Sunday, instead of watching a fantastic Paris-Roubaix, I joined a group doing a ride called The Geysers. this is a ridge climb to 2700' above the 120' valley floor. it is one of the classic climbs in Sonoma County that I have not done. It was a good set of climbs, but as is often the case here, the descent is an equal challenge. we climbed 2200' in about three miles descend some and then climb another 1000+. good pavement as it was installed in the modern era to provide access to a geothermal site. Waste water is pumped up and converted to steam to generate electricity. Some mysterious gravel sections but generally good, wide open road. the long descent down the other side could not be more different. Much is only a lane and a half (or less) wide and a quilt of potholes, patched surface and loose debris. The upper steeps are good, but there were several miles of rolling descent that required skill and courage, kind of like Paris-Roubaix. The final 25 miles into a headwind finished me off. but it was a fine day on the bike. Sorry no pics, I left the camera on the counter
I got home just in time to watch the rebroadcast of the mornings race. Excellent! I like Cancellara and all, he is a great and worthy champion, but it seems to me that favorites are going to have to come up with some fresh strategy to win, especially these "crap-shoot" spring classics. the second tier is now so talented that they can pull off a win while the Demi-gods mark each other.
molto bene, Johann
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