Courting Calaveras Again

 

"I just can't get enough.  I just can't get enough." Naturally, I am referring to biking Calaveras ....  Today, I joined Miss P and Dr. G. on their impromptu club ride to Pleasanton via Felter, breathtaking Calaveras, and Foothill in Sunol.  I didn't realize that I biked up Felter in my big gear, going 9 mph.  I think I finally graduated from kindergarten.  But I wasn't able to make it up all the way on The Wall, so, I took a photo of some of the 22 cyclists who were on the ride.  Lots and lots of cyclists out today.

We stopped for lunch in Pleasanton.  I visited the Cache Creek Lavender stall at the Farmer's Market.  The photo is from the website.  One of the farmers sprayed lavender mist on me.   ooh, divine.  They're having a festival in Rumsey (Capay Valley in Western Yolo County)  on June 9th and 10th. 

Just the Stats:

48 miles
11.4 avg mph
29.5 mph descent
4 hr 10 min

Green Day

The Boyfriend and I climbed Sierra Road and then headed over to Sunol today.   I surprised him by zipping up the first part of Sierra, no small feat thank you very much, only to subsequently wither in the 90 degree weather.  As I stopped to cool down, which I needed to do more than once, a man in uniform, yes, the Sheriff, drove up besides me to see if I was okay.

Then on the way to Sunol, I met another man in uniform, a different Sheriff who also made sure I was okay.   All this attention!  I guess people notice you when you're hot.... Okay, I was hot because it was frigging hot outside.  And biking in the heat was hard work.

The star today though was the landscape, from the startling green everywhere to the cloudless blue sky.

The Boyfriend steamed ahead to Sunol and got me a soda.  Sweet.  He looked hot in his uniform....  He hit 45 mph on a descent and averaged 14 mph.  Meanwhile, here at home, the temperature inside being 82 degrees, I am melting.  I am hot but not in a good way....

Just the Stats:

42 miles
10.1 avg mph
33.5 mph descent
4 hr 17 min

Intersection for the TB

I can't believe it but once again the Club let me be a traffic safety volunteer for the Tierra Bella.  This year, I did not have a helicopter flying above me but I did have a CHP.  He came by around 7:45am and said:

He:  I believe you need me.
Me:  I don't need you Mister.  But I might want you later, after my shift ends ....

It was a busy intersection and the CHP was helpful, especially when he put out the orange cones.  We really appreciated having him.  No time to take photos with him.  Handcuffs, that sort of thing....  Darn.  Oh looky, there's The Boyfriend to make sure that I was behaving and not up to no good.  He was too busy noticing my wiggle and bounce and missed the turn.  Along with some other male cyclists ....  I'm sure they appreciated having me, too.   Oh oh, I'm in trouble.

After my shift ended around 10:45am, as much as I wanted to take a nap, I did the 60K.  The sun came out, the sky cleared and the wind was in my favor.   I hope everyone had as nice a time as I did.  My stats almost mirror last year's ride.

Just the Stats:

34.91 miles
14.1 avg mph
31 mph descent
2 hr 28 min

Pictorial Panoche

 Spring came today.  Perfect weather to do Panoche Road (Paicines, CA)  with The Boyfriend.

It was our first time on this road, and boy, it was spectacular. 

We reached the summit before going on to Panoche Inn, the turnaround.  Charming inn keeper and a nice chicken salad to tie us over for the return.

Yay, the return was mostly all down hill.  The BF left me in the dust, as he desired to bang it all the way back.  Me, I desired other things ....

La dee dah, I met some guys in a pick up truck who waved to me.  And a guy walking his dog who introduced himeself and wanted to know my name.  Oh, about this time, The BF showed up in his batmobile and I promptly got in the car, not finishing the entire course, but, appreciating that The BF picked me up.  He likes to pick me up.  Okay, he likes to make sure that no one else is picking me up.   He got a puncture but he has tubeless tires so the latex gooey stuff kicked in and took him back with no problem. 

We lucked out with the wonderful weather today.  A very nice outing.

Just the Stats:

49 miles (The BF did just about 60)
11.8 avg mph (The BF did something like 18 avg mph; sigh)
27 mph on descent (The BF did something like 35 mph)
4 hr. 8 min.

Menopausal on Mines

The Boyfriend and I stopped in Safeway in Livermore on the way to Mines Road so he could have a coffee while I promptly stuck my head in a freezer.  After 15 months of joy, the hot flashes and night sweats have returned.

I rode Mines with my GF Miss P. back in December.  It was the first time for The BF.  The weather wasn't ideal but it wasn't so bad (some wind, a warm sun, but periods of chilliness).  This time around we encountered quite a few cyclists.

Alas at mile 11, after climbing and climbing, I sensed something was amiss.  Ah geez, a flat.  While the gallant boyfriend changed the tube, I whipped out my cell phone to call room service.  Sigh, no coverage.  Did I mention the firemen?  Oh yes, prior to setting off from Robert Livermore Park, a fire truck pulled up.  Hello, Firemen.  Sigh from The BF.  "What, do they follow you?" he wondered.  Of course they do, Mister.

Alas, at mile 22, I sensed something was wrong, again.  Oh phooey, the front tire was losing air. Clearly, we did not remove all the tiny shards of glass.  As much as I wanted The BF to experience the entire Mines route, so serene and pretty with its wide and smooth road, we did the sensible thing and turned around instead of continuing to the turnaround point at the Junction Cafe. Sure, we could (I mean The BF could) change the tube again, and use another CO2 cyclinder, but, clearly, glass was embedded in the tire, and we were facing a sinking ship.

Alas, after 4 miles of biking, I could tell the tire was losing air.  So, the handsome gallant BF once again pumped up the tire while I whipped out my cell phone to call room service.  Still, no cell phone coverage.

Another 4 miles went by and again, I could tell the tire was losing air.  At this point, The Boyfriend took command and brought forth his secret weapon -- his pump.  And this is how the conversation went between a Ph.D and a Masters:

He:  You ain't seen nothing yet.
Me:  Oh really, Mister.
He:  Once you've experienced my pump.
Me:  That's what they all say
He:  You will never want any other once you've been inflated by my pump, Missy.
Me:  I'm beginning to feel a bit flustered.
He:  You'll have the ride of your life.
Me:  I bet I will, Mister.

Indeed, he has some sort of super pump that was able to get me all the way back to the park, where, by the way, a fire truck pulled up with more firemen for me to admire.  Of course I took no notice (well, maybe a litte), after all the pumping I received from The Boyfriend.  Our outing was somewhat different than what we envisioned but it was mostly pleasurable.  I would like to thank The Boyfriend for taking care of me.  He really is one beautiful caring of a man.

Just the Stats (not so bad given the circumstance)

44.28 miles
11.8 avg mph
27.5 mph descent
3 hr 44 min