Mines Road- Sunday May 14th

[Bike Goddess]

I am currently planning to lead a ride up Mines Road. This is a beautiful road with a lovely creek and (I'm told) many wildflowers. (We passed this road on the Cinderella ride about a mile outside of Livermore). I'm thinking we could do several options- one would be to go to the Junction cafe -about 30miles from the start in Livermore and then return the same way. The other option would be to keep going after a stop at the cafe, do the back side of Mount Hamilton and then return. This option would be available IF we have enough people who want to do it (14 miles to Hamilton summit)as it involves a lot more climbing.

I have ridden to the junction several times and have always enjoyed it. There is one steep hill about 5 miles into the ride. The other hill is getting out of the canyon- about 5 miles before the Junction cafe. Otherwise, it is about a 3% grade through the canyon.

Unfortunately it's Mother's Day, however, it's the only time I can do this ride in the next two months. I want to do it BEFORE the heat comes as this is a very sheltered area and can get quite hot in the summer months. (Plus the views are pretty spectacular!)

Veronica did this route as part of the DMD. Perhaps she could give us some insight as to difficulty. I believe the up and back to just the Junction Cafe is about 3'000 feet elevation gain- most of which you do in the first 30 miles.

I am planning a 9:00AM sharp start time from Livermore. I willl post more info if any of you are interested.

P.S.- we may have the fortune of an expert bike mechanic and cyclist (Mick) as he has also indicated an interest in coming. (He's ridden this route and Mt Hamilton as well).

[maillotpois]

I'll try to make it. This morning I was just thinking I wanted to get out there and do Hamilton again.

I just looked at my ride data from last year, when I did this ride from the pumpkin patch up to the top of Hamilton and back - oddly enough on May 14. Total miles: 89; 9000 feet climbing (I'm wanting to recheck that to be sure because it sounds high); and it took me 6:47 for the loop.

It was a tough ride and I suggest anyone wanting to go all the way to the top bring a camelback because if it is warm, 2 bottles may not get you form the junction to the top.

[Veronica]

Mines Road is a beautiful ride. The first hill is fairly steep, maybe 5 - 7%, and I want to say about three miles long. The next 18 miles or so are still uphill, but it is very gradual. There is a very short climb, maybe .5 miles, then a somewhat twisty descent. Then another longer climb and then you have a 2 - 3 mile descent almost all the way to the Cafe.

I second MPs reccommendation about water bottles if you plan to summit Hamilton. I could not get from the Junction Cafe to the Summit without asking a SAG driver for more water on Saturday.

This may be the perfect day for me to do my 200 K+ training ride for the month. It involves me starting at my house, has me continuing on the DMD route and I won't bore you with the details... but IF I do that, Thom would be on the road to lend some support. I'd be continuing on to Sunol and there would be room in the car to bring someone back with me (MP!) That is the volunteer weekend at the National Park however and since I've been sucking up all of our weekends with riding... I may be volunteering.

V.

[maillotpois]

This may be the perfect day for me to do my 200 K+ training ride for the month. It involves me starting at my house, has me continuing on the DMD route and I won't bore you with the details... but IF I do that, Thom would be on the road to lend some support. I'd be continuing on to Sunol and there would be room in the car to bring someone back with me (MP!) That is the volunteer weekend at the National Park however and since I've been sucking up all of our weekends with riding... I may be volunteering.

V.

Wow - that sounds like fun, and thanks for thinking of me - but... one of my absolute favorite parts of the Mines ride is descending Mines back into Livermore. It's just that sort of mindless downhill grind, typically into a headwind that I love. If we did the Sunol thing, would we miss that?

[Veronica]

Yeah, we would miss that. We'd descend Hamilton and head over to Sierra.

I've decided my monthly training ride is going to be some combination of Morgan Territory, Patterson Pass, Hamilton and Sierra - ideally all 4. But that's about 140 miles from my house. I don't have to start doing it until June since I'm doing Davis in May. But I think it should keep in shape for next year.

V.

[maillotpois]

Yeah, we would miss that. We'd descend Hamilton and head over to Sierra.

I've decided my monthly training ride is going to be some combination of Morgan Territory, Patterson Pass, Hamilton and Sierra - ideally all 4. But that's about 140 miles from my house. I don't have to start doing it until June since I'm doing Davis in May. But I think it should keep in shape for next year.

V.

Well, I may not do the diversion with you 5/14, but I'd love to know when you plan on doing this ride regularly because I'd love to join you if I can.

[maillotpois]

Looks like Baldino may join us. That would be fun!

[jobob]

LeeBob is under the weather, so it might be just me ... bringing up the rear ...all by my lonesome ...

[maillotpois]

Well, please still come - even without him. It will be fun. Remember?

[Veronica]

I hope Lee feels better. And do still come. I've missed riding with gang. Any idea where we can go for pizza after?

V.

[cindysue]

you're up early this morning, V.

Have fun tomorrow everyone! See ya in Utah!

[Veronica]

I've never been to this place, but it's been around since 1992 so it can't be awful. It's at 364 S. Livermore - just the other side of East street.

They do have beer!

And they had some on line coupons that I printed out. Now the trick is to remember to bring them.

V.

[Bike Goddess]

Oh, darn. I was hoping for BBQ- testing out your new backyard digs!
(Just kidding, of course!)

[snapdragen]

So? Y'all back yet? Did you cook in the heat?

[Veronica]

It was pretty warm. My HRM says 94 when we got to the Junction Cafe. 101 when we finished in Livermore.

It was a good ride. Jo, Thom, Patric (guy from club) and I rode together on the return. Pizza at Magoos was pretty good and the conversation was great!

V.