Calaveras this weekend ? (preferably Saturday)

[jobob]

This sounds like a possiblity for me, but inquiring minds want to know...

How big of a slog is it up Welch Creek?

Methinks Welch Creek is rather steep. It's one of the roads we passed before Calaveras started tipping upwards.

But like V mentioned, it would be an up & back, and it would be completely optional. You could go as far as the spirit moves you, or skip it alltogether. I'm not sure what Leebob will do - he might give it a try, maybe for part of the way.

Will there be beer and stuffed mushrooms afterward?

But of course !!!

Oh, and so as to not scare V, there are other tasty-looking items on the menu as well.

Hope you can make it !

[Veronica]

Do you keep a list of foods I don't like?

Yes, do come Melissa! The more the merrier. I wish BikerZ could make it. I want to see the new bike.

V.

[bikerz]

Thanks, V! I wish I could come too!

And not just because I'm trying to stay ahead of Melissa on Bike Journal!

You guys have a great time, and enjoy your beer with Bosco!

My bike will be repaired and ready to be picked up (with a loaner wheel) Saturday afternoon or Sunday. Depending on the ankle, I'll probably be just doing the Bay Trail on Sunday.

[Veronica]

You know you could come for the beer and mushrooms. You can have my share, really I don't mind.

V.

[bikerz]

Aw, thanks! And believe me, if I didn't have an all-day commitment already, I'd be there! The fried zucchini and garlic bread were good, if mushrooms aren't your thing!

[aka_kim]

Google tells me "Late holocene slip rate and earthquake history for the northern Calaveras fault at Welch Creek, eastern San Francisco Bay area, California". Oh wait, next page has bicycling stuff. Let's see: "About a 4 mile climb with 3 hard sections starting at midpoint. Hardest stretch is around mile 1.7 with averages around 16% for about 1/2 mile. End of Welch Creek - Congrats! Make a u-turn here. This is not a safe descent so take your time and keep it slow." Oh, sounds delightful. . But I think I'll join you guys anyway.

[melissam]

"About a 4 mile climb with 3 hard sections starting at midpoint. Hardest stretch is around mile 1.7 with averages around 16% for about 1/2 mile. End of Welch Creek - Congrats! Make a u-turn here. This is not a safe descent so take your time and keep it slow." Oh, sounds delightful.

Holy cats!!!

Well, I'll see how far up my low, low gears can get me. Since it's a dead end road, I can always find a nice, shady spot and wait for y'all to make your descent.

[Veronica]

Holy cats!!!

Well, I'll see how far up my low, low gears can get me. Since it's a dead end road, I can always find a nice, shady spot and wait for y'all to make your descent.

You may surprise yourself.

V.

[melissam]

You may surprise yourself.

V.

I reckon there's only one way to find out...

[aka_kim]

I reckon there's only one way to find out...

You and TrekHawk need to get together to choose who will be captain of Team Sandbagger this year.

[DrBadger]

whew... did the practice talk today. went well, got good suggestions from my group, and they didn't make me cry with things to do before my defense next Thursday

So, as things stand now, it looks like I will be able to join you guys on Saturday I NEED to get away from my desk if only for a couple of hours! I will give you the final word tomorrow night, but looking good.

I am looking forward to seeing you all and getting a nice ride in! Now off home to relax a bit and eat some dinner....
E.

[Veronica]

Make it happen. It sounds like you need a break.

V.

[melissam]

You and TrekHawk need to get together to choose who will be captain of Team Sandbagger this year.

Hmmm, maybe we could have some sort of "ride off" -- kind of like a bake off, but not involving, well, baked goods.

So let's see if I have the gory details right:

Start time: 9am
Start place: Sunol Glen School parking lot
Route: Out & back Up Calaveras to the Wall, with a detour up Welch Creek Rd. for the not-faint-of-Cardio-conditioning

[jobob]

You are correct, madame sandbaggeur !

A few more details:

Sunol Glen School is at the corner of Main St. & Bond St. in Sunol. If you want to mapquest it, the address is 11601 Main Street, Sunol CA 94586.

Portapotties are available at the far end of the Sunol Train Station parking lot, a short jog west from the school, at the corner of Main St. & Kilkare Rd.

A high of 81 is predicted for Sunol tomorrow. There's no place that I know of to get water between Sunol and the far end of Calaveras at Ed Levin Park, so bring an extra water bottle or a camelback if you can. Leebob and I will likely each have an extra bottle of water in our big 'ol saddlebags, just in case. 'cuz we're those guys.

Lunch afterwards in the saloon at Boscos, of course. If PAB is there, we can make it a pre-defense celebration. And if she isn't there, or even if she is, we can also celebrate LeeBob's & my 18th anniversary.

[Veronica]

Oh man. I'd forgotten my anniverasry is coming.

What day is yours Jo?

V.