February 3 Rides

[Veronica]

Bubba is playing with SK's Assos.

V.

[jobob]

We had great weather, it was a good biking temperature yesterday, cool but not cold. But it was awfully hazy out, so the gang was deprived of the great views along Calaveras and especially on top Sierra Road. Oh well, I'll just have to take them up there again !

Here's another group shot, this time at the top of Sierra Road. You might be able to see some of the markings on the road from last year's Tour of California.



From the left, jobob, Glenn (gw_12 on Bikejournal, who is this annoyingly fit rider who routinely climbs Sierra Road during his lunch hour at work ... gah. He recognized our AV jerseys on his way down Felter and turned around and joined us for the rest of the climb back up), Daniel (LanceOldStrong on bj), the Bubs, V, Trekhawk & aka_kim. Leebob was a little bit behind us and opted to wait for us.

And here's the ride profile from my 'puter:


I caught so much grief from everyone (especially chief whiner-in-training SadieKate) when I mentioned "it's all downhill from here" at the top of Sierra Road, and we got to the climbs up Warren Ave and Mission Blvd at the 50-ish mile point - well, yeah, I conveniently forgot to mention them. But geeeeeze, they were nothing compared to what we did before that!


A fun day with the gang, and I really enjoyed showing them a nice ride in my neck of the woods. I'd say we got our Feb climbing challenge off to a good start.

[mimitabby]

Jobob, how steep were some of those hills? 10%, 12% ??

[jobob]

The climb from miles 20-30, which was Calaveras Road, wasn't steep - it averaged about 5%, and very rarely got over 6%. The quick drop at about mile 30 is the Calaveras Wall, which is roughly 12-15% for a half-mile (but we went down it)

Past mile 30 was the climb up Felter Road, which is the "easy" backside of the Sierra Road climb (a Cat. 1 climb on the Tour of California). Felter was about 4 miles with a big chunk of it over 10% - in places it was about 15% Luckily the steeper sections didn't go for very long. There were also some conviently located flat sections where we could get our heartrates back to almost normal. Once Felter Rd. became Sierra Rd. the climb was more gradual rollers for the last mile or so.

(In contrast, the climb up the Sierra Road side basically goes up nonstop, and averages about 12% for about 3.5 miles and in many places kicks up to 20%. gah. We'll do it though.)

[Trekhawk]

I had a wonderful ride with the gang. Amazing views and yummy eats after to top it off. Jo Im sure glad you didnt show me that elevation profile before the ride. IM NOT RIDING UP SIERRA after looking at that.

[jobob]

Oh, but yes, you are

We'll just take our time, and stop a lot to take in the scenery.

[Trekhawk]

Oh, but yes, you are

We'll just take our time, and stop a lot to take in the scenery.

LOL - well I will stop a lot, you on the other hand will just have to wait for me at the top.