Giro D'Vino Nov 6

[Hill Slug]

Wahoo for everyone for doing this ride!!! It really was very flat, and a little breezy. I met up with BikerZ, Helga, Tomgrrl, and Trekhawk briefly. The friends I was meeting up with didn't get there till later, and we didn't actually get on the road till 9:40...I wanted to start a little sooner, but oh well. The weather was nice and clear. And the traffic was actually a non factor while we were out in the middle of nowhere. Weren't some of those mansions just amazing??!!! I had never been out there before, so it was cool to see some new scenery. The first rest stop was pretty minimal. My friends wanted to stop so we did. Grabbed a banana and that was it. The rest of the ride was fairly uneventful. The map was good, and they had arrows on the road to guide you along. There were a couple roads whose names were slightly different than on the route sheet, but nothing major. The main lunch stop was nice, ran into Helga there. It wasn't too crowded. We didn't drink anything either. I was tired to begin with so the wine wouldn't have helped me out!!! It started getting a little windy the last 5 miles or so. The lunch at the end was nice too.

All in all a nice day. This would be a nice entry level ride for someone new to cycling. And I was glad to hear other folks had a good time too.

[Bike Goddess]

Thanks to everyone so far for the great ride stories! You should all be congratulated for finishing and for RESISTING temptation!

Trekhawk- Welcome to organized rides. It really is fun to see all the different riders and equpment. And big Congrats for going the distance!!!! Now, let's see.....what might be next for you?

[tomgrrrl]

Hi all...it was great to see Z again and meet Slug and Helga (as well as Beth). I think the weather was pretty perfect for a ride, though I could have done without the periodic winds. Slug hung out to wait for some pals, while Z, Helga, Beth and I headed off.

Things were a bit crowded at first with riders filling the entire lane of traffic (making for some unhappy drivers). However, after the first rest stop things settled down. The route was fairly well marked although at about mile 37 I got caught following a few bikers the wrong way and added an extra 4 miles to the route.

I rode off and on with Z and Beth. We kept up a pretty good pace and met up at rest stops along the way. After riding the BATO solo, it was really nice to have some good company. I also enjoyed the FLAT course after the perpetual climbing of the BATO.

Although my body appreciate the flat course, I don't know if I would do this ride again because after about 30 miles, it all kind of seemed the same. The vinyards were pretty well parched and as Z and others have said, wine tasting was not in the cards for us!!!

However, it feels great to have done two metrics in a month....Now it's on to the century.....hmmmm, that seems a bit daunting and will require a bit more time on the saddle.

[jobob]

Great stories, and kudos to everyone !

Yes, amazing as it sounds, even *I* wouldn't have partaken in the wine during the ride either - I don't need to lose what little coordination I have !

Now, after the ride, that's an entirely different matter

[bikerz]

Now, after the ride, that's an entirely different matter

Yes indeedy we did enjoy a taste of 7 Deadly Zins, and a glass each of the Earthquake Syrah and Zin (Helga drove us home, thank goodness!).

[Bike Goddess]

Tomgrrrl- Since you live in Berkeley, some of us in the East Bay should plan a ride here. The Bears are good training as is Wildcat Canyon Road.

Funny about the flats. I feel the same way. Hard for me to ride miles and miles of flat road. Like a few hills and a challenge or two!!! I'm glad I live where I have to deal with hills if I want to get out of town!

[tomgrrrl]

I do the Bears quite often (and Wildcat)...usually park on Grizzly and ride through Tilden, down Wildcat, out San Pablo Dam Road and around the loop....I'd love to hook up with others to ride....you can email me at tomgrrrl@mac.com

Ellen

[Bike Goddess]

Tomgrrrl- What are your best days for riding? I am generally off on Sundays and Tuesdays OR on weeks when I work Sunday- I'm off on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I'll send you an email as well!

[cindysue]

Tomgrrrl- some of us in the East Bay should plan a ride here. The Bears are good training as is Wildcat Canyon Road.

Love the bears! Love Wildcat! count me in!

nancy - you should try south park road sometime - now there's a hill Ill even go with you

I'm also planning on doing the Grizzly Century in May

[aka_kim]

Love the bears! Love Wildcat! count me in!
....
I'm also planning on doing the Grizzly Century in May

Grizzly Peak Century is a fun ride, and the food is great. I've only done the first loop, since I've always been too wiped to head out on the second loop after lunch. Hopefully GPC and Top Hat don't fall on the same weekend in 2006.

I love the Bears too (or three or four). I've only been down Wildcat, but the ride up looks like fun too.

[cindysue]

too wiped to head out on the second loop after lunch.

and then there's the fact that it is so early in the season. Some of us haven't grown our climbing legs by then..... Let's hope for warm dry days early on!