2024 Diablo Day 34 - Saturday Morning Junction

Did not sleep well for some reason - did not ride well this morning. Felt OK, just no energy.

The air quality was supposed to be good, but it looked smoggy to me... and smelled a little like fireplace.

Not a lot of riders today - saw a few regulars and a few newbs.

Roadkill Report: an OWL! - that's a first for me.

Roadkill Report: plain old stupid squirrel.

Merry Christmas to all my loyal readers!

2024 Diablo Day 33 - Saturday Morning Junction

Last week it was raining, so I donated blood instead of riding. Whoever gets my blood - you're welcome.

I had almost forgotten though, until about 10 minutes into my ride and I did a little green light interval and I quickly got light-headed and out of breath (double reds take about two weeks to recover)... then I slowed down for the rest of the ride, happy to have an excuse.

JB beat me to Junction. We made idle chit chat. He said the north side was foggy, I said the south side was cold and windy. Then we disparaged plastic bikes and both descended our respective downhills.

2024 Diablo Day 32 - Saturday Morning Junction

Sunny and chilly this morning.

I felt a lot better than last week - got to Junction and didn't feel completely spent.

On the way to the park, I hit some rode debris pretty hard and my Diablo Bike Speaker fell off my handlebars. I went back to get it and it still worked, but the SD card was lost, so I played it on Bluetooth mode. I have more SD cards at home, no big whoop.

Right here is that thing I ran over - sounded metallic. No tire damage.

Check out my new-to-me Subaru Outback - I named her Suzie. Sold my old truck after 18 years of loyal service. Then I needed a new transport rack so thanks to the folks at Alamo Trek for expediting my order. I like both the car and the rack. I considered a hitch rack but the hitch itself would've cost about $500, and the bike rack would interfere with the hatchback, so I didn't think I wanted that option. The roof rack option means I have to bring my mini-step stool to get my bike up there - the Outback is not as tall as an SUV, but taller than a sedan. I'll do a product review on the Thule Up-Ride one of these days, but I like how it doesn't contact the frame and you don't have to take your front wheel off. Taking your front wheel off is a bigger deal if you have hydraulic brakes, which I might SOME day.

2024 Diablo Day 31 - Saturday Morning Junction

Beautiful weather and I was dressed for cold. Still a few lingering COVID symptoms like coughing, but mostly I felt good, moderately strong, but endurance is down.

Diablo Shoutout to old riding friend Nancy who I saw descending while I was approaching Rock City.

JB said he passed someone while he was climbing the North - there was no evidence to support this claim though.

Hi Nancy!

2024 Diablo Day 30 - Saturday Morning Junction

First ride since COVID caught me a couple weeks ago.

Last ride of Daylight Saving Time.

First ride of November.

Not the first ride of the season on my winter bike with tights and jacket - but shorts weather is over.

I started having COVID symptoms on a Thursday, but it didn't seem bad enough and I refused to believe it was COVID until friends told me it probably was, and I tested positive on Friday and spent the next week mostly in bed or sucking down Nyquil. I only had a fever and chills and achiness for a few days, but the fatigue and brain fog lasted two weeks. Then I think I caught a regular cold right after that so I've been coughing and snotty ever since. But it was beautiful weather and I am sick of feeling like a sick slug, so I kitted up and rode.

Slower than usual, and I was tired-er than usual when I got to Junction - still operating on reduced lung capacity. I'm always glad that I rode even when I had a good excuse not to - but today I was extra glad when it was over.

Went on a group dog walk downtown later in the afternoon and had an Alison spotting.  And then I voted.

(Old photo)

OK, here are today's ride photos. Look at that sky!  It was kind of smoggy yesterday so the blue was nice to see.

2024 Diablo Day 29 - Saturday Morning Junction

Bright, calm, and mid-60's... just like me!

No wildlife to speak of - although there were a bunch of people hoping to see tarantellas. 

After the last couple weekends of high heat, it was really nice today. The Death Ride is over, the Diablo Challenge is over, Euro pro racing is over... only the Diablo hard-cores remain until next spring.

I thought this guy was going to hurl, but he was just stretching.