Petaluma/Point Reyes Bike Ride

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to get out of town for the day. Last year, Sue gave me a book called Road Biking, Northern California. I looked through the book and found a ride near Petaluma and Fort Reyes. I decided that is where I wanted to go for the day. I could not have asked for better weather. It was bright, sunny and about 65 degrees. PERFECT for a ride. The loop was 33 miles. Due to a couple steep climbs (see description below), I had and embarrassingly slow ride (about 3 1/2 hours). I still am trying to build my hill climbing strength since I will be riding several hills in the St. George Century Ride in April(which is part of the reason I choose to go there yesterday).

The start & finish of the ride.


Some scenery of the first part of the ride:




This picture does not even begin to show how steep the hill is. I had already climbed about half of it and this was part of the second half. The name of the climb is appropriator named "The Wall". It was a 2 mile climb ranging between and 8% to 18% grade!


The payoff after such a brutal climb was this amazing view (and the 25-35 mile per hour downhill ride!!!


Just some nice scenery towards the end of the ride:

Foxy's Fall Century

Yesterday, was the "Foxy's Fall Century". It is a bike ride and participants have the choice to ride either 30, 62, or 100 miles. My dad and each rode the full 100 miles! My friend, Jill, offered to drive my mom around the course to take pictures and cheer us on. We finished in a total time of 8 hours, 28 minutes and a ride time of 7 hours, 7 minutes! It was a beautiful day for a bike ride and we all had a great time!
Here are some of the pictures taken throughout the ride.






25 miles in - pulling into the first rest stop!







Pulling into the water stop.







Finally - after 50 miles of riding, it is lunch time!



Getting ready to climb back on the bikes after lunch.


Climbing "Cardiac Hill". Yes, that really is the name of it - AND it is aptly named!!!





Oh, the blessed descent!!!


Lake Berryessa.




Pulling into the final rest stop.


A professional photographer set up his equipment along the course. These are the two I ordered.



Lake Solano.


The bike statue (between Winters and Davis).


Pulling into the finish line!

Best Buddies Challenge - Hearst Castle 2011

A few months ago, Sue brought me an information card she picked up downtown about the Best Buddies fundraising bike ride. I looked it up online and decided it would be fun to do. I looked at the elevation/grade chart on the four different rides and decided I could do the 30 mile ride. After this weekend, I found out you can NOT judge a ride by the chart!!! It was WAY harder than I anticipated it would be and I am more sore and tired after this 30 mile ride, than I was last weekend when I rode 60 miles (mostly flat with a couple short and not-so-steep hills). With that being said, it was WELL worth it!

Friday, I left late morning and took advantage of the early check in. While there, I signed up the ride next year and signed up for the 62 mile ride (that was BEFORE I new what the hills are like) - now I am wondering what I got myself into?! I did find out that I can change and do the 30 mile ride if I want to again next year. After I got to my hotel, I had dinner then went to the ocean to watch the sunset. It was gorgeous!

Saturday morning, I drove to near the finish line. My bike was loaded into a big moving truck with the other bikes and I boarded a shuttle bus with the others starting at the 30 mile mark. After a brief opening ceremony, we began. We rode south down Highway 1 and the scenery is absolutely beautiful! I was not in a big hurry and new that, so I stopped a couple times to take some photos. When we crossed the finish line, there were people cheering us on, people giving out a medal to each of the riders and someone to take our bike and helmet to store for us so we could enjoy the post-ride events. We were given a a goodie bag, a message, a hot shower and a great lunch. In the evening, we were taken up to Hearst Ranch for an amazing barbeque and concert. This year, it was Smash Mouth. Everything was absolutely amazing, and I am already looking forward to next year. If anyone wants to join me next year, the ride will be on September 8th!!!

Friday evenings sunset.


These show the elevation/grade of the ride as well as the color coding. On the grade, we started at the "30" mark and rode toward the "0". As you will see - part of the ride was in the red AND the PURPLE!!!



Google Earth view of the ride.


Some of the scenery I saw along the ride.




View from the finish line!


Smash Mouth concert!!!






On Sunday, I went theMonterey Bay Aquarium. It was well worth the few hours I took to go look around!
The display of numerous different Jelly Fish was my favorite.




Feeding time!