Velo Orange, meet Motobecane Fantom Outlaw

When I got my new Motobecane Fantom Outlaw and set it up as a commuter I was pretty dang happy. But it turned out that the gearing was just a hair tall for my headwind commute with parachute-like, wide catching panniers. That, and I'm just not always willing to work really hard on a commute ride.

When I realized my Sora shifters were made to operate a triple, I started looking for something with lower gears. I looked at all kinds of cranks, both road and mountain. Then I came across the Velo Orange VO Triple Crankset with 24, 36, and 48 tooth chainrings. It looked sharp, and was reasonably priced. I needed a different front derailleur, which I found used on eBay for $10. I also needed a long cage rear derailleur too, but I had a nice Ultegra model left over from upgrading Tricia's Ruby. I got a new chain and was in business.

I like the lower gears. The 36 tooth ring is a lot more useful than the 39 was for me. I haven't needed the 24, but I have fantasies of over-night "touring" and think I'll be happy to have it. The amazing part is that it shifts really well. The Sora nine-speed shifters are very positive and the bike shifts with a very reassuring mechanical crispness that I wasn't expecting in a lower-level group. The Velo Orange chain rings are ramped, so both front and rear shifting are pretty swell.

 Next up: Fenders, before it starts to rain.

US Cycling stamp

When the USPS announced a cycling stamp, how could I not be pleased? I ordered a stack, as well as commemorative first day envelopes. I'm sure philatelists would have something collectible to do with these envelopes. I had my own plan: I used mine to send in my entry for the Quack Cyclists Knoxville Double Century. So, as the saying goes, the check is in the mail. Now it's time to start training in earnest.

I love nature, and Antioch too

On a recent ride through Antioch there was a gate that, though always locked, was open. It opened to a beautifully smooth road up a hill. It was irresistible, so we didn't resist. We climbed.

At the top were the most magnificent trees. It was if Dr. Seuss had gone all steam-punk and hybridized the trees of his dreams.

Coming back down from Magic Land we stopped briefly to admire the work of local independent artists and the view of Antioch rooftops.

I've tried to drop my magnificent panorama into an iFrame. Hover over it and with any luck magical scroll bars will appear. In Chrome, just try to scroll it and it seems to work. In Firefox, click it and it will fill the frame and revel scroll bars. Your mileage may vary.

Havana daydreaming

I'm back from teaching a week-long photo class in Cuba. I'd hoped to meet someone in the Havana cycling community, but it didn't happen. I saw lots of pedicabs and transport bikes, but didn't see any roadies in the city. On a bus ride outside of Havana I saw a roadie in full kit, but didn't get to talk to him as we flew by.

My week off the bike was the longest time I've not ridden in years, and it was odd to say the least. I walked a lot in Havana — Tricia and I ran our students into the ground — but didn't get my heart rate up at all. The rum and cigars did, I'm sure, compensate for the lack of physical activity.

More photos at this short slide show

Anniversary ride to the Diablo summit

Tricia wanted to ride to the Diablo summit for our anniversary. Really, it's June 12, but since we've been married 13 years now, doing it on the 13th seemed OK. Most people only ride to the parking lot and claim the summit, but we carried our bikes up to the top of the top.

Tricia had a plan. She wanted to ride there and surprise me by buying me a Mt. Diablo State Park cycling jersey. Unfortunately, they only had a small in stock, so she ordered it for me. Little did she know I had a necklace all wrapped up (courtesy of daughter Erin, wrapping princess) and hiding in my jersey pocket, so she got a present too.

It was a beautiful day, and I anticipate doing our anniversary rides to Diablo summit for at least another 50 or 60 years.

Cycling cures back pain

Cycling cures back pain. Or at least doesn't make it worse.

I've been hard on my body lately. About the time I recovered from my torn calf I tweaked my back. I'd promised myself to not move anything heavy when I worked in the yard, but bags of soil are big. And heavy. So I moved them and trashed my back. A bit of tennis the next day didn't help, and I ended up laying around Saturday with spasms and pain.

Sunday I tried riding. It turns out that riding a bike hurts less than turning over in bed, or even watching TV.

Tricia and I joined Joyce, who we haven't ridden with enough lately, for a near-forty mile ride through Central Contra Costs. We've been in a wind storm for a week, and it was nice to ride in relative calm. Franklin Canyon and the Carquinez Scenic Loop are as pretty as ever, and I felt just fine right up until we got off the bikes.

Unauthorized Devil Mountain Double jersey debut ride

Steve's photo of us in our unauthorized jerseys

I love the Quack Cyclists, the folks who put on the Devil Mountain Double and the Knoxville Double century rides. They run a great ride, have wonderful volunteers and the best support I've ever experienced. But they come up just a tad short in one area.

After finishing the Devil Mountain Double my riding partner Dan bought their DMD ride jersey. Now, bearing in mind how wonderful the Quacks are, and that I'm a regular grumblebutt when it come to jerseys, let me just put this on the table: It's my least favorite jersey ever. Sorry. I hate the colors, and the graphic of the cyclist whipping the devil is in questionable taste. I may be overly sensitive to type, but typography on this jersey makes me weep. To top if off there's an exclamation point — do I need that to make a point that's it's 200 miles? — and even a misspelling. Ironically our friend Veronica had one she didn't want, and gracefully donated it to me. I didn't mind wearing it too much because I couldn't see it when I had it on. But I sure didn't like having to see it when I rode with Dan. Yet he kept wearing it, I guess  because the ride is such an accomplishment that a little jersey-based bragging is entirely appropriate.

Because I didn't like looking at the jersey, and because Dan acted as my personal domestique to get me through the DMD, I thought I'd concoct a jersey I liked (because it is, after all, all about me) and present it him as a reward for his faithful service. It would be a thank you, and a way to save my delicate eyeballs.

Official jersey on left, my unauthorized version on right

Backs of the official jersey on left, and my unauthorized version on right.

Most cycling jersey manufacturers have huge minimum orders, but I found one in China that would make just two for a reasonable price. With that in mind, I started working on my own DMD design. When I finished it looked like it was missing something, so I added sponsors. Yes, we have sponsors. We'd never get through these rides without the support of our families, to say nothing of them driving us home when we are stupid tired.

Our sponsors: 

• Campbell Coaching for Cyclists — For my wife Tricia
• Julie's Jewels, refining diamonds in the rough for over 15 years — For Dan's wife julie
• Michael Aerospace, rocket science for the home — Dan's son, Michael
• Erin & Erin Cupcake Factory, We both have daughters named Erin
• Oldstrong Racing, Dan's Bikeforum name is Lance Oldstrong
• Dancing Bear Productions, because I always say "It's not how well the bear dances, but that the bear dances at all"
• Corlew and Butler International, because we are worldwide

That done, a little bastard Latin on the collar, "In Ascendo Est Verum" (In Climbing, Truth,) a set of horns in a "D" and a tail on the "Y" and the design launched on a slow boat to China. OK, really. it was sent over the internet at light speed.

Logos a plenty

Detail of design for back

After I surprised Dan with his jersey, he suggested a 37 mile shakedown ride with 4800 feet of climbing with Steve that he calls "Pigs, 6 Bears, Wildcat and Happy Valley."

Steve loved our swell togs, and even contributed a photo to this post. I was inspired to take the first hill and find a new highest heart rate ever. I faded quickly after that, but still had a great ride.

Time Machine

From the keyboard of guest blogger Lance OldStrong. He originally submitted this short piece to a Bicycling magazine contest. He should have won a new bike. We can only assume the entry was somehow lost, or the contest was rigged. Or maybe they hated the photo I shot.

This basic black bike with its dated top tube must be a time machine. 

This explains how it makes me feel so many years younger. 

No wonder Einstein rode one.

Five years, 25,734 miles, sixty pounds lost. Years. Miles. Pounds. Where did they all go? I've barely thrown a leg over this, my first road bike, and its taken me to where centuries are training rides and I finish double centuries with “The Devil” and “Death” in their names. A Time Machine. It has to be.

But old black needs work more often now; even time machines age. Peering over my bike on his stand my mechanic hints: “Think what you’d do on a 16.5 pound modern carbon bike.” What indeed? Dare I dream of RAAM, or Paris Brest Paris? Me, the former fat guy? Could I cheat time again, only faster? On a new time machine, yes.

Morgan Territory and Junction Memorial Day

When you forget to take your iPhone and camera you can't make photos. Fortunately Steve brought his, and shared with me. Thanks Midland!

JoelS and his wife Bess from Bikeforums invited the BF crew to join them around Diablo on Morgan Territory and then climb Diablo. I'd been recovering from a calf muscle tear for two weeks and thought this ride, with multiple bailout points would be a good recovery test.

Tricia joined me and a whole slew of BF folks, including folks Joel brought with him. We took a pretty leisurely pace, which worked well for me.

I think I'm all better now. Or at least better. The ride felt good. On the climb to the junction from the Diablo South Gate I felt good enough to try working hard and managed hit several PRs according to Strava. Maybe this rest thing can work. I even hit a PR descending North Gate.

That's all I've got. No big adventures, no close calls, no epic Cat 6. Just a nice ride with friends.

New bike (N+1)

I'd been lusting after a Motobecane Fantom Outlaw for a while. It looked like a perfect commuter machine. It has a carbon fork on an aluminum frame, eyelets for a rack and fenders, 30mm tires for a cushy (and a slightly sticker/glass resistant) ride. It had disk brakes, which sounded way ever so  cool to me.

I'd been using my Cannondale F500 mountain bike for a few years, but I wanted my mountain bike back. And after I was named bike commuter of the year I thought some sort of reward was in order. No one was forthcoming with a grand gold-plated trophy, so I ordered the bike.

Of course, the week I ordered it our house was burglarized, and I tore a calf muscle, making me feel pretty bad and pretty silly, about buying a bike. But I will recover, and when I do I will enjoy this fine bicycle just fine.

New bikes look so clean, so nice. But to be a commuter it needed water bottle (and coffee) cages, a pump, and a rack and panniers. I also added a speedometer/computer. The lights will come soon, and come winter I'll add fenders. I'm thinking I'll get some cool aluminum/plastic SKS in shiny sliver.

The disk brakes are interesting. When I rode it for the first time they barely worked. I was worried. But after a a very short ride they were fine. They just needed to settle in.

I bought Shimano M324 pedals with SPD cleats on one side and platforms on the other. I was tired of putting on special shoes to go get milk. But I love clip ins. Now I have a choice, and they seem to work pretty well. Yep, I'm in full-Fred mode, but I only feel a little bad about it.

It's a cross bike, so the gearing is a bit odd, with no small gears. Someday I may swap out the crankset for something more suited to my riding style, but as a commuter bike on a flat route it seems fine.

Still, A new bike is always a thing of joy, isn't it?

Before adding cages, pump, computer and rack.

2012 Tour of California stage 3: Diablo!

 

 Even though I tore my calf muscle Friday, forcing me to walk with a cane and cancel my Davis Double Century plans, when the Tour of California comes to your mountain, you go.

I'd ridden Diablo two weeks before in the Devil Mountain Double, last week just for fun, And now the world's greatest cyclists were going to ride the same climb. So I got my mountain bike turned commuter bike out, strapped on the panniers and took the camera on a slow ride to the 1000 foot mark.

It was a glorious day. Tricia and I had planned to ride farther up, but when we got to LanceOldstrong with his kids, and an ice chest, we figured we'd gone far enough. As we waited we say many bike forum friends, and even a few photographers I knew, including Karl Moldon from the Times. It was such a great day even waiting was fun, as was seeing what must have been more than 1000 fellow cyclists on the road.

The pros are amazing. The peloton is amazing. The caravan is amazing. The police motorcyclists are amazing. It's all, well, amazing.

After the few minutes of excitement between the break away group and the peleton  passing it was over. Tricia and I went to Livermore to see the finish, which we almost could. The sprint, even from 100 meters, is frightening and stunning.

The photo award of the day goes to Lance Oldstrong for his picture just after the race of his daughter Erin with cyclist Heinrich Haussler. Here's his story:

When I asked him for a photo he politely said yes, as if resigned to it being part of his job.
Then I gave Erin a little push towards him and told him, "She has a huge crush on you"This made him light up and display the reasons for her crush: twinkly mischievous eyes, dimples and charm. He said, "Now you are going to make me blush" in his delightful Australian accent.
He and Erin sure made a nice couple and there were lots of "ah, how cute" sighs from the clutch of fans hanging out by the Garmin bus.

 Tricia and I followed up with a delightful Greek lunch in Old Livermore where we sat outside and listened to a band play while children frolicked on the village lawn. What a day. Even with a funky leg a great time was had.

Bike to Work Day and Contra Costa Bicycle Commuter of the Year 2012

My Big time Bike Commuter Award was delivered at Oaklands Bike Happy Hour BTWD fest.

Bike to Work Day 2012 was a busy but fun blast. My photojournalism student Amanda met me near my house and rode her bike to school for the first time. We stopped at two "Energizer stations" on the way in for hugs, swag and munchies. The ride took a lot longer than usual, but was also more entertaining.

There was also an energizer station at LMC, and a few people actually rode their bikes here.  We live in an area that isn't as bike friendly as it might be, but the weather is perfect for riding.

I went to Oakland for the Bike Happy Hour. It's a journey from the burbs, and just getting there in a timely fashion was an adventure. It was worth it. They had New Belgium Brewery serving Fat Tire, pool tables and Foosball tables in the street, a stage with a DJ and band, and an awards ceremony where I got an award.

LMC Energizer station with actual cyclist!

Planet Booty. Really.

Yep, I got an award. I got to pick it up at the bike Happy Hour

I'm dressed in my best professor get up in front of the LMC Math building.

Congrats: You are our Bike Commuter of the Year for 2012 Contra Costa County
Curtis,
Did you get my email last week about your winning this award? If not, congrats! Our committee was impressed with your nomination and all you do for cycling. Can I call to talk with you about this? We are announcing this today and send out a press release this week. Thanks and talk soon.

That's how I found out. It's all officially announced on the East Bay Bicycle Coalition site now and everything, and I'm thrilled. I've been an East Bay Bicycle Coalition member, and a supporter for work the organization does on behalf of cyclists, for years.  And after all, Tricia won the award way back in  2008, so it's good that I'm almost keeping up with her on the bike, again.

A month or so ago I'd received an email  saying I'd been nominated, and asking me to write up my bike commuting story. Here's what I wrote.

I was a bike rider in the 70s and then the 80s, but by 2006, like so many, I got a new job, married, a house and a collection of stress and a lack of time. I got… huge. And I didn't ride anywhere.

My wife had started riding her bike to her job five miles away. One day as a lark I rode in with her, she on her old, heavy mountain bike with huge tires, me on my 80s Cannondale racing bike. I couldn't come close to keeping up — and she wasn't even trying to go fast.

I knew something had to change. With her encouragement I started riding to work at Los Medanos College where I teach. At first my plan was to ride when the weather was nice. I liked it.  As the weather got colder I just put on more clothes. I realized that if I could ski in twenty-degree weather then riding a bike in East Contra Costa's mild winter was no big deal.

Then it rained. But I was so used to riding I didn't want to give it up. It turns out that with a rain jacket I just didn't get very wet in eight miles. Even though I bought rain pants and shoe covers, it turned out I only need them once or twice a year.

Cycling has become my default commute mode. It's not a decision I make every morning, it's just how I get to work. Surprisingly, it doesn't take much longer than driving, and I can roll right into the campus instead of searching for car parking. On the very rare days I need to bring in something so huge I can't carry it on my bike and need to use a car, I'm thrown off and usually forget something.

Over the years my bike has changed some. I took off the heavy-treaded tires and put on puncture resistant smooth ties, which roll a lot easier.
I acquired a rack and panniers to carry papers, clothes and my lunch, plus a bike light and rear blinkie for my evening commutes. My bike is nothing special, but it now has over 10,000 commute miles on it.

My students and colleagues all know I ride. They check if I'm on campus by seeing if my bike is in my office. Often, on a cold or wet day, I'm asked "Did you ride today?" When I answer "Yes" I think they're happy that there's something constant in this world.

I admit my bike love spills over into the job. Yesterday I had a student ask me about getting a bike for commuting. I have students and faculty tell me about their cycling achievements and plans. In my graphic design class I have students design "Bike to Work Day" posters (here are their 2012 efforts) to promote the event, and remind the LMC community that we'll have an energizer station on campus that day.

My bike commute has helped me discover what it's like to be a kid again, riding to school, in touch with the light, the aroma and the weather of the day. It's helped me lose a lot of weight. It's helped me get in shape. All this commuting has morphed to include weekend rides and vacations. My wife and I rode our bikes in Oregon, Washington, Canada, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming last summer. We saw Yellowstone in a way we'd never have been able to from a car.

My life has changed for the better, just because I started riding my bike to work.

Diablo Summit ride

 One week after the Devil Mountain Double my DMD partner announced that following his kid's track meet in Livermore he was riding 50 miles home, and summiting Diablo. I said "Too bad I can't go with you."

The next thing I knew he'd worked out a plan where Tricia and I would meet Steve in Concord, ride to Blackhawk, (halfway between Livermore and Concord) meet and ride Diablo. It was a perfect plan, and we arrived within seconds of each other.

 Dan billed this as a slow post -double ride, so of course, he and Steve Cat 6 raced each other to the junction. As we started to the summit, Steve and I left a few seconds earlier, and without trying opened a gap as Dan talked with Tricia. We saw Dan decide to catch us, so we waited until he did, Dan had burned a big match doing so, and just as he got to us, we powered away in a perfectly mean, but well timed effort. I was laughing so hard I could hardly pedal. We'd quickly gotten several turns ahead. I didn't think I'd let up, but just before Juniper he came past. So, even doing all my cheatty sneaky stuff I couldn't stay away.

We all met at the summit, rolled down Diablo and ended up at a Thai dinner in Pleasant Hill. Life is good, though Tricia still wishes we could have stayed at the summit for "Super Moon Rise" when the moon appeared 10% larger and 30% brighter. But, as she points out, they don't allow descending Diablo in the dark.
 

Bike to Work Day 2012 posters

I gave my Los Medanos College graphic design students an assignment to create Bike to Work Day posters to encourage student and staff to bicycle to LMC on BTWD May 10, 2012. They came up with some nice ideas. I'll be printing  and posting them around campus. Click this here link to see a slide show of them. I'm proud of their efforts, and hope you too will be riding to work this May 10.

Devil Mountain Double Century 2012

Not just a number, but a name.

My longest ride deserves the longest post I've ever made. Here it is. 
The Goddess of the Weather looked down and thought "I gave these folks one-hundred-degree-plus weather for the Davis Double Century two years in a row. I made it pour like crazy on the Wine Country century even though the weather prediction was just for 20 percent. At Solvang I gave them gale-force headwinds for almost 100 miles. They endured. It's time for their reward. For the Quack Cyclists Devil Mountain Double this year I'll give them a cool morning, but not too cool. I'll provide a tail wind at Altamont, and just enough gentle headwind on Patterson to keep them cool. I'll help them up Mines with a slight tail wind, and make sure it doesn't get too hot. I won't even make the backside of Mt. Hamilton hot, and I almost never do that. And when the sun goes down I'll stop the wind all together and make sure it's not too hot, not too cold, but just right."

Thank you Weather Goddess. I know I wouldn't have made it if you hadn't smiled on this endeavor.

The Weather Goddess wasn't alone in helping me on this ride.

My sweet bride Tricia came and spent the night with me at the ride start in the San Ramon Marriot Hotel the night before, She tried to keep me from pinging off the wall so hard I left dents, even though it meant waking her non-morning-person self at an insane hour.

My good friend Dan (Mr. Lance Oldstrong) did DMD last year, and had announced he was done with that particular flavor of fun. When I told him I was going to give it a shot he did everything he could to talk me out of it, and when that didn't work he decided he had to ride with me just to make sure I got through it. Even his family helped, texting encouraging messages and the the kids track meet successes throughout the day. Heck, they even made me a sign.

Steve (Midland on BikeForums) surprised Dan and I by being on Ygnaico Vally Road with a cowbell and a big sign after we came down Mt. Diablo. He made a ton of noise and worried me that he'd get us disqualified for private SAG, something the Quacks don't allow. But he made noise for everyone, and we didn't get a ticket or fined or anything. Thanks Steve!

Our friends Veronica and Thom staffed a rest station just before the Hamilton climb, giving us the pleasure of seeing friendly faces and even a couple of hugs (hugging a cyclist after they've ridden 130 miles is a true act of friendship, even if you're really careful)



The DMD staff is beyond belief. Every rest stop, and roving SAG is staffed by people who understand what you're doing. They don't get charity-ride silly with over the top cheering, they just help you through your ride. Here's my "Pet the Goat" rest stop experience: We were at mile 162, and it just got dark and we'd just finished Sierra Road, one of the toughest climbs of the day. We needed to stop and pick up our drop bags with lights for night riding and some warm clothes. I sat down, zoned.
"Can I get you anything?"
"No, I'm fine."
"How about a warm cup o' noodles?"
"Oh, that does sound good. Thanks."
Let me get it for you. Something to drink?"
"No, I'm fine."
"How about a V8?"
"Oh that sounds good. Thanks."
"Let me get it for you."

They understood how stupid I was at that point, and that my decision making ability was shot.

I realized one of my rear blinkie lights had a dying battery. The ride staff  had warned me in their ride packet "Check your batteries." and I thought I had. But there I was…. When I asked if they just might have some they took my light and brought it back blinking, with fresh batteries installed.

This rest stop isn't the exception, it's the way Quack Cyclists run a their ride.

I had a team worth of support. All I had to do was "push the pedal back down when it comes up" as Quack Cyclists advise.



The ride started at exactly 5 am. Thirty seconds later we had our first minor "mechanical." No big deal, but it meant we were off the back right at the start. We managed to catch the tail end just in time for mechanical number two. Dan's Garmin, unlike the weather, had decided today was the day to be a total pain. Dan's 206 mile ride, if you go by his GPS, was .4 miles with zero feet of climbing. We know better, but still, if he wants official US Government registered ride credit he needs to re-ride it within 48 hours. That's the law.

Our ride up, and down Diablo was beautiful, but uneventful, with a quick turnaround at the top. It feels funny to write that. In the past I viewed any ride to the Diablo Summit as "epic." Even lately it's been "noteworthy" at the very least. Today it was a warmup. Even the dreaded wall at the top was just a small obstacle before the ride got hard. The same for Morgan Territory.

It was just a plain old nice day for a ride, though. The "Plunge" was wind free, but when we got to Altamont, a section veteran DMD riders say is long and dull, we had a tail wind. We were on the Wente Road race for a bit, and hoped for a slow moving train to catch, but it didn't happen. Instead, we ended up behind a strong DMD rider, and combined with the tail wind, helped us cruise at near 30 for a ways and chew up some pavement. It was a ball.



Patterson Pass is often a nightmare, but with only a light breeze Saturday is was only steep. Dan commented on the way up that if you keep thinking you hear an airplane, it's just the windmills. As I rode up I thought, "Wow, he's really right, that sounds exactly like an airplane." Then the airplane flew over.

I'd been worried since i signed up for the ride about making the 1PM cutoff at the mile 92 rest stop on Mines Road. I mean truly obsessively panicked. I had my eye on the clock the whole way, and worried every time I slowed. But we made it with time to spare and were in and out as quickly as we could shed our warmer clothing.

The ride up Mines to the Junction for lunch is just a grunt, but we cranked it out with the help of a slight tail-breeze.

The lunch cutoff is "leave by 4:30," but we were out by 3:15 or so.

The section between the Junction and the bridge water stop is the only section I hadn't ridden before. It's beautiful, and the only section where I wasn't so busy, cold, or working too hard that I was able to shoot a few photos. I can't imagine a more California place, with its meadows and oaks. It was stunning. It was also about the last section I felt fine. There are three bumps on the way to the Mt. Hamilton Climb proper the locals call the Three Bears. No one mentions them when they talk DMD, but they are there, they are real, and they are a pain. Worse, they are just the lead in to the Mt. Hamilton back side climb, a relentless five-mile, double-digit monster. We all talk about Sierra road, but Hamilton is worse (Just ask Marco P, who pointed it out to me.)  It's longer, and there are no stair-steps for a moment's relief. It's relentless. The only saving grace is that there are mile markers painted on the road, so you know exactly how much suffering is left, and can confirm you are still moving when the numbers go by.

Dan had a strong ride and waited for me at the top, only to jet down, descending zen-master that he is. By that point in the day I couldn't find a good line through a corner with a Geiger counter and a map. I took it easy, and managed to avoid the worst bumps and gravel. We hooked back up at the Crothers rest stop

After the Crothers rest stop at mile 150 (which is an out and back up a hill, what's up with that?) comes Sierra Road.
It's unreal. I had determined that I might need to stop on it, being as I was toast, or maybe jello. Or maybe something more slimy and gross. But Dan rode with me and, knowing the road well, called out upcoming "flatter"zones — flatter meaning only 10-11% — that helped me struggle up without stopping. We got to see a beautiful sunset, and watch the lights start to come on all over San Jose. Dan likes to point out that the faster riders miss this stunning scene.

Tandems, amazing on the flats and descending, are not noted for climbing well. We managed to catch our Bike Forums friends Marco and Ruth on the way up in a most comical slow motion race to the top, gaining about 6 inches a minute. You'd have needed one of those time-lapse photography setups like they use to photograph plants growing to see us ooze past them. 

At the top before the descent to the "Pet the Goat" rest stop, I stopped to put on my light windbreaker. I couldn't. The very light material kept blowing around and my arms kept getting stuck. Finally Dan said, "Here, let me put it on you like you're my prom date or something."  That worked, and we were off to the "Pet the Goat" rest stop even though the goat had apparently gone to farm animal heaven sometime earlier this year.

There's a long, fun descent to a right turn onto Calaveras Road. It would be more fun for me in the light. Even with a very bright headlight, I'm not bold enough to bomb it. I felt fast, but Dan was gone like a falling missile. I didn't miss the turn at Calaveras , which was great, and another thing I'd worried about. More than a few have, and have had to slog back up a steep hill after overshooting it. Quack Cyclists had come through again, with a large "1/2 Mile DMD" painted on the road, visible even at speed in the dark.

As  I  turned on to "Calaveras Wall" I could hear a woman swearing. Her light had gone nuts, blinking oddly and sputtering. Stopping on a hill that steep in the dark would suck, so we rode to the top together so she could see where she was going, seeing the road in my light.  I stopped and illuminated her bike as she fired up her backup and was off again. I rode the entire Calaveras Road by myself. It was wonderful. It's in the middle of nowhere, no cars, no other cyclists, just frogs and an occasional coyote howling. I relaxed and pedaled and enjoyed not trying to keep up with faster Dan for a while.

I met Dan in Sunol where his bike was getting an on-the-fly overhaul. It seems he produced so much power he bent his derailer hanger and his drivetrain was a mess. Of course, Quack Cyclists had a first-rate mechanic there, in the dark, at night, who made everything wonderful again, at least for a while. Dan really needs a new bike. He's ridden this steed into the ground. He may love it, but it needs to be put out to pasture. With love and respect, but it's just wrong to make the ol' Felt keep working so hard when it needs to retire.

At 25 miles to go you might think we'd be almost there. You'd be wrong. Palamares  Canyon is a wonderful ride, if you're fresh and in a climbing mood. I was ready to be done, and this climb is more work than many will admit. I did see a white owl and almost hit a deer, so it wasn't uneventful, and again the sounds of a flowing creek and croaking frogs made riding, even uphill in the dark, almost (but not quite) pleasant.  At the top I wanted to switch my MagicShine light from medium to high, but I forgot you have to cycle through strobe and then to off. I'd been on the bike too long to ride even half a heartbeat in total darkness with the light off, so I stopped long enough to cycle it to bright.

Dan and I met at the bottom of the hill, rode to Crow Canyon and eventually to the Norris "Is this really necessary?" Canyon climb.  The weather had started to cool enough to see my breath, and I thought I was getting odd reflections from my glasses, perhaps from condensation. But no, it was real. There were spider webs on my bars, spun across my cables in front of my light. I wondered if I'd been out so long and gone so slow spiders had moved in, but I think it was just one of those floating webs that landed on me.

Oldstrong family sign for me. Such a deal!

Amazingly, on Norris I felt like I was out in the country, but in just a couple of miles we were approaching the hotel. I can't explain how odd that feels. I'd been out for 20 hours. It was weird to stop. It felt impossible. All through the ride Dan had been saying "You're going to finish this!" but, even with 1/2 mile to go I wasn't sure. I wasn't sure when we got to the parking lot. Tricia and Dan's family were there. The kids had made a sign. I loved it, but could hardly think. I just wanted to check in and be officially done.

Inside at the sign in table there were no trumpets, fireworks or cannons, but Tricia brought me an icy cold IPA and sushi. That may sound odd, but I've discovered I have sushi lust after a double century. I don't know why. We visited a bit with Marco and Ruth, amazing tandem riders, until Tricia pointed out how late it was. She drove us home and I finally got in bed at 2 am, an old, sore guy, but at least an old, sore guy who completed the Devil Mountain Double Century.

Damage Report:
Nothing serious at all, or really damaged. The usual slightly sore neck, and a bit of stress in the Achilles tendons. My nagging back-of-the-knee issue seems to be resolved. My brain is semi-functional. All in all, pretty darn good.

Things that worked really well:
Sidi shoes. My feet felt perfect at the end of the day.
Selle Italia SLK saddle. No buns issues at all.
Garmin Minty Boost battery thing with lithium batteries. My Garmin finished fully charged.
DeFeet Kneekers. Wonderful knee warmers.
Hammer HEED and Perpetuim kept me fueled
Capo shorts were comfy all day
Tiagra 12-30 cassette. Thank Shimano for that 30 tooth gear or I'd never have made Sierra Road.

Stats via Garmin and Strava and Twitter:
Miles: 206.4
Moving time: 17:35
Total time out: 20:02 (though I left the darn Garmin a few minutes when we got there.)
Climb: 21,718 (The 305 may read high, ride is billed at 19-something, but it sure felt like 21,718)
158 registered, 139 finishers, 5 DNS, 14 DNF.
Ride start 5 am
Last rider in at 1:45 am
And, for inexplicable reasons, I got a 10th place Strava cup in a .3 mile segment. Weird.

Friends:
We also rode with (kind of rode with anyway as we were on the same course) Bike Forum folks Bassem, Metin Uz, Silent Ben, Maillotpois (Sarah), Rumbutter on his trike and Bostic (Ramon)

Parting thoughts:
Imagine sticking yourself with a sharp pin for 20 hours. It would hurt. You could claim some sort of victory over pain and sleep after you accomplished it. You could say "Not many people can do this!" But really, it isn't because they can't, it's just that they don't want to. They can't imagine why anyone would. Yet all the other dedicated pin stickers would congratulate you, and each other. You'd have special shirts made, and in general set yourselves apart from, and above, the non-pin stickers. You would display your pin pricks with pride, and argue about the merits of steel vs. titanium pins with your colleagues. I would have to shake my head and wonder what had become of the world I live in. I would be sad for you. Edit: Don't miss Dan "Lance Oldstrong's" response to this in the comment section

Links to 2012 DMD things on the web:
Cool 15 minute ride report video by Bike Forum's chidonchea
Sacpedalclips made a time lapse of the Mines Road rest stop that pretty swell

The Jewels of Antioch and Pittsburg

I found this in my air-free tire when I got to work.

Scattered on my bike commute trail are diamonds. I think they are falling from the soles of her shoes, but I'm not really sure. Perhaps it's just the drunks tossing their bottles about. I do know that after a rain storm this stuff sticks to my tires really well, and often allow the air inside them to become air outside. In response to this situation I have several proposals.

1. Diamond wearing be banned on multi-use paths. This seems harsh, but if they keep dropping them they shouldn't have them.
2. Alcohol sold to minors in Antioch and Pittsburg should only be sold in plastic or cans, never in glass.
3. The trail should be swept clean every five years, whether it needs it or not.
4. Glass breakers (from now on referred to as "glass holes") be dragged through any glass they deposit on the trail.  Naked. Twice.

Primavera Century 2012

Livermore has a wonderful bike path that runs through the vineyards.

With a week of "rest" after the wind-fest of Tierra Bella Century, Tricia and I tackled the 104 mile Primavera, a century with 6700 feet of climbing hosted by the Fremont Freewheelers. It starts in Union City, and you just can't get there from here. It's a bit over an hour away, too close to hotel the night before, but too far to really enjoy driving to. We'd packed the car the night before and still had to get up way too early to be on the bikes by 7am.

www.sailinsteve.com photo

Right near the start, the ride took us through the very quaint  Niles,  which I'd never seen or heard of before. But Wikipedia says 'From 1912 to 1916 the Niles section of the Fremont area was the earliest home of California's motion picture industry. Charlie Chaplin filmed several movies in the Fremont area, most notably The Tramp."

After some rather nice suburban riding with great views of the bay we hit Calavaras Road, including the famous "Wall" which isn't nearly as bad as its name suggests. A bit later we came across the Freewheelers  special stop, with a telescope for viewing the nesting bald eagles in a nearby power tower.

The ride was very well supported, and seemed to have the ideal ratio of riders to support staff. The rest stops were busy, but not crowded, and they had plenty of restrooms. They even had a goodie bag with stuff that I was actually pleased to get. We also enjoyed the boost to our egos when we received multiple compliments on our 50 Plus jerseys. People really like them, and it's fun to get to say "I designed it!" when they ask. I could, however do without the "It's great to see you're still out here getting exercise." that accompanied one person's jersey praise. (Hey, kid, get off my lawn...)

After looping through Livermore and some of Patterson Pass, we headed back toward the last climb of the day, Palamares Rd. Maybe it was the end of the day, being about mile 90, but the summit just wouldn't arrive. We cranked and cranked, and because we'd worked so hard really enjoyed the downhill afterward. Until I flatted. It didn't take long to change, and just as I was ready to use the mini pump along came SAG. It was none other our Bikeforums friend, Dchiefransom, with a floor pump.

The end of the ride along busy Niles Canyon Road was a bit unnerving as there's no shoulder, and I just can't get myself to take the lane in 45 mph traffic, but we made it back safely. We'd bought a bottle of wine at a rest stop/winery and it had a bit of trouble getting SAGed back as the driver was making sure it didn't get lost or broken, but it eventually showed up.

Look! Sleeveless jersey, no shoe covers. Winter is over.