Mt. Hamilton on Saturday Nov. 5

[jobob]

Thought I'd start an new thread with the Actual Plan

First of all, if it's raining, or if there's a very good chance of rain, I'm going to cancel. I don't do mountains in the rain!

Check this spot at 7 am that morning, or PM me for my cell phone number.

If the weather cooperates:

We'll start out at 10 am.

Meet before 10 at the corner of Alum Rock Ave (Rt. 130) and Mt. Hamilton Rd. in Milpitas [or perhaps it's actually in San Jose - at any rate, it's right near the border. If you have problems MapQuesting the location, try San Jose].

Here's a google map of the general area (you can move it around and resize it to get an idea if where we're at)
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=milpit...0.040770&hl=en

To get there: take I-680 to Milpitas (which is south of Fremont, north of San Jose), exit at Alum Rock Ave./Rt. 130, head east on Alum Rock for about 1-2 miles until you get to the T-intersection where Rt. 130 turns right, which is the start of Mt. Hamilton Road. Instead of turning right onto Mt. Hamilton Road, you'll turn left into a small parking area along the side of Alum Rock Ave.

If that parking area is full there's also Linda Vista School, which is on Kirk Ave off Alum Rock about a mile back, where we could also park. I'll be at the parking area at the corner of Alum Rock & Mt. Ham, so if that area is full I'll send you back to Linda Vista and will (ahem) patiently wait for you to ride back and join us.

This link has directions on how to get to Linda Vista School - just bear in mind that it's written assuming that you're coming from the San Jose area, so if you're coming from Davis, Antioch and other points north you'll be taking 680 South. But you knew that.
http://bikemaster.home.att.net/routes/lvs_list.htm

Make sure to bring a couple of water bottles and some snacks, and warm clothing for the summit and descent. And your Amici Veloci jersey if you have one !

It's about 20 miles to the summit, and there are vending machines stocked with very pricey snacks at the summit observatory, but that's about it. There are rest rooms at the observatory, which I assume will be open, plus there are a couple of camping/picnic areas along the way up with portapotties and drinking water.

After-ride nourishment (still) TBD.

- jobob

[jobob]

Ham Cam

Lick Observatory Visitor Info

A motorcyclists' view of the ride

[SadieKate]

Okey-dokey, we're now trying to figure out driving time from the hinterland.

[cindysue]

Make sure to bring a couple of water bottles and some snacks, and warm clothing for the summit and descent. And your Amici Veloci jersey if you have one !

I'm planning on coming. I will bring lunabars for everyone!

looking forward to breaking in my AV jersey!

[jobob]

It looks to be about 100 miles from Davis.

If you're trying to use MapQuest or some other online mapping program, you might have to give the city as San Jose rather than Milpitas - I could have sworn it's in Milpitas, but, whadoIknow.

[cindysue]

Ham Cam

oooohhhh! pretty lights this time of night

[SadieKate]

It's not the total mileage, it's the Bay Area traffic. 2 hours?? If we leave Davis no later than 8 am? 7:45? A friend's family is in San Josie. I'll ask him.

[cindysue]

i can get to davis in 45 min from my house in walnut creek. I can get to san jose in 45 min. that's 1.5 hours. Throw in another 15 minutes as a buffer. I'm pretty sure there won't be any traffic - it's I-680 for the most part!

[jobob]

I agree with Cindy - I would think it'll be smooth sailing on Saturday morning.

[SadieKate]

Thanks, we'll attempt to hold the map right side up this time.

[jobob]

Lee & I went on a recon. mission today to find a good place to get together after our ride, but we couldn't find anyplace in the immediate vicinity of our start location that we thought was worth going to.

Since it seems most of you are coming from north of San Jose, I thought we could get together at a really good pizza place which is just off 680 about 12 miles north of the Alum Rock exit - it's pretty much on the way home for most of us. And those who might be coming from points south, I hope you won't mind the detour.

Mission Pizza is at 1572 Washington Blvd. in Fremont.
http://www.missionpizza.com/

There's a good selection for meat-eaters and veg's alike, and their mini-pizzas are pretty substantial. They also have a decent salad bar, and lots of excellent beers on tap (in case Robb might like to join us...)

To get there from our start/finish location:
Head back down Alum Rock Ave. and get onto 680 North
Drive north ~12 miles, and take the Washington Blvd. exit
At the end of the ramp, take a left onto Washington Blvd.
Take an almost immediate right (at the sign for the veterinarian) into the Ohlone Center strip mall.
Take a left as you enter the mall parking lot. Mission Pizza is about halfway up the length of the mall.

Hope you can make it !

jo "hmm, maybe I'll be having a beer with my 'za" bob

[SadieKate]

Yumm, peeezzzzaaaa!

You all remember this from our May conversation about riding Mt. Hamilton?

I just got home from dinner but I forgot to go to Blockbuster because Bubba got all wound-up over dinner. He actually proposed that we go for a 100,000 ft climbing goal for the year. So, all thoughts of movies went out of my head.

. . . you girls have turned my hubby into a monster. I can't believe HE raised the topic.

A couple more just for good measure.

Well, the Bubbameister is at 97,900 feet as of today. He will be attaining his goal with you gals on part 3 of the Trifecta. Seems only fitting.

[cindysue]

sunny and high 60's for our Saturday ride. Are we all still game?

[jobob]

but of course

Lee was just remarking how it looks like I managed to pick the one good day for the immediate future.

[SadieKate]

See, you are Tour Guide Magnifique! You can even arrange the weather.

Just spoke with Andrew. We're picking him up at 8 and will zoom as fast as the Bus can go.

S.