Author: dagaus190

China Camp picnic

I was hoping for nice weather for the club picnic, but who would have guessed the heat wave that arrived, that it would be80 degrees when I parked behind McLaren Lodge for the ride to and from the picnic. 80 degrees at 8:30 in the morning in the City! That did not keep eight of us (Larry, Rico, Cory, Doug, Michael, Will and Peter) from joining Jerome for the ride to the picnic site at Buckeye Point. Roger provided the morning food SAG, collecting food and beverages as they arrive by car or by bike at McLaren lodge for transportation. Meanwhile Patrick and Les were collecting and transporting beverages, ice and the picnic staples.

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge was interesting, the temperature drop once we were on the bridge was dramatic, as was the immediate rise in temperature on the Marin side, even before arriving at the parking lot at Conzelman. We regrouped for coffee and snacks at Rulli Gran Cafe in Larkspur before making our way over Wolfe Grade and on to China Camp State Park.

Before the day was over, we had nearly 30 members and guests, including Aaron and Simone, Derek, Wly, John, Cameron, Larry’s partner Trevor and their friend Diane, Will’s new beau Kevin, and Jade and her girlfriend. Stephanie was joined by David G3 and Nancy for the pre-picnic training ride to the Bovine Bakery and back.

When it came to the return trip back, riders were bailing left and right. In the end, only Doug, Jerome and I returned to McLaren Lodge, and once we got over Camino Alto, the temperatures started dropping. Peter and Michael followed us to Larkspur, where they turned off to catch the ferry back toi the City. Unfortunately for them, the schedule someone had looked up was for weekdays, and they ended up waiting over an hour and a half for the next ferry back.

Thanks all for making it a great day!

June Jersey Ride

June’s Jersey ride almost had more non-riding Spokers show in street clothes than actual riders. But by the time we rode out, we had 15 riders with one more joining us at the northern GG bridge parking lot. And we had a great mix of members, long time and new, along with several SFBC riders who joined us for their first DSSF Jersey Ride.

No one was up for doing Conzelman in the morning, it was a bit foggy and cool, but on the return trip, the David G’s opted to add the loop on. And even then, looking back at the City the fog was still hanging around, just not very low.

Spoker in the New York Times!

Stephanie Clarke was reading an article in the New York Times, about the Grizzly Peak Century held earlier this month.

She says: “When I saw the photo, I thought to myself, I saw that guy out on the course. Then when I looked behind him, there I was. I’m the one in yellow, standing to climb a hill on my bike, aka, “The Shiny New Bike.” I’m a little out of focus, but I think you can still tell it’s me. We always knew I’d make the Times!”

You can read the full article here!

Climbing & Descending clinic

While it was foggy in the City and on the drive up from Hollister, it was nice to see this pocket of sunshine in Palo Alto, as a group of us met at Gunn High School on Arastradero (right off Foothill Expressway) for the Velo Girls Bike Skills 201: Climbing & Descending clinic. Stephanie, Nancy, Chris, Larry, Wly, Doug, Raymond and his friend Charles signed up. Each of us had different skills we hoped to improve on, and some hope to overcome our fears some, by learning better handling skills.

Wly and Lorri

We started out in the parking lot with Bike Handling Skills. Did you know that you should not be “steering” with your handlebars? First we did a bike/body separation drill, where we rode around the parking lot and changed out positions out of the saddle; first out on the top tube, then way back off of the saddle, then off to the left and off to the right. We then focused on steering the bike with hips, first by standing at the bike and practicing hip swivels, left then right. Then we got on the bike to use this same motion to ride through a cone slalom.

Counter-steering was next, and when explained it does seem intuitive; that for a right turn you would stand on the outside leg, in this case the left, and then your inside hand is weighted and pushing on the bar (you should be in the drops). And then you lean your body in the opposite direction. Practicing this in the parking lot, I finally got it!

Then we learned about riding techniques, hands, feet and weight distribution for either seated or standing climbing and for either technical descents or fast descents. We then rode up to the Arastradero Preserve for a quick break, and then we headed up to Alpine Road, above Portola, where we turned off on to Indian Crossing Road to practice both the climbing and the descending, with Lorri and Kim watching and providing feedback. It got to be kind of fun, we were doing mini-hill repeats, climbing in the saddle, then out of the saddle where it got steeper, even shifting into a harder gear on the climb. And then we got to come back down, quickly gaining speed, many of us seeing 38 mph, before turning around to do it again!

And then the climb to the end of Alpine Road, it’s about a three mile climb, the road is nicely paved, with not a steep grade except here or there and until the last stretch. And then the payoff, the technical switchbacky descent down to our regroup at Willowbrook Road, near the Windy Hill Open Spaces. And then from there, the long straight descent down Alpine, and then returning to Gunn High School. Group consensus was the A+! We all got new skills to practice and added confidence in both climbing and descending.

Thanks again, Lorri and Kim!

May Jersey Ride

The temperatures were a bit chillier than the clear sky indicated, but that did not faze the 18 riders on the May Jersey ride. It was also great to be joined be DSSF founding member Howard Neckel. Returning member, Kepa Askenasy joined us on her new Bianchi, having replaced her 17 year old Specialized. Several members joined us along the way to the Golden Gate Bridge, those wanting that extra bit of sleep on a Saturday morning.

Raymond Pelayo and Michael Schmucki lead the morning Conzleman loop, joined by Joseph (5,000 miles before ALC) Collins and Larry L’Italien. Chris Contos, Patrick Heryford and myself led the rest doing the Camino Alto-Paradise Drive Tiburon Loop meeting up at Shark’s Deli, including Cameron Ross, John Coundouris, Wanderson Carlos, Yew Hoe Tan, Jeremy Jacobs, Rico Nappa and David Goldsmith. Unfortunately, we lost one guest rider along the way to the Golden Gate Bridge, David’s friend Rhette who came up from San Jose. We were also joined by Rob, a friend of Joseph’s, and Doug.

Lunch at Sharks Deli

On the return trip, Chris and I opted to do the Conzelman loop, and Joseph and Larry opted to repeat it with us, we considered returning thru the tunnel and coming back up under the bridge, but ultimately decided to climb back up McCullough and then back down Conzleman. Joseph took us an a detour through the Presidio to an old dilapidated former leper hospital, soon to be renevated to.. what else? luxury condos. Jospeh and Larry dropped off towards their respective homes and Chris and I arrived back at Peets to have coffee with Michael.

Look forward to seeing you all next month!

Tierra Bella

This years Tierra Bella featured a new hellish change to the century route; no Metcalf Road climb, instead we only went as far as Calero Reservoir before returning to Morgan Hill and then on to the new challenge, Thomas Grade and East Dunne to Henry Coe State Park.

Jerome Thomere, William Bir, Larry L’Italien, David Goldsmith and I all headed out together for the loop up past Uvas. Christopher Olson was also at the ride start, but he was unsure because it was rather cold, he mentioned something about going back to a warm bed instead.

At the Uvas rest stop, David told us to go on, he was going on to his own version of the ride, and made his way over to do the Gilroy Hot Springs loop, ending the day with over 70 miles.

Topher did catch up to us at the Calero rest stop and again at the Coyote River park stop, although he had to change a tube there. He later passed me, going up East Dunne to the Henry Coe Park rest stop.

Although we did not see Stephanie Clarke or her spin class friend (who were doing the metric) before we left, or any of the other DSSFers doing the metric, we did hear of sightings by Alfred Santiago who started the metric with Stephanie Vance, along with Feney Mathews who reported she enjoyed the beautiful ride, despite winds on the return to Gabilan College.

And Almaden Cycling Touring Club definitely wins kudos for the homemade breads at the rest stops along with the post-ride meal, always great featuring pie and ice cream!

Magnet Sports & Recreational Groups open house

Peter Bejger attended the first (of a series of three) open houses at Magnet, the gay men’s health center and community space in the Castro yesterday. This was a last minute showing on the part of Different Spokes, and big thanks to Peter, who agreed to represent the club at the last minute. Peter contacted Jaime Guererro, who had also shared the information about this event and was attending with the San Francisco Hiking Club.

Peter reported that Jaime was very helpful in throwing together some print matter for display and distribution. The DSSF banner was also displayed at the event. Not terribly busy but some traffic and some nice networking with other sports clubs.

Thanks Peter & Jaime!

Photos courtesy of Bob Callori SF Track & Field Club

Kick-Off General Membership meeting

Last night Different Spokes held the 2008 Kick-off Membership meeting at the new Sports Basement Potrero Hill, and what a great turn out! Over 30 members, several having just joined, and many returning members came out to meet the 2008 board and kick-off this new year of cycling and events for Different Spokes.

Highlights included:
* Stephanie Clarke, Ride Coordinator
She spoke to members about the need for rides. There is a growing library of routes available in the Yahoo! group Files section, both member developed and routes from various organized rides. She also mentioned a great way for first time ride leaders to jump in, ask a member or board member to help one co-leading a ride!
* William Bir-Event Coordinator
Will announced the club’s weekend trips and dates for the year. Back this year is the ever popular Russian River weekend, 7/25-27, with a ride to the River on Friday, various ride options on Saturday, and a club dinner being planned for Saturday night. The Amador County weekend returns with three days of riding in the Sierra foothills, staying at the Far Horizons 49er Village, 10/16-19.
* Lorri Lee Lown-Velo Girls
Our guest, USA Cycling Coach Elite, Lorri Lee Lown did a presentation and demonstration on bike fit, with yours truly as the guinea pig on the Computrainer. She went over the issues cause by an incorrect fit and spoke of technique and correct positioning and while we ran out of time, members had lots of question and issues. For more information on a bike fit session with Lorri, check out Velo Girls Coaching Services.

We closed the evening with a raffle and then all members hurried off to shop and take advantage of the 20% off beads for those attending, compliments of Wendy at the Sports Basement. I heard the check out line grew quite long, so we were glad to know that members did take advantage of the discount!

Special thanks to — Chris Contos for organizing the space with SB, Roger Chapman & Chris Contos for coordinating the pizza and beverages, Patrick Heryford for handling reception and the raffle, Lorri Lee Lown for her time and knowledge, Raymond Pelayo for photographing the event, and Sports Basement for providing the space.