Day 217: Storm Number Six and the Coldest One Yet

The sixth and final storm in the series passed through this morning. I waited patiently for the rains to stop before suiting up for today’s ride. It was after 2:00 pm when I headed out on my trusty bad-weather Superheavy. My plan was to ride up to the East Peak of Mount Tamalpais. That’s been my plan for days now.

The temperatures were in the mid 40’s by the time that I left for my ride. I had all of the right gear on in order to stay warm on my ride, and I even brought along rain gear just in case the heavens opened up on me.

There was no one on the mountain today, except for some fire crews doing a controlled burn of trees and shrubs that they’d removed late last year. I never like to see fire on the mountain, not even in the middle of the winter, nor with the ground saturated with water. Ever since I lived on the mountain I have feared fires. The canyon in which I used to live would have been a bit of a chimney if there were ever a fire. Today’s fire was obviously very safe and it couldn't have been a better day for a burn.

I reached a point on the mountain where I could see Mount Diablo, and it was covered in snow for the second time this year. It’s a really beautiful mountain, and especially so when it’s upper elevations are covered in snow . I wish that I had a better camera for long distance shots like this one. A point and shoot just doesn’t cut it.

I reached the West Point Inn after riding in and out of clouds and some welcomed periods of having the sun hit me for the first time in days. The sun felt great! There’s nothing like the sun to make one feel alive. I needed that feeling, but what I ran into a couple of miles ahead was blistering cold conditions, including snow.

After reaching the West Point Inn I decided to ride on towards Mount Tam’s East Peak. I was about halfway between the inn and the top of Tam when I ran into snow on the ground. I knew that the temperatures had dropped at least ten degrees since I’d left Mill Valley, but seeing snow on the ground was a bit of a shock! I rode on and there was snow everywhere. I knew then that I had to be careful and to not stop for long anywhere in order to stay warm.

At East Peak I stopped long enough to look at the temperature gauge that indicated that it was 34 degrees. I then took a photo of the clouds that surrounded the mountain, and the Gravity Car museum. I left promptly so that I didn’t get too cold before the long descent back to Mill Valley.

I put all of my layers on before descending, and I even pulled my wool beanie down as far as I could in order to cover my ears and robust forehead. It was a long and very cold descent back to Mill Valley. It of course hailed and rained on me as I made my way home. I was just happy to get back to town where the temps were still in the mid 40’s. Imagine that I was happy to be in warmer temperatures... ;-)

Distance: 21.49 miles
Calories burned: 1,673
Time: 2:06:52 hours
Elevation gain: 2,607 ft
Garmin Connect ride details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/22950725