What a
great day for a ride! Mid-60s, no threat of rain or even fog, and
great people to ride with.
I'd made up my mind on Saturday that, no matter what, I was going to
make it out to the "Flamingo House" (a place near Pescadero adorned
by literally hundreds of Pink Flamingos) and try, finally, to get
the definitive picture of it. That meant once again putting on the
handlebar bag so I had room for my better camera and, for all
intents and purposes, looking like a "Fred" out there. But maybe
it's truth in advertising?
It didn't
take long to come across the most enthusiastic, dare I say "real"
cyclist of the day, on the path next to Canada Road. The
fully-decked-out team I came across shortly thereafter had nothing
on this kid.
It never ceases to
amaze me how few cyclists I come across on Mtn Home Road in
Woodside.
This was
not to be a high-speed climb up Old LaHonda! Something in the
24-minute range (I didn't formally time it but looked at the
timestamps on the photos later on), with the combo of two full
bottles plus handlebar bag plus seat bag making things feel rather
slug-like. Truth is, the total amount of extra weight I was carrying
shouldn't make that much difference, but it sure felt that way! By
the time I got to the top of Old LaHonda, I'd pretty much made up my
mind this was going to be an easy-going ride, because my body just
didn't feel like there were any other options.
I should point out that I wasn't planning to meet up with anyone,
but past experience has shown that doesn't matter. If you head
towards the coast on just about any weekend morning, chances are
you'll find some nice people to ride with by the time you get to the
top of Old LaHonda. This morning was no exception.
Actually, most of the
people at the top of Old LaHonda were heading north on Skyline and
then back down the hill today. That wasn't my plan, so I pushed on.
Heading west on Old
LaHonda towards 84, a couple of team-clad cyclists pass in the other
direction. No time for a frontal shot, so it's over-the-shoulder
time (as you can see).
Heading down 84 towards
the coast you come across the Red Barn, sporting fresh paint and
looking quite nicely renovated. Just a bit hazy this morning for
really great shots though.
Coming into the town of
LaHonda, where the Pioneer Market offers your first chance for food
if needed.
This is one of the guys
from the top of Old LaHonda, pushing up the grade between LaHonda
and Pescadero.
All these years and
still no great shot of the Flamingo House! If they'd cut down some
of those trees... (kidding).
While I
was taking pictures of the Flamingo House, the Stanford "train"
passed by. At this point I didn't know if it was a non-stop or not.
After
leaving the Flamingo House I came across Nicole, one of our
ultra-distance customers, heading in the opposite direction. You
meet the nicest people out on a bike.
The
incredible Pescadero Bakery, one of the best reasons for a ride to
the coast! Breakfast consisted of a Bear Claw and Almond Croissant,
plus the bonus of catching the Stanford train.
I left
Pescadero ahead of the Stanford group, primarily because I didn't
think I'd be in shape to keep up with them, and I had promised the
family that I'd be home by 2pm. So I headed north on Stage Road,
feeling better and better on each of the two climbs so that, by the
time I got to San Gregorio, it seemed possible that I might be able
to keep up with some of them on the way back.
The first
of the Stanford group catching up in San Gregorio. I don't think
they were going very fast at this point; their ride seemed pretty
civilized and social. Definitely something to try and hang onto on
the way back over the hill!
And it was
pretty civilized... at first. But, dummy that I am, I tend to
position myself maybe 4-5 riders from the front-
- which
means, if you hold your position, that you don't realize what's
going on behind you, just what's ahead. When I took the center photo
above, I didn't know there wasn't anyone sitting on my wheel (I
discovered this a couple minutes later). I had just become the
weakest link, with John, Jun and another guy pushing the pace
towards LaHonda.
By the time we got to
LaHonda I had dropped off a bit and struggled to back to the group.
I didn't think the other guys were anywhere near maxxed out, so I
assumed I'd soon be on my own.
Fortunately, John had moderated his pace a bit, so I was able to
hang with them up to Skyline. Working this hard & fast was not
something I envisioned when climbing Old LaHonda earlier!
It took quite a while for everyone else
to get to the top, not because they were slower, but because they'd
had to deal with two incidences of flat tires. Oh, the middle-front
Stanford cyclist? That's the "mystery woman" from a couple of my
diary entries! Her name is Sheela, and a very nice person. Mystery
solved!
We
all headed down 84 towards Woodside, with the Stanford group going
right at the bottom (toward Stanford, naturally!) while I went
straight and finished the ride via Tripp Road, Manuella (shown here)
and Olive Hill.
This was definitely one of those days where you just felt better and
better as it went on. The more I ride, the more this seems to be the
case. Not much to complain about! --Mike--
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