Vallejo to Rutherford Metric Century

Time for a big ride on a nice Sunday morning.  I rode solo and headed out to Napa.  I wasn't really sure where I wanted to go.  Whenever I go to Napa, I just wing my rides and decide last minute.  At first, I was just thinking I would ride to Yountville.  I felt good riding through Silverado Trail on the way to Yountville so I extended my route to Rutherford.  I hopped on to HWY 29 going north to Rutherford.  It was my first time riding this route.  The roads were smooth until I got to Rutherford.  I headed north a bit toward St. Helena but couldn't take the harsh roads so I made my way back towards Napa.  I crossed on over to Silverado Trail and went on my usual route back to Napa.  By the time I got to the Napa airport, I felt pretty pooped.  This was my first long ride in a while.  I really need to spend more time in the Napa Valley instead of the East Bay.  The only thing I don't like as much is the flat terrain.  I will soon conquer the hills of Napa!

Out in front of Town Hall

Single speed to the library and farmers market

My girlfriend and I got in a short ride to Vallejo's Farmers Market.  We enjoyed the sun and the views.

@ Hwy 37 Bridge

Our bikes at the Farmers Market

Let's Ride Group ride!

I finally got some of the Let's Ride group members to go out on a hilly 30 mile ride.  There was 5 of us that grouped up at the Starbucks at the base of Rose Dr. in Benicia.  I headed out 30 minutes before the ride because I left out of my house and met the rest of the group there.  We headed on over to Martinez and took the scenic route that looks over the Carquinez Strait.  We all finished just a bit over two hours.  There were a lot of stops to let people catch up.  It was a good ride for those who haven't been on the saddle for a while.

The same ol' loop with some rain

I headed out on this Friday morning with good weather and some clouds.  It rained the day before so I knew some roads would still be saturated with water.  Everything was good until I hit Rodriguez High School in Cordelia.  There were dark clouds moving in and once I got to the top of McGary, my bike was soaked with rain coming down.  It was my first time actually riding in the rain.  I hurried back home but had to take it easy on the turns.

Benicia ride

Headed out after 2 weeks off the bike.  I just have been really busy with my job teaching tennis.  This is one of my favorite hour ride because there is a good amount of hills and lots of flat road to just spin the legs.

2012 Tour Down Under Highlights

Too bad they don't show international cycling on US television:(  Here are the highlights of the Tour Down Under thanks to YouTube.

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3


Stage 4
YOUTUBE

Stage 5


Stage 6

The freezing ride from Vallejo to Winters

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

I woke up this morning needing some time on the bike after yesterday's quick trip to Carmel for my Nana's birthday.  I had a lot of home cooking and packed on more calories before this ride.  I checked the weather updates and was weary of riding to Winters since it said 42ºF.  I knew it would warm up sometime during the afternoon.  One thing I like about winter riding is that I have to ride during the day so  that means I get to sleep in a bit before the ride.  If I go out to early, I would just freeze.

So I suited up and did 10 minutes on the trainer prior to setting out.  I changed my usual route to Hunter Hill by taking Redwood all the way up to Columbus.  I think it is just better because I get another hill in my ride.  Hunter Hill always kicks my butt and I my goal this year is to gain a 10mph+ average up the hill.  As I came up on over the hill, I felt the breeze and it was CHILLY!  I went out with my cycling shorts with leg tights and Under Armor under the jersey.  I really wish I brought my jacket...  but no turning back!

It was nice and sunny throughout the ride but the wind chill numbed my toes and fingers.  I did not stop at the Safeway in Fairfield this time.  I just kept on going with no stops to Winters.  Throughout the ride, I was really contemplating on heading to Davis after Winters.  I just wanted to ride more and add more base miles.  I completely changed my mind once I got off Pleasant Valley Road and onto Putah Creek.  The wind became colder and I could just feel my sweat on my back give me the chills. It was not very fun to have cold headwind anyway.  I ended my ride at Steady Eddys with a good cup of coffee.  I seriously need foot covers for the winter rides.

I finished the ride in 2 hours and 19 minutes: my second best.

Overall mileage 

Vallejo-Benicia-Martinez-Crockett HILLS

I just need to do more climbing this year.  Most of my past rides are mostly flat land with less than 1,000 feet of climbing.  I mapped out this route the night before to make sure I climb more than 2,000 feet.  Before the ride, I warmed up my legs on the trainer for 10 minutes.  It was an easy spin and I kept my heart rate under 125bpm.  I think this surely helps when you know you have some hills at the beginning of the ride.

Riding through Vallejo is always a challenge.  You really have to watch out for cars when they are about to make a turn from the street ahead of you.  Usually I catch people not looking my direction so I have to slow down until they see me.  On top of that, drivers around here are not bike friendly and most do not give you space when they pass you.  Seriously, I do not want to get hit by your side rear view mirror.

Conditions were pretty nice.  I can't complain of the nice sun and temperature we have.  It was a bit windy at the peaks.  It was my first ride up Rose Dr. with my Garmin so I can actually see my stats.  I rode Rose Dr. before with my Trek and I had to stop once or twice to catch my breath.  This time I just plowed through with no stopping.  The wind really got to me at the top but I finished within the top 10 on Strava.

The ride through Benicia to Martinez and off to Crockett was good.  When you pass through the shade,  it felt really cold but when you get back into the sunshine, you could feel the heat on the skin.  Passing through the Vallejo waterfront, you could tell that the construction of roads and the parking garage near the ferry is near completion.  I am happy that they put an nice wide bike lane in that area.

I really liked the challenge of the ride.  I felt that once I did that big Rose Dr. hill, I could blast up any other hill in my path.  I think I would do this ride once, maybe twice a month.  I need to beat my time up Rose Dr!!

My recovery food. Muscle Milk Whey Protein, Cytocarb, Amino Energy, and 2 hard boiled eggs.  That's just over 500 calories.