Mt. Hamilton on Saturday Nov. 5

[jobob]

Thought I'd start an new thread with the Actual Plan

First of all, if it's raining, or if there's a very good chance of rain, I'm going to cancel. I don't do mountains in the rain!

Check this spot at 7 am that morning, or PM me for my cell phone number.

If the weather cooperates:

We'll start out at 10 am.

Meet before 10 at the corner of Alum Rock Ave (Rt. 130) and Mt. Hamilton Rd. in Milpitas [or perhaps it's actually in San Jose - at any rate, it's right near the border. If you have problems MapQuesting the location, try San Jose].

Here's a google map of the general area (you can move it around and resize it to get an idea if where we're at)
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=milpit...0.040770&hl=en

To get there: take I-680 to Milpitas (which is south of Fremont, north of San Jose), exit at Alum Rock Ave./Rt. 130, head east on Alum Rock for about 1-2 miles until you get to the T-intersection where Rt. 130 turns right, which is the start of Mt. Hamilton Road. Instead of turning right onto Mt. Hamilton Road, you'll turn left into a small parking area along the side of Alum Rock Ave.

If that parking area is full there's also Linda Vista School, which is on Kirk Ave off Alum Rock about a mile back, where we could also park. I'll be at the parking area at the corner of Alum Rock & Mt. Ham, so if that area is full I'll send you back to Linda Vista and will (ahem) patiently wait for you to ride back and join us.

This link has directions on how to get to Linda Vista School - just bear in mind that it's written assuming that you're coming from the San Jose area, so if you're coming from Davis, Antioch and other points north you'll be taking 680 South. But you knew that.
http://bikemaster.home.att.net/routes/lvs_list.htm

Make sure to bring a couple of water bottles and some snacks, and warm clothing for the summit and descent. And your Amici Veloci jersey if you have one !

It's about 20 miles to the summit, and there are vending machines stocked with very pricey snacks at the summit observatory, but that's about it. There are rest rooms at the observatory, which I assume will be open, plus there are a couple of camping/picnic areas along the way up with portapotties and drinking water.

After-ride nourishment (still) TBD.

- jobob

[jobob]

Ham Cam

Lick Observatory Visitor Info

A motorcyclists' view of the ride

[SadieKate]

Okey-dokey, we're now trying to figure out driving time from the hinterland.

[jobob]

It looks to be about 100 miles from Davis.

If you're trying to use MapQuest or some other online mapping program, you might have to give the city as San Jose rather than Milpitas - I could have sworn it's in Milpitas, but, whadoIknow.

[cindysue]

Ham Cam

oooohhhh! pretty lights this time of night

[SadieKate]

It's not the total mileage, it's the Bay Area traffic. 2 hours?? If we leave Davis no later than 8 am? 7:45? A friend's family is in San Josie. I'll ask him.

[cindysue]

i can get to davis in 45 min from my house in walnut creek. I can get to san jose in 45 min. that's 1.5 hours. Throw in another 15 minutes as a buffer. I'm pretty sure there won't be any traffic - it's I-680 for the most part!

[jobob]

I agree with Cindy - I would think it'll be smooth sailing on Saturday morning.

[cindysue]

Make sure to bring a couple of water bottles and some snacks, and warm clothing for the summit and descent. And your Amici Veloci jersey if you have one !

I'm planning on coming. I will bring lunabars for everyone!

looking forward to breaking in my AV jersey!

[snapdragen]

You guys have fun! Jobob - my flea market trip may be off - give me a buzz when you all are heading for pizza. Maybe I can join you.

[SadieKate]

Snap, be sure to bring your jersey so we can get a photo. We need AG, too. Have to plan another outing.

[jobob]

Excellent ! I'm really looking forward to seeing all of you.

[SadieKate]

Am I reading this right? It barely got over 46 degrees at the top of Ham today?

http://mtham.ucolick.org/techdocs/MH_weather/dias/

Brrr, got to start growing my winter coat.

[jobob]

It can get chilly up there! Bring those layers.

A lightweight pair of long-fingered gloves, to wear under your biking gloves, could really come in handy (bah-dum-dum).

It was pretty funky on the summit yesterday, overcast for the most part, with some rain, according to yesterday's stills from the Ham Cam: http://mthamilton.ucolick.org/hamcam/dailyStills/cam2/

Hopefully it'll be nicer & a bit warmer today, but who knows.

oooh, but it's pretty up there right now! It's sunrise at the summit Ham Cam