Vallejo-Benicia-Cordelia Loop Group Ride

I got another Sunday group ride with my buddies.  We kept it slow and had a great time.

Break time!

Top of the Hill....Hunter Hill.

And we have Alvin.

Vallejo, USA

Vallejo-Benicia-Martinez Ride

Vallejo-Benicia-Martinez-Crockett Loop!

4 cities - 2 bridges

I did not think this trip would be equivalent to the Vallejo-Benicia-Fairfield Loop.  But this ride turned out to be a good challenging ride!  Riding to Martinez was pretty flat.  I got to Martinez and started to go on the Carquinez Scenic Road.  The road is windy and pretty deserted with no cars.  I passed a gate that closes after 5PM.  The roads then seemed unused with a lot of cracks weeds growing on the side.  I approached a 15 feet area where I had to ride on wet dirt next to a cliff.  The roads were wet due to the past rain and shaded area.  The roads then became hilly which gave me a good challenge to keep a steady cadence.  I really liked the terrain because there was some fast downhills then steep uphill climbs. It gave me something different to constant flat then uphill climbs.  Crockett to Vallejo was bearable.  My legs still wanted to go further.

I can't wait to ride this trip on a day where the road is dry.  Now I have a muddy road bike:(

Vallejo-Benicia-Fairfield/Cordelia Loop!

I thought this trip was going to be longer.  I rode my bike at 3PM knowing I have to get home before 5:30PM or else it is gonna be dark.  Riding to Benicia was easy due to all the down hill terrain on Colombus.  Going to Fairfield from Benicia was actually a struggle because of the headwinds.  I wish I had someone riding with me so we could draft each other throughout the way. Cordelia to Vallejo was pretty gruesome due to the hills on McGary road.  Blasting from the top of the lookout to Vallejo was fun.  I was on my brakes because that hill is just steep.  I rode through Ascot and down on Redwood to avoid all the cars on Adml. Callaghan.  I enjoyed the trip and hope to add more miles to this trip by going to Fairfield.

Vallejo-Benicia Ride

19 Miles

I tried riding hard within the whole hour.  I achieved a 17mph average which is my personal best for now.

Benicia-Green Valley-Vallejo Ride

This was my first loop starting out of Benicia.  It seemed easier from the start because of the flat terrain between Benicia to Cordelia.  It gives you some time to warm up.  The trek from Green Valley to Vallejo was just what I needed with some hill climbs.  Going through Columbus Parkway in Vallejo is pretty nice because there is bike lanes all the way to Benicia.  You have a good downhill by Blue Rock Springs and you just have to keep the momentum going towards Lake Herman Rd.

I would recommend this ride for you intermediate to advanced rider.

Carmel to Point Lobos State Park

This ride is one of the most scenic rides ever.  I took a ride by Carmel Beach and onto Highway 1.  You pass the Carmel Basilica coming out of Carmel and onto Hwy 1.  Point Lobos is not that far from Carmel.  You have 2 hill sections before you get to the state park.  The ride through the state park is very woodsy.  You run into deer and many squirrels.  I enjoyed the ride and should continue further on Hwy1 on future rides.

This was my first ride on my "new" Giant TCR.  It rides beautifully.  Its pretty stiff and feels very solid.   I received it stock, and I changed the wheelset, seatpost, seat, and stem to fit my reach.  I can't wait to put more miles on this ride.

Start at the Casa de Gomez

Made it to Pt. Lobos.

Closer pic of the new ride...

I am gonna miss this place.

My New Ride!!

2002 Giant TCR One

I picked up this bike as my new ride for 2011.  I am constantly trying out new "used" bikes to find the one I am content with.  This seems to me like it is a keeper.  It has full Ultegra components.  I swapped out the wheelset for the Fuzion(Williams) F1s.  I wish they still sold the wheelset because they were a deal at $175 and weighing in at around 1700g.

Time put some miles on this baby!!!!!!