Diablo Ride - Sat. Dec. 8

[aka_kim]

Is it cold yet?

[SadieKate]

You'll love it.

http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/USOR0031_f.html

Should be getting my new winter tires mounted on Saturday. Now, where's the snow again? We're having a few challenges in that department.

[aka_kim]

Dee-lightful! I might just stop on by.

[deedolce]

Sooo tempting. I've never ridden Diablo, but I grew up in Concord! Went to Clayton Valley High, class of '77. Now I'm a flatlander, riding in Davis. I may not get far, but even to give it a try...that would be cool!

And I can at least start with company...!

[jobob]

No worries Dee !

[deedolce]

Just what I needed to hear, jobob! I'm planning on being there, unless the weather or teenage daughter have other plans for me. YES!! I'm already getting stoked. I NEED this.

[Veronica]

Be sure you bring warm clothes for the descent Dee. This is going to be fun. We usually go chow down after at a local plaza with lots of eating options. I hope you can join us for that.

V.

[Bike Goddess]

Hmmm- this is very tempting (I just posted on another thread about the very same mountain)....There is a Sheila Moon sale going on at her shop in SF that morning and I'm tempted to go over as I love her stuff.

I trust you are going up the North (as in steeper) side?

We shall see....

[Veronica]

Yep, the North side.

V.

[aka_kim]

Current weather report: Clear and crisp. Very, very crisp. Kind of Bend-like crisp.

[SadieKate]

Just view it as training. Today is the Xmas Parade downtown. I wonder what all the baton twirlers will be wearing?

http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/USOR0031_f.html

[deedolce]

Hey, I didn't get the day wrong! I got to the parking lot of Arbolado Park and there was just me. I waited for about 15 minutes, then thought, heck, I drove all the way out here, surely I can find a mountain! So even though my sense of direction was off, I followed the sign, and found my way.

It was a beautiful day! Perfect for riding. Can't say I made it all the way. I was maybe a mile or two away from the peak, but my stomach was hungry, it looked a zillion miles away, and I was cold. So I turned. Something to works toward! It's now my goal to ride to the peak by the time I turn 50. Gives me a year and a month! lol.

On the way back to my truck, I noticed that Arbolado Dr. crosses Northgate, aha! A short cut. Darned hilly one, that nearly did me in. And as I reached the park, it was then I realized there were TWO parking lots! I was in the kiddie playground one.

Anyway, maybe next time I can find you'all to ride it again, and join you for food afterwards! How lucky you are to have that in your backyard!!

[jobob]

Hey Dee, we were at the lot next to the rest rooms at the north(?) end of the park. Really sorry we all missed you!

We went up as far as the Junction and then went down the south side, and then rode thru Alamo, Dublin and Walnut Creek back to the park.

Oh, yeah, that Arbolado Rd. "shortcut" - I took it once. Gahhhh.

It was an excellent ride. We'll do it again sometime, promise!

[aka_kim]

Dee, sorry we missed you! Yeah, we always start from the second lot. I'm surprised we didn't see you somewhere on the mountain though.

For the record, we did not enter Dublin at any point - Diablo, yes. Dublin, no.

[Veronica]

Oh bummer Dee! I'm sorry we missed you too! We got to the Junction and I made the command decision to go down the South Gate. My knee had stiffened up in a couple of the steeper sections, just briefly. But I don't want to be too stupid about pushing it. I knew I'd want to to do the 17% at the end if we went to the summit and I'm not quite sure I'm ready for that yet. I don't think I can spin at 70 RPMS on 17%

I'm glad you rode up it anyway. We ride it pretty often. We like company and meeting new folks.

V.