My Local Ride

[Veronica]

I got in a short ride ride today between storms. It was windy, blowing a steady 18 mph, with gusts up to 25. This storm is coming from the south so the wind was ALL wrong. It started raining about twenty minutes before I got home. I was wearing my rain gear, so I was kind of glad when the rain began.

I took some pictures while on Empire Mine Road today though. This is my normal after work training ride. Just out and back from my house, it's about 16 miles with almost 800 feet of elevation gain. Sometimes I'll do Empire Mine twice or I'll add in hill repeats in the nearby 'burbs. It all depends on how much time I have and how I'm feeling.

Empire Mine Road is about 3 miles long and closed to most traffic. There's one house on it and lots of cows. It's a great training road with some varied terrain. Since I do it as an out and back, the downhills aren't free. :D

http://www.tandemhearts.com/coppermine/albums/empire-mine/DSCF0355.JPG

This is from one end of the road. It's a nice sweeping downhill. The final corner that you can't see is a blind one. You need to exercise caution because you never know what you will see on the other side: cows, a motorcyclist, old appliances... Today the wind was coming up the hill. :rolleyes:

http://www.tandemhearts.com/coppermine/albums/empire-mine/DSCF0356.JPG

The view off to the right as you roll down the road in the previous picture. That's Mount Diablo in the distance.

http://www.tandemhearts.com/coppermine/albums/empire-mine/DSCF0359.JPG

This is the one house on the road. But the reason I took the picture is the trail on the ridge behind it. Not surprisingly, it's called the Ridge Trail and if I'm going to mountain bike after work, that's where I go. It's part of Black Diamond Regional Preserve. The trail goes right along the spine of the ridge with nice views to either side and continues on the back side climbing a little more. In the summer you would never notice the trail because everything will be brown.

http://www.tandemhearts.com/coppermine/albums/empire-mine/DSCF0357.JPG

Since the road is closed to most traffic, it's not being maintained that well. I know I should know the names of these trees. They smell really good, but they sure do make a mess.

http://www.tandemhearts.com/coppermine/albums/empire-mine/DSCF0360.JPG

One of the many cows.

http://www.tandemhearts.com/coppermine/albums/empire-mine/DSCF0361.JPG

This is the view at the turnaround spot - another shot of Mount Diablo. This comes at the end of a straightaway, that's nearly a mile long and slightly downhill, about -1.5 % grade. Usually the wind is behind me on the downhill and I've been able to hit speeds in the low thirties. Not today.

It was a slow ride today, too windy and I was too busy looking around. :p

V.

[Starfish]

WOW! What an awesome ride out of your garage! Very beautiful...I'm envious. Thanks for showing us these pics!

[maillotpois]

Those are eucalyptus. :D

Edit: At least I think they are. That's what the bark looks like, but the photos of the trees themselves aren't quite clear enough to be 100% sure.

It's great seeing the photos - I am not too familiar with that part of the Bay Area. Nice cows! I know how much you love them.... :cool:

[Veronica]

I took that cow picture just for you MP. :D

V.

[maillotpois]

I do love the cows.

I swear I will do the Petting Zoo tour of Marin one of these days. Mandatory stops to pet the animals. There'll be a lot of stops. :rolleyes:

[emily_in_nc]

You live in a stunning area, Veronica. I can't imagine having all that right out my driveway. I mean, yeah, the NC piedmont is pretty, lots of farms and such, but nothing really dramatic like that. I think I'd ride more if I lived where you do!

Emily

[Veronica]

We only have little pockets like that - lots of suburban sprawl.

The funny thing is, since I do that ride a couple of times a week, I don't usually look around. There were ducks in that pond in the first shot. I never would have seen them if I hadn't stopped for the second shot. I've never really looked at that house before. I usually ignore the cows. Sometimes they do get out though.

Usually I'm trying to haul a$$ and keep my HR in the right zone.

V.

[Bike Goddess]

Thanks for all the great pics! I too saw cows and calves the other day when I was riding in Marin. Somehow the little guys just touch my heart (hard to think they'll land on someone's dining table someday:( ).

As always, Diablo looks beautiful no matter where you look. Just a little reminder of the wonderful mountain we have to use for training when the weather is good.:):)

I agree with MP. The bark does look like Eucalyptus- since we can't see the other side of the road, perhaps it is! But since you can't remember the name of the tree, I wonder if that's the right call!

Nice ride- what we get when we want less traffic- poorly maintained roads!

[snapdragen]

Veronica, I'm so proud of you! Pictures of cows! :) I'm with MP, love the cows. I third the vote for eucalyptus trees. Do they smell like throat lozenges?:D

[Tri Girl]

Those are GREAT pics!!! What stunning beauty you have all around you (minus the urban mess that surrounds you as well). So pretty!
After this season, I'm going to do much more touring than racing. I'm getting older and racing is becoming less appealing. Like you, I sometimes hardly notice the beautiful scenery around me because I'm focused on HR, speed, cadence, etc. Touring will allow me the opportunity to REALLY see and be a part of the environment I'm peddaling through.

Very cool pics- thanks so much for taking them and sharing.

[vmax]

Thanks for posting pics of your daily ride -- what stunning scenery! I can certainly understand why you ride in that area -- and -- I am sooooo jealous.

Living in Minnesota and not riding in the winter is a bummer, to say the least. Reading about other rides at this time of the year, even though it's in other parts of the country, keeps me motivated for that first nice day in the spring when I'll be back on my bike :D

- Vivian, MN

[Brandy]

It looks so pretty up there Veronica! Thanks for sharing, I love seeing where other people ride.

[Jo-n-NY]

Thanks for sharing your pics Veronica. How nice to have what look like such safe riding roads from out of your door step.

This spring/summer I am giving up on riding from my door step for after work rides unless I am meeting up with a friend. I will be putting my bike in the van and driving to the path (2 miles away) which is primarily used by respectful cyclists. At least I will get in 20 enjoyable miles without dealing with crazy rush hour drivers.

~ JoAnn