Topics
It was a SCORCHER! Once again, the temperature hit 105.
Started with a flat tire courtesy of a bent nail lying in wait for a bicycle tire. Since I got nailed--pun intended--maybe it spared another rider!
Big thanks to Ken, Scott and Hugo for pacing me back to the group. I caught up at the first climb on Mines. Shortly up the road, saw several riders pulled off to the side and thought someone took a spill. On the left side, Teresa was sitting in the dirt with a small deer. Deer had tried to jump the barbed wire fence and was hanging by a hoof when the group came upon it. Animal rescue was called and Teresa wanted to stay until they arrived. Close to mile 11, saw Diana stopped on the roadside and her bike's chain had just broke. Told her I would notify Rusty to come back to SAG.
I've ridden Mines several times in the past. The summer heat on this day was too much! I tried to block out the heat factor to get to county line. What a relief it was to see the MS tent and water stop. Chris's dad, Rich, provided energy bars, cookies and much welcomed ice and water! Saw the first group of riders blast past the water stop from the downhill you get after climbing past county line. Heard that eight riders decided to go to Junction and I wished them well. There was a bit of headwind on the way back; I was in the drops and made pretty good time until the road started uphill. Ken, Bob, Craig, Ken caught up at that point. They had a good paceline going; still too fast for me. When it started going downhill, I backed off. When we got to S. Livermore, the heat was searing. I was really glad to be back at the parking lot.
Would like to acknowledge and thank the following people who helped in this year's series: Al--you're awesome! Christoph, BobH, JimK, Nancy, Anne, John, BobW, Frankie, Pat. Rusty and Mairin for SAG on the critical routes. Another successful series in the bag!
by Eva Zee on Sun, Aug 30, 2009 @ 7:14 PM
Permanent Link
No Comments
This ride was for billy goats: first you ride the Three Bears, climb up Pinehurst to Skyline, zip down to Rockridge BART, reclimb out of Rockridge and over the Caledott Tunnel and tackle the Grizzly Peak climb before blasting down on Wildcat Canyon back to Orinda.
What a shock to get to Skyline Blvd. covered in thick, dense fog all the way down to Rockridge. When we got to Grizzly Peak, the view was still covered by fog and we didn't warm up until we got back to Orinda.
Only one more training ride!
by Eva Zee on Mon, Aug 24, 2009 @ 6:41 PM
Permanent Link
No Comments
Lemme see....rattlesnake spotted at Pleasanton Ridge Park, tarantula running alongside me and Jim as we rode on Calaveras, a mellow nine year old mastiff (see photo on the team's website) and the flattened rabbit on Stevenson. Such is the wildlife we saw on last Saturday's ride that took us through Niles Canyon, Palomares Canyon, Dublin Canyon and onto Calaveras and down the Wall before returning through Milpitas. We continue to attract a large number of riders on these training rides.
On Sunday, Ken and I joined the Velo Club Miwok at the annual Apple Ride in Sebastopol. We rode a pleasant morning ride through town and came upon riders in the Tour d'Organics. We saw multiple sculptures by a local artist using recycled materials made into a SF cable car, Noah's Arc, and a very tall tin dog. After a splendid barbeque lunch, we picked Gravenstein apples and pressed them for the freshest apple juice you could never buy! To reward our efforts, Diane's homemade apple pies and Jess's honey vanilla ice cream topped off another terrific event at their home. They promised another surprise for us when we ride past their home on Day 2!
by Eva Zee on Mon, Aug 17, 2009 @ 6:51 PM
Permanent Link
No Comments
Our largest group yet gathered on Saturday for the reverse Cindy route: 60 riders! That's larger than most club rides. Everyone seemed to enjoy this bucolic route through the edge of Danville into Livermore before returning via Sunol and Pleasanton. One our team members was hit by a car on his way to the start; he's OK, but the bike is not. Even if you think the driver sees you, proceed with caution and always assume you're invisible. We've completed nine training rides so far and there are only three remaining! GO TEAM CHEVRON!
by Eva Zee on Tue, Aug 11, 2009 @ 3:07 PM
Permanent Link
No Comments
Yeow! We had another large group of riders on this route over the Dumbarton Bridge, through the old money neighborhoods of Menlo Park & Atherton. After a regroup at Roberts Market, it was the climb up King's Mountain. After enduring last week's Mt. Hamilton climb in the heat, King's Mountain was in the shade for almost the entire way up. I received comments about how beautiful this ride was and for the new riders: they never heard of Sky Londa or La Honda; being from the East Bay. The descent down Hwy. 84 went very well because there were no cars tailgating us this time. THANK YOU Ken for keeping us together; JoyceT and BobH for impromptu ride leader duties, and AlQ for being our faithful sweep.
by Eva Zee on Mon, Aug 03, 2009 @ 3:35 PM
Permanent Link
No Comments
For those who usually ride up to Mt. Diablo....Mt. Hamilton is twice the length on the climb! After what seemed like an eternity, I made it to the top. This is one climb that plays with your mind: the observatory never appears to get closer as you're riding up. The observatory was completed 1888 in the memory of James Lick, an Old West pioneer of his time. After a short rest, the downhill journey was long! There are not many places in the Bay Area with a 19 mile descent. PatW treated us to home baked chocolate chip and lemon cookies at the end.
by Eva Zee on Mon, Jul 27, 2009 @ 12:50 PM
Permanent Link
No Comments
49 riders gathered at Orinda BART for this ride to Pinole, Rodeo and Crockett. After a near collision with three deer dashing across our path, we made a right turn onto the legendary McEwen Road. Climbing McEwen was very tough, at least it was in the shade. We paid respects to Mark Pendleton's ghost bike before descending Franklin Canyon. The heat kept rising as we rode towards pig farm. At mama bear, it was hot. A few riders chose to ride on the opposite side of the road while climbing papa bear so they could be in the little bit of shade that was offered. After climbing over baby bear and to the traffic light at Camino Pablo, it was a relief to ride on a flat surface back to BART. Those who were still in the parking lot were treated to home baked coconut macadamia cookies.
by Eva Zee on Tue, Jul 21, 2009 @ 3:19 PM
Permanent Link
No Comments
On the way up Pinehurst, overheard one rider say to his friend: wow, that's a big group of riders! We were 47 riders on Saturday's ride from Moraga, up Pinehurst to Skyline. After descending for about seven miles, we rode through the Oakland Zoo's parking lot and made our way to Castro Valley with a rest stop at the golf course. On the return, 30 Harleys were out for their ride and you could hear their engines roaring throughout the canyon while on Redwood Road. Everyone rode well and we're well on our way to becoming strong cyclists for the Waves to Wine!
by Eva Zee on Tue, Jul 14, 2009 @ 12:38 PM
Permanent Link
No Comments
THANKS to all donors from this rider! Am truly humbled by the generosity of people for this worthy cause.
We scouted the route for next week's training ride. A deer ran across the street as we rode past Skyline High School. We've had deer run across our path in past rides, but it was the first time on this residential street! OK-note to team: look out for deer as you're descending Skyline Blvd! What a ride; rolling hills and fast, twisty descents on this route.
by Eva Zee on Mon, Jul 06, 2009 @ 12:59 PM
Permanent Link
No Comments
The temps this morning on Patterson must have been in the 90s by 9:30! We rode past Concannon Winery and lush vineyards on the way to Cross Road. After turning onto Altamont Pass Road, the road was smooth and traffic very light. We had the luxury of cold water and SAG provided by Kath today. This route is very remote and having the cold water before the final climb on Patterson was a huge plus. As I climbed the final stretch, I remembered last year's ride here when it was blowing a gale force wind. Today, the breeze was ever so slight and welcomed as we ascended. I remember standing on the edge of road watching past Tour of California races in this stretch with multitudes of fans cheering the racers on. It's now 105 degrees in Livermore, GULP! We did really well today.
by Eva Zee on Sat, Jun 27, 2009 @ 6:32 PM
Permanent Link
No Comments
WOOHOO! What a terrific ride on Saturday! The last time I was on Calaveras, it had just been chip sealed and still very rough. This year, the road has smoothed down and because we started early, we had no traffic going out. Since the Tour of California included Calaveras Road as part of their route, it has become a popular route for cyclists--there were numerous riders on the return. The Wall was a challenge for some and a victory for others in our group. This route remains one of my local favorites.
by Eva Zee on Mon, Jun 22, 2009 @ 4:11 PM
Permanent Link
No Comments
Our training series began two weeks ago and the turnout has been enthusiastic! The group has been 33 to 37 riders so far on each ride.
Our first ride to Sunol and back went very well. For some in the group, this was their first time in Sunol!
Last week's ride #2 took us from Martinez, over Franklin Canyon and Cummings Skyway with a zippy downhill into Crockett. Along the way, we saw a ship in someone's yard, a house with gargoyles guarding the fence with a large roach on its roof. We rode over the Carquinez Bridge and a single track section above Port Costa before we passed the burial grounds of old Wild West pioneers and John Muir's home.
The upcoming weeks are gonna be hillier and more distance---I'm looking forward to sharing these routes with this year's team!
by Eva Zee on Wed, Jun 17, 2009 @ 6:52 PM
Permanent Link
No Comments
Yesterday, on Memorial Day, we scouted the start location for the team's upcoming training series. BobH and we met in Milpitas and were fortunate to meet local rider, Hugo, who guided us to a less trafficked route to Mt. Hamilton. We passed deer munching on the roadside and prime real estate on the way. Can't wait for the group to ride this one! The route includes parts of the 2009 Tour of California roads.
by Eva Zee on Tue, May 26, 2009 @ 1:09 PM
Permanent Link
No Comments
