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.