Day 197: Riding Around in the Marin Headlands with a Friend

Today I made plans to ride with my friend “C” who doesn’t ride often, but when she does, she put’s in a real effort. We’ve ridden a few times before, and what’s nice for me is that the rides have been what I’ve called “civilized.” Each time our rides have included stops for coffee or tea in various places that I’d usually just ride right by. It’s been a nice reminder that a ride can include stops for socialization and caffeinated fuel. Today was no exception.

We left for the Marin Headlands today and had hoped to use the bike path that leads to Tennessee Valley, but unfortunately there was a high tide that had completely covered the path from Richardson Bay to Tam Junction. This sort of tide happens occasionally during the winter months. So we made a little detour in order to get around the water.

We rode up Tennessee Valley Road to Miwok Stables where we shed some layers of clothing. The sun had finally decided to pop out and it had warmed the air up quickly. From the stables we rode up the newly redone Old Springs Trail. They did a nice job of reconfiguring the trail at the bottom where it intersects with the stables.

Once at the top we rode down Miwok Trail to the Gerbode Valley floor. I was watching for Bobcats the whole time that I was descending. I really enjoy seeing them running around while stalking rabbits and Quail. We rode back up the other side of the valley via the Coastal Trail which dead ends at Conzelman Road. Our plan was to ride down Conzelman Road to Alexander Avenue, and from there to head into Sausalito for a coffee at the former Café Trieste (I can’t remember the new name).

We rested at the café while enjoying coffees. We left with renewed energy and decided to weave in and out of the harbors, and old buildings, that dot the Sausalito waterfront. There are some real characters running about in this area.

We returned on the bike path that runs between Sausalito and Mill Valley. By the time that we had returned a couple of hours later, the tides had receded and we had smooth sailing on the way back through Richardson Bay.

I had a great time cruising around today. Thanks “C!”

Distance: 19.25 miles
Calories burned: 1,190
Time: 2:15:06 hours
Elevation gain: 1,336 ft
Garmin Connect ride details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/21537805

Day 196: A Wet Happy New Year

I tracked the weather forecasts last night and this morning, and they all reported that the rains would happen during the morning and early afternoon. So I waited patiently for the afternoon before heading out for my ride. I even took a mid morning nap in order to help rest up before the ride. By 2:00 pm there had been no rains, and the sun was even trying to poke out, so I started to gather my fair weather riding gear.

By the time that I had gotten my bike tuned up and ready to ride, and my gear on, it was just about 3:00 pm. I knew that I had a little over two hours of daylight to play with, so I headed towards the West Point Inn via Railroad Grade. Of course, the rains that had eluded us in the morning, had decided to wait for me to begin my ride. I didn’t even think to bring my rain gear. I was beginning to get rained on almost immediately after I started to ride up Railroad Grade. I decided to just keep on going instead of riding back home to collect my rain gear. I just changed my original riding plans in order to shorten the ride in order to stay warm. Uugh.

I made the best of the day’s cruddy weather and had a good time anyway. I was wet and cold, but I knew that it would be a short-lived issue, and not a problem.

I was prone to reflecting again today. It was a year ago to the day that “N” was supposed to be coming home after a one-month stay at Serenity Knolls. I had made many preparations for her return home. I had rehabilitated the house with new carpets and floors, and then I also made it a “sober living environment.” I had packed up things like wine glasses and bottle openers, and I removed anything that could have been a reminder of alcohol. I did my best to create an environment that was conducive to her sobriety.

A day or two before she was supposed to be released, I received a call from her during which she announced that she needed to stay for another month. I was already feeling stretched financially, and yet in the end, and after consulting with a “counselor,” I came up with the majority of the money that was needed for the next month’s treatment. We should do anything for the ones that we love, right? I was still in that mode of self-sacrifice. I was still believing that there was a marriage to be saved, and that "N's" sobriety would be a major first step in the right direction.

It’s just amazing for me to think back to a year ago, and the gut-wrenching feelings that I had over what was transpiring. It was such an awful time for me. In the end I guess that I’ll be able to live with myself, and my decisions to help and support my wife during a time when she was completely lost. 

As I walk through life nowadays, I look much more cautiously at what I see, even if it seems as plain as day. I will no longer look at something that’s black, and then immediately assume or believe that it’s truly black.

The holidays have made me review where I’ve been, and where I’m going, with greater scrutiny and care. I’m left thinking and believing that the second half of my life will be better than the first. I have a lot of work to do in order to get there, but I believe that I will persevere.

Distance: 17.70 miles
Calories burned: 2,048
Time: 1:47:48 hours
Elevation gain: 2,397 ft
Garmin Connect ride details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/21459832

Day 195: A New Years Eve Ride with a Friend

Riding to Recovery has had so many twists and turns that I sometimes feel spun around like a tornado has hit me head on. I’ve met so many people that I never would have without doing my daily rides, and also being unnaturally open to conversation. I keep thinking about the “higher power” stuff that’s a part of the 12 step programs, and there quite simply must be something to it. I don’t mean on a religious level, but instead, on some other level that evokes communication and socialization with others. Is it a sense of community and family? I don't know yet, but I do know that I'll keep searching.

Today I rode with “E.” He and I met by chance a few months ago on Railroad Grade. I saw that he riding on a Fisher 29er, and we chatted for a while as we rode on up the hill. I gave him an R2R card, and he contacted me later on to tell me that he was in support of my R2R effort. We’ve stayed in touch, and today we were finally able to take a nice ride together.

In an Email, “E” had alluded to having some similar experiences to those of mine. Today he was able to share some of his story with me, and it does indeed include elements that are the same, or similar to mine. As I was trying to listen to him carefully, I was continually thinking to myself, “Why are there so many people, like us, living in painful situations?” It’s really amazing to me. Today “E” called himself a “codependent,” but isn’t that just another way of saying that this man cares about his partner, marriage, and family? I remembered just how I felt when I was trying to digest the term “codependent.” To this day I feel like I was forced into taking care of my alcoholic out of the sheer love and loyalty that I had felt for her, and my dedication to our marriage. The irony in that is that “N” never even wanted to marry me (I only found this out a little over a year ago), but she never told me that during our 13 years together, so I was never given the knowledge that I needed so that I could make a choice to stay or go. I simply, and naively, thought that I was trying to help my “life partner,” which is what I had grown up seeing as the basis for my parent's, and brother's marriages. If I were to have been given the choice, things would have been different for me. As I reflect on today's ride, I just want to remind "E" to keep on reaching out to people, like me, that are willing to listen.

Hearing the stories of those like “E” makes me feel lucky to have heard them, as painful as they are to hear, as they’re a clear reminder of life, and its true gifts. Some gifts are not what we ever thought that we’d receive, but we learn to deal with them, and to overcome them with dignity and grace.

“E” has used cycling in a similar way as I. He’s used it as way to balance his life. Several years ago he weighed in at about 250 lbs, and today I’d guess that he weighs in at 175 lbs. He rides regularly, and simply loves bicycles, old ones and new ones, and especially those that have big wheels. ;-) I like them too.

We rode up Railroad Grade today, and basically talked our way up to the West Point Inn where we took a break, and I took some photos. I really liked the view south today (pictured above).  “E” ended up taking some photos too. There was, what I presume was, an entire family up there with perhaps 20 people in the group. “E” was gracious as they handed him camera after camera in order to take photos of them. They liked him since he entertained them during the photo session. Nice work!

After we reached the summit of Mount Tamalpais we returned along the same route that we had taken up. We were having a blast on the way down. There were very few people on the mountain today, so we felt comfortable riding down at a higher speed.

As we hit the pavement at the bottom of Blithedale Canyon, we were quite ironically passed by “S,” another survivor of an alcoholic situation. She flashed her car lights at us as she headed over to do her run up the hill. There are so many of us that use exercise in order to return to real and true health.

Well, Happy New Year to all of you, and best wishes for the coming year.

Distance: 19.41 miles
Calories burned: 1,577
Time: 2:00:22 hours
Elevation gain: 2,338 ft
Garmin Connect ride details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/21374281

Day 194: Playing Around in the Marin Headlands

I’ve been playing around a lot in the Marin Headlands. When I say “playing around,” I of course mean that I’m riding there. I’ve ridden the Headland’s fire roads at least a dozen times during the past month or so. I reconnected with the Headland’s trails after doing several rides with friends during the lunch hour. Since then I’ve ridden virtually every trail that’s available.

As I rode today I met some courteous horseback riders, I saw two Bobcats that were on the prowl, and I took in the amazing views. I particularly like the view north from the top of the Coastal Fire Road. The sheer cliff sides with the ocean below, and with Mount Tamalpais as the backdrop, combine for an incredibly intoxicating view.

I needed to do some repairs on my Santa Cruz SuperHeavy before I left today. I wanted to ride this particular bike since rain was included in the forecast. It needed a new rear derailleur and cables, so I picked through my parts bins and found what I needed. After 30 minutes of wrenching on the bike, it was back in action.

I left for the Headlands via Mount Tam. I rode over to the Coyote Ridge Trail and then over to the Coastal Fire Road. I was so happy with how well my bicycle was working. I’ve been working around a shifting problem for weeks now, so it was quite nice to have the bike in good working order. Well, that feeling was short-lived as the shifting started to go south on me as I descended into Tennessee Valley. I couldn’t figure out what could have changed. I looked at all of the usual suspects, but I couldn't find the issue. I adjusted the cable again, but nothing would work.

I pushed onward and figured that I’d just limp home and then go back to the drawing board. By the time that I had reached the top of Miwok Trail the bike had basically become inoperable. I pulled to the side of trail and took another look. I finally found the problem. The newly installed derailleur was literally ready to fall off of the bike! I’m fairly certain that I had tightened it down before leaving today, but it was clearly loose enough to be backing out. Uugh. I jury-rigged it back in, but not tight. I made it back to WTB where I made use of their workshop for a quick tightening.

While I was at WTB I was bestowed with another prototype to test for them. This time it’s a Wheel and tire combination. I of course can’t tell you much about the new hardware since they’re in development, but I can tell you that they’re really cool. The finished product should be on the market next year, if not sooner. For me this means that I need to put some serious miles on the tire and wheel. I’ll probably need to swap the wheel out from bike to bike as I ride through the winter. It’s fun to be a test rider again.

Distance: 20.84 miles
Calories burned: 1,548
Time: 2:00:48 hours
Elevation gain: 2,164 ft
Garmin Connect ride details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/21318752

Day 193: A Cold and Gray Day

It was a cold and gray day today. It’s really hard to get motivated to suit up to ride on days like today. There’s not a lot to look forward to except for the exercise. Not even the views from up on Mount Tamalpais were very interesting. Everything looks rather muted, although maybe it’s just that I’m feeling a bit muted today, and not for any particular reason Who knows why?

I felt better and better as I rode up the mountain. I was taking it easy today so I dropped down one gear lower than I’d normally use on my way up the mountain. I’m trying to remember that I need to give my legs a break from time to time, so today I rode a little slower. I’m glad that I did.

The descent from the Wes Point Inn was really cold in spite of the many layers of clothing that I was wearing. I haven’t decided yet if it’s better for me to go downhill faster, which increases the wind chill and decreases the time that I’m descending, or to go slower in order to stay warmer, but prolongs the journey? Today I rode faster, and I regularly ran out of gears as I descended on the Panoramic Highway and Railroad Grade. There were very few people out on the mountain today, so I didn’t worry as much about hikers as I descended. Don’t get me wrong, I was still very cautious and wary of other trail users. As a rule of thumb,  I slow for hikers, and usually stop for dogs (I like giving them a pet or two).

Distance: 17.86 miles
Calories burned: 1,598
Time: 1:52:12 hours
Elevation gain: 2,117 ft
Garmin Connect ride details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/21255477

Day 192: A Friend's Home Burns

I was saddened today as I learned that the home of a person that I’ve known for eleven years had burned last night. The fire started in his garage, which is arguably the heartbeat of this man’s home and family. As a professional bicycle rider his entire “office” went up in smoke last night. His bicycles, tools, and two decades of mountain bike memorabilia were lost when a fire started in his garage. It’s a very tragic loss.

The good news is that he, his wife, and child made it out of the house safely. I’m always amazed by how many good people go through such tragic moments in their lives. I wonder why that is? “M.W.,” my thoughts are with you and your family. You have a huge number of friends that will be there at a moment’s notice if you need help.

http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_14079193

As I thought about “M.W.’s” situation I remembered that he was on the very first bike ride that I did with WTB in August of 1998. I was riding with Melvis, “C.L.,” “M.B.,” and of course “M.W.” Today I decided to retrace the very same route that we did on that day. I wonder if he even remembers that ride given the thousands of rides that he’s done since then? I remember it really well because I was in awe of his cycling skills. He was however riding a Karpiel with more suspension travel than that of any of my current bikes, and that’s eleven years later.

I remember that day clearly, and for as much as I’d ridden bicycles during my lifetime, I was humbled by the riders that I was riding with on that day, even Melvis. Good Lord, did I just admit that? OK, maybe not Melvis…. ;-) I had a great time that day while riding my circa 1994 GT Zaskar that had a whopping 1.5 inches of suspension up front. Yahoo!

Today’s news was a reminder to me that others are going through more difficult times than I. It also reminded me about how important it is for one’s community to gather around to get their friends through trying times. No one should feel alone, and having felt very alone for the first time in my life during this past year, I know personally just how awful that can be.

Distance: 21.46 miles
Calories burned: 1,635
Time: 2:03:33 hours
Elevation gain: 2,602 ft
Garmin Connect ride details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/21194525

Day 191: Spending Time in the City

I had the pleasure of spending time in the city today with a friend. We meandered all around the city including the Presidio, the Castro, the Mission, and then over to the Bayview district to hang out at my new favorite nursery, the Flora Grubb Gardens. What a cool spot, and such a great idea.

I haven’t been to the city with the sole purpose of just hanging out with a friend and checking out the neighborhood fun for years. Many of the neighborhoods have changed significantly since the last time that I’d visited them. For example, seeing high end restaurants on 3rd street just floored me.

I basically did the same ride today that I’d done yesterday. I wanted to see how much of the ride that I'd missed due to all of the mud and sand that was being slung into my eyes as we rode yesterday. I forgot to mention in yesterday's posting that the guy that I was riding with went off the side of the trail when he could no longer see. Today was completely different. It wasn’t beautiful out, but it wasn’t raining, and it wasn’t too cold either, so that worked out great for me.

Distance: 17.42 miles
Calories burned: 1,292
Time: 1:34:49 hours
Elevation gain: 1,741 ft
Garmin Connect ride details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/21129080