Nov 4 - St. Helena/Pope Valley ride

[SadieKate]

I've been asked to coordinate another ride in the wine country hills. I mapped out this route which should be very nice for the fall color of the grape vines, the salamanders on Ink Grade and fewer goobers (uh, boat traffic) by Lake Berryessa.

About 54 miles. The actual climbing will probably be about 4,000.

Goobers and Grapes
http://www.routeslip.com/map.php?map=12207

Parking: Library and Adams St east of Main St in St. Helena. Both are dead end streets and recommended by both the Police Dept traffic person and the St. Helena Cyclery.

We'll find chow in St. Helena. There are always a lot of votes for Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen but suggestions are always welcome.
http://www.cindysbackstreetkitchen.com/index.php

Time to be announced based on weather but shouldn't need to be terribly early.

[roguedog]

Looks like fun.. but not sure i'm up to all that climbing yet.

[Trekhawk]

I'm in. Ill do hills if yummy food is at the end.:D

Come on girls it will be fun.:D

[aka_kim]

I believe my drill sergeant says I'm in - I just go where I'm told.

Btw, SK, the Pilot had no additional info on this route, he just sang the praises of doing Sage Canyon downhill (but we know it's more fun uphill).

[SadieKate]

TrekHawk, you better be careful. You're getting a really long list of titles.

Kim, but has The Pilot tried Howell Mtn downhill?

BTW, everyone, if the weather continues to be so glorious, we'll have to change the route and stay away from the lake. On the otherhand, going downhill at Turtle Rock (the boaters route to the lake) is probably safer than our normal uphill. So, maybe, I dunno.

[aka_kim]

Trekhawk, I would not ever call you a name or assign you a title, other than "sandbagger" of course.

The Pilot has done Howell Mtn. downhill into Pope Valley - it's supposed to be a hairy descent.

I don't know nuthin about no boat traffic. At Knoxville, on a day with perfect weather, there was almost no traffic on Berryessa. Do people put their boats away for the winter?

[SadieKate]

I wish. There were some going up Wooden Valley to Moskowite on Sunday on that colder overcast day. Maybe once you get beyond the Turtle Rock to Spanish Flats piece they go away.

[Trekhawk]

Trekhawk, I would not ever call you a name or assign you a title, other than "sandbagger" of course.


LOL - call me what you like I just want someone to share the pain ummm I mean fun. I want to join Team Poo.:D :D

[maillotpois]

The Pilot has done Howell Mtn. downhill into Pope Valley - it's supposed to be a hairy descent.

OOOH! OOOOH! That is a fun descent! At Knoxville last year I almost passed a boat being towed by a car, but then I remembered I am mortal.

[jobob]

Put us down for more than likely - depends on how late I get back from my worplace offsite teambuilding thingy the day before. But LeeBob can drive while I sleep, he's done it before. :)

[SadieKate]

Oh, throw 'em a bottle of wine (underhand) and take off. They'll think you're the best thing since sliced bread. What more do you need?

[Deanna]

What do you all think the pace/average speed be like?

[SadieKate]

I think car door to car door, we'll be somewhere in the 13.5 - 14.5 mph avg. Nobody gets dropped - unless you ride through an intersection in front of the ride leader.;) :rolleyes:

We'd love for you to come join us! Dare I keep my finners crossed?

Editing: I just looked at your journal. I think you'll fit in just fine.

[jobob]

LeeBob and I will bring up the rear, at least on the hills. :cool:

[Trekhawk]

What do you all think the pace/average speed be like?

Hey Deanna - hope you can come and share some hills and a laugh.:)

[Trekhawk]

LeeBob and I will bring up the rear, at least on the hills. :cool:

LOL - yep on the flats thats my job.:D How was the holiday???

[Deanna]

Right now it's looking good, and it's a pace I think I could probably handle. I'd be the one bringing up the rear on the hills, and probably on the way down too. It'll get me to kick my butt back into gear, I've been a slug lately.

[SadieKate]

I think Kim has a drill sergeant she could recommend.

[SadieKate]

TH and I just made a co-executive decision (without the Supreme Decider :eek: ).

Start time: 9:30 am on our bikes

Rain cancels cause I'm a fragile flower of femininity and I will wilt -- or I might melt. Depends on which personality is prevalent that day.

[SadieKate]

Just starting the list:

Yes
Sarah and Bubba
Kim
The Bobs
Captain Sandbagger

Looking goods, maybes, "if I'm not working", "if I can get up early enough" and other tentative replies
Deanna
Sue F
Ed
HotRod
GW

[Deanna]

You can move me to the Yes, weather permitting. If it's raining at my house when I get up, I'm not likely to make the drive over the hill for the chance it will clear up.

[SadieKate]

Done! If it's raining at your house, Deanna, would you post right away? Davis will get the rain last so you guys to the west will need to be on the weather lookout. I'm sure TrekHawk (aka Captain Sandbagger) won't want to make the long drive down the hill if it's raining.

Yes
Sarah and Bubba
Kim
The Bobs
Captain Sandbagger
Deanna

Maybes, "if I'm not working", "if I can get up early enough" and other tentative replies
Sue F
Ed
HotRod
GW

[Trekhawk]

Done! If it's raining at your house, Deanna, would you post right away? Davis will get the rain last so you guys to the west will need to be on the weather lookout. I'm sure TrekHawk (aka Captain Sandbagger) won't want to make the long drive down the hill if it's raining.

Yes
Sarah and Bubba
Kim
The Bobs
Captain Sandbagger
Deanna

Maybes, "if I'm not working", "if I can get up early enough" and other tentative replies
Sue F
Ed
HotRod
GW

LOL - yep that would be good otherwise I might end up on SK's doorstep for breaky. :D :D

[Deanna]

Will do.

[SadieKate]

Weather doesn't look too bad. Decreasing chance of precip.

Everybody still coming? There's blue sky out my window right now.

http://www.weatherunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=94574&hourly=1&yday=307&weekday=Saturday

[Deanna]

Weather is mixed here, but looking good. I think all the rain dumped on us yesterday. I'm there - 9:30 at Library and Adams correct?

[Trekhawk]

Weather doesn't look too bad. Decreasing chance of precip.

Everybody still coming? There's blue sky out my window right now.

http://www.weatherunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=94574&hourly=1&yday=307&weekday=Saturday

Yep I will be there. I will need to leave by about 6.15 to make sure I am there in plenty of time, so if the weather changes to blah give me a call on my cell and I will turn the car back for home.:)

[aka_kim]

Everybody still coming?Yep.

[SadieKate]

I really wish you wouldn't talk so much, Kim. It's hard to get in a word edgewise.

[SadieKate]

Weather is mixed here, but looking good. I think all the rain dumped on us yesterday. I'm there - 9:30 at Library and Adams correct?Yes'm. The spot is on the routeslip.

I'm going to PM my phone #s to you just in case the weather makes a drastic turn for the worse and you think it's a better idea to stay in bed with a good book.

[Trekhawk]

I really wish you wouldn't talk so much, Kim. It's hard to get in a word edgewise.

Hee Hee.:D :D

[Trekhawk]

Ok I have paid no attention to the route slip because I was assuming the Navigator (Jobob) was coming. Are the Bobs still riding.


Trek-who likes to wheel suck and not read maps-hawk.:D

(Hee hee poor Jo what a brevet partner she has scored)

[aka_kim]

Poo! on you, TrekHawk (and DI).:D

I got my 800th post today - after 3 1/2 years on the forums.:o

[SadieKate]

DI? Dumbus Idiotus? Now what and are who you calling it?

[aka_kim]

DI? Dumbus Idiotus? Now what and are who you calling it?That has a nice ring. I was thinking "Drill Instructor" though.

[jobob]

Ok I have paid no attention to the route slip because I was assuming the Navigator (Jobob) was coming. Are the Bobs still riding.
Yes indeedy! :)

[SadieKate]

That has a nice ring.If you're following the orders of a Dumbus Idiotus, what does that make you?

I don't think I've heard the story of Team Poo. I believe it was created during the Foxy but that is as much a guess as I've hazarded. Do tell more?

[aka_kim]

I believe that makes me a supreme idiot. Team Poo! is not a team one normally wants to join, as it represents the inanimate object you most resemble, or something. :o

[Veronica]

Have a lovely ride gang! I wish we could join you, but it's volunteer day at the National Park. I'll think of you as I'm scrubbing, scraping, painting, etc.


V.

[jobob]

The weather reports for St. Helena & Pope Valley show partly cloudy (no mention of rain) and high around 66.

[Deanna]

Hey All,

No rain to the west. Just thick, wet fog.

Deanna

[SadieKate]

Fun day, once again! Deanna, I am so glad you finally joined in after all this time. You are a great addition to the silliness. You missed out on huckleberry breadpudding with orange chantilly cream. Mmmmmm. Next time.

If anyone has suggestions for correcting/editing/revising/improving my routeslip cues, let me know.

[Trekhawk]

Thanks girls and guys - I had a lovely day.:) :)

[SadieKate]

I just read up on the Nichelini Winery at which we stopped before heading south to the biker bar at Turtle Rock. It is the oldest family owned and operated winery in the Napa Valley and still has a standing roman press. We may need to actually go in next time and perhaps Lee's bag could carry a bottle of wine instead of chili chees fritos.
http://www.nicheliniwinery.com/

While reading up on the winery, I also found this great link. I knew about the issue but had never seen this site. Could be very useful for some of our out of state friends.
http://www.freethegrapes.org/

[jobob]

Aw heck, we'll bring our panniers. :cool:

Just don't make me go over Ink Grade carrying a half dozen bottles of wine, m'kay?

[Deanna]

I had a wonderful time. It's a great route. I wish I could have stayed for the vittles. Something to look forward to for next time.