Mines Road Oct. 28

[jobob]

I was riding out around Gilroy today (ACTC Road Academy graduation ride) and it was plenty warm out there.

Did you have a repeat of the Mines Road Blast Furnace ride?

[Veronica]

It was a lovely day! Thom and I rode to the top of the first climb before the Junction. BikeMomma turned around there as well.

I'm trying really hard to not kill Thom on these weekend rides. His work has really cut into his ride time. I'm glad he got the motorcycle, because that at least cuts his commute time.

The time change should be a good thing for him. Conference calls with Australia can begin earlier than 5 PM now!

V.

[SadieKate]

Wah! *sniff*

I'll ride with you in spirit, but I'm waiting for it warm up to at least 50 before I head out.

So that was that phantom I kept seeing riding around the next bend.

[yellow]

So that was that phantom I kept seeing riding around the next bend.

Some other phantom, given that I didn't start riding until 11-ish your time.

This time of year there are a whole lot of phantoms flying about, dontchaknow.

[SadieKate]

There sure were lots of scarecrows and witches flying about, including into telephone poles.

The wunders of the internet, however, proved that my imagination wasn't playing tricks on me. I remembered the headwind on the May ride but didn't remember it really pushing my bike around or a howling in my ears on the descent. Yesterday's wind maxed at 13 mph in Livermore while only 10 mph in May -- and you know it just gets stronger up the canyon. By the time we left the cafe some leaves where blowing across the road and the flags were out straight down below. Made for even harder work on the descent. I want free speed someday on the road!!!!! Dang it, I just climbed for 30 miles.

Still, it wasn't the convection oven of May.

[maillotpois]

Fun!! I wish I could have been there. We were in Carmel all weekend, just got back. The GP got a good ride in down the coast - I'd love to do that sometime.

Well, I'm glad you guys had fun! A headwind coming back down into Lovermore is truly a buzz killl, though ....

I now have Bikemomma's cold... (It couldn't possibly be one of my own. I am sure I picked it up through her post. )

[BikeMomma]

Fun!! I wish I could have been there. We were in Carmel all weekend, just got back. The GP got a good ride in down the coast - I'd love to do that sometime.

Well, I'm glad you guys had fun! A headwind coming back down into Lovermore is truly a buzz killl, though ....

I now have Bikemomma's cold... (It couldn't possibly be one of my own. I am sure I picked it up through her post. )

Hey, an internet virus!!
Sorry you're feeling lousy too....I've been sneezing today. But it somehow didn't stop me from making chocolate waffles. Yum!!

Carmel.....ooooooh, torture.

~BikeMomma

[BikeMomma]

There sure were lots of scarecrows and witches flying about, including into telephone poles.

heehee...I saw one of those!

[SadieKate]

I love those witches on telephone poles. They make me laugh every time.


BikeMomma, I was so sorry that you left early. I was looking forward to chatting up at the cafe. Bill had been looking forward to it also since he hadn't met you before. He reiterates how much fun we've had with the TE members and spousal units.

I won't tell you and MP about the margs we had back in "Lovermore" after. Wait a minute, the limes would have been good for a cold.

[maillotpois]

That was a totally non-Freudian typo. Must be the Tylenol sinus medication....

[BikeMomma]

I love those witches on telephone poles. They make me laugh every time.


BikeMomma, I was so sorry that you left early. I was looking forward to chatting up at the cafe. Bill had been looking forward to it also since he hadn't met you before. He reiterates how much fun we've had with the TE members and spousal units.

I won't tell you and MP about the margs we had back in "Lovermore" after. Wait a minute, the limes would have been good for a cold.

I'm sorry too, SK .....I never like to turn around like that and admit I'm done, but I was really starting to feel bad. I just had a general "blah" body fatigue thing going on, not really an ounce of energy, every turn of the crank felt forced, and so I wasn't really enjoying it all that much (soooooo unlike me). I WAS looking forward to the Junction "chat" thing, but just decided I better not push myself too far, as I have an assignment for my night class due and Halloween is coming up (have to be "up" for the kids). I feel a bit better today, but was sneezing for a while earlier. Yucko!

On the way back down, V. passed me and when I couldn't summon the energy to chase, I knew I had made the right decision. But, as it was, I couldn't hold back the competitive thing for long and decided to chase her down after she got a ways up there. Fun! But still felt I had no energy even while doing it.

Then I stopped to look at the beautiful dappled grey on Mines Rd. that I spied out of the corner of my eye last time while pacelining with MP. That's one gorgeous horse! V. said she hates me for noticing it last time ("you had time for that?? I hate you!"). too funny...

We'll have other chances, SK....I'm sure of it! I love riding with you guys, and Mines Rd. is a nice ride.

Take care 'til next time....and maybe we'll have MP back too.
~BikeMomma

[Veronica]

Then I stopped to look at the beautiful dappled grey on Mines Rd. that I spied out of the corner of my eye last time while pacelining with MP. That's one gorgeous horse! V. said she hates me for noticing it last time ("you had time for that?? I hate you!"). too funny...

Ohh... I don't REALLY hate you. It's more like envy. You guys flew by us in that paceline last May. And I notice nothing when I'm in a paceline, too busy focusing on what's ahead of me to notice the scenery. That's one reason why I don't like to do pacelines so much - unless I'm on the front so I can look around.

V.

[BikeMomma]

Ohh... I don't REALLY hate you. It's more like envy. You guys flew by us in that paceline last May. And I notice nothing when I'm in a paceline, too busy focusing on what's ahead of me to notice the scenery. That's one reason why I don't like to do pacelines so much - unless I'm on the front so I can look around.

V.

Oh, I know! Helps that the horse was nearer to the fence before. And it was only a fleeting look out of the corner of my eye, but the image stuck with me. Then when we rolled up to that spot yesterday, I couldn't resist a better look. Sigh....I've wanted a horse since I was a little girl. Someday...

Oh, and thanks again for the Dew....hit the spot!
~K

[Bike Goddess]

Three of us followed your tire tracks up Mines Rd yesterday and then rode 5 miles past the Junction cafe (V, I'm getting closer to the back side of Mt Hamilton each time I do this ride- one of these days I want to get to the top)

Glen, whom you all met last time, was the scout! He found trantulas walking across the road (of course we stopped to observe and attempted to get one to move to the side so it wouldn't get smashed!), the witch on the post (on the way back), and then about 3 miles up the road from the junction he spotted a herd of Tule Elk. They were about 1/4 mile away from us, but we could see the antlers from afar. Evidently we frightened them as they were retreating into the hills as we stopped to gaze.

For us as well, it was a great ride. The temps were perfect!

[BikeMomma]

Oooh Oooh! We saw a tarantula too! And about six wild turkeys crossed the road in front of V. and I.

Glad you had a nice ride too, BG.

~BikeMomma