Today with a friend from work we attempted to climb Mt. Hamilton, located on the East side of San Jose. On top of the mountain the University of California maintans several telescopes. Leaving from the San Jose Country Club at the base of the mountian it is about a 20 mile climb up to 4600 feet. We left around 3:00 but just couldn't get high enough before the sun set so we turned around about three quarters of the way up.
Oh well maybe next time.
Terra Bella
Saturday, April 9, 2005
Well after many years of inactivity on the a bike, I thought that the Terra Bella ride would be a good place in which to start. Since it draws a big crowd it is definity one of the more social rides for those living in the bay area. The only problem is that I wimped out due to the unseasonably cold temperatures on the day of the ride. So at the last moment I decided to ride the metric century instead. This would also spare me from having to do Metcalf road so early in the season.
Last summer I purchased my first road bike in quite some time. You basic aluminum frame with Shimano 105 components. Since I had gained some weight over the years I wasn't really excited about doing some of the steeper hills. Basically I was just looking forward to the big foodfest at the end of the ride. Well with only sixty some miles I finished the ride in record time....now I am ready to try some other more challenging rides this year....Bring it on.
The course has become a little bit more hectic that in the past. With the increased development in Gilroy and the large amount of riders somethimes it gets to be a bit much trying to make you way through the growing neighborhoods in the area. I am also aware that the entry fee goes towards things like snacks, lunch, drinks, and bathrooms I find the rural scenary slowing disappearing and being replaced by ugly gated developments that suck up huge amounts of water and do nothing for the surrounding community. Maybe a rant topic for another post.
