Paris-Nice

OK a little cycling history. Paris- Nice, the so called "Race to the Sun" starts Sunday, see your Versus TV schedule! It is a week long stage race that often shows who is coming along for the year. Last year Contador blew-up, but we know the rest of that story. The race starts in dismal northern European weather and finishes up on the sunny shores of the Med, where the wealthy and celebs frolic. The king of P-N has to be Sean Kelly, who won it seven years straight 1982-1988. Also Andrei Kivilev died from head injury in 2003, prompting the UCI to make the final move to mandate helmet use. Many images of the race make up my memories, but the primary has to be a certain Frank Vandenbrouke in his breakout year, 1998. I had not registered his name before. The pic in VeloNews or some other mag shows him in dismal snowy conditions on his way to a win. He went on to many thrilling victories before celebrity and drugs and mental illness got him off the rails. He came through a several possible come backs but he always messed them up. He was the classics rider for the 21st century, or could have been. He typified the PRO look. This past year he came out with a very open and clear minded appeal to his fans and the cycling community. But he died of a heart failure while training in South Africa. Did drug use damage his heart? For all his flaws, he was a admirable man racing a bike. RIP Frank. HH

Cavedale Adventure

Before I get to yesterdays ride up Cavedale, let me ramble a little. Sonoma County is reported to be the happiest place in CA and the fifth happiest in the country. I didn't know such polls exist, I've never been contacted by a major polling organization, which is not to say that overlooking my opinion detracts from the veracity of the results. But anyway, the local paper featured the story on Feb. 16. It was a poll taken by the Gallup organization last year, it assessed the jobs,finances, health habits,mental attitudes and communities of 353,000 Americans. So apparently we in Sonoma County eat healthy, exercise regularly and don't smoke. There is a big impact of the local food movement here, not to mention strong emphasis on "green" and environmental issues. I would also say a certain "joie d'vivre" attitude is very prevalent. There's also a prevalence of ads for Medical Marijuana Certifications and "smoke shops"! Not saying there's any connection. Boulder CO was first and I think Raleigh NC was in there too, in the top forty. Now for a little anecdotal evidence, about a week later, a major rush hour pile-up on the freeway southbound to San Fran, stopped traffic for hours. The paper covered the accident and part of the story said drivers pulled over, got out of their cars and talked to there fellow strandees and finished their coffee in the morning sun. I'm sure not everyone had the same laid-back approach to the event, but I reflected back to the "happy" story. I think there is some real truth there. Come see what you think.

Yesterday, I did one of the standard climbs of note, here in happy land. Climbing seems to be the defining feature of Sonoma County riders. You may know I'm not one to seek out such features, but I've decided "when in Rome....", so climb I will. Cavedale Road goes up the mountain ridge separating Sonoma County from Napa County. It goes up 2000' in five miles. One probably should be warned not to descend it because the surface is very rough and mostly like a poorly paved driveway and one lane. But beautiful views await the adventurer and nearly no traffic. Above shows the start. Note clouds. I did begin with misgivings as the area is rather remote, and temps where low 50's. But the area to my back and elsewhere was sunny, so with a bit of 'happy' stoicism I soldiered on. This view is nearing the top. Way in the distance are the back waters of San Fran bay where waters from the Sierras finally end up (those that don't get sent to Southern CA anyway) Above is five minutes up, about a mile,views are out of order, sorry still figuring this blog stuff out Valley now, one small climb before home. Springtime!!!! Sixteen minutes Cave! is this what the road gets named from? View after the last climb. The Tour of CA comes over this coming into town. The hills are very different profile, aren't they? Last Saturday, I was off work and did a group ride over another climb of note, Sweetwater Springs Rd. (my second time) The first hour was a steady light rain. The views are a bit less dramatic, but the climbing! six miles and the last mile and a half went up 900' I saw 18% on my HMDR (handlebar mounted data recorder) my feet saw the pavement a few times to rest. Think Grandfather Mountain without the cheering, I was all alone at that point. But not last! Thanks for following, y'all. HH

ride leader

A week ago Monday,Presidents Day, I lead my first real ride in Sonoma County. I have lead many rides back in Catawba County NC, but this was a benchmark of sorts, maybe a way of belonging even. I say real ride because I posted a ride the week before and one guy showed up. That is fine and all, but having a group is a different matter. Different synergy or possibilities in group dynamics. As I approached the start I realized I was kind of anxious, how well do I know the route, can I exert the right amount of control to make it enjoyable, do I need to? Fifteen folks showed up and we got under way. The group really split up in the first four miles but then formed two groups and finally merging mostly into one at the sixteen mile point. Groups here are not quick to get in pacelines, the rough roads are a discouragement to most. Pacelines do keep a group more together. The sun came out and we finished the day with a good climb, a mini Bakers Mtn. 45 miles. I will continue these Monday rides as that is a day off for me at the shop. All the club rides I've done, have a coffee break midway. Very different. But this is a social club, and they all seem to look forward to it. They are also mileage fiends, lots of members have done century length rides already this year. My sole rider mentioned earlier, has done three in Jan. and three in Feb. and no he isn't retired! The clubs first big event of the year is the WineCountryCentury, May 1. It's sold out -2500 riders in four days with zero promotion. I hope to volunteer in support duties, but a Saturday in May, in bike retail, it's tough to get away.

Off-Day Dump

Off work and an off day in cycling leads to a collection of recent goings on here in Wineland. Wine tastings are a regular feature in our local entertainment. There must be over a hundred wineries in Sonoma County, so that is a big job. We also added an olive oil tasting as well as a chocolate tasting recently. If you like dining out, holy smoke there are lots of resturants too. We are also a coastal county, oysters are farmed, if thats the correct description. They are fantastic, a little more briney and less sweet than the NC oysters I've grown up on. You can usually find them raw, in supermarkets at .75-$1.00 a piece and they are big.

Oyster Roast

Then there are Dungeness Crabs harvested in winter. These are smaller than Alaska Kings but similar in flavor. I made some fantastic Crab Cakes with them, but they are fine plain with a glass or more of Sauvignon Blanc Back in January we stopped in Armstrong Redwoods State Park I suppose you can call this a typical Pacific Maritime forest. Lots of mosses, ferns and some big trees. I guess over the past hundred years a gillion board feet of lumber came out of these forests. Its like western NC, that was the source of employment.Now a lot of these small norcal towns are very depressed, those that have embraced viticulture have developed a whole new economy, of course its not the same people. Anyway, one tree is named Colonel Armstrong in honor of the guy who settled in the area and worked to preserve the area in the late 1800's. The tree is estimated to be 1400 years old, it's nearly 15' in diameter and 308' tall. It makes a person feel kind of small in more than just size, but that is a good reason to visit the place and preserve such places.

Speaking of trees, how about this mash-up of arboreal styles

then here is a nice normal looking orchard on one of my rides near home.

This week also had me leading my first group ride. One person showed up.It makes me think back to starting group rides in Hickory many years ago. Lots of faces over the years, many people came and went and now I an one of the "went". Anyway, 45 miles in winecountry, it was a nice morning. Oh, the guy rode a hundred miles the day before, largely alone. I think he said he's ridden six century length rides this winter. Sheesh! I also have my own spin class at the Y now,after several months of being a sub. I think that will do it for today. Thanks for reading, if you are following from NC, cheer up, warmer weather will come. HH

It's on it's way

Spring must be coming. I know y'all back in NC are expecting snow this weekend, but days are getting longer. Its doing wonders for my frame of mind. After last weekends long ride, I even shrugged off all of January's mental burdens and rode to work and back home- 7:00 pm. On the morning trip it was dreary weather wise. Damp and low clouds. But I saw a Robin near the roadside. In Michigan where I grew up that was a sign of springs approach. I left work in the full dark, but it was a near full moon. Is I left the urban areas I could see the moon light on the road and surrounding fields. But also heard the singing of spring frogs. Every low area resounded with their cheery calls. This makes me reflect on one of cyclings best aspects. When you travel encased in a steel enclosure, you are sealed off from so many experiences that benefit the soul. When I drive to work, I am shut away from my fellow travellers, I experience them superficially, if at all. Yesterday, on my ride I passed another cyclist and we exchanged comments appreciative of what promised to be a dry day. We just came off an eleven day rain streak. Another thing to be thankful for as cyclists, where many of us live we actually can easily enjoy our activity for over 200 days a year, with plenty of rest time included. Skiers and surfers, two sports that require similar balance, coordination and strength, can only dream of such. Not to mention the geographical limitations. Even if you lived on a ski mountain you could not approach that number of days if you skied every day available. So, cheer up, lets get out there, have fun, and spread the love!

Ahh, the long ride

January view of the Windsor Town Green outside the store, nice hills in the distance

Outside the new place, new signs are yet to arrive

several shots of the new Windsor Bicycle Center, come see me!

After a week of rain, today was supposed to be mostly sunny, I had to work until 1:00 so that's fine, it will warm up some from 39 up to 50. Well, it turned rainy in the morning, but the NOAA radar details just showed scattered small pockets of showers. I really wanted to get a nice steady aerobic base of three hours, but had the underlying anxiety of not having a long ride since Dec. 30. Throw in a dash of "it sure feels colder than 50 do I have the right clothes?" So I get all set. There is a lot of getting ready to a long solo ride. An extra, extra tube and CO2, plenty of food, shoe covers, secret weapon vest (go ahead ask me) cool weather leg embrocation, ooh that feels better already, bike set and out the door. Roads are soaked, and lots of flooded fields and vineyards, but sun splashing all over the distant hills. Lovely. See my first rider approach from the other direction in less than four miles out. I will see quite a few more before the day is done. I have ridden the area some, but it still a lot of new experience. I have a route outlined in my brain. An hour in, and three hours starts to seem maybe a little ambitious. So far no rain, but it looks far from safe. The once dry hillsides are just exploding green and it seems every couple hundred yards I hear water rushing in the road side ditches. I wonder if this bodes well for next years grape harvest. The fields are quiet now, all the pruning and clean up is done. The vineyards are so tidy, most look picture perfect. I've crossed the Russian River several times. It is swollen and fast moving, in the summer it is more of a lethargic steam. After a nature break at a very cycling friendly store - Jimtown- It had just started to sprinkle as I rolled in. On my exit I am greeted by a fine rainbow and the shower is gone. My one climb of the day is a new one for me, it hits 12% right quick but eases back after a bit. Fitch Mountain is next to the town of Healdsburg, a fantastic wine and food destination. I am now at over two and a half hours. Alright! its a flat spin back to the bike shop were I work. Done 3:16. Legs feel nice and tired, but not hammered. 51 miles. I think I'm beginning to crawl out from under my winter funk. Let's ride. Oh I used my old bike, the Litespeed, I just put a set of 700X25 Continental Gatorskins on. They are popular out here on the crummy roads. I thought they'd be good for my off season rides.

Rain, Rain go Away

They told me it may come. I suppose the earlier rains have prepared me, but.... this has been the week of rain. One storm after another has rolled in off the Pacific. Four of them this week. We will probably get 6-7+ inches of rain before Saturday. Then a day or so of sun then some more rain. We have had some windy periods, kinda like east coast tropical storm winds, the kind that blows down trees. Today I was in the car and watched a guy roll out of a neighborhood on a bike, yeah he had tights, rain jacket, and stuff. His bike had fenders. He blasted off like he was out for a hard training ride. It was a solid day of steady rain. A couple days ago a guy rolled his bike in with a front wheel that looked like a potato chip. He had full rain suit, lights etc. He dropped off the pavement edge and ruined a wheel. He was obviously a randonneur, judging by the bike and gear. Look it up or ask Joe V. But the weather that day was HEAVY rain and wind. As I've said before, there are some dedicated riders here.

The photo above was from Sunday, the wave of storms was just starting, and I dashed out during a lull. I only got sprinkled on the last three miles. The photo is Mt. Hood which you, the faithful, may remember from a previous post. The clouds are just at the mountain top. So you see it pays to follow regularly as my blog refers back to itself. Is that self-referential? Lake Sonoma, also see a previous post, is up over eight feet. This certainly helps the drought we've been in for a while. I'll have to remember this rain in midMay through September when it will-not-rain.

I hope all is well with you. Have you noticed the increasing daylight?

Thanks for reading

HH