Mines Road Oct. 28

[Veronica]

Bike Momma wants to do this ride again. :D

We'll set a meeting time when we see who else jumps on board and how the weather is.

V.

[BikeMomma]

Thanks for the new thread, V. Maybe we can get more peeps out this time. Last time, it was Mom's Day and many had other plans.

Weather should be better...if it doesn't rain, that is. My policy will probably to come up rain or shine, unless it's positively storming. I like riding in the rain, unless it's really storming, but I don't know how you guys feel about that. Shouldn't be real cold, either.

Guess we'll see. Still have lots of time. :)
~Kim

[aka_kim]

I believe I'm a jinx on the weather for Mines Road rides. First time I did it, we had rain and hail. Last time, with y'all, heat! So I'll abstain until the last possible moment. :)

[DrBadger]

Hello all-
Yay, I will be back in town by this point, and will even have had a chance to get back into riding hills after a summer in flat Houston! I will definitely be there if I am in town that weekend. I should know that sometime early in Oct. Looking forward to it!

[Bike Goddess]

Yes, I've been thinking about this ride too. I did say we should do it again in the fall when the weather is cooler.

However, the only day on a weekend I can come is on a Sunday which would be the 29th instead of the 28th. Would that be a possible alternative?

[BikeMomma]

Errrmmm....the spouse works Sundays now.....meaning no babysitter.... :( But then again, as unpredictable as his <insert bad word adjective here> place of work is, that could change.

I know, I'm difficult.
~BikeMomma

[BikeMomma]

Errrmmm....the spouse works Sundays now.....meaning no babysitter.... :( But then again, as unpredictable as his <insert bad word adjective here> place of work is, that could change.
A little mouse in my ear told me that what I said earlier could have been a slight against Nancy (BikeGoddess)....and you don't know sometimes with written word what context to take it.

Nancy, in no way was I trying to imply my schedule is more important than yours. I'm merely just pretty much fed up with my husband's place of employment altogether and I let that come out. I guess we'll iron out the day as the day itself nears. There IS a possibility I could get someone to watch the kids (just have to beg and plead....). :D

Whooohoooo....looking forward to Mines Rd!
Hope everyone (including me!) can make it!
~BikeMomma

[Bike Goddess]

Bike Momma- I didn't even think of that- so I definitely wasn't offended!
Just wish I could do more rides with you all - but - unfortunately I have a schedule I have to work around as well! Such is retail.

[SadieKate]

Sue F and Cyndi are requesting clarification of my 30 mile shallow climb description. They don't trust me for some reason. Perhaps my definition of the 15 mile post lunch climb at the Siskiyou as shallow made them think that my definition of shallow was a tad different from theirs (and it wasn't as steep as the morning climb, so there!)

Any way, Veronica, do you have stats, as in hard core facts and figures I could feed them?

Kim, you've ridden both climbs plus Iron Mtn, which they both have done. What would be your description? I believe they'll need some convincing by someone other than I.:rolleyes:

[Veronica]

Tell them to go read my DMD report on tandem hearts. :D

The initial climb is about 1.6 miles at 6%. Followed by about 25 miles of 1.3%. Then there are two hills about 2 miles and 1.5 miles long at about 3%.

V.

[Veronica]

The forecast is for 75 degrees in Livermore next Saturday. If we are on the road by 9, I think that will be good.

V.

[SadieKate]

Uh, same meeting place? This is what you posted before.

We usually park in front of the library on South Livermore Ave. The street parking is free and is tree lined on the library side.

Directions: It 's a bit longer, but less confusing.

Take whatever you need to get to 580. Get off at Vasco Road and head South. If you need a bathroom or snacks, there are a lot of gas stations if you head North on Vasco and it is fairly easy to turn around and head South.

Vasco T's into Tesla. Turn right on Tesla. Tesla becomes S. Livermore Ave. The library is on your right. It is approximately 2.5 miles from Tesla to the library.

Going this way, you will pass Mines Rd., Concannon Rd. and the library/city hall complex on the right. After that there will be lots of trees on the right, pull over and park.

There is a park with a bathroom on the the way to Mines Road - sometimes it's open and sometimes not. Mines Road is very isolated so hunting for elephants can be done.

[Veronica]

Yep! Who have you coerced into coming?

V

[SadieKate]

Dunno nothin' for certain yet.

[Veronica]

My brief description of Mines Road from the DMD report to aid in the coercion. :D

Mines Road starts off with a fairly stiff climb, but then becomes a steady 1 % grade for about twenty miles. This part of the ride was actually some of the most pleasant. I was riding along by myself, enjoying the scenery and the sounds. I saw a deer and maybe a red wing blackbird. It was a black bird with red wings anyhow.

V.

[aka_kim]

Reading old threads is highly entertaining!
Mines Road Recap (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=6726)
Mines Road May 14 (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=6481)
Do you know that the original forecast for the May 14th ride was also 75 degrees!? Jo also posted the ride profile on that last thread.

Personally, I think Mines Road is easier than Iron Mountain. The first few miles are a little steep, but much of the rest really is shallow, and quite pretty. The climbs back out from the junction are a *itch, though. If the weather is good, Mines Road shouldn't make Cyndi cry.

[Bike Goddess]

Since I have to work Saturday, I will be doing this same ride on Sunday (as posted). Same meeting place 9:00AM.

P.S.- Daylight Savings Time ends Saturday so you get an extra hour sleep!

[SadieKate]

Thanks, V and Kim. I sent all the info off to Cyndi and Sue. We'll see. Bubba and I have become such weekend warriors, we really must go.

Thanks for the invite, Nancy. Saturdays are just better days for our big rides for loads of reasons.

[SadieKate]

Do you know that the original forecast for the May 14th ride was also 75 degrees!? Jo also posted the ride profile on that last thread. Shhhhh! Especially since my bike-puter showed 91 degrees at one point today.

[aka_kim]

Is this ride actually happening tomorrow? At 9am?? Meeting somwhere near the library on S. Livermore Ave?

[Veronica]

Thom and I will be there. Don't know about anyone else for sure.

V.

[SadieKate]

What about BikeMomma? Isn't she the one who started this?

No Sue F. Don't know about Cyndi. I have a massive allergy attack happening. You don't need to breathe for this, do you?

[SadieKate]

http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=1188+S.+Livermore+Ave&csz=Livermore%2C+CA&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=

Hopefully, I've got the right location once again. MP and the SP won't be navigating this time. Bill won't have a clue. Not that he's clueless. He just won't recognize the place.

[aka_kim]

I have a massive allergy attack happening. You don't need to breathe for this, do you?Well, bring the Claritin, I'm having problems too.

[SadieKate]

Oh, goody. We'll be quite the delightful pair.

[aka_kim]

Snot rockets 'r us.

[SadieKate]

I wish I had the talent. Alas, all I can do is snort and drizzle. It ain't pretty.

[SadieKate]

Cyndi just called. She's in. We'll be leaving Chez Carruthers roundabout 7 am and heading directly to the LCS.

[BikeMomma]

Hey, you guys. I've been running like a chicken lately and haven't had a chance to get on here except to read posts here and there (with no time to reply)....mainly from work.....ssshhhhh! Don't tell.....

I'm actually feeling pretty yucky....I had a sore throat last weekend but it never took hold into a full-blown cold, and so I thought I had it licked....and then this morning I got a flu shot at work and whammo....started feeling yucky again this afternoon. Silly me, huh?

Anyhoo....I was thinking ashamedly of backing out, but reading your posts Kim and Sarah, I'd be a complete wimp if I did. So, yep -- I'm coming. What helps is I remember there's a Peets coffee down the road from the library....:p The stuff's good, I have to admit.

To bed I go....see ya in the morning, all. :)
~BikeMomma (K2)

[yellow]

Wah! *sniff* :(

I'll ride with you in spirit, but I'm waiting for it warm up to at least 50 before I head out.

[jobob]

I was riding out around Gilroy today (ACTC Road Academy graduation ride) and it was plenty warm out there.

Did you have a repeat of the Mines Road Blast Furnace ride? :(

[Veronica]

It was a lovely day! Thom and I rode to the top of the first climb before the Junction. BikeMomma turned around there as well.

I'm trying really hard to not kill Thom on these weekend rides. His work has really cut into his ride time. I'm glad he got the motorcycle, because that at least cuts his commute time.

The time change should be a good thing for him. Conference calls with Australia can begin earlier than 5 PM now!

V.

[SadieKate]

Wah! *sniff* :(

I'll ride with you in spirit, but I'm waiting for it warm up to at least 50 before I head out.So that was that phantom I kept seeing riding around the next bend.

[yellow]

So that was that phantom I kept seeing riding around the next bend.

Some other phantom, given that I didn't start riding until 11-ish your time. :p

This time of year there are a whole lot of phantoms flying about, dontchaknow.

[SadieKate]

There sure were lots of scarecrows and witches flying about, including into telephone poles.

The wunders of the internet, however, proved that my imagination wasn't playing tricks on me. I remembered the headwind on the May ride but didn't remember it really pushing my bike around or a howling in my ears on the descent. Yesterday's wind maxed at 13 mph in Livermore while only 10 mph in May -- and you know it just gets stronger up the canyon. By the time we left the cafe some leaves where blowing across the road and the flags were out straight down below. Made for even harder work on the descent. I want free speed someday on the road!!!!! :D Dang it, I just climbed for 30 miles.

Still, it wasn't the convection oven of May.

[maillotpois]

Fun!! I wish I could have been there. We were in Carmel all weekend, just got back. The GP got a good ride in down the coast - I'd love to do that sometime.

Well, I'm glad you guys had fun! A headwind coming back down into Lovermore is truly a buzz killl, though ....

I now have Bikemomma's cold... (It couldn't possibly be one of my own. I am sure I picked it up through her post. :cool: )

[BikeMomma]

Fun!! I wish I could have been there. We were in Carmel all weekend, just got back. The GP got a good ride in down the coast - I'd love to do that sometime.

Well, I'm glad you guys had fun! A headwind coming back down into Lovermore is truly a buzz killl, though ....

I now have Bikemomma's cold... (It couldn't possibly be one of my own. I am sure I picked it up through her post. :cool: )
Hey, an internet virus!! :p
Sorry you're feeling lousy too....I've been sneezing today. But it somehow didn't stop me from making chocolate waffles. Yum!!

Carmel.....ooooooh, torture. :D

~BikeMomma

[BikeMomma]

There sure were lots of scarecrows and witches flying about, including into telephone poles.

heehee...I saw one of those! :D

[SadieKate]

I love those witches on telephone poles. They make me laugh every time.


BikeMomma, I was so sorry that you left early. I was looking forward to chatting up at the cafe. Bill had been looking forward to it also since he hadn't met you before. He reiterates how much fun we've had with the TE members and spousal units.

I won't tell you and MP about the margs we had back in "Lovermore" after. Wait a minute, the limes would have been good for a cold.

[maillotpois]

That was a totally non-Freudian typo. Must be the Tylenol sinus medication....

[BikeMomma]

I love those witches on telephone poles. They make me laugh every time.


BikeMomma, I was so sorry that you left early. I was looking forward to chatting up at the cafe. Bill had been looking forward to it also since he hadn't met you before. He reiterates how much fun we've had with the TE members and spousal units.

I won't tell you and MP about the margs we had back in "Lovermore" after. Wait a minute, the limes would have been good for a cold.

I'm sorry too, SK :( .....I never like to turn around like that and admit I'm done, but I was really starting to feel bad. I just had a general "blah" body fatigue thing going on, not really an ounce of energy, every turn of the crank felt forced, and so I wasn't really enjoying it all that much (soooooo unlike me). I WAS looking forward to the Junction "chat" thing, but just decided I better not push myself too far, as I have an assignment for my night class due and Halloween is coming up (have to be "up" for the kids). I feel a bit better today, but was sneezing for a while earlier. Yucko!

On the way back down, V. passed me and when I couldn't summon the energy to chase, I knew I had made the right decision. But, as it was, I couldn't hold back the competitive thing for long and decided to chase her down after she got a ways up there. Fun! But still felt I had no energy even while doing it.

Then I stopped to look at the beautiful dappled grey on Mines Rd. that I spied out of the corner of my eye last time while pacelining with MP. That's one gorgeous horse! V. said she hates me for noticing it last time ("you had time for that?? I hate you!"). :p :p too funny...

We'll have other chances, SK....I'm sure of it! I love riding with you guys, and Mines Rd. is a nice ride. :)

Take care 'til next time....and maybe we'll have MP back too. :)
~BikeMomma

[Veronica]

Then I stopped to look at the beautiful dappled grey on Mines Rd. that I spied out of the corner of my eye last time while pacelining with MP. That's one gorgeous horse! V. said she hates me for noticing it last time ("you had time for that?? I hate you!"). :p :p too funny...


Ohh... I don't REALLY hate you. It's more like envy. You guys flew by us in that paceline last May. And I notice nothing when I'm in a paceline, too busy focusing on what's ahead of me to notice the scenery. That's one reason why I don't like to do pacelines so much - unless I'm on the front so I can look around.

V.

[BikeMomma]

Ohh... I don't REALLY hate you. It's more like envy. You guys flew by us in that paceline last May. And I notice nothing when I'm in a paceline, too busy focusing on what's ahead of me to notice the scenery. That's one reason why I don't like to do pacelines so much - unless I'm on the front so I can look around.

V.

Oh, I know! :p Helps that the horse was nearer to the fence before. And it was only a fleeting look out of the corner of my eye, but the image stuck with me. Then when we rolled up to that spot yesterday, I couldn't resist a better look. Sigh....I've wanted a horse since I was a little girl. Someday...

Oh, and thanks again for the Dew....hit the spot! :D
~K

[Bike Goddess]

Three of us followed your tire tracks up Mines Rd yesterday and then rode 5 miles past the Junction cafe (V, I'm getting closer to the back side of Mt Hamilton each time I do this ride- one of these days I want to get to the top)

Glen, whom you all met last time, was the scout! He found trantulas walking across the road (of course we stopped to observe and attempted to get one to move to the side so it wouldn't get smashed!), the witch on the post (on the way back), and then about 3 miles up the road from the junction he spotted a herd of Tule Elk. They were about 1/4 mile away from us, but we could see the antlers from afar. Evidently we frightened them as they were retreating into the hills as we stopped to gaze.

For us as well, it was a great ride. The temps were perfect!

[BikeMomma]

Oooh Oooh! We saw a tarantula too! And about six wild turkeys crossed the road in front of V. and I.

Glad you had a nice ride too, BG.

~BikeMomma

[SadieKate]

Bubba and I were tooling along and I suddenly realized that the botsdot I was trying to miss was not only in the wrong part of the road but was moving -- and had legs and fur!

One of the guys up at the Cafe told us he saw a bear and, poor guy, I told him it was just a tarantula. What a wuss!:D Actually, I guess there is a styrofoam bear-like target at one of the ranches and that is what he was talking about, but his buddies sure liked the idea that he had freaked about teeny-tiny tarantula.

[jobob]

I was expecting to see some tarantulas on my ride that day up to Gilroy Hot Springs, but never saw a one.

Maybe they all died of old age waiting for the "scenic" group to show up. :rolleyes:

Snap, did you see any?

[snapdragen]

Nope no furry spiders this year. I wonder where they were? Here's an old friend from a couple years back.

[jobob]

Gee, thanks ...

climbing gingerly down from the ceiling

[snapdragen]

sorry!

[BikeMomma]

Sorry to laugh, Jo, but oooohhhh boy, oh boy, that was funny! :p

Yea, they creep me out too, a bit...but they're kinda cool, nonetheless. Nice pic, Snap!
~Kim

[snapdragen]

He was quite the bold spider, crossing the road. I decided to help by nudging him with a stick - he reared up at me!!:eek: Don't mess with tarantulas on the prowl.