A couple of days off

Climbing the 30% grade up to Islands in the Sky

We did an "interesting loop" on Monday.  It was A1's design with some input from Claire and I.  We parked in Guerneville and headed West on 116.  We turned up Old Monte Rio Road in order to get off the highway, and after having to walk around some road construction, we headed out towards Duncans Mills and Willow Creek State Park.  After entering the park, we climbed up the main fire road that takes you to the top of the park.  It is very, very steep and was slow going on the tandems.  After getting to the top we rode the ridge before dropping down some cool single track and hitting Willow Creek Road.  We ended the ride by going over Green Valley Road and over Mayes Canyon.  It was only 30 miles, but a hilly, muddy 30 miles. 

A1 and Melinda in Willow Creek State Park

Before

After

On Tuesday I finished a little garden cart project that I had been working on for a week or so.  Most of the time was spent just waiting for the paint to dry.

A couple of good rides

A1 and Melinda fixing a flat

Out on Chalk Hill Road

With the break in the weather, we had the opportunity to get out on a couple of very different rides.  On Monday, A1 and Melinda met us at the corner of Old Redwood Hwy. and Mark West Springs Road for a mellow 40 miler.  Some of us had been off of our bikes for a while, so we wanted something not too challenging, but adventurous at the same time.  Well, I picked out a great loop, thank you very much.  The weather cooperated with just a couple very tiny sprinkles from time to time.  After the ride we feasted on soft tacos at Taqueria El Sombrero #2 on Piner Road.

This hairstyle is making a comeback. 

My bike after the ride.

On Tuesday, Claire suggested that I go out and test myself on my single speed mountain bike since I have the 8 hour race at Boggs coming up in a month.  Well, I did just that.  I ended up with 45 miles up in Annadel in almost exactly 5 hours.  I did the same loop twice and hurt pretty good on the second loop.  I was cramping a tiny bit in the legs and a little more than a tiny bit in my triceps.  Luckily, I have small triceps so it didn't hurt very bad.  It was good and muddy in some sections of the park, and after trying to dodge those on the first loop, I was too tired to steer around them on the second loop.  Here is a link to my ride.  A funny thing did happen at the end of the ride.  Right when I stopped and leaned my bike up against the bus, I heard a hissing sound and my rear tire went flat.  I was pretty much totally knackered at that point and was extremely glad that I wasn't still out on the trail trying to fix it.

My legs