Tierra Bella April 9th in Gilroy?

[jobob]

Hi - I'm not snapdragen but I've ridden out that way a few times (including today!). The 60k route ( map here ) has some rolling grades but it's not too bad. It's a really nice route!

[snapdragen]

jobob the mountain goat says: The 60k route has some rolling grades but it's not too bad. It's a really nice route!

It is a gorgeous route - but you do need a little bit of hill climbing under your belt to enjoy the trek to Gilroy Hot Springs, don't you think? Of course, my only experience is the first turn up to the hot springs, falling over, and landing hard on my knee .

Slinke-the ride today was fun, we still stayed on the Coyote Creek path, rode about 25 miles. I and a couple other women took off and flew quite a bit of it. I'm amazed at how good it feels - I've not ridden since last fall, my legs are feeling great. The rides are great confidence builders.

jobob - used different shorts today -- no owies this time around. Still starting to think about a new Brooks tho.....

[jobob]

Hi snapdragen, we're talking about the 60k here, which is basically the loop around the Chesbro Reservior (Uvas, Oak Glen) - no Gilroy Hot Springs in the 60K route.

The climb up to Gilroy Hot Springs (which is in the 100K), yep, that takes some training (huff puff!).

And then there's the added joy of the Metcalf hill for the 100 mi & 200K - I have yet to tackle that, but my Krebs map shows entirely too many triple Chevrons on that climb

- Jo.

(say, that's good news on the lack-of-owie front).

[snapdragen]

Oops! Duh for me Must be bedtime......

Did you volunteer to work at TB?

Hi snapdragen, we're talking about the 60k here, which is basically the loop around the Chesbro Reservior (Uvas, Oak Glen) - no Gilroy Hot Springs in the 60K route.

[slinkedog]

Thanks for the info, ladies! Yes, no Hot Springs on the 60k... thank God for small favors!! My husband is going to do the ride with me, so he can push me up whatever I can't make if it gets bad. I need lots of time in the saddle, and I think I need some new shorts. My PI ones are not kind to what my three year old calls her "winkie."

I'm looking forward to the ride. Hopefully I'll get to meet you somewhere along the way!! Are you working the ride, too, Jobob? Good luck on Hamilton today. I'd never, ever make it up that thing. Sheesh. You guys are masochists. My husband loves to ride that thing just so he can race cars on the way down. He's crazy.

[slinkedog]

Was the ride yesterday pretty much flat, and do you know the gal who is leading it is planning on using the same route every week? I really need to get in a group ride soon. I've never done one with more than two other people.

[snapdragen]

Yesterday was flat, I believe Anita is increasing the mileage by 5 miles each week. We will be doing some hills in the future, probably up to the reservoirs (Calero, Uvas). Come and join us, Anita and her husband Duncan take good care of you.

I just thought of something else, have you considered taking ACTC's academy? It's a great way to learn group riding skills--right jobob?

[jobob]

Good luck on Hamilton today. I'd never, ever make it up that thing. Sheesh. You guys are masochists.

Slinkedog, for what it's worth, less than a year ago I was saying I'd never climb up Diablo, never climb up Hamilton, never make it up {insert name of steep hill here}. It just was not going to happen, of that I was sure!

In fact, sometime this past spring Veronica had talked me into riding partway up Diablo with her, and, just between you and me, I was terrified at the prospect! I'm ashamed to admit that I was so relieved when she had to call the ride off that morning (her cat was sick and V. had to take her to the vet - that of course was not a Good Thing, but luckily Tilda turned out OK. I have a soft spot in my heart for that cat to this very day, and when I officially met Tilda a couple of months ago I gave her a surreptitious little pat of thanks).

This all changed sometime in October when I went on my first ride up Diablo with a group of Rivendell owners. My husband and I only made it partway up (up as far as V. was trying to get me to go this past spring) but still, I realized I could actually DO it!

Jo's Great Truths About Hills:

1) Go at your own pace. Don't let anyone make you go faster than what you're capable of, otherwise, you will burn out. Take your time, stop for short breaks. So what if you're slow, just the fact that you're doing it is awesome !

2) If you don't make it up the hill the first time, fine, it'll still be around for when you try it again. Sooner or later you'll make it to the top, and you'll feel sooo good about yourself.

3) Low Gears!! Make believe you're Lance, spinning up L'Alpe d'Huez. Of course, you'll be going about 1/10 of his speed but spinning is better for your knees and your stamina than grinding up in a high gear. Try to avoid standing too much, it can tire you out very quickly (that said, it's nice to stand briefly once in a while to give your backside a rest)

My husband loves to ride that thing just so he can race cars on the way down. He's crazy.

Oh, the descent down Hamilton is the best part - what a blast!! Altho we don't race the cars down ... we get to a spot where cars can safely pass us and we pull over and wave them on past.

And then we often match their speed when we follow them, but not too close, don't want to piss'em off

Basically, slinkedog, don't write yourself off. If a 45 year old slightly overweight former confirmed couch potato can climb Mt. Diablo & Mt. Hamilton (albeit at a snails pace), then so can you.

- Jo.

[slinkedog]

Thanks so much for the encouragement. Blaine keeps telling me that if I have the attitude of not being able to do it, I won't.

Yeah, I have a granny gear, and I'm not afraid to use it! I guess you just have to start working on those hills and keep trying. I'm still trying to get up the courage to tackle the one not far from my house that I died on when I first started riding back in July. I don't mind spinning up a hill. It's just the part where I run out of gears that I hate!!

So how was the ride yesterday? The weather was beautiful until about 3:00 and then that storm started blowing in.