Solo Ride "Dumbarton Bridge" (40 Miles) - 01/23/05
Home - Mary - Central - Stevens Creek Trail - Shoreline - Bayshore -
University through EPA - Dumbarton Bridge to Toll and back - Willow -
Menlo - Santa Cruz - Foothill and back.
Time : 2:54:22
Mileage : 42.7 Miles
Speed : 14.69 mph
Wght : 155
Back a little better during the ride, but significantly worse later in the day. Very slow relaxed pace.
Solo Ride "Camden / Blossom Hill" (60 Miles) - 01/29/05
Home - Bernardo - Homestead - San Tomas - Camden - Mc Kean to Uvas & back -
Almaden - Blossom Hill - Santa Cruz (in Los Gatos) - Hwy 9 - Saratoga
Sunnyvale - Prospect - Stelling - Hollenbeck - Fremont - back Home
Time : 3:48:28
Mileage : 58.5 Miles
Speed : 15.36 mph
Wght : 156
Nice weather. Very slow and flat.
Solo Ride "Alameda Creek" (50 Miles) - 02/06/05
Marsh Rd - 84 - Dumbarton Bridge - Thornton - Paseo Padre -
Alameda Creek Trail - to Alvarado Niles, then back to other end -
back via Ardenwood - Dumbarton - Marsh.
Time : 3:06:54
Mileage : 48 Miles
Speed : 15.4 mph
Wght : 154.5
Nice ride. Got lost a few times in Fremont / Newark. Back pretty painful, but subsiding late in the ride.
Solo Ride "Prokofiev's 4th" (60 Miles) - 02/13/05
Woodside - Down Woodside Rd. - Alameda de las Pulgas - Foothill -
Old Page Mill - Arastradero - E. Alpine to the top & back -
Portola - Mtn Home - Canada - Skyline to Trousdale - Burlingame Streets -
Skyline to Larkspur Dr - San Andreas Trail to San Bruno Ave - Back
Time : 4:13:18 (total time 4:16:24)
Mileage : 60 Miles
Speed : 14.21 mph
Wght : 153.5
A good ride: Some mild climbing for the first time this year, including
a few steep stretches in Burlingame. Kept the pace very slow. Although
this isn't that long or difficult, it felt like a good effort. Overcast
throughout, cold and windy with slight drizzle on the last part. Back
very tentative as usual. Very careful with positioning.
Have Prokofiev's 4th Piano Sonata in my head. Not as intense as the
later war sonatas, but a nice piece.
Solo Ride "Golden Gate" (90 Miles) - 02/26/05
Stravinsky's "Histoire du Soldat" -
Woodside - Canada - 35 - San Andreas Trail - 35 to Sharp Park = 1:20:23
35 through Daly City - Great Hwy - San Francisco streets through Legion
of Honor - to Golden Gate Bridge = 0:58:13
Golden Gate - Marin Headlands Loop = 0:49:26
To Sausalito and back, then over the bridge = 0:35:49
Back same way through SF - 35 - Skyline Rd through Daly City
down to Pacifica - up Sharp Park = 1:24:57
Back same way as morning = 1:28:48
Time : 6:37:36 (total time : 7:01:03)
Mileage : 90.7 Miles
Speed : 13.69 mph
Wght : 154.5
Overcast weather but dry. Getting to SF isn't that great, particularly
35 has a freeway section (that I avoided on the way back). Enjoyed riding
along SF beaches, the Presidio & over the bridge, but the real treat was
Marin Headlands: Great short climbs, great scenery. The climbs (first this
year) felt surprisingly good.
Only a brief stop in Sausalito, where I noticed that my
left cleat was coming loose (2 screws dropped).
Nutrition: fig bars, cliff bar, bagel with stuff,
1 bottle of Sustained Energy + Gatorade bought in Sausalito.
Getting back was a bit painful. I got somewhat lost trying to avoid
the freeway part of 35 and landed in
Pacifica. Felt pretty fried towards the end of the ride. Also nervous
about my broken cleat. Slowed down
through the 2nd half, and had a somewhat hard time on Sharp Park (which
is probably pretty easy).
Well motivated to ride more in Marin in the future.
Solo Ride (85 Miles) - 03/12/05
Home - Bernardo - Foothill - Alpine - Portola - Mtn Home -
Canada to 92 and back - Jefferson - Maple - Seaport - PDI -
Back exact same way, later in the day.
Time : 5:25:57 (halfway split @ pdi 2:40:38)
Mileage : 83.5 Miles
Speed : 15.37 mph
Wght : 153.5
Great ride. Went to PDI in the late morning, came back later in the day, finished the ride at night, with lights, which is always exciting. My knee is tentative but seems to be holding up. Overcast weather throughout, but not cold at all.
Solo Ride "Calaveras" (80 Miles) - 03/27/05
Mahler's 6th Symphony -
Home - Fremont - Miramonte - Shoreline - Amphitheatre - Bayshore -
University Av. through EPA = 0:54:21
84 - Dumbarton Bridge - Thornton - Paseo Padre - Coyote Hills -
Alameda Creek Trail = 1:11:10
84 to Sunol = 0:24:05
Calaveras Road = 1:09:45
Felter - Sierra = 0:55:09
Piedmont - Landess - Montague - Central - Fair Oaks - Remington -
Home = 1:02:41
Time : 5:37:11 (Total Time: 5:55:52)
Mileage : 80.5 Miles
Speed : 14.32 mph
Altitude Gain : 3,410 ft
Feet per Mile : 42.4 ft / mile
Wght : 153
Started very tentative, not sure whether I should ride with a strong cold
and a painful back.
But the ride went well, particularly past the Alameda Crk
Trail, into Sunol and up Calaveras, which has no traffic at all. This
route was improvised but worked out great (I asked my way to cyclists
in Sunol and was thrilled to find Calaveras). Felter, with steep stretches,
was harder than I should do in my current condition, and hurt my knee (as
back was getting better).
Cold cloudy weather, but no rain. In winter attire the whole time.
New glasses.
No tarantulas this time, I'll have to come back in the fall :(
Solo Ride "Gotterdammerung" (100 Miles) - 04/10/05
Home - Mary - Central - Lawrence - Tasman - Great Mall Pkwy - Abel -
Milpitas - Warm Springs - Mission - to Alvarado Niles = 1:46:34
84 - through Sunol - Vallecitos - through Livermore - Holmes -
Concannon - S. Livermore - to Mines Rd = 1:16:37
Mines Rd - 1 Mile up Del Valle Park and back to Livermore = 0:39:26
Back same way through Livermore - Vallecitos = 0:42:13
Calaveras = 0:50:44
More Calaveras (lost computer through this segment) = 0:17:35
More Calaveras, to Milpitas = 0:08:48
Piedmont - Landess - Montague - Great Mall - Tasman - Lawrence -
Sunnyvale streets to home = 1:06:17
Time : 6:48:16 (total time: 7:14:32)
Mileage : 100 Miles (96 recorded + about 4 when computer was down)
Speed : 14.75 mph
Elevation Gain : 4,280 ft
Feet per Mile : 42.8 ft / mile
Wght : 152.5
Started tentatively with knee pain. Experimenting new route to get to
Livermore, mostly flat. Note that there is a short section of 680 to get
onto Vallecitos. Some climbing on Vallecitos (both ways) and some traffic.
Getting a bit tired in Livermore, but felt really great going up Calaveras
(which is a really mellow gorgeous climb). At that point, knee pain gone.
Nutrition: Sustained Endurance (miraculous as usual), bagel, bars.
Got water once in a park in Livermore.
Fully sunny weather, but not too warm. Prelude to Gotterdammerung in my
head.
Solo Ride (150 Miles) - 04/16/05
Franz Schubert "Der Tod und das Madchen" -
Home - Mary - Central - Lawrence - Tasman - Great Mall - Montague -
Landess - Piedmont - Penitentia Creek - Alum Rock = 1:26:07
Mt Hamilton (to Observatory (Summit)) = 2:04:46
San Antonio Valley Road (to Junction) = 1:12:49
Mines Road (to Livermore) = 1:51:34
Tesla - S. Livermore - First St. - Holmes - Vallecitos - 84 -
Alameda Creek Trail - Coyote Hills - Paseo Padre - Thornton -
Dumbarton Bridge - 84 - Bayfront - Seaport - PDI = 3:04:35
Seaport - Bayfront - 84 - University - into Stanford - Campus -
Escondido - Stanford - Foothill - Back Home = 1:16:50
Time : 10:56:45 (total time : 11:48:07, not counting 1/2 hr at PDI)
Mileage : 151 Miles
[Time to PDI : 9:39:43 (total 10:18:55)]
[Mileage to PDI : 129.7 Miles]
Speed : 13.8 mph
Elevation Gain : 7,720 ft
Feet per Mile : 51.13 ft / mile
Wght : 152.5
Miraculous ride !
A very surprising effort, given all the production pressure lately, and
undertraining.
Started at the crack of dawn at 6:00, overcast but not cold. Soon got
over the clouds and into the sun on Mt Hamilton.
The climb felt incredibly confortable
(surprisingly), passed entirely on the 24'. Didn't push the pace of
course, but felt awesome, spectacular views of the bay. Then descent into
San Antonio Valley superb, with gorgeous flowers of all colors in bloom.
On the way down
startled a big bird of prey with red head that took off just before me
(apparently a Turkey Vulture, from what I gathered on the web).
Got a little tired on Mines road, which is gorgeous, but very long.
On the 70 miles that separate the base of Mnt Hamilton in San Jose all the
way to Livermore, there is virtually noone, a wonderful wild remote area.
Saw authentic cowboys somewhere along the way.
My right cleat became loose on the approach to Livermore
(2nd time this year).
Quick Subway sandwich in Livermore, with Coke.
After that felt incredibly
confortable, in spite of a strong headwind from Alameda Creek to PDI.
Was late at PDI, and late at home, so took a shorter route home, which
worked out great.
Gorgeous sunny weather, not too hot. Nutrition including two bottles of
6 spoons of sustained endurance, which worked wonders as usual. Also
Endurolytes.
Amazing enthusiasm, but Heart Rate still racing through the night and
into the next morning.
Does this mean I should attempt Devil's Mountain in two weeks ?
Solo Ride "Mt Diablo" (130 Miles) - 05/13/05
Lawrence - Tasman - Milpitas Streets (Main Street, 237) = 0:59:39
Calaveras (West Climb) = 0:19:45
Calaveras to Sunol = 0:56:01
Foothill - San Ramon Blvd - Diablo Rd = 1:26:42
Mt Diablo = 1:28:57
Descent = 0:32:16
Blackhawk - Crow Cyn - Bollinger Cyn - Foothill to Sunol = 1:28:07
Calaveras, 680 to Felter = 1:11:09
Down Calaveras - back same way = 1:06:57
Time : 9:29:37 (total time: 11:12:03)
Mileage : 133 Miles
Speed : 14 mph
Altitude Gain : 8,030 ft
Feet per Mile : 60.4 ft / mile
Wght : 151
Been planning on this ride for a bit. Happy to find a way to Mt Diablo
from home, although the route is a mixed bag.
Started later than usual, around 8:30. Got a bit lost in Milpitas
trying
to reach the hills without using Montague or 237, but that doesn't seem
possible. Had a nasty flat on W. Calaveras climb, but otherwise felt really
good, Calaveras becoming my favorite road this year, in either direction.
A lot of traffic and lights in San Ramon/Dublin/Danville, which made
that
section a bit boring. Found a bike shop on the way, pumped more air into
my rear tire, which eased my nervousness. Mt Diablo climb relatively easy
but long, has nice variety. Struggled a little in the last stretch, but
took it very very easy. Would be a lot more pleasant with more training.
Davis Bike Club: Davis Double Century (200 Miles) - 05/21/05
Farnham Ranch (mile 23.1) = 1:26:55
Monticello Dam (mile 45.5) = 1:19:35
Nichelini Winery (mile 64) = 1:15:44
Pope Valley Grange Hall (mile 76) = 0:46:08
Middletown High School (mile 95.4) = 1:30:14
Big Canyon (mile 105.4) = 0:53:00
Lower Lake High School (mile 114.2) = 0:35:39
Resurrection (mile 133.6) = 1:11:40
Guinda Fire Station (mile 159.8) = 1:36:55
Farnham Ranch (mile 178.1) = 1:19:43
Plainfield Fire Station (mile 193) = 0:59:00
Davis Veterans Hall (mile 200.6) = 0:35:56
Time : 13:30:33 (Total Time: 14:55:46)
Mileage : 200.6 Miles
Speed : 14.85 mph
Elevation Gain : 7,300 ft
Feet per Mile : 36.3908 ft / mile
Wght : 152
Boring. The last 40 miles of this ride are horrendous, long straight
flat stretches that never end. Strong right knee pain. Embarassingly
slow pace, by far my worst performance in any double, especially
considering how easy this one is. Really the result of very erratic
training this year.
It's too bad, because the middle 100 miles are beautiful and gentle,
easier than most other doubles, and could be nice mellow training.
It's unfortunate that the ride has to start in Davis instead of closer
to the scenic back-country.
All that said, this was my 10th Double Century ... (That's probably
it for this year, no Triple Crown).
Solo Ride (40 Miles) - 11/24/05
Homestead - Lawrence - Quito - Hwy9 - Los Gatos Blvd -
Blossom Hill to Camden : 1:18:54
Back Blossom Hill - Los Gatos Blvd - Bascom - Camden - San Tomas -
Homestead : 1:O4:29
Time: 2:23:24 (Total Time: 2:45:54)
Mileage: 39 Miles
Speed : 16.318 mph
Wght : 154.5
Got a bit lost trying out the San Tomas Aquino Trl along Lawrence and Bollinger.
Solo Ride (45 Miles) - 12/03/05
Home - Bernardo - El Camino - Stevens Creek trl - La Avenida - Amphitheatre -
Bayshore - University through EPA - Dumbarton Bridge: 1:14:45
Thornton (right) - Cherry - Boyce - Auto Mall (left) - Grimmer (right) -
Warm Springs - Abel (over Railroad) - Great Mall - Tasman - Lawrence -
Central - Mary.
Time: 2:49:26 (Total time: 3:15:26)
Mileage: 45.5 Miles
Speed: 16.11 mph
Wght : 156.5
Great sunny crisp cold weather. Haven't felt this good in a long time.
Cautious with knees and back, but feeling better.
PDI 25th Anniversary Party.
Solo Ride "San Jose" (50 Miles) - 12/10/05
Home - Homestead - San Tomas - Campbell - Various detours -
Los Gatos Blvd: 1:00:25
Blossom Hill to Monterey Rd.: 0:32:50
Monterey Rd. - First St. Through Downtown San Jose, to Aviso -
Gold st. - SV baylands - Mathilda - Mary: 1:26:36
Time: 2:59:52
Mileage: 50.2 Miles
Speed : 16.7457 mph
Wght : 156.5
Great sunny weather. Way too many traffic and lights, particularly on Blossom Hill near Almaden, which is why I tried a different way back. Monterey Rd. is very rideable.
Solo Ride (55 Miles) - 12/17/05
Home - Foothill - Sand hill - Canada - 35 to Golf Course -
Back via Woodside - Alameda.
Time: 3:19:55 (approx.)
Mileage: 54 Miles
Speed is 16.2068 mph
Wght : 155.5
Met Peter. Advice Revolution in Fitness, Curtis.
Rain, about 1/3rd into the ride, heavy at times.
Solo Ride "Gilroy" (60 Miles) - 12/29/05
Blossom Hill / Judith - Monterey Rd. To Gilroy and Back -
Detour on Dunne on the way back.
Time: 3:37:32
Mileage: 58.7 Miles
Speed : 16.1906 mph
Wght : 157.5
Rear flat near the end, on Monterey Rd, due to a thorn.
Overcast weather but no rain.
Knee generally ok with light effort.
There are many other route possibilities around this area.