Much drier than yesterday. Today was the big climb up Monte Grappa. The highlight was some people camping on the side of the road partway up the climb waiting for the Giro in two days. They were very friendly and offered me food and drink. I kindly declined the drink but happily accepted a salami sandwich. It was both tasty and delicious.
The top was foggy and cold, and that was where the lunch van was. I stuffed as much food into my mouth as possible as quickly as possible so I didn’t get too cold. Even so, my fingers were numb as I descended. They eventually thawed out and the rest of the ride was pleasant.
The Fiume Brenta that runs through Bassano del GrappaStatue in Bassano del GrappaNice views as I climbed the Monte GrappaRoadside flowers on the climb up Monte GrappaFriendly campers waiting for the Giro on the Monte GrappaView from my hotel room in Fiera di Priemiero
The word of the day was “wet”. The ride started off with mild showers and the first long climb was misty with diminished rain. After the descent I stopped for a cioccolata calda and that’s when the real rain started. The second long climb was delightful with a nice smooth road, a mild and steady gradient, and lots of switchbacks where I could get an occasional view of the valley far below.
Me in the blue jacket at the start of the rideThe first long climb had mostly rough roads and heavy mist The rain started after I descended but this valley had some nice views With rain comes some nice waterfalls A great view of the valley far below from one of the switchbacks on the last climb
Short in distance but large in climbing The operators of our tour, Bike-DreamsThis is a smooth operation, with our luggage being loaded efficiently into this vanA quick stop was made at the Arena di Verona for a group photoAnd here we are in front of the Arena. My eyes were closed as usual. Got a good view of Verona soon after we started climbing One of the riders doing a good job on the climbSaw some nice red poppies on the climbThese cows very mellow despite the menacing clouds formingThere was a nice variety of flowers throughout most of the first climbSome yellow lupine on the hillside with a hazy view of the distant hillsA nice monument in the Velo Veronese town squareThe town square also had a cute kittyA view from the back of the church and other buildings in Sant’AndreaA couple of fellow riders starting the next climbChecking out the views from Altissimo
A statue of Dante in this cute plazaGreat views of Verona from a vantage point near a castleAnother hill near the castle vantage point My hotel has a kitty
I am finally getting around to posting the pictures from my fun journey from San Jose to Oxnard that I rode on my bike last month (April 12-13, to be precise). A delay caused by a power outage as well as a week without home Internet.
I did most of the ride with my friend Jasmine with parts of it with other riders. The weather was nice, with warm temperatures during the day and cool, but pleasant at the coast.
The route took us past Pinnacles National Park (hence the name) and through some more remote sections towards Paso Robles. We then turned towards the coast to the overnight stop in Santa Maria.
The second day took us through Solvang and back towards the coast where we passed through lovely Santa Barbara and then further east to the finish in Oxnard.
I’ve done this ride 3 times now, and it’s still one of my favorite routes. I hope to enjoy riding it again in the future.
Riding with Jasmine after our big group broke up past HollisterOur small group rolling past HollisterWe passed through patches of morning fogWe joined some other riders and rode together on this remote stretch of road on the way to Paso Robles We rode along this river gully as the road gradually climbed higherFinally we created the high point of the route climaxing with this steep section Approaching Morro Bay late in the day, with good views of the Morro Bay rock (photo of me thanks to Jasmine)Sunset over the ocean as we approached San Luis Obispo More fog on the second day really made this photo of the trees and cows interesting Not a super bloom year but there were still nice patches of poppies Passing through Santa Barbara with its palm trees Foggy view of Rincon Island near Mussel Shoals Beach
I drove down to Pacific Grove with my friend Maureen and did our annual ride (weather permitting, and the weather did permit this year) on the 17-mile Drive and then to the hills in and around Carmel Valley. The day started off with excellent weather, not too cold and sunny. By the end, the weather was started to cool off ahead of the coming rain, but we still got a great day of riding in. Here are some of the sights that I experienced. Enjoy!
A very pleasant start to our ride along the oceanCycling along the coastThe Lone CypressBig GoatSome baby goatsThe views of the hillsCycling up Carmel ValleySome Lupine along the roadThe Lupine was nice todayApproaching the top of the last big climbLyresa at the top of the last climb
I rode the annual Western Wheelers LDT ride in the Berkeley Hills on Saturday with a small group of friends. We had fun, apart from a derailleur problem that prevented Maureen from completing the ride.
This fellow was displaying his magnificent plumage, hoping to attract some ladiesDespite the fog over us, the views to San Francisco and the Golden Gate bridge were excellentThe scenic part of the ride past the refinery at CrockettWe’re definitely the Berkeley Hillbillies A bit of the Carquinez BridgeLyresa finishing the climb up McEwen Rd, passing some poppiesNot a big crop of poppies this year, but still enjoyableWe stopped to say hello to a group of lambs, sheep, chickens and pigsThis chicken had some fine plumageThis fellow kept sticking his nose into other people’s businessThis mattress was actually quite comfortable, perfect for a short break
