2020 WNR 09

Well the Winter Wednesday Junction riders tried to get something going for 2:30, and we all needed a ride to get our minds off of COVID and our bodies out of lock-down.  But the weather (wind and rain) was dicey so two of us including I cancelled, one was committed, and one did a different ride.

Then 3 o'clock rolled around and I re-evaluated and the weather looked better so I changed my mind and got to The Gate at 3:30 for a solo ride.  Pressed up my tires, and saw this:

Yeah, I thought, "This'll be the last ride on these tires. I sure got good use out of this pair though, and I really like them."

The weather got a lot better, but still a little windy and cold.  Saw lots of riders and all but two of them were riding solo.

At Junction I realized my rear tire had gone soft.  I figured I could pump it up and make it home without changing it.  Also, I noticed The Park had taken away the bike rack and the bench in front of the entrance door to the Ranger Station.  Probably some kind of social distancing precaution.

Started feeling a little squirmy toward the bottom of The Mountain. Had to stop just outside The Gate to pump up again.

Then I had to stop again at the Fire Station... even though I was only a few miles from home, I decided to put on my spare.  Then I put on my clincher wheels when I got home because I don't want to put my new sew-ups on with only a few weeks left (hopefully) on the winter bike.

Passed me like a bullet train - rainbow trim on his sleeves... must be Metcalf!

Bench and bike rack... GONE!

2020 SMR 10

Today the County sent out a "shelter in place" document that was even more strict than the last one. I called JB to make sure the ride should go on, but it did.

I think I only saw one car.  Fewer than normal number of riders, but not by much.

I don't know if it was the creepiness of the day or what, but I decided to quit at Junction.  

2020 WNR 08

Corona Virus Cycling Chronicles:

Went in to work Monday and the boss said "no working from the office".

Tuesday the local government said "no going outside your house"... "except for essential stuff like buying medicine, and getting outdoor exercise".  So I went for an urban bike ride around Walnut Creek just to get a perspective on the reality of the lock-down.  Traffic was about 5% of what it would normally be - so I took the whole lane on major streets that I'd never ride on... and I rolled right through red lights at minor intersections because there were no cars to wait for.  The stores mostly had the same sign posted saying they were closed for lock-down. The restaurants were either closed or signed "open for take-out".  It was eerie.  Lots of people out walking around though, taking advantage of the exemption for outdoor exercise.

Red Light?  Means nothing during an apocalypse.

Wednesday comes and the Wednesday Night Riders start sending out text messages to gauge interest in a ride and there was some.  I missed last Wed for a medical appointment, and I missed Saturday for bad weather, so I was mentally primed, but physically not at my best.

The Park was open, but not the camp grounds or visitor centers.  There was a good number of riders, mostly solo, enjoying their rides. JB was fighting off some kind of sickness and didn't make it to Junction.  The rest of us made jokes about keeping our distance from each other, but we didn't really find any humor in the current situation.

Then I got rained on a little on the way home.

JB Called it QUITS before The Bump

This guy was SMOOOOOTH

2020 SMR 09

JB texted that he had quarantined himself in his home, so it was a solo ride today.

Weather report said "showers"... they were right again. Got pretty heavy at times.

Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to be a tough old bird.  If anybody needs a birthday gift idea - size M.   Tough Old Bird

Hardly anybody on The Mountain - the PG&E crew was doing their thing at Junction.  Saw a few riders but my Strava Flyby list was really short.

My Garmin crapped out three times before it died completely - I finished up with the phone app so most of the miles count.

Since the Strava pieces were split up, I wouldn't have a NG-Summit split, and it was wet, and I was cold, and there was nobody to notice... so I figured I would be totally justified in stopping at the Lower Lot and not doing The Wall... except TOUGH OLD BIRDS do not make excuses - so I didn't even stop for my usual HammerGel at the bottom.

I stopped on the way down at Junction to warm up my fingers a bit, but that was the only concession. And I totally deserved that nap when I got home.

LeMond Lady passed me after The Dips, but she turned around about Mile 2.

This runner called out "we're crazy!"

WARNING - but no idea of what.

At Muir, I stopped to start the Strava app on my phone... might as well whiz while I was there.

My breath wasn't warm enough to thaw my fingers.

2020 WNR 07

Me, Justin, Charlie, JB.
Joe Shami FlyBy!
Charlie pointed out some birds.
Justin turned around before Junction.
Charlie rode from home and went down SGR for a 47km loop.
Wow, it was warm... chance of showers for next week.
Lots and lots of poppies and other wildflowers.  It's a great time to be a Diablo cyclist.
Daylight Wasting Time ends on Sunday - I'll miss the first WNR of DST this year.

Aero bars and a three-story backpack... OK!

Let's GO JOE!

Enjoying this sunshine.