Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Abuloy

Mga Siclista,
Bong, one of our member is in dire strait. He needs some monetary help for the cremation of their mother. He rode with us last Sunday but he did not mention anything, even when I extented my condolence. JojoW only learned about the situation from his brother, Dong. Any more delay will be more costly for them. Kung gusto ninyong magabuloy we have to do it this Sunday before our ride.

Post Requested by JojoW

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Old La Honda Tunitas Ride

27 July 2008 Route: From Newark Java to Dumbarton, Sandhill Rd, OldLaHonda, Hwy84 Stage Rd, Tunitas, Kings Mt back to Newark. Hard 70 miles ride. First group ride wearing the new Siclista kit.



Old La Honda Tunitas Ride

Riders: Bong TonyC Rollie Ed Spencer JR JojoW Cesar Jack Romy Auggie & Roger

Friday, July 25, 2008

Siclista's Spotted On Bay Trail

We couldn't wait! We went to visit Jack at his house at 7:45AM to get our team kits and break them in.

Here are the Siclista's commuting home from Burlingame to Milpitas.



BobbyG in the Club Cut & JohnnyBoy sporting the Race Cut


JohnnyBoy

Rear View

Front View

Red Team Jerseys

Thursday, July 24, 2008

New Siclista Uniform

*** 7/26/2008 Update
Since most of the kits has been picked up, we'll change the pickup place of the remaining kits to the Newark Java parking lot tomorrow.
***

The new Siclista uniforms are in.
Pick up place and time will be Lake Elizabeth at 8AM this Sunday followed by a show and go ride.
Maybe an abbreviated pre-ride of the Siclista Classic I or whatever the majority decides.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

FYI Temporary Bike Path Closures

For those of you who commute by bike near Redwood City, FYI.

The Bike/Ped path that runs parallel to the east side of Highway 101 between Skyway Road and Whipple Avenue will be temporarily closed at various times between July 21 and August 13, 2008 while the contractor retrofits the existing pipeline

For more info visit Redwood City website or read this PDF flyer.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Spencer's Post Wedding Ride

Steven Canyon Redwood Gulch Hwy 9 PageMill Rd Loop

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Siclista Weekend Warrior Challenge 6/13/08

Congrats to the winners as well as the finishers of Sunday’s Siclista Weekend Warrior Challenge. The stimulating route originates in Newark Java to the infamous Old La Honda (OLH) ascent, then back to the point of origin. Here is the synopsis.

At 8a.m., the enthusiasts rolled at a conversational pace. It was peaceful until four ambitious bunch breakaway as they approach the turbulence plagued Dumbarton Bridge (DB). On one hand, Jack precariously heads the leaders. On the other hand, the peloton maintains its complacency. There is strength in numbers. Thus, the peloton can easily reel the leaders in and swallow them alive. This group is confident that the attack was too early. Shortly thereafter just a few miles after the DB descent, sure enough the quartet was caught.

Rodge distresses the peaceful peloton. He sets a gutsy pace to grab the first Green Jersey at the Arastradero’s final hump. Grinding a very heavy gear, he demolishes anyone who tried to outpace him. Unfortunately, he calls it a day leaving no chance to defend his title. A word of caution, they are ought to test you again next time around.

They are now in Portola Loop. Jack attacks again. This guy is so aggressive; he redlines his heart rate every effort he takes. Organizers scrambles for an award dedicated to him. He initiates the Red Jersey—the most aggressive rider.

Spencer, the newly-wed, is not his day. Every time he attempts to cover attacks or endeavors a sprint, his chain drops. He blames his prodigal brother, Jr., for tampering the precise adjustment of his rig.

A hard left to OLH, the peloton scales the biggest ascent of the day. A rider with a noticeable climbing prowess is no other than Jerry, the other half of Nancy, wins the Polka Dot Jersey. The Maharlikan spins his way up OLH. He is the first one to crest. To celebrate, this victorious mountain goat even turns around at the summit and descends to check on laggers.

I call him the luckiest man alive because his significant other rides bike with him. Of course, Nancy receives the Pink Jersey. She withstands any male pedal power to this day. Indeed, she outperforms most of the guys on flats and climbs.

The rest of the leg is the rolling Skyline Boulevard down to eerie 84 East then back track to Newark. I enjoy this descent, so I lead. I catch three slow moving motorcyclists. I pass all of them and became their rabbit. I carve the hairpin turns and sprint straight-aways. I hear their engine roar and so I push some more. Man, that is exhilarating.

On our way home, we face a hurdle: the turbulent DB. This time it is cross and head wind. However, it did not stop Jack and John M, the Red Jersey and White Jersey (best young rider) laureates accordingly. On the other side, it was flat but still experiencing violent winds. It was Jack and John M head-to-head to the finish. However, Gonzalo, another Green Jersey victor, snags their aspirations.

Special thanks to Roy, Romy, Tony Fuji and Tony Madone for pulling the peloton together to work as a single unit.

Folks, this is just a precursor to a more challenging ride ahead. I will post the details of Spencer’s Potluck Road Ride soon. Backed by popular demand, the route is Stevens Canyon, Redwood Gulch, Hwy 9, Skyline Blvd, Pagemill, Foothill, Stevens Canyon, Celebrate Spencer’s wedding.

Participants: Roy, Spencer, Jerry & Nancy, Romy, Rodge, Tony Fuji, Tony Madone, Cesar, John M. & Jack

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Death Ride Report

Siclista Riders Take On The Death Ride 2008

129 Miles 16,000 Ft. 5 Mountain Passes


July 12th, the day of the “Death Ride” was a memorable experience for the Siclistas. The 1st timers were anxious, excited, but determined. Veteran Siclistas shared words of encouragement and advice on how to survive the Death Ride.

Days before leading up to the ride, everyone was testing, tuning and double checking their bikes and equipment, making sure everything was in working order for the big day. A short ride into Markleeville from the campsite and then a short climb to Turtle Rock Park was needed to calm the newbies and to give them a taste of what lies ahead. Smoke from the nearby fires were a concern to most of us but when the big day came, the skies were clear.

The game plan was a simple one, wake up at 3:45AM, get ready and leave by 4:30AM. As we left our campsite, we could see other campsites lit up as other riders were also preparing to head out for the same adventure.

The 1st pass, Monitor Pass was a long 9 mile climb with a few breaks. About half way up, Bong (Orbea) caught up with me and apologized for being late at the rendezvous. He would end up being my ride partner for the remainder of the ride. We all made it to the top of Monitor Pass getting our 1st pass sticker and proceeded down the back side of Monitor Pass. The descent greeted us with breath taking views and the wide smooth road afforded us to accelerate to speeds exceeding 50 mph! What a rush!

Down at the bottom, we got our 2nd pass sticker and regrouped. Before the charge back up, many of us dumped our heavier gear, that is no longer needed, to the support team for pickup after the ride. A few pics here and there, and we were back in the saddle for the long climb back up. Though it was fun going down, thoughts of going back up it were not as happy.

As we proceeded up Monitor Pass, I could see Bong (Chicharon) and Benjie dance on the pedals as they quickly vanished from my sight. Part way up the climb, we were greeted by some young men stretched out along side the road, offering to refill our bottle(s) with Cytomax or water. Give them your bottle without stopping, and a relay began as the 1st young man would run ahead with your water bottle calling out your bib number and drink request prior to handing it over to the next young man who would do like wise. This concerted effort involved at least 5 to 6 of them. As you grind your way up toward the hydration station, your bottle is handed back to you with more words of encouragement and well wishes. These guys were awesome!

Back at the top of Monitor Pass! Two down, three to go. I stopped for water and a Cliff bar and regrouped with Bong (Orbea), Benjie, Bong (Chicharon), Dennis & John V. At this point, it was obvious that we could no longer ride as a group. During the second long climb, the thin air had started affecting some of the riders. With fatigue and the onset of cramps or soreness, doubts of finishing had entered the minds of the riders. We had only completed 35 miles!

We left Monitor Pass to continue on to Ebbetts Pass. The weather was warm but not too hot; it was bearable. The long climb to Ebbetts was done and got sticker number 3. I didn’t stop for a break there but continued down the back side of Ebbetts and I saw Benjie coming up! Man, this dude is flying! I’m all alone now and when I got down to the bottom of Ebbetts, I got sticker number 4. I ran into Bong (Orbea) and Dennis. We rested a bit and continued on. I saw John V coming down as we were climbing Ebbetts, but I didn’t see Bong (Chicharon). He was ahead of John V, and I must have missed him while going up. Up and over Ebbetts we go and went down to the lunch area. Bong (Orbea) and I had lunch; shortly thereafter, John V shows up. John V tells me he left Bong (Chicharon) at the bottom of the 4th pass. Dennis is nowhere in sight. Turns out he bypassed lunch and headed towards Markleeville to have lunch there, where his family was there waiting for him to cheer him on.

On the descent down Ebbetts toward Markleeville, there is loud thunder and a few drops of rain. We reach Markleeville and are greeted by crowds cheering. One of the loudest bunch in the crowd are my wife, Mary Ann, and family, all with cow bells ringing loudly as we approach. We had just completed 85 miles! They tell me that Benjie, Bong (Chitcharon) and Dennis were ahead of me. I dumped my warmers and other items no longer needed; it was warm in Markleeville.

Went past Turtle Rock Park and descended down to Woodfords Junction. I am hot; so I ride under the water shower provided by the support crew at Woodfords. It was a cold spray, but felt good. No sooner after the spray, I am greeted by a sudden downpour! The thunder storm caught up with us and doused us completely. Water pooled in my shoes, I was miserable and cold. I ran into Dennis, Bong (Chitcharon), Bong (Orbea) along side the road; they are resting while I continued on. A bit later, white little pebbles started pelting us. It was hailing! I had to get out of my saddle to generate more body heat. The effort is making me hungry and I realized I had no energy bars or gels since I dumped them all at Markleeville. I figured I can get some at the last stop before taking on the last pass. But it’s just pouring now, I reach the last rest stop and see riders crammed in under the awnings and its so thick with people that I had no idea if there was any food or not. I thought I was done for at that point. I started to dig deep into my back pockets and voila! I found a packet of fig bars that did not get tossed while in Markleeville. I ate it and went to get more Cytomax from the table when the rest of the Siclistas rode up and said they were not stopping and continued on. I told them I will catch up with them after I fill up my bottles.

Back on the road past Picketts Junction, 1 hour ahead of the cut off time. All the Siclistas are home free! More rain and more rain as I continued. I see Benjie coming down. Benjie is the first of the Siclistas to make 5 passes! I ran into both Bongs, John V and Dennis resting on the side of the road and continued on.

All the Siclistas that attempted the Death Ride finished 5 passes! We had a 100% completion of our riders. Good job guys!

I found out later that at Woodfords the temperature had dropped from 92 to 50 degrees in a matter of minutes. The hail started out the size of small ball bearing increasing in size up a quarter. The local sheriff course closed the course at Picketts Junction.

During the descent down Carson, my headset bolt was working its way out I caught sight of it when i was looking down at my computer. JohnV's rear tire had a big bulge on it. Possibly it heated up during the descents and got deformed.

View Additional Death Ride Pics here.

Training Ride

Training Ride JohnV & JohnnyBoy sporting last years 5 pass jersey

Jerseys Prepped

JohnV BobbyG & Benjie on Monitor Pass

1st Siclista into Markleeville Benjie

Dennis arrives at Markleeville

Bong (Chicharon) at Markleeville

BobbyG leading a group into Markleeville

JohnV all smiles at Markleeville

Basura Boys at Turtle Rock Park 5 Passes Done!
Dennis, BobbyG, JohnV, Bong (Chicharon) & Benjie

DEATHRIDE PICTURE

THIS IS BONG(ORBEABIKE) 1ST PASS. THIS WAS TAKEN AT THE 5TH PASS. SCENIC VIEW WAS AWESOME,ALPINE MTN.




THIS THE SICLISTA GROUP WITH DENNIS, JUST GETTING STARTED.


Sunday, July 6, 2008

Johan Bruyneel Book Tour

Siclistas,
FYI. Johan Bruyneel will be at Book Passage in Corte Madera on 7.9.08, 7pm for book signing with his new release "We Might As Well Win." The Mastermind behind eight Tour de France victories!

http://www.johanbruyneel.com/the_book.html


Book Passage
51 Tamal Vista Blvd
Corte Madera, CA 94925
415-927-0960
Wednesday, July 9, 7:00 PM

Death Ride 2008

Update 7/6/08

Directions to Grover Hot Springs State Park. Go to campsite #52. Have a safe drive and see you all up there.

Below is the updated list of riders for the Death Ride 2008.

Payment of $98 for the entries are needed from:

JohnV - Paid 7/4/08
Bong - Paid 7/1/08
Benjie - Paid 7/4/08
Dennis

Those of you who are planning to come early, I can accomodate 6 people at my campsite. You provide your tent for sleeping arrangements. To help with expenses I am asking $30 per person to for lodging.

For meals either you are on you own or you can join with us. If you join us, $40 will cover you meals during your stay.

You can come as early as Sunday, July 6th. I don't checkout until Monday, July 14th. Don't forget to bring quarters for the hot showers.

Thanks,

BobbyG

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

4th of July Ride






3 TT Bikes: John's Softride, Jack's Calfee & Bobby's New Felt



Can lighting strikes in 1 spot twice? Ask JohnM.

Meet: Jollibee Union Landing at 730am Roll 800am SHARP, So everyone will still have time to spend the holiday with their families. This will be a flat ride with a brisk pace. Halo halo at Jollibee after the ride. 2hours ride at 15mph average and 2hours to consume a bowl of halo halo :) Route: 30.71 miles Newark Fremont Loop
Sunday: 6 July 2008 Meet at Newark Java 800am Roll 830 sharp Route: 42.53 miles Dumbarton Edgewood Loop