Tahoe Sierra Century - 4000 YTD!

Went up with about 5 friends to do the Tahoe Sierra Century which leaves from Squaw Valley. After making it down to Lake Tahoe, the route then proceeds up through Brokway Summit and on into Truckee to the Tahoe Donner Ski Resorts. After a snack stop at Donner Lake the route then proceeds up the Donner Pass Road (which was closed for this event). Up and over the pass (notice Sugar Bowl on your left), you are soon headed down to Cisco Grove for lunch and a turn around.

Due to the evelation and the sheer cold this was a tough one. We left Squaw Valley at 7 AM and the temperature was 34 degrees F. It did't really warm up until 11AM and of course I wasn't really prepared for the cold. Beautiful day though...The view from the top of Donner Lake looking east to Donner summit was amazing. All in all this is one of the toughest centuries of the year. But especially since I hadn't been on a bike in a month, due to my frame issues.

Also with this ride I surpassed the 4,000 mile mark this year!!! Yipee!!

Oh No - Not my Bike

Well just after finishing my Ridge to Ridge Ride I just discovered a crack in my frame and I am temporarily sidelined. I think I will take up running. Ouch.

Silicon Valley - Ridge to Ridge

My Goal was to start out in the Silcon Valley ride to the top of the easter slops of the eastside mountain range. From San Jose to Mt. Hamilton to the top is the University of California owned Lick Observator. After reaching the top I then descended back into the valley towards the town of Saratoga up Hiway 9 to the top of the pass at Summit Road and then back down into the Valley.

The ride is about 92 miles and includes around 8,880 feet of total climbing. I left around six in the morning figuring I could make it to the top in under four hours (ok so I'm slow)take about two hours to get back down the hill stop for some lunch and then proceed up highway 9 for the final push.

Using my Garmin Vista GPS the plan was to capture the route and then download it to Google World (formerly Keyhole). I kept having issues with the unit however as it kept shutting down. I have been told that it is just the battery connection comming loose and that if you jam a piece of cardboard or something in the unit it will be fine. Let me tell you it was a bit annoying to have the thing shut down so often.

Up until this time I had down Mt. Hamilton and I had climb hiway 9 through Saratoga many times but I had never done them together in one day. It was a tough ride but given the time it takes I am going to have to save the ride for next year, given the time it takes.