2022 Diablo Day 64 - Saturday Juniper

 JB texted while I was getting ready and said he wasn't coming. So I thought about it and decided I would drive to The Church and then try to do a Juniper. Worked out perfect.

There was a trail running event called The Diablo Stomp going on, so it was kind of crowed on The Mountain. 

Only a couple miles in and I started to get this weird cramp below my right calf - it made me need to move my foot around; it hurt in the neutral position, so I tried pointing my toes down... that was worse so I tried pointing my toes up... that was even worser, so I just big my lip and rode and hoped that the cramp wouldn't explode on me. I even stopped below The Bump to give myself a little massage. Then I remembered that last night I had exactly this same cramp and it woke me up and hurt and never went away, but I stopped it from going nuclear.

At Junction there was a guy who restored old bikes and he was talking to everybody - he knew a little about Kleins. There was a rider there who had a custom Bianchi steel bike that was pretty cool.

So then, I figured I could keep my cramp at bay long enough to do Juniper... and just barely did.

Cal Jersey AutoBlog

The cramp massaging pull-out.

I was going to tell this guy his bike was too small for him... but I couldn't catch him.

2022 Diablo Day 63 - Wednesday Junction

The blood bank called a few weeks ago and talked me into making a deposit yesterday. It's been a long time since I donated... ever since they closed the Blood Centers of the Pacific location in Shadelands. So I was a little concerned about the performance hit of being a pint low. They said "wait 24 hours before vigorous exersize". I figured that was for other people, and I'd be good after only 19 hours.  I was winded and weak from the time I rolled out the door.  Charlie and JB celebrated my handicap by riding away easily. I even had to stop at the Upper Ranch for a breather. Did I talk you into donating yourself?  Sign up HERE.

For no particular reason, I wore my Seattle to Portland jersey... wow, 2009 seems like not that long ago and forever at the same time. Anyway, at The Washout I passed a rider who said she had that same jersey from that same ride, so we talked for a while. She had done like five STPs in a row, but never the one-day version. 

Then at the Ranger House, I got passed by my neighbor Mark. I told him I gave blood and that's why I was so slow and hideous... he pretended to sympathize on his way around. He's not a showy kind of guy - but he had on some really spiffy blue shoes that would get anyone's attention.

Fire House to Gate = 11 minutes.

Plotting their attack already.

Trusty STEED is getting a little gray around the temples.

These lane markers are not only painted on... they're kind of thick... like raised. You can feel the bumps when you ride over them.

STP rider.

Mark!

2022 Diablo Day 62 - Saturday Junction

Started off cool, I dressed warm.

Fog broke at altitude, weather got warm, I was a little too warm too.

A few e-bikes, a few fast folks, a few newbs, a few old-timers... good day on The Mountain.

I talked to a woman at Junction who had recently had both knees "debraded" or something... she said the doctor kind of carved a smoother path for her knee to track through. After a couple months of re-hab she said she felt better than she had in years. I'm about at a point where I might have a discussion about something like that with my doctors... it was hurtin today.

At Junction, JB said he had next to no brake pads left and he'd have to change them before the next ride. I don't think I've ever considered new brake pads to be an extravagance; replacement while there's still a little rubber on there is easy to justify.

I didn't ride on Wednesday and felt out of shape today - no power for the big moves, a little winded on the easy segments... I probably need to read a book on training... or maybe just harden up and ride more.

2022 Diablo Day 61 - Saturday Junction

I was running behind and got to The Gate 3 minutes late. JB was waiting - I hate being late.

Good riding, great weather. New bike cam worked great, packed just the right amount of fluids.

No roadkill or tarantulas or wildlife. No flats or crashes or rude drivers.

Knee hurt a little; so did both arms (vaccines yesterday), my neck, and my back.

2022 Diablo Day 60 - Wednesday Junction

JB went to a baseball game and Charlie went to Washington - so just me today. I drove to The Church because there was no one to shame me for not riding. Warmer than I thought it was going to be.

I felt good and started fast and thought I was going hard enough for a good time, but by the Upper Washout I was washed up. Anyway, feels good to go hard even if the results are not worth mentioning.

Tarantula Tally: ONE.

My new action cam came today, but after my ride, so you get one more blog post of dumb photos. 

Scott - SIT!

Here's proof of my MASSIVE EFFORT!

And here's a photo from Sunday's Diablo Challenge I forgot to post earlier.

2022 Mount Diablo Challenge

I think I haven't been to The Summit since LAST year's Diablo  challenge. Everything went smoothly. Riders seemed to enjoy my Latin rhythm cowbell patterns. 

Great weather, so people didn't pack as much stuff and my truck had lots more room, but you have to be prepared for everything.  No crashes on the way down, so I didn't need to give anybody a ride.

Those fast guys were fast, and the slow people seemed to be happy to be there, and the volunteers and staff were the greatest.

2022 Diablo Day 59 - Saturday Junction

First Diablo ride in 2 weeks!  Suffering coefficient was proportionally higher.

Also, this sucks... my camera mount broke and my camera fell off my bike and broke when it hit the road... so until I get a replacement you loyal readers might have to put up with cell phone photos or something. Another bummer... they're not making Contour cameras any more and that's what I have mounts and batteries for and really don't want to switch.  Bright side: there's still a bunch for sale on eBay and they're cheaper than they used to be, so I should have it next week.

It's October now, so I'll be switching to the winter bike soon - I should probably dust him off.

There was a guy at Junction with a Klein Quantum... probably about a '96. I got it on video, but then my camera broke so the file got corrupted.  It was kind of a psychedelic pink and yellow.

I'm getting a flu shot and COVID booster next Friday - hoping for minimal side effects.

And tomorrow is the Diablo Challenge and I'm volunteering again - come say hi.