Where's DiabloScott?

He's home recovering from a Grand Mal Seizure and a compression fracture of a vertebrae.

First time for either, and I never thought that would happen and no idea why it did.  I feel pretty normal except my back gets sore and tired all the time... so save the PITY for somebody else.  Had a couple dozen scans and lab tests in the hospital and they all say I'm a healthy old bugger. I wear a back brace and walk with the help of a walker and I can't lift things heavier than my cat.

The epic mustache is a COVID lockdown novelty, but it's growing on me.

Over the next couple weeks I'll be weaning myself off of the pain pills. I estimate I'll be riding my commute bike around the neighborhood by June 18 (that'll be four weeks post seizure); and my next  ride up Diablo will be before the first of July.  I have no idea if that's realistic but I needed to make a plan.

And if anybody were to offer to mow my lawn... well, I'd accept your offer.

2020 WNR 17

Pre-seizure ride.....     WHAT?!?!?!?!?       Check back for health report.

Ideal riding conditions.  Feeling great.  Just me and JB tonight.

We stayed together until about The Ranches when I started feeling my oats and went hard for a sub-47.

Lots of riders tonight, but they were all keeping appropriate anti-viral distancing.  People are getting the hang of this.

As implied above, this'll be my last ride for a while.  I made a good video to remember it by - not sharing.

2020 SMR 17

Roadkill Report:  a duck on Walnut Ave.  Didn't have the DiabloCam on.

Ranger Roberto at the NG entrance always hassles JB about loitering in the area near the kiosk... he claims he needs to keep the trail access clear - but the gate is closed and nobody is inconvenienced in the slightest.

How cold was it?  I wore a base layer under my jersey.  No complaints. Hardly any wind, clear skies, good riding.

I started to get a little grumbling from my drivetrain... might be time for a new cassette soon.

So we're about 8-weeks car-free on Diablo and the cycling community approves. Hey - check out my YouTube video!  And if you see yourself in there make a comment!  

You should really play this on your big screen.  No sound, so play it simultaneously with an appropriate musical background; I suggest something by Antonín Dvořák, or maybe Dolly Parton, or Patti Smith.  (I get a kick out of thinking someday someone will search on those people and Google will give them a link to my blog!  <and if that's you send me an email!> )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzdvU89cz40

Somebody painted this nice peacock rock.  Thanks!

Orange shoes for the win!

2020 WNR 16

Just me tonight - assorted excuses from everybody else.

A little windy, a little cool, and a little drizzle. 

The King of Rock and Roll passed away a couple days ago and I found a Little Richard Playlist on my Amazon service rocked it all the way up.  When Tutti Frutti came on I was inspired to open up a can of whoop-ass... poor guy I passed didn't know what hit him!  (see video below)

The drizzle got a little heavier at Junction so I didn't spend any time there - did a couple laps around the intersection, took a swig of my iced tea, and headed down.

Kudos to this Ranger for holding the exit gate open for my entry.

The guy is always trying to photobomb my blog.

Cal Jersey Autoblog.

2020 SMR 16

Especially nice today because I narrowly avoided having to travel for work - assignment postponed until Monday.

JB said "If this weather doesn't change, I won't have anything to complain about."

Wildlife Encounter: big group of turkeys at The Ranches.

Saw a lot of riders on our way up, but many many more were coming up when we were going back down.  Also the exit gate was open - maybe because a few people crashed into the exit gate on the south side last week, not expecting it to be closed.

Hallelujah - the only bugs were cute ones like butterflies.

Even more than usual, Mount Diablo is owned by the cyclists.

Two guys overcooking the turn down Clavicle Cracker. Watch out for newbs.

Cal Jersey Autoblog - I guess T-shirts count too.

2020 WNR 15

Me, Charlie, JB, and Justin.
It was warm, but not as bad as it was a couple weeks ago.
JB was feeling his oats and went hard from the start so I went with him. We both did about 47m30s. Then Charlie came in with a PB of 49m49s.

Wildlife Encounter:  turkeys and one deer.

Lots of female riders tonight - maybe the car-free Park is bringing them out.  Welcome!

2020 SMR 15

Today was even more enjoyable than your average ride on the Mountain Majestic.  Middle of spring season fog cover, cooler than usual, and to start things out...

Roadkill Report: an opossum on The Approach.

Word is out. Cycling is pandemic-approved and essential and The Mountain is closed to cars so the road was thick with cyclists of all stripes.  Notably, there were quite a few folks who looked like Diablo was the toughest challenge they'd attempted in quite a while.  I saw one guy on an old StingRay.

Still a few vehicles on the road though - I saw multiple State Park trucks, a diesel re-fueling truck for the PG&E equipment, and one PG&E van.

These posers got yelled at by a Park Ranger for not keeping socially distant. 
They pretended to acquiesce, but then ignored him.

This rider (R) had what I believe are the shortest bike shorts I've ever seen.

The Mountain is a cruel exposer of posers...
These guys had high-end equipment and gear but couldn't climb,...
Big hats, no cattle.

Almost hurled at Summit.  I salute you.

OK, this is my new favorite photo.

Cal Jersey Autoblog