July 8 Beginner's Ride - Alameda Creek Trail

[bikerz]

I'm planning a easy-paced ride in Fremont along the Alameda Creek Trail for Saturday July 8 with a couple of friends of mine who have just taken up cycling. We thought the Alameda Creek Trail would be a great route - nice and flat, no chance of getting lost, plenty of bathrooms along the way, and hopefully a tailwind on the way back. It should be between 22 and 25 miles. Also, since it's an out-and-back, folks who want a shorter route can turn back anywhere along the way, or relax at one of the shady park areas and catch the rest of the group on the way back.

Any of you TE-ers want to come along, and bring some friends? I think Trek420 is in, and Winddance may be bringing a friend who has just started riding.

(Of course, hill repeats on Jobob's "Nemesis hill" are optional - but I'm going to tackle it - once!)

I'd like to meet up between 9 and 10 am (maybe even earlier, if it's going to be really hot) at the Niles Canyon Staging area parking lot.

For anyone who's interested, here's a link (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=6348) to our last group ride down there.

I'll start a roll call and post more details as the time draws near...

[dachshund]

This sounds like fun. I'd like to come along.

Thanks!
Amy

[bikerz]

Great Amy! (And you'll be bringing your new Bianchi, right?)

Here's the roster so far:

Me
Trek420
My friends Nicole, Mary and Rebecca (not TE members - YET!)
Winddance
maybe Winddance's friend? (who's also new to cycling)
Dachshund
MelissaM (?)
Snap (?) temp permitting...

Any other locals? (Shadon? Slinke, Mel, Snap, the Bob's, Spazz? Who'd I leave out?)

[Trek420]

I'll be there! Oh, I see you're already signed me up ;)

[melissam]

I'd like to go, but I may be out of town that weekend.

-- Mel (but probably not the Mel you were referring to in the above post)

[snapdragen]

Me probably. Depends on the heat!

[bikerz]

Hey Mel-M- I hope you are in town and can join us!

And Snap - if it's hot we'll start earlier - I hope you can come!

[dachshund]

Great Amy! (And you'll be bringing your new Bianchi, right?)


Yes ma'am!

I don't have a lock yet - do you think I'll need one?

[bikerz]

No, I don't think so...

[Trek420]

dachsund, you don't need a lock, you'll be on your bike and IF we go for coffee after you'll be near your bike so your bike'll be fine.

[dachshund]

Cool beans...... Thanks!

[winddance]

I'm in, but my friend will be out of town that weekend. Which means...we have to do this again sometime soon!

I hate when that happens...

[jobob]

Hi Z -

Not sure if we can make it, but I'll know closer to the date.

- Jo.

[spazzdog]

I'm in! Keep me posted via email. Not online here to much of late, plus I'll be watching "Dopers-R-Us" every day... er, I mean, the Tour de France.

spazz

[bikerz]

Excellent! Updated roster (since I can't edit that original post anymore...)
(And adding LL_DUper_D to the list as well!)

Definitely:
Me
Trek420
Duck on Wheels
Nicole, Mary and Rebecca
Winddance
Dachshund
Spazzdog
LL_Super_D

Maybe:
MelissaM (?)
Snap (?)
The Bobs (?)

[LL_Super_D]

I had been hoping to be able to ride with some of you Bay Area TE gals one of these days and looks like the stars and planets are finally all in alignment :p . I'm in!

[bikerz]

LL - That's great!

(And BTW - congrats on the Bears! In the heat too!)

[Trek420]

bikerz, can you still edit the list? I'm trying to arrange a rental bike for Duckless, I mean H** on Wheels, I mean Duck on Wheels. :cool:

[bikerz]

bikerz, can you still edit the list? I'm trying to arrange a rental bike for Duckless, I mean H** on Wheels, I mean Duck on Wheels.
Consider it done!

[jobob]

Hi Z -

I spoke with the Mr and checked our oh-so-busy social calendar (har har har) and we'll be there.

Melissa, I hope you can make it, it would be great to see you, it's been ages. Still have helium in your tires? ;)

[snapdragen]

Oooh! Looks like we're gonna have a crowd!:D

[bikerz]

Woo hoo! What a crowd!

Here's the hourly update:

Definitely:
Me
Trek420
Duck on Wheels
Nicole, Mary and Rebecca
Winddance
Dachshund
Spazzdog
LL_Super_D
The Bobs
Snapdragen (she's in!)

Maybe:
MelissaM (?)
Shadon (?)

[snapdragen]

I'm in! I may pass out, but I'm in. :D

[shadon]

I'm house/dog sitting in San Mateo for most of july starting that week. If I can work out getting my bike down there, and then come up with a plan for the critters to not be alone for to long, I"m in! (how's that for simple?).

I really need to get back on the bike, haven't had a ride to speak of since ALC! Riding in the Pride parade was a fun kick in the pants, but it didn't count as a ride!

[Rai Sue]

count me as on the "maybe" list--sounds fun, but i might need to be burried in the library that weekend.

rai sue

[bikerz]

And the roster as of July 3:

Definites:
Me
Trek420
Duck on Wheels
Nicole, Mary and Rebecca
Winddance
Dachshund
Spazzdog
LL_Super_D
The Bobs
Snapdragen

Possibles:
MelissaM (?)
Shadon (?)[/QUOTE]
Rai Sue (welcome!)


anyone else?

[slinkedog]

Count me as a maybe. I'll see if I can escape for a few hours on Saturday morning!! :)

[bikerz]

Hey Slinke - how fantastic - it would be great to see you again!

Trek420 and I did the "out and back" version of this route yesterday - it was very pleasant, but a tad on the windy side. It seemed like a head wind 75% of the time (but the other 25% was a blast!) We started late (after 12) so we caught the afternoon breeze off the bay on our way out.

My headwind face: :mad:
My tailwind face: :D

So I think if we all meet at the parking lot at or slightly before 9 and get rolling soon after, we shouldn't get too much headwind on the way out there...

[bikerz]

Ride roster as of July 5: (it's growing!)

Definites:
Me
Trek420
Duck on Wheels
Nicole, Mary and Rebecca
Winddance
Dachshund
Spazzdog
LL_Super_D
The Bobs
Snapdragen

Possibles:
Slinkedog
MelissaM
Shadon
Rai Sue

[slinkedog]

Is anyone from San Jose going who would like to do our part for the environment and 'pool with me? It's looking hopeful for me to go. I can take one more bike and human in my car. :)

[jobob]

Slinke, it'll be great to see you !

Z, have you declared a time yet? :confused:

Ed. to add - oops, Z sorry, just saw your post.

9 am is a very good time to start, it seems the wind has been whipping up pretty early so we're much ore likely to miss the brunt of it starting at 9.

[bikerz]

Hello gang - the big day draws near!!

July 8 (Saturday) - 8:45 - 9:00 am (meeting time)
and let's try to start riding by 9:15 or so.

The route: It is 11 miles flat out to the the end, an optional 3 mile loop with rolling hills, and an additional totally optional hill (the infamous "Jobob's nemesis" hill - see description in the other thread :eek:) then 11 flat miles (possibly with a tail wind :D ) back to the start.

Since we will have some beginners with us, and some folks on mountain bikes, we might end up splitting into groups. If at any point anyone wants to shorten the route, there are shady little rest areas and picnic benches every few miles along the way.

Maybe afterwards, we can caravan or ride up to the Mission Coffee shop for smoothies or lunch??? That was so fun last time!

Here are Jobob's excellent directions from last time:


Here is a link to a Google map of the location of he Niles Canyon staging area, with a small parking lot, picnic benches and porta-potties.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...04884,0.107803

The general location is 700 Old Canyon Rd Fremont, CA 94536 if you want to map-quest directions.

*** Bring emergency notification/ID, snacks, water, sunblock, spare tubes, etc. ***

Any other riders? Any word on our Maybes?

Oh - if anyone would like my cell phone number for last minute coordination, please PM me and I'll be happy to provide it.

(Slinke - I'm moving you to the defnites! Yay!)

[bikerz]

Definites:
Me
Trek420 and Duck on Wheels
Nicole, Mary and Rebecca
Winddance
Dachshund
Spazzdog
LL_Super_D
The Bobs
Snapdragen
SlinkeDog

Possibles:
MelissaM (?)
Shadon (?)[/quote]
Rai Sue (welcome!)

[dachshund]

Thanks, bikerz. I'll take you up on the phone #, and will PM when I get home this evening.
Amy

[melissam]

Rats, I DO have to go out of town this weekend, so I can't join you all. I really, really, really, really wanted to go, too.

Jobob, I don't have the helium any more. Do you know where I can pick some up? My previous helium supplier has disappeared, as well as my quads. ;)

Have a great time, everyone! Hopefully I can join you next time.

-- Melissa

[bikerz]

Bummer, Melissa! Well, hopefully next time! Are you coming on the Monterey ride?

Can't wait to see the rest of you all Saturday!

(Amy, I just PM-ed you my cell info...)

[spazzdog]

Could you PM or email me directions to the start (from my abode off 580).

I'm going to invite my upstairs neighbor, Pierre. If he wants to come, I'll have to drive us rather than me meeting up with Trek420.

Remember, directions for dummies... I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' no babies.... er, i mean, getting around in California.

spazz-o-directionless

P.S. in case he comes, does anybody speak French?

[slinkedog]

Je parle Francais un peu, and I really mean EN PEU. I could ask him where the toilets are and tell him my name, but that's about it. ;)

[spazzdog]

Well, both are very important sentences... but he won't know where the toilets are :D

spazz

[bikerz]

A little extra location info -

The turn onto Old Canyon Rd off Niles Canyon is a soft right. You'll then cross over a little bridge over the creek, and then start looking for a down-sloping driveway on the left into the parking lot - there are actually 2 driveways, one on each side of the lot.

If you do a google maps of the address and then look at the sat photo, you can see what it's like. (I only mention this because I missed the Old Canyon turnoff AND the parking lot turn the first time I went there :o )

[slinkedog]

Well, both are very important sentences... but he won't know where the toilets are :D

spazz

LOL! Well, I can ask Ann where the toilets are in French, at least. :)

[Trek420]

Duck on Wheels (her birthday is Sunday) speaks a tiny bit of French I think. Also Pedadler (who lurks but rarely posts) might be there.

spazzdog, could you pm me the directions bikerz pms you?

[spazzdog]

i, uh, deleted them.

she did mapquest to 700 Old Canyon Rd. That's what she sent.

[bikerz]

Slinke, les toilets son la. (Picture me pointing that-a-ways, with a certain Gallic flair!)

[dachshund]

Je parle Francais un peu, and I really mean EN PEU. I could ask him where the toilets are and tell him my name, but that's about it. ;)

thanks... I just chuckled into a conference call at work... boring meeting. :)

So Niles Canyon is the better way to go, rather than taking Mission St, from 680? I just haven't driven it in a while. Thanks!

[Trek420]

spazzdog "I'm going to invite my upstairs neighbor, Pierre. If he wants to come, I'll have to drive us rather than me meeting up with Trek420."

spazz, didn't you tell me he's really cute, straight, French, single and bikes?

Lise, how quickly can you and your bike get to CA?

[spazzdog]

Oui! He is all those things... except single. I believe he has a gal in France. She visits from time to time.

Trek420 I'll call you today/tonight when I know for sure if he's coming with or not. If no, I'll be at your place in am.

**sorry for the slight hijack grrls

spazz

[bikerz]

So Niles Canyon is the better way to go, rather than taking Mission St, from 680? I just haven't driven it in a while. Thanks!

Hi Amy - Best bet is to check mapquest directions from your home - I have been using google directions, but then a friend told me google's directions were not as good as mapquest...

[melissam]

Bummer, Melissa! Well, hopefully next time! Are you coming on the Monterey ride?


No, I can't come to the Monterey ride either -- I have a rare vacation scheduled for the week you all are gettin' together. Shoot -- the ride reports make these get togethers sound like a lot of fun.

Have fun everyone! I can't wait to read the ride report!

-- Melissa

PS Have a margarita, cosmo (Ketel One), lemon drop, or a nice pint of beer for me!

[bikerz]

Thanks everyone for coming down/up/over to Fremont for the ride - we had a turnout of 14!

1025

Counter clockwise from front left we have: Mary, Nicole, Amy (Dachshund), Rebecca, Dita (Trek420), Lani (LL_Super_D), Anne (Duck on Wheels), Gena (Spazzdog), Rai Sue, Jobob, Lisa (Winddance), me, and Shannon (Slinkedog). (Special thanks to Lee-Bob for being our designated photographer and sweep!)

This was my pal Rebecca's very first road ride - she did 26 miles in the heat! And this was my other friend Mary's 3rd ride - also a PB for distance! Well done!

I was a warm ride out and back, and VERY WARM on the Nemesis hill :eek:, but a very beautiful ride nonetheless! I got to ride a bit with almost everyone, which was really fun - we sure have a nice bunch of TE-ers here in the Bay Area! It was great to see Slinke and Spazz again, and Snap - you were missed!

Here are a few more shots:

Rai Sue, Amy and Lisa at the end of the trail:
1026

The Bobs!!!
1027

[snapdragen]

Um, jobob - if I might say it.....the pic of you and leebob is adorable.:o

[spazzdog]

It was fun. Glad I went

... and miss snappydragon - where were you dear?

spazz

[snapdragen]

It was fun. Glad I went

... and miss snappydragon - where were you dear?

spazz

Stressing over the dog, not sleeping, generally being pizzed at myself.:rolleyes:

Honest girls, I really do own a bike, and I even ride it!

[aka_kim]

Honest girls, I really do own a bike, and I even ride it!Prove it! :D

Sorry about the stress, etc., though. A bike ride would fix it all.

The Bobs really do look adorable. Oh I don't want to play favorites, the rest of you look good too. :) Sounds like a fun day.

[tprevost]

Love the pictures!!!! Glad you all had a great time!!

Tracy

[winddance]

It was great to see all of you again, and meet those of you I haven't met yet. Let's do this again sometime soon!

[SadieKate]

I missed a great day! Sniff.:(

Next time.

[DrBadger]

Hey all-
Looks like you had a great time, I know I did on the last one! I am currently in HOT, humid and rainy Houston. Went for my first ride since getting out here a week ago today along the trail on the Bayou behind the apartment complex where I live, and tomorrow a friend and I are going to go and join one of the weekly group rides out west of here in Katy, Texas.....supposed to have some of the best riding in the area out there.

I will be back at the beginning of October, and look forward to riding with all of you again!
E.

[Trek420]

snapdragen "Um, jobob - if I might say it.....the pic of you and leebob is adorable.:o"

awwww, do you think lee-bob looks pi**ed that he is not in the group shot? Thanks lee-bob for being photographer.

I had a great time, let's do this again!

I'm beat, dunno if it's the heat. Just back from a party with friends. It's been quite the busy day.

[dachshund]

It was great to meet everyone! That was lots of fun, and a wonderful route. Thanks for inviting us, Ann. I got a few pictures.

Lee, Dita, Jobob, Shannon, Gena.
1037

Ducks... I think that's "the hill" in the background.
1038

Riding along the ridge.
1039

The view from the ridge... lots of purdy colors.
1040

[shadon]

I just couldn't get my act together...and expect that the heat would have been a killer for me. Next time! I promise!

[slinkedog]

What a great ride! It was so nice to see the 'Bobs and Ann again and I was very glad to FINALLY meet Dita and Gena. How great to see so many newer faces from the TE board and to meet some non-board folk, as well! Hopefully they'll become board folk soon!! :)

The trail was lovely and the 3 mile loop was spectacular! I declined the opportunity to climb the "nemesis hill." Maybe when I get some bigger gears in the back!! :rolleyes:

Had lots of fun chatting it up with Gena, Winddance and the 'Bobs. I think Gena and Lee talk almost as much and I do, which is a rare feat. Many thanks to Lee for taking our group shot and to Ann for putting it all together. Thanks to those of you who posted pictures... they are great! Is Duck going to post hers?

Looking forward to the next time out with y'all!

[Trek420]

again, great to meet and put faces to the funny names. Thanks Bikerz for putting it all together, Lee for photos and bike-tech support.

Duckless I mean Bike on Wheels uhm Duck on Wheels is on her way back to Norway today, probably either on the airporter now or on the plane.

She posted on the daily ride report thread for July 8th. When she gets back and has a high speed connection I will get protos from her.

Sounds like she had fun I know I did :D

Great ride, great company, great food (but slow service) let's do it again!

[RSquare]

I can't believe I actually biked 26 miles. And my butt doesn't even hurt now. Woohoo...

I am officially on the forum. Thanks to all for coming out and making my maiden voyage into the biking world memorable. And a special thanks to my buddy Ann (BikerZ) for organizing said event. I had such a blast. It was a gorgeous day (okay so it did heat up a bit toward the end there), and the trail was beautiful. And it was really great meeting everyone. Although remembering everyone's real names and screen names might take me a while.

So I'm ready for another ride. Oh no! Perhaps the bug has bitten. :D

[bikerz]

She's hooked! Another one brought over to the dark side :D

All you need now is a road bike!

[jobob]

Hi there Rebecca ! Nice to see you here.

yeah, I had to peek back at the group photo to make sure it was you :o

- Jo.

[Trek420]

RSquare "remembering everyone's real names and screen names might take me a while."

Next time there will be name tags "Hi my name is Trek420" :D ;)

[Rai Sue]

That was fun! it was great to meet y'all. Thanks for posting pics!