I've started a new blog at this site http://tourdecali2013part2.blogspot.com.au/
So lock it in and I will get it looking pretty before we go
- Posted by The Electric Cowboy using BlogPress from his iPad
Saturday 13 July 2013
Friday 12 July 2013
Count Down till August
We are getting close to the kick off for the TourdeCali 2013 version. While you are waiting have a look at our new jerseys. Note the logo of each rider on the back of the jersey. Thanks to Zoe for her design skills.
I will post the itinery soon, but look out for Sunday 4. August when we climb e famous Mt Diablo overlooking San Francisco.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I will post the itinery soon, but look out for Sunday 4. August when we climb e famous Mt Diablo overlooking San Francisco.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday 9 February 2013
It's time for part 2
Yes it's on again, I have created a new blog for out next ride so subscribe to www.TDCali2013part2.blogspot.com
And look forward to exciting updates
Pw
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
And look forward to exciting updates
Pw
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Friday 5 August 2011
At San Francisco, been to the baseball
It comes time when we have to part and go our separate ways. But first we had to catch a cable car to Fisherman's Wharf.
Before that we had to present Ferdi with the Yellow Jersey for his magnificent riding throughout the tour. Of course he wanted to wear it out to dinner and do a lap of honour around downtown. While 'red' was relieved to be off the bike and out of the pouch.
Last night we went to the baseball at AT&T Stadium where the San Francisco Giants where playing the Philadelphia Phillies. We got there early so we could do a lap of the stadium and then found our seats that seemed to be just below the light towers. There's Mike about to start his baseball pilgrimage.
Lucky that our seats where high up but also protected from the savagely cold wind that was blowing in from the sea. You would have thought this would give the Giants an advantage but alas the Phillies came out hot and tonked two homers early on to set up an easy win.
here is the view from our seats
Then it was time to walk up the hill just like leaving the footy but even the Giants supporters where happy even through they had just been FLOGGED by a far better team. (Just like Richmond matches really).
We stopped in town at a 24 hr Diner for Pecan pie and Hienekin which turned out to be the perfect pre slumber combination as we slept soundly thereafter.
Today is Friday and we have gone our separate ways, me to Seattle and Alaska via Walnut Creek, Mike 2 to baseball Mecca at Giants Stadium and the others are on a road trip in their new rental car headed for Carson City via Tahoe and then off to recreate the 'hangover' with a couple of days at Vegas and the Grand Canyon.
So no more blog updates for now
Cheers thanks for reading
Pw
-posted by pw from ipad
Before that we had to present Ferdi with the Yellow Jersey for his magnificent riding throughout the tour. Of course he wanted to wear it out to dinner and do a lap of honour around downtown. While 'red' was relieved to be off the bike and out of the pouch.
Last night we went to the baseball at AT&T Stadium where the San Francisco Giants where playing the Philadelphia Phillies. We got there early so we could do a lap of the stadium and then found our seats that seemed to be just below the light towers. There's Mike about to start his baseball pilgrimage.
Lucky that our seats where high up but also protected from the savagely cold wind that was blowing in from the sea. You would have thought this would give the Giants an advantage but alas the Phillies came out hot and tonked two homers early on to set up an easy win.
here is the view from our seats
Then it was time to walk up the hill just like leaving the footy but even the Giants supporters where happy even through they had just been FLOGGED by a far better team. (Just like Richmond matches really).
We stopped in town at a 24 hr Diner for Pecan pie and Hienekin which turned out to be the perfect pre slumber combination as we slept soundly thereafter.
Today is Friday and we have gone our separate ways, me to Seattle and Alaska via Walnut Creek, Mike 2 to baseball Mecca at Giants Stadium and the others are on a road trip in their new rental car headed for Carson City via Tahoe and then off to recreate the 'hangover' with a couple of days at Vegas and the Grand Canyon.
So no more blog updates for now
Cheers thanks for reading
Pw
-posted by pw from ipad
Location:Post St,San Francisco,United States
Thursday 4 August 2011
The tour is over, now the fun and recriminations begin
For once today went to plan. We left Occidental early and had a great ride through to Tomales to highway 1. Here we are at morning tea at Pt Reyes Station, best pancakes so far
Then we rode past an inlet on a fast bending and lumpy road with about 30 km of new hot mix surface. Then there is Goose defending yellow before we arrived at Stinson Beach.
Then there where two big climbs to Sausalito and just before the climb there was an old lady hitchhiking so we offered her a lift and Barb gave me some local knowledge to get through to Sausalito.
Thanks to Barb for this group shot before we rolled into San Francisco at the top of the last hill.
Sausalito is a small town where we parked the van and then rode as a group up the road to the bridge. While it was sunny in Sausalito it was colder and very windy on the way to and over the bridge. There go the boys heading for the finish.
The bridge ride was probably one of the more riskier things we did as we were riding against a hundred or so tourists on rental MTBs and as many pedestrians, plus going as fast as possible where the local bike riders in some sort of courage run.
Anyway we made it!!!!
The final sprint finish was won by Ferdi who having won the two climbs for the day was easily able to seize the yellow jersey when it counts.
Final points were:
Ferdi 729
Wighty. 643
Pedals. 625
M2 606
Goose 585
Rocket 501
Our individual highlights
Ferdi. Glacier Point at Yosemite
Wighty the climb along the Pacific coast to Big Sur
Pedals. The barmaid at Parkfield
M2 the descent down from Mt Hamilton
Goose the Big Sur bender, as much as he can remember
Rocket. El Capitan revisited
Tonight we had clam chowder at Fisherman's Wharf and caught a cable car to get there and a stretch limmo to get back.
Tomorrow it's time to pack the bikes and take in the baseball.
-posted by pw from ipad
Then we rode past an inlet on a fast bending and lumpy road with about 30 km of new hot mix surface. Then there is Goose defending yellow before we arrived at Stinson Beach.
Then there where two big climbs to Sausalito and just before the climb there was an old lady hitchhiking so we offered her a lift and Barb gave me some local knowledge to get through to Sausalito.
Thanks to Barb for this group shot before we rolled into San Francisco at the top of the last hill.
Sausalito is a small town where we parked the van and then rode as a group up the road to the bridge. While it was sunny in Sausalito it was colder and very windy on the way to and over the bridge. There go the boys heading for the finish.
The bridge ride was probably one of the more riskier things we did as we were riding against a hundred or so tourists on rental MTBs and as many pedestrians, plus going as fast as possible where the local bike riders in some sort of courage run.
Anyway we made it!!!!
The final sprint finish was won by Ferdi who having won the two climbs for the day was easily able to seize the yellow jersey when it counts.
Final points were:
Ferdi 729
Wighty. 643
Pedals. 625
M2 606
Goose 585
Rocket 501
Our individual highlights
Ferdi. Glacier Point at Yosemite
Wighty the climb along the Pacific coast to Big Sur
Pedals. The barmaid at Parkfield
M2 the descent down from Mt Hamilton
Goose the Big Sur bender, as much as he can remember
Rocket. El Capitan revisited
Tonight we had clam chowder at Fisherman's Wharf and caught a cable car to get there and a stretch limmo to get back.
Tomorrow it's time to pack the bikes and take in the baseball.
-posted by pw from ipad
Location:Post St,San Francisco,United States
Tuesday 2 August 2011
Singing: whoa oh oh Bodega Bay
Rest day today from Occidental which involved a ride to Bodega Bay and back (50 km) over a steep climb with a compensating downhill.
First we woke to a very misty morning with thick due, I must say that Occidental is a lovely village nestled in a valley on a ridge surrounded by mature redwood trees, it has that euro feel. Apparently mountain lions roam here.
So woke up to this today and we crossed the road for breakfast at Howards Cafe.
From there it was an out of uniform day to ride to the coast, Goose and Rocket took the sag wagon. The climb was quite steep in parts but our new level of fitness saw effortless riding. Here are some of the redwoods, in some parts the forest it still was dark and wet.
Then we got our first view of the Pacific Ocean again. Weather as usual low 20s sun that doesn't really produce sunburn, slight northerly tailwind.
Then it was a short hop to Bodega Bay for lunch at the wharf, even the seagulls are bigger in the US.
Rocket ordered Nachos and this is what showed up, we are on about a one in three rate of guessing correctly what we have ordered.
At lunch we could watch the sea lions patrol for food morsels
On the way back via the town of Bodega we road through this eucalypt avenue, smelt very much like back home.
So it's now time we got ready for our last day. Goose is in yellow and Rocket has regained 'red'. The points are very close with anyone a chance to claim yellow at that final sprint on the Golden Gate bridge. the route suggests we will ride 114 km tomorrow mostly down hwy 1 which has a reasonable shoulder and low volume traffic.
-posted by pw from ipad
First we woke to a very misty morning with thick due, I must say that Occidental is a lovely village nestled in a valley on a ridge surrounded by mature redwood trees, it has that euro feel. Apparently mountain lions roam here.
So woke up to this today and we crossed the road for breakfast at Howards Cafe.
From there it was an out of uniform day to ride to the coast, Goose and Rocket took the sag wagon. The climb was quite steep in parts but our new level of fitness saw effortless riding. Here are some of the redwoods, in some parts the forest it still was dark and wet.
Then we got our first view of the Pacific Ocean again. Weather as usual low 20s sun that doesn't really produce sunburn, slight northerly tailwind.
Then it was a short hop to Bodega Bay for lunch at the wharf, even the seagulls are bigger in the US.
Rocket ordered Nachos and this is what showed up, we are on about a one in three rate of guessing correctly what we have ordered.
At lunch we could watch the sea lions patrol for food morsels
On the way back via the town of Bodega we road through this eucalypt avenue, smelt very much like back home.
So it's now time we got ready for our last day. Goose is in yellow and Rocket has regained 'red'. The points are very close with anyone a chance to claim yellow at that final sprint on the Golden Gate bridge. the route suggests we will ride 114 km tomorrow mostly down hwy 1 which has a reasonable shoulder and low volume traffic.
-posted by pw from ipad
Napa wine trail then to occidental
We decided to change the route to ride the full length of the Napa Valley and then head west to Occidental This turned out to be a very good decision as the Napa Valley is very suited to bike riding and the Bike Lane is very good. We set off at good pace with cool air ultimately riding 110km with a long lunch at Calistoga.
Today we saw two snakes here is the first one which pedals may have run over. Anyone know what type it is?
From there we changed to route 29 as we wanted to stop at the Castello De Amorosa which was towards the end of the valley. Only trouble was the driveway was about 400 m long but had a gradient of 17% at it's worst!
The castle is a winery which has been 30 years in the making and is built largely to authentic Italian design (as distinct from the Hearst Castle). Goose stopped for a tasting.
Here is the Duke in yellow with two of his loyal guards.
It is all made with stone blocks
The lunch sprint was at Calistoga where M2 beat everyone including the sag wagon. He must have been hungry. Thanks to the guy at the Calistoga Bike Shop for advice on the route as we were then able to ride along nice country roads and keep away from the busy main roads.
This is a quiet climb for points see pedals hitting the crank to ward off the yellow jersey
A water stop at Chalk Hill road
And the near the end Ferdi had another flat, 3 in two days and not the same thorn.
we are now tucked up at Occidental with our rest day tomorrow involving a ride to Bodega Bay. Goose is back in Yellow for the ultimate stage which should see fierce competition for our last riding day as the points are close. rocket once again has 'red' in his safe possession.
-posted by pw from ipad
Today we saw two snakes here is the first one which pedals may have run over. Anyone know what type it is?
From there we changed to route 29 as we wanted to stop at the Castello De Amorosa which was towards the end of the valley. Only trouble was the driveway was about 400 m long but had a gradient of 17% at it's worst!
The castle is a winery which has been 30 years in the making and is built largely to authentic Italian design (as distinct from the Hearst Castle). Goose stopped for a tasting.
Here is the Duke in yellow with two of his loyal guards.
It is all made with stone blocks
The lunch sprint was at Calistoga where M2 beat everyone including the sag wagon. He must have been hungry. Thanks to the guy at the Calistoga Bike Shop for advice on the route as we were then able to ride along nice country roads and keep away from the busy main roads.
This is a quiet climb for points see pedals hitting the crank to ward off the yellow jersey
A water stop at Chalk Hill road
And the near the end Ferdi had another flat, 3 in two days and not the same thorn.
we are now tucked up at Occidental with our rest day tomorrow involving a ride to Bodega Bay. Goose is back in Yellow for the ultimate stage which should see fierce competition for our last riding day as the points are close. rocket once again has 'red' in his safe possession.
-posted by pw from ipad
Location:Silverado Trail,Napa,United States
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