South Bay Ride on 09/23/06

[Trek420]

OK, so the plan was hatched for TE gals to invade (in a friendly way of course) the Velo Girls club ride on the 23rd.

who'll join me at Velo Girls Club Ride:
Join us on the ride that started it all -- the original Velo Girls ride! Listed as a cool ride in the April, 2003 issue of Bicycling Magazine. Three levels of rides for all abilities of riders! 30 miles, 51 miles, and 55 miles. Meet at the new Summit Bicycles in Burlingame -- 1031 California Drive.

This ride, one of my favorites includes La Canada rd, the ride up to that point from Summit has one challenging hill, the rest mostly rollers.

Many food options in Burlingame if wanted after, and a stop for cookies in the middle of the ride if needed.

[melissam]

I'm in!

So, Trek, which ride are you planning on having us invade? 30, 51, or 55 miles?

(Watch, she'll say 55 miles and I won't be up for it. :eek:)

-- Melissa

[Trek420]

The 30 is usually what I do. :cool:

[bikerz]

I'd like to join the party!

[velogirl]

Well shoot! You could've picked a Saturday I could actually be there. I'm coaching our two-day clinic that weekend.

[Trek420]

Bring the clinic :D

[cindysue]

.

Hey Melissa - been trying to PM you but you have PMs and emails turned off...

Just wanted to say thanks!! - I won't go into the details here but you can send me an email off line at cindy @ lunachix . net

[cindysue]

I can do 30 miles by then. Count me in!!! (assuming I'm still living in the bay area)......

[roguedog]

Um.. thirty miles? Not sure I can make this one.. maybe down the road a bit. Sounds fun tho!

[Trek420]

roguedog "Um.. thirty miles? Not sure I can make this one.. maybe down the road a bit. Sounds fun tho!"

r'dog, officially there is no MeloVelo route that day, but if you do not feel up to the 30 (I think you can) we could recreate it.

You go to the meet point which is at 92 and La Canada. There's plenty of space for parking. It takes perhaps 30-45 min from ride start for the 30/50/55 mile riders to get there, you join us for the out and back for cookies which would be with the 30 mile riders and then we also go on from there. Your mileage about 15 miles most flat/rolling.

Cindysue, what's this about leaving the Bay Area I hear? :confused: :(

[melissam]

Cindysue,

You're very welcome. Thanks for giving me a heads up about the PM's. I had changed my email address in my TE Profile and hadn't finished verifying my account. Oops. Glad to hear you're gonna be back in the saddle by the time this ride happens! But what's this I hear about you leaving the Bay Area?! :confused:

Velogirl,

Shoot, sorry to hear you have a conflict on this date. But you know what that means -- we'll just have to stage another TE invasion!

Rogue,

If you're not up for 30 miles by then, I'd certainly be willing to do a shorter route so we can ride with you.

BikerZ,

Yay, you get to go for a ride around this part of the Bay!

Trek,

Thanks for putting this together! I'm up for cookie stops and food & libations afterwards. :)


-- Melissa

[slinkedog]

What time? I didn't see a time listed. I'd love to do this one, but Jonathan starts soccer the 9th. Maybe I could miss just one game!!

[Trek420]

oops, ride starts at Summit at 10:00 am.

Thought for the day, I don't think I've met mellisam & r'dog so if they do the "make your own Mello Vello ride" how're they going to recognise us?

Options include: we wear AV gear or....

I meet them there and since I'd recognise you, bikerz, Cindysue....

then we all meet up somewhere after.

[roguedog]

Rogue,

If you're not up for 30 miles by then, I'd certainly be willing to do a shorter route so we can ride with you.

-- Melissa


Melissa, thanks for the offer but I don't want to spoil your fun. Not even sure I'll be going. Just do what you want to do and I'll figure it out from there. Thanks VERY much for the offer.

Trek,

It's easy to recognize me.. I'm the one, the FRED as they called me in another thread, huffing and puffing about to blow over. :)

[Trek420]

and that would be different from us how? :p

[melissam]

Rogue,

Well, if you show up, I'd still be happy to ride with you. It certainly wouldn't spoil my fun, and we could meet up with the other TE'ers afterwards for libations and more fun.

Trek,

How to recognize me? Hmmm. I'm short and have a small bike, and I'm mean, especially before 10am. There, that about covers it. Or I guess I could wear a carnation on my jersey or something. ;)

-- Melissa

[Trek420]

Working backwards any suggestions on places to eat? There seem to be lots of options in Burlingame.

[bikerz]

Well, I might be the only person who knows what everyone looks like (except roguedog). I'm pretty sure RD could identify us - a group of friendly, easy-going cyclists!

And Melissa - you talk the "mean" talk, but I haven't seen it yet, for all the threats! Maybe you get it out of your system on the freeway!

I'll be happy to attempt any distance - all rides are fun for me (especially if they don't involve Pig Farm Hill!).

Slinke - you can totally miss one soccer game - just put a little extra cash in the therapy account for Jonathan to use later!

RD - you should definitely join us - we'll have a great time!

[winddance]

Me me me!

[liksani]

Hmm, might show up if I can finish my training run early enough. Hehe, you guys might be going too fast for me tho, haven't really been on a bike regularly since Lifecycle. :eek:

[cindysue]

But what's this I hear about you leaving the Bay Area?!

nothing to report yet, but it's a possibility. I'll keep y'all posted.........

[mountainpuddles]

I can't make it this time. I am flying to Germany for my brother in laws wedding and stopping in London to visit a pal. I will return on the 3rd of October, so then I will be riding just about anywhere and everywhere in the Bay Area. B

[jobob]

Post-ride, I'd recommend Steelhead Brewery. They have a nice patio out back so you can sit outside and you can park your bikes right there too. Good salads, decent burgers, pasta & fish and beer! ...

What VG said. Excellent beer there. :cool:

[melissam]

What VG said. Excellent beer there. :cool:
I'd like to make a motion that we go to the Steelhead Brewery after the 9/23 ride! Can I get a second?

[Trek420]

I second it. Any objections? :)

[bikerz]

I third it (if required)...

I have a timing question - I have to be back up in the East Bay (El Sobrante) by 4, showered and in normal clothes. Do we have a group consensus on which route, what time, etc.? I'd love to join the post-ride libations (isn't that pretty much the whole point of riding? :o ) , but if I only have time for a ride, that's OK too!

[Trek420]

My experience is doing the 30 miles were back 1'ish?

[slinkedog]

I have the green light to come to this ride!! :) I'm looking forward to seeing you all there. I just haven't ridden my bike in almost a month!!

[Trek420]

whoopeee!!! slinkedog's here. Slink it's like riding a bicycle, you never forget. :)

ok: so far those in attendance:
melissam
bikerz (on a Seven? hee hee)
cindysue
roguedog
spazzdog with kate as yet unnamed on TE
slinkdog (ever notice we have a lot of "___dog" names?)
liksani
jobob? or were you just approving libations after?
trek420
kjay

plan is the 30 mile ride then to the Steelhead Brewery. Anyone doing the 50 miles go ahead and reserve a table, you'll be there earlier :cool:

windance, velogirl .... catch you next time

[melissam]

I have the green light to come to this ride!! :) I'm looking forward to seeing you all there. I just haven't ridden my bike in almost a month!!

Yay!!! It will be nice to finally get to meet you! :D

-- Melissa

[roguedog]

gulp.. can someone bring a tow rope and spare set of lungs and legs??

did i say i'm not very good at hills?

[bikerz]

I'll be there for the 30 miler, but not on a Seven! The test bikes were fine for a 5 mile or so test loop, but both were a little too small, handle bars waaaay too narrow, etc. So I'll be there on my usual steed, with visions of Sevens in my head.

Slinke - how excellent that you can come!

RogueDog - you must have missed all the threads that discuss (at length!) my incredibly slow rate of ascent on hills!

Trek - where do we meet exactly and at what time?

[winddance]

I can't come. I have to go to class. :(

[Trek420]

Velo Girls Club Ride
Join us on the the original Velo Girls ride! Listed as a cool ride in the April, 2003 issue of Bicycling Magazine.

Three levels of rides for all abilities of riders! 30 miles, 51 miles, and 55 miles (I'm doing the 30)

Meet at Summit Bicycles in Burlingame -- 1031 California Drive. 10:00 am

note: if you've been to Summit before but not in a while .... they have moved

www.summitbicycles.com/burlingame.html

Recovery meal: :) :) :) whenever we finish
Steelhead brewery
333 California Drive
Burlingame, CA 94010

www.steelheadbrewery.com/burlingame.htm

[kjay]

Is it too late to sign up? If not, I'd like to join you for the 30-miler.

Is it okay to meet you all at Canada and 92? I am a bit reluctant to ride on the Burlingame streets, but I will if necessary. Don't get me wrong; I do ride streets, but if I can avoid them, I will.

If I can meet you at Canada and 92, approximately what time should I be there?

Thanks!

[Trek420]

You don't need to sign up, just show up and go that goes for all of you here.

Once we're off California drive the streets are pretty low traffic.

Drivers are fairly used to bikes there and there will be even more of us than a "normal" VG ride.

If you were to be at 92 (and look for a mix of Velo Girls pink and Amici Veloci red and green) I'm not sure perhaps 10:30 ish?

But then you'd miss the most fun part, the climb up to 92 and ride down.:D

[kjay]

Great . . . will most likely meet you in Burlingame, then. I look forward to meeting everyone!

[BikeMomma]

Hey Trek -

Do you have info on the 50 & 55 mile routes (terrain, etc)? I looked on the Velo Girls site, but there are lots of rides listed and I'm not sure which are the ones they're doing. I'm sorta interested in this. Sounds like fun. :) But I'm also tempted to just stay close to home, as we've been doing some cool routes in the Sierra lately. Gotta weigh the possibilities. :rolleyes:

~BikeMomma

[Trek420]

Sorry to say I've never done them, first half of course is same as ours, then splits off. You should ask Velogirl, she founded the club, bet she knows. :cool:

[slinkedog]

Wait... I thought this ride was on Saturday the 23rd. Is that wrong?

[Trek420]

you're right, you're always right, you're never wrong, you're always right I'm sorry, got it all wrong it's Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday , the Velo girls club ride is always on Saturday I should know that by now doh (it's the Northern Exposure ride that's on Sunday but let's not confuse things).


It's Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday ....at 10:00 am

synchronize your watches .... be there or be square:
Velo Girls Club Ride
Join us on the the original Velo Girls ride! Listed as a cool ride in the April, 2003 issue of Bicycling Magazine.

Three levels of rides for all abilities of riders! 30 miles, 51 miles, and 55 miles (I'm doing the 30)

Meet at Summit Bicycles in Burlingame -- 1031 California Drive. 10:00 am

note: if you've been to Summit before but not in a while .... they have moved

www.summitbicycles.com/burlingame.html

Recovery meal: whenever we finish
Steelhead brewery
333 California Drive
Burlingame, CA 94010

www.steelheadbrewery.com/burlingame.htm

[cindysue]

Excellent! Can't wait to see everyone. I'll be doing the 30 miler. And I'll have news on the job front and where I'll be calling home.....

[Trek420]

not here? :(

[snapdragen]

Excellent! Can't wait to see everyone. I'll be doing the 30 miler. And I'll have news on the job front and where I'll be calling home.....

King City?

[Trek420]

King City? :eek:

[cindysue]

King City? :eek:

I have a few more interviews coming up but I've pretty much made up my mind. Yes, I know it is in the middle of nowhere but I think I need a fresh start, a clean break for awhile, find myself, you know -- get past the post-relationship blues......

I'm looking at an apartment in Salinas. AG, here I come (95% sure at least).......

[Trek420]

He doesn't get to do that to you, it's not allowed, we won't permit it.

You shouldn't change your breakfast cereal choice for that schmuck much less move, he's insane to let you go (really TE gals, he's got to be truly freaking nuts). TE gals can hold him down, I'll beat him up ;-) Just kidding TE gals, I wouldn't do that to anyone well, maybe....

We'll understand it if you go but ... please stay here and ride those blues away with us :cool:

Footnote: the roads are really bad in King City, I've ridden them in and outa town on the AIDS Rides it's awful, more like a mountain bike ride than a road ride (not that there's anything wrong with that). Aw c'mon, stay.

[snapdragen]

I have a few more interviews coming up but I've pretty much made up my mind. Yes, I know it is in the middle of nowhere but I think I need a fresh start, a clean break for awhile, find myself, you know -- get past the post-relationship blues......

I'm looking at an apartment in Salinas. AG, here I come (95% sure at least).......

Perfectly understandable to me. That just means we have mid-Cal rides more often!:D

[BikeMomma]

Cool, Cindy. :) Salinas still isn't very far from me, but you'd be even closer to the beautiful Pacific. :D

Take care,
~BikeMomma

[Trek420]

Ok, ok, go if you want to. Not before a combo Spazzdog housewarming, congrats on the new job, Goodbye Cindysue party? :o

[cindysue]

thanks everyone,

It was a hard decision but one that I think will pay off in the end. Looking forward to Saturday!!!

[slinkedog]

Salinas is only an hour from me... so Let's Ride!! :)

[roguedog]

ok.. so i wrangled two other victims.. i mean, friends into joining us.

oy.. uh... getting a bit apprehensive about how much i'm chewing off....

"TAXI!"

[Trek420]

oh good, we can split the cab fare :D

I've been asked for an overview of the ride:

I haven't been on the VG club ride in a while (baaad Trek:o ) but know that usually we ride at a reasonable pace, we may stop to regroup before the first climb and again at the top.

We sometimes stop briefly at Canada road....then onward to Roberts Market where we you can get water, go to the bakery for cookies (aparently there is some community weirdness about cyclists so I dunno the last time I rode we just got water and turned around but there are rest rooms if you need one and a good bakery and nice market) then head back.

We try to cross 92 together because the light is short, there's a slight climb and then you actually merge across a fwy exit so we try to do that as a "bunch" and make sure all get safely past.

Then there's this longish uphill slog which while not steep is narrow so if you're stuck behind me....well, you're stuck behind me. We'll chat.

Depending on who's there we sometimes stop at the top of the last descent to take a head count on anyone who does not feel comfy descending, it's steep and winding heading down and ends in a stop sign so don't loose control.

Take it at your own pace be careful...it's a hoot descending through the redwoods (I think they are redwoods) but ends in a stop sign.

Then flat and rollers back ....

and to the brew pub!!

[roguedog]

Oh, in case you need to know their names, Trek.

It's Karen and Noreen. They're trying to get back into shape for a Team in Training reunion ride in Oct. Nothing like last minute!

[slinkedog]

I'm sorry to say that I'm officially bailing on this ride. My Saturday is going to be too crazy and I also don't think I can do that much climbing. Blaine and I are hoping to do a marathon rehearsal for our gig the following weekend, too. I hope to ride with you all SOON! :(

[BikeMomma]

Do you know what the pace the group carries on the 50-mile routes? I'm trying to decide if I should go or stay around here. I sortof have to keep the intensity up, as I'm doing the bike segment of a team triathlon on the 1st. Gotta beat my time from last year. ;)

I WOULD like to see those whom I haven't met or ridden with (which is about everybody!), so I'd be easily swayed to come.... Just trying to iron out the details in my mind, really.

~BikeMomma

[kjay]

Sorry to report that I will not make it on Saturday. I drove the route today and decided that I'm not in good enough shape to bike that particular route. I will some day. Have fun everyone!

[roguedog]

kjay... you're scaring me... i figure can always walk the hill? oy...

[Trek420]

meet us for lunch? We'll have to do this again on a day there's also the Melo Velo. It's really not as bad as it looks. And like roguedog sez, I've never met a hill I wouldn't walk.

I hope I'm not eating my words tomorrow.

[kjay]

LOL Yes, one can always walk the hill, and it isn't really all that bad . . . I really didn't mean to scare you. I happened to take a fall yesterday and hurt my knee, so I think that's why I'm shying away at this point in time.

Go for it! :)

[roguedog]

It's really not as bad as it looks.

---> roguedog, frantically looking @ googlemaps trying to figure out topography and remembering what edgewood road looks like... <feeling faint already>

and i can't even open my can of spinach these days to do like popeye! <laughing weakly>

[BikeMomma]

Hey Gals -
See ya in the morning....I'm coming. Which means I gotta get to bed!!!:rolleyes:
~BikeMomma

[Trek420]

Ok, better pump up the tires now.

Thinking waaaay too far ahead, the next Melo Velo rides will be 10/07 & 10/15/06.

15 miles, little traffic, rollers, no big hills, Roberts Market in the middle if we need a cookie. Would either of those dates work for our shorter distance (or short on time) riders? :cool:

See the rest of you soon.

[slinkedog]

So, how was it?????

[Trek420]

:eek: It was great, I'll write a full report in a little bit, I'm actually pretty tired, :o
Going to go eat a little more. This was a chalenging ride, congrats and thanks to all who came.

It was good to see Cindysue and be reminded how much we'll miss her being around. Cindy you better use those 3-day weekends to visit. She reminded me that while this was south of some of us this was really NOT South Bay, more like peninsula.

If we do this again it will be more accurately titled. :cool: Good to see the familiar and new faces.

It pretty much was as decribed a while back. We got going at about 10:15 I had a moments panic while I thought I might actually have to lead the ride.

It's been a while since I've been on the VG club ride and this started from a new location, Summit has moved. While I think I could have done it but...y'all would have gotten tired of waiting for me.

Lisa and two other gals from the club appeared (I have got to get better with names) and we set off. One of these gals wanted to do the 50 but road with us anyway, she just did the hills twice :p This is one of the things I like about our club, very easy going.

Next time Lorri must be there as I hear she knows the top secret less traffic way from Summit.

Anyway it turned out to be a good thing we started at Summit, there's always something you forget and need to get at the shop in this case....Bikemoma forgot her shorts! :eek: So it was a good thing we were there. The ride went well to Roberts Market, we decided to to the extra loopy thing that adds about 6 miles. Got back and 5 of us had lunch at the brew pub.

I just realised that none of my digital pictures turned out so .... we'll just have to do this again :D

[BikeMomma]

Anyway it turned out to be a good thing we started at Summit, there's always something you forget and need to get at the shop in this case....Bikemoma forgot her shorts! :eek: So it was a good thing we were there.
:D :p :D :p
Yep....got to driving down the road, and then about a half-hour into it, I for some reason did a little mental checklist and WHAa! Oh crud! I forgot my shorts! 'Course I couldn't believe that I did something SO idiotic, so I did the mental checklist thing another couple times, had a look around the car frantically (at freeway speed) then had to accept the grim reality. So I called Slinkedog to see if she was going (I couldn't remember). I thought maybe I could borrow a pair of shorts from her, wash them, then mail them back to her --- something insanely crazy like that. She called Cindy (thanks Shannon!!! thanks Cindy!!!), who said that the shop was going to be open and I could buy some there. Whew....

That's what I get for doing laundry so late the night before!!! The crazy thing was, I took the socks out of the dryer, but not the shorts!! :D :p But hey, needed the new shorts anyway, so it's all good.:cool:

~BikeMomma

[slinkedog]

My shorts would fall off of your skinny a$$. ;)

I'm glad you got it worked out and were able to ride! Is anyone EVER going to post some photos??? I'm looking forward to a ride report from roguedog... how hard was it?

[Trek420]

::sigh:: new camera, techno challenged Trek. Not a good combo.

I took pictures at the recovery meal, nothing came out. I just got a teeny tiny point and shoot digital what can go wrong?

You know what that means, we have to do this again! :p

I was thinking about a TE takeover of the Mello Velo ride; 15 miles, easy ride (really!) for those who missed this one.

[roguedog]

My shorts would fall off of your skinny a$$. ;)

I'm glad you got it worked out and were able to ride! Is anyone EVER going to post some photos??? I'm looking forward to a ride report from roguedog... how hard was it?

Hey slinkedog.. :)

I really enjoyed the ride. "I'm really glad Trek made me come." That's what I told Trek at one point in the ride and set her off for 5 minutes in giggles :rolleyes: :p

It was a beautiful ride. I took it easy at an "all day" pace cuz I had no idea what the heck I was in for and I just wanted to take it easy and enjoy the people and the ride. Plus I had my HRM and wanted to keep it in the fat burnign zone. Also, I didn't want to crash and cramp up like I did on a previous ride.

There is one fairly steep hill, though BikeMomma would probably contest that. It is for us lowlanders!! :D Then they're mostly rollers, some a mite steeper than others.

YOu couldn't beat the view though and the weather was just gorgeous. Clear blue skies. A slight breeze. Canada road by the reservoir. Perfect.

Then, Lisa, who didn't have enough of torturing us with all the beautiful scenery took on a loop through Woodside so we could feel sorry for all those poor Woodside residents.

It was my first day with clipless and the girls kept wanting me to fall over. One even tried to push me over! Ok..ok.. maybe she was just tryign to stop and was tipping in my direction but it looked suspicious! HA. She has a cow bike called Sophie's Choice. Is that what cow tipping is??? :p

Had fun hanging out and getting to know BikeMomma, CindySue, Trek and.. I don't know the screen name of the other nice lady (the one who tried to push me over. Sorry I forgot her name but I know her bike's name and her cat's name!) at Steelhead Brewery.

All in all a nice way to spend a Sat with some really nice folks.

Course now that I've done this I'm looking at other rides. Thinking bout doing Tierra Bella and the Cinderella next year... :) And yes, trek, I'd do the Mello Vello with you. What day was that again?

[Trek420]

Hey roguedog

"I really enjoyed the ride. "I'm really glad Trek made me come." That's what I told Trek at one point in the ride and set her off for 5 minutes in giggles :rolleyes: :p"

I believe what you said was "thanks for making me come" and I struggled ....must...resist...the...bad...pun. And this is a family forum. You're welcome and don't worry TE gals it wasn't that kinda ride :p

"I took it easy at an "all day" pace..."
That's your easy all day pace? :eek: I have some training to do.

"You couldn't beat the view though and the weather was just gorgeous. Clear blue skies. A slight breeze. Canada road by the reservoir. Perfect."

It's a beautiful route!

"Then, Lisa, who didn't have enough of torturing us with all the beautiful scenery took on a loop through Woodside so we could feel sorry for all those poor Woodside residents."
oh how they suffer :D

"It was my first day with clipless and the girls kept wanting me to fall over. One even tried to push me over! Ok..ok.. maybe she was just tryign to stop and was tipping in my direction but it looked suspicious! HA. She has a cow bike called Sophie's Choice. Is that what cow tipping is??? :p"

OMG, this was your first day clipless? Good job!

Nice bike handling skills. Yeah I don't know what happened but I was behind you when Stephanie (who is not on TE that I know of ...yet) and her Trek with Cow Spot paint job got just a leeetle bit too close to your rear wheel for my comfort.

Your life flashed before my eyes :eek: heh. Not sure how that happened to get there but you did a good job of staying balanced, cool and calm and accelerating out.

"Course now that I've done this I'm looking at other rides. Thinking bout doing Tierra Bella and the Cinderella next year... :) And yes, trek, I'd do the Mello Vello with you. What day was that again?"

Sounds good, will check the schedule see when the next one is.

[BikeMomma]

I believe what you said was "thanks for making me come" and I struggled ....must...resist...the...bad...pun. And this is a family forum. You're welcome and don't worry TE gals it wasn't that kinda ride :p

OMG, this was your first day clipless? Good job!

BBBAAHHAAHHHaaaaa! Too funny Trek....like I told ya at the ride, LOVE your humor. Tell me you like Monty Python!

And Rogue....I agree --- good job on your first day of clipless.:)

My shorts would fall off of your skinny a$$.
:D :D :D :D :D
At least I would have had something covering it!

[Trek420]

BikeMomma "BBBAAHHAAHHHaaaaa! Too funny Trek....like I told ya at the ride, LOVE your humor."

Thank you! Glad to keep you entertained :D

"Tell me you like Monty Python!"

oh puleeze, I loooove Monty Python. Somewhere here Duck on Wheels re-wrote a version of the Lumberjack song for bikergrrls for us.

This (from the Times online) is cow tipping. Note: do not attempt this ;-)