A little before work ride.

Lefty Guts

Claire, Aaron, and I went out for this little loop before work this morning.  This is one of our old favorites that we hadn't done in a couple of years.  Sonoma Mountain Road hasn't changed very much over the years, which is a good thing.  I love the bumpiness and the narrow roads.  Here is a link to the loop.

Bogg's 8 hour race (reduced to 7)

Bogg's 8 hour race (reduced to 7) by hubster43 at Garmin Connect - Details

I know thus happened quite awhile ago, but better late than never. I did this race on my Cannondale Singlespeed 29'er. I had no expectations what-so-ever, so I was pleasantly happy with how things went. It ended up being a 4 mile loop on fire trails, which was pretty repetitive by the end. Claire came out and fed me some good food during the ride. I think she was hoping for a relaxing day, but since I came through every 20 minutes or so, she was up and down all day long. By the end I was pretty knackered.

Eureka Canyon Loop

Eureka Canyon Loop by hubster43 at Garmin Connect - Details

Claire and I did this loop on our tandem. Claire came up with a slightly different way of making our way over to eureka canyon which made the loop better than last time.

Eureka Canyon/Bear Creek/Jamison Creek/Empire Grade

Eurika Canyon/Bear Creek/Jamison Creek/Empire Grade by hubster43 at Garmin Connect - Details

I went out on my own for this 70 miler. With 7200 feet of climbing, it was a nice little challenge. Jamison Creek Road was quite steep for what it is worth.

Tandem Ride up Bonny Doon Road

Tandem Ride up Bonny Doon Road by hubster43 at Garmin Connect - Details

Claire and I battled a little bit of a headwind on the ride up highway 1 before we climbed Bonny Doon Road. We also got to do Ice Cream Grade Road which I haven't been on in almost 14 years.

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