Mt. Hamilton on Saturday Nov. 5

[jobob]

Thought I'd start an new thread with the Actual Plan

First of all, if it's raining, or if there's a very good chance of rain, I'm going to cancel. I don't do mountains in the rain!

Check this spot at 7 am that morning, or PM me for my cell phone number.

If the weather cooperates:

We'll start out at 10 am.

Meet before 10 at the corner of Alum Rock Ave (Rt. 130) and Mt. Hamilton Rd. in Milpitas [or perhaps it's actually in San Jose - at any rate, it's right near the border. If you have problems MapQuesting the location, try San Jose].

Here's a google map of the general area (you can move it around and resize it to get an idea if where we're at)
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=milpitas+ca&ll=37.383048,-121.815205&spn=0.014740,0.040770&hl=en

To get there: take I-680 to Milpitas (which is south of Fremont, north of San Jose), exit at Alum Rock Ave./Rt. 130, head east on Alum Rock for about 1-2 miles until you get to the T-intersection where Rt. 130 turns right, which is the start of Mt. Hamilton Road. Instead of turning right onto Mt. Hamilton Road, you'll turn left into a small parking area along the side of Alum Rock Ave.

If that parking area is full there's also Linda Vista School, which is on Kirk Ave off Alum Rock about a mile back, where we could also park. I'll be at the parking area at the corner of Alum Rock & Mt. Ham, so if that area is full I'll send you back to Linda Vista and will (ahem) patiently wait for you to ride back and join us.

This link has directions on how to get to Linda Vista School - just bear in mind that it's written assuming that you're coming from the San Jose area, so if you're coming from Davis, Antioch and other points north you'll be taking 680 South. But you knew that.
http://bikemaster.home.att.net/routes/lvs_list.htm

Make sure to bring a couple of water bottles and some snacks, and warm clothing for the summit and descent. And your Amici Veloci jersey if you have one !

It's about 20 miles to the summit, and there are vending machines stocked with very pricey snacks at the summit observatory, but that's about it. There are rest rooms at the observatory, which I assume will be open, plus there are a couple of camping/picnic areas along the way up with portapotties and drinking water.

After-ride nourishment (still) TBD.

- jobob

[jobob]

Ham Cam (http://mthamilton.ucolick.org/hamcam/index.html)

Lick Observatory Visitor Info (http://www.ucolick.org/public/visitors.html)

A motorcyclists' view of the ride (http://www.pashnit.com/roads/cal/LickObservatory.htm)

[SadieKate]

Okey-dokey, we're now trying to figure out driving time from the hinterland.

[cindysue]

Make sure to bring a couple of water bottles and some snacks, and warm clothing for the summit and descent. And your Amici Veloci jersey if you have one !

I'm planning on coming. I will bring lunabars for everyone!

looking forward to breaking in my AV jersey!

[jobob]

It looks to be about 100 miles from Davis.

If you're trying to use MapQuest or some other online mapping program, you might have to give the city as San Jose rather than Milpitas - I could have sworn it's in Milpitas, but, whadoIknow.

[cindysue]

Ham Cam (http://mthamilton.ucolick.org/hamcam/index.html)




oooohhhh! pretty lights this time of night :)

[SadieKate]

It's not the total mileage, it's the Bay Area traffic. 2 hours?? If we leave Davis no later than 8 am? 7:45? A friend's family is in San Josie. I'll ask him.

[cindysue]

i can get to davis in 45 min from my house in walnut creek. I can get to san jose in 45 min. that's 1.5 hours. Throw in another 15 minutes as a buffer. I'm pretty sure there won't be any traffic - it's I-680 for the most part!

[jobob]

I agree with Cindy - I would think it'll be smooth sailing on Saturday morning.

[SadieKate]

Thanks, we'll attempt to hold the map right side up this time. :rolleyes:

[jobob]

Lee & I went on a recon. mission today to find a good place to get together after our ride, but we couldn't find anyplace in the immediate vicinity of our start location that we thought was worth going to.

Since it seems most of you are coming from north of San Jose, I thought we could get together at a really good pizza place which is just off 680 about 12 miles north of the Alum Rock exit - it's pretty much on the way home for most of us. And those who might be coming from points south, I hope you won't mind the detour.

Mission Pizza is at 1572 Washington Blvd. in Fremont.
http://www.missionpizza.com/

There's a good selection for meat-eaters and veg's alike, and their mini-pizzas are pretty substantial. They also have a decent salad bar, and lots of excellent beers on tap :D (in case Robb might like to join us...)

To get there from our start/finish location:
Head back down Alum Rock Ave. and get onto 680 North
Drive north ~12 miles, and take the Washington Blvd. exit
At the end of the ramp, take a left onto Washington Blvd.
Take an almost immediate right (at the sign for the veterinarian) into the Ohlone Center strip mall.
Take a left as you enter the mall parking lot. Mission Pizza is about halfway up the length of the mall.

Hope you can make it !

jo "hmm, maybe I'll be having a beer with my 'za" :D bob

[SadieKate]

Yumm, peeezzzzaaaa! :D

You all remember this from our May conversation about riding Mt. Hamilton?


:eek: :eek: :eek: I just got home from dinner but I forgot to go to Blockbuster because Bubba got all wound-up over dinner. He actually proposed that we go for a 100,000 ft climbing goal for the year. :eek: :eek: :eek: So, all thoughts of movies went out of my head. :eek: :eek: :eek:

. . .:eek: you girls have turned my hubby into a monster. I can't believe HE raised the topic.

A couple more :eek: :eek: :eek: just for good measure. :DWell, the Bubbameister is at 97,900 feet as of today. He will be attaining his goal with you gals on part 3 of the Trifecta. Seems only fitting.

[cindysue]

sunny and high 60's for our Saturday ride. Are we all still game?

[jobob]

but of course :D

Lee was just remarking how it looks like I managed to pick the one good day for the immediate future.

[SadieKate]

See, you are Tour Guide Magnifique! You can even arrange the weather. :o

Just spoke with Andrew. We're picking him up at 8 and will zoom as fast as the Bus can go.

S.

[snapdragen]

You guys have fun! Jobob - my flea market trip may be off - give me a buzz when you all are heading for pizza. Maybe I can join you.

[SadieKate]

Snap, be sure to bring your jersey so we can get a photo. We need AG, too. Have to plan another outing.

[jobob]

Excellent ! I'm really looking forward to seeing all of you.

[SadieKate]

Am I reading this right? It barely got over 46 degrees at the top of Ham today?

http://mtham.ucolick.org/techdocs/MH_weather/dias/

Brrr, got to start growing my winter coat.

[jobob]

It can get chilly up there! Bring those layers.

A lightweight pair of long-fingered gloves, to wear under your biking gloves, could really come in handy (bah-dum-dum).

It was pretty funky on the summit yesterday, overcast for the most part, with some rain, according to yesterday's stills from the Ham Cam: http://mthamilton.ucolick.org/hamcam/dailyStills/cam2/

Hopefully it'll be nicer & a bit warmer today, but who knows.

oooh, but it's pretty up there right now! It's sunrise at the summit Ham Cam (http://mthamilton.ucolick.org/hamcam/index.html)

[Bike Goddess]

I'm looking forward to a report from you all! I'm planning to do Mt Hamilton from the back side (I understand it's steeper)starting from Livermore and going up Mines Road.

You bet, it's gonna be on the chilly side. I was on Diablo Wednesday (lower elevation) and we were COLD up there as well as coming down! That wind will get you every time!

[SadieKate]

Wonderful day! Sunny, warm, little wind, good beer, yummy pizza and great friends. I'll do that ride again just for the downhill. That was fun.

Bubba is very happy. He made his 100,000 climbing goal and is now at 102,000 and some change. Thanks, girls.

Off to the shower and then a W&G movie. :D

[slinkedog]

I'm so glad you guys got a nice day, weather-wise! It was so beautiful today! I was thinking of you a lot!

Okay, where's the Amici Veloci jersey group shot?

[SadieKate]

Jo,

Bubba asked me to post for him as he wanted to be sure you knew how much he appreciated your "Tour Guide Magnifiqueness" yesterday. He said your choice of route, pizza, beer, directions, weather :D , everything was just perfect.

We are definitely planning to do this again in the spring to see it in California's green time. Here's hoping you and Lee get your knees sorted out soon.

SK

[cindysue]

[Jo/Lee's] choice of route, pizza, beer, directions, weather :D , everything was just perfect.

Ditto! And thanks to SK and Bubba for buying beer and pizza :)

The day was perfect. Great weather, great company.

Thom helped me figure out why my polar data wasn't uploading to my computer - and now I have pretty graphs to look at :D And I thoroughly enjoyed Bubba's MTB touring talk :)

I'm looking forward to the next TE adventure

[Bike Goddess]

Veronica- I'll keep you posted. Some of us were thinking of having a couple of cars on the other side so we wouldn't have to do a whole century.

Yes, girl- EAT!!!!!

Glad you all had a great time! It certainly was lovely outside. Yesterday as well (my usual bike day). Anybody got some pics to share?

[Veronica]

Ahhh... I thought you were planning on doing it as an out and back. It blows my mind that the DMD folks do Hamiliton AFTER Diablo, Morgan Territory and Patterson Pass. AND then go on to do Sierra Road. If I do it this year, I'd like to get to the top of Hamiliton and maybe do the descent. It will depend on how cold of a day it is. Getting to the Junction wiped me out two years ago.

That's a big if. :p

V.

[jobob]

Sorry about the lack of photos -- TGM had to forget something, I suppose ! :o

We all looked fabulous though.

I actually brought my camera, but I was so scatterbrained at the start of the ride that I forgot all about it until everyone headed out.

So, I figured, I would snap a photo when I met up with them either at Grant Ranch Park or at the summit. Hah!!! The combination of everyone else being in great shape, compared with my & Lee's sluggitude, meant that when we lost sight of them after the first, oh, half-mile :rolleyes: , that was it.

Lee and I never made it up to the summit. Neither of us have been riding much the last month or two, and it was really taking it's toll on this ride. Lee bailed at around five miles to the summit, and I made it to about 3 miles. I waited until SK whizzed by me and I accompanied her down, and we were joined by the rest at around Grant Ranch for the remainder of the descent (which included a bit of an uphill, bleah, like I needed that ! ).

The anticipation of a semi-well-earned pizza and beer occupied my last functioning brain cells by the time we reached the parking lot again :p

[Veronica]

I know SK took a picture of me at the summit. I suspect I looked either like Death warmed over or a boiled lobster. :D I had my camera, but all I could think about was getting a soda and my warm clothes on. But the time I did that, the troops were heading out.

V.

[jobob]

We definitely have to do this again ! :D

I'm going on a club ride up Mt. Tam in a couple of weekends, it's with the Tortoises Climbing Hills gang so Lee and I think we'll be able to keep up. :o

I have to start hauling my butt out in the AM again - I used to go out for a 10 mile loop a couple of mornings a week, generally including my nemesis hill (all 350 feet of it, LOL). I haven't done that in a couple of months and I think it's really been taking it's toll, both on my endurance and physically. I'm finding after 40-50 miles (or, 10+ miles of uphill), I experience a sort of tightness on the outside of one knee. It doesn't get too bad, but I'm paranoid about making it worse.

I'm thinking it's because, as SK aptly put it, I'm being a "weekend warrior" these days, where I'm doing the same kinds of rides on weekends I did back when I was riding regularly (40-65 mile rides, hills), but nothing during the week. Not a good idea, eh?

But, I'm doing the early-to-late shift at work Monday-Wednesday of this week, so I'll start on Thursday :o

[SadieKate]

It's Weekend Warrior Princess!

I had my camera also but same forgetful problems at the start. At the top, I didn't know what was there and I should have stopped down at the intersection to have a more scenic background. The sun was also behind everyone so, V, no need to worry about what you look like - mostly a dark shape on a bike. To make matters worse, I had the lens set on macro. Pretty pitiful photo production.

Jo, please report back on Mt Tam. Everyone keeps telling me the traffic is awful which is why we stick to mtbiking over there. If the sun gods smile upon us, we're planning a repeat of our mtbike ride on Mt Tam sometime in December.

[Bike Goddess]

Hey V- We wouldn't want to spoil a descent! I think we were thinking Fremont or Alviso or something on that order. I haven't looked at a map. I too thought maybe going up from Mines Rd and then coming back the same way would be fine. I do know that coming back Mines means a few climbs for our "tired legs!" I'll keep you posted, however on whatever we might decide. Will have to do something fairly soon as the colder weather could mean ice on the way up to Hamilton! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Sorry about the pics. I was looking forward to that part. Next time for sure!!

BTW- there is a ride up Tam that doesn't have as much traffic- I'll have to check that out for you all as well. I definitely want to do that ride too! The Trifecta as SK puts it!

[jobob]

Not exactly what you all were hoping for, but here are a few pics I snapped along the ride:

Here's a view looking back at Grant Ranch park:
http://tinypic.com/fjkzzb.jpg



It's about 8 miles to the summit here - the observatory is taunting us:
http://tinypic.com/fjl05i.jpg



Here I am, respendent in my Amici Veloci jersey - it's very slimming ;)
http://tinypic.com/fjl078.jpg



This is where I decided I'd had enough for the day - there was still about three miles to go the summit, although it seems a lot closer. I could see people walking along the overlook, wonder if it was any of you guys?
http://tinypic.com/fjl09e.jpg

[SadieKate]

Those are beautiful! Why is it that I can stop and smell the flowers mountainbiking but I can't on the road? There must be a whole pyschology to it.

Thanks, jobob. I love California's dark oaks against the gold hills. May I use the one of the observatory for a screensaver, purty please?

[jobob]

but of course. I'll email you the full sized image

[Bike Goddess]

Ah....California in the late fall isn't it beautiful!

Yes, I hear that the road is quite long and not terribly steep. Can't say I blame you for stopping when you did!

Great pics- we should have " Fall in California" - album.