Diablo Pictures - 1/1/09

[Veronica]

If it's not raining and we're not traveling, we usually ride up Diablo on New Year's Day.

It was a dreary day at the base of the mountain and I didn't really want to go. But Thom really wanted to ride, so off we went. I'm glad we did. The summit was gorgeous.


Below the Junction at about 1700 feet the fog parted.



Hanging out at Devil's Elbow after going to the Summit.


The view from Devil's Elbow.


Veronica

[Tri Girl]

Congrats on your ride! Diablo seems appropriately named. Gorgeous views from the top, but looks like a brutal climb to get there. Thanks for posting.

[andtckrtoo]

What gorgeous photos Veronica! Thanks for sharing!! I will ride Diablo one of these days!!

[Veronica]

What gorgeous photos Veronica! Thanks for sharing!! I will ride Diablo one of these days!!

It was a neat day to be up there - lots of people and different bikes. And it's always great to get out of the fog.

You should have heard Thom whining about the camera. He didn't bring one and I had just my little Fuji Finepix, so he used that.

He worked really hard to get this one.



Veronica

[maillotpois]

Great pictures - that last one is amazing!!! That's just how my friend Fred described it last night - like you're on top of a blanket of clouds. (OT: You probably know Fred. He helps out at Quack rides and is pretty much everywhere. Dark beard, twinkly eyes.)

[aka_kim]

Great pix!

I rode up to the junction yesterday, and was trying to explain the "blanket of fog" to Jesse. Maybe he'll get it if I show him Thom's pictures.

[Bike Goddess]

Nice pics and great ride! My friends were up there on Tuesday and said it was gorgeous as well.

Meanwhile, in my home town we've been socked in with "rain" fog and drips.

One of these days I'll hope to be back on the mountain. For now, I'm just getting back my endurance.

BTW - you look GREAT, Veronica!

[malkin]

Beautiful!

I love fog!

[Trekhawk]

Great pics V!
Bike Goddess is right you look fabulous darling.

[Veronica]

Thanks! You guys are so sweet. My Thump sunglasses look dorky with the clear lenses.

Veronica

[Veronica]

I found this kicking around on our website.



It's the graph from the day I set my PB going up Diablo in 9/06. You can see that it's a pretty unrelenting climb. The first 6.5 miles are about a 5% grade. The next 4.5 miles are about 7%, with the last tenth or so 17%. I love this climb though. It's a great way to track how fit you are - or aren't.

We're thinking about riding it again on Sunday. Maybe I'll try to challenge the PB. Maybe not - there's something to be said for moseying. Yesterday's high HR was lower than my average on PB day.

Veronica

[jesvetmed]

Gorgeous Pics, V! Killer climbing. You look awesome. That's a great photo of you in the clouds!

[deedolce]

I've been lucky to ride it a handful of times...my only time up the summit though, was under the tutelage and company of the Bike Goddess! I love that mountain. I hope to return to that summit sometime in 2009. One of my resolutions!

[yellow]

Nice, V! Super glamour shots, for sure.

I saw several people riding yesterday on my way back from skiing. The roads were mostly dry, but I just...can't...even...think...about....riding when there is a groomed skating track available! But I bow down to those of you who are motivated to ride through the winter outside! You are HARDCORE!!!

[michelem]

Nice pics! I'm super impressed with your DH's command of the camera in that backlit shot of you -- wow. Sure nice to see the clear sky up there. It's been thick fog or rain here for too long. One of these days I hope to get back down there and ride with you!