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By jkleinwaks, May 31, 2009 9:57 pm

The greatest organized ride was the Sierra Century out of Plymouth, CA (RIP 2005.)  Never mind that the Sacramento Wheelmen provided great support and the start/ finish/ end-ride meal at the Amador County fairgrounds faux western town was ideal.  THE ROUTE WAS FANTASTIC.   Nicely paved roads, little traffic, no traffic controls, riding surrounded by Oaks in the low country and Pines in the hills.   The long rolling downhill—The “E” ticket Fiddletown Expressway—may be the “funnest” ride ever.  Oh yeah, there was “a little climbing” (10,000’ worth on the double metric route,) while most was roller after roller the signature climb was Slug Gulch—not long but steep (4 miles with many double digit sections.)

I actually never did the Century (100 mile) route.  I did the metric (60 mile) route numerous times as I heard what a killer Slug Gulch was, Rams Horn Grade was tough enough.  After my 2001 accident I was po’d to have never done the Sierra Century, and I skipped wanting to do the 100 mile route, and jumped right in to train for the 2003 DOUBLE METRIC (120 mile) route, which besides being tough had a timed deadline.   It was great doing the ride, but it was just as much of a wonderful adventure riding in the Gold Country to get familiar with the course, and to hit Slug Gulch before the event.  On metric training rides we’d do the course backwards so that Slug Gulch would be hit in the morning at mile 25 instead of in the heat of the afternoon at mile 75, and then tack on pieces of the 120 mile course.   The Sacramento Wheelmen kept the bonus portion of the course a secret as they didn’t want folks arriving after a cutoff doing it—so we guessed riding through the El Dorado National Forest (correct) and going up Hwy 88 for a 1/4 mile to Cook Station, elevation 5,000’ (incorrect, but wound up being a great rest stop.)

The metric ride turned out to be so great I’d do it numerous times afterwards.

In 2007 we did the metric as a Diablo Cyclist ride and folks were upset when the great ride ended.  So in 2008 we added a run down to Sutter Creek and back to get the ride to 100 miles.   This worked out great—even with Joe and I leaving the group to do the pernicious Charleston Grade (think of 1 mile of 3 sections as steep or steeper than the Mt. Diablo ramp.)

2008-Pelaton through El Dorado National Forest (Ward-o-photo)

2008-W/ jack & Joe in Volcano, Mayor Rosie's bench

2008-Still Life Oil of Ward at Volcano Greek Theatre

So on Memorial Day Weekend 2009 we again did the Plymouth Sierra Century.   We had a nice group, and it fell in as a great training ride for climbing doubles or the Death Ride.

From Plymouth we again started out “backwards” (we’d leave out the flatter parts of the old Sierra Century) and headed through the Shenandoah Valley.  Luckily our best climber, Joe, and our most aggressive rider, Rusty, had their girlfriends Jen & Sarah on the ride so they had to be on good behavior and stay close to the group.  Tall Tom and Mountain Bike Racer Jason would leap out often but slow when the road forked and they weren’t sure which way we were going.   Death Ride vet Johnna (riding a 11×23) and Death Ride rookie Christina using this as a training ride, and Sacto Doug who was a fellow doubles triple crown rookie in 2005 and had since moved away came down to join us.  Rounding out the group was Ward and Jack, who helped keep everyone pointed in the right direction, and Brother Vic riding tempo all day.

2009-Johnna leads the early morning pelaton

2009-Rusty & Sarah arrive at the Fairplay turn

“Fun” was over climbing Slug Gulch, I still get a rush rolling down Perry Creek Road and spotting the sharp left turn and yelling out “gear down, gear down,” same advise I originally got but you can’t gear down enough when you turn and hit the 18%+ wall.  Our group did great and loved the Omo Ranch School rest stop (one of the nicest settings on any ride,) the tranquil ride through the El Dorado National Forest, and then nice lunch stop at Cooks Station.  It did take us half a day to get to mile 37 but, so far, this whole ride had been climbing.

2009-Jen riding through the tranquil El Dorado National Forest (photo by Joe)

2009-The group arrives at Hwy 88--now up to Cooks Station

2009-Lunch at Cooks Station

Now the fun began—a fast few miles down Highway 88, turn onto downhill rollers on Shake Ridge Road.   Passing Fiddletown Rusty/ Sarah took the metric option and we all continued on to Sutter Creek, one of the most picturesque Gold Rush towns, at mile 62.  Then one of the nicest climbs, 12 miles to the quiet town of Volcano, where we tried attacking young Jason to no avail, later he complained that he was trying to get back into shape.

2009-Arriving in Sutter Creek

2009-Arriving in Volcano

I did offer to ride up Charleston (harder than Slug Gulch) with Jason but he declined, and I really wasn’t that thrilled to do it either—so no Charleston this year.  So then the group went up Rams Horn Grade and finally go to the Fiddletown Speedway, with fast downhill rollers.   Ward and I went hard here—knowing that we benefited by the absence of perennial Fiddletown Speedway champ Big Mike, and Rusty who took out this section last year.

2009-Ward on the last climb of the day

Last year we took the relatively flat road back from Fiddletown but this year we kept true to the old Sierra Century and did one more climb up Ostrum Road, where you could see some fatigue starting to set in for some of the riders.  On the other hand it was great riding though the vineyards, and everyone looked real happy except for our old friend in Sacramento who is working too much in lieu of cycling.   104 miles, 9,300 climbing, with stops at Pioneer Park, Fairplay; Omo Ranch School; Cooks Station; Sutter Creek; Volcano and Fiddletown.  MY FAVORITE CENTURY OF THE YEAR.

Jay  (Full ride report with more photos on GRUPPO PUMPKINCYCLE site, click links below)

2008 – Plymouth Slug Gulch SIERRA CENTURY

2008-Additional Photos

2009 -Plymouth Slug Gulch SIERRA CENTURY

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By jkleinwaks, April 15, 2009 9:13 pm

“On every double there is one point when you are wondering why you are doing it and at the end you can’t wait for the next one”—Comrade Steve Berry.

The crazy training ride Jack, Ward and I did paid off. DMD came off as a big success Finished (w/ Jack) 35 minutes faster that when I tried hammering the course in 2006—which considering I was down 13 minutes getting to the Junction was a nice turn of events.

Saw Kitty at the start—unfortunately didn’t see here the rest of the day except when we were going in opposite directions on Diablo. How the heck she can be in such good cheer  at 4:50 AM is beyond me but was appreciated, as I was real apprehensive going into the ride from 1) blowing up in 2006 and 2) pulling my back on Sierra Road every time we did a training rides over it.

Morning started off cool but nice.  Didn’t see Jack so thought I’d be soloing all day. About 1/3 up Diablo Jack pulled in next to me, but I had already set my sights on 3 young guys from Godspeed Messenger Service (must be the official messenger service of Ward Industries) who were setting a nice but not killer pace. Mini inversion layer on Diablo but high winds near the top, so it was good following their wheel all the way to the top. For the rest of the day seemingly whenever we left a rest stop they were pulling in.

Donna was a saint and met me at Ygnacio Valley Road so I could dump off extra jacket, sock liners and knee warmers (good move.)  Could have dumped tee shirt also but though going up and down Morgan would be cold–but it wasn’t. Jack must have passed when I was at this bonus rest stop.

When passing through Clayton made friends with a few out of town riders who wanted to know about the course when some guy holding a cup starts yelling at us from across the street. One rider wanted to know what’s he yelling about, I said “It must be some old drunk”—but voice sounded familiar. Later Jack confirmed that it was Ron.

Climb up Morgan was nice and warm, and I felt really good.  Saw Jack but he pulled out before me.  Near the bottom of the descent, Grizzly Peak Mark passed me, I joined him and we two manned back to some of his gang (lots of Grizzly Peak Cyclists) and then to Jack.   Mark/ Jack/ I rode the Patterson Loop together—NO WIND on Paterson Pass (actually a bit of a tailwind which would be the story of the day.

Great Mines Road rest stop—Craig has perfected the art of peanut butter half sandwiches with added pumpkin butter-and he was working with another nice guy and great cyclist—Ish, who was the first person I knew crazy enough to do DMD.   Ish confirmed he didn’t move out of the neighborhood just because I moved in.

Time to Mines Road stop has been 22 minutes better than 2006—and in 2006 no one passed me on the run to the Junction.  Today everybody, and everybody’s kid passed me. I was both wary of Mt. Hamilton and Sierra Road (the 2nd half of this ride gets harder), and was low on energy.  26 miles to go—eternity-25 miles to go-eternity-and if I drank any more Perpetuem I was going to barf.  Jack, who for once was dawdling at the last rest stop caught up and shot by.  Made up my mind that at lunch stop I’d sit down for at least 15 minutes and drink some NON Heed product as it was getting real warm.

At Junction ate a slice of bread and had a soda while bsing with a father and son from East County. Teen runs track and was on his first double, earlier he had one been one of the top 5 folks up Mt. Diablo-dad had joined him at beginning of Mines Road. But kid was now beat and ready to go down Mines with his dad to the car.   Dad talked about bad experience with East County bike shop, and pissy attitude of local bike shops and some riders out here. Hmmm, sounds real familiar.

Jack left the Junction way before me and I thought  that was the last I’d see him.  I did well on the rollers but had to pull off and stretch up Hammy.  Recumbent rider/ dealer Zack K. came along (Dave-congrats on your new baby) and we rode a slow pace (which was fine by me) up to the water stop 1 mile short of the top.  (Oh yeah—Dave—someone says you need to do Sierra on a recumbent)  To my surprise Jack was in the tent looking like he was in need of a transfusion (ok—not nearly as bad as I looked on the Eastern Sierra) He took off while I was still bsing with the folks I know at the stop, and I was wondering how I’d finish the ride with 80 miles to go and I was beat.  It took me +58 minutes longer to get to the summit than 3 years ago

I got three things I needed.  Long, long downhill, eventually punctuated by the rollers I love.  Some ass on a Colnago with a Colnago jersey pissed me off; he’d block the narrow road.  And a nice tailwind. I regained loads of energy and flew to the Crothers rest stop,  the +58 behind on Hamilton summit was down to +20 and Jack still had some stuff to do at the rest stop. From here on in we rode together.

Next stop the dreaded Sierra Road, but though I had to pull off once to stretch, did it faster than in any of the three practice runs. Very warm on Sierra which suddenly turned very cool on the fast run off of it—but first we had to stop at Pet the Goat as to pick up Jack’s lights. Feeling good but was still not gonna pet the fn goat.

Jack/ I ran a spirited two man over Calaveras—and when we left Pet the Goat there were a zone riders but no one passed us. We had a fast moving run into Sunol at twilight, when I thought that too bad Ward not here as he did all the stupid training rides with us. Out of the blue Ward comes driving along  snapping photos—really cool.

Action photo taken by Ward while Jack and I are trying to beat dusk into Sunol.

Get to Sunol 5 minutes before 2006. Love getting into rest stops and yelling out 96 & 97 (Jack and my number)—rest stop workers doesn’t believe that we have consecutive numbers until I’d add “he’s my grandpa” (hey blame Ward-on one of our training rides when Ward and I were acting like paparazzi Ward said—” its like Jack riding with his grandkids”)

Niles at night was f’d, we got to see Recumbent Zack zig zag all over the road to slow traffic.  The Palomaras Climb was like the Pirates of the Caribbean with the strange animal sounds.   The downhill wasn’t bad though suddenly it was cold—so needed to hammer the flat part.  Jack set a great pace up the magical Crow Canyon —magical because of the disappearing shoulder.  Then Norris was a desolate as Palomaras without the great sounds.  And finally were there—I had no clue what time we had finished until we checked in but was pleasantly surprised.  For once ate as much as Jack—3 helpings of lasagna—made up for all the plain bread I ate during the day.  –Jay

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By admin, September 7, 2008 7:03 pm

by Stephen Herrick

Here’s a good one to amaze your friends at rest stops

Kneel down next to your bike on level ground, and hold it upright. Turn the cranks so that the pedal on your side is at the very bottom (6 o’clock) position. Of course, the pedal on the opposite side is at the highest 12 o’clock position. Grab the pedal on your side.

Now you’re going to gently pull straight back on the pedal, (towards the rear of the bike,) but before you do, ask yourself these two questions: Which way will the pedals rotate, and in what direction will the bicycle move?

Of course, pulling back on the pedal at it’s lowest position should rotate the cranks in the normal forward pedaling motion, sending the bike forward, right? Try it, you might be surprised.

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By admin, September 9, 2007 8:41 pm

Don Cartwright, Mike Hrast and Kitty Goursolle have qualified for Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) by each completing the required full Brevet series (200k, 300k, 400k and 600k). If all goes as planned, they will be at the start in Paris on August 20th. For those unfamiliar with PBP, here is an excerpt from the Web site of Randonneurs USA describing this epic cycling event.

First run in 1891, the 1200-kilometer Paris-Brest-Paris, or “PBP” as it is commonly called, is a grueling test of human endurance and cycling ability. Organized every four years by the host Audax Club Parisien, the Paris-Brest-Paris Randonneurs is the oldest bicycling event still run on a regular basis on the open road. Beginning on the southern side of the French capital, it travels west 600 kilometers to the port city of Brest on the Atlantic Ocean and returns along the same route. Today’s randonneur cyclists, while no longer riding the primitive machines used a hundred years ago over dirt roads or cobblestones, still have to face up to rough weather, endless hills, and pedaling around the clock. A 90-hour time limit ensures that only the hardiest randonneurs earn the prestigious PBP finisher’s medal and have their name entered into the event’s “Great Book” along with every other finisher going back to the very first PBP. To become a PBP ancien (or ancienne for the ladies) is to join a very elite group of cyclists who have successfully endured this mighty challenge. No longer a contest for professional racing cyclists (whose entry is now forbidden), PBP evolved into a timed randonnée or brevet for hard-riding amateurs during the middle part of the 20th century. The event is held in August every four years.

Inspired? Well here’s a recap of Don and Mike’s 400k qualifier that might serve as a reality check. Personally, I’m wondering if they might need some support staff at the finish? I’m sure I could find something to do in Paris during the nearly 4 days they’ll be out riding!

by Donald Cartwright

Yes it rained in the North Bay. But the “OH CRAP” moments started Friday night at the motel where Mike & I were staying. Laying out the riding gear for the 400K I found that I forgot to pack my knee warmers. “OH CRAP” #1. That meant not wearing my wool argyles. Not the fashion statement I wanted to make riding with calf covering socks, bare knees & lower thighs, and then shorts.

Up at 4AM and a look at the window found no rain and dry concrete. Maybe the day wouldn’t be so bad after all. On the drive from Vacaville (couldn’t get a room in Davis do to something called Picnic Day, the 63rd annual) to Davis the dry road started to get wetter. The dry start for the ride was out the window (out of the sky ?). “OH CRAP” #2. For the 300K there were about 200 riders. For this wet start it was down to 94 starters. Having ridden up with my Diablo contingent I didn’t have to circle the parking lot.

On the flat run along Putah Creek Rd. and Pleasants Valley Rd. the speed of the pack was 15 to 16 mph with burst up to 19 to 20 mph. On the 300K the speed of the pack was 20 to 21 mph. Oh what fun riding in the rain, and some rider’s rooster tail, can be. After riding through Fairfield it was up through Wooden Valley and up Hwy 121 to Moscowite Corner & Hwy 128. The 2nd Control Point (the 1st is the start), mile 67.3/Kilometer 108.4, is at Capell Valley School. Having pulled away from Mike on the climbs I had an extra 5 to 10 minutes I used to try and get my wet gloves off so I wouldn’t get my Brevet card wet. With a run of 4 hours to this stop we were on pace to wrap the ride up in 18 hours. Mike laughed that off.

From there it was North along Hwy 128 past Lake Hennessey (the location of the 1st or 2nd stop on the Tour of the Napa Valley) and a right turn onto the Silverado Trail to Calistoga and “OH CRAP” #3. In Calistoga there was supposed to be a right turn on Washington St. and into Control #3. However I swear that Washington St, didn’t have a street sign. On our 2nd ride through town Mike found Washington and we rolled into the Control at mile 96.3/Kilometer 155. With it being still cold and damp I had a hot cup of noodle and chocolate chip cookies. Mike had a sandwich and some cocoa. Nothing like good eats for Lunch.

Next stop, Geyserville, Control Point #4, and the turn around point. Leaving Calistoga the weather started to clear and out came the sun. And the wind. After 20 miles of sun and blow drying by the wind it was time to take off the reflective vest and rain coat. At the Control Point we both put on dry socks to keep our feet happy. On the way back the head wind turned into a welcomed tail wind. Rolling into Calistoga we could see that the clouds had returned. One of the sag drivers, Lee Mitchel, let us know that it was raining hard on Cardiac.

Leaving Calistoga we hooked up with a Steve Berry Special, a tandem. We rolled down the Silverado Trail at 25 mph until we hit a roller or little hill and the tandem’s speed would drop very quickly. When the tandem got a flat we found out why. Holding the back end of the tandem you could feel that they must have 40 pounds in the bag they had on their rack. Turning off of the Trail and heading back up Hwy 128 to the Control Point at the Lake Berryessa Dam I decided to leave the tandem and climb on my own. About 7 miles up the road the rain returned so it was a quick stop to put on the rain coat. Another 10 miles down the road it was another quick stop to put on the reflective vest and turn on my lights

Hitting the backside of the Cardiac climb there were several areas where the rain had caused lots of rock slides onto the road. On one I passed a Highway Patrol Officer kicking the bigger rocks off the road. I thanked him on my way by and he said “Your welcome”. He must have thought what the hell are cyclists doing out here. Rolling down the front side of Cardiac I hit rock pretty hard, “OH CRAP” #4, and had to pull to the side of the road to check the tire for any cuts. The rim had a good dent but the tire was still good. Slower speed down hill was the practice from that point on.

Rolling into the Control Point at the dam a lady came out of the dark and asked me if I had lost a water bottle. I thought she was talking about the cut down bottle I use to carry clothing in. Looking down I noticed that she was right. Must have been that damn rock. She quickly got me an Arrowhead water bottle with a sports top that I could use for the rest of the ride. That Davis Club is great on support. I parked the bike and waited for Mike to roll in. The rain was coming to a stop as I waited under the tent. They were offering those large black garbage bags to wear to keep the rain off. I grab one and stuck it under my damp thermal vest to keep the cold off my chest . Next was another cup of noodles and peanut butter sandwiches. I wasn’t getting colder but I wasn’t getting warmer either. When Mike rolled in I thought I might as well put on my dry arm warmers. That helped warm me up.

With Mike ready to roll it was on to Vacaville and our Receipt Control Point at a 7-11. Having studied the map they gave us along with the written directions I knew the 7-11 was on the left side of the street. Or so I thought. After riding 3/4 of the way across Vacaville Mike finally spotted a 7-11 on the left. I let him go inside while I watched the bikes. The location just didn’t feel right so I read the directions, “OH CRAP” #5. I went in and told Mike but he was already in line with his hot chocolate & banana. Mike came out and tossed the hot chocolate and it was back the way we came to get to the correct 7-11. Rolling out of the correct 7-11 we were feeling confident as we would be returning on roads we had done on the earlier Brevets.

As we rolled along Allendale Rd. we came to a T intersection with Meridian Rd. Mike calls out with authority “Right Turn” and on down Meridian we went, and on and on. It was “OH CRAP” #6 when we came to the Freeway (almost back to Vacaville). Reviewing the directions under a street light we found it should have been a LEFT turn, thanks Mike.

From there it was a pretty normal ride back to the finish. That is if you consider finishing at 1:30 in the morning normal. 19.5 hours for 263 miles (should have been 250). Then it was a nice snack of chocolate chip cookie smeared with peanut butter. Oh what we won’t do for Paris.

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By admin, September 7, 2007 8:50 pm

by Stephen Herrick

The end of Daylight Savings, and the beginning of dark by 5 o’clock is enough to make any cyclist trade in their Gatorade for a bottle of scotch, but we just might have a way to take the sting out of it. June and I, and another friend took off last Sunday and drove up 101 to Windsor for a ride through some of the premier vineyards in Sonoma County. The leaves were turning their fall colors, the weather was crisp, but not too cold, and the countryside was absolutely gorgeous. I’m from New England, and believe me, I’m not easily impressed with fall foliage unless it’s truly something special. We had such a good time that we have decided to make it an annual event on the Sunday when the clocks “fall behind.”

We started out on Old Redwood Highway just north of Santa Rosa, and climbed up Chalk Hill. (A piece of cake when you’re not coming at it from the opposite direction after 80 or 100 miles on the Wine Country Century!) Then out the back roads to Geyserville, where the local schools were putting on a Fall Colors Festival with antique classic cars, barbeques, and a chicken-poop lottery. We had lunch, and then crossed over Highway 101 and headed back on West Dry Creek, and Westside roads. A quick stop at a couple of wineries, (it is the end of the season after all,) over the Wohler Bridge, and we returned to Windsor. A nice paced metric century with just over 2000 feet of climbing, and of course, the spectacular scenery. We modified it a bit, but a full description of the basic ride can be found on the Santa Rosa Cycling Club’s website at http://www.srcc.com, under “10 Great Rides,” “Alexander Valley and Russian river Valley.”