Barely.
I had my baptism into what Dan calls “Climb Brutal“, one of the shorter routes to get from the El Cerrito to Tilden Park.
Climb Brutal kicks off with a pleasantly winding route through the Sunset View Cemetery, which I didn’t even know existed.
Once you pass the eastern gate of the cemetery, you’re on to Sunset Drive, a fairly mild incline at 11.2%, which will take you to Arlington.
http://app.strava.com/rides/370283#5914280
On Arlington, you have make a u-turn to get to the heart of Climb Brutal, Wellesley Drive, which kicks up to a gut-wrenching 17% grade for .2 miles, which doesn’t seem that long, but go climb it and it will seem like forever. I couldn’t make it and had to stop half-way.
After Wellesley, there’s a short chance to recover on Cambridge, but when you start climbing again after a left on Beloit and even though the grade is shy of 9%, I didn’t have anything left in the tank and I crawled up to Grizzly Peak.
Somehow I managed to recover from Climb Brutal and work my way around the Three Bears and then back home.
It was a shortish ride, but I felt I’d been through the ringer when it was over.
Thanks, Dan!
Miles: 49.1 mi
Ride Time: 3:49:29
MPH: 12.8 mph
Max Speed: 35.9 mph
Elevation Gain: 4,389 ft
Flats: 0
Miles: 58.3 mi
Ride Time: 4:19:42
MPH: 13.5 mph
Max Speed: 41.2 mph
Elevation Gain: 3,507 ft
Flats: 0
Miles: 63.7 mi
Ride Time: 5:08:51
MPH: 12.4 mph
Max Speed: 42.1 mph
Elevation Gain: 5,563 ft
Flats: 0
The regular Saturday ride was rained out, but several people thought we should re-schedule the ride for today. I wanted to get some miles in and it looked it was going to be the only dry day of the weekend, so I went out to the lake. I knew it was going to be cold, but I didn’t really realize how cold. I was completely underdressed. I was wearing shorts, only two layers on top and, for some inexplicable reason, I left my full finger gloves in the car. Maybe it was sunny when I got ready to mount the bike and head for the start.
At the lake were about 8 people, mostly Humane riders, all bundled up against the cold and giving me a hard time for being so poorly prepared. I was fine when the sun was out, but when it drifted behind the clouds, I was shivering.
We went up Wildwood and Leimert. The strain of the climb kept me nice and toasty, But Butters Canyon was a different story. It was cold, dark and wet in there. By the time I arrived at Skyline, I was ready to head home. So I bailed on my fellow riders and headed down Joaquin Miller and Trestle Glen to return to the lake.
I was bummed that I only got about 12 miles in, but I quickly forgot about that when I got into a nice, warm shower. Next time, I’m going to bundle up and be prepared.
Since this route makes a counter-clockwise circuit around the north part of the East Bay, I decided I’d ride to the lake and then bail out back to Richmond around San Pablo Dam Rd./Key Route. It was a beautiful morning, slight chill in the air, lots of birds around.
Tons of people already walking their dogs at Point Isabel at 8:30. I crossed over the Berkeley I-80 Bridge and then I made a fateful decision.
Instead of continuing straight on surface streets or winding through Aquatic Park, I decided to check out the road between the park and the freeway. I had never done it before. I was making good time this morning, so what the hell?
I didn’t get 100 yards down the gravel strewn path when I flatted. It was my flat in ages. I know I had a few last year, but this was first with the black and white Vittoria tires, so I know it’s been a long, long time.
This ride started off a little strange. I was late. Sort of. I parked near the lake and left my car at around 9:24. I rode like a maniac around the lake and down the Embarcadero trying to catch up, but I wasn’t catching up to anyone. I should have caught up to the Light and Humane riders already. I realized that the group must have been coming around on Bellevue as I past the Children’s Fairyland parking lot. Thinking I was late, I skipped Bellevue and just went straight on Grand, missing the pack entirely. Just about the time I realized my mistake and stopped under that little pedestrian bridge just before after the fish packers, up ride the Advanced group.
I continued with them over to Alameda and about halfway down Doolittle, but the pace was too much for me. I would suffer later for the effort of trying to keep up at 22-25 mph on the flats. Big mistake.
After the typical break at the gas station in San Leandro, I climbed Fairmont easier and quicker than I had on Lake Chabot two weeks earlier, which is to be expected. There was no wind on the descent and it was really quick. I topped 43 mph on the way to Castro Valley.
Miles: 40.93 mi
Ride Time: 2:55:09
MPH: 14.2 mph
Max Speed: 38.7 mph
Elevation Gain: 2,943 ft
Flats: 0
More photos on Flickr.
More detailed ride stats here:
Here’s the route map:
Miles: 45.92 mi
Ride Time: 03:12:11
MPH: 14.5 mph
Max Speed: 34.7 mph
Elevation Gain: 1,523 ft
Flats: 0
More photos on Flickr.
More detailed ride stats here:
Here’s the route map:
Got out this morning for a short 20 minute ride. Managed to get in four little wind sprints. A little painful on the lungs with the cool AM air, but it felt really good to get out on the bike. I’m going to have to start getting up a little earlier so I can make it all the way to Point Richmond and find some hills to climb. If I could get in 2-3 hour long rides during the week, I think my fitness would increase in leaps and bounds.
I did have to carry my garage door opener with me which was a little strange. I bought a wireless keypad. I just haven’t installed it yet. It’s one of my projects for the weekend.