Here are. Few shots of the ride
Priscilla all jazzed up
Silver lake
- Posted by The Electric Cowboy using BlogPress from his iPad
A bike ride around Northern California in August 2013
Friday, August 9, 2013
Day 6 Jackson to Lake Tahoe
Just a short update today as arrived in at 7 pm after spending all day riding largely up hill to Tahoe.
Here are. Few shots of the ride
Priscilla all jazzed up
Silver lake
- Posted by The Electric Cowboy using BlogPress from his iPad
Here are. Few shots of the ride
Priscilla all jazzed up
Silver lake
- Posted by The Electric Cowboy using BlogPress from his iPad
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Day 5 Lodi to Jackson
Today was a pleasant morning ride of 60km to Jackson in preparation for the long day ahead to Lake Tahoe.
We rode through grape country for the first half our which then gave way to cattle country as the wide open spaces of dry grass took over.
Here is M2 receiving his yellow jersey before the start which will be very hard to defend given that he will be driving all day.
Out on the road to Jackson before joining hwy 88. Grapes on the left and cattle on our right.
Black Cav won the major sprint of the day followed by Goose.
The climb into Jackson was won by the Grand Duke then Black Cav followed by the Electric Cowboy ( who miraculously achieved a top 10 Strava KOM on that hill.)
Photo at site of stage robbery in 1852 up top the hill.
We recovered in the hot tub and pool before heading into the old town for some western culture. Dinner at Mel and Faye's Diner before heading back to the Indian reservation for bed. Did I mention we were staying at an Indian run casino tonight!
General classification
Yellow M2 240pts
B Cav 180
Goose 170
Electric Cowboy 165
Rocket 145
Grand Duke 140
Tomorrow it's 140 km up hill over a 9000 foot pass to Lake Tahoe and a well earned rest day
- Posted by The Electric Cowboy using BlogPress from his iPad
We rode through grape country for the first half our which then gave way to cattle country as the wide open spaces of dry grass took over.
Here is M2 receiving his yellow jersey before the start which will be very hard to defend given that he will be driving all day.
Out on the road to Jackson before joining hwy 88. Grapes on the left and cattle on our right.
Black Cav won the major sprint of the day followed by Goose.
The climb into Jackson was won by the Grand Duke then Black Cav followed by the Electric Cowboy ( who miraculously achieved a top 10 Strava KOM on that hill.)
Photo at site of stage robbery in 1852 up top the hill.
We recovered in the hot tub and pool before heading into the old town for some western culture. Dinner at Mel and Faye's Diner before heading back to the Indian reservation for bed. Did I mention we were staying at an Indian run casino tonight!
General classification
Yellow M2 240pts
B Cav 180
Goose 170
Electric Cowboy 165
Rocket 145
Grand Duke 140
Tomorrow it's 140 km up hill over a 9000 foot pass to Lake Tahoe and a well earned rest day
- Posted by The Electric Cowboy using BlogPress from his iPad
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Day 4 Walnut Creek to Lodi
The day finally dawned when the TDC got on the road. First up Rocket received his yellow jersey and we were then ready to go. Below is a picture of 'Cadel' the red koala and Goose performing the jersey ceremony.
Before we were set to go points were earned depending on your bike weight:
Goose. 60 pts. 9.2 kg
M2 50. 8.85
Electric cowboy
40. 8.15
Duke. 30. 7.8
Rocket 20. 7.63
B Cav. 10. 7.5
Then we were ready to go
Flats to Ferdy and M2 today.
There was a big climb out of Concord which was won by the Duke. Allegedly the Goose reached his fastest speed on the downhill, while Black Cav reported in at 89 kph on the long steep descent.
Next up the big bridge over the Sacramento River was won by the Black Cav followed by M2 who then flatted on the downhill. An interesting ride with a strong cross wind from the right.
Lunch was at the quiet little town of Isleton in the delta of the Sacramento River below sea level as the levee bank was above us.
We then took a circuitous route to Lodi via many Stop signs finally arriving about 4.30.
We have also decided to name our bus Priscilla.
Current standings are
M2 back In Yellow 225
Electric cowboy 170
Goose 140
Rocket 130
Black Cav 115
Grand duke 115 on count back
- Posted by The Electric Cowboy using BlogPress from his iPad
Before we were set to go points were earned depending on your bike weight:
Goose. 60 pts. 9.2 kg
M2 50. 8.85
Electric cowboy
40. 8.15
Duke. 30. 7.8
Rocket 20. 7.63
B Cav. 10. 7.5
Then we were ready to go
Flats to Ferdy and M2 today.
There was a big climb out of Concord which was won by the Duke. Allegedly the Goose reached his fastest speed on the downhill, while Black Cav reported in at 89 kph on the long steep descent.
Next up the big bridge over the Sacramento River was won by the Black Cav followed by M2 who then flatted on the downhill. An interesting ride with a strong cross wind from the right.
Lunch was at the quiet little town of Isleton in the delta of the Sacramento River below sea level as the levee bank was above us.
We then took a circuitous route to Lodi via many Stop signs finally arriving about 4.30.
We have also decided to name our bus Priscilla.
Current standings are
M2 back In Yellow 225
Electric cowboy 170
Goose 140
Rocket 130
Black Cav 115
Grand duke 115 on count back
- Posted by The Electric Cowboy using BlogPress from his iPad
Location:E Kettleman Ln,Lodi,United States
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Day 2 Old La Honda individual time trial
Today dawned cold and cloudy but that didn't stop Perry from sampling the local breakfast menu first thing then setting out on his catch up ride to the summit of Mt Diablo. He returned 3 hours later with his proof of summit photo of 'Cadel the red Koala' atop the summit. Meanwhile Ferdy and I ended up having three breakfasts as the others in the TDC slowly made it to the breakfast bar. This turned out to be a blessing later as we didn't quite mange to fit in a lunch break due to freeway chaos.
Also Goose needed to wait for his bike to be fixed after he broke his hanger after only 8 km into the ride up Diablo. Luckily Nev had 'loaned' the Domane boys his spare hanger but the bike needed more work. As Goose had to wait for the fix later that day and had no bike we all decided to finish the pre TDC admin with a trip to add the Pman to the driver list for the rental and to drop his bike case in the storage shed back near the airport. So why not time this with one of the areas iconic rides up La Honda in the Portola Valley?
Unfortunately an earlier truck fire on the freeway was still causing delays and we lost 2 hours crawling through San Francisco. Luckily we were on holiday and had nothing better to do! The duke tested the in car plumbing to the fullest extent while conversation wandered as much as the cars changing lanes hopeful of a quicker run.
Now for the TDC.
Ferdy won the Old La Honda climb followed by M2 and the Pman. Rocket then won the sprint to Alice's Restaurant where we had great nachos and coffee. Rocket continued his form winning the La Honda descent even while coming across a Deer standing fully across the road in the middle of the Redwood forest! The Electric Cowboy once again saved the best to last winning the sprint back to the van.
So now its Rocket in yellow due to his combined sprinting and descending ability and idyllic brush with nature!
Yellow jersey => Rocket. 90 points on count back
M2 90 points
Electric Cowboy 80 pts
Grand Duke 30 pts (facing more sanctions for continually being out of uniform)
Pman 30 pts
Goose 15 and new cadel red koala holder.
'Watch out for the grizzlies along the way'
Tomorrow favours the sprinters as we head north west to Lodi on basically river flat irrigation country.
Adios
- Posted by The Electric Cowboy using BlogPress from his iPad
Also Goose needed to wait for his bike to be fixed after he broke his hanger after only 8 km into the ride up Diablo. Luckily Nev had 'loaned' the Domane boys his spare hanger but the bike needed more work. As Goose had to wait for the fix later that day and had no bike we all decided to finish the pre TDC admin with a trip to add the Pman to the driver list for the rental and to drop his bike case in the storage shed back near the airport. So why not time this with one of the areas iconic rides up La Honda in the Portola Valley?
Unfortunately an earlier truck fire on the freeway was still causing delays and we lost 2 hours crawling through San Francisco. Luckily we were on holiday and had nothing better to do! The duke tested the in car plumbing to the fullest extent while conversation wandered as much as the cars changing lanes hopeful of a quicker run.
Now for the TDC.
Ferdy won the Old La Honda climb followed by M2 and the Pman. Rocket then won the sprint to Alice's Restaurant where we had great nachos and coffee. Rocket continued his form winning the La Honda descent even while coming across a Deer standing fully across the road in the middle of the Redwood forest! The Electric Cowboy once again saved the best to last winning the sprint back to the van.
So now its Rocket in yellow due to his combined sprinting and descending ability and idyllic brush with nature!
Yellow jersey => Rocket. 90 points on count back
M2 90 points
Electric Cowboy 80 pts
Grand Duke 30 pts (facing more sanctions for continually being out of uniform)
Pman 30 pts
Goose 15 and new cadel red koala holder.
'Watch out for the grizzlies along the way'
Tomorrow favours the sprinters as we head north west to Lodi on basically river flat irrigation country.
Adios
- Posted by The Electric Cowboy using BlogPress from his iPad
Monday, August 5, 2013
Yellow jersey presentation
Results are in for the Mt Diablo climb and today's winner and initial yellow jersey winner is M2. Even though the Grand Duke won the climb his loss of points from an incorrect team uniform punished him severely. No sympathy when he used the Essendon excuse 'I feel as though I am being persecuted and I was only cheating'.
The sprint finish on the descent was won by the Electric Cowboy (saving his energy for when it counts and to please the waiting crowds).
The TDC team awarded its first life membership to our host for today the Mayor of Walnut Creek- Steve.
So here is today's winner, our new life member and the new 'lantern rouge' the red koala which was awarded to Perry ( the black Cav) of the team for his late start.
- Posted by The Electric Cowboy using BlogPress from his iPad
The sprint finish on the descent was won by the Electric Cowboy (saving his energy for when it counts and to please the waiting crowds).
The TDC team awarded its first life membership to our host for today the Mayor of Walnut Creek- Steve.
So here is today's winner, our new life member and the new 'lantern rouge' the red koala which was awarded to Perry ( the black Cav) of the team for his late start.
- Posted by The Electric Cowboy using BlogPress from his iPad
Mt Diablo Prologue live
First we did the shopping, water and beer life's essentials
We started the Diablo climb from a chilly Walnut Creek while picking up another Steve as our local guide.
Then it was onward for the 20 km climb up 3,000 feet to the summit of Mt Diablo.
Finally at the top where the Grand Duke returned to his previous hill climbing form claiming the KOM from M2 and then the new Steve.
Just to prove we actually got there
And now for post ride recovery with our host the other Steve.
Yellow jersey presentation to occur after our BBQ lunch
- Posted by The Electric Cowboy using BlogPress from his iPad
We started the Diablo climb from a chilly Walnut Creek while picking up another Steve as our local guide.
Then it was onward for the 20 km climb up 3,000 feet to the summit of Mt Diablo.
Finally at the top where the Grand Duke returned to his previous hill climbing form claiming the KOM from M2 and then the new Steve.
Just to prove we actually got there
And now for post ride recovery with our host the other Steve.
Yellow jersey presentation to occur after our BBQ lunch
- Posted by The Electric Cowboy using BlogPress from his iPad
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Made it to San Francisco
We assembled at Auckland airport transit lounge from our various homes and then had a very nice 12 hour flight overnight to SFO.
We then picked up our little van, asked for two seats to be removed leaving a spacious cavity to carry our stuff.
Here we are re-assembling the bikes at our storage facility prior to heading for our San Francisco base at Walnut Creek. No problems with the bikes.
After mixing in with Friday afternoon peak traffic we made it to walnut creek, unpacked then went for the obligatory Mexican dinner and as usual we ordered way too much.
- Posted by The Electric Cowboy using BlogPress from his iPad
We then picked up our little van, asked for two seats to be removed leaving a spacious cavity to carry our stuff.
Here we are re-assembling the bikes at our storage facility prior to heading for our San Francisco base at Walnut Creek. No problems with the bikes.
After mixing in with Friday afternoon peak traffic we made it to walnut creek, unpacked then went for the obligatory Mexican dinner and as usual we ordered way too much.
- Posted by The Electric Cowboy using BlogPress from his iPad
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)