The one thing I don't like about cycling is everything is waaaay too early in the morning. I got up at zero dark thirty, had coffee and toast (my bad, i always ride better on oatmeal) let Mae (faithfull dog) out and headed for Oakland.

Last year it rained right up to the night before BATO.

We had perfect weather today, clear, sunny but not too hot.

I pulled up and saw Bikerz and Tomgirrl, plus a whole lotta Velogirls pink

Registration went smoothly, Oakland Yellowjackets club do a great job organizing. We took a team picture and headed out. I felt something wrong with my tire and sure nuff I was under inflated. So I topped off and that was my one mechanical.

On the way out we stopped for the blessing of the bikes, with the traffic and drivers here I'll take any help I can get.

The first part of the ride went smoothly. After Cindysue's rest stop the real hills begin, let's see we did Old Tunnel Road, Skyline, Redwood Road...I'd never done Skyline or Redwood.

I did the 30 miles 2,660 feet of climbing. To me it does not seem like much because my normal Velogirls Sunday ride (which is now on Saturday) is about that and seem easy for me but has long flat sections, then one big long not steep hill, then the rest is flat again.

With this ride are no flat sections anywhere......ever.....except the last
mile, seems you are always climbing or descending even when it looks flat...it's not.

So I kept thinking this has *got* to be higher than 2660.

At the fork in the route where I could go right and do the 47 or 64 mile, or left and do the 30 I was scratching my head (not literaly) and right then a bunch of riders rolled up and we recognised each other from the AIDS ride. They were doing the 30.

Based on how hard the 30 miles was for me I'm not sure I could have done the 47, next year I will or longer or this but not have to get off the bike at all...or both..or....

Anyway up to that time I'd been rideing alone except for everyone who passed me.

Don't believe Bikerz when she says she's slow, she was way ahead from the start. At the first and second rest stop I saw a few of the Velogirls just ride right on past, not for me yet, i need the break and the snack.

So we hooked up and rode together. Another gal joined us "hey, you were on the AIDS ride" (it's the number on our helmets) so there were about 5 of us ALC'ers. I rode with Bob, one of our Poz pedelers for a while.

More hills, endless, more climbing, one scarey moment when I heard a yelp ahead from a rider and a car up ahead, I pulled even nearer than I normally ride to the right and a black Toyota Prius took a turn toward me cutting it close and waaaaay over the double yellow line. Obviously to threaten the bikes. Too fast for me to get his plates.

What goes up must come down. And eventualy we did. That part on Snake road was especially steep and winding.

I think it was the the steepest downhill I've ever done.

Finally into downtown Oakland, we circle the lake and head in for a delicious lunch. You gals know i only ride to eat.

I'm glad i went it was a great ride for a great cause, I hope to do it again next year.