Calaveras this weekend ? (preferably Saturday)

[jobob]

Back by popular demand, Calaveras the Easy Way :)

I'd prefer to do this on Saturday, so that I could go on CindySue's ride up Page Mill & Old La Honda on Sunday.

Also, it looks like it's going to be warm this weekend, so I'd rather leave a bit earlier than we left last week.

So, would 9 am on Saturday be OK?

We'll depart from the Sunol Glen School parking lot (corner of Main St. & Bond St. in Sunol). There are no restrooms there, but there are portapotties a couple of blocks down Main St., at the far end of the Sunol Train Station parking lot.

Bring at least 2 full bottles of water/sports drink. A camelback would not be a bad idea if you tend to drink lots of water. Oh, and don't forget the on-bike snacks.

If we go the length of Calaveras as far as the wall & turn back, that's about 30 miles and (est.) ~1600-1800 ft of climbing with no place to refill water bottles en route. We could go down the wall to Ed Levin Park where there is water & restrooms, but that adds more climbing overall. Just sayin'.

If anyone's game for a longer ride (say, up Felter to the Sierra Rd. summit), I could be talked into it, depending on the turnout.

Lunch afterwards at Bosco's Bones & Brew (http://www.boscosbonesandbrew.com/)?

[bikerz]

If we go the length of Calaveras as far as the wall & turn back, that's about 30 miles and ~1200 ft of climbing with no place to refill water bottles en route. We could go down the wall to Ed Levin Park where there is water & restrooms, but that adds more climbing overall. Just sayin'.

My bike computer showed 1780 feet.. :eek:

I won't be able to join you, sorry to say, but you all have a great time!

[jobob]

My bike computer showed 1780 feet.. :eek:
That's probably more correct. I left my computer on "record" when we drove home so it registered all of the ups & downs on the ride home and I wound up with 2500 ft, which I knew was wrong, so I guesstimated based on previous rides. Trouble is I never did that particular ride before, so looks like my guess was way off. :o

[Veronica]

Thom and I will be there. Have you been up Welch Creek?

V.

[jobob]

nope, I haven't yet. We could give it a try.

[Veronica]

GW12 made it sound like a nice climb and it has Thom intrigued.

His knee finally seems to be just about all better. :)

V.

[maillotpois]

I'd come, but we'll be in Markleeville. :)

[jobob]

We'll be thinking of you as we slog up Welch Creek :p

[maillotpois]

I'd really like to ride Calaveras again when it is light outside...

[jobob]

No prob, I can always be talked into this ride.

[SadieKate]

Yes, please schedule another time when both us Sarah's can come. Purty please? :o

I leave for Las Vegas on Monday and then fly directly to Moab for our tour so I have no business spending an entire day away from home this weekend.

Must resist. Must resist. Must resist . . . .

[Trekhawk]

Yes, please schedule another time when both us Sarah's can come. Purty please? :o

I leave for Las Vegas on Monday and then fly directly to Moab for our tour so I have no business spending an entire day away from home this weekend.

Must resist. Must resist. Must resist . . . .

Have fun on your holiday and don't forget I want lots of pics please.:)

[SadieKate]

Yes, ma'am. I'll do my best to follow orders. Be sure to send same to yellow. She tends to have a better memory for these things.:p

[melissam]

This sounds like a possiblity for me, but inquiring minds want to know...

How big of a slog is it up Welch Creek?

Will there be beer and stuffed mushrooms afterward?

-- Melissa

PS Sadie Kate -- Have a great time on your tour!

Maillotpois -- looking forward to hearing about your exploits in Markleeville.

[Veronica]

It's a dead end road. I've never ridden it. I think it's fairly steep, but it's a coast back to the bottom. :)

V.

[jobob]

This sounds like a possiblity for me, but inquiring minds want to know...

How big of a slog is it up Welch Creek?

Methinks Welch Creek is rather steep. :p It's one of the roads we passed before Calaveras started tipping upwards.

But like V mentioned, it would be an up & back, and it would be completely optional. You could go as far as the spirit moves you, or skip it alltogether. I'm not sure what Leebob will do - he might give it a try, maybe for part of the way.


Will there be beer and stuffed mushrooms afterward?

But of course !!! :cool:

Oh, and so as to not scare V, there are other tasty-looking items on the menu as well.

Hope you can make it !

[Veronica]

Do you keep a list of foods I don't like? :p

Yes, do come Melissa! The more the merrier. I wish BikerZ could make it. I want to see the new bike.

V.

[bikerz]

Thanks, V! I wish I could come too!

And not just because I'm trying to stay ahead of Melissa on Bike Journal! :p

You guys have a great time, and enjoy your beer with Bosco!

My bike will be repaired and ready to be picked up (with a loaner wheel) Saturday afternoon or Sunday. Depending on the ankle, I'll probably be just doing the Bay Trail on Sunday.

[Veronica]

You know you could come for the beer and mushrooms. You can have my share, really I don't mind. :D

V.

[bikerz]

Aw, thanks! :) And believe me, if I didn't have an all-day commitment already, I'd be there! The fried zucchini and garlic bread were good, if mushrooms aren't your thing!

[aka_kim]

Google tells me "Late holocene slip rate and earthquake history for the northern Calaveras fault at Welch Creek, eastern San Francisco Bay area, California". Oh wait, next page has bicycling stuff. Let's see: "About a 4 mile climb with 3 hard sections starting at midpoint. Hardest stretch is around mile 1.7 with averages around 16% for about 1/2 mile. End of Welch Creek - Congrats! Make a u-turn here. This is not a safe descent so take your time and keep it slow." Oh, sounds delightful. :rolleyes:. But I think I'll join you guys anyway.

[melissam]

"About a 4 mile climb with 3 hard sections starting at midpoint. Hardest stretch is around mile 1.7 with averages around 16% for about 1/2 mile. End of Welch Creek - Congrats! Make a u-turn here. This is not a safe descent so take your time and keep it slow." Oh, sounds delightful.

Holy cats!!! :eek:

Well, I'll see how far up my low, low gears can get me. Since it's a dead end road, I can always find a nice, shady spot and wait for y'all to make your descent.

[Veronica]

Holy cats!!! :eek:

Well, I'll see how far up my low, low gears can get me. Since it's a dead end road, I can always find a nice, shady spot and wait for y'all to make your descent.


You may surprise yourself.

V.

[melissam]

You may surprise yourself.

V.

I reckon there's only one way to find out... ;)

[aka_kim]

I reckon there's only one way to find out... ;)You and TrekHawk need to get together to choose who will be captain of Team Sandbagger this year. :)

[DrBadger]

whew... did the practice talk today. went well, got good suggestions from my group, and they didn't make me cry with things to do before my defense next Thursday :o

So, as things stand now, it looks like I will be able to join you guys on Saturday :D I NEED to get away from my desk if only for a couple of hours! I will give you the final word tomorrow night, but looking good.

I am looking forward to seeing you all and getting a nice ride in! Now off home to relax a bit and eat some dinner....
E.

[Veronica]

Make it happen. It sounds like you need a break.

V.

[melissam]

You and TrekHawk need to get together to choose who will be captain of Team Sandbagger this year. :)

Hmmm, maybe we could have some sort of "ride off" -- kind of like a bake off, but not involving, well, baked goods.

So let's see if I have the gory details right:

Start time: 9am
Start place: Sunol Glen School parking lot
Route: Out & back Up Calaveras to the Wall, with a detour up Welch Creek Rd. for the not-faint-of-Cardio-conditioning

[jobob]

You are correct, madame sandbaggeur !

A few more details:

Sunol Glen School is at the corner of Main St. & Bond St. in Sunol. If you want to mapquest it, the address is 11601 Main Street, Sunol CA 94586.

Portapotties are available at the far end of the Sunol Train Station parking lot, a short jog west from the school, at the corner of Main St. & Kilkare Rd.

A high of 81 is predicted for Sunol tomorrow. There's no place that I know of to get water between Sunol and the far end of Calaveras at Ed Levin Park, so bring an extra water bottle or a camelback if you can. Leebob and I will likely each have an extra bottle of water in our big 'ol saddlebags, just in case. 'cuz we're those guys.

Lunch afterwards in the saloon at Boscos (http://www.boscosbonesandbrew.com/), of course. If PAB is there, we can make it a pre-defense celebration. And if she isn't there, or even if she is, we can also celebrate LeeBob's & my 18th anniversary. :eek:

[Veronica]

Oh man. I'd forgotten my anniverasry is coming.

What day is yours Jo?

V.

[SadieKate]

we can also celebrate LeeBob's & my 18th anniversary. :eek:Nice! Here's one to you two!

*clink* :D

[jobob]

Oh man. I'd forgotten my anniverasry is coming.

What day is yours Jo?


Tomorrow :)

[Veronica]

I need spell check at work. Stupid blocking software...

We'll have to have a toast, maybe Melba. :D

V.

[bikerz]

Congratulations Jo and Lee! (And Thom and Veronica!)

I wish I could celebrate with you by riding up a 16% grade :eek:, I mean, toasting you all with a pint of beer at Bosco's!

[Veronica]

Thanks, ours is Wed. 19 happy years. We've been married for 21. ;)

V.

[DrBadger]

I am planning on being there tomorrow morning....Jo, I still have your cell number in my phone, so will call if I am running late or get lost. PM me tonight if you need mine again.

See you all tomorrow!
Ellen

[jobob]

Excellent!

I still have your cell number, E. See you soon!

[jobob]

Lee & I met up with V., Thom, MelissaM, aka_kim, and soon-to-be Dr. PABadger in Sunol. Glenn (gw_12 on bikejournal) showed up just as we were heading out.

We went out towards Calaveras but took a "little" side-trip up Welch Creek Rd. Lawd a mercy, that's a steep climb!!! :eek:

It starts off meandering along some pretty countryside, then before you know it you're going up a 15% + climb, yikes.

Here's the data from my computer for the first climb (the mileage is from our start in Sunol):


miles % grade
5.41 3.3
5.46 2.9
5.50 4.3
5.54 6.7
5.57 6.0
5.59 12.5
5.62 15.0
5.64 20.0
5.65 16.7
5.67 16.7
5.69 10.0
5.72 12.5
5.74 13.3
5.76 15.0
5.78 6.7
5.80 7.5
5.83 12.5
5.86 8.0
5.89 6.0
5.92 7.5
5.95 8.0
6.00 -1.2

Melissa & Ellen, that's the part you guys did! :)

Kim and Lee and I made it to about the halfway point (a bit under two miles) and decided to turn around when the road started tipping up even more. Thom kept going, and I took this picture of him vanishing into the sunset or whatever.

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k186/jobob22/stuff/gahhh.jpg

Naturally, V and Glenn made it to the top, and Thom made it about 3/4 of the way up. One of these days I'll make it all the way up there. :cool: It's harder than Sierra Road, I think.

The rest of the ride up & back on Calaveras was pleasant (and blessedly easy after Welch Creek!). We saw the eagle's nest and we were told by a photographer guy that there are two chicks in the nest, but it was really hard to tell w our little binoculars.

The ride ended with a fun lunch at Bosco's. Glenn had to leave but we were joined by Robert (roborider on bikejournal), who had lots of ride stories to share with us.

Another grand day out with the gang.

[DrBadger]

It was a great ride... very glad I came over for it.

OK Jo, I feel better about bailing on Welch Creek when I did after looking at those grades 20%:eek:

The Calaveras climb was great, I felt nice and pretty strong for most of it, and my standing climbing is really improving. Was even able to power up some of those rollers by the reservoir without downshifting, yay!

Lunch was also great, with great company of course. All in all a great day, will have to do it again soon (like in 2 weeks or so ;) )

One last question.... do you guys have an elevation gain for the route today (I guess I can minus off Welch Creek) I don't think that I buy the elevation gain and loss that my Garmin is giving me, though it is the same in MotionBased even after it does all the elevation correction... just wanted to get another opinion.

Thanks again!
E.

[jobob]

Good question ... last weekend I had left my computer on record after the ride so it recorded elevation gain on the drive home as well :o but BikerZ said the gain she saw was about 1700-something feet (for Calaveras only).

Today I had 2265 feet. So yours was maybe about 2000-ish ?

[DrBadger]

Good question ... last weekend I had left my computer on record after the ride so it recorded elevation gain on the drive home as well :o but BikerZ said the gain she saw was about 1700-something feet (for Calaveras only).

Today I had 2265 feet. So yours was maybe about 2000-ish ?

OK, that sounds A LOT better than what my Garmin was reporting....I didn't have very good GPS signal, but it was telling me, even after correction, that my elevation gain was 5000'... I knew that had to be wrong! I will have to look and see if I can make any more corrections.....

Thanks!

[jobob]

hee hee, I need me one of those ! :)

[Veronica]

For just the Calaveras section I have 1645 feet. Oh and a much higher average speed! :D

V.

[slinkedog]

So glad you guys had a good time! I had company over at 2:00, so I needed to stay local.

Wasn't it a beautiful day yesterday?

[DrBadger]

OK, so here is the description that Glenn was talking about for Welch Creek:
* Welch Creek Rd (4.1 miles, 1910 ft, 8.8%)

Welch Creek Road is not known to many cyclists, particularly on the Peninsula. The reason is twofold. First, the climb is away from civilization, in the Sunol Regional Wilderness in the East Bay. It's off of Calaveras a few miles past the 680 underpass, right before Calaveras itself starts climbing, at the place known as Haynes Gulch, flanked to the left by Apperson Ridge with its mighty Maguire Peaks (trail to the top is at 0.72 mi mark, but no bikes are allowed on that trail). Second, many bruised souls conceal their traumatic experiences with this long climb. It's a monster that will grind you to the bone, will turn your quads to jelly, will bake you in the cruel sun or envelope in wintry fog. The difficulty of its narrow one lane with abrasive pavement, and inconsistent gradient is tempered by the views and sounds of the creek (in the winter), and open skies and pastures at the top but accentuated by frequent (four or five total) cattleguards. Sunol Regional Park stretches from 0.3 to 2.8 mile markers. Within the park, a stretch of road between 2.0 and 2.5 mile markers is bloody steep, in excess of 15%. Above 2.8 mark, the road emerges from the canyon and becomes steeper again, bloody steeper. By the finish the gradient is truly bloody relentless. Views towards the bay could be tremendous. See also here. Net climbing is only about 1900 ft but will all the ups and downs you'll end up climbing 2265 ft, which would produce 10.7% average grade. Vultures are ready to pick on your exhausted meat, I mean muscles. You can also see acorn woodpecker, black phoebe, titmouse, yellow-billed magpie and turkey vulture. Did I mention it is long (and that's only to the end of paved section, dirt segment continues far beyond, as a bike legal dirt fire road for another 3.4 miles towards Rose Peak (which itself is only 36 ft lower than Mt. Diablo) but much less steeply, and "No Motor Vehicles" signs could obviously be ignored) and illegal beyond the border of Ohlone Wilderness? Since there are multiple cattleguards on steep stretches, caution and good brake pads are advised when descending. For the daring ... [Aerial Photo]

if you go to the website and click the links you can see photos of each of the "bloody steep"sections: http://cycling.stanford.edu/ scroll down almost to the bottom of the page where the rides on the "other side of the bay" are described.

[jobob]

That's a really cool site !