECfg/s1600/w192-brian+poses+by+the+happy+tree.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recumbent riders love happy trees</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Rest stop food pretty pedestrian—things that you can find on
the shelves of your local 7-11.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nice
that they have a selection of diet soda at all stops; no bananas but locally grown strawberries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Causing trouble I’d pull into all the rest
stops and ask for a fresh waffle as “Joanie (one of ride organizers—riding bike
sag) said there would be fresh waffles here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hopefully two or more people will ask her about it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">While food is basic the rest stops are interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rest stop #2 is in an old Sugar Mill converted
into a winery—must have the most deluxe bathrooms of any Century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rest stop #4 is in an old public school with
a creaky floor and high ceilings—it must be haunted.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7C_tVszPbxzw9NJh98Pe2tE41OsYwH5qEjj1eNb3b1kE5bo2_KIlWA-WiFeyIfdTYqTEJ7kmnxbqsBGOgcAaGKU7n7fL5-KBhM4yQECBBjlmW-Ti5RuRb2WOzhZ3BrfW7D9WSucpJes/s1600/w201-brian+along+the+delta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7C_tVszPbxzw9NJh98Pe2tE41OsYwH5qEjj1eNb3b1kE5bo2_KIlWA-WiFeyIfdTYqTEJ7kmnxbqsBGOgcAaGKU7n7fL5-KBhM4yQECBBjlmW-Ti5RuRb2WOzhZ3BrfW7D9WSucpJes/s1600/w201-brian+along+the+delta.jpg" height="278" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brian riding with the Delta in the background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLs0ZqFJ_VZUipj_e4jQtXyztWsQPFppt4aQO7bALQALjIbGN-eJo_XXUKEWPvDgo7NCzkBwqmcsjbJktvYaBFwJijLRMvorWAXYzx0otSjebMG0EwN7siM3NxdQyWF6x4g8VhRRptL0/s1600/w219-jay+by+the+haunted+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLs0ZqFJ_VZUipj_e4jQtXyztWsQPFppt4aQO7bALQALjIbGN-eJo_XXUKEWPvDgo7NCzkBwqmcsjbJktvYaBFwJijLRMvorWAXYzx0otSjebMG0EwN7siM3NxdQyWF6x4g8VhRRptL0/s1600/w219-jay+by+the+haunted+school.jpg" height="400" width="368" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm in front of the haunted school--last rest stop of the day. Where are those waffles Joanie promised?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRDzyAdoxzrDuo5jfxDKOOu4nK9FkrvjfURNYKEahfzcKFBC36yp6OzfpI-GaEviXt3Am7mz8LLwmwoPA2DpjtpQMPwaNbtpx-yAhrD9hZOUQ7eFZXr8l1jsTxRiOZuyrLTEm4KCIgr8/s1600/w220-please+dont+drink+the+tap+water+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRDzyAdoxzrDuo5jfxDKOOu4nK9FkrvjfURNYKEahfzcKFBC36yp6OzfpI-GaEviXt3Am7mz8LLwmwoPA2DpjtpQMPwaNbtpx-yAhrD9hZOUQ7eFZXr8l1jsTxRiOZuyrLTEm4KCIgr8/s1600/w220-please+dont+drink+the+tap+water+-+Copy.jpg" height="320" width="259" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Feature of the ride is a ferry crossing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No-don’t think old Disneyland Mississippi paddle
wheeler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is what I pictured years
ago when I heard about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ferry is
basically a raft on a rope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one tried
riding off the ferry—after starting on a wet deck you have at 100’ 14% hill to
get started on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While walking up I
yelled we are all going for Strava time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think the pace quickened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Not that many people on this century and the turnout seemed
down from in the past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No much
highjink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some nimrods in the morning—blocking
across the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Jack yelled “on
your left” the guy outside moved over—maybe 2”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prompting me to yell-“<em>DUDE </em>(maybe he’s a
mountain biker) –<em>I’m NOT riding on the other side of the road—move over.”</em><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Later two guys sat in the back of our paceline for awhile
and then jumped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don and I chased with
the group in tow and we caught and passed them 5 miles later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We were passed early by two fast guys on tri-setups. Near the end a guy jumped and I wasn't going to chase but Jack kept looking around, so I had a go at him. Gap was too big when I made my move and Jack said "that guy is MY age." I then had to remind him about the thin blond who sped by him after the ferry ride when he was leading the paceline.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLQu7XxlPfITIzhRzwZ2O_lwDxwRW1vubwLw9R6LccQOzIIGpcvNVMVp2nnUbEKWceKJTHuaiIIYosKJNaTOAV6dPRSMn6_C5N1dohPALakwXpnj5miTjuyezsNBgru5tWmSHy6dgFZ4/s1600/w221-jeanne+and+brian+heading+for+home+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLQu7XxlPfITIzhRzwZ2O_lwDxwRW1vubwLw9R6LccQOzIIGpcvNVMVp2nnUbEKWceKJTHuaiIIYosKJNaTOAV6dPRSMn6_C5N1dohPALakwXpnj5miTjuyezsNBgru5tWmSHy6dgFZ4/s1600/w221-jeanne+and+brian+heading+for+home+-+Copy.jpg" height="246" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final part of the ride then nice winery picnic grounds.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXittJkJ_JM2PjLDa3-yoWVkSPwxci-f3-E9z3syQbOGUxZKuh7knSmW10wYqAxB-uAGLNq8JHkFZ_C8RcuEwiDZF4OTr18ymzijiBef4OWgYys_OUCFimtw2J6_8vdOOw2AJFhezZCY/s1600/w225-post+game+meal+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXittJkJ_JM2PjLDa3-yoWVkSPwxci-f3-E9z3syQbOGUxZKuh7knSmW10wYqAxB-uAGLNq8JHkFZ_C8RcuEwiDZF4OTr18ymzijiBef4OWgYys_OUCFimtw2J6_8vdOOw2AJFhezZCY/s1600/w225-post+game+meal+-+Copy.jpg" height="276" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Nice little pasta picnic at the winery at the end of the ride—but
it seemed the energy level was low , and sat around and bs’d for awhile (not
about the ride—not much to talk about except for how sore we all were from the rough
pavement.)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">***We have received a classy movie review from Dr. Nunzio. I just have to figure out if this is a thumbs up or down???***</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lhbX2QFq-XEFucgM-z8Yj_povZiR9MK0dyn_hMU2hza7wVU-CFsZuKEPhdBw8bOs5afVrLaDgvnddSmlZnFgVFZA1d9A5fz44OTlMWmAw8MUAq2oHfwuLceXpiqV5IOWtuLYQaWFgEY/s1600/w-the+little+man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lhbX2QFq-XEFucgM-z8Yj_povZiR9MK0dyn_hMU2hza7wVU-CFsZuKEPhdBw8bOs5afVrLaDgvnddSmlZnFgVFZA1d9A5fz44OTlMWmAw8MUAq2oHfwuLceXpiqV5IOWtuLYQaWFgEY/s1600/w-the+little+man.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: 8.0pt;">The new film “Delta
Century” by Belgian-Antioch filmmaker, Johan Knaven, offers an interesting
blend of innovative and derivative subjective filming techniques in the service
of a cinematic metaphor for the featurelessness of this life and, perhaps, the next. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: 8.0pt;">Emphasizing the banality of
a life where one day blends with the next blends with the next ad infinitum,
Knaven employs both an unyielding linear structure and the use of long, uncut
single-camera scenes where the stagnant image lingers and lingers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: 8.0pt;">Employing a day-long bike
ride among friends (sic) as his subject, Knaven emphasizes the disconnection
from those around us who we would generally consider to be our most intimate
acquaintances, by focusing his camera unrelentingly on their backs. They ride
beside us each day of our journey through life, and yet we never face them,
never look into their eyes. Of these faceless characters, most interesting of
all may be the one man who not only keeps his face from us, but from experience
itself, as he navigates life feet first, as if protecting himself from the
onslaught of even the most mundane encounters by kicking at life and not
putting his face in the wind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: 8.0pt;">The repetitive appearance
of bridges serves to signify life’s brief but potentially important moments of
transition. But these promising moments of impending change — will the scenery
change? will life take us up or down some hills? will we face some dangers?
some joys? — are followed by even more long mindless slogs through the
mundanity of our empty daily existence. Pedal, pedal, pedal through your life,
through day after day of flat, featureless experiences, inevitably toward
death. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: 8.0pt;">And Death appears slowly on
the horizon, giving us every opportunity to run from it, and still moving
toward us in the shape of Charon’s ferry, taking us across the equally
featureless River Stix. For Knaven, even this potentially climactic moment —
and it isn’t just a moment: it lasts for several minutes — even this moment is
just another segue to an afterlife (or reincarnation?) that is more of the
same, same, same. Pedal, pedal, pedal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: 8.0pt;">Knaven’s
subjective gritty, Cinema Verite’ camera work reinforces the hypnotic
dullness of this life. The lens is slightly smudged, as if we are never able to
truly focus on — be IN -- the present moment, but fight to see it clearly as it
disappears before we have grasped it. (Interestingly, the camera never turns
from its relentless foreword motion to catch a further glimpse of these passing
images.) And, try as we may to impose structure or meaning on our lives with
the introduction of a musical soundtrack or narrative subtitles, what is
constantly there behind any post-production embellishment we attempt to impose
on our journey, is the unrelenting rumble of the road, like a barely liminal
scream in the back of our consciousness, an irritant, a <i>verfremsdung, </i>that
keeps us from engaging fully with life, from connecting with the moment, or
from fully believing the artificially imposed narrative of our chosen
soundtrack. Without variance or respite, it reminds us that this life is harsh
and dull and butt-numbing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: 8.0pt;">And yet, Knaven’s vision is
not entirely without hope, as this horrific journey of sameness appears, in
brief snippets, to be made marginally more bearable by the company of those
with whom we share the pain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"><span style="color: blue;">--Dr Nunzio</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span>Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-86344451721791730572014-05-01T23:06:00.000-07:002014-05-02T20:15:55.754-07:00Return to Sierra Road Metric (2014)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">******35 days to the GREATEST Century Ride--The Sierra Double Metric out of Plymouth*****</span></div>
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(April 26) <strong>Calaveras-Sierra Road Metric</strong>, 64 miles, 4,810' climbing, 14mph, me**, Christine^, Jack^, Dr. Dave^#, Ward^%, Stephen^?, Andy^?, Sharon^?, Don^@, Brian^@<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Footnotes run amuck</u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">**didn't start from Heather Farms at 7:30 as a cold wuzz, didn't do Palomares</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">^ didn't do Sierra Road</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">#didn't start at Heather Farms at 7:30 as rained on all day when hiking</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">%didn't start at Heather Farms as has a note from chief nurse practitioner at Kaiser</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">?didn't start at Heather Farms</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">@didn't do all of Calaveras as on a "funny" (fixed gear or recumbent) bike, or Sierra Rd or Palomares</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBK0yw-eul3FDK9i00pNx0UMq2ui2YVrWD5AfLEQTCFMQl1L431JvtTsD8rqvQC1KYy6MQC4j6K5foIMqYHr_tCA6ZHBmyLqTVDJ6p3Bi5yhJ0YiQOXrmreEEtaBIRcv91pVKgwSwQ1mw/s1600/Elevation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBK0yw-eul3FDK9i00pNx0UMq2ui2YVrWD5AfLEQTCFMQl1L431JvtTsD8rqvQC1KYy6MQC4j6K5foIMqYHr_tCA6ZHBmyLqTVDJ6p3Bi5yhJ0YiQOXrmreEEtaBIRcv91pVKgwSwQ1mw/s1600/Elevation.jpg" height="187" width="400" /></a></div>
Strange ride, strange weather, special weekend. Taking these one at a time<br />
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<strong>Strange Ride</strong>--A ride along along the gentle slopes rustic Calaveras. The out and back from our typical starting spot at Heather Farms would have made it an 80 mile ride, but Jack moved the 9 o'clock start to a Dublin Hotel cutting this ride to 40 miles. There was still an option to start at 7:30 at Heather Farms, which most in the bonus mile group forgot about last year and started the longer route at 9:00. Jack didn't forget about this miscue from last year and kept reminding us of the special starting times.<br />
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Strange weather--It got cloudier and cooler as the week progresses. Hopefully those whining that we need the rain will now shut up. It rained Thursday night, it rained Friday night. It rained everywhere Dr. Dave was hiking. Promised to be dry but breezy, overcast and in the 40's at 7:30 on Saturday. I have a great idea--I'll start at 9:00 and add on when its warmer.<br />
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<strong>Special weekend</strong>. Chico Wildflower is run this weekend. A long time ago when I first got into cycling and struggled through the metric I hoped that one of my toddlers would go to Chico State--the only university town in California. Now my oldest graduated 7 years ago. I've done the century with bonus miles a half dozen times with a big group from our bike club--fun times.<br />
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Devil Mountain Double, tied for the 2nd hardest double is also run this weekend. A long time ago I remember when an member of my old bike club became a legend by being the last person to finish the 200 mile, 18,000' climbing course at 2am. I've since done this ride 4 times, the first time a few months after being in intensive care and with my baby going in, and my dying out in Sunol (@ mile 170), the last time finishing 32nd, almost in daylight and finishing with Cisco Dave. Best memories were finishing with Don, Jack, Grizzly Mark and Cisco Dave in different years and Christine, Ward and Dr. Dave popping up on the course to take photos.<br />
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DMD goes over Sierra Road. The last time I did DMD I had a great ride--except for the 5 mile super steep Mt Hamilton Climb. I was out of energy on it and fading fast--but <strong>wasn't </strong>worried about it. I was worried about the next climb--Sierra Road, which I never every did well in training. Starts with the road going straight up and then is relentless for 3.5 miles with killer hairpins where my back is sure to give out. But, you never know. After the long Mt. Hamilton downhill I recovered and had my best Sierra Road climb ever. It was also my last for awhile; after DMD in April 2012 I didn't do Sierra Road in 2012 and vowed not to do it again in 2013. <br />
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So if I wasn't going to start at some godawful hour, it felt like I should add Sierra Road after Calaveras--which is a natural continuation and has the Devil Mountain Double tie-in.<br />
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So ride was really disjointed. Fun portion was the club ride over gentle Calavaras where Dr. Dave, Christine and I bs'd along the whole route. BS'ing is ok if you don't start slowing when you talk, or ride side by side and block the road. It was even fun when I repeated something stupid that I did a few years ago. When it is cold outside (cold = under 75 degrees) I wear woolen gloves with the fingertips cut off. My wife calls them, "garbageman gloves." I found that the evil empire (W##mart) has plain yoga gloves with a grippy palm--good for driving-- and of course finger tips already cut off. So after we set up and started rolling I noticed I wasn't wearing cycling gloves but still had on my Walmart yoga garbageman gloves. Christine offered to ride back with me to the car and then help pace me back but what the hell, it was my dumb mistake so I figured I'd leave them on and maybe I wouldn't do the same stupid thing for another decade.<br />
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Andy took off fast for Sunol and I got on his wheel--usually our group races this part but maybe that the ride just began and the cold had everyone laid back. Andy and I slowed and took it easy on the Sunol climb but no one was coming up fast.<br />
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Big paceline to the start of Calaveras climb--at one point I begged to go to the front and pull to get my heart rate up--as even with vest and t-shirt I was freezing. I got lucky the four times I did DMD, the weather was very good. Today DMD would be slow as the riders battled a cool breeze for 200 miles along with the consistent climbs. <br />
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When the climb went uphill Christine, Dr. Dave and I took off though we didn't really take off. I don't think we upped the speed--we kept a steady pace but no one followed. There were a few times the sun broke through and it was wonderful. Dr. Dave thought of joining me on Sierra Road, but by the time we were at the end of Calaveras the cool breeze picked up, some clouds moved in, and Dr. Dave was suffering from post rainy hiking/ camping damp chill syndrome.<br />
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I love when a good tune gets into my head--and on the drive over I listened to a few renditions of Patti Smith doing William Blake's Contemplation with minimal instrumental accompaniment. For the rest of the day, sans anyone around, this went through my head over and over.<br />
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At the start of the downhill is Ed Levin Park where I stopped for water and a renaissance actors group was recreating. The long downhill to Milpitas was--freezing. Still chilled when I hit the bottom--hell, its high noon and not warm at all. I look across the street and laugh, remembering when doing the Mt Hamilton Challenge before I ever did DMD and falling asleep on a lawn here when pooped.<br />
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Long ride through nondescript suburbia brings back some uneasiness--as suddenly this route that I haven't done in 2 years is very familiar and I know what's coming up--Sierra Road. Even when I was a much faster climber the 3.5 mile, 10% grade Sierra Road always beat me up. I usually do well in steep climbs with relief points--give me climb that has a nice -2% between 18% sections. Sierra Road had NO relief points. Ward says there are but I think he delusional--I have the Garmin that reads grades so we'll find out today.<br />
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Usually I'm warm on a climb and any t-shirt, vest, knee warmers, arm warmers would come off. Today I kept them all on--only accommodation to the climb was to pull off the buff from around my neck. <br />
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All of a sudden the left turn by the Shell Station and Egg Farm--apartment houses for a few blocks and Sierra Road climbing to the sky straight up. Felt like I did this climb last week. As I've been trying to do more of lately, I put my ass in the saddle, and throw the bike in an easier gear so I'll spin more instead of trying to stand and mash. Too bad my power meter is out--would have been interesting trying to control the tempo with it.<br />
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Instead being in an x27 and spinning controlled the tempo. The straight up part is a constant 11-12% No notable relief along the way. Then you make a sharp left turn, and the road starts snaking high above the Santa Clara Valley. Many sudden 12-15% points followed by 7-8% portions that are gifts from the great Buddha. I think my friend Ward suffered form heat stroke on this climb--as I was ever vigilant for the mythical downhill section. There is one shady spot for about @200' that is 4%. Later on, near the top, there are two 100' sections that are 2% and 1%. Otherwise I never saw anything lower than 7% and I saw 15% as much as 7%.<br />
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I actually enjoyed Sierra Road except for the nagging strain on my lower back. At least it was just a nagging strain and I didn't need to get off the bike and stretch as I usually had to do. It was warm. The second half is in full sun and I was sweating, which is better than freezing. The road was deserted--two cars passed early on but for the next half hour there was only one more car passing, and two cyclists descending. The road surface is nice and smooth. Nice view of the San Jose basin. Near the top a cool breeze picked up and now with sweat filled t-shirt it was suddenly too cool.<br />
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Jack had opined that I'd see the fast DMD riders and the rest stops would be open-but I was still a few hours before the DMD ride would go by here and the famous "I ain't petting no sticking goat" rest stop was not set up. Luckily sun was out for the speedtrack back to Calaveras--don't miss the turn that the locals black out or you wind up back in Milpitas. Meanwhile the instrumentals with about every third word of Patti's voice rang in my head:<br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">WHO is this, that with unerring step dares tempt the wilds, where only Nature’s foot hath trod? ’Tis Contemplation, daughter of the grey Morning! Majestical she steppeth, and with her pure quill on every flower writeth Wisdom’s name; now lowly bending, whispers in mine ear, ‘O man, how great, how little, thou! O man, slave of each moment, lord of eternity! seest thou where Mirth sits on the painted cheek? doth it not seem ashamed of such a place, and grow immoderate to brave it out? O what an humble garb true Joy puts on! Those who want Happiness must stoop to find it; it is a flower that grows in every vale...</span><br />
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Calaveras is a much faster course on the return trip. Coming up were waves of large groups of riders. I thought they were on the Mt Hamilton Challenge but later passed a Team in training rest stop. Only "what the fuck" moment was when someone was having a hard time going up the 2% grade so they decided to ride back and forth across the road to lessen the grade--damn the people coming down the other way.<br />
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Run in from Sunol back to suburban Dublin was uneventful--except that much of the Diablo Cyclist group was still in the parking lot. They decided to add on the Palomares Climb, special kudos to Christine who did the climb and then had to ride back to Walnut Creek.<br />
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Funny, I've now done the Patterson Pass 2x solo and now Sierra Road. Hard rides but no large group pushing the pace, or agitating like a group of turkeys on a Century ride. I feel like its mid March and not the end of April with the hard Century/ Double Metric rides right around the corner. <br />
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******<br />
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Congrats to the riders who started Devil Mountain Double--conditions must have been brutal. One fast rider posted the ride on Strava but he needs work on his "Ride <span style="font-size: x-small;">me me me</span> Description"<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCPSyicdcBAzexYyMNsUEZHIfoQ22nWfsiZW-GBL8CU08hRxM6ZGG90K0oBzw1_WSiSSBJExlsoyNs7Yn-K8gXOx9cPMpGmuuV-0gMwnEUAxPX0XAurFXOqBojY3gqn98Y3hjgb1MT_s/s1600/DMD+ride+description.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCPSyicdcBAzexYyMNsUEZHIfoQ22nWfsiZW-GBL8CU08hRxM6ZGG90K0oBzw1_WSiSSBJExlsoyNs7Yn-K8gXOx9cPMpGmuuV-0gMwnEUAxPX0XAurFXOqBojY3gqn98Y3hjgb1MT_s/s1600/DMD+ride+description.jpg" height="128" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"DMD #6. First place for the 3rd year in a row. Cold and windy all day. First person to win 3 times." a little over the top. Fredrik indicating he ate a 7-11 Hot Dog before Sierra Road is allowed.<br />
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******</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Reaffirming My Faith In Humanity Story</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Last year when in Flanders #1 "souvenir" (apart from cobbles from the Mur of <span dir="auto">Geraardsbergen</span>) was a local cycling jersey. Weekend trips to Tour of Flanders cycling meccas <span dir="auto">Geraardsbergen</span> and Oudenaarde were planned to hit the larger town-<span dir="auto">Geraardsbergen</span>, on Saturday as in Europe stores are generally closed on Sunday. So of course in <span dir="auto">Geraardsbergen</span> the bike shops were all out of town (we took the train in) and Oudenaarde had a great bike shop in the center of town--but it was closed on Sunday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Dr. Dave's New Zealand cycling jersey was the impetus for me to email the bike shop in Oudenaarde to see of I could buy a jersey. I got back an email that basically said <span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">'wire me money--I gave a jersey to a guy from San Francisco to deliver to you." </span> What--this smelled like a con job. Either the bike shop didn't give a jersey to anyone or some guy in San Francisco got a free jersey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Two days later I got the first of a string or emails from Stu--he was in Paris and watching Paris Roubaix and he had a jersey for me. When he came back he was actually more eager for me to get the jersey than I was anxious to get it. He came out for a ride up Mt Diablo on a cold windy day (the day after Sierra Road) bringing a nice looking jersey and a cap that the bike shop threw in. He had ridden in Flanders and had nice descriptions of the short, steep, cobbled, climbs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>We rode two days of casual riding in Brugge
which was awesome, and then we rode a serious day with Ronnie's bikes in
Oudenaarde. We tried to ride the last 60km of the Tour of Flanders, but got
kind of lost and ended up riding 60km "around" Oudenaarde - maybe the
last 30km of the Tour of Flanders. I did ride many of the
"hellingens" in the area, including the Achterberg, Laduze, Eikenberg
(my first cobbled berg), Taainenberg, Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg and Koppenberg.
The Paterberg was freaking nuts and the Koppenberg was plain insane. It was the
hardest climb I have ever done in my entire life. I took a spill on
Steenbeekdries (part of Mariaborrestrat on the way to the Taainenberg), but
thankfully was only bruised. It was the ride of a lifetime and I had a smile on
my face all day long</em></span> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJGIcBjZwowUX1GpecBQCqvUyJpt2m0-5wvQFEH8eQypeidulhAwQYYgtuYPenZpqL3uJB2xubF10loB95z43lVobNTCJo-7JO94G3_tEelMWdoz2ImwO01gF0xTG4zhNePsquxm8Zkw/s1600/w179-stu+and+jay+at+mt+diablo+ranger+station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJGIcBjZwowUX1GpecBQCqvUyJpt2m0-5wvQFEH8eQypeidulhAwQYYgtuYPenZpqL3uJB2xubF10loB95z43lVobNTCJo-7JO94G3_tEelMWdoz2ImwO01gF0xTG4zhNePsquxm8Zkw/s1600/w179-stu+and+jay+at+mt+diablo+ranger+station.jpg" height="386" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">He told me the bike shop just gave him a jersey for me, well before I wired any money. Stu must be an honorary Flanderan--on the cold downhill I had on a jacket, vest and long sleeve t-shirt but Stu just had on the jersey.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Who knew that two days later it would suddenly hit 90, which is the weather I love going to the top of Mt. Diablo--its worth $1,000,000 to go downhill in just a sleeveless jersey. In any event I am a little worried that haven't been "pushed" this year--the old Diablo Cyclists used to beat each other up but now we are pretty cooperative or injured. So on the second hot day of going up Diablo after work, and with the power meter back "online," I tried to keep my power in a zone at the beginning. I did go to hard approaching the Junction and had to cut back right after.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">So, suddenly the impetus appeared. Lots of riders are faster than me and I appreciate when someone passes and shouts out, like I try to do when I pass someone . Well, a young guy too cool for school with headphone in both ears comes spinning by without saying anything, which got my dander up. Suddenly he was 300' in front of me. Instead of trying to get back to him right away and burn out I just get into a manageable 20 minute power zone. After another mile I am right behind him, slow to snap a photo, and once I pass him I don't want to get repassed so I try to keep power in the zone I know I can sustain. I never look back; if I get repassed I get repassed but I imagine that he is always right on my wheel which is motivation.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I get to the top about 5 minutes before he does, where two girls and I trade taking photos--they wanted me to do <em>"something fun."</em> WWWoMD (What would Ward or Mike do?--but they'd probably get slapped I was stoked when I saw my time up Diablo--after a pedestrian time to the Junction--it was my fastest time since 2012. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: x-small; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Back to back hot nights to the top of Diablo--worth $1,000,000 when you can descend in just a jersey.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">As I'm from South Flanders (where it is warm) I went downhill in just a jersey. I can do that--when it's 90 degrees.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">,.</span></div>
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Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-5815151722049602632014-04-20T21:39:00.000-07:002014-04-21T21:24:51.787-07:00Marshall Wall Metric Loop (2014)(August 19, 2014) <strong>Marshall Wall Loop</strong>, w/ Dr. Nunzio, Christine, Jack, Mark & Amy, 62 miles, 3,632' elevation, 16.2mph<br />
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We went short today but the Marshall Wall Loop is as special a metric as Tunitas Creek. Short doesn't include ex-regional cyclocross champ Mark who said it was his longest ride of the year. It was a unique ride as either we slowed to wait for Amy who has bad asthma and the high winds and the lines of vintage lead burning cars didn't help, or we went balls out when Mark or Nunzio or Christine caused trouble.<br />
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I love the loop as it brings back fond memories of the Mt Tam Double race, when it was run in a safe direction (early morning past the deserted oyster bars, and not late afternoon when the Oyster Bars are clogged with drivers parking all over the place, making sudden turns and leaving after having a few beers with their oysters.)<br />
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Today we ran into another local group at the start, the Duros, who many of our mid week riders knew. We kept passing them all day, helped pull a few times, but they'd repass us when we goofed off at rest stops, so we'd see them again on the road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WePW9SqQNfaoqH55KvNyJHbZusSSacEoHUFxke0MovWGBbLk_k4aDzs8-CK0A9nB6CR4wDxmp8QYcheoiyoaXE_twYvblAulvICGPDy5vmvMKFcHthdc-3KEyTmilq46Z2g7Ce16ixQ/s1600/w171-beth+dressed+for+summer+and+jay+dressed+for+winter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WePW9SqQNfaoqH55KvNyJHbZusSSacEoHUFxke0MovWGBbLk_k4aDzs8-CK0A9nB6CR4wDxmp8QYcheoiyoaXE_twYvblAulvICGPDy5vmvMKFcHthdc-3KEyTmilq46Z2g7Ce16ixQ/s1600/w171-beth+dressed+for+summer+and+jay+dressed+for+winter.jpg" height="387" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My old teammate Beth rides with the Duros--she's dressed for summer and I'm dressed for winter.</td></tr>
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Ride started with a cold, harsh headwind blowing from the West. Also started with two-three vintage car rallies going along Lucas Valley Road. Marin roads have no shoulder so 20-30 cars would closely pass at a time, all smelling like lawn mowers. Most were watchful when they passed--though a new car cut Nunzio and I off when we were near the first climb of the day--Big Rock (westbound) causing us to stop and yell. <span style="color: red;">(On this climb, even with the car blockage, Nunzio and I had the 2nd fastest time of all Strava posters of the day.)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFN99ahxPSzwijNCqYHXbka_Zolpj-1EbPrWbkfksF6jr5RIse1BgBHhqysTUxan7K-ewk-BrAStlDB-r2H1GNWBtC_-zggx9OyWQH8G_4aflRhAQYmdtQXJNH1r-KmRjU57v4b9TiYs/s1600/w174-westbound+paceline-lucas+valley+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFN99ahxPSzwijNCqYHXbka_Zolpj-1EbPrWbkfksF6jr5RIse1BgBHhqysTUxan7K-ewk-BrAStlDB-r2H1GNWBtC_-zggx9OyWQH8G_4aflRhAQYmdtQXJNH1r-KmRjU57v4b9TiYs/s1600/w174-westbound+paceline-lucas+valley+road.jpg" height="400" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our pacline early morning in Lucas Valley Road</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Kal0zE4OZzAyK1uyV8Pf58VWtX3EQ4xvWMaD2sqQJmb2Q-FgDLmzFSTitl7fWMA1PK1bx71Loc6so6f41kmrdkBMyQQjSSme_en8h_S7YqUCKb49jk89Gzqy3wxohxiKXQO9ytd4lW0/s1600/w179-mark%252C+dave%252C+jack%252C+big+rock+westbound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Kal0zE4OZzAyK1uyV8Pf58VWtX3EQ4xvWMaD2sqQJmb2Q-FgDLmzFSTitl7fWMA1PK1bx71Loc6so6f41kmrdkBMyQQjSSme_en8h_S7YqUCKb49jk89Gzqy3wxohxiKXQO9ytd4lW0/s1600/w179-mark%252C+dave%252C+jack%252C+big+rock+westbound.jpg" height="278" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark, Dr. Nunzio and Jack at our regroup at the top of the Big Rock Climb, I always wonder why they call this the Big Rock climb</td></tr>
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There is then a dozen mile fast route to Nicasio, a slight downhill with redwoods blocking much of the wind, and I figured if we moderated our pace Amy and Jack could catch on. Almost immediately a big young guy shot by and Nunzio jumped on his wheel with Christine and I in tow. Then it was a hammer fest to Nicasio where we all stayed on the guys wheel. <br />
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As Nunzio and Christine did all the work to stay with the guy, when we regrouped I pulled much of the next segment where the headwind picked up. We caught up to the Duros and our group pulled into the Cheese Factory Hill. Mark shot up the hill with Nunzio and I in the 2nd group. After the downhill Nunzio and I were joined by two Duros and we rode in together to the Cheese Factory.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLn0rbJRCa9nSSyAWC5LjxxSRED0VjFomOkOVXSW0P3FS05Qr8rumNU2Paa-Ve-Nc-XsSh0QG4Dn8A7Ef3z6ez934SFJM6X_rZxrOFBctCy9y3_5R-9iKjbdidxXicuRjglDqsMC5BNt4/s1600/w185-jack+and+dave-early+morning+in+nicasio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLn0rbJRCa9nSSyAWC5LjxxSRED0VjFomOkOVXSW0P3FS05Qr8rumNU2Paa-Ve-Nc-XsSh0QG4Dn8A7Ef3z6ez934SFJM6X_rZxrOFBctCy9y3_5R-9iKjbdidxXicuRjglDqsMC5BNt4/s1600/w185-jack+and+dave-early+morning+in+nicasio.jpg" height="340" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack and Nunzio at Nicasio regroup</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BPJyNl_mVD_gnEVjghiG7fT5rg8pOKKcLBW1kOjX0FTGCAWm9YqL0kl520e2s4YG9BFWEpLNQkT-qqlPKTAP2TXDthi_hWX0E2vBUNvC9kEzEeuqZIPFhSOXd8zhZTk_lUdBd5jQfgk/s1600/w187-early+morning+paceline-b%2526w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BPJyNl_mVD_gnEVjghiG7fT5rg8pOKKcLBW1kOjX0FTGCAWm9YqL0kl520e2s4YG9BFWEpLNQkT-qqlPKTAP2TXDthi_hWX0E2vBUNvC9kEzEeuqZIPFhSOXd8zhZTk_lUdBd5jQfgk/s1600/w187-early+morning+paceline-b%2526w.jpg" height="348" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early morning paceline to Cheese Factory Hill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8w9q5UkJtWJGQ3KxfzatSUduscNJm6l0y4ic_jhfDFj7jdjkJZ-wkQ2ZlMzdn4i7NJmGXB9Mo_wUKM2sT_RbRpveaIArqKakQMmBluVJAjgQ1l4LixaN3wp7bmHtCgCwChVBqpGK5njY/s1600/w189-dave+on+cheese+factory+climb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8w9q5UkJtWJGQ3KxfzatSUduscNJm6l0y4ic_jhfDFj7jdjkJZ-wkQ2ZlMzdn4i7NJmGXB9Mo_wUKM2sT_RbRpveaIArqKakQMmBluVJAjgQ1l4LixaN3wp7bmHtCgCwChVBqpGK5njY/s1600/w189-dave+on+cheese+factory+climb.jpg" height="363" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nunzio on Cheese Factory climb</td></tr>
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Nice and windless at the Cheese Factory, but mass headwind on the dozen plus miles out to the Marshall Wall. When we turned onto the secluded road another car rally materialized and was stretched out along the road as far as the eye could see. At first we tried to keep the Club together but two Duors took off so soon Mark, Nunzio, and I were hammering up to and past them. This was a section I loved in the Mt. Tam Double race--it came at about mile 110 and I used to know when to take it easy and where the attack points were.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP10TWI17titNr_b-9XMwbcrMGktOV2J8ICfexZTJKCf_zQ6XPcZ50P4D2IqwGHHYs1IShVI5CRhW2Wz7mBygEjyLEvnHadT5eQUhl_NQKA7SO9k1FxKg0e2aZ_E_cbSvsPsYgqOXomlk/s1600/w190-bathroom+humor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP10TWI17titNr_b-9XMwbcrMGktOV2J8ICfexZTJKCf_zQ6XPcZ50P4D2IqwGHHYs1IShVI5CRhW2Wz7mBygEjyLEvnHadT5eQUhl_NQKA7SO9k1FxKg0e2aZ_E_cbSvsPsYgqOXomlk/s1600/w190-bathroom+humor.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathroom humor--my portrait with Nunzio</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1KFiJc26nPa8fFHWxvTMqCylBxbcsuzM8qr6bw1_B4zQmPIrbLdWVfuqQ5L0Cc62PMbDzmsj8E40ldPyUfoyxEc8v6i5Umn2CWpqIMOEsQUmjsmX2vhBFwM-ertMHZi1DNT9dK5w7x0/s1600/w193-dave+had+told+christine+there+would+be+a+pink+floyd+concert+at+the+cheese+factory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1KFiJc26nPa8fFHWxvTMqCylBxbcsuzM8qr6bw1_B4zQmPIrbLdWVfuqQ5L0Cc62PMbDzmsj8E40ldPyUfoyxEc8v6i5Umn2CWpqIMOEsQUmjsmX2vhBFwM-ertMHZi1DNT9dK5w7x0/s1600/w193-dave+had+told+christine+there+would+be+a+pink+floyd+concert+at+the+cheese+factory.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe more scenic--Nunzio and Christine</td></tr>
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Christine put in a great time trial back to us. Eventually we hit the long Marshall Wall climb and she was pooped and I'm a terrible headwind climber. Mark, of sub 30 minute Mt Diablo Junction time again took off (on the heaviest bike of the day), and I rode with Dr. Nunzio. For a little bit. Nunzio soon started spinning up the climb, zoomed away from me, and I had a great seat seeing him catch up to Mark. <span style="color: red;">(On this climb Nunzio has 2nd fastest Strava posted time for the day.) </span><span style="color: black;">Nunzio musyt have paid attention to <a href="http://pumpkincycle2008.blogspot.com/2014/04/mines-road-mt-hamilton-century-2014.html">Durianriders Training Video</a>, and let Mark's and my legs sizzle-elllllllllll on the climb.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9R9Ic2CK-GfzCLwRsxRKLR3mAkJSFVPtcB1mW049rSHHYTsFYXo7BmRU1ijLiNgKjyTW4rUvYGj703OvQZzGDA5jZ-a_OFUagJkvTCEBQcvwNp8DHc0xBFFl84ndVHhYzPiP4HIAD5gM/s1600/w197-steady+stream+of+team+cars+pass+by+hicks+valley+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9R9Ic2CK-GfzCLwRsxRKLR3mAkJSFVPtcB1mW049rSHHYTsFYXo7BmRU1ijLiNgKjyTW4rUvYGj703OvQZzGDA5jZ-a_OFUagJkvTCEBQcvwNp8DHc0xBFFl84ndVHhYzPiP4HIAD5gM/s1600/w197-steady+stream+of+team+cars+pass+by+hicks+valley+school.jpg" height="247" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hicks Valley beginning to the Marshall Wall--lots of poppies and car clubs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCfgxb-osVuZaYiq3exNkEFaIaFw8xa55Y_R5H8xuiRsBD20zajIxThGsbnixduUJR__0oY-EMAZBM392dugYWMdtNMdDudyx9UQmMJmZHHYx2TCoTtMEJxMcoP4hTj7KOkJBUbMCblw/s1600/w200-amy+camera+shy+by+hicks+valley+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCfgxb-osVuZaYiq3exNkEFaIaFw8xa55Y_R5H8xuiRsBD20zajIxThGsbnixduUJR__0oY-EMAZBM392dugYWMdtNMdDudyx9UQmMJmZHHYx2TCoTtMEJxMcoP4hTj7KOkJBUbMCblw/s1600/w200-amy+camera+shy+by+hicks+valley+school.jpg" height="246" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amy camera shy on Hicks Valley Road</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshCclvs5hstJo7obKG7U8fQ962g0qVVnsEQpI16CTEbMYwuIVtc1zY4z8Ag-1TyErHSdG4OpEejIod8afWh4URe3KlAjHHZakUU6D7mTN4LHG7SGNNesZDSk5S_AfF5UlX40OOCR2aW4/s1600/w202-painting+of+dave+and+enduros+at+start+of+marhall+wall+run+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshCclvs5hstJo7obKG7U8fQ962g0qVVnsEQpI16CTEbMYwuIVtc1zY4z8Ag-1TyErHSdG4OpEejIod8afWh4URe3KlAjHHZakUU6D7mTN4LHG7SGNNesZDSk5S_AfF5UlX40OOCR2aW4/s1600/w202-painting+of+dave+and+enduros+at+start+of+marhall+wall+run+in.jpg" height="343" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nunzio followed by a large group of Enduros where the Marshall run in begins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAXq1V3i9uJRw_h85VAWsmDbWoknI2APlXF_tRJsbUgPTr4PaKaAn2DQkoxnq8vzPQgTO2aLO0gq-eVISWxTk0os3NG4ChYXapvOomeEHIunb6-oNeYbiyzZwyo-P0Qjj-bT_-CJQsxs/s1600/w206-mark+about+to+crank+up+the+marshall+wall+climb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAXq1V3i9uJRw_h85VAWsmDbWoknI2APlXF_tRJsbUgPTr4PaKaAn2DQkoxnq8vzPQgTO2aLO0gq-eVISWxTk0os3NG4ChYXapvOomeEHIunb6-oNeYbiyzZwyo-P0Qjj-bT_-CJQsxs/s1600/w206-mark+about+to+crank+up+the+marshall+wall+climb.jpg" height="342" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark ready to motor up the Marshall Wall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheonnXDhyphenhyphenZ_4hlD-d294xed7f2sUEmleplVBwphzRwh-X1wzZIqcP2zuTfEjAwyQMWZXULFZldddc7DV5UQVUKyfiD_1o0o_HebQHAk0z7AusTeAjaPZhsPKrQmRGhIyJsqteEzBxKVKA/s1600/w208-dave+starting+his+monumental+marshall+wall+climb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheonnXDhyphenhyphenZ_4hlD-d294xed7f2sUEmleplVBwphzRwh-X1wzZIqcP2zuTfEjAwyQMWZXULFZldddc7DV5UQVUKyfiD_1o0o_HebQHAk0z7AusTeAjaPZhsPKrQmRGhIyJsqteEzBxKVKA/s1600/w208-dave+starting+his+monumental+marshall+wall+climb.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nunzio saying goodbye before he goes to catch Mark</td></tr>
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We hung out on Hwy 1 for Jack and Amy--who had been killed by the wind and climb. The Duros regrouped at the same spot and left first for the nice baby roller section of Highway 1 to Pt Reyes Station. Sun was out and crosswind not that bad but it was cool. We had a nice paceline going along Pt Reyes Station--except when we passed an oyster house with cars parked on all sides of the road with the sudden opening of doors and occasional backing up. Mark knew of an alternate route that got us off the main road for a few miles; and it was a nice backdoor entrance to Pt. Reyes Station.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERdykfaq6Wq6aPOm-H_YL0eU-s-Nbh4RPudk9ys-kEPlG-JEQTpXc9KcOLOYb3lkL000J4uTZFdGaNf0hOqPCOkUm0puTWaf2yIvYlJdhkwFPnWecPC4C8Wb12sGsYIObxTevapCQ86M/s1600/w209-im+ringing+the+peace+bell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERdykfaq6Wq6aPOm-H_YL0eU-s-Nbh4RPudk9ys-kEPlG-JEQTpXc9KcOLOYb3lkL000J4uTZFdGaNf0hOqPCOkUm0puTWaf2yIvYlJdhkwFPnWecPC4C8Wb12sGsYIObxTevapCQ86M/s1600/w209-im+ringing+the+peace+bell.jpg" height="400" width="385" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The traditional Peace Bell ringing at the Church up the hill from Highway 1</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsZb_sv7yTNqNhLBffAWJAqo4lumqp2PWQobUgyXVD6EcMs-TRTYaQBYLYzNDZ8sTyNyof7geORMSRMuXtV8Z4wM5urzgPYYMKrnXkr-NhhTexcVS7n5ZwqtIym7bwj_PL0MSqdJEo2M/s1600/w210-christine+miffed+that+there+is+no+room+for+her+car+in+church+parking+lot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsZb_sv7yTNqNhLBffAWJAqo4lumqp2PWQobUgyXVD6EcMs-TRTYaQBYLYzNDZ8sTyNyof7geORMSRMuXtV8Z4wM5urzgPYYMKrnXkr-NhhTexcVS7n5ZwqtIym7bwj_PL0MSqdJEo2M/s1600/w210-christine+miffed+that+there+is+no+room+for+her+car+in+church+parking+lot.jpg" height="400" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine can't find a parking spot as the Easter crowd arrives a day early</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_xMmENbDe1CgNESbZ8Bz-kH6LSOYr-fjtu7bV6ylcISIOtZ_-huHUCAEIk_OWpXfumlp3Rz3mumH6_RFvLlkrfHD0YJqWyw740SFErx3PjDiBIVtlYER5MzhLaM5UlzaBBL7vPhggCw/s1600/w212-amy+coming+down+from+bates+motel+peace+bell+church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_xMmENbDe1CgNESbZ8Bz-kH6LSOYr-fjtu7bV6ylcISIOtZ_-huHUCAEIk_OWpXfumlp3Rz3mumH6_RFvLlkrfHD0YJqWyw740SFErx3PjDiBIVtlYER5MzhLaM5UlzaBBL7vPhggCw/s1600/w212-amy+coming+down+from+bates+motel+peace+bell+church.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amy coming down from the "Bates Motel" Church</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJH8HEeiVZO5_DsoczhRdNBINJMtYO__Rd37byesmM1S2a058shtRAuzhoPNjDzSc-CIgoqZS2OJIq_Ki-j-BHcoX0uOniPMC8IkGcx-7_IkfFBHj9RCMk9TtOr5mU1jXxlRFffxH1les/s1600/w213e-going+down+highway+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJH8HEeiVZO5_DsoczhRdNBINJMtYO__Rd37byesmM1S2a058shtRAuzhoPNjDzSc-CIgoqZS2OJIq_Ki-j-BHcoX0uOniPMC8IkGcx-7_IkfFBHj9RCMk9TtOr5mU1jXxlRFffxH1les/s1600/w213e-going+down+highway+1.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack leading the group down Highway 1</td></tr>
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Pt. Reyes Station looked as crowded and calamitous at the oyster bar area--but this time with cyclists instead of cars. The park at the corner was closed--being rehabilitated for Earth Day, so dozens of cyclists were covering the sidewalk. We squatted across the street from the hordes. Luckily I had called in my order at the start of the ride to the great Bovine Bakery. Christine made fun of me when I did but she wound up with a scone that looked like a bike saddle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VTiQKhm3px73X7RYAdGCpwLCUt4fytXaA-4WrL7fspzcycy-hvkmg1HL8lqSIturEk1DL96sUtEgfib-2RVhuUcBJ8O8eLqTzTmHUwru6P90E02EB_mfYuMtrrG6okJSb6mSJsJYEO8/s1600/w220-podium+girl+sends+greetings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VTiQKhm3px73X7RYAdGCpwLCUt4fytXaA-4WrL7fspzcycy-hvkmg1HL8lqSIturEk1DL96sUtEgfib-2RVhuUcBJ8O8eLqTzTmHUwru6P90E02EB_mfYuMtrrG6okJSb6mSJsJYEO8/s1600/w220-podium+girl+sends+greetings.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homage to Coach Toby who has to tell us how riding Paris Roubaix amateur was</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0GwO3cKbCsfNM0yocqNaZkRuEeEqpv6CZen5GSy5esbzx8iCjmjlb4p2yznZK_pluIdTZtomAcNVvdgV87ED5e5kZqNOpaF6LQq8VUYQmbxEf5SWxDIZjQ74sBheFayaR9E0zSEI22Y/s1600/w219a-that+scone+looks+like+a+bike+saddle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0GwO3cKbCsfNM0yocqNaZkRuEeEqpv6CZen5GSy5esbzx8iCjmjlb4p2yznZK_pluIdTZtomAcNVvdgV87ED5e5kZqNOpaF6LQq8VUYQmbxEf5SWxDIZjQ74sBheFayaR9E0zSEI22Y/s1600/w219a-that+scone+looks+like+a+bike+saddle.jpg" height="256" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine's scone, which she'll later use as a bike saddle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGx11z_J4daXKLBWAd2lZGsCrmjK1TqcuZQaNwj8YOT-H72Rh96VLiLMkxiiIm52mnRYwGnczRFKzd9wwkq_dEzdIdUsb_GQMxy2KjVTXALGpqlV7lpYb8Sr-4iDKoPTug_7FyQsbQt_U/s1600/w-Homeless+Guys+In+Front+of+ATM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGx11z_J4daXKLBWAd2lZGsCrmjK1TqcuZQaNwj8YOT-H72Rh96VLiLMkxiiIm52mnRYwGnczRFKzd9wwkq_dEzdIdUsb_GQMxy2KjVTXALGpqlV7lpYb8Sr-4iDKoPTug_7FyQsbQt_U/s1600/w-Homeless+Guys+In+Front+of+ATM.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We'll cycle for food (Christine)</td></tr>
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From here Nunzio and I talked about bonus miles--but in the cool air I wasn't too keen on adding on. On a warmer day Mt Tam would have been good. One proposal to Fairfax sounded good but it would only add 10 miles and we'd miss the great run in from the Nicasio Reservoir back to the cars. We kept talking about bonus miles but lack of anyone's enthusiasm had us riding back with the group.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsGfbJI4NeVORc5sFlhFgxe9MSVX0AkZaBS0KGfie70FpFBIoV1v7N2Dqd48oJ7sMJTeTt78J16AmGpCwyjplkNQ3XM-fHzFDbeGuhmtPFS3lJGmdRxdN7T1FtNjBqNFmbuihTwigrEc/s1600/w224-we+would+have+lost+mike+and+ward+at+this+point.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsGfbJI4NeVORc5sFlhFgxe9MSVX0AkZaBS0KGfie70FpFBIoV1v7N2Dqd48oJ7sMJTeTt78J16AmGpCwyjplkNQ3XM-fHzFDbeGuhmtPFS3lJGmdRxdN7T1FtNjBqNFmbuihTwigrEc/s1600/w224-we+would+have+lost+mike+and+ward+at+this+point.jpg" height="327" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jersey of the Day</td></tr>
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At the park we saw a cyclists supporting a good cause and wearing a killer jersey "Bikes for Boobs"<br />
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Our group stayed together out of Pt Reyes Station towards the Nicasio Reservoir with some short easy rollers. On one uphill roller there was a group of a half dozen young guys. I was content to stay behind them so we could stay together but soon Christine was calling out "<em>on your left"</em> while passing. Shit--I knew what was going to happen as a result of guys getting passed by a girl. So I went to the front so we could speed away from the group of guys and soon Nunzio, Christine and I had a rotating paceline into a fierce crosswind.<br />
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We soon hit the Nicasio Reservoir and the right turn which always means a great tail wind. But when I lead our group around the turn Nunzio yells out from the back <span style="color: blue;">"<em><strong>Postal,"</strong></em></span> which is our code word for someone about to pass our group. I try to keep the pace high but I got crappy 5 second power, and the best rider from the half dozen guys Christine passed was soon drafting behind us.<br />
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I'm just keeping the pace high--at least high for me--and ready to rotate off the front when the interloper pulls a Niki Terpstra and shoots off our paceline and is quickly down the road. Now no one goofs around more on a ride than me--but I love when I get my dander up and I get really great focus, and do something that surprises me. Fuck this guy; I hit my max 5 second power for the year and claw my way back to the guy and get on his wheel. Glance back and hope Nunzio and Christine are there--but they are not. Guy puts in a few digs, I stay with him, and when he knows I'm not falling off he rides more consistently and points out crap on the road. So when he pulls off the front I do go by and pull for the last mile of the three mile run in. <span style="color: red;">(2nd best time of anyone on this Strava segment for the day, which surprises me as I have trouble keeping power levels up on the flats.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBn3vmqoLMvSjA56ON_oXpmnDvgNhGXpBomSZJkhCokD8F2gwIlziyVeSFJtCgX5uTSHWYfl2nrbuAWJ06YVvE3mnaLk5lNLE9_eNJQL6TchEBwezD_O-qfFkR7SS5ZR9HNte-vk0BadU/s1600/Nicasio+Ramble+Strava.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBn3vmqoLMvSjA56ON_oXpmnDvgNhGXpBomSZJkhCokD8F2gwIlziyVeSFJtCgX5uTSHWYfl2nrbuAWJ06YVvE3mnaLk5lNLE9_eNJQL6TchEBwezD_O-qfFkR7SS5ZR9HNte-vk0BadU/s1600/Nicasio+Ramble+Strava.jpg" height="628" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstybXcgp-kWtI_PnTKbmv28Mgbo-PFnx6uOJhhBKxibdyQuM5inNRWDphyphenhyphen2W6-yxc8Ga2P4lnaeagDWLAlKEIhkdgpZGXigJzkRKoXHZoqLE1O9oaO6KnXBDj3b6djd3sxwyVk7ig_sU/s1600/w228-christine+on+run+into+big+rock+eastbound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstybXcgp-kWtI_PnTKbmv28Mgbo-PFnx6uOJhhBKxibdyQuM5inNRWDphyphenhyphen2W6-yxc8Ga2P4lnaeagDWLAlKEIhkdgpZGXigJzkRKoXHZoqLE1O9oaO6KnXBDj3b6djd3sxwyVk7ig_sU/s1600/w228-christine+on+run+into+big+rock+eastbound.jpg" height="388" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine getting serious on the Big Rock run in when I threaten to take selfies if she falls off my wheel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_phXnj_AD8eb3DC93j0oyfaKrZYwUrQgPaukQSOd12XzOJsvRRqEuoyBAmH6ebAmsjp4eNKvkk8XbMFSjmbGbBPGifG9jscxuWUtihR6cOQ6uvNyx9zShG3CJgjEz6B3p9P4uyNjVxY/s1600/w229-i+warned+christine+if+she+didnt+get+back+to+me+on+teh+run+int+o+big+rock+eastbound+a+selfie+would+happen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_phXnj_AD8eb3DC93j0oyfaKrZYwUrQgPaukQSOd12XzOJsvRRqEuoyBAmH6ebAmsjp4eNKvkk8XbMFSjmbGbBPGifG9jscxuWUtihR6cOQ6uvNyx9zShG3CJgjEz6B3p9P4uyNjVxY/s1600/w229-i+warned+christine+if+she+didnt+get+back+to+me+on+teh+run+int+o+big+rock+eastbound+a+selfie+would+happen.jpg" height="400" width="373" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine fell off once</td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">We regroup again at </span></span><span style="color: black;">Nicasio for the great dozen mile run in up to the Big Rock climb, the climb is gentle and in the afternoon we get a nice tailwind through the redwoods and the steep part of the Big Rock climb eastbound is very short--just like a long roller. One of my favorites. Only kicker is now Mark is cramping up so Nunzio rides with him. I start up the long shallow climb, using the power meter to ameliorate the pace so Christine stays on my wheel. If she started to fall off I'd threaten to take selfies like I did last week solo on Patterson Pass so she'd scramble back to my wheel. When we got to the steep section I took off <span style="color: red;">(3rd best time of the day for any posted Strava time for the final Big Rock kick) </span> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu36D9iUOWQcUTrnB2m_GlD3VZZymN_erW_GAOVJBX0qjNxW3a_y8D8TVkB7XMhlOSqpLjlTkPNuusPYf-suzu7dB-BoLpDDu5JDUxkBTgw_SMLymbUuc1UicSNCvIO0XfeyHH34bLfbg/s1600/w234-the+teachers+up+big+rock+climb-eastbound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu36D9iUOWQcUTrnB2m_GlD3VZZymN_erW_GAOVJBX0qjNxW3a_y8D8TVkB7XMhlOSqpLjlTkPNuusPYf-suzu7dB-BoLpDDu5JDUxkBTgw_SMLymbUuc1UicSNCvIO0XfeyHH34bLfbg/s1600/w234-the+teachers+up+big+rock+climb-eastbound.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nunzio and Amy at the top of Big Rock eastbound</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-JxOeQY9FAJq8RB3bxuWKKD22e36yjfq6gFgrLH11_ZPi7unp_DpIUJZdXp02ybHNbzedhzoFn7xsFuRvfCXon2GaiIdgc7WCtQlvYwHUDJgNuztYoldo_X70-ZjquKmvDpt05csqA8/s1600/w237-mark+up+big+rock+hill+eastbound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-JxOeQY9FAJq8RB3bxuWKKD22e36yjfq6gFgrLH11_ZPi7unp_DpIUJZdXp02ybHNbzedhzoFn7xsFuRvfCXon2GaiIdgc7WCtQlvYwHUDJgNuztYoldo_X70-ZjquKmvDpt05csqA8/s1600/w237-mark+up+big+rock+hill+eastbound.jpg" height="400" width="396" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark at the top of Big Rock</td></tr>
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After a regroup at the top I started down the hill that used to terrify me--23 curves where people on the Marin Century fly off the hairpins. This was also the finish to the Mt Tam Double road race and my "coping" mechanism would be to count the curves as I went through so I wouldn't pay attention to how frightened I was. I had snuck off to get a headstart and when I get to the bottom Nunzio and Christine join me. We roll easy for a regroup with everyone but a guy comes by which has Nunzio jumping and chasing with Christine and me following. Redux of the morning but this morning the guy was fast--this guy is a ham and egger. I jump off the front--figuring the guy will chase and Nunzio and Christine will get a free ride--but soon Nunzio and Christine hammer past saying they dropped the guy. That Dr. Nunzio--he is becoming a real troublemaker.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtITCFyyWi-9eho-mFe04QPU995hLU_Ha2aAZF2RGuz8eX_oy3yNz57_rfmukWLx6uBR8h8TgokKiojoh_hZgpIBIXdK-VB3LeyjkfyF6D1atmA_dBGsLZTswanZARy6267YE8XZHzdww/s1600/w238-i+want+those+cycling+shorts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtITCFyyWi-9eho-mFe04QPU995hLU_Ha2aAZF2RGuz8eX_oy3yNz57_rfmukWLx6uBR8h8TgokKiojoh_hZgpIBIXdK-VB3LeyjkfyF6D1atmA_dBGsLZTswanZARy6267YE8XZHzdww/s1600/w238-i+want+those+cycling+shorts.jpg" height="400" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeeze, my day starts off getting a hug from Duro Beth, now I'm getting a hug from some Duro guy in crazy shorts.</td></tr>
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Even with the weather and the stream of early morning cars, everyone had a good time. Back at the finish some of the Duros were trying to find a brewpub--and with one person's accent the voice recognition software thought he was trying to find oral sex. Most of our group went over to a mall taquareia Nunzio recommended--Sonoma Taco Shop which had a big menu and the food was good. A nice post ride meal as opposed to killer bonus miles was a good choice.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Time Diablo Cyclist photo (Courtesy of Dr. Dave)</td></tr>
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<br />Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828803615119824478.post-34932581992523976582014-04-17T00:22:00.000-07:002014-04-18T22:49:21.227-07:00Patterson Pass 2x on Paris Roubaix Day (2014)(April 13, 2014) <strong>Patterson Pass 2x,</strong> solo (first 25 miles with Diablo Cyclists), 113 miles, 5,300' climbing, 15 mph<br />
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Another Saturday (long) ride done on a Sunday (short ride day.) The day before the family and Ward went to <s><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">AT&T Lousy Internet</span></s><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pac Bell Park</span>--the Disneyland of the north, to catch a Giants game. It was tote bag giveaway day--which the Giants only give to half their fans, so loads of folks including us were there hours before the game. The Giants hitters must have also had to line up to get their tote bags early, as during the game they were half asleep. Game so-so but lots of fun at the ball yard<br />
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So the next day needed to put in miles, legs were fresh, and I wanted to do something special. Today is Paris Roubaix--the hardest cycling race. Last weeks Tour of Flanders over short semi smooth cobbled hills may be a better race when its dry--but Paris Roubaix over little used flat farm roads, where the (as one cyclist put it) the cobbles look like they were dropped in by helicopter, is the greatest race when its wet. Paris Roubaix is the race I watched when I got hooked doing hard cycling rides. So today I had to do something grueling.</div>
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Day started off like the shits. Tried to watch a live stream feed of Paris Roubaix over the computer <span style="color: #38761d;">(only the Masters program show, Master commentary, Masters green jack fashion show, Insurance Commercials brought to you by the Masters are on TV)</span> which usually got me a frustrating 40 seconds of action before the computer grinded to a halt for 20 seconds rebuffering. I thought it was my computers faulty computer which is a pretty good laptop, so I hit too many keys while downloading programs it said I needed---resulting in my computer shutting down. The computer died with 20km to go with a large group in the lead and when my computer finally rebooted there was one surprise winner on the finishing velodrome himself. How did he get there???</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even when streaming I'm getting popup ads and update reminders galore.</td></tr>
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Later I found out from Ward who has a state of the art computer that the same stuff happens to him--its AT&T net's crappy streaming. (At the end of the day I had to delete all the crap phishing programs I downloaded.)</div>
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Nice weather and group at the start, Jack's inaugural ride on a new Volagi, which caught everyones interest. Our club certainly has a collection of interesting bikes--in my old club seemingly everyone had Treks and you best buy from the "in" dealer or half the Club didn't talk to you.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain Jack and his new Volagi</td></tr>
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Trouble is that Ward is still recovering from injury and months of inactivity, can't get Don off his fixed gear, and Christine, Dr. Dave and Mike all did metric+'s yesterday. So when I said I was going to do the great Patterson Pass loop twice there were no takers. Christine, resplendent in her Pink Floyd jersey thought about it, then regained here senses. I should have convinced her that the rainbows on the sleeve meant she was the world champion.</div>
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Two years ago I did Patterson Pass 2x with Toby and Ward and I fell apart on the second climb. It was at the end of my great 2012 cycling year--I was trying out high compression socks for a developing calf problem, and on the final 11%+ of the second loop my legs just gave out. I always blamed it on the compression socks but today we'd find out. </div>
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The first 25 miles was our Club's fast Sunday ride to the trees. Lots of talk about Pink Floyd, which I really know nothing about except that I didn't much care for the ubiquitous "The Wall" growing up. Conversation got me curious so will borrow some CD's. (update--not enough rhythm, just melody and weirdness, I'll pass) Last week I put on some Howlin Wolf CD that I rarely listened too and amazed how good he was and how many of his songs were covered by early Fleetwood Mac, Rolling Stones, The Animals, The Doors.... </div>
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When we got off the main road and onto secluded Collier Canyon, the music bsing stopped and everyone turned it up a notch. We soon had a nice long paceline of all the old timers off the front. Ward reminded me that I should take it easy as I was going long, but it was too much fun.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had to tell Mike it was Paris Roubaix day and he should put his SF Giants flag away. I'm celebrating by wearing the jersey of the greatest Paris Roubaix team ever--Domo Farm Frites</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CRz-LGOcAkKM9dW-guYwA2OnNDkYSOqKIDGhZU1MlePXBHzIznIvtKZm1qAggYhnB0PR-q1D3sfldy3vwRz35ow4dK2IydGj9vD1tvuo3IjXZm-DOnxAFDpZty92oIcKsUK1OFsgZG4/s1600/w172-group+at+trees+with+flags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CRz-LGOcAkKM9dW-guYwA2OnNDkYSOqKIDGhZU1MlePXBHzIznIvtKZm1qAggYhnB0PR-q1D3sfldy3vwRz35ow4dK2IydGj9vD1tvuo3IjXZm-DOnxAFDpZty92oIcKsUK1OFsgZG4/s1600/w172-group+at+trees+with+flags.jpg" height="351" width="400" /></a>Regroup at the trees and the Diablo Cyclists headed South towards Livermore--at the first split I took the road going East toward Livermore . The rest of the day was a solo Century ride.</div>
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Windmills on the hills weren't turning much--which is a good sign for the Patterson Pass climb. Before the climb would be the great Altamont run in--a dozen miles of great road surface, virtually no traffic, windmills and other strange man made objects, and usually a tailwind.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcocbycgP32eWOPgxUnVSRTB7z-g5r6h_otLO8_xOUL4ev0_40TjWO7c5yAlqbHSpY8oAO9VqUCmhh7qrygajhk5ae8A6_9Nr7-ygyP83ftMJp2J8AvRfHTxoJ2_4IvYQePFk4afHIkZ8/s1600/w186-beginning+of+teh+altamont+run+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcocbycgP32eWOPgxUnVSRTB7z-g5r6h_otLO8_xOUL4ev0_40TjWO7c5yAlqbHSpY8oAO9VqUCmhh7qrygajhk5ae8A6_9Nr7-ygyP83ftMJp2J8AvRfHTxoJ2_4IvYQePFk4afHIkZ8/s1600/w186-beginning+of+teh+altamont+run+in.jpg" height="177" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of the wonderful Altamont to Patterson Pass--great road--virtually no traffic--strange scenery--tailwind pushing you up a gentle climb</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZo2bo_zN8U8_beYCly4P1NblPqVTsbFOeEEkADLqZv0SHj3rWnTzshwzfOB6lkU2heDJkfJShhER40aklFKJku0y0ucoUzT-Mo6AXsDe-yH7mfQLEXpP1ta92rA5R12BcSb6tQEEligc/s1600/w189-selfie+by+summit+garage-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZo2bo_zN8U8_beYCly4P1NblPqVTsbFOeEEkADLqZv0SHj3rWnTzshwzfOB6lkU2heDJkfJShhER40aklFKJku0y0ucoUzT-Mo6AXsDe-yH7mfQLEXpP1ta92rA5R12BcSb6tQEEligc/s1600/w189-selfie+by+summit+garage-1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 1st and 2nd time going by the Summit Garage</td></tr>
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Today not much of a tailwind at the start--more of a crosswind from the North. This dampened the speed of the Altamont run in but would be beneficial on the Patterson Pass climb as any tailwind now becomes a fierce headwind on the climb. In any event I wasn't trying to go fast--as no clubmates from the Diablo Cyclists Ansel Adam's Division I had to perfect the art of taking selfies. <span style="color: magenta;">If you find the selfies real crappy--blame Dr. Dave, Christine and Mike for leaving me alone with a camera.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Altamont Run In--The Valley of the Windmills</td></tr>
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By the time I reached the end of the Altamont run in--the right turn off Altamont to Midway and its short rollers, the weather was beautiful. No need for arm warmers or t-shirt. I only had a 1/4 bottle left. So instead of going right onto Patterson Pass, I went 2 miles past the start and to the stores around the highway that suddenly materializes in the middle of nowhere. Want to be fully liquored up for the 5 1/2 mile climb.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEOVjJwKVXHh0VsktD5gHOVad9LlbnK9eYZ9AaCMFGp8v5_crvetQv3k92nHiChtvlIVM9ChaDxssaPJncyyIU6q2kJS_eSofHGKm5sGjSvtsnm6FdVRThhPG_sK6ZuD082cAdAqMv9Q/s1600/w220-selfie+by+the+altamont+speedway+1st+time+around.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEOVjJwKVXHh0VsktD5gHOVad9LlbnK9eYZ9AaCMFGp8v5_crvetQv3k92nHiChtvlIVM9ChaDxssaPJncyyIU6q2kJS_eSofHGKm5sGjSvtsnm6FdVRThhPG_sK6ZuD082cAdAqMv9Q/s1600/w220-selfie+by+the+altamont+speedway+1st+time+around.jpg" height="400" width="382" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Past the Altamont Speedway the first time I noticed a Pink Floyd sign--second time around I pulled in to check out what was going on. Christine missed the concert.</td></tr>
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So it was past the Altamont Speedway (is that a sign for a Pink Floyd concert?), a series of rollers among windmills, and down to the 7-11 for water, ice pop and to shed some clothes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeCdl3_J4MR52hMWSeYvGFREENUtEhf00NiIBriYsdJtj0O5LYwe8QMWzgsk8-mSUchh8RbzSLylVV8zebhsFrStwoV4wQy0wAc1iV-AJ3GdYKtSkvfi5S2XdVfppi8dWILGmvHmXMK8/s1600/w235-electric+tower+at+beginning+of+pp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeCdl3_J4MR52hMWSeYvGFREENUtEhf00NiIBriYsdJtj0O5LYwe8QMWzgsk8-mSUchh8RbzSLylVV8zebhsFrStwoV4wQy0wAc1iV-AJ3GdYKtSkvfi5S2XdVfppi8dWILGmvHmXMK8/s1600/w235-electric+tower+at+beginning+of+pp.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(above) Start of the 1st Patterson Pass climb goes by the electric grid (below) 2nd time around grid is still there to greet<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9V7GwZ2KtUkqBG1R1n4BrRKQSv5njnsnk_8_l3JcnhpV8Zz4pSGWr_kMfym4i7tVETbnoYmf3ufaYN1J30ppL7LBh2lJaagmfG-QO8avzCBP3jnbYyHf-PfDPiRyQD2ABGw67MvWwNZE/s1600/w290-selfie+at+teh+start+of+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9V7GwZ2KtUkqBG1R1n4BrRKQSv5njnsnk_8_l3JcnhpV8Zz4pSGWr_kMfym4i7tVETbnoYmf3ufaYN1J30ppL7LBh2lJaagmfG-QO8avzCBP3jnbYyHf-PfDPiRyQD2ABGw67MvWwNZE/s1600/w290-selfie+at+teh+start+of+2.jpg" height="320" width="297" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The climbing is about to begin. Hmmm-always a headwind here; today just hot with a slight breeze coming in from the right.</td></tr>
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Back up to the start of Patterson Pass and a constant head wind coming in from the North at the start. But as soon as the road turns West and the climbing starts the hills killed most of the crosswind--it was very breezeless and very warm. Near the top the normal headwind picked up slightly; it was very gentle and helped cool things off on the series of 11%+ sections. Patterson Pass was deserted--maybe two cyclists came down while I was climbing and one vehicle passed me. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK70d6xylysKqakr_kdY63QA-e4Li48Z54RHoxa01NZxK6edlO_LeW3gfDZq-c4NKt5b-1N5-ugpe96rJeWNe0cG0Tmdu7DWX2fNqasPk3VP79rbnAkx59GnJaYYouUNEjVkRVdpRY75Y/s1600/w252-false+run+in--thats+not+teh+top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK70d6xylysKqakr_kdY63QA-e4Li48Z54RHoxa01NZxK6edlO_LeW3gfDZq-c4NKt5b-1N5-ugpe96rJeWNe0cG0Tmdu7DWX2fNqasPk3VP79rbnAkx59GnJaYYouUNEjVkRVdpRY75Y/s1600/w252-false+run+in--thats+not+teh+top.jpg" height="186" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">False flat with about a mile to go. A 11% grade ends in a short downhill and then two-three more 11% sections where the headwind usually picks up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep--11% grade. I should have the speed in Kh, I would seemingly be going faster</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngERiEKG8lmSbW3zB355natyBb8M53VxM8ePOj8RHp-UGEaj9mi5LButqBdTL-HVwZ-Rl8UriPWci0XS_Gh8jwa8gVx975hnmM7oBeu7lLWw5RF8bG0Vq0Wmg-yAicP7VwI5iF_jYdnM/s1600/w270-jay+near+teh+top-patterson+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngERiEKG8lmSbW3zB355natyBb8M53VxM8ePOj8RHp-UGEaj9mi5LButqBdTL-HVwZ-Rl8UriPWci0XS_Gh8jwa8gVx975hnmM7oBeu7lLWw5RF8bG0Vq0Wmg-yAicP7VwI5iF_jYdnM/s1600/w270-jay+near+teh+top-patterson+1.jpg" height="205" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near the top of Patterson Pass 1st time around</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The real finishing climb</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAbHsRsJj_3dWOmTHZ0BmSoxhVadEqPbD8BriYp48SiDSrkwtzRBwyKuQkXkED0BWlDKhaHEsNJZ9mYSNHMm4XLVXP-ipjBLBQzY_SBantwbm3YZBP-DwHG2PgGWrCiaQTkK2h0Kmm2k/s1600/w276-selfie+on+patterson+pass+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAbHsRsJj_3dWOmTHZ0BmSoxhVadEqPbD8BriYp48SiDSrkwtzRBwyKuQkXkED0BWlDKhaHEsNJZ9mYSNHMm4XLVXP-ipjBLBQzY_SBantwbm3YZBP-DwHG2PgGWrCiaQTkK2h0Kmm2k/s1600/w276-selfie+on+patterson+pass+1.jpg" height="400" width="370" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patterson Pass #1 is in the bag</td></tr>
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Christine ("don't take kneewarmers") would be proud as I didn't put on the vest for the downhill. Instead of taking the "shortcut" back to Altamont that Ward/ Toby and I did two years ago (some shortcut--its a series of sharp rollers), I went all the way back downhill. This way I could hit a gas station for more water so I wouldn't have to cycle past the Patterson Pass turnoff to stock up again. Gas station 7-11 was empty but counter lady gave me a hard time for bringing my bike in the store--if there was an alternative nearby I just would have dumped the water and banana on the spot but unfortunately no other choices. Feasted on the rest of my biscotti.</div>
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Start of the Altamont run in is right around the corner. Motocross Park--huge trestle--climb up to elevated bridge for highway that is REALLY elevated and then disappears. About 1/4 mile ahead was a cyclist so from here on in (except for another selfie or two) my photos had been taken on the 1st loop and I tried to catch him . After the highway bridge the road becomes fast and cyclist would put some distance on me on the fast parts. I'd make up lots of ground on the fast rollers past the Summit Garage when we hit windmill-land. I was only about 200' behind when we hit the Midway turnoff but he went straight back to the farm belt and I turned for the climb. May have not been the wisest thing to ride so hard here but the Altamont section was seemingly over in no time.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuURYLNMQPTIDEbsauuGt8SIjIoGswWilxdHzizdT3J0_scSO77w3D39y9gVonzqjaA5QW2xYPZ-Ni5NJz9M4-2CFledEaeyk_NCckZPERmv33QOFxG5cnm6n9lu1-fQINwSmE6kGEdl4/s1600/w312-near+teh+top+of+patterson+pass-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuURYLNMQPTIDEbsauuGt8SIjIoGswWilxdHzizdT3J0_scSO77w3D39y9gVonzqjaA5QW2xYPZ-Ni5NJz9M4-2CFledEaeyk_NCckZPERmv33QOFxG5cnm6n9lu1-fQINwSmE6kGEdl4/s1600/w312-near+teh+top+of+patterson+pass-2.jpg" height="228" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near the top of Patterson Pass #2--hey taking all those selfies strained my arm--hard to keep the camera straight</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sFvbTCHHlpMXvct7FRHbzQq_ac4GIL2Bogi0OC842qoyQch2HqeXUbdiabJ3XXPRbvTnXK6i_OhCb9rXxwlItim85d5rpwJjo3cR2nytG9B_yCRSya0UbF5gNMRiXoZR4JuYIXb7yg8/s1600/w316-jay+and+patterson+pass+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sFvbTCHHlpMXvct7FRHbzQq_ac4GIL2Bogi0OC842qoyQch2HqeXUbdiabJ3XXPRbvTnXK6i_OhCb9rXxwlItim85d5rpwJjo3cR2nytG9B_yCRSya0UbF5gNMRiXoZR4JuYIXb7yg8/s1600/w316-jay+and+patterson+pass+2.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climb #2 is done</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IpehIh1gfbSUFVtXJHVZ6pfP5i08TkuaAd2G_Z-m_ckKIAP8aSadLsco3m4FTBpJA-yGI6J2LlB5qv6ctBhZrW5jMG0xr2k4MtZJKadqtPTu7qpexTTiJxft9gL-KtqVrc5Mp66kNjM/s1600/w320-selfie+on+top+of+patterson+pass+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IpehIh1gfbSUFVtXJHVZ6pfP5i08TkuaAd2G_Z-m_ckKIAP8aSadLsco3m4FTBpJA-yGI6J2LlB5qv6ctBhZrW5jMG0xr2k4MtZJKadqtPTu7qpexTTiJxft9gL-KtqVrc5Mp66kNjM/s1600/w320-selfie+on+top+of+patterson+pass+2.jpg" height="360" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh--you want to see another selfie from loop #2</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqb3bh_agjgjksMegXsJM1F8faDqn_L7GRUlMW7Iu3UKqhRvExxBYb9sPLoMZuSSGsltw1iDHmbHd3xylxAdjapwF3qwC06k8Bfde-JnBNlgIXPxhxbxYKa1lmb3WLsL02Rc_zEI0m8k/s1600/w321-the+road+up+patterson+pass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqb3bh_agjgjksMegXsJM1F8faDqn_L7GRUlMW7Iu3UKqhRvExxBYb9sPLoMZuSSGsltw1iDHmbHd3xylxAdjapwF3qwC06k8Bfde-JnBNlgIXPxhxbxYKa1lmb3WLsL02Rc_zEI0m8k/s1600/w321-the+road+up+patterson+pass.jpg" height="255" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last climb looking down from the top of Patterson Pass.</td></tr>
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Rollers past the speedway (yeah, I do hear "the Wall"), pass two guys in cowboy duds riding horses, two rollers and then its the right turn in to the Patterson Pass climb. Same cross breeze at the beginning. Just a touch more wind that in the morning, also warmer, but NO complaints. I was only a minute slower than my morning effort and same power output (173 watts) for the half hour effort. Surprisingly (as I'm worried about elevate cardiac creep) my average heart rate actually was DOWN a bit. I'm trying to sit and spin (or something akin to spinning) more on climbs--and I think I was more consistent by keeping my butt in the saddle except for brief reprieves and on the steep finishing sections. With my moderating power at the beginning and just a gentle headwind, the final 11% sections were no problem at all. </div>
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Of course I was not sure how to get back to Walnut Creek from the bottom of Patterson Pass. Most of Livermore's East-West streets dead end so I weaved in and out of many of them. Long ride on East Street--a main street I had never been on. I wound up in downtown so eventually I was reversing the morning route.</div>
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Another 7-11 stop for iced fruit bar and water. When I left the Garmin wasn't registering power data--oh crap, I just changed the battery a few weeks ago in the power hub. Then I noticed my cadence was continually 50---now I have a much better spin and have been known to break 60 on occasion. For some reason it was not reading the power meter or cadence sensor??? At least the satellite connection for speed and distance still worked, and my heart rate monitor didn't crap out.</div>
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Nice ride back to Blackhawk--road was deserted. Usually a popular cycling route-late in the day saw no one. As a holy day I started singing the opening lines of Patti Smith's rendition of Alan Ginberg's Holy... <em>"Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy, The bike is holy, the powertap is holy, the helmet is holy. Everything is holy-Paris Roubaix is holy. Museeuw is holy....."</em></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey--if I'm by myself I automatically win the sprint for the County Line</td></tr>
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When I get back to Blackhawk and the numerous red lights a tri guy passes me on a light change. I get on his wheel and he isn't happy--he just goes through the next solid red light.</div>
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I meet up with nicer cyclists later on--I join a couple where I get a pull from the guy for a few minutes--just enough to recharge my batteries. Its around 5:30 and I've been riding solo for about 6 hours. His wife starts talking with me about all the good rides in the area but they have small kids so they have a hard time getting out to ride. She wants to do the Death Ride for the cool jersey. I remember when I wanted to do that.</div>
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Its been a long day and maybe I should have driven to Livermore to start the ride. Then I could have tried Patterson pass 3x and then driven home when done. Hmmm, idea for future ride and the best dozen miles in the Bay Area, which is then followed by a wonderful climb.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue;"><span style="color: red;">*******</span>*********<span style="color: red;">*******</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Congrats to Niki Terpstra for winning Paris Roubaix--the first Dutchman since.....Servis!!! Kudos to Bradley Wiggings for being the first tour de France champ since Greg LeMond for showing up!</span></div>
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Pumpkincyclehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08380281126475963468noreply@blogger.com0