2023 Diablo Day 54 - Saturday Morning Junction. SGR plus Rock Basket Kicker

Today I didn't want to drive to NGR, but I did want to ride with JB, so I went up the Easy Side alone, stopped at Junction for a bit, and then went down the north side and stopped at the Rock Baskets and waited for JB to ride up. I pretty much knew what time he'd be there and it worked out fine. I got a few extra miles and a another 1,000 feet of climbing in so it was a good workout that worked out good.

I was hoping to make it to November before digging out my tights, but this morning put the kibosh on that idea. First ride of the season in tights, windbreaker, and full-fingered gloves.

Wildlife Encounters:

• Dozens of turkeys
• One coyote
• One deer 

At Junction I talked to Colnago Ted who told me a great story about when he was bitten on the head by a rabid coyote when he was camping at Yosemite.

JB and I talked about the coming cold weather and the smoky atmosphere... and a little politics.

2023 Diablo Day 53 - Saturday Morning Junction

Met JB at The Gate, and we started making excuses for being slow. Hardly saw any cars all morning. 

Perfect riding weather - won't be long until I'll need tights though. My knee was complaining until we got to The Bump when I pushed it hard and it quit sassing me.

I stayed with JB until I decided I needed to go faster to break 60 minutes, and then I unfurled my fury and came in with a 59.

At Junction we met a couple who hugged each other when they rode in. JB asked them if that was because they had thought they might not make it, and the husband said it was the first time to Junction since the wife had beat cancer. That was a good moment, and I decided not to complain about my knee any more.

Tarantula Tally: 1 

Wildlife Encounter: Deer near Burma

2023 Diablo Day 52 - Saturday Morning Junction

Solo ride today; got out early and not many other riders were out. First I thought it would be really cool to see the "ring of fire" solar eclipse but then the fog covered the sky so all I got to see was dark clouds in dim light.

One house I passed had a great Halloween decoration of a T-Rex skeleton eating a pumpkin.

Wildlife Encounter: magnificent buck just below the Tire Poppers. He jumped a fence on my left, ran across the road, and then watched me go by on my right. I think he was admiring my supple pedaling style.

Three weeks until the end of Daylight Saving Time... then winter and tights and rain jackets. I'd better get the winter bike lubed up and those new tires glued on.

 

2023 Diablo Day 51 - NGR to Junction

I haven't ridden with JB since they closed NGR for the repairs months ago - so he asked and I went. That's two NGRs in a row. I paid a lot of attention to my knee preparation this morning, and that went a lot better. So it was a little slower than Wednesday, but a lot easier.

Saw Mark going up while I was waiting at The Gate. Then JB got there a few minutes later and we started up. We talked about football (OK, just he did), work, vehicles, and vaccinations.

There were some construction workers making some interesting rock structures around that culvert by the Rock Baskets. The other side of the road has just lumber there so I hope they do that area also.

Saw Ted at Junction passing out the Turnout donation request flyers again - he said they've raised $650k out of the stretch goal of $750k so that was impressive. I made my own donation earlier this week so yay me, and yay all of my readers who pitched in too... and to the rest of you - there's still time!

LINK->  Bike Turnouts

Forcing stiffness OUT of my body.

Huge road apple, baking in the sun.

Culvert rock wall.