Tour of California - Diablo Summit Finish

Yesterday Thom talked to a ranger about the road closures for Saturday's Diablo Summit Finish. Vehicles aren't going to be allowed past the Junction - about 4.5 miles from the summit. Bicycles won't be allowed past Devil's Elbow - which is maybe .75 mile from the summit.

With that in mind, our plan is to drive up North Gate to just below the Junction fairly early and then hike up to the summit. We had been considering biking up, but with the road closed to bikes that definitely meant we couldn't be at the finish line. Devil's Elbow should be good viewing, but we wanted more options. Hopefully, we'll have some good pictures and we'll get in some good hiking too. :D

Veronica

Have fun!! At least it won't be 110 degrees (or at least I certainly hope it won't be that hot!!).

Have a good time!

Jennnnnnnssssss!!!!!!

Have a great time! Alas, the East Bay/South Bay TE contingent shall neither be present nor correct. :p One was ruuuude enough to have a birthday that day :) and she and many of the rest of us weren't really inclined to negotiate the hordes. And the one among us who would have gladly hung out on Diablo instead went & signed up for a ride up in Petaluma that day.

The DVR is set, I'll be looking for ya!

... hmm, what's all this about Jens??? :cool: ... scurrying off to the DVR

Awww.... just after you posted about doing lots of hiking. :p

I'd have been happy to watch it on tv, but the secret to a successful marriage is not ALWAYS getting your own way. :D Just most of the time.

Veronica

Thanks for the info! I may do the same as you guys or will do it by moto/hike. What time are you going?

We plan on driving up pretty soon after they open the gates at 8. We thought about doing the motorcycle too, but since you can only get to the Junction by vehicle, decided to take the car. We'll go in North Gate Rd. and Thom is thinking he'll park at the hairpin just below the rangers' house. There is a very wide spot there, so he'll be able to get off the road. We'll be able to hike up at a leisurely place, scoop out where the best photo opportunities are, eat lunch and station ourselves in a good place.

Veronica

It remains to be seen whether I want to get up early enough to go there (I just got back from visiting my mom in Maine and am a bit behind on sleep) or whether I'm going to sleep in and have a hike with the dogs instead. I will ping you guys if I do go. Have fun either way!

And how was Maine? We'll be heading that way in mid June.

I get needing sleep. I've had two late nights in a row and I'm REALLY happy today was a half day. I can now take a nap!

Veronica

How was it? I just got through watching it on the TeeVee. A lovely day with great spectator turnout - I wonder how long it took to get everyone off the mountain, oy. Where were you located?

So cool to see those climbs I've crawled up. :)

We were standing on the hill above Devil's Elbow. There is a VERY brief shot of us in the tv coverage, if you know where to look. :D

It was a great day. Getting off the mountain wasn't too bad since we had to hike back to the car. Maybe we'll have pictures tomorrow.

Veronica

Jealous.

Pictures and post are up. Follow the link in my tagline.

Veronica

Love the pictures. It sounds like a nice day.

Nice pictures!

Ditto on the nice pics! I actually caught all but the first stage on TV. Glad you got to see some of it in person. It looked like a beautiful day.

Awesome shots! You're coming East???? ;)

SheFly

Yes, we're coming East. :)

We'll be in Boston 6/24 - 6/27 AM. We have to be back in Maine on 6/27 for dinner with Thom's parents. It's the "rehearsal" dinner for their renewal of vows on 6/29. Of course we would love to get together with you and Crankin (and the menfolk). It's always fun to hook up with the TE crowd.

Veronica

Any of those nights are ok for me, probably 25 or 26 best.

Monday or Wednesday work best for me, but I could probably make Tuesday work as well (DH might not be available that night though). It will be great to see you and Thom!

SheFly

Let's make it Wed. then. We are staying down near the waterfront in Boston, but will have a car so one of you can pick a restaurant anywhere in the vicinity. We eat most anything, casual, good food, relatively quiet so we can visit. 6ish?

We're excited about the Boston part of our trip. It's sandwiched between visiting my family the weekend before and Thom's parents' 50th anniversary celebration. Those will be nice, but they're not exactly vacation. :D

Veronica

I have it in my calendar for Wednesday, June 26th.
There are tons of new, good restaurants near the waterfront, but all are not quiet! SheFly, we can coordinate.