2017 SMR 23

Cool to start, then windy, then hot, then pleasantly warm.

This rider assured us she didn't need any help.

This guy admired my Klein.
Older rider with a Mt. Diablo jersey and a Colnago - cool.

Traffic stop for downed tree removal near Livermore Overlook.

Oh look, it's one of THOSE bikes

Skin suit, time trial bike, aero helmet, aero shoe covers...
this guy was serious and fast.

Colonel Al discusses proper methods of counting
park visitors for getting state funds.

2017 WNR 08

OK, it's a hot one.  Frozen water bottles were melted before I even got started.

Hey - JB showed up.

Wildlife Encounter:  turkeys and deer

Shawn ignored the "NO PASSING" sign.

Still looking for the first tarantula of the season.

I always bunny hop these dots - executed perfectly tonight.

2017 SMR 22

Water bottles frozen to absolute perfection, our intrepid hero-blogger embarks on another Saturday Morning Ride.

This new pavement on Walnut Ave is pretty sweet.
Not sure what the striping means - cars can't cross a double white 
but OK to turn across solid-dash?

Faithful sidekick awaits.

This guy was definitely channeling Rigoberto Uran in the Pyrenees...
but he flatted at the Ranger House.

Kind of a shame when you have a bike pullout but no cars wanting to pass.

JB talked about turning around at Livermore Overlook and we went down SGR.
Been a long time since I rode any flat miles, so I reluctantly agreed.

After the Hole in the Wall, it was just a suburban stroll back home.

2017 SMR 21

Three Saturdays have passed without JB and I doing a Summit together... order has been restored.

Wildlife Encounter:  A coyote, defecating in the road.  Captured on the DiabloBikeCam, but too far away to be interesting.  I wondered if they do that so they don't leave a scent in their hunting area, or if they just don't like bike riders.

Ran into Elmar coming down.  Since he changed jobs he has to ride by himself now.

JA! JA!  Dat iss Elmar!

2017 WNR 07

Death Ride is over, Mountain is a lot less crowded.

Four of us from work, plus acquaintance Robert.

Not too hot, not too windy... but hot and windy.

Charlie:  Hey look, there's still a little water in the creek!

Scott:  That's cow piss.

I was behind this guy for quite a while.
When I finally passed him he cheered me.

2017 SMR 20

Tour de France is ON.  First tough mountain stage today.  Lots of folks dusting off their bikes for a Diablo ride.

One of them wasn't JB.  Just me today, but I had 65 Strava Flybys.  Most of them named their rides something about HOT.

32°C at Junction at 9am... one day I'll applaud myself for doing the sensible thing and skipping the Summit.  But today it felt like I was wimping out.

Got bit by a giant horsefly at Junction, but I slapped the bastard in the act.  I enjoyed seeing my blood ooze out of his mouth as his he writhed in agony on the hot pavement.  Sorry, no photo.

Lots of new pavement patches on the road.
I'm embarrassed to say I don't remember any crack in this section.

This rider had her saddle a little too high,
but she passed me too fast to benefit from my fitment advice.

I checked my recent results.
I should probably rename the "4-minute sign" to the "5 minute sign".

Wildlife Encounter:  a coyote pup near the ZigZag.

I tried to make friends with him, he did not reciprocate my offer.

C'mere little fella... I won't hurt you.

2017 WNR 06

Just me and Kevin tonight.  Quiet on The Mountain too... folks must still be in holiday mode.

Pretty hot; it was a factor.

My FlightDeck bike computer is starting to mess up... might be time to look for something else.