Have we had ENOUGH rain yet??

[wabisabi]

Arrrugggh. I realize that other parts of the country are dealing with extreme cold and even fires, and up here on the Ca. coast we are rained out and flooding with warm storms, with no let up in sight. I ventured out to walk my dog yesterday with clouds and even a little thunder (unusual for here), and within 5 minutes it started pouring. Fields that are normally fairly dry are flooded and whole towns are cut off by rivers flooding over bridges. Ten days off, and not a chance of taking a bike ride!

How are the rest of you faring in this wetness?

[slinkedog]

Looks like we're getting a break today in the bay area. I'm going out in a bit for a short ride to try out the new saddle Santa brought me.

All I can say about this rain is: at least the hills are turning green already!!

[SadieKate]

It was gloriously sunny when I got up. Now it is gray and overcast. :(

However, Bubba will be home in a few hours and we're riding.

In the meantime, I'm crawling back into my nice warm bed with my coffee, homebaked biscotti, knitting and poodle footwarmer. Ah, the start of a 5-day weekend. When it rains, I bake and knit. Such a homebody at times.

Just picked up a new murder mystery also. My life is really rough.:D

[slinkedog]

I hope you have a good knit and read session!! :) I've got a new book, myself and am having a hard time tearing myself away from it.

Inaugural ride for the wacky saddle. I'll give you the update later. :)

[jobob]

I'm heading out in just a moment to take advantage of the momentary lack of rain & to test out Pokey's brand spankin-new Cane Creek brake levers.
Yay!

[Bike Goddess]

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRG!!!!!!!!

I'm stuck here at work wishing I were riding. Just 111 miles to go to reach my now fantasy goal of 7500 for the year. Off for three days, but Friday and Saturday don't look very promising down here!

Reading a murder mystery sounds pretty wonderful to me too! Too bad we can't pass our favorite mysteries around!

Looks like we're in for another week of on again off again wet wet weather. Just when I get time off to do my favorite outdoor activity! :( :( :( :( :( :(

[Trek420]

Bike Goddess "Reading a murder mystery sounds pretty wonderful to me too! Too bad we can't pass our favorite mysteries around!"

why not? I'm reading Johnathon Harr, the Lost Painting, a gift from my Mom who knows I love art and art history. It's a bit like a mystery but no crime or dead bodies....at least so far. I don't think there will be but who knows.

The mystery is a search for a lost Caravagio painting.

[bikerchick68]

man o live! I have been hearing how much rain you're getting up north... yikes! We desperately need rain down here, but not 10 days worth! :eek:

it's a little overcast here today, but still no water in sight... the news is saying we'll get rain Sun and Mon here... a little would be good! you guys be safe up there in that mess...

[wabisabi]

"In the meantime, I'm crawling back into my nice warm bed with my coffee, homebaked biscotti, knitting and poodle footwarmer. Ah, the start of a 5-day weekend. When it rains, I bake and knit. Such a homebody at times."


Umm, for me, some Peet's coffee, books I am finally getting to read, and I have recently discovered that I have wireless internet connectivity in my house, haven't a clue how that happened, but I can take the laptop into bed, so there would be absolutely no reason to get up! We have a little break, but I can tell that if I go out it will turn into a big wet rain

[SadieKate]

:) Of course, Peet's - using up the last of the Mocha Java. The Garuda is next (yellow's recommendation). The LBS boys gave us some Fast Freddy's coffee - no idea about the quality.

Wireless -- a neighbor probably installed it and the signal is powerful enough for you to use. They didn't secure it so any one can use it. I'm not that computer savvy but I'm not sure what that means as far as security on your own computer. If they turn on the encryption, you'll be booted off.

[wabisabi]

YUM.

I actually think that the connection is my friendly local internet cafe, the owner of which I have a total crush on! So it is more fun to go over there and banter with him anyway.

One of the people from our riding group posted to our list that there was a massive landslide on the road above the beach that is part of our regular route, complete with trees and everything. Each time there is an earthquake some of the "wrinkles" in the road get bigger (there is now a 3-4" drop on some parts from part of the pavement to the other, and even some mysterious "holes). There is a casino along the road, so it will probably get fixed:rolleyes: We'll probably have to stick to the highway on our next few rides.

[Veronica]

The coach and I got out for some hill interval work. I'm still a bit fatigued from the Tough Love video I did on Tuesday. But still it was nice to be outside.

V.

[caligurl]

i've been procrastinating today.. it's cold (for me) and windy :mad: but i just finished my lunch.. so it's time to get ready and go freeze (62 degrees :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: )

[BikeMomma]

Each time there is an earthquake some of the "wrinkles" in the road get bigger (there is now a 3-4" drop on some parts from part of the pavement to the other, and even some mysterious "holes).
Wow...cool! I wish I could go see that. Earthquakes are one of my fascinations. Awesome power.
-BikeMomma

[BikeMomma]

Related to this topic, just wanted to share my news that I got permission from the powers-that-be at the job here to ride my trainer indoors during inclement weather during my lunch hour (just using a quiet hallway with a outlet plug for a fan, showers downstairs for clean-up afterwards). That'll give me a little more time to ride during the week, and I can avoid the rain, flats, and traffic. Neato!:D
-BikeMomma

[shadon]

I was so hoping to have three straight days to ride, but it looks like that's not gonna happen. I guess that means time in the gym instead. Gaaahhh! I need to ride!

[bikerz]

We just got our new Kurt Kinietics Spinervals trainer, and Saturday will be my first time back on the bike since surgery (I;ll see if Coach Tropy will elt me take it easy for the first week or 2!). So all this rain (while it's soaking my basement :( ) is not going to keep me from getting back in the saddle. But really, in a week or two, it better stop because I want to be OUTSIDE RIDING! Only 5 months to ALC:eek: :eek: :eek:

[shadon]

= But really, in a week or two, it better stop because I want to be OUTSIDE RIDING! Only 5 months to ALC:eek: :eek: :eek:


That's it exactly! When I think about it, I get REALLY nervous!
Rain, rain, go away!

[Dogmama]

The weather in Tucson for the next week is upper 60's, lower 70's during the day. Oh, did I mention I'm strapped into this *^&%$ neck brace for the next three weeks and off my bike for 2 months????

And you ladies are

Sitting next to the windows
Nosed pressed to the pane
Steam coming from your breath
Watching the rain

(I really have too much time on my hands...)

I wish I could trade weather with you!!!

[tatormc]

Please please rain here!! There have been fires all over the state every day this week. We had a really bad one right by us on Tuesday. I had the car loaded with important stuff and was ready to go as we thought it would get us. Thank God that the firefighters got in under control but there were still several homes that were lost. It's weird to think that in this part of the country we're dying for rain and others have had too much. I wish it would even out.

[wabisabi]

I'm so glad to hear that the fires did not reach you; the West seems to get it all--rain, fire, pestilence, on such a dramatic scale. I will send out energy for all of you in danger of the fires.

We have "gale force" wind predictions, big ocean swells, and, to top if off, I awoke this morning with a headache and queasiness and a generrally sick feeling. Time to give into it, listen to the rain, crank up the heating pad and read all those back issues of Yoga Journal!

[Deborajen]

This whole "distribution" thing has been just crazy. We just got back from a week in San Diego - we were hoping to escape winter for a few days. Turned out it was as warm - or warmer - back home the whole time. Our bikes are practically in moth balls this time of year. Really odd for us.

Don't mean to rub it in for all of you out there in CA. Be safe in those bad areas.

Deb

[SadieKate]

Just drove back in heavy rain from the Wine Country tonight. Several cars on the hightway are missing their front ends but they all seemed to be one vehicle accidents which suggests that folks don't understand the cause and effect issues with speed and hydroplaning. At least, the people all seemed to be OK. The highway patrol were out trying to slow drivers down, but of course, the minute the patrol exited speeds went back up and drivers were weaving in and out from the right hand lanes. Stooopiiid!

[velodrome.co.nr]

i mean yeah rain is good for a change sometimes, but when its every day its just not on
rain , rain go away........

[spazzdog]

Well, good news for you CA grrls... according to the nat'l weather service, the sun comes out Tues, stays out Weds and, since I am coming to town, will hopefully stay out through at least part of my stay :D .

It would be terribly inhospitable for Momma Nature to rain on my house hunting parade you see ;)

spazzdog

[Trek420]

It's a downpour in the East Bay right now, just getting it outa the system so we can show Spazz the CA sun. I think any workout this weekend will be inside, dojo, cycleops....cleaning the humble abode :eek:

and later on she writes....I went to the dojo and it was closed for the holiday so I dropped by to the LBS and dropped off the Motobecane frame I found. Owner Chris will make it into a fixed gear at least that's the plan.

I told him no rush, if he doesn't get to it till next year that's ok ;-)

We didn't discuss how yet or details because there was sawdust and dust flying everywhere, furniture movin' around. Those of you in the East Bay and if you know Robinson Wheelworks you're in for a treat next time you go. Who says straight guys can't decorate? These guys can.

They've remodeled, redone the flooring and it's fabulous. If you've been there before you won't believe it's not 10' bigger in all directions, the space is just cleaner, opened up, better lit. Grand re-opening planned for next Saturday.

[Trekhawk]

i mean yeah rain is good for a change sometimes, but when its every day its just not on
rain , rain go away........

hey velo - hows the snow going over your way? Saw on the news that England had a big dump of it.

[SadieKate]

Geez, we made it back just in the nick of time. Where the accidents were last night on Interstate 80 is where the freeway was closed this morning due to flooding. Then, a mud slide on I-80 near Truckee. Those of us living in the I-80 corridor aren't going east or west for a while.

[slinkedog]

Sheesh! This storm is a humdinger! Part of our fence blew over last night. I think it's a good thing we got our three towering sweet gums trimmed this fall!

[Trek420]

Program just interupted on TV by the emergency system: lower Russian River residents are being advised they must evacuate NOW :eek:

For those in other parts of the country the Russian River runs through Sonoma county and meets the sea at the small town of Jenner.

[jobob]

For those in other parts of the country the Russian River runs through Sonoma county and meets the sea at the small town of Jenner. And it floods pretty much everytime there's a major rainfall.

[yellow]

Oy! You Kalifornians! The weather must explain this (http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/14026265p-14858500c.html) as well. :eek: Mad chihuahuas!

(For those of you that don't know, I was a Kalifornian until about 2.5 months ago!)

Seriously, I have been following your trials and tribulations via the 'net, fondly remembering the events of New Years Eve 1996-97, a night I barely made it home due to flooding.

...yellow, now in the land of mixed rain and snow...

[SadieKate]

Oy! You Kalifornians! The weather must explain this (http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/14026265p-14858500c.html) as well. :eek: Mad chihuahuas!You sure this isn't an April Fool's Day article gone astray?

[cindysue]

Oy! You Kalifornians! The weather must explain this (http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/14026265p-14858500c.html) as well. :eek: Mad chihuahuas!...

oh that is hilarious. ...some guy broke into a woman's house and added "erotic indian art" to her computer? Pleazzzze!

[yellow]

oh that is hilarious. ...some guy broke into a woman's house and added "erotic indian art" to her computer? Pleazzzze!
The chihuahua bit made us laugh harder...I can just picture the officer's face as he was rushed by the pack. "Stop! Police! Off! Off you viscious mongrels!" DH said, "What, he didn't shoot them? He must really have been under attack."

But yeah, you're right, the computer bit seems a bit far fetched!

Oh, and nothing so strange EVER happens in Utah... :p

Anyhoo, back to the subject: weather!

[Trek420]

jobob "And it floods pretty much everytime there's a major rainfall."

and yet people continue to build there...who knew it floods each year? :confused:

nothing strange in Utah? Oh I don't know

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6687167/

[yellow]

nothing strange in Utah? Oh I don't know
Brings to mind Bill Murray yelling "Cats and dogs!!! Living together!!!" (Was that Ghostbusters?)

For kicks we like to go to the cemetery here in the city (Salt Lake) and review all of the wives listed on the more prominent tombstones. Quite entertaining. :rolleyes:

Now BACK TO THE WEATHER!

[Dogmama]

All of you people be careful. I'm watching the news and it is awful. Be sure to wear your "swimmies" when you're cycling!

[Deanna]

Hubby and I managed to get out on the tandem for a bit on Saturday to survey some of the damage. We ended up doing about 44 miles of out and backs--riding the roads until we reached a flood/closure that we're not crazy enough to go through. The water is the highest I've seen it, and while
the water level on the Russian River isn't as high as it got in the last big floods, there seem to be a lot more road closures then before. The Laguna de Santa Rosa, which is normally a wide, low wetland is over it's banks in many areas. There's really no where for anymore water to go, so lets hope the rain really does let up this week.

[wabisabi]

This was certainly a New Year's to remember! Up here on the North Coast we were (maybe still are--there is still no radio or TV) cut off both north and south on 101 and on 299, the other road out, by landslides. On Saturday morning we had a sudden huge gale, with winds reported up to 80mph, suddenly blow through. There are thousands (really) of trees knocked down. Our electricity went off Saturday morning and stayed off through yesterday evening, with some of my neighbors still without power. I went for a walk with my dog in our community forest and in a brief walk on a dirt road came across maybe six big redwoods down across the road, and I could see a lot more in the forest. Staying warm was a challenge, although it was a fairly warm storm, still, at night it gets cool. All the rivers flooded, and the tide was reportedly 11 ft high on Saturday.

I did learn a fews things:
that it is possible to use a slightly older gas stove by lighting it with a match, even when the electricity goes out, and if you have a gas water heater (and water) you can actually take a nice hot bath!

that there are hand cranked cell phone chargers that you can buy
some of those emergency crank radios don't work too well

those corporate radio stations really suck (with almost no acknowledgement of any local disasters that are happening)

that it can be incredibly restful to be removed from radio, tv and internet distractions

I am using my I-don't-know-where-it-comes-from wireless internet connection at the moment, as my cox cable is completely down, and none of the local radio stations are back up yet

A cycling group friend had a party yesterday, and, since they had power, we all were happy to attend! We all had some time off and planned to ride as often as possible, but there was rain constantly, so few of us did any riding, and were all bemoaning this. Today is fairly clear, but I am feeling a little under the weather.

It will be a while before things are back to any sense of normalcy.

[velodrome.co.nr]

hey velo - hows the snow going over your way? Saw on the news that England had a big dump of it.


more like a few inches, the country goes mad with the tiny snowflakes so it was nothing really
nice with it being christmas etc

[Lise]

Thinking of you gals (and your guys & gals) in California...NPR keeps me posted on the rain and flooding. My heart and thoughts are with you.

Lise

[caligurl]

i got rained on yesterday! :eek: when i got up to workout.. it was decent outside (well.. what i could tell with it still being dark!) then while i'm eating breakfast i keep hearing this rumbling... i thought it was trucks coming across they street (they are building a house... destoying my view :mad: ) finally i realize that's not trucks.. it's WIND! i was soooo bummed.. i'll ride in wind.. but these gusts were awful! then later after i got done eating my lunch i realized the gusts seemed to have stopped (but it was still a strong steady wind)... well... i got dressed and headed out on my bike! i started noticing the sky getting darker over by my house.. but blue sky (and a rainbow) where i was headed! niiiiiiiiiiice tail wind going up to my turn around point! then i had to turn around.... i was in my baby (granny) gear going DOWNHILL! and still only going 8-9 mph! :eek: :eek: :eek:

i got back across the highwy... turned right to get a few extra miles riding around the streets of the neighborhood.. and no sooner than i did that then it started raining.... not so bad it was cool and raining on my.. but it rained on ruby! :eek: :mad: i called hubby and he said it had been raining by our house for a while (i realized that as the streets were all wet!) dumb weather! but at least i got a ride in!

[SadieKate]

Whispering this in case I might jinx something, but the entire skyline out my west-facing office window is clear blue. I almost forgot what it looked like.

Got the lights charging at home. Night ride, here I come! Wonder how much of campus is still flooded?

Just something interesting . . .

The Sacramento Valley area is historically a giant seasonal flood plain flowing into a huge delta that is home to the world's farthest inland deep water port. West of Sacramento there is now an artifically controlled flood causeway with weirs that are opened to release water from the big rivers before they top their levees. "It's 40 miles long, nearly 10 miles wide in places, and covers roughly 59,000 acres." Just try to visualize how much water it takes to fill this thing in 24 hours. Well, it happened and there is quite a current flowing into the Delta, so there is continual outflow.

NY's Eve, they opened the weirs. In about 24 hours, the water rose from a few puddles to about 2 feet below the bridge deck. I wish I could find current photos for you all. Every morning I cross this long flat bridge (Interstate 80) over this awesome body of water. We have had massive damage in other areas of the state with incredible photos. Usually, we only see photos as rivers go over their banks and cause damage, but I find the causeway impressive because of its operation and how it protects us, not to mention the benefit it has been for fish and fowl. However, I have to say that if we get another storm with heavy rain and high winds, I'm staying home. The wind drives water across the bridge deck and the powers-that-be close the bridge. I could be stranded away from my puppydog as there only a few ways to get from Sacramento to Davis, and all require crossing the rivers or flood plains. Anyway, thought some of you might find this interesting.

http://www.watershedportal.org/news/news_html?ID=214

[Embellina]

Wow, I'm very impressed!

[yellow]

I wish I could find current photos for you all.
Welllll....you can't find sattelite prolly because of the big problems with LANDSAT 5 (FYI, most of the images of Katrina damage that we all saw were sattelite). This from the USGS website:

On November 26, 2005, the back-up solar array drive on Landsat 5 began exhibiting unusual behavior. The solar array drive maintains the proper pointing angle between the solar array and the sun. The rotation of the solar array drive became sporadic and the solar array was not able to provide the power needed to charge the batteries. Maintaining power to the batteries is critical to sustain proper operation of the spacecraft. The primary solar array drive failed under similar circumstances last January. As a result of this current situation, imaging operations will be suspended for at least the next two weeks or until attempts to solve the problem have been resolved.

Landsat 5, launched in March 1984, has performed far beyond its three-year design lifetime and has continued to collect global land surface coverage. Over 125,000 images, from the Chernobyl disaster to Hurricane Katrina, have proven invaluable for identifying the impact of natural and human-induced changes. Landsat 5 and Landsat 7 together provide full global coverage of the Earth’s surface every eight days.

[SadieKate]

Well, aren't you the sleuth! I should take some pictures myself. Looks like fairly clear weather for the next few days. Everyone can dry out of bit.

You Right Coast girls can go ahead and send some snow, but no rain. Okay?

[cindysue]

You Right Coast girls can go ahead and send some snow, but no rain. Okay?

Yes! Please, Please. I want it sunny for riding and snowy for skiing. Is that too much to ask?

[DeniseGoldberg]

You Right Coast girls can go ahead and send some snow, but no rain. Okay?

OK - you can have our snow. Do you think sending it by overnight delivery will work?

I want dry roads!

--- Denise

[spazzdog]

Hey!


No SNOW!!!

Why do ya think I'm moving to the left coast....

Geez... can't a dog get 7-10 warm months anywhere???

[Trekhawk]

Hey!


No SNOW!!!

Why do ya think I'm moving to the left coast....

Geez... can't a dog get 7-10 warm months anywhere???

Isnt that Hawaii???
Just a short swim from California.:D

[Bike Goddess]

Hey Spazz- Don't you worry! No snow here and none planned soon. When was the last time we had snow in SF???????
If you want snow, we'll send you up to Tahoe or Yosemite. That's only a few hours away from the "sunny" Bay Area. :) :) :) :)

As far as rain is concerned we MIGHT have a few showers on Saturday but nothing like the last week. Sunday is supposed to be nice (it better be, that's one of my major ride days).

So there you have it!

Now as far as the North Coast is concerned....that's a different story as MS Watasabi will testify! It rains a LOT there. The redwoods love it. I think Eureka must get about 40+inches a year. The further up you go, the more it rains. Crescent City gets about 70 inches a year. BUT the summers are fabulous- cool and wonderful riding!

[yellow]

Yes! Please, Please. I want it sunny for riding and snowy for skiing. Is that too much to ask?
Oh, like this?? :D :D :D



http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1/tasdan/CheeseHillBike.jpg

[BikeMomma]

If you want snow, we'll send you up to Tahoe or Yosemite. That's only a few hours away from the "sunny" Bay Area. :) :) :) :)
Hey Spazz....you can stop at my house for a pee break on the way to Yosemite! Just don't take all the Starbucks bottled Frap's out of the fridge, pleeze (leave me at least one). :D :p

Landsat 5, launched in March 1984, has performed far beyond its three-year design lifetime and has continued to collect global land surface coverage. Over 125,000 images, from the Chernobyl disaster to Hurricane Katrina, have proven invaluable for identifying the impact of natural and human-induced changes. Landsat 5 and Landsat 7 together provide full global coverage of the Earth’s surface every eight days.
Regarding the LANDSAT 5 satellite info Yellow was talking about "up there" on the thread, here's a really interesting site with some of those satellite pics I came across one day. They have pics of Katrina hurricane and Indonesia tsunami damage, as well as pics of national landmarks and international places of interest. Really neat to browse. http://www.digitalglobe.com/sample_imagery.shtml

[slinkedog]

I've never seen a cheese sign with a bike on it before. Very interesting.

[Adventure Girl]

I've never seen a cheese sign with a bike on it before. Very interesting.http://www.teamestrogen.com/images/products/SO-STE_xlg.jpg
How about on socks? Available at TE.;)

[RoadRaven]

When I saw this snow pic last night (when i was in "catch up" mode) I called the other cyclists in my family over to see - none of us have seen that sign before either...

I do quite like those sox... seriously considering ordering some!

[SadieKate]

I want these with the bike going uphill.

[Trekhawk]

I like these.

[caligurl]

I like these.

OH! me too!!!!!!!!!!!! (i like the "cheese" ones too!)

[shadon]

are they made by Defeet? I want some! Fun cycling socks have become an obsession with me. Since June, I think I've aquired a good 15 pair or so!

[cindysue]

Oh, like this?? :D :D :D

oh that is a beautiful site!

[Adventure Girl]

are they made by Defeet? I want some! Fun cycling socks have become an obsession with me. Since June, I think I've aquired a good 15 pair or so!I love cycling socks, too! I bought one of my favorite pair through TE. They have a skull and cross bones, and the skull is wearing a bike helmet!

Both endo and cheese bike socks available through TE here:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/categories.asp?catID=11

[DirtDiva]

I like these.
LMAO. :D The moment lusted-after socks were mentioned I thought of those.