2016 SMR 41

Rain. Two Saturdays in a row... can't believe my good fortune.


Other cyclists: 0,   cars: 1,  deer: 5,   turkeys: 10+

Kind of a light rain the whole way up - just how I like it.  Not cold or windy.

There's a palpable sense of renewal on The Mountain... rejuvenation feels wet.

Hey look - they patched up Wounded Knee!

2016 SMR 40

Every Saturday morning I walk my dog Isaac 🐕 about 6:30 and evaluate the weather conditions to determine what I should wear on my Saturday Morning Ride... or even if I have to cancel it.  The report today was for rain all morning and the skies were pretty dark, but it wasn't raining yet and there was kind of a blue patch over in the southeast so I figured tights and a regular jacket, not the rain jacket.

Got to the Gate and waited for JB but he didn't show.  Only saw a few other riders go up.  We all gave each other the nod of acknowledgment - people who like cycling in the rain belong to an exclusive club... that you can join by cycling in the rain and liking it.

I was totally prepared to turn around at Junction.  Got real windy up around the ranches.

This guy came up SGR and got to JNXN the same time as me.

Yup, turn around.

I love these dramatic weather photos.

Doyle always recognizes me and waves.  I think I only met him once though.

2016 SMR 39

Dressed too warm today - there was a little rain overnight but this morning it was bright and clear. Pavement was a little damp is all.  I was cooking in tights and a windbreaker.

Roadkill Report:  a mouse... flat and dry.  There were a lot of vultures in the sky though.

This guy was eyeing my beautiful vintage Eddy Merckx with the Vittoria Pave sewups and San Marco Rolls saddle with RINO hide... good eyes.

Thought I had my brakes figured out after last week's ride, but brought a 4mm allen just in case.  Right here is where I realized I needed another adjustment.

Finally after the fifth adjustment, I had it good enough

Oh look, the cloud of doom (in the shape of Trump's hair) is hanging over Contra Costa County.

2016 SMR 38

JB's still on a trip so just me today - took the opportunity to be ~15 minutes late on the last ride of Daylight Saving Time.

No wildlife, no roadkill, good weather, great mountain.

I thought I had my brakes adjusted correctly after last week's descent... but turns out they were even worse... braking the rear made my whole bike vibrate with a high frequency buzz that transferred directly to my butt for a scintillating but embarrassing sensation; it was an interesting challenge to only brake when no one else was within earshot.

There was a foot race going on today too - at The Summit they had a mat that the runners were supposed to step on to show that they had "stomped on the devil".