Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Crippled ride from Vallejo to Steady Eddy's



I had the strangest ride today.  It all started the night before.  I wanted to do an epic ride from Vallejo through Fairfield to Winters, then Winters to Sac then back to Winters.  I ate good and got good nights rest.  So this morning I felt good waking up, but once I stood up I felt a slight twinge in my right upper thigh.  I didn't think anything of it because some mornings that happens.  So I suited up, packed up snacks, and rode off...

Getting out of Vallejo is pretty much hilly going up Redwood and then up Hunter Hill.  You pretty much don't get a good 15 minute spin warmup because of all the hills.  In my mind, I just want to jet up the hill and get it over with.  So I was feeling good until I got to the end of McGary Road.  I felt that twinge come back.  I contemplated going back home but I just wanted to go through with my ride.

I made it to Safeway in North Fairfield for my basic water -up and snack.  After Safeway, you have to jet up Hillborn road.  When I got to the top and flew down the hill, I really felt some slight pain/cramp in my right quad.  I just had to spin it through and rest before I got to Lyon Road.  I took a 20 minute break to stretch it out.  After I felt ok and just told myself I just have to take it easy and get through to Winters.

On my way Winters on Pleasant Valley Rd, I get a big pinch in my right leg above my knee.  The pain just went from my thigh to and into my knee.  It felt like the ligament/tendon that attaches to my muscle to my knee was really stressed.  I rested up and at some point, just did left single leg spin workout.

But I finally made it to Winters.  I had the courage to keep going north a bit to get more miles in, but the pain kept coming back.  I came right back to rest the bum right leg.


Cool day in Winters

The famous bathroom at the park.  Where all cyclists stop to take a leak.


Time to get some FOOOD!!

Enjoy my BBQ Chicken Panini at Steady Eddy's in Winters.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Christmas Day ride in Monterey Peninsula


Merry Christmas everyone!

I had to get a little ride out before we opened presents!  I rode out of Carmel and into Pebble Beach through the South gate.  There was a lot of people running but not that many people on the bike.

I made it up the hill to the Spyglass golf course.

This is where all the scuba divers take off.

Portola Plaza

I am in the Christmas spirit with my red and green jersey.

Overall mileage

Friday, December 23, 2011

Winters - Davis- Sac Causeway ride



I believe it was around 35 degrees this morning in Winters when I started.  I put on my Nike tights under my bib and my long sleeve jersey with a thin windbreaker jacket.  It was just cold going to Davis.  I couldn't feel my toes or fingers.  Now I know why people do have foot covers over their cycling shoes.

Started off at the Bridge in Winters.

Made it to the Causeway.  Theres no lake yet!  Still waiting for the big winter storm to bring in the water.

Gotta head back to Davis...

The overall mileage.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Obtained the Keo Classic pedals

I picked a set of the Keo Classic pedals.  They are used but still in great shape.  



Each pedal is 137g.

Both weigh in at 274g.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Unboxing the Exustar PR100P Keo type pedals

I am finally making the switch to Keo style pedals.  This is the first set of pedals I received from my online bike shopping spree.  These Exustar PR100P pedals came nicely in a black box.

EPS-R = Exustar Pedaling System
Open them up and this is what you find.
One pedal is 127g.
Both pedals - 254g.

I have yet to install them on one of my bikes.  I am pretty excited to start using Keo type pedals.  All the other roadies look at me funny when they see small SPD clip ins on my bike.  I am guessing the only difference is that I will be able to clip in and out faster.  I look forward to that with all the stop and go at stop lights around town.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Time for a new chainring

I have been searching for a new FSA 50t chainring for a while now.  The only place where I think I could get it cheap was eBay.  So one day while I was browsing, I found a new chainring for sale for $30.  I hurried and jumped on the deal.  Less than a week later, it came.  The install was easy.  I even got to find the creaking noise on my BB.  My BB was just not on tight.

Old and new chainring:


There were 2 chipped teeth on my original one.

New look:

The new FSA chainring had the Cannondale logo on it.  I think I will just rub that off later.  The only difference was weight.  The new chainring was 125g as compared to the original 98g.  I picked up an extra 20g+.  O well, I just really need to lose more weight:)

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Out to Benicia!


I can't believe the weather is holding up in December. It was very calm with 0mph winds:)  It was a typical ride through Vallejo.  Nobody ever likes to give you extra room when you are riding on the side of the road...grrr!!


View from the west parking lot at Benicia State Park.


But...but...we love Benicia State Park!!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Winters-Davis-Sac and back



51 Miles in 2:52

I came with my girlfriend to work in Winters in the morning.  I slept in the car for a little bit because it was too cold to ride at 8AM.  I finally started my ride around 10AM.  There were a some cyclists riding towards Winters while I was riding to Davis.  Putah Creek Road is such a isolate road.  I think it is one of my least favorite road to ride by yourself with no music.

I just like how bike friendly it is in this area.  Theres always bike paths and a lot of space on the side of the road.


Just got to Sac!


Overall mileage!

Sea Otter Classic Gran Fondo - April 21, 2012


Sea Otter Classic Gran Fondo
April 21, 2012


The 2012 Sea Otter Classic will offer three Gran Fondo routes—two road route options and one mountain bike route:
Carmel Valley Route - 96 miles
Coastal Route - 49.3 miles
Mountain Bike Route - 20.2 miles

WEBSITE AND REGISTRATION

Diablo Century - April 15, 2012


Diablo Century
April 15, 2012

Mark your calendars for the 4th Annual Diablo Century. Join 750 cycling friends for an unforgettable century! The Diablo Century offers beautiful scenery and a memorable, healthy day for everyone! Choose from our Century, Metric, and 25-mile routes.

Route Description
Century (100-Mile) Route
Our Century route follows the Metric route (see below for description) but finishes with a jaunt to Castro Valley, followed by a climb up Redwood Road to Moraga and then back to the JCC. The elevation gain is 6,550 feet.

Metric (100-K) Route (62 miles)
The Metric route takes you out to the spectacular backside of Mt. Diablo via Clayton and the Morgan Territory, gaining over 3,000 feet as you ride. Spectacular views await you as you climb to one of the peaks of the hills of the Tri-Valley. Descend into Livermore and return via Danville and scenic Blackhawk.

25-Mile Route
The 25-mile route takes you through the scenic hills of Danville and Alamo to the foot of Mt. Diablo and back. The elevation gain is 499 feet. This is the perfect ride for the casual recreational cyclist.

New ride... the orange Galaxy



Finally got to ride the converted steel bike.  New wheelset, 40/15 gearing, and new chain.  Now I need some bar tape.  Tennis grip will do for now...


Just got to American Canyon to check out the ride.  The Garmin is perfect for this bike.  I know my cadence is around 90rpm when I am going 18mph.


I got home fast...brakes broke:(  For a good 2 miles, I was riding brakeless...on a single speed.  scary!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Vallejo-AmCan-Crockett climbing


Decided to get some climbing in to wake up the legs.  I did my usual warm up to America Canyon and through Vallejo Waterfront.  It was such a nice day.  It was glad I didn't wear leggings.  Sometimes it sunny but the air is very cold.  I went on over the Al Zampa Bridge and up on San Pablo Rd.

The view of the Al Zampa Bridge from the Crockett lookout.  It is just north of the Dead Fish Restaurant.

The view of Vallejo...a wonderful day in December!


Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Vallejo-Benicia on the TCR


I have to take out my TCR to show it some love once in a while.  I know my rides are always good when I go to Benicia.

Break time!

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Vallejo-Benicia-Fairfield Mall


Time for some Christmas shopping.  I met my girlfriend at the mall after this grueling ride!  This was seriously a windy ride.  It was all headwind going from Benicia to Fairfield.  My legs were just shot after the ride.



Thursday, December 1, 2011

Livestrong Davis - June 24, 2012


Join us and fight cancer in one of the most bicycle-friendly communities in the U.S. Your participation in the 2012 Team LIVESTRONGChallenge Series raises valuable funds and awareness for LIVESTRONG as we improve the lives of those affected by cancer.

June 24, 2012

REGISTER!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Last ride of November


Another quick ride to enjoy the sun!  My legs were feeling good.  Thank god the Vallejo drivers were good to me.  Nothing crazy happened:)

Out at Vallejo's Waterfront.  Oh Mare Island, why don't you become a movie set!

Benicia Pier...once again.  This is a great place to just breathe the fresh air.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Post Turkey Day Ride


Thanksgiving sure got to me this year.  I was off my bike for 2 weeks in November because of vacation and letting the legs rest.  I really wanted to make this a big ride, but going through the hills in Pebble Beach got to me.  I was riding up an over one hill and I just felt like passing out.  Ok... I could have been pushing too hard, but I always push hard up that same hill.  I think I just needed a warmup ride before I do something big.

So I just ended up riding to Pacific Grove and back.  I stopped along the way to take some pics.  I can't believe the weather is holding up into December.  There were many cyclists riding the opposite direction I was riding.

Da rock in PG.

A little hazy but the sun brought the warmth.

Looking onto Asilomar Beach-where all the shark attacks happen.

View of Pt. Lobos from Carmel

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Hour ride


Time to get the legs warm!  I like riding this route because of the open bike lanes.  I just feel good today...

The Al Zampa Bridge

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Monterey Metric Century



It was a good day to ride because of the great sun showering the Monterey Peninsula.  I packed my snacks: banana, 5 gel packs, gatorade in the bottles, and cliff bars.  Going through Pebble Beach is always nice.  The only thing I hate is no shoulders and the inconsiderate drivers that don't give you room.  Well I think most of those people are tourists.  The bike path from Monterey to Marina was bare today with no cyclists or crazy animals:)

The whole ride was a success.  I only ate when I was on the bike.  I wished I could have stopped for a meal but gel packs sufficed.

My body started to talk to me on my way back from Big Sur.  I got a hamstring cramp just before going back uphill into Carmel.


Riding past the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

View from Sand City hill!


Castroville...Artichoke capital!

Riding past Carmel Basilica.



On the way to Big Sur...

Nice view from Pt. Lobos State Park!