Saturday, 12/30 ride

[jobob]

This is a ride that we were going to do yesterday, but when we reached the start we realized that someone me forgot to put the box containing her helment and shoes and gloves and sunglasses and armwarmers and legwarmers into the car before we drove off. Um, duh?

We did end up having an absolutely lovely day yesterday just driving around. We drove part of our ride route, and as we ascended the big hill on Petaluma Marshall road I had to remind myself that hills always seem worse when you drive them. right. We drove out to the Pt. Reyes Lighthouse and it was absolutely wonderful out there, not crowded at all and the weather was pretty much perfect, not cold, not hot, sunny with no wind. We got our exercise going down about 300 steps to the lighthouse and then going back up them. Our fine day out was topped off by a late lunch at Tony's in Marshall, where we feasted on steamed mussels and dungeness crab. A great day despite my brain fart !

So, back to Marin this morning. Needless to say I made darn sure I had everything this time.

We started out from Lee's sister's place in Novato. We headed up Novato Blvd to Hicks Valley Rd, then up Petaluma Marshall road and the infamous Marshall Wall - albeit the easy side. It was absolutely gorgeous up at the top, with a great view of the hills and Tomales Bay. And it was a really fun descent down to the coast - wheee!

From there we headed south down Highway 1 to Pt. Reyes Station. What a beautiful ride. I was nearly giddy I was enjoying it so much

We stopped at the Cowgirl Creamery in Pt. Reyes Station for a sandwich, then continued on Bear Valley Rd, back onto Highway 1 thru Olema, and along Sir Francis Drake Blvd thru Samuel Taylor State Park. This was the one part of the ride I could have done without. Going through the park under the redwoods it was cold and damp, and the road here was bumpy and narrow with not much shoulder. There's supposed to be a bike path that parallels SFD thru the park, but we couldn't find it.

At any rate, we got through the park soon enough and back into the warm(er) sunshine. We turned up Nicasio Valley road, then up Pt. Reyes Petaluma Blvd past the Cheese Factory (that hill before the Cheese Factory is a bit of a stinker, especially late in the ride...) then down Novato Blvd back to Lee's sister's.

A really, really nice route all in all - I probably would have enjoyed Sam Taylor Park more if it were a bit warmer.

About 64 miles and 3500 feet of climbing, at an avg speed of 12.5 mph. Pretty slow as usual for me, but I think I'm actually getting stronger.

[Veronica]

Thom and I are thinking of doing a similar ride tomorrow Jo, but w/o the Samuel Taylor part. About a 35 mile loop starting at the Cheese Factory.

V.

[jobob]

Cool ! It's lovely out there now.

We've ridden about 2/3 of the SF 200K brevet route. The only part left is from Pt. Reyes Station out to the lighthouse and back, which we drove yesterday. That looks pretty challenging, with lots and lots of rollers. And if the wind is up, ack.

Are you still thinking of the SF 200K? I've decided to hold off until the Santa Rosa brevet - I need that extra month of training time

[SadieKate]

About 64 miles and 3500 feet of climbing, at an avg speed of 12.5 mph. Pretty slow as usual for me, but I think I'm actually getting stronger.

Okey-dokey, I know whose wheel I will be sucking next week.

Any cheese coming along?

[jobob]

Okey-dokey, I know whose wheel I will be sucking next week.

Any cheese coming along?

I plan to bring some Chocloate Stout Cheddar for our hostess.

And there are still 2 bottles of pear wine with your name on them. Unopened, I might add.

[Veronica]

I may bring some cookies.

V.

[Popoki_Nui]

Cold, gray, but at least no rain. Just a short 35km ride to get the blood flowing after the Christmas excesses. Got home, lit the fire, and demolished several Belgian chocolate truffles and some 12 year old Jamaican rum.
A little more debauchery New Year's Eve, and then I really owe my pancreas and digestive system a vacation...

~S.

[Velobambina]

Rode in pea soup fog. Started right before dawn and had to take off my glasses in order to see (ironic--I'm near sighted--the mist from the fog was so intense that my glasses were coated). By the time I surrendered at 36 miles, I was soaked. Luckily, it was relatively mild outside (40 degrees). Came home, had a few Shot Bloks, and ran 3 miles w/the hubby, as I'm trying to do at least one brick workout a week.

[Maureen Valley]

My Saturday ride was solo....my husband isn't interested in bikes...just boats. In that regard, he goes his way...I go mine. It's worked for 45 years.

I did the West Orange Trail and logged 25 miles. Now....I'm in Florida, so I don't have the hills and the vistas you have in Marin (one of my favorite places on the planet, by the way) but I do have views of central Florida's lakes and tall pines. I live in an area relatively unknown by tourists.

I'm still using regular pedals and will go clipless when I master the 30 gears my Trek has handed me. Perhaps this week, I'll clamp in and see if I can stay upright.

My new Trek 2.1 performed like a champ. She is soooo smooth and after 25 miles with only one stop for hydration...I was feeling no pain. The saddle is perfect for me...and I'm so glad as I've heard horror stories about finding the right saddle. My stock saddle fits me like a kid glove.

I used to bike in Marin (occasionally) ...and my brother, Mike, was in on the ground floor of the re-pack days in the 70's when bombing the fire trails was the order of the day. He rode with the likes of Gary Fisher and Joe Breeze. He now has a Trek shop in Northfield, Minnesota.

I know I'm digressing...sorry about that...but all this talk of Marvelous Marin has me going down memory lane.

Ride on, girls. Happy New Year to all.
Maureen

[SalsaMTB]

For my Saturday ride, TrekJeni was in town so we met up for an offroad ride. It was a blast, we rode a 10 mile local trail. Glad she came out and hope she had a good time.

It was a little cool when we started, upper 30s, but the sun was shining and I think the temp got up to about 40. Great day for a ride, the trail was a little tacky with only a couple mud puddles.

[IFjane]

KayTee, you are right - the day was beautiful for a ride. SO & I went out for 22 miles in the afternoon. Light headwind, about 52 degrees. This was his first time on the bike since he broke his hand - it's still in a cast but he couldn't stand it any longer & decided to go for it. He has a little trouble shifting but has managed to work it out. Road vibration hurts but not enough to stop riding.

[KayTee]

IFJane, sorry to hear about your DH's hand but glad y'all got out on such a gorgeous day - bet that helped him to feel better as much as anything would. If he hasn't tried it yet, double-taping (or padding and overtaping) his handlebar might help dampen some of the road vibration.

[IFjane]

Thanks Kay. He might try double-taping, though he won't be on the bike again until Saturday. Hopefully another week of healing under his belt will help with the pain. The cast is supposed to come off on the 18th.