Tour di Stupid (Lite) planning thread

[jobob]

Thought I'd start up a new thread for Tour di Stupid Lite planning to keep andtckrtoo's original thread (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=27208) sort of on topic.

Here's a little background on Mel's original Tour di Stupid (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showpost.php?p=370384&postcount=15). Perhaps more than you need to know.

Here's the proposed "lite" route on Bikely:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Tour-di-Stupid-Lite

We'll start at the Fremont BART station, head through Fremont & Milpitas to San Jose, up & over Mt. Hamilton, down the backside of Mt. Hamilton and over Mines Road into Livermore, then over to the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station where we'll take BART back to Fremont.

Bikely shows about 96 miles and around 7200 ft of climbing. But if you use a Garmin Edge GPS, it'll probably show closer to 9000 feet. :rolleyes: :p

If anyone is not up to this much of a ride but doesn't want to miss out on the fun, perhaps we could have a SAG driver?

Another possibility is for a couple of people to share SAG duties, driving for a while and then trading off with someone else and riding for a while.

(im)possible dates (from the previous thread):

- jobob can't make it the weekend of 11/1-2 (neice's wedding in Western MA), any other weekend is OK.
- dachshund's unavailable dates are 10/25 and 11/8.
- andtckrtoo can't make it 10/19
- V is racing 11/1 and would like to do her 200K on 11/8

Based on the above, I suggest either Sun 10/26, Sat 11/15 or Sun 11/16.

What say the rest of you? :cool:

[maillotpois]

I might do 11/15.

[andtckrtoo]

I'll second the 15th.

[Veronica]

I can't commit to the later dates in Nov. until the 200 K is in the books. :p

So I'm a maybe.

Veronica

[dachshund]

I like 11/15. Thanks, Jo. :)

[jobob]

I'll see if LeeBob would like to come along - he and I could share SAG duty if there are no other offers.

[maillotpois]

Do we really "need" SAG? What are the longest stretches with no civilization? Climbing Hamilton? Can everyone just carry an extra bottle in the pocket?

[jobob]

Eh, I suppose not. Especially since it won't be hot out. We'll just need to bring our own food for up & over Mt Hamilton as far as the Junction cafe.

[maillotpois]

Yeah, I think it will be fine.

[aka_kim]

Yeah, I think it will be fine.
I'll save this line for later, if you don't mind. :p

I'm a maybe, for any date.

[dachshund]

Would 11/16 work as well for everybody? I have a slight preference for Sunday, but I can do the 15th if that works best all around. It's still a month off, so hopefully I'm not giving anyone a headache just yet.

-Ms. Hund

[maillotpois]

Only thing w/ 11/16 is its our last tune up ride w/Mike and Em before Tucson. So I'd like to be able to join them for that.

[dachshund]

Only thing w/ 11/16 is its our last tune up ride w/Mike and Em before Tucson. So I'd like to be able to join them for that.

Okey doke. The 15th is fine then.

[melissam]

11/15 works for me. I'm looking forward to my triumphant return to the Junction Cafe. :p

OK, someone has to ask....is this a rain or shine ride? The descent down Mt. Hamilton could get interesting with its steep grades and cattle grates. OTOH, it is the Tour di Stupid Lite, so not being smart enough to come in out of the rain should be encouraged. :rolleyes:

[andtckrtoo]

I'm in too!! Hopefully it won't rain, but... I cannot wait to meet you lovely ladies!

[jobob]

Nah, this is strictly a fair-weather ride.

We'll leave the really stupid rides for the randonneurs. :cool:

[maillotpois]

d'oh! I was going to say rain or shine!! we need rain, after all.

[dachshund]

Darnit, I may have a conflict on the 15th. I need to be done by about 3:30 so I can get home by 4. What do you all think?

I can arrange to be collected by a friend if necessary, meaning my own SAG if I can't meet my deadline.

[Veronica]

I would expect this ride to take 8 - 10 hours, depending on how much hanging around one does at the places to stop - Grant Park, the summit and the Junction Cafe.

I average in the high 12's low 13's mph when I do Jo's 200 K which has as a similar amount of climbing, but over more miles.

Veronica

[dachshund]

I would expect this ride to take 8 - 10 hours, depending on how much hanging around one does at the places to stop - Grant Park, the summit and the Junction Cafe.

I average in the high 12's low 13's mph when I do Jo's 200 K which has as a similar amount of climbing, but over more miles.

Veronica

Thanks Veronica. Well... sigh. Can we do this on 11/9 or another date? I'm sorry to be a nuisance.

[jobob]

Definitely plan on 10 hours for this ride.

Some of you might make it in a lot less but you have to remember we'll be going over Mt Hamilton and Mines Road. We'll be stopping at the Mt Ham summit (briefly, at least) and at the Junction (probably longer, for lunch), and depending on how slow some of us climb - like me!! - and how long the stops are, 10 hours is definitely not unreasonable.

Which means owing to daylight savings time & all - we turn clocks forward on Nov 2- we (or at least I) will need to start at 7 am.

Faster riders can of course start later and whiz by me heading up Hamilton. :D

[Veronica]

I won't be able to do 11/9. I have a strict policy against two big rides in one weekend. :D

I think it will be hard to find a date that works for everyone. I've ridden the mountain before and I will again - several times between now and April probably.

Veronica

[dachshund]

Well let's stick with the 15th then. Maybe I'll ride up Mt. Hamilton with everybody, hang out, and then head back. Plan B. :)

[tprevost]

Eh, I suppose not. Especially since it won't be hot out. We'll just need to bring our own food for up & over Mt Hamilton as far as the Junction cafe.


Since I'm way too outa shape to actually ride this ride, I might be able to SAG if you all would like... its a pretty long ride if someone happens to be having a bad day or something goes wrong ;)

[jobob]

Hey there! It's been ages! :)

You'll be out this way, trac?

[tprevost]

Hey there! It's been ages! :)

You'll be out this way, trac?

I can be :p I'll just pack up the wild things and follow everyone around :D

[maillotpois]

I am up for freakishly early start. (and considering I have an hour's drive, that's saying something.

hi tprevost

[tprevost]

I am up for freakishly early start. (and considering I have an hour's drive, that's saying something.

hi tprevost

Hi Miss Sarah!!!! :D If you'd like to have me SAG, we'll probably spend the night over yonder near the start ;)

[dachshund]

Wow... freakishly early and SAG support! I might be able to do this ride after all! :rolleyes:

[melissam]

This is great -- we're even getting out of town guests! It'll be nice to finally meet you, tprevost!

Next thing you know, we'll have TdSL T-shirts. Or jerseys, even! :eek:

[tprevost]

This is great -- we're even getting out of town guests! It'll be nice to finally meet you, tprevost!

Next thing you know, we'll have TdSL T-shirts. Or jerseys, even! :eek:

Very cool! Looking forward to meeting you too! ;)

[tprevost]

you all still planning to do this ride? I'm still able to SAG but I need to make plans if I'm gonna :p

[maillotpois]

yes! (I need to ride at least once this month :rolleyes:).

what time are we starting?

[jobob]

At the moment it looks like the weather will be OK next weekend. Fingers crossed!

I haven't done much riding in the last few weeks so I'm going to be even slower than usual going up the hills. :p

Since it gets dark around 5 now, the earlier we leave, the better. That way we won't need to stress out about it getting dark.

I had proposed 7 am originally. Is that still OK?

One possibility is that the slowpokes like me could leave at 7 and the faster climbers could head out a bit later. You'll still pass me heading up Hamilton. :rolleyes:

LeeBob is going to be driving the route and keeping tabs on us. He'll have snacks for the summit of Hamilton. There will be limited room in the Element for ferrying people - 2 extra people and 2 bikes, tops, so don't count too heavily on having a ride available (or, be patient).

Traci, that would be super if you could join us, but it could be an awfully boring day for you! I'd hate to have you take up a weekend day just sitting behind the wheel of a car... but it would be nice to see you, its been ages ( I'm no help am I? :D )

[maillotpois]

I haven't done much riding in the last few weeks so I'm going to be even slower than usual going up the hills. :p


At least I am not the only one. I am now last in the family standings! :D

See you at 7. Don't leave without me.

[tprevost]

I'll be there... :D where is the start... as in, how do I get there? 7am is fine w/me... who all is going for sure? Just wanna see if 2 racks are enough or should I hook up 4???

:p

[jobob]

So who's coming?

So far it's just me & maillotpois.

c'mon! :cool:

[Veronica]

I don't think we'll be doing the ride. It's a non event weekend for me (no races , no 200Ks) which means I can ride with my honey. He hasn't been riding enough to do 100 miles. ('cause he's always doing event support for me.:rolleyes:)

I hope the weather is great for you guys.

Veronica

[maillotpois]

I thought we had melissam, dachsund and andtkrtoo (or however you spell it :D ) as well...

[dachshund]

I'm still in! I may have to turn around at the top of Mt. Hamilton, though. I have a commitment in the afternoon. So if anyone else needs to do the same, I'll ride with you.

[jobob]

Yay! (well, not the turning around bit, of course)

[aka_kim]

Decisive as ever, I'm still a maybe. Maybe I'll attempt the full ride. Or maybe I'll just do an out and back to the top of Hamilton. Or maybe I'll just ride to the foot of Hamilton and turn around. Or maybe ...

[jobob]

However you do it, it'll be great to see you Kim!

[SadieKate]

Decisive as ever ...Glad to know you're so dependably you.;)

Bubba was doing a lot of whining this weekend. Demonstrated his "30 whines in 30 secs" for someone. Nostaglia . . . .

[melissam]

I thought we had melissam, dachsund and andtkrtoo (or however you spell it :D ) as well...

I'm in! I feel like the co-instigator of this ride, so I can't really back out at this point. People might think I'm a chicken or something. :o

Disclaimer to follow:
===============
I also haven't been riding much -- I'm starting to admit that it's not just a taper. So I might be BEHIND the autobus. Or hanging out with LeeBob in the Element.

OTOH, my housemates and colleagues would be happy to confirm the ways that I have been cross-training for the Tour di Stupid.

Just shoot me now....

[jobob]

Bubba was doing a lot of whining this weekend. Demonstrated his "30 whines in 30 secs" for someone. Nostaglia . . . . Did that someone almost pee in his/her pants laughing, like the first time I was subjected to it? :eek:


I'm in! I feel like the co-instigator of this ride, so I can't really back out at this point. People might think I'm a chicken or something. :o

Or something. :p



OTOH, my housemates and colleagues would be happy to confirm the ways that I have been cross-training for the Tour di Stupid. Did it involve lifting mass quantities of adult beverages, perchance? :cool:

[jobob]

Since pretty much everyone has either not ridden much lately, or has to be someplace later in the day (damn! I wish I though of that one!!!), could we perhaps consider scaling back on the stupidity a bit ?

Like, maybe, up to the summit of Hamilton and back down the way we came?

Oh geeze, I can hear maillotpois yelling "wuss!" :D

[dachshund]

Since pretty much everyone has either not ridden much lately, or has to be someplace later in the day (damn! I wish I though of that one!!!), could we perhaps consider scaling back on the stupidity a bit ?

Like, maybe, up to the summit of Hamilton and back down the way we came?

Oh geeze, I can hear maillotpois yelling "wuss!" :D

Isn't that still something like a 60 mile ride? I mean I wouldn't exactly sneeze at it...

[maillotpois]

But I love that descent down Mines.. :(

I'll do whatever the collective wants to do. (Resistance is futile.)

[dachshund]

But I love that descent down Mines.. :(

I'll do whatever the collective wants to do. (Resistance is futile.)

Well I'm bettin' my $.05 that somebody's going to want to do the whole thing, despite claims to the contrary.

See, now I want to see the descent down Mines. So we'll have to schedule it again later just for me. :D

[melissam]

Did it involve lifting mass quantities of adult beverages, perchance? :cool:
It's been an intense and varied training program of stupid activities. Sometimes they involved mass quantities of adult beverages, sometimes they didn't. What can I say? I'm flexible.



Isn't that still something like a 60 mile ride? I mean I wouldn't exactly sneeze at it...
A-choo!! :p ;)

[maillotpois]

I am lazy, moderately fat and uninspired. My daughter has logged more miles than I have this month. (She did a 90 miler yesterday as training for Tucson.) So I am up for the scenic up and back, the out and down to the biker bar, or whatever you guys want to do.

[Veronica]

A shorter version might be doable...

Veronica

[dachshund]

I sense a trend. :cool:

[tprevost]

Let me know when you reschedule the long one and I'll SAG but it probably doesn't make sense to haul my behind over there for a 60 mile out an back :p ... I at least want to be 'needed' :p:p:p

[jobob]

You're right Trac', it looks like we won't be needing your help after all - but thank you so much for offering!!

Hopefully we'll whip our collective lazy butts into shape and get motivated for Tour di Stupid Redux

[jobob]

OK, now that collective wisdom has prevailed and we're settling for a somewhat shorter version, we have more flexibility in our starting location.

If we start from the Fremont BART station, to the top of Mt Hamilton & back would be about 75 miles roundtrip.

If we start from the vicinity of Alum Rock Park, it would be about 40 miles round trip. But, if that isn't enough and one feels compelled to punish oneself further, Sierra Road is only about 5 miles due north of Alum Rock. Just sayin'. :cool:

Any thoughts?

[tprevost]

You're right Trac', it looks like we won't be needing your help after all - but thank you so much for offering!!

Hopefully we'll whip our collective lazy butts into shape and get motivated for Tour di Stupid Redux

yes!!! ;) definately... I love to do SAG and be involved so please let me know (in case I'm not paying attention :rolleyes:) so I can come down. I'm not in shape to ride those long rides so at least I can do something cycling related and meet/hang with friends!

[Veronica]

We'd like the closer start at Alum Rock.

Veronica

[dachshund]

We'd like the closer start at Alum Rock.

Veronica

I second that.

[maillotpois]

Can someone give me directions? I suppose the park is listed in my GPS, but just in case. And meeting time?

[jobob]

Well, if we do Hamilton up & back from Alum Rock, we can start a little later - how about 8 am?

Hopefully that would still give dachsund plenty of time for her afternoon commitments.

The entrance to Alum Rock Park is at the end of Peneticia Creek Road in San Jose. There is a lot just before the toll gate where you can park for free. Hopefully it won't be filled up before 8 am. If it is, you'll either have to pay to enter to park inside the park, or find a place to park in the nearby neighborhood.

Directions from points north:

Take I-680 South to the Berryessa Rd exit, head east on Berryessa, turn right on Piedmont Rd, left on Peneticia Creek Road, and keep following that road until you reach Alum Rock Park.


So, meet at the parking lot at the entrance to Alum Rock Park at 8 am?


BTW, LeeBob will be joining us. Hope that's OK... :D

[aka_kim]

Yep, 8am at Alum Rock is A-OK. But about that LeeBob character ... :p

[Veronica]

Will there be pizza after?

I don't mind going if a lunch is provided. But I must be fed. :p

Veronica

[jobob]

Excellent idea!

I propose Mission Pizza (off I-680 at Washington Blvd in Fremont) unless anyone has another suggestion.

[andtckrtoo]

I guess as I'm technically the one who got the discussion going, I'd better come back out of lurk mode and join y'all!! I originally was thinking that I was in no shape to ride the whole loop, but now that it's shorter, I know I can handle it. :D I'm looking forward to meeting y'all!!!

[jobob]

Glad you can join us, att!

[melissam]

Whoo hoo, less than 24 hours until the Tour di Stupid Extra Extra Lite! Looks like we're going to have unseasonably warm weather for our jaunt up Mt. Hamilton. :)

Can't wait to see you all tomorrow. We have quite the guest list:

Jobob
Leebob
Maillotpois
Veronica
Thom
Kim
Dachshund
Andtckrtoo
Yours truly

Anyone else?

- Mel

[andtckrtoo]

GRRRR!!! I have to drop out. My hubby made plans with his boss and his wife, so I have to be there. :mad::mad:

[jobob]

It was a great ride - sorry you had to miss it ATT, but we'll do another ride sometime soon.

We all gathered at about 8 am at Alum Rock. It was nice to see maillotpois - I hadn't seen her in ages. An old friend of mine (and a former client in my law firm days), Gerald, also joined us with his friend Hugo.

We first headed through the park. They just opened the restroom inside the park and we took full advantage. Then we wended our way out of the park via Alum Rock Road (closed to vehicles) and then down the open part of Alum Road Road and cut across Miguelito to reach Mt. Hamilton Road. There we regrouped, and those of us wearing jackets shed them there - it was clearly going to get warm!

Then we headed on up. I promptly fell of the back but many, especially mp and mel, hung back with me. :) Still, my almost total lack of riding over the last few weeks was really taking its toll. I was feeling like crud in no time and I started getting a headache by the time I reached the top of the climb out of Grant Ranch Park. grrrr.

Thom and V needed to get back so they turned around at that point. It was really neat to hear about the progress on their tandem - hopefully we'll see it in the flesh (in the steel?) by the end of the year.

Some whining and ibuprophen later, I continued on with Mel, but I have to admit, with much less enthusiasm than before. I met up with Lee & Sarah (or was it Lee & Mel - gah, my brain was fried) who were waiting for me farther on up. I told them that I was probably going to find a nice shady spot a bit farther up the road and call it a day, and wait to join them on the way back down.

Which I did, in a couple of places in fact. I found a nice shady switchback where I hung out and admired the scenery and listened to the woodpeckers tapping on the trees. It was really nice. Then after a while I trudged on up to the large pullout where there's a perfect view of the observatory. It's so close it seems you can reach out & touch it, but in reality there's still about 2 miles or so of climbing left to go on account of all the switchbacks that zigzag along the mountain at that point. I could just see Lee in his bright red Harris Cyclery wool jersey (which I might add he looks quite fabulous in, not that I'm biased or anything :p ).

After a while I thought I'd trudge on further, but after about 1/2 mile I saw a little line of bicyclists (led by the aforementioned red jersey) heading away from the observatory so I pulled over and awaited their arrival.

The descent was a bit spotty in points - wherever there was a sharp right curve alongside the mountain there'd almost always be rocks & dirt in the road kicked down by a vehicle brushing alongside the mountain - so it had to be taken a bit cautiously. But past Grant Ranch Park the road was repaved and the turns were generally less sharp so that part of the descent was an absolute delight.

After we reached the bottom of Mt Hamilton Road we bypassed Alum Rock Park and took the flat & non-scenic route back to the cars. Still, it was nice to ride for a couple of miles on dead-flat roads.

We then headed off for pizza at Mountain Mike's on Alum Rock Road. I didn't know it was there so this is definitely a good place to know about for after-ride carbo-replenishment, they made a darn good 'za. (Hopefully next time there won't be a big birthday party going on and we won't need to sit right next to the air hockey table, though :D)

Despite my sluggitude - I can't believe I was contemplating the 98 mile version, who was I kidding? :D - it was a wonderful ride with dear friends.

What's next? :cool:

[Veronica]

It was a lovely day for a ride. I thoroughly enjoyed actually looking at the scenery for a change. There are just some amazing views on that ride.

My favorite post ride food of late has been cheesy macaroni bites bites from Jack in the Box. They are actually not THAT bad for you.

Cheesy Macaroni Bites 3 pc Calories: 220 Calories from fat: 110 Grams of fat: 13

Of course I do pair them with a shake. :rolleyes:

Veronica

[dachshund]

That really was a fabulous ride. The weather was Perfect, what a treat! I was watching the woodpeckers, too, they're quite entertaining. I was having a good day, so after the rest stop I decided to try to keep up with Gerald and Hugo, who were slightly ahead of me. They must have gone back down hill pretty quickly, though, I didn't see them milling around at the top. Maybe we forgot to mention that it's tradition to hang out and enjoy the view for a while. :)

Jo, I thought Lee looked pretty stylish in that red jersey. Good choice!

I hope they pave more of that road. The second half of the descent was fun, the upper section, not so much...

It was really nice to see everybody. Hmm... where should we go next? :rolleyes:

[Blueberry]

What?? No pictures?!?! Sounds like a great ride:)

[maillotpois]

It WAS a super fun ride! Sorry about the no pictures, Ca. Seriously, the view was worth some pics. Hmm. and I remember, come to think of it, that dachsund had a pic taken at the top.... Maybe someone's holding out on us. :rolleyes:

[jobob]

I was having a good day, so after the rest stop I decided to try to keep up with Gerald and Hugo, who were slightly ahead of me. They must have gone back down hill pretty quickly, though, I didn't see them milling around at the top. Maybe we forgot to mention that it's tradition to hang out and enjoy the view for a while. :) I saw them on their way back down while I was at my first hang out place (the switchback). They had to get back for family obligations and stuff. I originally told them I thought the ride would take only about 4 hours - oops. :o

[jobob]

I was having a good day, so after the rest stop I decided to try to keep up with Gerald and Hugo, who were slightly ahead of me. Lee mentioned afterwards "that Amy is a climbing machine!" :)

[SadieKate]

Cheesy Macaroni Bites 3 pc Calories: 220 Calories from fat: 110 Grams of fat: 13 50% fat is "not that bad for you?" :eek:

I'm not even doing the math on my post-ride bacon and grilled onion Pilot Butte burger with "small" fries. Uh-uh. At least I did not have a shake and the burger had a lot of lettuce and tomato.;)

[Veronica]

50% fat is "not that bad for you?" :eek:



All depends on what else you eat. I consider my intake as a whole and my regular daily daily fat consumption is pretty low.

Veronica

[dachshund]

Lee mentioned afterwards "that Amy is a climbing machine!" :)

That was awfully nice of him to say. Please tell him "thank you" from Amy. :)

[dachshund]

It WAS a super fun ride! Sorry about the no pictures, Ca. Seriously, the view was worth some pics. Hmm. and I remember, come to think of it, that dachsund had a pic taken at the top.... Maybe someone's holding out on us. :rolleyes:

This one turned out OK. If you squint you can see Mel and Sarah.

7935

I cajoled Mel into taking my "big grin on top of Mt. Hamilton" pic.
Nice one, Mel, you managed to catch Lee and his red jersey. :D

7936

[aka_kim]

To borrow jobob's favorite phrase "It was a grand day out." The weather and the scenery could not have been better. Oh, the company was good too, although there was no stupidity to be found (darn it). No Darwin Award for this ride.

Daschund has turned into a climbing machine, but then so has leebob. He was a stylin' climbing machine on Saturday.

If cheesy bites are what's turned Veronica into a super fit tri machine, then I may start eating at Jack in the Box too.

[andtckrtoo]

I am really sorry I missed this ride. It sounds like a really fun one! Thanks so much for posting the ride report and the photos. I'm absolutely making the next one!

[Veronica]

To borrow jobob's favorite phrase "It was a grand day out." The weather and the scenery could not have been better. Oh, the company was good too, although there was no stupidity to be found (darn it). No Darwin Award for this ride.

Daschund has turned into a climbing machine, but then so has leebob. He was a stylin' climbing machine on Saturday.

If cheesy bites are what's turned Veronica into a super fit tri machine, then I may start eating at Jack in the Box too.

Thanks! But I don't think it's Jack in the box so much as my "evil" trainer. I just want to say right now - I REALLY hate pull ups! Thank goodness I'm doing them on a machine, but they are still nasty, even if I'm only pulling up 40% of my weight. They were part of today's very "fun" workout.

I was saddened that I didn't get to spend more time chatting with everyone on Saturday. But I really did enjoy riding with Thom for a change, instead of him being my chauffeur and Sherpa. But that was because everyone rode away from us. I wonder if we smelled funny... :eek:

Veronica

[melissam]

But I really did enjoy riding with Thom for a change, instead of him being my chauffeur and Sherpa. But that was because everyone rode away from us. I wonder if we smelled funny... :eek:

Veronica

I wasn't going to say anything, but now that you brought it up... :p

[Veronica]

I thought I used deordorant.... did I brush my teeth... hmmmm.... ;)

[jobob]

"Everyone"? :rolleyes::p