Diablo Blanco -> sightseeing in SF

There was some low elevation snow in the forecast, so we decided to do the next best thing to BALLS (Bay Area Low Level Skiing)... BUD (Bike up Diablo).  So I picked up Scott and we rode from Sigman's house.  

Check out the summit!

 

This early ride gave me plenty of time to get back and shower.  Then we took a Lyft to Jack London to hop on the ferry for a day in SF.

The boys are sad to leave Oakland... not...

 

at the Cable Car museum...

Cool tokens from around the country

  

the Key system in Oakland!

 

 

Coit Tower, in memory of volunteer firemen.

the line was too long, so we left, but the boys liked sliding down... 

 

 

 

 

and we found a geocache!

 

  

 

 

this was an amazing playground btw.  Need to take the kids back here... 

 

we found this place in N. Beach for dinner.  

 

 

 

in China town we found some dim sum that the boys devoured.  Around this time they were getting quite goofy and silly.. time to get home!

  

Ride Report: SFR Pt. Reyes Populaire...

The storm of the century came to town... and I wasn't skiing... so I went ahead and signed up for the Pt. Reyes Populaire.  Which was a nice tune up to see how my rain gear did.  The storm really didn't materialize as predicted, but we did get some rain and some wind.  Just nothing to brag about.  I somehow ended up riding with the lead group, which was lead by Max P... who is really fast.  So I was sucking wheels for as long as I could until we'd get dropped on every hill.  Fun ride!  I'd do it again in a heart beat.  

Check out the NWS graphics below for what folks were panicking about...

My rain riding set up.  I need some mudguards like Roys.... next time.  

The Showers Pass jacket worked nicely... the rain pants were a bit overkill.  I took them off at Pt. Reyes Station and rode in my shorts on the way back.  

SFR Double Brevet Weekend! ~ When I became a Super Randonneur!!!

Finally... after a few years of doing these rides, I got my Super Rando... meaning I completed a 200, 300, 400, 600K in one year... which then qualifies me to ride longer rides!  (woopie!).  So... a 1000k is on my radar now.  And this was my first double brevet weekend ride.  I did the 300k up to Cloverdale on Sat, and 200k down on Sun.  Here are the rides:

Karl saying hi.  There were some whales below the bridge, but I missed em... 

In Cloverdale, joining the crew for dinner & beers.  

Day 2: ready to disco.... or rando.  Either way, same outfit.  

Pano from the hotel.

Our RBA: Rob Hawks doing his pre-ride talk.

The fastest tire change I've ever seen.  Bill Brier is fast...

Check out this 27lbs tandem!  Paketa.  

http://www.paketabike.com/index.cfm?page=paketa_v2_tandem

I've gotta apply!
https://rusa.org/cgi-bin/awardapp_GF.pl?awdtid=10&mid=9021