200km permanent ride report from 12/12
john...@sanbrunocable.com
the permanent. Bruce met us to sign our cards, and at 0730 bid us all
a "Bon Route".
We all knew what we were in for, weather wise. Bruce had decided that
he would skip the rains on this day, and then take his chances on the
19th when he’ll ride with the others. Smart choice on his part.
Hopefully you all who will go this Saturday won’t be facing anything
like we rode through, as we got quite the meteorological adventure for
our ten dollars.
The day started reasonably well, and was dry! Passing through
Pleasanton and on into Livermore, up Tesla and down along Corral
Hollow Road was pretty smooth. Then the fun with the rain started and
didn’t let up for quite awhile, but finally stopped for brief periods
about where we neared the 2nd control someplace south of Manteca, I
have no idea where. The strong wind was in our faces a lot, so Joseph,
Greg, and I shared pulls in a three rider pace line into Patterson,
where we enjoyed lunch at the Subway sandwich shop. The best part of
the ride to me was after lunch, going up Del Puerto Canyon Road, 25
miles of nearly abandoned asphalt, through some very pretty
countryside. Everything was soaked by this point, especially my shoes,
which meant the feet got very cold - they felt like a couple of bricks
attached to the end of my legs. I had earlier made the mistake of
placing the waterproof shoe covers over my pants legs, which naturally
directed all the water under the shoe covers and into the shoes. What
a dope! The steepest stretch of Del Puerto Canyon is a little more
than a mile long, so here I opted out of pedaling and tried to get
some feeling back in my toes by walking. I had a very pleasant stroll.
Anyway, by the time the summit of Del Puerto was reached it was pretty
cold, and the control point at the Junction Diner was a very welcome
sight. A corn dog and apple juice gave me the energy to complete the
ride.
The worst part of the ride came when trying to negotiate the mine
field of rocks and gravel along Mines Road, which is normally a
pleasant 20 mile descent into Livermore. In the darkness, amid a very
strong downpour, the riding was difficult. The rocks that wash into
the road were hard to see, and I hit several before striking the one
that ate my front tire. Felt lucky to have suffered that one flat.
Changing a tube in the dark in the pouring rain is not too fun either,
but all part of the adventure.
Fortunately I was able to continue after replacing the tube, but there
was a one cm gash in the tire itself, and it was only held together by
the Kevlar casing. But it held! Joseph and I made it to Pleasanton by
7:00 pm, Greg rolled in about ten minutes later (due to his second
flat of the day) and all was well after we had changed into dry
clothes and had something warm to drink at Starbucks.
Although the weather conditions were sometimes rough on this day, I
still had a great time. Those of you who go this weekend will enjoy a
great day on the two-wheelers. But be sure to bring lots of spare
innertubes!
sonoma john
things I hit.
Having lights lower than my handlebar and helmet probably would have
helped. Going too
fast for the conditions to make up time also was a factor. Altogether
there were four flats
(one time both tires went at the same time) between the top and bottom
of Mines Rd.
John Russell
On Dec 17, 3:27 pm, "johnc...@sanbrunocable.com"
Tom Russell
I saw the SF Randonneurs leaving Pleasanton this morning on Santa Rita Rd. Bruce and Rob were in the lead with lights blazing in the morning gloom; four more riders were following in a tight pack. They all looked entirely too comfortable and dry.
Rock slides were quite a factor during the rainy ride last weekend. As I rode up Del Puerto Cyn three mid-size cuboidal rocks came rolling down from a steep hillside above me. I sprinted in slow motion to get past them but one rock rolled right across the road to my front wheel before stopping.
That steep section on Del Puerto Cyn had a cattle guard that was my undoing. My rear tire slid out and I went down. Did you know that those cattle guards are made out of railroad rails? They are really solid, and really hurt. I looked like a piece of steak on a cold barbeque grill.
I think that Roland was an hour off about his return time. I saw him near the finish and looked at my watch, which read 9:40. I was home by 10:00 and asleep by 10:30.
Re hitting rocks on Mines Rd, I hit plenty myself. In fact, I felt a bit like an ice breaker as the soft rocks broke apart or spit out to the side when I smashed into them in the darkness; Bontraeger Hardcase tires will do that for you. As for John, guess what Santa is bringing him for Christmas from the King of Flats? Ho Ho Ho! Panaracer Paselas, Ho Ho Ho! No more flats.
--- On Fri, 12/18/09, sonoma john <murphy...@comcast.net> wrote: |
|
alex plumb
I was tempted to ride it again this weekend but I'm still not 100% after the beating I took last Saturday. I barely escaped going down on that same cattle guard. My back tire was spinning on the wet rails while I came to a complete stop 90% of the way across. I somehow managed to unclip and land on my feet as I went over. Joseph was not far behind me so I told him to dismount and walk over as he approached. He ignored me and pedaled right on over without a wobble. I didn't see what he was riding on, but his rubber stuck. I missed the big debris on Mines Rd. by staying British the whole way down, only returning to my side of the road for the rare approaching vehicle. Even so, I hit enough rocks and pot holes to crack my fork crown D'lumotec light bracket. It was hanging by a thread by the time I got home to Alameda. Even with the all the rain, wind, and road hazards, It was a great ride.
ALSO: For all who followed the rain jacket thread a while back - my new Showers Pass Double Century kept me comfortable and dry on top all day. And during the rain break on the Del Puerto climb it folded up nice and tight and fit easily in my overpacked seat bag. Best 80 bucks (sale price) I've spent on bike clothing in a while.
Alex
--- On Sat, 12/19/09, Tom Russell <slrnin6...@yahoo.com> wrote:
|
|
Rob Hawks
Having the sun come out for most of the remainder of the ride was great. I'll have some photos online in a short while.
Riders showing for today's version were: Justin Eichenlaub, Karen Bonnett, Nattu Natraj, Bruce Berg and me. Tim Houck came by to see us off before peeling of to ride home.
rob
Roland Bevan
Yeh, you're right, Tom. The computer on that bike is still on daylight savings time - I forgot to mentally adjust.
Glad to hear Rob and the rest had a relatively nice ride today. Congrats on #12, Rob! Coincidentally I got my R-12 medal in the mail last week (Aug. 2008 - Sep. 2009). I'm heading out tomorrow to keep my new R-12 streak alive.
-Roland