Mt. Diablo?

[deedolce]

Good heavens, for ME, that would be the Ranger station. I plan to goad the guys to go to the summit, while I snail my way to the Ranger station.

BikeGoddess, how many are in your group?

~Diana

[Bike Goddess]

Deedolce- 1st I would tell you that if you would like a chance at the summit, do the South Side first as it is inifinitely easier (all up but more flat areas) than the North Side which is up up up once you get into the canyon.

I like doing both sides, I'm strong enough to do the summit either way. However, I'm less tired from the South Side and a bit faster as well.

How many in our group?- Depends on what day of the week. If I get an email out in the next few days we'd probably be a gang of 7. We'd start at Heather Farms- since you know the area, I trust you know how to get there. As I said before, the option for N or S is easier if you start there since it is so close to the Iron Horse trail (we always come back via the N as food calls at the end!) People ride their own pace- it's always YOUR ride.

If indeed my buddies consent to Friday instead of a different day next week, you will have the honor of escorting our oldest rider Joe Shami. He's now done 39 weeks in a row and still cranking. He's quite a character as you might imagine. He would be riding over from Lafayette to meet us.

Do let us know a confirmation of the dates and then I'll get the word out to my friends too.

[deedolce]

Looks like it's Monday, March 24th! It's their usual day off, and I guess work has been too crazy for them to change it.

Can anybody join us? I hope so!! We could get there, I don't know, 10:00?

Diana

[jobob]

Sorry, no can do that day. Have fun!

[Veronica]

I can't do that day either. I have a dentist appointment that I've already put off twice.

V.

[deedolce]

Waaaahh!

[Bike Goddess]

I'll ask the group and see what happens!

Would you be willing to meet us at Heather Farms?????????

[deedolce]

Sure, Heather Farms would be fine! It's been decades since I've played tennis there. Where do you meet at HF? Is there one big parking lot? I got lost last time trying to find the meeting place at Arbolado!

Diana

[Bike Goddess]

Yes, the big lot. As you drive in it is on the left side. 2nd left turn- go right and then you'll get in. OR go to the end and turn left into the lot.

I'll let you know our plans and then we can do a PM for for cell phones and the like.

[deedolce]

Hi BikeGoddess,

Does this mean that you'll be joining us? I've sort told the guys that we'd drive out to Heather Farms, and be there around 10:00. Sound okay?

I'm looking forward to it! And maybe dreading it a little too....

~Diana

[Bike Goddess]

Looking good for me. I still need to tell the rest and see what happens. I'll get working on that right away.

No matter which way we go, 1st stop is Sweet Affair! Coffee and a scone or whatever. How's that sound?

[deedolce]

Yum! I'm always for food stops! Is that after we ride, I assume? I'm really looking forward to this!

[Bike Goddess]

We'll do Sweet Affair before AND after the ride. Be sure you are well stocked on the food side BEFORE you come down. I have found out the hard way that when doing this mtn, a good breakfast about 2 hrs prior to the ride PLUS a good snack just before we go, makes a huge difference in my stamina.

IF we end up doing the south side first- we can stop on the way. If we do the north side first- Sweet Affair is on the way.

I take with me up the mtn- 1/2 pb and jelly sandwich, cytomax, sport beans, goo, and bars + cytomax (at least 2 bottles worth). There is water at the junction for refilling bottles.

[Veronica]

My goodness that's a lot of food!

I usually don't eat much of anything when I ride the mountain. If we stop at the Junction I might have a few sport beans.

I also find pastries before I climb to not be a good idea - all that fat just sits in a gob in my stomach. I even asked if on my next permanent I could receipt from somewhere other than Bovine Bakery. Blasphemy I know.

Just goes to show how different we all are.

V.

[maillotpois]

I'm with V.

(I have also banned out SAG guy from bringing donuts before the Death Ride training rides. ). If I were riding with you, I'd do coffee and oatmeal or something in the car. Sports drink on the road. Maybe a dried banana part way or something. We've got a guy on our team who loves pastries and sticky buns during rides - I simply can't do those while I am riding.

I do love the soup at the Bovine bakery though! V you really should give that a shot sometime.