Day 142: A Pre Birthday Ride with "M" and "L"

I’m so fortunate to have so many wonderful family and friends! One can only be so lucky.

Today I started off by riding with “M” and “L.” “D” was supposed to ride too, and I’ll rib him for getting caught up in chores the next time that I see him. The age range between riders today was some 30 years. “L” is 15 years old, and “M” is 38, and I’m turning 45 on Thursday. Today we were riding to celebrate my 45^th birthday, but for me it was more a celebration of life as I’ve rediscovered it. I’ve truly come a long way in a short time to recover from the past 7-8 years. I was only able to come this far with tremendous support from my friends and family. They’ve been by my side, and in the trenches with me from the beginning, even though I didn't always know it. I’ve made new friends as well, and they’ve been there for me with the same loyalty and vigor as those that I’ve known for over 30 years. I’m simply a lucky man to have these people in my life.

I got off track for a moment there, sorry. Back to the ride, right?

We rode up Railroad Grade, and “L” was chomping at the bit to go, go, go, so “M” told me to chase him, and I did. So get this, “M,” 38 years old, told me, 45 years old on next Thursday, to chase “L,” the fifteen year old. Huh!?! I rolled up to “L” and we rode the rest of the way up to West Point Inn together including a brief respite at Summit Road. Man, I wish that I had such fresh legs as he. “L” has come such a long way from the first time that he and I rode some 3-4 years ago. I did today's ride in my second fastest time since starting R2R, but "L" was at least 1-2 minutes faster... Sheesh, the kids these days.

We stopped for a while at the West Point Inn where we parted ways with “L,” who had to get back to family commitments. While we were there, we took in the views, and enjoyed the breathtaking day. There were dozens of people up there doing exactly what we were doing, and that was having fun on a gorgeous day.

“M” and I forged on up to East Peak ,where I introduced him to Miles, and bought him a requisite Coke at the Snack Shack. We gabbed for a while with a nice guy from Sunshine Bicycles. They’re an old-school Marin bicycle shop that’s the real deal. They’re good to customers, and they just want to get people onto bicycles, and that’s something that I can get behind too.

I promised “M” that I’d show him some rather secret and legal single track today, and I did just that, BUT first he had to deal with some more climbing that can be less than attractive at times. I had even forgotten how awful one of them is. Oops. I kept telling him that the single track is worth all of the climbing….

We finally reached the single track via assorted hidden trails, and exposed fire roads, and then the fun began. We plunged into the trail that’s much like a rollercoaster, and perfectly tact from the rains. We zoomed down the ever-flowing trail that cruises through Oaks, Redwoods, and Manzanita. It’s really a lovely little trail for hiking or biking. I could hear “M” giving the occasionally “yahoo” approval as he rolled down the trail. It’s one that always makes me a bit giddy to ride down. It’s location, and it's level of fun, is so unexpected. There’s not a lot of legal single track left in Marin, but this is legal, lovely, and will remain an unpublished trail for as long as I ride. A trail that I will only share with those that are of the same mind.

I’m thinking that I’d like to show it to “C,” but perhaps first on two feet rather than two wheels.

Tonight I had an absolutely lovely gathering of friends and family to celebrate my birthday. Over a dozen people came to celebrate. I’m going to repeat myself now, I’m so incredibly lucky to have such great friends and family. Thank you to all of you that came to celebrate tonight.

Distance: 20.36 miles Calories burned: 2,229 Time: 2:27:03 hours Elevation gain: 3,837 Garmin Connect ride details: Distance: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/18260651

Day 141: Have I Told you that Levi is Fast

I woke up feeling better today. I’ve been sick for about 14 days now, and I was getting worried that I’d need to head in to see the doctor. Alas, I think that I’m doing a bit better now. It’s unfortunate because I had planned on joining my friend “M” on his 55^th birthday ride which would have been a hoot. It also would have been an interesting day for the ride. Next year I’ll be there.

I rested for most of the day. I was thinking that I’d wait until the rains stopped before heading out to ride on the mountain. So I took care of a myriad of work related items while conscientiously watching the weather out of my office window. Early in the afternoon I took another one of those random been-sick-and-need-rest naps on my office floor with Tugboat. He’s the ultimate sleeping pill. There are those of you that might not understand this, but Tugboat is like taking Valium. No prescription needed, just curl up with him and you’ll be out cold in minutes. I should rent him out.

When I woke up I think that the first thing that I said was “crap!” The sun was way down and barely peeking out above the hills near my house. I sprang up like I’d been hit with a cattle prod, and started darting from room to room gathering cycling gear so that I could get out riding. I can’t believe that I slept for hours on the hard floor. This virus has really knocked me around. I haven’t been sick like this in ages.

I left the house at 4:03 pm pumped full of adrenaline to get up the mountain before dark. I know that sunset is about 10 minutes after 5:00 pm, so I thought that I could make it to West Point Inn in under 50 minutes, and then back here in another 20-30 minutes, but I had to pedal harder than I have since I got sick two weeks ago.

I used my big chain ring all of the way to Railroad Grade and then hit the fire road as hard as I could. It was already very dark due to the cloud cover and the canyon’s orientation. It was fun in a way. I felt pressured to perform, and I haven’t felt that in some time, whether through business, cycling, etc.

When I reached Double Bow Knot I was pushing hard, I thought, when I heard a rider coming up behind me and riding like a rocket. I looked back to see levi leipheimer in a USA Cycling jersey! He was flying. He was in his big chain ring and absolutely nailing it. I barely got out a hello before he screamed by me. He did give me a very nice and courteous “hello” as he dusted me. It made me realize just how many more levels there are above my cycling capabilities. Not that I aspire to be too much more than I am, but it’s nice to know that there’s LOTS of room to grow should I want to. ;-) This encounter also made me realize just how lucky I am to live here. In the past month I’ve bumped into Robin Williams at Lytton Square, Sammy Hagar at D’ Angelo’s, and today, Levi on the mountain. The best part is that they all acted like regular Joes, and they didn’t have a lick of pretentiousness, well in Levi’s case I didn’t have more than seconds to assess that, but he did say hello.

The sun was still out once that I was above the clouds, but it was going down fast, and I knew that I had to turn around fast at the West Point Inn and head down as fast as possible. I didn’t even stop at the picnic benches, and instead I headed back immediately. It didn’t get really, really dark until I hit the last section of Railroad Grade. It was so dark that I couldn’t see the basics, so I slowed way down in case I plugged something that I’d normally avoid. Luckily I made it down unscathed, and then rode on the sidewalks the rest of the way home.

The moral of this story is to leave prepared, in this case with lights (Thanks again “M”), and to also remember how to set an alarm clock…Duh!

Distance: 14.07 miles Calories burned: 1,282 Time: 1:25:47 hours Elevation gain: 2,063 Garmin Connect ride details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/18186693

Day 140: Riding to my Office via the Golden Gate Bridge

I had business to tend to at my office in San Francisco today, so I did my usual thing, and commuted there on my bicycle. If you’re going to commute to your work via bicycle, then there’s no better one than mine. I could be wrong, but the fact that I get to ride through Sausalito, up Alexander Avenue, and then over the Golden Gate Bridge, is pretty spectacular. I shouldn’t forget to mention the ride from the bridge, through the Presidio, and then along Chrissy Field before reaching my office at Fort Mason. One of the great things about the commute is that it’s almost as fast as driving, and I also save on gas and tolls, not to mention the reduction in my carbon footprint! And I get to eat more too.

I started today’s commute after it had started raining lightly in Mill Valley. I was a bit apprehensive about riding my road bike in the rain for the first time in years, but I took a little air out of my tires before I left, and I soon felt comfortable riding along in the rain. Someone needs to invent wipers for glasses. ;-)

When I reached the east side of the Golden Gate Bridge I was happy to see that the weather had kept most of the tourists away, so I wouldn’t be fighting my way through people that are rightfully enjoying the views, but not paying any attention to people like me that are trying to ride by safely. So today it was nice to have fewer tourists on the bridge.

Once that I was on the south side of the bridge, and entering the Presidio, I was able to see the vast changes that they’re making to the park in preparation for the new Doyle Drive. These are your Stimulus Package dollars at work. Although I’m one that likes the old, and is reluctant to get behind the new, I do like what they’re doing for cyclists in this renovation. I think that it will benefit those that aren’t seasoned riders, and instead those who just want to enjoy the occasional ride up to the bridge, or perhaps through the Presidio. The new bike lanes are called “Class One” and that basically means that they are completely separated from car traffic. That's great!

I made it to my office, and then quickly took care of business with the help of my old friend “D.” He rode over to the local Post Office with me where I needed to retrieve some mail. He stood guard of my trusty Colnago while I went inside. Afterwards we rode over to a local park where we could catch up on each other’s lives in what’s become a familiar summary disclosure. We’ve known each other since 1989, so we can get caught up fast! I think that we were both happy to hear from one another that we’re moving forward with our lives in positive manners.

On my return ride I did what's been called the Pursuit Commute with another rider. We "engaged" at the north end of the bridge, and then rode (raced) all the way back to Mill Valley. That means that we were kind of racing, but not really, if that makes any sense at all. At times, and while on the flat sections from Sausalito to Mill Valley, we were riding at over 24 mph, and that’s fast for an old guy like me. My partner in crime was in his late 20’s, to early 30’s. So that's not bad for an old guy like me that’s turning 45 years old next week. ;-)

Distance: 25.67 miles Calories burned: 1,626 Time: 1:46:02 hours Elevation gain: 1,010 Garmin Connect ride details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/18099787

Day 139: Helicopter Patrols on Mount Tamalpais

One of my buddies from WTB tried to arrange a group ride at lunch today. That plan wasn’t going to happen due to meetings, and then more meetings. So “B” and I ended up riding without the rest of the WTB crew.

We left the WTB world headquarters, which is just down the way from where I live, and headed for the trails. “B” had recently experienced an “off” of his bike on some single track, so I suggested that we go easy and ride up Railroad Grade. BTW, “B” is from England, well, and South Africa, so the word “off” as it’s applied to mountain biking means that he crashed, and from the story he told I’d be a bit skittish too.

“B” and I reached Double Bow Knot and were going to take a photo break. What timing as just as I got my camera out of my jersey pocket, he and I began to hear the THUMP THUMP THUMP, that is so distinct to a helicopter. “B” spotted it first, laying low and hovering in the saddle of the mountain, and then moments later it came straight at us, and literally flew right over our heads before wrapping back around to the north side of the mountain.

After I returned home, and looked at the photos, I could just make out the star that brands the Marin County Sheriff’s Offices. I then searched online for images of their helicopters, and sure enough I was able to confirm that what “B” and I saw was indeed a Sheriff’s helicopter patrolling the mountain. I’m still digesting what we saw today, and the implications that it may have on riding on the mountain. The phrase, “a police state” comes to mind.

So, “B” and I stayed low on the mountain today. We rode over to Edgewood, and then down Tenderfoot, and back to WTB where we had started our ride. I was still not done. I had some more miles to put in today in order to keep my mileage up. My bout with illness has killed off my 200 mile a week average. So I headed off again, and decided to stay low on the mountain. I chose to ride back up Tenderfoot to Cypress, where I traversed over to Edgewood Ave. I rode back up to the Pipeline Trail and cleaned the whole section on my way to the Mountain Home Inn. I then took Gravity Car to Railroad Grade and descended back to Mill Valley.

“B,” thanks for the ride today, I had a good time chatting and watching helicopters.

Distance: 23.46 miles Calories burned: 2,377 Time: 2:28:55 hours Elevation gain: 2,959 Garmin Connect ride details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/18027680

Day 138: Taking a Spin with a Friend

I took a ride today with a friend that’s been working really hard lately. So today she took the day off and went for a ride with me on Mount Tamalpais. It was another gorgeous day here in Marin, so a ride up Tam was a perfect way to relax and enjoy the views. We started our ride by heading up Railroad Grade. We talked the whole way up to Double Bow Knot. For how nice the weather was today, I was curious why there were so very few people on the mountain. I guess that it could be that many people now know about the mountain being closed at the halfway point.

We pedaled over to the Mountain Home Inn before heading down Edgewood Ave. to the Pipeline Trail. The Pipeline trail is aptly named as it has an 8 inch cast iron pipe that runs down it's center. Slippery when wet comes to mind from past experiences riding over them when the pipe is wet from the rains or fog. I tried to make it through the rooted section, but I didn’t quite hit things the right way. Oh well. I’ve not been riding as much technical single track lately, so I need to brush up on my skills.

We rode back to Mill Valley where we stopped for a coffee at Peets. We sat at Lytton Square for a while and talked. The sun was filtering through the redwoods and time was flying by as can happen when chatting with friends. I love sitting down there. I need to take Tugboat down there more often.

I had forgotten about the time change and the effect that it has on my riding schedule. So today I had planned a second ride on the road so that I could keep my mileage up. When I finally realized that I couldn’t ride to my meeting in San Rafael, I had to improvise. So I ended up basically retracing my first ride, but this time I went up Tenderfoot Trail. Since my first ride told me that I needed some practice on single track, I knew that Tendefoot would help me brush up on my skills. On my way there I saw these amazing mushrooms popping out next to the bridge that leads to the trail.

I became more and more comfortable as I rode, and by the top I was whipped into shape. From there I went back up Gravity Car to Railroad Grade and back down to Mill Valley. I’m sure that the GPS of this ride will be quirky looking. ;-)

I’m still not 100% recovered from my cold, but I am feeling better with each day that passes. I’ll be so happy once it’s totally gone.

Distance: 19.43 miles Calories burned: 2,402 Time: 2:21:22 hours Elevation gain: 4,336 Garmin Connect ride details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/17939420

Day 137: Our Governator at His Best

I was very surprised today to find that “my mountain,” or “backyard,” as it’s been called by locals for years, was closed from Pantoll to the summit, and then all of the way to Bolinas/Fairfax Road! I’ve spent much of the last four months of my life riding to recovery on Mount Tamalpais. It has been a lifeline for me, and one that’s helped me heal incredibly deep personal wounds, and to see it closed, due to “budget cuts,” is infuriating to me.

I’ve already received Emails from riders that have been stopped, and then detained for over 30 minutes, while the local Marin County Sheriffs use their wireless laptops to do due diligence on each of the riders that they've stopped. They are then ticketed (who knows what that’s going to cost, but I have no doubt that there’s revenue in it for the state), and then sent back the way that they came.

I grew up knowing State and National Parks to be places that are inviting to people for all purposes. Time and time again there have been more rules laid down for park users, and now there are closures, all of which are due to government “policies,” which are a result of simply bad management and politics.

As I was turned back by a Sheriff today, I asked him if he thought that it made sense for him to be stationed there. He didn’t like the question, and I wasn’t being confrontational in any way. I understand that he’s just doing his job, and a job that I admire, BUT we’ve not had dedicated police, and rangers, monitoring Mount Tamalpias, ever. So why now, if we have budget problems? It must cost the taxpayers a lot of money to have rangers and sheriffs on the mountain, right? Why not have those resources actually in the hunt for the real criminals? I just want to ride my bicycle, and even walk my dog on Mount Tam. Why is that a crimainl offense? How did our state get to this point? I was born and raised here. The first State Parks that I frequented were Briones and Tildne State Parks while I was just an infant. Since then I’ve been to dozens of parks, and the thought that our state has reached a point financially that they need to close these parks, which belong to us, is simply saddening. Frankly, it’s rather pathetic in my opinion. While I’m ticked off, and also ranting, which I seldom succumb to, park users need to realize that we’re all on the same team. Cyclists, hikers, equestrians, etc., we’re all there to enjoy the parks. I like hiking and biking, however I’m not an equestrian. I like horses, but I don’t own one, however I do respect their space when I’m riding on trails. I had two lovely people ride past me on their horses while on their way down Middle Green Gulch trail a few days ago. I was riding hard up the trail, I saw them, so I pulled over so that they could pass safely, and without startling their horses. They thanked me, and I then thanked them back, and we went on our merry ways. That’s how it should be. What is so difficult about that? There are those park users that think that they are better than the other park users. They have an entitlement thing going on that I absolutely despise. As a hiker and mountain biker/road rider, I don’t think that I’m entitled to anything more than the other person. So what is it about people that think that their park usage is better than mine, or yours?

I’ve said more than I’d intended tonight. I don’t want this forum to become political, but what's transpired, as of today, has a potential impact on my goal which is to Ride to Recovery. I still have the roads, but I love being on the mountain.

Arnold schwarzenegger, please do your job!

On a very, very personal note, today was a wonderful day for me. I'm listening to Mazzy Star right now and reflecting on the day. Goodnight.

Distance: 17.56 miles Calories burned: 1,710 Time: 1:40:19 hours Elevation gain: 2,194 Garmin Connect ride details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/17853551

Day 136: Mount Tamalpais was Packed

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen so many people on Mount Tamalpais. There was a steady stream of people hiking, biking, and lounging around. I must have passed a dozen or so cyclists during the first section of Railroad Grade, and that would usually be more than I’d see on a weekend day while riding all the way to the top.

The good news for me was that everyone seemed very happy today. There was a common thread, as I eavesdropped on people’s conversations, many were nursing Halloween hangovers. ;-) I’m happy to say that I’m not one of those people.

I stopped twice today, once at the West Point Inn, and then again at East Peak’s Snack Shack. Miles was closed today, but I had planned ahead and had brought quarters for the Coke machine. Anyway, each time that I stopped there were large groups of cyclists. It was as though everyone was doing their “Halloween ride” on the day afterwards. One group must have had 20 people. I actually like planned group rides, although they can be tricky. I'm looking forward to doing the Thanksgiving Day ride this year. I'll be solo (sans any family) this Thanksgiving for the first time in my life, so I may as well gather with the cycling tribe, and ride on Pine Mountain. Hundreds of people show up for the ride. I hope that the weather is good. ;-)

I’m still getting over being sick. I’m having regular coughing attacks. If they don’t go away within the next few days I’ll need to head into see my Doctor. I’m not too worried because I’ve had no fever to date. If I had, I would have gone in right away.

Speaking of doctors, since I began my physical recovery through R2R, and riding daily, I've been getting most, if not all, of my feeling back in left hand’s fingers. I had been hit by a truck in 2002, and that created nerve damage that had left a couple of my fingers with numbness. During the past few months of riding, I've noticed the feeling coming back to my fingers. I’m guessing that it’s due to the increased amount of circulation from all of my riding. Check out the X-ray of my elbow after my surgery. Ouch! I'll try to scan the pre surgery X-ray soon, because it's gory. I still have those Titanium pins in a drawer in my office. Someday they'll be mounted to a Titanium road bike as a reminder, and in honor, of that day. ;-)

So today’s ride was basically an out and back to the top of Mount Tamalpais on Railroad Grade. I'm still taking it easy until I am 100%.

Distance: 18.00 miles Calories burned: 1,656 Time: 1:49:16 hours Elevation gain: 2,801 Garmin Connect ride details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/17749355