30 turned to 52 and two bridges

We were going to go out for 30 miles and check out Dan's new bike (photos and story later) but somehow it turned into 52. It was a delightful day, with sun and views and that's about it.

Poppies: Open; Base layer, arm warmers left behind

We took the toe warmers off the shoes, left the base layer and arm warmers in the car and launched for a short ride on the beautiful Calavaras Rd near Sunol. We were sneaking in a ride on the way to a social call in Cupertino. What a great idea it turned out to be.

Not only were the poppies out, but the weather was perfect. And as a bonus we were able to see the eagles nest — though we spotted no eagles — off in the distance.

This cycling thing seems to be catching on. I was amazed how many other cyclists we saw, including a club of Lithuanians in cool jerseys.

It was not an epic ride, but it sure was a delightful one.

Party Pardee with Mumbo Gumbo

It's all about the band. We decided to ride the Party Pardee metric out of Ione (sponsored by the Sacramento Bike Hikers) because Mumbo Gumbo was playing at the finish. They are just so much fun, and they even played one of my favorite tunes. We bought their new CD with the wonderful cheery song "Love Makes Me Stupid."

Our day started with the overcast sky spitting just a bit, but it never really rained, though we did have cool temperatures all day. The ride itself was California foothills-green-spring beautiful. The route doesn't have a ton of climbing, and it's only 64 miles. Still, it's a good workout if you push it, which we did despite my plan to just roll and enjoy. There were just too many short climbs I enjoy knocking myself out on to take it easy. As is so often the case on rides like this the strong riders pass me, and then I pass them on the climbs. I end up being passed by the same person six or seven times.



One highlight is riding over the dam at the Pardee Reservoir. It was built in 1929 and has a '29 feel to it.
There's a short climb after the dam where, at the top, a volunteer hands you a tasty lifesaver. It's that kind of ride.



We also managed to get a little wine tasting in after the ride, and Tricia picked the spot she wants our mansion built.



After that much fun, and considering our day started at 4:30, we cleverly chose to stay at the Plymouth House Inn B&B for the evening. Breakfast was grand!

Commutes, clouds and crazies

It's been a week. Yes it has.

On the up side, I managed to bike commute while on the job. I was asked to evaluate a teacher at another campus, which I was happy to do. I rode my bike there and ended up getting 42 miles.

I also rode to my optometrist appointment. It wasn't that far, but it included a heck of a climb  over Kirker Pass Road going there and back.

Sunday was a beautiful but cool day. Tricia and I rode a short local loop and enjoyed the clouds and green hills. I even managed to crack the top three of a short local Strava segment (Thanks unusual tail wind!)

Then on our way back we encountered another of Antioch's low-skill, high-aggression drivers.

As I rolled downhill I saw a car coming. I planned to turn left, so I slowed, and tried to figure out what she had planned. Even though she was moving pretty quickly, she had her emergency flashers blinking.

As she got to me, she made a looping left behind me, screaming "Just go!! Get out of the way!!" in a ear-shattering hideous cackle of a voice. (And yes, double exclamation marks are indeed warranted here.) I think she wanted me to turn left in front of her so she could cut the corner of her left turn, but I don't really know.

Antioch, oh Antioch...

Garage to Diablo Summit

One of the things that's great about bicycling is that you can do it right from your door. Tricia and I love riding new places, but always feel a touch bad when we use a car to get there.

I've always enjoyed a ride up Mt. Diablo. Every time seems somehow epic. Usually we drive over to Arbolado Park and ride from there. Today I thought I'd try to ride Mt. Diablo from home. There are... issues.

The big one is that there is no good way to get there. One involves riding on the freeway a bit. Not impossible, but not fun. It would be possible to ride Marsh Creek Road. But the commuter raceway that otherwise delightful road has become would make it a suicide mission. The remaining route is over Kirker Pass Road, another commuter zone. Today I thought I could wait out the crazy commute and ride over, then come back before the rush. It worked. I am still alive.

Antioch, oh Antioch....

No parking? Doesn't mean much in Antioch. It's only a bike lane after all.

I might not be so bitter about this if moments before I hadn't watched Tricia almost taken out as she crossed an intersection and the cross traffic right turners didn't look, slow or stop before blasting through their turn. But I did, so I am. Bitter, that is.

On the other hand, at least Empire Mine Road is closed to traffic (though sometimes a truck slips in and startles me) and has pleasant views of Mt. Diablo.

Bicycling, B&B, art and dinner

Caution: Contains non-bicycle content



Tricia works too hard, so I thought as long as she was going to get worn out Sunday bike riding, she should have a fun Saturday. So we went to the Crocker Museum in Sacramento on Saturday. They have a whole new (to us, anyway) building that is gorgeous, connected to the classic old building, which is also gorgeous.

I dropped my iPhone just as we arrived. That's my smartPhone with all the weekend info on it — all of it. It stopped working. Fortunately I found a cell phone repair spot where the owner opened it and reconnected a loose connector or I'd still be lost in Sacramento.

I'd also not have had the name or address of the B&B we stayed at, Amber House. What a delightful place. Perhaps the best feature: coffee waiting outside the door in the morning. Mmmmmm. The breakfast was nice too.



The evening before we walked over to Tapas the World, and had an extra tasty dinner outside as the sun went down.



Having indulged our own bad selves, we met Dan and Steve and went for a 65 mile ride with lots of hills, a safari-themed sub-division in the hills and a lunch stop in Auburn at Little Belgium, complete with photos of Eddie Merckx on the wall.





There was enough climbing that I'm still hurting, so it must have been a good weekend.
After lunch my Garmin choked, so the Strava stats are from Dan's computer. I'm not nearly as quick on the descents, rollers or flats. But the route is the same!

Mostly MUPS, with wind and a dam

Our ride out to Los Vaqueros was uneventful, except for the amazing downwind run toward Oakley at the beginning. We rode out the Marsh Creek Trail most of the way, enjoying the arrival of spring, announced by the flowers, green hills and fluffy clouds. While the ride was fun, but not particularly noteworthy, I did manage a few iPhone photos I like. The sheep are near the  Los Vaqueros entrance, between the road and the normal fence, contained by a temporary electric fence. My guess is that they are there for weed control. It's funny how much they sound like people doing really bad sheep imitations.

Vintage bicycle wrench

When Harley, one of my photo students, discovered I was a cycling enthusiast he brought me a wrench. I'm not comfortable with gifts, but he assured me he had several just like it and it was no big deal, so with great pleasure I accepted.

I'd never seen a tool like this before, but apparently the Billings and Spencer company started in 1869 and by 1879 had a patent on this model. From what I can gather from looking at photos on the net, this wrench was made between 1911 to 1926. I'm sure there is an entire world of wrench collectors who could tell at just a glance.

I wonder who has touched it, who's owned it, what bicycles it had a part in adjusting. It's fun to imagine the shop it was part of, and the owners of the bikes it must have touched.

Last Minute Metric

Still worn out from 92 miles the day before and annoyed I'd lost my vest, I was going out to hunt for it when I got a text asking if I wanted to ride Morgan Territory with Dan and Steve. What the heck, I abandoned my vest hunt, called Tricia and soon we were on our way to Concord to start our 69 mile jaunt.

I didn't bring my camera, but Steve did. All the photos are his. (Thanks Steve!) Dan called our ride a "long slow distance" ride, but I was killing myself. I guess I was going pretty slow, though. Still, there was a goodly amount of "up" to explain the slow.

Part way up the Morgan Territory climb Dan suggested we stop at the small Jeremiah Morgan monument as usually we're in some all-important hurry and never have. I'm glad we did. It's always interesting to review a bit of California history. The day was slightly overcast, but not cold. Best of all, the consistant temperature meant no hauling (and losing) extra clothes. Tricia, riding with "da boys" again, was thrilled to get in such a good ride in mid February.  Just another day in paradise she said, before returning to Antioch.



The stop at Dickys BBQ in Livermore gave me strength and reason to continue, and the easy but annoying climb out of Collier Canyon was beautiful.



It was an easy ride back except for a few sprint hijinks on Danville Highway. We made it home with light to spare.

Solo near-century, with adventure

What an opportunity for a long solo ride. I had Friday off, and not many other folks did, so I carefully planned my route and figured out launch when there was enough light in the sky I wouldn't need lights.

Forty degres makes for a cool start, and I'm a wimp. Even though it would mean hauling clothes once it warmed, I left looking like I was dressed for skiing. I'd have to start peeling layers in an hour or two, but being warm for the first leg was worth it.

Some days you just start off feeling good. This was not one of those days. But maybe I'll feel better as I warm up. I just took it slowly at first and enjoyed the morning.



Eventually I'd climbed out of Antioch via Willow Pass Road, taken a brief ride on Hwy 4, and exited at Port Chicago only to hear my name being called out. Looking around I realized riding buddy Steve Monroe was yelling at me from his truck. I don't know how we ended up in the same weird place at the same time.

I took the Iron Horse trail to Pleasant Hill then headed west. I was amazed to see the new cross walks they've installed at their trail crossings. They're painted red, have walk buttons and flashing lights embedded in the road. Amazing. I sure wish Antioch would do that.



My plan was to head up Pig Farm Hill, do the Bears, then loop through Danville, ride Diablo's Southgate then head home. But things when wrong.



Climbing toward Pig Farm I realized I had a flat. When I started working on it I saw my tire looked awful. I could see cord. I didn't want to be descending at 40ish with that tire, so I put in a new tube, turned around and headed for Pleasant Hill Cyclery. They weren't open when I got there, so had to wait outside for the privilege of buying a new Continental GPS 4000S at painful retail prices. I have one at home, so having to buy one on the fly really hurt.



I realized I was now way behind schedule, so I gave up on the Bears and Diablo and headed out Reliez and eventually to Danville for a Peet's coffee break. I shared a table with cyclist Trish and her friend who were enjoying the now-warm day and their new team kits.



I only got mildly lost getting through Concord on my way to Kirker Pass. I'd wanted to get there before it got afternoon commute car crazy, and I did. At the summit I smiled at one of my favorite signs; the indicator the climb is over and something fun is coming up.

When I got home I discovered I was without my Triple Crown vest. Perhaps it blew out of my pocket on the ride. If I don't find it, that will mean, between it and the tire, this ride cost me more than a dollar a mile.

All in all, it was still a good day, even if I did come up a few miles short of 100, and came out financially damaged.

Bikes and bullets, again

I wrote about finding bullets in the streets of my suburban community already. But, it's happened again. I saw this one sparkling in the sun, right in front of an Antioch CA elementary school. I have no idea what's happened to this city, but I don't feel safe at all.

Pigs Bears and an Orinda Mystery Lake

LanceOldStrong on Papa Bear.

Tricia had a teacher teaching thing on Saturday, so after I dropped her off 8 miles from the event (so she could get a ride in) I met up with LanceOldstrong for my first real ride since our New Years Diablo ride.

I'd fortunately scheduled it to coincide with his 10,000-foot week of hill repeats, so I was able to keep up and even pass on occasion. It was like a SCI-FI movie.

We rode a loopy loop that got us to Pig Farm and the Bears, then Dan, explorer that he is, took us up to lake in Orinda I didn't even know was there. You'll see it in the Strava track. It was quite a climb getting there. And it's fun to see how the rich live too.

All in all, a delightful day with amazingly good weather for a February.

Curtis and Dan at the mystery lake

Tricia heads off to her teacher event.

13 reasons why you shouldn't ride a bicycle

I like riding my bike. Heck, I rode about 8000 miles last year. But I do lots of things that aren't really good ideas. I keep reading stories about why one should ride a bike, and I'm not convinced that they offer really good arguments. I'm going to offer an alternate viewpoint, a "Do as I say, not as I do." argument. I am certain I'm on solid ground here, but feel free to post a reply if I've gotten anything wrong, or left anything out. 

1 It's expensive to own a bike

Let's start with being a commuter or utility cyclist.
I know, you keep reading about how cycling is so very much cheaper than driving. For a very few people that may be true. If you live in a big city with great public transport you ride to, or you want to plan your life around the bike and have it be the thing you base every decision on, it might work. But in the real world you likely have to drive to, so adding a bike is an additional expense. It's not a little one either. To get a bike you won't hate will cost $700-800 (actual likable bikes run $1000-6000 before you buy pedals and a saddle that fits your buns.) Sure, you could quibble, find a cheaper one, buy used. It might work. But forget those $200 Walmart bikes. They are uncomfortable, and the brakes rarely actually stop you. You'll hate it.

Then you'll need lights, front and rear. If you go cheap, but still spend enough to get a headlight that actually illuminates the road rather than just indicates your presence, you'll spend at least $120, and easily more. And don't forget a pack, or a rack with panniers ($100)

You'll need a helmet. Yes, there are crazed anti-helmet people out there. My guess is they'll have a different belief system if they'd been wearing a helmet when they were dropped on their heads. Helmet. Really.  I'm guessing $30 for a cheap, but useable one. Of course you can easily spend $200.

You'll need a pump on the bike, spare tube, patch kit if you're actually going out to ride in the world and a bag too. Another $40. Add $10-20 for a seat bag to keep it in. Add $40-50 for a home floor pump because those on-bike pumps are OK for emergencies, but you don't want to use it unless you have to.

Unless you keep your bike in your bedroom when you don't ride it, and in your own office at work, you'll need to lock it up (yes, even in the garage.) Add $50. Unless you want a really good lock, then it's more.

You could spend no money for clothes, but seriously, you won't. Bike specific clothes and shoes are just so much more comfortable than street clothes you won't even try to resist. Even if you don't get "bike stuff" you're sure to start acquiring things because you ride. Chances are you'll get gloves, rain pants, a rain jacket, a base layer and other stuff. But just to be fair, I'll pretend you have all of it already.

I've been writing as if you are replacing driving, but maybe you want to ride for fun or exercise. Now we've moved into hobby land. It may not be car racing expensive, but it adds up. Ask any cyclist how much bike clothing they own, and what they guess they spent on it. You will be shocked. Shocked. For example, if you ride a recreational ride you'll see Sidi shoes on many riders. They cost over $200-$400, before you add the special cleats. Road riders always wear pricy jerseys and shorts and gloves too. And no real road rider goes without a computer or a GPS unit ($30-800) and a Strava subscription. ($59 a year)

Whichever kind of riding you do, you still aren't finished. If you ride much you'll find you are forever buying new tires ($20 is cheap, $45+ common) tubes ($6) and even need a new chain every year or so ($20-60) You'll need chain lube too, and brake pads. It's constant. You better get at least a few basic tools too.

Mountain biker? You are doomed. You will break everything a lot. Factor in regular replacement costs for most all of your equipment.

Sure, you can argue about my price guesses, and insist that you personally had the stuff you needed already, but in your heart you know I'm right. Heck, even if your a Grant Peterson Petersen Rivendale Bikes believer in almost no accessories, you've spent a fortune on your steel frame already, so I'm still right.

2 It's too hot most of time

It's 100 degrees. You know you don't really enjoy riding in 100 degree heat for fun, and commuting in that heat leaves you soggy and beat. You'll need a long time to cool off, and who has that sort of time? If you don't have a work shower you'll go through more baby wipes than an OctaMom. I will not address aroma here, but, well: aroma.

3 It's too cold most of the time

Do you enjoy having feeling in your hands and toes? Even if it isn't that cold the wind chill will hurt you, and that feeling you like? Gone.  It's amazing how cold you can get on a day that isn't that cold. If it is cold you will also be amazed how long it takes to get dressed, how many layers you'll need, and how you still won't be warm. The most you can hope for is not-too-cold. And that's in California. In other states people use studded snow tires. I'm not making that up.

4 Rain is wet

You will be wet. There is no way to stay really dry. Even the best rain pants and jacket won't help. Even if they are genuinely waterproof, then they won't breath and you'll sweat to a soggy mess. Your feet, even with fenders, will end up soaked if you ride any distance. I'm still looking for gloves that will keep my hands dry and not just soak up water. And remember that wind chill thing I mentioned earlier? Imagine you're covered with water too and imagine it now.

5 Hills go up, then down

Rolling along a flat path is one thing, but going uphill is another. If you thought you'd be a hip person on a single-speed beach cruiser, forget it of you have any elevation gain in your day. If it's hot or cold or wet, hills just make it worse. You could melt going up in the heat, or really freeze coming down in the cold. Wet roads on steep downhills? Use your imagination.

6 All wind is a head wind

If you climb up a hill, at least you can look back and feel like you did something. But wind is invisible.
Imagine, you are 15 miles from home, riding 15 mph. You think "I'm home in an hour." But a head wind kicks up, and after 2 miles your speed drops to 13, so you think. "I'm home in an hour."But it blows even more, and after 2 more miles your speed is only 11 (it's really windy) and you think "I'm home in an hour." Face it, you'll be an hour away from home no matter how far you ride. Your soul is now sucked from your body and any positive spirit you started with is dead. Dead, I say.
And to make matters worse, because any wind other than an absolute tail wind feels like a head wind, you'll spend most of your life riding into a headwind.

7 Bikes aren't ready for prime time

If your dishwasher, coffee pot, or car took the amount of maintenance your bike does, you'd dump it. And the tragic thing is that the "better" a bike is, the more delicate it is. Road tires that pop if they see a photo of glass, chains that need to be replaced before the cardboard box they came in decomposes, and derailleur adjustments that require a surgeons delicate touch are just a few issues modern bikes have. Unlike cars, even the tires need to be topped off on a weekly, or even daily basis. Bikes just aren't ready for general release to the public. They may be fun for hobbyists; the kind of folks who enjoy constantly souping up their computers or puttering about the wood shop in their garage. But for a non-mechanical person who hopes to just ride, they are fragil collections of tubes, wires and parts that require constant vigilance to stay even partly functional. Shout all you want about the Gates Drive but who really owns one? Which leads to...

8 Bikes are messy

All this work you need to do? It all involves grease and dirt. It will get on your hands and clothes, and it won't wash out of your clothes, or off your hands, completely. Even if you can somehow avoid bike work (maybe you live with someone who does it for you) you will still get a flat or drop a chain someday while out in the world, and you will get filthy fixing the problem.

9 It's Dangerous

Everyone I know who rides a bike has been injured. From cars to road rash to having the bike break, they all have been hurt. Sometimes they aren't even on a road, but a mountain trail or a track. Sometimes it's their fault, sometimes not. But they've all had "incidents." Ask the next cyclist you see if they've ever had anything happen. Take a poll. Report back.

10 Sweat. Yech.

You will sweat, perspire  or as they used to say in the 1890s, "glow." You better be ready to deal with it. Will you stink, or take more time to shower? If you commute, you need a place to dry your clothes that won't bother your co-workers. You also need a home hamper out of smell distance. Plus, you'll be doing a lot more laundry than if you didn't ride.

11 Your hair will be a mess

Because you will be wearing a helmet, and your hair will look stupid when you take it off. If you don't wear a helmet, the blood in your hair will not make you look any better.

12 You can't haul enough stuff

If you have to carry much of anything a bike isn't going to work. Unless you buy one of those really heavy cargo bikes that weigh a ton (see Hills, above)  and then it will likely be a second (or third) bike as they aren't really practical as an "only bike." A trip to Costco? No way. Large picture frame? Christmas shopping? Home improvement? Nope. It would be possible to find people who do indeed take care of these things with their bikes, but they are the kind of people who have newspaper stories written about them; they are not regular folks with bikes. Now add in heat, rain, cold, snow and hills and see if you want to give it a shot.

13 Your bike will be stolen (if it hasn't been already)

Do you know anyone who owns a bike that hasn't had one stolen? Apparently it's such a low risk crime, and so common that no one cares except bike owners. Unless you never ever let go of it, and even sleep with it, it will eventually be "repurposed" by some low life. From what I can gather, there is no lock, or even combination of locks that will stop bike thieves.  In Oakland they've been known to saw through the bike racks themselves. I lock my bike even at home, but I'm sure someday my heart will be broken.

Thirteen reasons, all of them good ones. It's best to stop before you start, but even if you've already started, it's not too late to stop. Get help. Just say "No."

I myself have no plans to stop, even knowing what I know I will will carry on. But it's not to late for you and your loved ones. Pass this on. Write a letter to the editor of Bicycling magazine, or your local newspaper. Tweet. Link back. I'll check in soon. I'm going for a ride now.

Morro Bay bike fun

Every year I go to the Journalism Association of Community Colleges faculty conference in Morro Bay. I'm lucky that Tricia can come with me, and even more lucky when the weather let us sneak out for a short ride. Holy smokes this place is gorgeous. I wish we could stay in the area a week, ride bikes and taste wine at any of the many nearby wineries.

Mt Diablo New Years summit and 2012 mileage report

January 1, 2013. Amazing. Last year was  a year of ups and (pardon the term) downs, but we started this year on a high, if cold, note with a ride up Mt. Diablo to the summit.

It was a pretty big deal, and not just because of the climbing in the cold. I haven't mentioned this here before, because it's really Dan's story and not mine. But now that he's back on the mountain, I feel like I can share the parts that affected me.

Dan and I had ridden five double centuries (and a lot of other rides) together in 2010. He shepherded me through the Devil Mountain Double this year. We have shared boatloads of miles, bad jokes and made-up songs. Tricia and I have gotten to know him, and his family over the past few years and count them amoung our favorite folks.

This summer when Tricia and I returned from Cuba, land of no cell reception, and landed in Miami, we had a voice mail from Dan's wife telling us he'd crashed coming down Mt. Diablo and was still in intensive care. When we got back and visited him it was easy to see he was in pretty bad shape. The details are his, but his crash also affected everyone who cares for him. I found I couldn't concentrate on riding after visiting him. I had to cut short my next day's ride with Tricia. My mind just kept leaving the moment, and I didn't feel like I belonged on the road.

Dan's had a long road to recovery, and he's still on it. Tricia and I were happy to share his first outing on his bike after his crash, and pleased to see him hammer past us with Steve on the Foxy Fall Century. But today was a big deal: His return to Mt. Diablo.

Dan met Steve, Tricia and myself — all decked out in Diablo jerseys — at the base of the mountain, and with a wave from Julie we took off for an easy ride up the chilly mountain. It was an uneventful ride, just the way we like 'em. We did stop briefly at "the corner," and we got cold enough to have a frozen finger tale to tell, but otherwise it was a happy occasion, celebrating Mt. Diablo, the new year and a another step toward recovery.


Year end report on 2012 mileage
                      start    end     total
Road                  7659     12860   5001
Comuter/Mtn          12560     13560*  1000*
S/S-fixed             1209     1263      53
Outlaw commuter          0     1953    1953
Grand Total                            8006

Why the asterisk? Because that's how we do stats here. It seems my mountain/commuter bike I spent the first half of the year on had it's battery die in the garage, making actual factual miles impossible to report. So I estimated, and tried to be conservative. I gave myself less than half of last years commuter total, and also much much less than half of my commute miles on my new commuter. If you have any complaints you can take it up with the UCI, BikeSnobNY, the BikeForums.net commute forum and Cateye, whose computer let me down.