24 April 2010

Saturday harbor ride

It was cool and overcast early, but warmed up and was partly sunny later. For the first half of San Andreas, the pace was relatively relaxed. After Buena Vista, the pace got hard, and I started slipping backwards. But then, there was a bunch of oncoming traffic, as well as a slow tractor to the right, which slowed the pack down, and I found the pace manageable from then on. A pretty large group went up Hazel Dell, and a big group stayed together up Mt Madonna to the start of Hazel Dell. On the Hazel Dell climb, I dropped off as the group split up. Near the summit, a train of 6 riders came by, and I managed to stay with them over the top, and then hung on for a fast descent to Corralitos. Then, it was my customary return via Hames, Day Valley, Valencia, Trout Gulch, and Soquel.

10 April 2010

Pescadero and Skyline

I headed up Hwy 1 to Pescadero. It was cool and overcast with a tailwind from the south. On Cloverdale, there was some drizzle. I got to Pescadero and signed into the club ride. This was going to be my longest ride of the year so far by a long shot. The ride started off going back on Cloverdale into the wind. The pace was higher than I liked, since I was riding a long way, but I stayed with it for the draft. Then, it was heading up Hwy 1 with a tailwind, and the pace was again higher than I liked. A detour on Bean Hollow and Pescadero, and then it was back to Hwy 1 to Hwy 84 and San Gregorio. From there, most of the group either returned to Pescadero via Stage or headed up Hwy 84, but 3 of us headed north up Stage to climb Tunitas. It was cold and overcast on Tunitas, and windy in places. About a mile before Star Hill, I was starting to bonk. Fortunately, from there on, the gradients were all very shallow. The route actually takes Star Hill and Swett to Skyline, but I continued on Tunitas, to avoid the super-steep part of Swett. At the top, I rested and ate a snack, then continued on the cold, windy, and drizzly in places to Sky Londa for lunch at Alice's Restaurant.

After lunch, I headed slowly up Skyline toward Hwy 9, still digesting my lunch. It was windy and cold with patches of drizzle. Finally, I got to Hwy 9 and coasted down. After Hwy 236, it was warmer, and sunny as often as not. There was still a little drizzle in Ben Lomond. I finally limped home, after riding more than twice as far as I had all year.

3 April 2010

Solo ride

I headed up Hwy 9 and Glen Arbor to Boulder Creek. It was chilly and overcast, with a little headwind. Then, I turned left at Hwy 236. I started up Jamison Creek at 12:20. Around the 1.66 sign, I thought my rear tire was going soft. I didn't stop to check. At times, it seemed like it was flat, at other times it seemed fine. I think I psychologically felt a drag from thinking the tire was going flat. However, I made it to the top at 12:45, faster than I expected, and, upon checking, my rear tire was fine. It was still chilly and overcast for most of the return on Empire Grade, though, at the end, the sun was starting to cut through the clouds.