Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Day 5 - To the gates of hell.

Course Recon.

I'm here been planning this for 2 years. The goal this time is the same as last. To finish in the top 100.

Of for my first look at the course. Based on what I've been been told. I'm shitting myself. "The ride from hell". "The ride to the Green Gate".
I set off on the climb with Peter from Newcastle and Pedro from Portugal. Both world champions in their age group on some event. The flat part at the start is 4.5%.......

Bally Road Climb.
https://www.strava.com/activities/403642738/segments/9677107616
4 km, 370m, 9% average grade.

Half way up now. Still with the guys but now it kicks even more.
There they go disappearing around the next corner. Oh boy this is tough.
Turn another corner and it still goes up. Wait they they are there's the Green Gate.
OK not the ride from hell. It's just the ride to the front gate.

The Bradburys

I'm now with my fantastic family. Don and Norine.
My room overlooks the creek and I don't need my water music to sleep now.








Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Day 4 - San Francisco Bridge


Lombard Street.

Up early today, packed everything into the car and headed back to the city for a bicycle tour.
First stop Lombard Street.


I got a few strange looks while walking up the steps to the top carrying the bike. 


I then got to roll down. I wouldn't call it riding. it's steeper and more technical the most down hill trails.......
No there were to many cars.

Off on the tour. Next up the Golden Gate Bridge.


Now down to Blazing Saddles. The biggest bike hire company in SF. They were very surprised when I showed up on my own bike. Ha! never see a Carbon Mountain bike before.
With our tour guide Franco we st off on a leisurely towards the bridge and over.
























Weaverville here I come. 













Monday, September 28, 2015

Day 3 - Escape from Alcatraz

This morning I rode up this big hill call Montara Mountain in the fog to see views of SF. Bitch of a climb really.
When I got to the top it was nice and sunny but all I could see was the clouds with two steal towers poking through.  They are on a hill in the city somewhere. If you blow up the pic enough you can see them in there.

Great decent. I even got a top 10 on Strava.
http://www.strava.com/activities/402159380/segments/9640831377


For the afternoon I went into the city to do the Alcatraz thing.  
I spent a couple of hours walking the city.  Lots of people.  Many homeless.
I have not seen the bay, the bridge or anything other that concrete, and gee it's hilly.
I made it to Pier 31 for the tour and something to look at at last.
It's always very foggy and everything is hazy.



Sunday, September 27, 2015

Day 2 - Half Moon Bay



Went off for a little ride with Steve today. Coffee at his local the up into the hills. Wherever you look it's hills.

Over 800 meters of climbing on road and fire trail.  A great view out over the Pacific Ocean then a wicked single trail back down to the bottom.

Today I have seen, Humpback Whales, Dolphins,  Deer a Raccoon (dead), a picture of a Mountain Lion and I heard a rattlesnake.  NO Bears.

Oh! and I heard all about Poison Oak.


Saturday, September 26, 2015

#WEMBO Part 2 Sunny California

Well here we go. 3 months of intensive training and the day has arrived.
Bikes boxed and being loaded on the plane as I watch from the terminal.
I will be in the US in about 16 hrs.

Been doing a personal 6 hr enduro every Sunday for the last 2 months. The fitness has come back but have I done enough training in the hills?