Memorial Day 2007

Memorial Day represents a solemn day of mourning, a sacred day of remembrance to honor those who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms.

New Wheels-Bontrager Race X Lite

Time for an upgrade. These were my original stock Bontrager Race wheels. After a few chain drops and sucks the rear spokes were pretty torn up, almost ready to snap.
Upgraded to the Bontrager Race X Lites. Stiffer (more responsive and efficient), more aerodynamic, lighter by 300 grams, more stable in cross winds, and faster. The web site says: "Flangeless Swiss made hubs give these wheels some serious sex appeal as well as strength."
Also got some new Continental 4000 tires.
Doesn't it look - -- --- ---- F A S T?

Cruisin' the Conejo 2007

Last year I did the 35 mile Conejo ride. It took me 2:30 hours. The highest climb was 763 feet. This year I did the century and it took me 7:30 hours, averaging 13 MPH, and 6,000 vertical feet of climbing. I saw three dead rabbits along the way.The 100 miles took me through Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Santa Monica Mountains, Sherwood, Oxnard, Camarillo, Santa Rosa, Moorpark, and Simi Valley.


This was the most climbing I've done in a ride so far-6,000 total vertical feet.
The climb into the Santa Monica mountains started out nice and easy but quickly got steeper and steeper.
Did you know? Peacocks make good sentries because their distinctive cries can act as a warning of approaching people. This one seems to be marching on guard duty.
Did you also know that female peafowls are called peahens?

This was a nice surprise -Lake Malibu, calm and serene
The Rock Store on Mulholland-a set up for Pee Wee Herman
Another hill to climb, another summit to reach.
Felt a little light headed and out of breath taking this picture. Nothing but downhill from here...and more climbing, and 60 more miles, and 4 flats, but I did it!

Riding Napa Valley

Spent a few days in Napa and got to explore the valley on bike. This was my longest ride while there-57 miles and over 2800 feet of climbing.



Mount Veeder is part of the Mayacamas Mountains, the mountain range that separates the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. It is a challenging climb (measured a section of 17% grade), 1300 feet over 8 miles. The downhill into Napa Valley makes it all worthwhile. Make sure you stop at the Oakville Grocery Store for coffee and cookies.

Enjoyed the great roads. . .



And scenic wineries. . .






Calistoga sparkling mineral water -from the natural geysers in the area. Hopefully not from the same springs that people relax in.
The Calistoga Bike Shop. It's a good thing I don't bike with my credit card.

The Ride Of Silence

On May 16, 2007, at 7:00 PM, The Ride of Silence™ began in over 300 cities in North America and rolled across the globe.

Cyclists took to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn't aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves. Every year over 700 cyclists are killed by crashes with automobiles in the United States alone.

In 2003, Chris Phelan organized the first Ride Of Silence in Dallas after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was hit by the mirror of a passing bus and was killed.

The 2003 Ride of Silence™ at White Rock Lake in Dallas drew 1,000 cyclists through word of mouth and email communication over a period of only ten days. There was no registration, no fees, no t-shirt. Local media reported the ride to be incredibly moving as these cyclists rode in silence, occasionally wiping away a tear or patting a friend on the back.

The Golden Gate Bridge Ride

Google Earth view of San Francisco Bay and my 18 mile ride over the Golden Gate Bridge from Fisherman's Wharf to Sausalito and back.
Sunrise over Fisherman's wharf.
There are many paths around the Presidio area of San Francisco.

The Golden Gate suspension bridge was constructed between 1933 to 1937. It spans 1.7 miles across the strait between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, connecting the City to Marin County on the north. (It's the big red bridge in the background.)
There are 14 lanes at the Toll Plaza. Cost is $5 for autos entering the City from the north.
The towers of the bridge tower 500 feet above the roadway.
The Golden Gate is 246 feet above sea level. Someone jumps off the bridge on the average every two weeks. It takes 4 seconds to hit the water, at about 75 miles per hour, with a force of 15,000 pounds per square inch. In short, hitting water at that speed is like hitting concrete. Hitting feet first will usually plunge one so deeply into the 350 foot deep water that you haven't a chance to surface before drowning. The steel wall along the walk/bike way is only 4 feet high.
A view of the City and the Bay Bridge from Sausalito.
"The Rock", Alcatraz Island, was a military fort from 1859-1934; a federal penitentiary from 1934-1963; occupied by American Indians from 1969-1971; and is now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Just had to visit Ghirardelli, and just had to have a Dark Chocolate Mint Hot Fudge Sundae.
Donna "catching" the Cable Car at AT&T Park. Home of Barry Bonds and the Giants.