Christmas Eve Double Climb

Odessa and I departed at sunrise for a full day of climbing. It was a warm winter day and we ascended Chalk Hill with ease, barely noticing the second hill. As we turned onto Alexander Valley Road, we passed Kimberly Fant (a local professional road cyclist). We kept up a fast pace as we climbed Pine Flat. The scenery was beautiful and green from the recent rains. We arrived at the flats (enchanted forest) in record time and took a well deserved break to stretch, hydrate, and Gu. We raced down the mountain towards Jimtown for an early lunch. After eating sandwiches and a bag of spiced nuts, we refilled our water bottles and headed back to Pine Flat. It was deja vu (all over again) as we climbed that monster a second time. We were so high on endorphins when we arrived back at the enchanted forest. With the sun out in full force, our final descent was scenic and warm. We rode back towards Santa Rosa via Chalk Hill, climbing the opposite direction effortlessly. It was a magnificent day to cycle in Sonoma County (no flat tires and no rain). Our ride covered 76 miles and 5,100 feet of climbing. Wahoo!

Today's Climbing Elevations
http://www.srcc.com/profiles_html/chalk_hill_rd.HTM
http://www.srcc.com/profiles_html/pine_flat_rd.HTM

Singing In The Rain

Sporting a full set of leg warmers, layered cycling clothes, and full fingered gloves, Leslie and I embarked on a winter morning cycling trek through the wine country. The online weather report forecast a cool and foggy morning. So, we felt confident (and well-insulated) as we battled the early morning headwinds up Faught Road. We climbed Chalk Hill with a strong, improved cadence through the heavy fog. As we descended, the haze turned to a light sprinkle and we continued on to Alexander Valley Road. On our way to the Jimtown Store, the blue sky turned grey and it began to rain. With our cycling gear now wet, we stopped at Jimtown for warm shelter and a quick snack. Determined to complete this ride, we continued towards Healdsburg as the weather turned to full force showers. The back tire of my bike delivered a constant spray of rainwater to Leslie as we cycled down Healdsburg Avenue. We were now SOAKED and both our jerseys were full of road sand, mud and dirt. It was so hysterical and we were so drenched that we began singing songs out-loud about rain ("raindrops keep falling on my head", "singing in the rain", "fire & rain", "it's raining men", "rain, rain, go away", etc). By the time we reached Santa Rosa, there was a full downpour and we had traveled over 40 miles. Wahoo!

The Tomales Bakery

What a great day for a ride! Leslie, Marc, Odessa, and I met early in Cotati for a trek out to Tomales (in Marin County). This route included many low grade climbs continuing on for miles (Roblar, Pepper, Fallon-Two Rock). The colorful fall landscape was filled with newborn calves, lambs, and foal. The sun came out as we approached our destination of Tomales (population 210). The town's bakery is world-famous and we stopped for INCREDIBLE sweet rolls, sticky buns, and cookies. After making a wrong turn, we headed back to Sonoma County for a total ride of 41 miles. Wahoo!

Then, Odessa and I then took a second ride for some hill climbing practice/training up Pine Flat Road in Healdsburg. We scaled the first 9 miles uphill in less than one hour (without stopping once). 2,100 feet. Yippie!

Frozen Through Marin

It was a chilly 33 degrees as we started on today's cycling venture to Sebastopol, Occidental, Valley Ford, and Marin County. After running over some glass on the Joe Rodota Trail, we quickly changed my flat tire courtesy of our new friend, the CO2 cartridge "pump". The three of us were freezing cold even with our underarmour, heavy gloves, and hot determination. Before the Graton Road climb, we stopped at the cemetery for some "relief", stretching, Gu, and water. This was Peder's first ascent up Graton and he did a killer job, particularly since his bike only has a double crank-set (Leslie and I were comfortably in our triple "granny gear" the whole time). The sun began to shine as we approached Occidental, only to find that Leslie now had a flat tire. After a quick tube replacement (thanks again CO2 pump), we were off to the Freestone Bakery for some sticky buns. These monster pastries must have weighed 3 pounds each and there was no way we could finish 'em. We crossed the Marin County line admiring the beautiful landscapes, rolling hills, and an abundance of sheep (with their little lambs). On Franklin School Road, Peder's bike had mechanical failure (the idler pulley/rear derailleur snapped off) and had to call home for SAG support. While waiting for Peder's ride, we observed several vultures devouring a baby lamb (as the mother sheep watched, how sad). Leslie and I continued the ride proceeding to climb the Whittaker Bluff and Highway 1 (Shoreline) hills. We made our way towards Sebastopol on the infamous Bloomfield Road (where Leslie crashed a few months earlier). We stopped at "the scene" to examine the road and thank the folks who helped her out that day. After a round of hugs, we continued on the laborious route and non-stop grades of Bloomfield Road and Pleasant Hill ending in Sebastopol. Before jumping on the Joe Rodota trail back home, we enjoyed croissants and biscotti at Coffee Katz. It was a crisp and beautiful day! We cycled over 62 miles (a metric Century). Wahoo!