An Almost Perfect Day...

[Veronica]

The only thing that would have made today's ride better was if Thom could have come with me.

Today I rode 70 miles of the Mount Tam Double course. This is such a beautiful area to ride in. The weather was just about perfect. There was more bike traffic on the climb to Tam than vehicle traffic.

The ride started with a climb up Bolinas Rd. This eventually become a downhill that went by Alpine Lake - just gorgeous. Then more climbing. I passed a guy on the side of the road, fixing a flat. I asked if he needed anything. He replied, "Just a coke!" Well... since I've given up drinking coke... I didn't have any. I offered him lots of other stuff though. Yeah, I had too much food.

The ride then turned and went up Ridgescrest. This is a series of ups and downs, longer ups, that take you to the peak of Tam. I could see the marine layer of fog over by Rte. 1 - where I would be heading next. It was so lovely. I kept turning corners and saying, "Oh wow!" I didn't take my camera with me, as this was a training ride...I think this weekend we may drive the course, just so I can take pictures.

I got to the peak, refueled a bit and then retraced part of my path to the Pan Toll Rd. and then to Panoramic Hwy. Yeah... there is just cause for the name of this one. This section was ALL downhill and incredibly scenic. There was a little bit of uphill just as I hit the fog bank and then lots more down! I stopped and put on my bolero and then continued down through Muir Woods. It was foggy through here and the road is kind of rough - but still heading down.

I got out to Rte. 1 and had my, "Why am I doing this moment?" As hills go, it wasn't that big. But I wasn't ready, my legs, weren't ready for another uphill yet. In my defense, Krebs does give this hill three chevrons, its hardest rating.

Rte. 1 is in worse shape than Muir Woods. So much so, that at times I wished I was on my mountain bike. After the big hill, it is a series of ups and downs, roughly equal, until a big down into Stinson Beach, where I stopped for more water and some food. Rolling along Bolinas Lagoon was fast and pleasant. Then Rte. 1 begins its ups and downs again until you get to Olema.

I stopped again in Olema and chatted with two girls from the Netherlands who have been touring since Apr. 30. They have ridden from New York, out to here and are headed for LA.

Back on the bike onto Pt. Reyes-Petaluma Rd. I was miserable here on Sunday. Today I felt like I was flying! What a difference not being overheated makes. So, I'm just riding along, watching my HR, down in the drops because I have a bit of a headwind. When I decided to sit up to get a drink...and I heard the sound of brakes behind me. Somewhere I picked up a hitchhiker! I don't know how long this guy had been drafting me... Geez... it's just polite to say something. I got my drink and picked up the pace. I guess I dropped him, because when I pulled over to answer my cell phone (MP checking up on me) he wasn't around. He passed me as we were chatting.

I told MP I was glad she called. It gave me an opportunity to pull over and get my third water bottle from under the down tube. I wanted to dump it on myself as the temperature was starting to heat up. My other two were no longer plain water.

I had nine miles left to go. A couple of little climbs and some excellent down hills. I like it when payback of the downhill equals or in this case exceeds the effort of the uphill.

So... I'm still a little worried about making the cutoff for the Double. It's okay to start an hour before the official start time, so that's my plan.

I really enjoyed this ride. There are some parts that were tough, but those tough parts yielded some amazing views. I think this ride is getting added to my slate of regular training rides. On the weekend, it should only take about an hour to get there.

V.

[maillotpois]

Sounds like a great ride!! I am glad you were able to get out and do it.

FYI - when you dropped off Panoramic right to Muir Woods at Four Corners, had you taken the sharp left instead and gone down about a mile you would have been at my house! So I ride these roads (especiall Hwy. 1) all the time.

I have many great ride options you can explore when you're not focused on the Tam course. (For example Fairfax-Bolinas from Bolinas that you asked about as a possible "out" is a great little climb (just not a good bailout point).)

You can definitely complete the double - you are right that the time cut off is the challenge. Try to make up as much time as you can on the flatter sections - that's what I do. I love the flats and rollers and use them to make up for my climbing speed. And don't faff at the rest stops, but you know that.

[maillotpois]

By the way, Chuck Bramwell's photos of the Mt. Tam Double, which includes V's ride as the first part, can be found here:

http://www.fototime.com/ftweb/bin/ft.dll/pictures?userid={C9E4E50D-95B1-4EED-9EBC-281D08D22E18}&inv=F1787CF455D9918&userid={C9E4E50D-95B1-4EED-9EBC-281D08D22E18}&inv=F1787CF455D9918

They're really great.

[Bike Goddess]

Hey V- Thanks for your report on Mt Tam. I too love that ride.

IF you want some company, the Benicia Bike group is planning to meet this Sunday at the parking lot across from Albertsons in Fairfax at 9:00AM. They will only be doing 50 miles - summit, then straight down to Stinson and then back via the Fairfax Bolinas Road. But good opportunity to do some more climbing and strategizing. No drop ride. Lunch in Stinson. Unfortunately I now have other plans or I'd be going as well.

Probably won't see you August 5th, but we'll be on the same roads some of the time! So, good luck and I do hope you can make this your third double!

[Veronica]

Thanks Nancy.

I'll be riding Morgan Territory and Diablo on Sunday.

What time are you starting the 200K?

V.

[Bike Goddess]

V-As early as I can. I haven't looked at when we can start, but if I can get out around 6AM that would suit me fine! A couple of other people in our club are doing the same route, but they are faster than I am so I'm not planning to start with them. Tried that last year and I was left in the dust!

[Lise]

What a beautiful ride report. Thanks, Veronica! I could see it through your eyes.

[Veronica]

Bump - to convince my friends that THIS is the ride to do Saturday.

V.