Category: 2016 Northern Tier

I did get out to ski. Initially I was thinking maybe I’d just sit inside the lodge as it was cold and windy. In fact, several lifts were not open due to the wind. We had to take a shuttle to get to one of the open lifts. And it was cold. However, as the day went on, the wind died down and, I think, it warmed up a bit. It may have been that the lack of wind made it seem warmer. In any case, I’m glad I didn’t sit insu\ide. Had a fun time. Still trying to improve my skills and took several falls but nothing serious until the last one. By then I was so tired, I almost couldn’t get back up. Good thing Pat didn’t give up on me and leave me in the snow! Such a gentleman – helping me up each time I fell.

Today was supposed to be a bike ride but, again, it was cold. Turned out there was a bit of rain and snow so we cancelled for today but may try braving it tomorrow.

Here are my ski buddies at lunch:

Barbara & Pat                                   Wayne & Tom                          Barbara-Caught!

It looked like Friday would be a wet day but it wasn’t that bad. I took the day off anyway. In the evening, it was dinner and a movie with friends. We watched “Groundhog Day.” I’d forgotten most of it and enjoyed seeing it again.

Yesterday, I received a last minute invite to go snowshoeing. We (Don) drove up to Crane Flat where we (Don, Susie, Lars and I) hiked to Tuolumne Grove. Yup, that’s the same hike I did earlier this month. Since the storm that hit us Friday night/Saturday morning was a warm one, it brought rain instead of snow.  So, quite a bit of the snow had been melted away by the rain since my last visit. There was still enough for our outing and I had a good time.

Looks like today will be quiet as it is snowing this morning but tomorrow: skiing! I get to try out my new skills (if I remember how).

Wow! January is almost over. Just the other day I was thinking I had five months to prepare for Bike the US for MS. Now, I’m down to four.

I have been able to get out and ride this week: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. I was supposed to ski on Tuesday but went to bed Monday night with a scratchy throat and didn’t sleep well. Had to call my ski friend and cancel…so sad.

Monday was a solo ride, Wednesday I rode with Bill and Dan T., Thursday it was with Wayne. I’m so tickled to have others that are riding with me!

Monday – 27 miles Since I was alone, I did some exploring. Some of the roads I’ve been on but only when I was on the back of a motorcycle. So, it was an experience to see how much hillier they are when riding my bicycle. I also took the road less traveled and found out why. Patches on patches, dirt, mud, and water across the road AND a steep hill. Well, now I know.

Wednesday – 34 miles This was a ride I’ve been doing fairly often lately with some added miles on Red Hills Road. Starts in Moccasin, goes into Chinese Camp, cuts over to Hwy 49 and then into Jamestown before returning to Moccasin via Jacksonville Road. I saw an unusual critter so stopped to get a picture.

Thursday – 28 miles Starting again in Moccasin, this time we went up the new Priest Grade, down Priest-Coulterville Road and into Coulterville for a stop at Mary Lou’s Cup of Brew. When I say “down” Priest-Coulteriville, yes, it does lose elevation from the top of the Priest Grade to Coulterville but there are still plenty of hills to climb before you get to go down. After my cup of tea, we finished up at Moccasin via Hwy 49. Saw some alpacas in one of the fields where there are usually bovine. I didn’t stop for a picture.

The next few days are supposed to be wet so I won’t be playing outside. Although I do have a snowshoe date for Monday…

I have been active. Maybe too active as I, obviously, haven’t posted in the past several days. Oops.

Last week I had the opportunity to go downhill skiing! Haven’t done that in ages so really enjoyed getting out to see if I still could. Took a bit but it came back. Also, one of my new skiing buddies (Pat) was an instructor for 15 years and a competitive ski racer. He gave me some tips on how to improve my skills. Now I can’t wait to go back and work on those. I’m supposed to go tomorrow but my throat is getting scratchy and my head is feeling like something bad is coming. Of course, I’m going to ignore all that tonight and hope for the best in the morning.

Wayne “Augie” – who invited me along to ski  🙂

I did get out and ride last week. Managed to get in 31 miles locally which means about 3100’ of elevation gain. Did another ride today. Was supposed to meet a couple other cyclists but we got our wires crossed so didn’t meet up. I used the opportunity to explore some roads I hadn’t ridden before. Found out why on one of them – patches on patches – no wonder everyone avoided that one. Still it was a fun exploration. Only 26 miles after all my goofing around but I’m glad I got out. I also rode over to the SaveMart to get my discounted ski lift ticket. Bonus!

If you put cursor on photos, you can see my ‘titles’

Saw some cycling friends this past weekend that I don’t get to see too often anymore. It was so nice to visit. They were asking lots of questions about the Bike the US for MS trip. Its becoming more ‘real’ the more I share it with people.

We’re supposed to have dry days through Thursday this week so I’m going to take advantage and play outside. Might even snowshoe again on Friday…

 

Jan 18

OK – I did not get out for a ride because a different opportunity came up. One of our motorcycle friends called and suggested going for a ride. Since the roads were still wet and it was cold, we talked him into coming with us for a plane ride instead. Destination: Half Moon Bay for seafood lunch.

Actual destination: San Carlos for a burger. Turns out the clouds were not going to let us safely get into the Half Moon Bay airport so we made an adjustment. We might have been able to make it if the morning had turned out different. We stopped in Byron for fuel (’cause its cheaper there) but the pump was broken so we had to stop at Tracy for fuel. Turns out the price was the same – doh! Anyway, all that extra stopping made arrival later and the weather had already turned on us.   (If you hover over the photos, you can see the captions)

One of these days we’ll actually get to have lunch at Half Moon Bay with Wayne A.

Jan 19

It rained all morning and into the afternoon. No exercise again today. However, because of yesterday’s adventure, I’ll be going with Wayne to ski on Wednesday! Looking forward to it as its been a few years since I’ve been able to go. Had to dust the skis, boots and poles but at least I found them. I think I’m ready for the morning. Hope I don’t forget anything…like how to ski. Should be FUN!

Jan 14-15-16-17

Another cycling adventure last Thursday with my buddy Wayne! So glad to have another rider along.

We met in Knight’s Ferry, a small community started during the Gold Rush. It was built on the banks of the Stanislaus River. The town was originally a trading post and ferry crossing established by William Knight. Mr. Knight was gunned down in a heated discourse after only one year living here. There are still several interesting old buildings which makes riding down Main Street feel like I’m going through the Old West. The information on Knight’s Ferry mostly comes from an article written by Bob Holton for the friends and neighbors magazine published in Sonora, California.

It was another cold day but we were both ‘layered up’ so had no problem with the temperatures in the 40s. The grasses are turning green thanks to the rain that is finally falling on a fairly regular basis. So we passed lots of pretty fields, houses, animals, and orchards as we made our way on back roads into the edge of Oakdale.

We stopped at Oakdale Cheese & Specialties for a yummy melted cheese sandwich and homemade tomato soup. We sat outside to eat and had the company of a darling young, white cat. Obviously, this cat knew the territory…begging for food but letting us pet her even when we didn’t share. I mean really, do cats eat cheese sandwiches and soup?

After getting onto 26 Mile Road, we flew. Tailwind! Again, we got out into the country. So soothing. Eventually we got to the rollers which are the only “challenge” on this ride. It had been awhile since I’d done this route so I got confused about some of the landmarks. That’s ok since they were still there – just in a different location from what I ‘remembered.’

Here’s a photo of one of the barns with a windmill that appeals to me.

As we got near the end of the ride, we agreed, it seemed to get colder. So, once I got back to the car, I packed up, turned the heater on, and zipped on home.

When I arrived at the house, Dan suggested a drive down Lumsden Road. Took the 4WD pickup and headed out.  I have a couple photos but can’t figure out how to post them here as I can’t rotate them.  You’d have to lean sideways to enjoy them.  sigh

Friday was a day off the bike. The only exercise I got was walking through IKEA. First time visit for me. Let me outta here! Still it was a fun day. Flew with my friends Bonnie (the pilot) and Susie. While Bonnie went to work (she’s too young to retire yet), Susie and I went to various stores to shop while in civilization which isn’t too civil. Glad I live where I do.

Saturday, no exercise to speak of but had a great day. It was another friends birthday so we flew her and her husband to Harris Ranch for lunch. Since Jo has difficulty walking, we ordered the shuttle to pick us up and drop us off at the airplane. Pretty cool but no walking from the ramp to the restaurant and back.

Finally, today. Bonnie and I went snowshoeing. Three miles. One mile down to Tuolumne Grove, walked around the Grove and then the one mile climb back to the parking lot. Definitely good cross training.

Tomorrow’s forecast is for rain in the morning. I may try to get in a ride after it stops. We’ll see.

January 12, 2016

A 25 mile loop that is a Really Good workout happened today. I started at the old Moccasin Power Plant. As I was getting ready, I saw a man standing nearby on his phone but looking at me. I was afraid he’d tell me I couldn’t park there but it turned out it was Eric who works there and also cycles. He has actually given me the ‘ok’ to park there. I’m not sure he has the authority to do so but I’ll take it. We’ve ridden together in the past but I didn’t recognize him in civvies!

Leaving Moccasin, I started up the new Priest Grade and warmed up quickly. I made several stops to remove layers. Elevation at Moccasin is 935’. Elevation at Priest Station Café is 2400’. So, I had a good climb to start.

The next section for the day was Priest/Coulterville Road which gets me to Coulterville. Now Coulterville is at a lower elevation than Priest Station Cafe but there is a lot of up and down before the final drop into town. Since climbing is not my forte, I tend to dread this portion of the ride but got through it. The reward is a stop at Mary Lou’s Cup of Brew for a hot tea. Today, the second reward was seeing Dan there. He got out for a ride on his BMW 1200RT and knew my planned route so met me there. Sort of. He actually met a couple other motorcyclists across the street from the coffee shop and shot the bull with them the whole time I was inside enjoying my Earl Grey.

Dan told these other two guys about my planned #BikeTheUSforMS event. One of them told me I should take a lighter bike and that Dan should ride his motorcycle across the country to meet me in Bar Harbor. I like his idea (and he’s not the first one to suggest Dan come along) about Dan but am not sure a lighter bike would be a good idea for the distance I’ll be traveling and the potential “stuff” I may have to carry while riding.

The final leg for today was mostly downhill back to the car in Moccasin. One other suggestion from the motorcycle guy was for me to ride up Greely Hill/Smith Station Road. Hmmm, that might be my next ride. That’s another climbing ride with one long, steep section. It’ll be good for me. Build character. Yeah, all that ‘good for you’ stuff.

Stats: 27.43 miles; 9.7 average; riding time: 2hrs 50 min.

January 8 Report:

Still no buddies to ride with so started at Moccasin and rode to Chinese Camp. Took Red Hills Road to Sims Road to Hwy 49. Rode Hwy 49 to Hwy 108 and decided to ride that portion again (that’s part of the Plus). The road was repaved recently and is SOOO nice to cycle on. It added four miles to the day.

From there, I went into Jamestown and stopped at Here’s The Scoop. Funky place with good food. They also sell cookie cutters…over 1,000 different ones…and other kitchen gadgets. Like I said, funky.

Left town via some back roads and then took Jacksonville Road back to Hwy 120. Instead of heading left and straight back to the car, I went right (another part of the Plus) for a few more miles.

I stopped and got some pictures at various point. Here are some goats and bovine. They are in the same field but have segregated themselves into the Goats and the Bovine.

Across the street from these critters, there were two pigs. I didn’t even know they were there until I did my reverse route on Hwy 49. Guess I startled them as they went running as I rode past. No pictures, you’ll just have to take my word for it.

I also stopped to take some photos of the sky as it was nice to see fluffy clouds and blue sky after all the rain and snow we’ve had.

I took a photo of the horses across the street since I was already off the bike…

 

40.7 miles for the day with a 12.7 average.

Rain predicted for Saturday so no ride that day.

The past several days have been raining or snowing.  So, no riding.  Plus I’ve been away seeing grandkids.

Tomorrow is supposed to be dry so I’ve put out a call to friends to come ride with me.  We’ll see what happens.

Today’s forecast was for rain starting around 10am. I bundled up and rode. I’m getting a pretty good idea of what I’ll need to bring in order to be comfortable for cold weather.

Dan was concerned I might slip on the sand or ice on the roads. Therefore, I was restricted to riding on the taxiways at the airport. I prefer an out and back or loop ride but to keep peace, I agreed. Plus, it was smart.

I still had some beautiful views.

This is what’s coming! 

Not sure what the temperature was today other than it was in the 40s. Only did 15 miles but that’s better than none at all. Average was 11 mph which I’m attributing to the headwind since this is the flattest place to ride around here and I expected a higher number.

The greatest news today is I met the fund raising goal! This is totally due to my friends and their generosity. I am awed and pleased.

Rain predicted for the rest of the week so I must get the instructions for the trainer and get it set up. sigh