|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Date | Miles | Route | Riders | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/30/2001 | 50 | Burson loop shortened | Michael K, Steve H, Ray R, John R, Karen, Ed, Chuck | The dawn was beautiful and clear--in BUCKHORN. The weather was dry and warm all day--somewhere in the world. But not where we rode our bikes today. After descending into the overcast at Ione, I still counted on the forecast, which called for a minimal chance of rain, but the pre-ride discussion was ominous: Chuck saw a big green blob heading our way on radar; John said that one report showed a 70% chance of rain. But we all took heart that it was not cold and took off, trying to keep the route relatively nearby in case of trouble, but at the same time, get in enough miles to get Karen over 3000 for the year (she needed 61). We were lulled into complaincancy by a light mist and found ourselves in Burson after a more or less direct route via Coal Mine. At Burson, we were lulled even farther by the fact that Karen had not seen "official" rain on the surface of any puddle, making us forget that we were wet nonetheless. Within the first mile, I said to Michael that this seemed like a ride where we were waiting for the first one to flinch. Lots of flinching started when the rain got more obvious and we were gulping road grit shot into our eyes and mouths by the roostertail from the bike in front of us, making pacelining nearly impossible. It was at that point that someone joked that this was my bike's annual bike wash and that if John had really planned ahead, he'd have some Simple Green to pour down on the roadway in front his bike so that we could all pull in behind and get clean. As we were on the loop that would turn us back, all agreeing to "flinch" at the same time, my rear derailleur stopped shifting. That's what cleaning a bike will do for you, I thought. It turned out to be a broken cable, so from then on, I had a 2-speed bike--high and higher. But with some help from Michael and tacking, I made it over the remaining bumps on Buena Vista Road. We were all grateful that the rain had stopped and we could get on dry clothes. There was a great deal of talk about how to dry our gear before New Year's. It turned out to be fun--one of those adventure rides that you are glad you did--AFTER you're finished. But Michael summed up the overall reaction to doing it again when JR asked him whether he'd be riding on Tuesday. I expected to hear what I'd been hearing from him--unbridled enthusiasm for his first 100-miler. But no-o-o. "Not if it's like this," he said. (EH) |
| 12/24/2001 | 48 | Grandfather Frost ride ie Buena Vista Irish Hill S.C. Stoney Creek | Steve H, Ray C, Anita, John R, Kevin S, Tom, Mike C and the whole Stockton gang | What was going to be a laid back ride in honor of the Russian Grandfather Frost turned out to be a ode to the Mig 29 foxbat as in how fast can we go.The clue was when we turned east and added Irish Hill (we don't have enough miles-there must be some big scorekeeper in the sky) Then Willow Creek became a race course as Ray pulled us to catch the Stockton group-we did. After a well deserved rest at the coffee house (even John thought it was a good idea) It was up Sutter Hill with regrouping at the top of Stoney Creek. The descenders including yours truly pulled out with an early lead which held until the fifth hill.whereas Ray and Mike began their dance. Hard to see the results from the back of the bus but we did make it back to B.V. from Pardee in 7 minutes which gives you an ideas of the tempo. We were all rewarded with Anita's bakery goods, which quickly negated all that health exercise but it was good. (SWH) |
| 12/23/2001 | 35 | Irish Hill - Plymouth - Willow Creek | Michael K, Steve H, Ray R, Ed | The 9:00 start made all the difference today. The rain had passed, and the sun was out in Ione, even though the front was still nearly overhead. The largest puddle we encountered was at the entrance to the Ione parking lot. The day got sunnier and warmer as we rode, but it started very "sunny" for Ray, who was stopped for speeding - and, you guessed it, was let off with a warning. The views over Irish Hill were spectacular, especially with the cloud line just behind us and clear blue in front of us. The damp roads (just right--no rooster tails) made some of the more forested sections of Irish Hill and Old Sacramento feel like coastal forests--dark and damp--before breaking out into full sun. When we started, my toes were cold, but I was soaked with sweat at Plymouth. (OK, maybe that was because of the four layers--but only four--for me, that's fall-weather dressing.) Steve and I needed to turn back. Ray would have kept riding as long as anyone wanted to. Michael wanted to ride lots more, but was playing Food Santa (also known as Anita-for-a-day): he'd brought a bunch of delicious goodies, made by Mrs. Michael, to hand out to the riders, so had to go back with us. We tried to talk him into just giving us the key to his truck, but no go. For the sake of adding some miles, MK suggested Willow Creek, but since we went straight there, he was disappointed to find that it was 5 miles SHORTER than the other way. If someone had been there to ride with, I think he would have gone back out. We chatted for a while and enjoyed the surprisingly delicious weather while munching fudge, toffee, and several kinds of cookies. We all got to take doggie bags (Cheryl, the one I made for you blew out the window on Ridge Road--sorry). Thanks to MK and Mrs. MK for those gifts--and for getting me out there to ride on a day I would not have otherwise. (EH) |
| 12/18/2001 | 38,*22 | Buena Vista Ione, S.C. Jackson Stoney Creek | S. Honeychurch,Kevin Sage , Gene P.* | With all the rain and snow we thought it would be a good change to stay away from the creek road and higher elevations hence the route change. The sun came peeking through the clouds making it an excelent day for riding. Gene dropped out at Ione as he was having problems with vertigo after the cold weather, and the hardy twosome climbed up to the coffee house and enjoyed a very leisurely cup before climbing up Sutter Hill. We took turns pulling all the way down pretending we were Ray and Ed (a little bit of a stretch). The remaining ride was a ribald exchange of family stories. Thanks all (SWH) |
| 12/16/2001 | 59 | Butte Mtn. Loop and Willow Creek and Irish Hill | Karen, Larry H, Jim G, and John R | While driving to work in fairly heavy rain this Monday AM I was thankful to have had 2 days of dry weather to enjoy. However, Saturday's weather was almost balmy compared to what we had to endure on Sunday's ride. The forecast for Sunday was suppose to be "more of the same" but that prediction was way off!! The sun gave the clouds a good battle but the thick clouds prevailed and so the riding attire stayed constant from beginning to end ....jackets, shoe covers, long fingered gloves etc.. Half of the original Erma's Gang (Larry H, Jim , and JR) and Karen were the only brave souls riding today. Before heading out of the parking lot, there was some serious talk about just going home to a warm fire but we decided that the sun would shine brightly before we reached Sutter Creek. We were wrong, it only got colder. Nevertheless,thanks to some great companionship ,the COLD ride was make quite warm and confortable so I'm already looking forward to riding next weekend. After the ride we headed for Erma's (Larry's) Diner since we, except Larry who even resisted "seasoned fries", were really hungry after buring so many calories. By the way, my "mountain burger" was delicious! (JR) |
| 12/15/2001 | 36 | coffee - Argonaut - Stoney Creek - Buena Vista | Ray, Anita (reluctantly), John R, Steve H, Gene, Don C, Michael K, Cheryl, Ed | Finally, everyone has caught up with me in fashion--well, almost. On the first real wintery day, most were fairly bundled up, but not quite to the balaclava level, as I was. It started cold but warmed quickly. A bit too quickly for Don, who hooked Anita's shorts with his brake lever and crashed on the point of his helmet, just past the Diner. We opted to go to coffee for the quick warm up (the uphill didn't warm my feet) and then to avoid Refrigerator Road and go down Stoney with option for Campo Seco. But after Cheryl's flat and with too many people with shopping to do, we rode straight in via Buena Vista, keeping it short and sweet. There was talk of doing Irish Hill - Willow Creek. I knew it would be a severe test of resolve to go back into the parking lot--and sure enough, out came the chairs and the potato chips, signifying that the ride was over. Cheryl and I had no such illusions as we had to get back to Sacramento for yet another Christmas party. The day actually turned out not to be wintery at all--very pretty, even warm. Fun, relaxed pace--except when Ray got the steam up on Stoney and Buena Vista. (EH) |
| 12/8/2001 | 50 | standard coffee | Ray, Anita, Chuck, John R, Karen (40), Steve H, Michael K, Michael C, Jim and Penny, Ed (40), Cheryl (30), Gene (30) | This was one of those "bit of everything" rides. Gene, Cheryl, and I started in Sutter Creek. We somehow missed the main contingent as we left town (not seeing them at coffee house), so we rode in with JR and KB. Coffee and chat was fun as usual, then off with the "kinder-gentler" Ray up the creek, at a leisurely pace. A nice stop at Volcano, where Cheryl and Karen could plot a shopping trip for Christmas trees, taking the truck from Sutter Creek and informing JR that he was now in charge of getting me home. Ray faced a bit of an internal dilemma at the top of Shake. Kinder-gentler Ray was fighting it out with faster Ray. Guess who won. As we waited for Jim and Penny, Karen and Cheryl took off, then Steve and Anita. Chuck and JR said they'd wait for the tandem, so RC, MK, and I took off with a mission--to catch the others despite a 10-min headstart. The Ray Train was under full steam the entire way, needing a break from me only a couple of times to stoke a bit more coal. I broke off and rode up Oneto for the first time after my final pull, but Ray and MK caught CY and KB on Papa Bear. The ride back on Sutter-Ione was fast, with Ray, MK, and MC out front where none of us could see as they pushed each other. It all made everyone grateful for Anita's cranberry bread at the finish line. Great day in the foothils. (EH) |
| 11/23/2001 | 67, *36? | Stoney Crk-Jackson-Clinton-Tabeaud-Red Corral- Vol-Shake-SC-Ione | Larry H., Michael K., Anita, Ray, JR*, KB* | Unfortunately, for those looking for a post-Thanksgiving ride, it never got posted (get itÖ) By the time we figured out that Friday was going to be rain-free, it was too late to get the word out. Fortunately, Larry and Michael K. had the same idea ñ better get a ride in on Friday in case we get rained out for the weekend. Larry suggested Clinton/Tabeaud, the rest of us didnít care too much, although Anita's opinion on the choice of routes was very different by the end of the day. The temperature was tolerable in the parking lot, but it sure felt a lot colder heading out on Marlette. We chatted up Stoney to Jackson, where Larry and Micheal were showing good late-season form. On the way up Tabeaud, we ran into a few riders heading the other way who warned us of a dog up the road. Most likely the same dog that Kevin hit a few days earlier. We were on the lookout, but the dog never came out. Just before we got to 88 we ran into JR and KB heading the other way. They started in Red Corral and were out for a little ride. We were happy they decided to join us on our way to Volcano and Shake Ridge. We had a brief stop in Volcano, before JR wanted to test his fitness by doing RH in his 21t gear. Larry and JR did most of the pulling down Shake, as the rest of us were content to go along for the ride. We parted company with JR and KB at SC as they had to head back up the Creek Road. The rest of us headed straight back over Sutter-IoneÖsort of. At the Stop sign, Anita, who was not expecting such a difficult route for the day, was sooo happy to see the Stop sign, she was willing to pull us the rest of the way home. That was until Larry and I took a right turn toward Willow Creek/Irish Hill. A few choice four-letter words were heard in the background as we made the turn. It was a great ending to a great ride. Anita still pulled us into Ione, despite the little joke we pulled, what a pal! You go Anita! (RC) |
| 11/20/2001 | 43, *20,**24 | AARP route with many variations ie ride from hell | Steve H. Kevin Sage*, Gene, Tom** (the doorman), John R.** | It Started out promising as Gene even began to get dressed at 9:30 at night when he was called thinking it was morning. A pleasant ride up to Volcano followed by the usual creaking up to Red Corral. After turning on Tabeau and starting downhill the pace picked up going through the curves. I could see a very big black dog out of the corner of my eye coming at us like a runaway locomotive and yelled "DOG" but it was too late and Tom and Kevin were about 50 feet behind-one missed and the other didn't. A loud crash ensued and Kevin was down. He wanted to get up and move around but it was obvious his ride was over.as both rider and mount were going no further. We transported him to First American Title which is the new designated trauma center in Pine Grove-Thanks Karen-and manipulated the vehicles around so Tom could take him to the E.R. in Stockton since he was stable and walking around asking "Who was that dog?" Steve and Gene then continued down the hill with more problems. Jackson Gate was being oiled and we had to backtrack and ride up 49 out of Jackson-not recommended! Gene had a flat which I did not recognize until I got to the top and got to do the hill twice-also not recommended. Home felt really good when we got there especially since Kevin gave us some of his newly caught Tuna as his parting gift. (SWH) |
| 11/18/2001 | 63 & 35* | Ione to Fiddletown and Mt Aukum | John R, Larry H, Chuck, Karen*, Pat* | We has a great time on well worn paths. (CG) |
| 11/17/2001 | 65 | Coal Mine/Camanche/Burson/Ospital loop/Campo Seco/Pardee/Buena Vista/Ione | Ed, Chuck, Steve H., Michael K, Anita, Gene, Ray | As I pulled into the parking lot under overcast skies, Ed was sharing a few photos from the Halloween Ride. We were quite the cast of characters that day! Even with the promise of sunshine at the upper elevations, we still opted for the southern route through Camanche, Burson, and the Ospital loop. We made a last minute decision to take Coal Mine Road instead of Camanche/Curren since no one really needed to stop at Camanche Blue. Heading up Coal Mine, Steve had chain problems. Michael, Chuck, Gene and I gladly offered technical advice as we recommended that Steve remove the bad link. We convinced him that heíd ride faster, but since he and his bike were covered in chain grease, he had to ride at the back of the pack. Because Ed and Anita had already left, we had to play catch-up. Arriving in Burson, Ed said the pastor of the church would let us use their restroom provided we converted (the storeowner across the street was not very accommodating). After filling our water bottles with "holy water," the "Erma Crusaders" set off to work on our pacelining skills. It wasn't exactly the well-oiled, finely tuned machine one usually sees on OLN, but it was a start. We still need work on tempo and spacing, especially when we get to an incline. But it did give everyone a chance to be at the front a little. Somewhere along Southworth Road, the speed bug bit and the pace took a big jump up. I knew it was bound to happen sooner or later since the pace heading out was much slower than our usual pace. Back in Burson, we debated about doing Campo Seco, as well as interviewing any of Anita's future suitor's (good luck to him, especially with all the protective brother and father-like figures this group has!). As it turns out, we did Campo Seco just to add a little more climbing to the daily menu. Just as we left the fork in the road at Pardee, I told Steve and Michael it was time to work on time-trialing, and I was going to race the clock from the top of the hill to the stop sign at Buena Vista, so they better hang on. We picked up Ed and Chuck along the way. Ed told me I was dogging it at the bridge by Coal Mine (Whew! That last 1/2 mile is a real burner!). We made it to the stop sign in 7'13" and 186+ BPM. Next time we'll try for a sub-7 minute run. We pacelined back, until Ed decided to sprint to the top of the last hill and the race was on (again). Back in the parking lot, we were rewarded with coffee cake and scones. Thank you Anita for sacrificing all of your Friday night date offers to stay home and bake for us. It was great day to be on the bike with a great group of people. (RC) |
| 11/10/2001 | 50, 30 | Regular Coffee Ride | Chuck, Michael K, John B, Gene, Anita, Ed*, Cheryl*, Michael C, Dave N | Once again, the weather was perfect. Mike joined the group for his first ride sinice his broken hip in July. John B. says he's been riding 20 miles round trip to and from work each day on flat roads. I think they are "closet climbers!" Both were out in front up Sutter-Ione Road as well as up to Volcano. Ed and Cheryl decided they had too many chores to do around the houseand turned back. Mike turned back somewhere on the way to Daffodil Hill because he was pushing himself too much for the first day back. We found him sitting on a rock on Sutter-Ione Road waiting to ride back with the group. Ray Righetti and his wife showed up in the parking lot as we were all packing up ready to take their new tandem out for a ride. It was a really great day, but we missed you Ray! Hope you had fun at your reunion! (AH) CHUCK: It was just another great day on the bike. Those who lament the tame pace of the Saturday coffee ride would have enjoyed this one. It was a marvelous ride from the fast climb to Sutter Creek to the coffee & scones, to the very high heart rates & fast climb to Volcane, supper descents, wonderful weather, beautiful colors, high-speed detours around big bear, and great friends. I guess friends will, on occasion snake the pace line across all lanes of the Creek Road to avoid letting you off the head of the pace line. I did note a 30 point drop in my heart rate when they finally let me go to the back. Dave Neff & I figure we will have to knock another 3 or 4 minutes off our ascent on Rams Horn before spring. Ray Righetti and his wife drove into the parking lot just as we returned with one of the prettiest tandems on the road. They were headed out toward Burson. Most significant was Michael's return tot he peleton. He tried out his broken pelvis for the first time since his crash. We suspect the doctors would have preferred he wait a while longer, but they may not understand that there are times when life is about the bike. After several months in recovery, he is still king of the mountains. He told a story about a writer for one of the bicycle magazines calling him up the night before the Davis Double a few years ago and asking him to ride it with him on a borrowed tandem so he could write a report about the ride. I remember reading that story and being both amazed and intimidated by the caliber of riders in the article. As always, it is a great and humbling pleasure to ride with Erma. (CG) |
| 11/6/2001 | 36 | Usual AARP | Steve H. Gene | This is one of the best times of the year to ride especialy when the weather still holds. A little brisk up the creek road but warm going up to Red Corral. We really should work the Tabeau-Clinton road routes into our weekend rides as they are really "feel good" sections as we slice down through the curves. Back in time for lunch, we felt very virtous. (SWH) |
| 11/4/2001 | 60, 32* | Ione to Burson, Hogan Dam & Back via John's favorite Cheveron | Chuck, John R., Karen, Larry, Pat*, John Hambright, Jim & Penny, Ed*, Scott, Ray Righetti | This was the first time in a long time that the original Erma gang has ridden together. It was a beautiful day. We had a wonderful time. We even got to tease John R. a little. Ray and Scott wanted more climbing and so broke off at Buena Vista and headed up Stoney Creek/Clinton to do Ram's Horn. Thanks everyone!! (CG |
| 11/3/2001 | 57 | Plymouth, Fiddletown, Hale Rd, Shake Ridge, Sutter Creek | Ray, Anita, Michael K, Gene, Ed, Scott; 30: Dave B, Cheryl | I won the "write the ride report" prize for Saturday's ride. After discussion in the parking lot, it was decided that the group would ride to Plymouth and decide where to ride from there. This was my first ride with Dave since our adventure on Hale sometime back. Unfortunately, bad luck struck again and after Forest Home, Dave ran over a nail that went in one side of his tire and out the side wall. Ray and Scott helped boot the tire, but Dave felt he should turn around. At this point, Cheryl decided to ride back with him, but decided a bit too late and they each rode back by themselves. From Plymouth, the group decided to ride to Fiddletown (John D., we almost stopped so Ed could get his Saturday morning expresso!) and then try Hale Road the other way. Okay, so the downhill into the gully wasn't so smooth, but the uphill out the other side was smooth and steep. Can't remember when I've had so much fun riding uphill. At one point I witnessed Ray, Scott, and Michael racing up the first hill...I saw them at Shake Ridge but don't know who won! The guys were kind enough to pull me down Shake Ridge but I lost them again before the hill and didn't see who summitted Papa Bear first. A quick water stop in Sutter Creek and again...I don't know who made it to the end of Sutter-Ione Road. Good thing the fall color was so lovely, I was riding behind the group most of the day but I'm sure the guys got a great workout...hope they had a chance to enjoy the scenery as well! (AH) PS: We did. Impressions of Hale Road: going from Fiddletown to Shake is definitely harder (it's been a while); it's one of the most beautiful roads around this time of year with autumn lights, colors, smells; when Dr.Steve says "smooth as a baby's butt," I know now why he doesn't mention what KIND of baby (Crocodile? Rhino? Armadillo?). (EH) |
| 10/28/2001 | 62 | Ione, Irish Hill, Willow Creek, Pardee Dam, Campo Seco, etc. | Jim and Penny, Scott, Ray R | Well, the Halloween Party/Ride must have really been something, because there were no other Erma's in Ione at 8:00 on Sunday. Jim and I waited for a bit, but had already decided we were probably going to be on our own. Scott Taggart showed up with his new bike. What a beaut. The Erma's group was also blessed by fresh meat for all you fast folks (I mean we were priviledged to have Ray, from Lodi, join us on our journey). We rode together (well, as close as Jim and I could keep to the others) over Irish Hill and then headed for Willow Creek. Scott and Ray patiently waited for Jim and I to catch up. Jim and I headed over to Willow Creek while Scott and Ray finished their nap. We all quickly woke up when the three dogs put on quite an aggressive show. Thank goodness for Scott and Ray. Jim and I had tried just about everything - Scott rode up quickly follwed by Ray - each taking turns distracting the dogs so Jim and I could get by. I have never seen them that aggressive - actively trying to snap at each of us. We did manage to make it through without getting bitten, but I don't recommend taking that road again. We parted company at the highway with Scott and Ray heading toward Jackson and Middle Bar Rd. while Jim and I went through Buena Vista, up to Pardee Dam, and back through Campo Seco. Believe it or not, we finished up within 10 minutes of each other and had the same mileage. Of course they literally took the high road and had much more climbing than we did. All in all, except for the dogs, it was a great ride. And Ed, believe it or not, we all were in tights for the entire ride. (PG) [Ed: thank goodness someone else's legs will be getting white now too.] |
| 10/27/2001 | 50 | Halloween-Honeychurch Coffee Ride | Steve H, Ray C, Michael K, Anita, John R, Dave N, Karen, Cheryl, Ed, Gene, Sarah, Jerry S, Rik, Dave (Murphys), John H | Lots of photos to come, starring: a mad musical cow, the sexy chef (with measuring cup & snakeskin cycling shorts), a couple of homeless hippie cyclists who were abducted by aliens while riding in a time machine, an ace woman golfer and her caddy, a guy with the blues and boingy eyes on his helmet, Caesar, the devil herself, and Uncle Sam himself. Put all those characters, gaudily costumed, on bikes, and have them ride through Amador County, stopping for coffee in Sutter Creek and to frighten Rose in Volcano, and you have the foundation for today's ride. It was fun to see who dressed up -- and how. Especially fun to ride and watch the stares and attempts not to stare. Fun to draw the attention of fully leathered Harley riders at the coffee house, who wanted to take our photos and ask about bike parts. Fun to hear and ride to the tunes that Ray the musical cow played from his CD player, carried in a fanny pack for the pleasure of all (a la Fred Proudman). Fun to hear the stories. Jerry and Sarah were stopped for speeding by Ione police, but when Sarah got out in full devil costume, the cop had to keep himself from laughing, recognized them as Erma's riders, and let them go. Uncle Sam (Dave N), complete with white beard, handed out flag stickers for everyone's helmet and looked eerily realistic when he pointed at you and said "I want you." The lonesome sounding cow on Sutter-Ione Rd. We assumed it was disappointed, having seen Ray ride by, not to find another one of those bike-riding cows in our group. Everyone had to take a turn pulling on Ray's nipples. When we were waiting for Ray at the SC restrooms (yes, we waited), we took bets on which one he'd come out of--when you're wearing udders.... We teased him that he'd missed the "other women," who'd taken a head start. The entire peloton stayed intact to Fabio in support of Lance-for-a-day Steve, whose birthday we were celebrating. At the top of the road, he took advantage of his strong team and lead-out to take the sprint across the finish line, despite a last-minute attack from Uncle Sam. Karen, star golfer, who recently hit a hole in one, was playing in the "Erma Open." John (Caddy to the Stars) Rovane's flag got wrapped around his pole a time or two. "A good caddy always stays with his bag" was his line when he pulled into Volcano with Karen. Cheryl was asked by the assembled men to wear her costume for every ride. I was asked never to wear mine again. The day was too nice to be left merely to costumed frolicking, though. Ray wondered whether we should try to stay together down Shake. Dave Neff's attack after the "S" curves answered that. So the fast peloton formed and swished quickly down to the final hill-sprint, a few taking turns at the front, but mostly Ray, despite being slowed down by a "parachute" of a costume and a stereo system in his pocket. As the cow took the final sprint up the hill, I could have sworn I heard a ghoulish voice asking, "Got milk?" Dave, Ray, and I did a moderately fast push-pull over Sutter-Ione, a great road, with a little bit of everything on it. More stares as we pulled into Ione for the birthday party: cake supplied by Karen, cookies and nuts from Sarah, and lots of baked goodies, including her famous scones, from the sexy chef herself--Anita. Steve went home to rule with an iron fist (or at least a bribe of leftover birthday cake) and perhaps to take only his second dip in the new family spa. This year the weather even cooperated to give us a nearly perfect (you know me with the heat) day to celebrate and laugh and ride. (EH) |
| 10/23/2001 | 36 | usual AARP ie, Red Corral Clinton etc | Steve H. Gene, Kevin Sage, Tom (the Doorman) | We knew it would be a good day as we all had all our wheels, helmets, shoes and social security checks. Only two flats-better than usual. Tom the Doorman pulled us all the way up to Volcano showing the ex motorcycling competitor he was. He should meet Jim-much in common. A fast ride down Clinton and Tabaud followed by buying more tubes at Bills. He should give us frequent flier miles. Nice ride. (SWH) |
| 10/21/2001 | 54 | Ione, Buena Vista, Stoney Creek, Middle Bar |
Anita, Steve, Ray R | At 8:00 a.m. I was still sitting in the parking lot, reading the Sunday Chronicle waiting for some Erma's riders to arrive. First I thought that this would be my second Sunday in a row, with a less than successful ride. (Last Sunday I parked in Blackhawk only to find Mt. Diablo Park was closed due to high fire danger.) I had already decided to ride to Plymouth and back for some miles since I had driven all the way to Ione. But then two cars pulled in...Steve and Ray to the rescue! I gave Steve two criteria for the ride. #1) It needed to be 40-50 miles so I could come home and prepare a 4 hour presentation. #2) It had to be different than where we've been riding. After telling Steve I had signed up for a 37 mile ride with Kevin Sage and friends yesterday morning and ended up riding 55 miles (with a threat to add in Middle Bar)...a light went on and Steve decided it was time I rode Middle Bar for the first time. So we started out on the ride and found that our new Ray from Lodi, alias Sunday Ray, was pretty quick on the uphill. He was kind enough to wait for us at the top of Stoney Creek. A quick bathroom and water stop in Jackson and then over to Middle Bar. Ray told me I was lucky I had a steel bike for the downhill section of Middle Bar. Ray had wanted to do Clinton, Tabeau, Volcano, Daffodil Hill but was outvoted, so Steve and I let him pull us all the way back into Ione..for extra exercise. Great day...over in 4 hours total riding time, great weather (Ed would have been cold), great new scenery and of course great company! (AH) |
| 10/20/2001 | 65, 54* | non-standard coffee ride: Volcano, Red Corral, Pine Grove, Irishtown, Clinton, Stoney Creek, Jackson Valley | Jim G, Ed, Cheryl*, Ray, Michael K, Gene, Don C, Sarah, Jerry S (& friends Rik, Pam, Mark, Andy) | A new ride route coincided with some new faces, at least new to me. Sarah and Jerry brought some friends to add to the group. Ed and Ray wanted to add some miles to the normal coffee ride which fit right in with Sarah and her company's plans. The result was one of the funnest rides I have been on yet. Big Jim showed up with only half a bike. Penny being ill and Jim's having to work on Sunday afforded us Saturday riders with his rare company, a nice treat. I felt like a hitchhiker all day long, being pulled along in the blur that is the Ray and Ed Express. What a difference a position makes. Cheryl adhered to her "ride my own ride" philosophy and turned off a little early. We were all sorry to see her go, especially Ed, who consoled himself with break neck speeds along the subsequent decents. The change of route seemed to agree with everyone, I know I was loving it. It sounds as if an every-other-Saturday type schedule may be put in place to incorporate this ride. (MK) |
| 10/20/2001 | 104 | Foxy Fall | Larry Hayes | I arrived at the school around 6:45, and hung around looking for a fast group to leave with. About 7:15 2 tandems left, I was right on their wheel. One of the tandem couples was the 2001 California Time Trial Champs; the other tandem was almost as fast. The pace for the first several miles was mild until we made the first turn, after the turn our speed increased to 25+ MPH. At one point there was somewhere between 25 to 30 bikes in the pace line, the number of bikes quickly dwindled as the tandems sprinted out of every corner reaching speeds of 30 MPH. At the first rest stop the number of bikes in the pace line was 8, our average speed was almost 23 MPH. I was concerned about getting dropped on some of the small hills near Vallejo, it didn't happen. I didn't stand line for lunch; we arrived at the lunch stop at 10:15, with an average speed of just under 22 MPH (61 miles into the ride). At the bottom of Cardiac Hill my average speed was 20 MPH, and that where the tandems started to pull away. The Time Trial Champs disappeared up the hill. I was able to catch the other tandem at the top of Cardiac, but I couldn't keep up on the downhill, I was having cramps and they were just to fast. When I arrived at the final rest stop 17 miles out of Davis the tandems hadnít left. I must have wore them down (Yah right). On the way back to Davis the pace line started to grow as the 100 K riders tried to hang on. They couldnít. When we arrived back in Davis, the tandems finished the 104 miles with an average speed of 20 MPH, my average was 19.7, and my total saddle time was 5 hours 17 min. What a Blast (Larry) |
| 10/16/2001 | 25,*1 | Abbreviated AARP ride | S. Honeychurch,Kevin S. Gene* | The day started outbrisk and early as people had been forwarned that Sutter Creek was a mess because of road construction. Kevin and Steve waited for Gene who seemed to be taking his time getting his things out of the car. All became clear when it appeared that Gene was thinking he was going to the unicyle races. It seems he brought only one wheel for his bicycle! One mile credit for showing up.Steve and Kevin took a leisurly ride as Steve still had muscle soreness from Sunday-short and simple. (SWH) |
| 10/14/2001 | 71,*20,**25,***42 | The Fall Tour SC.Lockwood, Fiddletown Rd Ostrom Plymouth etc | Steve H.,Dave N.,Larry Ray from LodiH.,Chuck,Pat J.*Dave B*, Ed** John R Karen****** | This was advertised as the Fall Tourand was freat. We are diveded into the hardcore, the *getting back in shape group,**the tasters menu,and the*** Gee! Do we have to get out of bed? group.We quickly discarded out arm warmers and jckets going up to S.C. where we met Ed. Dave was riding great but didn't want to pu=h it and rode back with Pat Johnston. Up the creek road Larry the rabbit eventually pulled off so we lesser souls could enjoy the ride and talk at the same time. Ed decided he had enough now that he is convalesing from God knows what and headed back down to drink coffee.A long ride up to Lockwood was made easier by soving the worlds problems Erma version. And now for the advertised fun-the race down Fiddletown. Ray who is awesome going uphill had to work to stay up with this gang with everyone taking their turn pulling. At Fiddletown we decided to go over Ostrom and Dave and Larry carefully explained to Ray how dangerous the sharp turn down from Rabbit Hill could be-but Dave just couldn't help himself but fortunately he wasn't hurt but his shorts now have some air conditioning vents that did not come from the factory. At 16 and Fiddletown Rd junction Chuck suddenly veered of to go back up the hill narrowly missing my wife driving home(I heard about this later folks) He found the late riser contigent John>and Karen who had promised to be there at 8. Three solutions were offered Get them a new alarm clock, get them twin beds, cut off JR's viagra supply. From there we motoered on back over Irish Hill where Dave said 'This is the slowest group over Irish Hill-Let's get going" Yea-right. A good ride for all and it worked wel so people could join at various places-Thanks. (SWH) |
| 10/13/2001 | 30-68 | standard coffee + early | 68: Ray, Anita, Michael; 50: Ed, Cheryl (45), Gene, Don S; 30: Steve H | I knew Ray, Anita, Michael, and others (supposedly) were starting at 8. We were surprised not to see them by Sutter-Ione, but we were overtaken by a whole lotta SBCers, with whom we chatted and rode off and on to SC, where they regrouped, joined us for a while at the coffee shop, but then went off on their own ride. By the time Cheryl (who started at Sutter Creek) met us, we knew that the early group was not out front. We were sitting with our coffee, chocolate chip cookies "for the birthday boys"--Ray and me--courtesy of Cheryl and her nieces, Carol and Amber, who are visiting when Ray and Anita showed up and sat and told us some Italy stories. They and Michael had lost track of Brandon, who started with them, and backtracked all the way to Ione to find that he had a muscle problem and had returned. We rode steadily up the creek, feeling great to be non-sick (for me) and out riding on a great day (of course, I was the only one with leg warmers still). Regrouped with Rosie, chatted up Rams Horn, and flew down Shake, courtesy of the Ray Train, which is great to have back on track in Amador. Great fun down Sutter-Ione, swishing the curves. Then seeing the many photos and stories from Ray and Anita in the parking lot. Perfect day, great to connect and reconnect with the neo-Italians. (EH) |
| 10/7/2001 | 61 | SC, Vol, Shake Ridge, Hale, Fiddletown, Plymouth, Ione | Don S, Chuck | It must have been some party Saturday for Gene's birthday as only two people showed up Sunday to ride! Don S and Chuck, the stalwart two, decided since we both felt confident that we could keep the rubber side down to go off and do the dreaded HALE ROAD! No fear (brains) possessed this intrepid pair as they started off to Stutter Creek on a brisk morning. At SC we eschewed coffee, took off our windbreakers and started off for Volcano. Nice day, no traffic to speak of, got chased down by a couple of independent riders from Sacramento on SC-Vol road and chatted with them some as we all rested in Volcano. The store in Volcano hadn't opened yet so we headed for Ram's Horn, spotted Rose chatting with some folks at the Under Construction Coffee Shop, don't blame her it was much warmer sitting in the sun where she was rather than under the cover in front of the store. We climbed up Ram's horn, Don mumbling about physics and nuclear testing all the way, (when your climbing you have to think of something other than your legs and lungs.) Down Shake Ridge a ways to HALE, great decent down Hale, little technical but pretty, then surprise - surprise we have to climb back out of this little downhill jaunt. This is my first time on this road and all everybody ever talked about was the killer downhill. Well I mumbled (Chuck rode nicely) my way back up to the top then down to Fiddletown road and a short cruise on to Plymouth. At Plymouth I stopped for my Twinkie break and Chuck got some Gatorade to get us back to Ione. While cruising back on Irish Hill when who do we see but JR and Karen coming the other way. Seems they had been on vacation and were used to sleeping late, well the alarm went off at 6, turned it off, slept to 7:30, knew the 8:00 ride was shot, went back to sleep, got up at 10:00 - nice life on vacation. Well they must have finally got on the road about 1:00 as it was about 1:30 and we were only about 6 miles out of Ione. So we talked for a while about tires, politics and other bikie stuff, long enough for our legs to get cold. Made it back to Ione at about 2:00 with 61 miles and 5000 feet of climbing, feeling like we had done a pretty respectable ride. (Don S) |
| 10/6/2001 | 20-67 | Coffee ride for Gene's 75th birthday | 67: Michael K, Don C; 50: Steve H, Sarah and Jerry S (and friends Rik, Dave, Andy), Gene, Scott, lots of SBCers, 45: Ed, John B; 25: John D, Chrissie; 20: Dave B, Chuck; (?? since he rode from Sacto): Thomas; coffee stop: The Bone | MICHAEL: Having ridden well off the back all day, I am unable to report how anyone was actually riding, therefore my attempt at a report contribution comes from a different perspective. A perspective very sledom gained when I am in my usual "something to prove" mode. In retrospect, the images and experiences gained on this ride far surpassed any that might have come had I ridden stongly. As it turned out, I was very fortunate to have bonked within the first hour of my ride. Having been physically shut down early allowed me to pay closer attention to what was going on around me. I had the good fortune to see Dave B. return for his first Erma's ride after his accident. I watched as Gene received simple pleasure by sharing his big day with all of us. I had a nice quiet talk with Chrissie on the creek road. I learned a little about Steve's global adventures while clawing my way up Ram's Horn. I watched admiringly as "Sister" Sarah scurried around the parking lot, making sure all of us were looked after and administered mouth-watering lemon bars. My ride day ended in a wonderful conversation with Ed in which we talked of writing, literature, and life. Having always had more than my share of ego, I have often been dismissive and unimpressed with those I come in contact with. A major character flaw, I know. Since having been allowed to share time with this group of wonderful people, the impressions are becoming more and more indelible. Thank all of you for that gift. (MK) ED: And thanks to Sarah, Steve, and John D for working on organizing what turned out to be the perfect combo of fun riding, coffee, conversation, and a surprise party for Gene. The weather was right, the group was huge (I hope I got everyone mentioned), augmented by the SBC gang who joined us just as we were pulling out and John B and Dave B, back after long times either off the bike or off Erma rides. I wish I could have kept up with more people to hear more stories, but I was coming down with a virus, as it turned out. Thanks, Gene, for waiting for me and escorting me into Sutter Creek. The two Johns, Chrissie, and I had a fun ramble down the creek road. At one point, I convinced Chrissie that her helmet was on backwards (haven't we all had that feeling?), so she stopped to fix it. When she caught back up with us, we were all riding with our helmets backwards to make her feel more at home and because we love and respect her so much. I *think* she laughed a little. I know we did. Great fun. I hope to have energy enough to climb Rams Horn next time. (EH) SARAH: I will just add a few lines to Ed & Michael's Ride Reports, since I had a bit of a different perspective, not affected by either dehydration (Michael K) or lingering flu symptoms (Ed). The rest of us didn't realize that they were having any difficulty at all, since they were riding well at the beginning, but when I was at the top of Shake Ridge before Michael K., and then Ed didn't show up at all, I knew something was amiss. I was feeling strong, but not THAT strong! I just must say that it was the very best of days for many reasons, the highlight of course, celebrating Gene's #75 birthday in style with so many cyclists, and such feeling of comraderie and companionship. We brought along a good friend, Rit, from San Jose, who is adjusting to a new way of life without his beloved wife of 32 years who died from cancer just 6 weeks ago. Rit is a Ski Patroller, and fellow Bear Valley cyclist, who held his own quite nicely leading the pack in a trio assault of Shake Ridge with Scott & Andy. Our friend Dave R. joined us from Murphys, as well as Andy from Stockton who has ridden with the Ermas before. All turned out to be strong riders, and very appreciative of the fine group assembled to ride, the fantastic Amador countryside, chocolate cake at the S.C. coffee house (thank you Honeychurch's) to celebrate Gene's birthday, the fast & fluid downhill on Shake Ridge and the post-ride lemon bars in the parking lot along with lots of conversation, hand shakes and "pleased-to-meetchas." Thanks to all you for making our friends and special guests feel so welcome. Ermas may be idiosyncratic, but unfriendly they are NOT! For me, seeing the line of Ermas & SBCers spread out along SC/Ione Road ahead of me - I always get the enjoy the view from the back - was self affirming and so satisfying. Spending the day doing an activity we enjoy, with friends both old & new, and fully participating in life just felt so good. We assembled at the highway where Gene decided the final pace line should go by age, and he WASN'T THE OLDEST, was a kick. Shig, from SBC led the way (except for a few bird dogs who had jumped out in front of the organized pace line) and we lined up in geriatric order.....I felt positively youthful being further back in the pack. Of course we have Thomas? (age 15) to remind us what youth is really all about. He again rode from Sacramento to Ione to start out with us, but I noticed accepted a ride with John B back to Sacramento to end his riding day. Gene was gracious and grateful for his birthday cards - Michael Kale made a great card with a cyclist on front on his computer from all of us - and was positively glowing in the parking lot, looking like anything but a "typical" 75 year old. He is now going to head backwards in time and start deducting years. Another great day in Paradise.....heading home a bit tired, sun soaked and satisfied. (SS) |
| 10/2/2001 | 37 | Usual AARP Ride | S. Honeychurch,Gene, Kevin Sage, Tom from Stockton | This ride could be called the Tour de Tube as between the four of us we went through five tubes, Tom from Stockton joined us as a guest of Kevin Sage. He is an ex motorcycle racer who is very strong as in pulling us up all the way to Volcano. Kevin had the first flats with a double pinch flat on Volcano Road. Steve was next(serves me right for laughing) at the top of Tabeau. Kevin scored again on the descent as the valve stem leaked away. Then the replacement leaked around the stem. Alas, we had to do the ultimate--patch a tube--Ray would be appalled. Finally to Bill at Jackson Family Sports where we bought out his tube supply and then home. (SWH) |
| 10/1/2001 | 482 | Erma's Italian Giro | Anita and Ray | The ride started on Saturday, September 22 after a trip to the best bike store in Italy. The route included a panoramic ride along the Adriatic Sea. Sunday, we headed down the coast in the pouring down rain. Ray was lucky enough to be the van driver during the worst weather of the trip. Eighty miles later we arrived in Macerata and enjoyed one of the longest meals I've ever eaten. Fortunately, day three brought us lots of climbing and another 74 miles to Spello. Our hotel was beautiful at the top of this quaint town on the hill. Leaving Spello we rode to Passignano on Lake Tramiseno. The following day was an optional day off, but many of the group decided to ride to Cortona, the city Frances Mayes made popular with her two books, "Under the Tuscan Sun" and "Bella Tuscany." This day, Suzanne, our new friend from Amsterdam and I were lucky to have all three tour guides escort us on this most beautiful ride in the Tuscan countryside. From Passignano, we climbed about 5400 feet to Gubbio another beautful old city. Leaving Gubbio, we rode through a breathtaking gorge and arrived in Ferminagno and continued on for an optional loop of 25 miles up to Ubino and to Urbania. From Ferminagno we returned to Pesaro and spent our last day in the hotel missing the club ride due to a lot more rain. We managed to get two more miles in on the hotel bikes with purse and all to the main square for lunch. Now our miles are being logged by hours of walking and sight-seeing. See you all when we arrive in the States. This ride has been wonderful and we've made lots of great new friends...some who are planning to come from Oregon soon to join the Erma's group! (Ray & Anita) |
| 9/30/2001 | 64 | Mt Aukum | Jim & Penny, Don S, John R, Chuck, Ed | Don S arrived on cruise control, having learned his lesson from the CHP on Sat. Chuck arrived with the Puzzle Master going and his new computer-heart monitor strapped on and the instruction book almost memorized. Jim and Penny sounded the same and looked the same, but they didn't ride the same. If you haven't seen then in a while, you'll be frightened or impressed at how strongly they ride, especially out of the saddle--smooth and strong, with Jim able to tell redneck jokes non-stop the whole time and Penny able to issue her full catalog of sound effects ("making phone sex unnecessary," according to Jim). And JR showed up like a body with a missing limb without Karen. He had his dog bone and his toilet paper sticking out the back of his jersey, but you could tell something was missing. Speaking of missing someone, I arrived at such an unearthly, uncivilized start time, bundled for the frigid 60's even without Cheryl to wake me since she was gone to a trade show for the weekend. Several of us are trying to get back into shape after time off the bike or time taking it easy, so J&P were the strong ones on the day, especially fun was blasting down Aukum highway, Steiner, Shenandoah School, Old Sac, and Irish Hill--it was a challenge sticking with the tandem on Irish Hill on both the ups and the downs. But lots of fun. So much fun I did the entire ride after thinking I just wanted to get in a 40-miler. Good day in the hills, even if it was freezing (the others pretended it wasn't cold and didn't even wear leg warmers). I propose a new Erma rule: no start time that forces you to wake up in the DARK. Too scary. (EH) |
| 9/29/2001 | 50 | standard coffee + earlybird | Michael K (67), Steve H, Sarah, Jerry S, Gene, Don C, Don S, Ed (40) | A perfect fall day to enjoy a great "Return to Erma" ride with some old friends. Jerry and I eagerly anticipated the traditional Saturday ride after a long hiatus, and were not disappointed in any way. A small group started out - Gene, Steve, we got to meet two Dons for the first time: Modesto Don and Stockton Don, but no Ed & Cheryl to greet us. Michael Kale's truck was in the lot, so we deduced he had arrived early for extra mileage. We pushed off precisely at 0900 under clear blue skies and warm temps with a promise to Steve for a "short" coffee shop stop in SC. Warming up on the rollers on SC/Ione Road we saw up ahead a couple of Erma clad tarantula wranglers trying to herd one of the hairy beasts out of the middle of the road to the safety of the shoulder. Brave men that they were, both afraid to touch the critter, and it was refusing all gentle direction off the road. Michael finally removed a glove and used it as a herding tool, which worked well until the tarantula caught a glimpse of Steve's fine leg, and decided that, it being mating season and all, the hairy leg looked like a demureand quite alluring lady spider. It was adamant in it's pursuit of Steve's lower extremity, until Steve beat a hasty retreat, and Mike was able to coax the critter off the road. A blast of a passing car horn at the careless biking congregation in the middle of the road knocked up back to our sensibilities, and on we rode with the group expanded and congenial, smug in the knowledge that yet another of God's creatures owed another day of life to the Ermas. (I am reminded of John R. & Larry H's efforts at rattler wrangling on that same stretch of road last spring A pleasant stop in S/C where we enjoyed all manner of dogs adorned in scarves, hats, t-shirts and fancy collars to celebrate the annual Strut Your Mutt Day. Sarah actually sat down and ate a fresh pastry & juice before she started her inevitable pacing.....when are we going to get going again?! Stopping for water, and to deposit extraneous water at the restrooms, we found the secret to Ed's reverse approach - he had started in S/C that AM due to ________________(you fill in the blanks, Ed) After hearing Gene's report of his record breaking times on SC Creek Road, we weren't sure what to expect from him this day, but very shortly he & Michael K took off at a brisk pace and were soon lost to sight. Others soon broke off and headed up for the Creek Road challenge, while Sarah & Modesto Don enjoyed a leisurely "getting to know you" conversational ride to Volcano. The others were already warming Rosie's bench when we arrived, and she quickly abandoned her spot when too many of us tried to crowd her space. Jerry felt bad when Rosie left as he tried to fit his spandex clad seat into the row, but she doesn't like anyone to get too close, and clearly that many Erma's at one sitting was just too much for her. Rosie quickly returned to familiar bench territory as we tossed out Gatorade and water bottles and prepared to head up Ram's Horn. Gene pulled Sarah up with his excellent conversation and observations on life, and the group gathered again at the top of the grade anticipating the pay off of that zooming downhill ahead. A pace line quickly formed, leaving a few of the slower ones to form a smaller pod (Sarah & Jerry - when will I learn to attack those downhills?) and the glide down was superlative, marred only by the fresh carcass of a deer who ventured too close to civilization. Why does that sadden me so? Gathering again at the Y, Sarah was complaining about the rapidity with which the feeling of "I am all powerful, a superb cyclist" that one feels on the Shake Ridge downhill changes to "What the heck is happening to me, do I have a flat, I'm a whoose" when one hits Papa Bear. Ed tried to convince her that one should consider the uphill a reward for that nasty downhill, but she had a hard time buying that line of thinking. The pelaton pranced into S/C together for a final water/pit stop and to bid Ed farewell. He had found an easier way home than biking the final hills to Ione - his trusty four wheeler. The group stayed together beautifully on this final leg - leading out, circling, regrouping, gathering, seeming reluctant for the biking day to end. Michael K tried to entice someone to do the IH/WC loop again before returning, but in the end it was a strong Erma pelaton charging straight back to Ione. Michael led a fast paced line almost the whole way, then Gene challenged and took the lead......while Steve (the young guys should really lead the older guys) couldn't stay back, and grabbed the lead just as we hit the new blacktop pavement and town. Smiles & good spirits abounded as we entered the parking lot.....another great day, with good friends and perfect weather and a feeling of effort well rewarded. Gene's 75th birthday next Saturday - a celebratory ride should occur! (Sarah) We were greeted in the Ione parking lot by old friends Jerry and Sarah whom we hadn't seen in weeks tho' there was a reported rumor of seeing Sarahs vanishing twin last week. Sarah (legs of steel) informed us we could only stop for coffee it we took less than five seconds. We all thought "Ed is not going to like this!" Don S. from Modesto showed up and told us he was riding two days in a row because his wife was out of town-Is this what you do when the cat is away?-maybe he should give Bill Clinton advice. Two thirds of the way up we ran into Ed who started at Sutter Creek allegedly because he could get his tire inflated. At Sutter Creek Sarah relented with pressure from Jerry and we all had a cup with conversation. It was to be a pleasant ride up the creek road (oh sure) but Steve H.Michael K. and Gene formed a rotating pace line and pused into Volcano breathlessly. Slow riding up Daffodil Hill with solving world and sexual problems ensued. The usual race down Shake Ridge followed and after a brief stop in Sutter Creek we were home again. Good to ride with old friends. (SWH) |
| 9/29/2001 | 195,165* | Knoxville DC | Larry H*, Scott T, DN | DAVE: The hardest part of this ride was the 2:30 am alarm going off on a Saturday morning to get to Vacaville in time to ride at 5 am. And now that the fatigue is starting to wear off, I hope my colleagues will join me in saying it was worth it. In the predawn air we'd find little pockets of warmth, then chill; but it wasn't until the first sustained descent about 6:30 that the toes complained. But the sight and aromas of Napa Valley and the hot air balloon ascents were great distractions. The Erma train maybe overcooked a bit in our paceline of three that followed, mistaking this for a century ride, as later events would show; but it felt good at the time. We eargerly looked forward to the "steep, wicked descent" we were warned about and weren't disappointed. Fortunately the road was dry and little uphill traffic at those decreasing radius turns or yours truly would have done a Jan Ullrich manuever on the wrong side of the guardrail on this year's Tour. The climbs before lunch started to take their toll and many of those we passed earlier either wisely bailed and took the 200K route or passed us on the climb. Larry and Scott took advantage of a massage at lunch, Larry saying he could have fallen asleep on the table at one point. On the climb soon after lunch, we came upon a group of three, one a fellow at least in his mid-sixties with as many doubles under his belt,looking good and constantly chatting. Another person of that trio was a young buck of 31, I believe, who'd thought he show us who was king of the mountain. Scott lowered the hammer and put the hurt on him and left him in the dust to teach him some respect for all us old guys. (We had occassion to ride with this group from the last rest stop to the finish and had a chance to talk (trash talk?) and had to repeat the lesson, this time Dave using the last of his reserves. For those of you who have ridden the Davis DC and crawled your way up Big Canyon outside of Middleton, the opposite direction is 10 miles of dodging potholes, in and out of s! hade, and just good old fashion fun at close to 30 mph. The rollers from here on in took their toll on Larry's knees and quads, the latter refusing to climb another hill. So at mile 165, with the sun just having set, Scott and Dave took off for the last rest stop on the other side of Cardiac and their lights, making it OK thanks to the full moon rising. A well stocked post-ride dinner capped off a great day with good friends in some beautiful country. Here's hoping next year's event will be equally memorable (and Steve, you were missed. Hope all's OK). Ken Johnson, who's been on a few Erma rides with us, was spotted on the course, on his mountain bike of course, and keeping pace with us; vice versa actually. The older gentleman that I referred to who had completed some 60+ doubles, once did the Death Ride entirely in his big chain ring; and the cluster maxed out at 26! A 53-26 combination. No thanks. [DN] LARRY: Dave, Scott and myself rolled out of the parking lot just after 5am, the temperature was in the high 40's with no wind. Dave took the lead, and with his Night Sun lighting system we had no problems seeing. The pace Dave set was brisk; Scott and myself just set back and enjoyed your self letting Dave pull until the Sun rise. Once the sun was up the temperature dropped and it was cold. The first rest stop was at 30+ miles there we dropped jackets, lights and re-fueled. After the rest stop we were off again with Dave in the lead. The early morning sky were clear, with the Coastal range in the background it was quite a site seeing the Hot Air Balloons raising into the sky and the fragrances of the grape. The route map identifies one particular down hill with Caution. My thought was; it can't be that bad, it was. The hill down was wicked, curve after curve with reducing radius. We would blast into the curve hit both brakes almost to the point of skid the tires, throw the bike into the curve and accelerate through the apex, (Hills and Thrills) what a blast. Sixty miles or so into the ride I began having knee and back pain, I wasn't too concerned we only had 2/3rds of the ride left. At the next rest stop I took 4 Ibuprofen, it helped. Easy climbs and a moderate pace with drugs would have been the suggesting from Erma's Team Doctor, (Steve H.) if he would have been there. The next leg of the ride was up 5000' of vertical gain in 25 miles. Not bad if everything is working, and so much for the advice the Team Doctor would have given. The last section of climb was a 10%+ with a stiff head wind, it felt like the climb went on forever. After the climb we had an easy down hill into Lower Lake for lunch. The lunch stop was well stocked there was something for everyone; 4 more Ibuprofen and a massage for me, now my quads are cramping. After lunch we headed up again, this time it was another moderate climb, Big Canyon. Now we were riding a section of the Davis Double in reverse. The trip down the backside of Big Canyon went on forever, the only drawback was the pavement was full of potholes. The potholes were probably a plus, they kept you speed down. The ride ended for me at rest stop #5 with 165 miles and 11,350' feet of vertical gain. My body didn't want to play anymore, only 30 miles and 2 rest stops remaining. Dave and Scott headed off with Dave in the lead. I settled for hotdog and a ride to the finish line in the SAG truck. Will I do the Knoxville DC next year! YES. (LH) |
| 9/23/2001 | 65 | Ospital Loop | Jim and Penny; Dave N; Michael K; Karen; John R | Today's route was "to go in any direction but towards Mt. Aukum".....those were the "orders" from Dave N and Larry H even though LH wasn't in the peloton today. That was OK with the bunch .....seems as though Larry and Dave had been to Mt. A. too many times lately, so we rode "The Ospital Ride". Larry and Dave attempted to ride "The O L" last weekend but got a bit off course so DN was particularly anxious to see where they got lost on one of Ed's favorite rides. Hey, I wonder if "E' would have gotten up a little early to ride if he had know in advance that we were venturing into his training area ??? Nice steady pace all day, little traffic, and the weather was absolutely perfect for riding. Michael K had all intentions of adding "Irish Hill-Willow Cr" for bonus miles but decided he had ridden enough and ended with the rest of us who were quite pleased to have had such an enjoyable ride,especially those of us who had been off the bikes for 3 or more weeks!! (JR) [editor's note: yes, I would have met you at 9:00 at Burson.] |
| 9/22/2001 | 25-65 | Standard coffee + earlybird | 65: John H; 50: Steve H, Cheryl, Ed, John D, Don (Stockton), Gene; 25: Bob K, Joyce, Gail; birthday cameo by Dave B and Elaine | Bob K was the one weakened this time by having given blood. We were all weakened, I think, by the full realization of the 9/11 disaster and its aftermath. There was more talk this week than last, and the pace was more moderate, especially in the two-by-two procession to Sutter Creek. At the coffee house we sat inside around the big table that Joyce, Gail, and Bob had grabbed for us. The mood lightened there. Lots of talk clusters and laughing. Then Dave Brubaker and Elaine showed up with cowboy hat just to have coffee with us for HIS BIRTHDAY. He rode for the first time last week. Plans to rejoin us in a couple of weeks for his first Erma ride - to coffee and back. Gene set a PR riding up the creek road, but most of us took our time. Rosie was more social than usual, urging us to return next week. Rams Horn finally allowed me to warm up after we left Joyce, Gail, and Bob to return via the creek. The pull down Shake saw us stay essentially together, a rarity. That's where we missed the Ray Train most, even though we felt the hole left by our Italian travelers as well as regular Michael K the entire time. Sarah appeared briefly, like a ghost, at the start, taking off early with friends, and was never seen again. All his efforts led Gene to cramp on the climb out of SC by the high school so we had to stop and give him Cheryl's first-aid remedy, which got him back spinning quickly. The rest of the group took off, so Cheryl showed off her new speed on the Sutter-Ione descents. Very impressive. At one point on the "S" curves, she shot by me because I was "too slow," as she pointed out later. Good to see such energy at the end of a ride that started so sluggish. By the end, all of had had good exercise and good human contact. That's an Erma ride. (EH) |
| 9/18/2001 | 25 | AARP ride (abreviated version | S, Honeychurch | No one else could show this week because of other playtime activities - ie. Chrissie is runing with Joyce Kevin is playin Carmel, Gene is playing with relatives etc. So a quick looop up to Volcano was in order to say hello to Rosie and return. (swh) |
| 9/16/2001 | 89, *30 | Jackson Valley, Pardee, Mokelum Mokelumne Hill, Poloma.Ionw Railroad Flat, Molkelume Hill Poloma Ione | Larry H, Dave N. Steve H. Anita, Scott Taggert, Steve M.* Carolle*, Larry C | Warning! This ride is only for serious adults or as my wife would say "Seriously Stupid" It was perfect weather for a long ride so we had a nice paceline out to Pardee, At the "Y" going to Paloma and points east Steve who is recovering still headed back with Carol and Larry-good to see Larry out with us again. We continued all the way to Moke Hill reassured by Larry Hayes this was an easy climb. Anita and Steve having never been there believed every word. Actually JESUS MARIA was a beautiful ride with wonderfull scenery with much of the road newly paved (another one of my checks cashed) going through redwood forest and along a creek. Is it long? YES! but not that steep. At the top we decided to go on to Railroad Flat but didn"t see Ken Stefferud-maybe he was in church. Speaking of churches as we were lined up at the stop sign in R.R.Flat The pwople fron the church above us exclaimed "Here come the choir!" I guess if you squint we could be a choir.Onward down to Moke Hill stopping occassionally to put Anitas chain back on and fill Steve with Motrin for his knee pain making it back to Ione looking a little thrashed but all agreeing this was one of our better rides. Lets all do it in the spring. (SWH) |
| 9/15/2001 | 30-67 | standard coffee with earlybird | 67: Michael K, Ray, Anita, Al Q; 50: Ed, Cheryl, Don and friend from SBC; 45: Don S; 40: Gene + lots of SBC and Delta Velo riders merging for coffee; 37: John H, Pat; 30: Chrissie | Lots of earlybirds took the Irish Hill-Willow Creek loop to warm up. Ray and Al appeared over the hill on the highway as we approached Sutter-Ione, where the rest of the large-ish group was waiting. We rode to coffee from there, a group that wanted to be together more than most times and also wanted to talk, perhaps needed to talk, about the events of the week before. I know I needed to and wanted to, but mostly I wanted to do something active and normal with friends. Today was perfect. I had a goal of forming a "togetherness" ride, or a "unity" ride as Ray called it. I proposed that we ride completely together all the way up the Creek road and we did. It was a revelation to some, who had never seen the beauty of that road before. It was a relief to others, including Don S, who had given blood and was still regaining his strength. It was a great, comfortable, funny, friendly group and ride. It meant a lot to me to bond and work together with our own group as well as the SBCers who joined us (Don has been riding with us most Saturday's lately). Lots of talk about the Grand Prix and Lance as well as other normal things, after I think most of us exercised our need to talk about terrorism on the ride to Sutter Creek. The coffee stop was a great one, with cyclists and bikes everywhere, spread into groups and discussing everything you can imagine, including whether Ray and Anita's Italy trip this week is still on. It is--so far. Hambone and PJ went back from SC. Don S kept it light and turned back from Volcano. Chrissie started in SC. The Delta Velo guys went to Stoney and took some SBCers with them, wanting to keep it "light." The climb up Rams Horn found us still riding in clusters and still talking and sharing the perfect riding day, gorgeous scenery, and caring companions. The pace down Shake was a bit more moderate than usual, but still fast behind the Ray Train, who pulled us the entire way. Ray Armstronged away from us on Mama, dropped a chain on Papa, had to stop and fix his derailleur, but still got back on his bike and was first over the top. Some fast riding back over Sutter-Ione too, with everyone regrouping at the end to ride back together. I feel that this ride made a difference in a small way. At least to me. Being among people who care about the same thing but remain different, who can care about and help each other despite the differences was very important this week. Important to experience and important to participate in. Thanks to all. I was very proud to ride into Volcano as one. PS: Happy birthday, Mom. (EH) |
| 9/9/2001 | 77 | Steve H, Dave N, Larry Hayes (77 miles) Jim & Penny (??) | The start was a little cool, what a relief from the past several months. We started out to ride the Party Pardee route, changed our minds and decided to ride the Burson Loop. Jim and Penny bailed early, Jim was recovering from a the flu. Dave, Steve, and myself decided to modify the route and just ride. We got lost several times and had to ask directions. What a ball. (LH) | |
| 9/8/2001 | 20-67 | standard coffee + earlybird | 67: Michael K; 50: Ray, Anita, John D, lots of SBC riders; 30: Ed, Cheryl; 25: Chrissie; 20: Victor | Cheryl and I decided to take it easy as well as to buy a composter at the farmers market that we had an eye on for months, so we started in Sutter Creek. As we were loading the composter in the truck, along came a bunch of Stockton riders and then the Erma group, so we had a large group for coffee and chat, a lot of it about Lance and the Grand Prix. Then a casual ride up to Volcano, the Rosie stop, casual chat up Rams Horn. Then the Shake race. I was glad that I had a ride and snacks waiting at the bottom, so I could glue myself to Ray's wheel as he pulled us all the way down and topped it off by sprinting easily up Papa. Where the crash happened a couple of weeks ago, a doe and fawn slowed and disrupted the paceline but no crashes this time. Maybe I'll get in shape again by next year and be able to do more than sit in, Ray. Once again, I was inspired to get back in the saddle more than once a week. But it was also fun to ride casually, chat with the SBC-enhanced group at the coffee house, and trash-talk with Chrissie and Michael on the creek road. (EH) |
| 9/3/2001 | 65, 40 | Ione-Irish Hill-Plymouth-Fiddletown-Lockwood-Shake Ridge-SC | Ed,Cheryl, Anita, Kevin, Steve H., Ray, JR, KB, CP | It sure felt good to be back in the Erma Peloton after these few weeks being in L.A. What better way to spend the day not working, than to go for a bike ride? Since SH had cancelled the weekly AARP ride, it was good to have Kevin along for the ride. Some of us had to get back early, so we changed the route at the last minute so we could all start off in the same direction. It was a chatty group on the way out of Ione as we were catching up on whatís new. Glad to hear Victor came back out to ride with Erma last week. The ride up to Plymouth was generally relaxed and easy going. Time constraints for Labor Day BBQs had JR, KB, and CP turning back at Plymouth. As the temperature started to climb, so did we. Kevin and Anita got a head start up to Fiddletown while we waited for SH to replenish his Gatorade supply. It was a steady pace up to Fiddletown. When we didnít find Anita and Kevin in Fiddletown, I decided to step up the pace to catch them. Ed was the only person who was even remotely interested in chasing. The quickened pace took Ed from warm-up to overload over the course of the 12 mile climb. I could feel the difference in my legs after taking these few weeks off. Within a mile from Lockewood, Ed told me to take off after them. As I turned the corner at the junction, I could see them just starting down the road a few hundred meters away. I yelled, but I guess the headwind blowing up the road made it a little difficult for them to hear me. I thought about chasing after them, but figured we would just see them in SC. When Ed got up to the top, we went in search of water. The kindly elderly gentleman who lives at the junction got us some cold water and graciously filled our bottles. When Steve and Cheryl got to the top, we shared our water so as not to bother the old man again. On Shake Ridge, Ed and I resumed our heart-pounding pace. We waited for SH and CY as they took the detour on Oneto. They continued down to the Creek Road as Ed and I went up Gopher. In SC, we hooked back up with Anita and ! Kevin who took the low road through Volcano so Anita could talk with Rosie. On the way out of SC, I almost ran over a weiner dog, while Kevin and Anita jump off the front. I eventually caught Anita and we rode into Ione together, but Kevin was long gone. For someone whoís got a bad back, he was riding very strong. Temperatures were near or at the century mark, so it was a relief to be back at the car. There was talk of ice-cold beer and watermelon. Unfortunately it was just talk, no beer or watermelon to be found. Ed, Cheryl and I sat around for a while afterwards looking at photos of their recent trip to the Grand Canyon. It was good to be back on the bike and in the company of friends again. (RC) |
| 9/2/2001 | 64 | Mt. Aukum and back | Anita, Carol, Larry, Don, John, Scott and Hux | Scott mage everybody hurt. Larry and Hux did an extra 15 before the start. (Hux) |
| 9/1/2001 | 20-67 | standard coffee w/variations | CORE: Michael K, Ed, Gene, Hambone, PJ; REAPPEARANCE: Victor, Dave B; CAMEO: Elaine, Ken Stefferud, Michael A; SC OPTION: Chrissie, Steve H | What at first seemed to be a small ride with just 3 of us turned into one of the largest at the coffee house. I was almost shocked to see Victor back after so long. He had to be introduced to the newer rides, including Gene, so that will give you an idea how long he's been away. He said he hasn't ridden any hills, but he did fine going to SC. On Sutter-Ione, we encountered Michael Kale, who’d started early and done IH-WC. At the coffee house Hambone and Pat caught up after they started early and did BV loop. Dave B showed up looking spiffy in cowboy hat, shorts, no sling, only a few road scars on his arm. He seemed comfortable and content. He looked ready to ride now, but still has a few weeks of final healing to do. Elaine looked ready to ride too. Maybe she'll start coming out to keep an eye on him. Chrissie and Steve showed up ready to talk, see Dave, and get in a short ride to Volcano and back (one had a "life" and one had diarrhea--I won't say which). Ken showed up in civvies to see how Dave was doing and chat with everyone since he doesn't have to get on his bike for another 9-10 months to begin his Death Ride training. 5 of us went up to Volcano; 3 came down Shake. As we pulled out of SC, a strange goateed cyclist caught up with us and turned out to be Mike A. Always in a hurry, he talked while we rode out of town and then took off. He's training for the half Ironman at Rancho Seco in Oct. This ride had a fun and interesting character all its own. Good to see such a big group out to greet and check on Dave and join for all or part of the coffee ride, peaking appropriately at the coffee house for lots of fun conversation. (EDH) |
| 8/28/2001 | 55, *75 | Ione, Sutter Creek,Jackson, Clinton-Tabeau, Pine Grove | Carolle, Chuck, Mike A. Ken Johnson(new rider),John R.. Dave N*, Larry H* | When it felt good to be in the shade @ 7:30 in the morning we knew we were in for a HOT day on the bike. The peleton wasted little time in getting underway and arrived in Sutter Creek @ 9 where we hooked up with Peggy and Steve Rex. They had ridden from Volcano where they are spending a couple days at the St. George Hotel and enjoying some excellent cooking !We all enjoyed their company and hopefully they will be back riding with us in the near future. Dave N and Mike A led the charge up Clinton/Tabeau and Mike A's comment to JR summed up what we all knew already with this comment...."Hey John, you were right, that Neff guy is one strong climber!" In Pine Grove we took a short break and had a Gatoraide to help cool us off since the temperature sign already showed 92 degrees and it was only 11 am !! The ride back to Jackson was enjoyable and I for one was glad we had all the serious climbs behind us. The REX tandem had a flat, rear tire of course, and was changed in record time by Steve with Peggy's assistance. In Sutter Creek we said good-bye to Steve and Peggy. Larry convinced all but Carolle and JR to take the cemetary route back to Ione-Sutter Cr .....we already felt like our legs were "dead" and didn't want to get too close to the real thing!! Next time Larry we'll try it. At the intersection of Ione-Sutter Cr. Rd. and Hiway 124 Dave and Larry decided they need a few more miles and some more heat so they headed for Willow Cr. and Irish Hill. Back in Ione it felt great to be in the shade and have a cool Gatoraide. Mike and Ken Johnson, who was on his first Erma ride, were looking forward to a BIG burrito while the rest of us were looking forward to a good shower.Another fine day with fine friends and I hope all had as much ' fun as I. (JR) |
| 8/28/2001 | 35 | SC.Volcano, Red Corral, Irishtown, Jackson | Steve H. Gene, Kevin Sage | Beatiful cool weather greeted us as we roled out of Sutter Creek but we knew we had to move along to beat the 102 degree heat predicted. After greeting Rose we went up Red Corral and decided to come down into Pine Grove to say hello to Karen. What -no Karen as she is vacationing in Oregon with her sister. We whipped into Bills at Jackson Sports to see if my sick Kestal was ready but no such luck. After coming in to S.C we were pleased to be back by noon. SWH |
| 8/21/2001 | 30 | S.C Volcano,Daffy Hill, Shake Ridge |
Steve H.Gene. Kevin Sage, Joanne, Bill (Joanne's Husband) | Joanne brought her husband along this morning to get him to try the change from running to bicycling and he brought his trusty mountain bike. We figured "Oh yeah" but we would eat those words eventually. After a nice pace line to Volcano Bill said he wouldn't be able to keep up with us-wrong! He was first to the top of Daffodil Hill and took off down the ridge. Eventually we caught him then Gene and Steve tried to close the gap with Kevin and Joanne to no avail. We went down Oneto Road for a change where something very big and black was spotted running away-How do you spell bear? After returning to Sutter Creek early we had plenty of time to sit down at the coffee house and enjoy ourselves and solve the worlds problems. SWH |
| 8/19/2001 | 58 | Butte Mtn. Loop via Irish Hill, Willow Creek, Sutter Creek, Jackson | Carolle, Karen, Dave N, Larry H, Steve H, John R | With Sat. being his day to ride, it was great to have Steve "Hale Rd." Honeychurch in today's Sunday peleton. Seems as though Bernice had plenty of "Honey-does" for him on Saturday so he had to stay off the road and supervise the contractors. We rode Irish Hill and Willow Creek before heading for Sutter Creek via Ione-Sutter Cr. Rd. which was as usual quite warm. Karen, Carolle, and John R had a stoke of luck heading down the hill thru Sutter Creek.....we didn't exactly come to a complete STOP at the intersection of Spanish St. and Badger St. and a cop just happened to be there. CP and KB were the first to go thru and when JR went thru he noticed that the officer seemed to be pre-occupied with something else despite seeing a "crime in progress". Well we 3 rolled along slowly just anticipating his arrival with ticket book in hand but he never showed up. That is until we pulled into the bathroom area where he gave Karen and Carolle a pleasant warning. You'll have to ask them what he said and Karen will have to demonstrate how she "influenced" the cop not to ticket them. Maybe the cop was a cyclist also but we did luck out this time but we had better be a bit more conscientious when riding thru one of our favorite towns in the future. It was a strange day on the road since certain folks, not motorists, seemed to be a bit cranky and it wasn't that HOT to get "their panties in such a bunch"!! On Willow Creek ,just as we turned off the Jackson Hiway, some concerned wanna be cop had to admonish us to ride single file. Steve H ,being the diplomat of the bunch, thanked him very much for his concern and told him to "have a nice day"!! In Jackson,on the return trip , some old goat gave Larry a "lesson" about crosswalk lines . I'm sure the guy was related to that rider that reminded him about riding single file a few years ago while we rode the Portola Century!!! Remind me to tell the group about that hilarious incident the next time we ride. Heading back on Ione-Sutter Cr. Rd. we came across Larry H who had started @ 11. With the temperature starting to climb Larry made a wise decision to return to Ione with us. Thanks to all for making today's ride a great day with good friends and see you all soon. Oh, Steve, Dave, and Larry ......Karen and John did get home in time to watch over 2 EXCITING hours of The PGA Championship despite your earlier comments about such after noon nonsense!! Too bad Phil Mickelson didn't win though!! (JR) |
| 8/12/2001 | 21 | Ione to Plymouth | Karen, John R.(21): Dave N, John D, Larry H (78); Ed (40) | Well Karen and I had the bikes loaded and the gear ready for a 7 am departure from Pioneer on Sunday morning but after a too busy Sat. we didn't make the 8 am start. In fact, we started around 11 !!! Arriving in Ione, we saw Ed leaving in his car but he didn't see us. I suspect he was half asleep and would have liked to have started when we did. Karen and I did 41 miles and would have reported them as "other" miles but we met up with Larry H, Dave N, and John D in Plymouth so we "voted" to give us "21 Erma miles". The ride TO Plymouth was done at a nice comfortable pace but hooking up with the 3 rabbits made the ride BACK mucho rapidamente!!! We had a good ride and thank Mother Nature for not turning up the temperature to the normal summertime level. (JR) |
| 8/11/2001 | my assault on Charleston | Michael Kale | Although my proposed assault on Charleston met with less than enthusiastic support, I set off... The road was angry that day my friends. The mountain rose before me like a sheer wall of molten asphalt. It took every bit of effort to keep from doing a Ruth Buzzie imitation. With my knees having been on the mend, I have not had to use the Mama Cass scale of pain over the last few rides. Even though I incurred no injurious pain, Charleston deserves a Mama Cass rating all its' own. Based on its' incomparable difficulty I am forced to issue a rating which I have always hoped and prayed I would never have to resort to....MAMA CASS - CARNAL KNOWLEDGE!!!!! (M Kale) |
|
| 8/7/2001 | 36 | S.C. Volcano Red Corral Tabaud,Clinton Jackson Gate |
Steve H. Gene. Kevin Sage, Joanne, Mike Collins | The weekly AARP ride continues to grow in popularity. Is it the congenial people,the route the day? We pulled out of the Sutter Creek parking lot again watching the re-roofing which never ends-three weeks now. This is one of the few times where we actually get to see the scenery going to Volcano. What now time trials? (Except to let Joanne go off until she tires out.) Youth shows through climbing to Red Corral as Gene and Steve discuss the meaning of life bringing up the rear. Experience and bike skills shine however in the downhill through all thoses wonderful "S" turns as the charter AARP members pull down Tabeau newly paved roads-almost better than Hale.Our newest rider Mike Collins who Janne brought along is now tatoly enthused and will return again next Tuesday. swh |
| 8/6/2001 | 30-50 PLUS 21 MEDIVAC MILES | Usual coffee ride plus many variations | 41: S. Honeychurch,Anita H.*, John D.*Dave B; 50: John R, Ray, John H, Barbara A, and 3 Davis Bike Club. folk, Al; 30: Gene |
This was a ride to remember-or maybe a nightmare depending where you went. It started in Ione with Gene forgetting his helmet-evewntually he showed up in S.C with a helmet only a punk rocker could love-flourescent green!Some had coffee and some didn't tho we all met up again in Volcano. It was good to see Barbara again who regaled us with stories of her three week trip down the grand canyon-not in August Ed! We had a nice paceline until Ray and Jim from the Davis bunch broke awea and did the course in 39 minutes. After regrouping in Volcano it was like a shotgun shell with no choke-people went everywhere. Gene went to Red Coral Ray and John H,headed for the barn via Shakeridge and John and Anita wanted to try Hale Rd.-smooth as a baby's bottom I told them. Dave was comvinced-a mistake in retrospect.We sailed down Hale Rd at high speed without the holes tto slow us down and then head down the road to the fiord with John leading at a good clip Dave was third and there was a small parch of gravel on the opposite side of the fiord with the sharp turn and he went down hard.on his left side. I missed him only by inches and it was apparant this was a major trauma as he had difficluty breathing and lots of pain in his rib cage and shoulder. We decided one of us would go for help and call 911. Our cell phones don"t work in the canyon there. A passerby gave John D. a ride but no one was at home in the local houses so he called from his house. After a rather lengthy period of time he appeared stable without neurological injury and the firemen and emts began to arrive from all sides-we were on the line between Fiddletown and Lockwood. Dave had had enough of Anita and Steve"s entertainment with medical jokes so he was glad to get evaced out of there.As they say "Aside from that Mrs Lincoln how was the play?" Good ride -unhappy ending but we will see you again Dave. SWH |
| 8/5/2001 | Steve,Carole,John and Karen,(?), John D.(75),Anita(78) | Ione, Plymouth, Mt.Aukum, Omo Ranch, Highway 88, Shakeridge,Fiddletown Road | Steve M and Carole, John R. and Karen, John D., Anita | Steve and Carole were patiently waiting in the parking lot when I arrived. That made three riders. John R. and Karen arrived and the group of five headed to Plymouth to meet John Drumm. The turn-around point for John R., Karen, Steve and Carole was Schoolhouse Road. John D. and Anita continued for their sandwiches at Mt. Aukum. Good thing Ken wasn't riding with the group because there were only two turkey sandwiches left to purchase. Then up Omo Ranch for a long break at the school and finally the last stretch to Highway 88 with Anita having her millionth flat tire since June 2001. The ride down was fast on 88, then Shakeridge to Plymouth. Anita rode from Ione to Plymouth, John did the stretch from Plymouth to Ione to retrieve the car. Anita |
| 8/4/2001 | 68 | The Saturday Ride (Early Bird Portion) | Chuck, John H., and John R | This report is a bit late. After learning about Dave B's crash a few hours after we completed the ride, I didn't feel too much like writing a report since I didn't know at the time that Dave was going to be "just dandy". We're all pleased that he will be as good as new soon and that his new REX is in perfect shape thanks to Dave giving himself up to "save" the paint job!! The ride that day was a good one....half of the original Erma Gang, Chuck, and John R., started early and rode Irish Hill and Willow Creek before catching up with some other Ermas on Ione-Sutter Cr. Rd. What a surprize we had when one of those riders was Barbara A.!!! She was glad to be back in Erma Country and we were glad to get to ride and chat with her and her 3 friends from Davis. In Sutter Creek the WHOLE gang was there. In Volcano the bunch broke up into about 3 groups. Ray and Al took off a little early, Chuck, John H.,John R. and the "Davis Crowd" headed back Shakeridge while Dr. Steve took the others on the now smooth but still infamous Hale Rd.. Good ride back to Ione. However a few hours later I heard about Dave so at that time the ride that day wasn't so nice after all. (JR) |
| 7/29/2001 | 60, (?) |
Pardee/Hogan | 60: Larry H and Chuck, Jim and Penny, Karen, John R. Dave N; ??: Carolle and Steve M | Chuck showed up with 2 bikes, one being the Silver Hornet tandem, and Larry H arrived with no bike. No, Larry didn't have a senior moment but had made plans with Chuck to take a ride on the tandem. With 2 guys in such SUPERB form, we all knew our day was going to be a bit intense!! Since Larry claimed to be a novice stocker, Chuck figured a Pardee/Hogan area ride would be preferable. It was but next time we're taking them up Stoney Creek! Larry and Chuck worked great together and really kept the pace high .... especially on Buena Vista Rd.after getting a trememdous jump coming down Stoney Creek. JR was the first down the hill on Stoney but was about blown off the road by the tandems and by Dave and Karen who had managed to catch the slipstream of the tandems! JR was caught in no-mans land and cruised into Buena Vista where Dave was on Cloud 9 after the pace. Jim and Penny had one of their best and strongest rides and Karen rode VERY strongly all day. It is great to see Dave 100% after his knee surgery and is quite ready to take on all rides and riders. Carolle and Steve rode the short ride since Steve had just finished a 12 hour shift and Carolle was having a little bout with asthma. To ride in the Pardee/Hogan area the whole ride at this time of the year was quite amazing since it is usually far too hot but it was quite pleasant the whole way. Good ride with good friends and Larry and Chuck will each get credit for 60 miles despite Dave's suggestion that they only get 1/2 !! Oh, one thing, all agree that Chuck needs to get his stocker to shave his legs !!See you all soon. (JR) |
| 7/28/2001 | 50,* 40, **30 | Uusual Coffe Ride | Steve H. Anita, John Drum, Gene*,Peter S,John S**, Michael Kale | The day was getting warmer fast as we all met in Ione at 9 A.M After a rolicking time at the county fair wine fest the night before it made nine seem early enough however for some participants. We were met by an elderly gentleman who was yelling at us to clean up the bathroom (no one had been in it) and pointing at Gene yelling that if he were as young as Gene he would have hopped off his bike and cleaned it up immeadiatley I think that made Gene's day. We made our way up to the coffee house where John Studeroli met us after his two block ride.After much comtemplating of life over coffe we vowed we would have a leisurly ride up the creek road but it never turns out that way. After Anita led us out for the first three miles we took turns pulling in the paceline. According to John Anitas goal is to pull us the whole way. The ride up Ramshorn was slower paced before the downhill sprint Gene left us at Sutter Creek to get a lift from John-still recovering from race day in Baton Rouge. Pick up a Satursay Ledger Dispatch and Gene's picture is right on the front page of the lifestyle section in his Ermas jersey respendant with medals. It was good to see Peter back who is riding strong and Michael now is riding painfree. SWH |
| 7/22/2001 | ??; ***44 | Ione,Irish Hill,Plymouth,Mt.Aukum,Omo Ranch | Steve and Carole, Chuck, Dave N.,Jim and Penny,Don,Anita***, John D.*** | The Erma's ride started as usual in Ione at 8:00 a.m.ish, John and Anita met the group in downtown Plymouth. Great weather, nice to see Don back riding with Erma's, and finally meeting Dave Neff for the first time. The entire group rode to Mt. Aukum and John, Don and I continued on to Omo Ranch. Anita |
| 7/21/2001 | 50, 67* | standard coffee + earlybird | Dave B*, Michael K*, Ray, Cheryl, Ed, Steve H, Anita, Jon D, John A, Brandon (45), Jose (45), John S (30), Al (30), and about 20 Delta Velo and Stockton BC riders | It feels so much more civilized to start at 9:00 and ride to coffee. When we got there, the SBC/Delta Velo group that started from Howard Park at 8:00 was already there. I've never seen so many bikes at the coffee house. There were about 30 of us total, I think. John S and Al joined us there. Jose and Brandon (Ray's friend new to cycling) rode straight back from Volcano. Michael K did the full burrito with the early start and had no trouble. Brandon and Jose found a lost cyclist at Sutter Creek (abandoned by her Lodi group and bonked). Brandon drove back up from Ione to get her and take her home. What a mix of people at the coffee house. We took over the joint. Same thing at Volcano. Bikes were stacked along main street 3-5 deep. It was like the Sierra Century. The riding was very chatty on Sutter-Ione while we purged ourselves of Death Ride and Tour de France stories and observations. Same for coffee house, where Jose and I were the last to arrive but made up for it by taking a long talk break. Cheryl and I felt the need to get a head start up Rams Horn. I should have left her in Volcano and started even earlier since I couldn't even keep her in sight past the first few turns. Delta Velo was out in force and their planned ride was down Shake. The SBC ride was to Jackson via Clinton, but some of them came with us to take advantage of the Velo train. The pace was fast from the first downhill. I was gapped from the start, so paced along with Karl and them picked up some others while Ray and the Velos gave each other pacing and inspiration out front. Everyone seemed to have a good ride down Shake, each joining an appropriate grouping or riding an appropriate pace. After a quick water stop in SC, we strolled or paced over Sutter-Ione as conditioning and desire dictated. With Bob Fuller, Bob K, Bill L, Scott, and the other DV's to help set pace, it was an excellent opportunity to learn, challenge, and be inspired to ride smoothly and efficiently--especially on the day that Lance took the yellow jersey. (EH) |
| 7/14/2001 | 50 | Coffee Ride, sans coffee | Just Me (Michael Kale) | WHAT A RIDE!! No one could touch me, I kept waiting for a challenge from someone, but it was as if I was the only rider in the pelaton. My knees felt much better. I was able to ride Ram's Horn for the first time in weeks and all of Shake Ridge for the first time ever. I am quite certain that in the years to come I will be a farce to be wrecked with! Missed everyone and am looking forward to hearing about the Death Ride and the hiking. (MK) |
| 7/14/2001 | 65 | Irish Hill, Forest Home, Plymouth, Fiddletown, Tyler, Mt. Aukum, back to Plymouth and retrace | Hambright | Ride Report for One, 7-14-01 I arrived at 8:45; I left at 8:55. No Ermas. Can't wait to hear the stories of the Death Ride. However, I rode my own foothill version. I have ridden mostly Saturdays (not enough) and so I decided to go to Mount Aukum on this particular Saturday as I was chosen by my peers to be ride leader. We managed to keep the peloton very tight and demonstrated seamless teamwork. Great temps, light breeze, no road rage and weak legs. I am working on my tan, so taking extra long on the climbs was a major advantage. Route: Irish Hill, Forest Home, Plymouth, Fiddletown, Tyler, Mt. Aukum, back to Plymouth and retrace. 65 Miles with very little circling at the stops ala Larry Hayes. I am ready to do it again but with not without my comrades. I imagine some folks were in Sutter Creek waiting for me, so to them I apologize. Does this qualify as an Erma ride? Or is this a lonesome Maverick fairy tale? Look forward to my next group ride where I will not have the responsibility of ride leader and Report Maker. John H. |
| 7/11/2001 | 30 | S.C. Daffodill Hill , Onetto Shake rige | Steve H., Kevin Sage | Only two of us for the AARP ride as Gene was on the plane to glory. We did a newe twist on the Shake Ridge route and went down Onetto Road which a segment is newly paved. Very scenic and isolated and shady. We should try this on one of our Saturday coffee rides. SWH |
| 7/8/2001 | 54, 37*, 35** | MT. Aukum loop | JR**, Karen, Carolle, Steve M*, Jordan M*, John D, Chuck, Michael A, Anita | Today had it all, I got to ride with my son, Jordan (His first club ride) my girlfriend Carolle, and some very good people I like to call friends. And of course, great weather to ride our bikes. Here's the ride report up to Plymouth. We started at 8:00am sharp and had a good turn out. Jordan wanting to ride out in front, and dad telling him he needed to spin and warm up! We all rode at a very comfortable pace up Irish Hill Rd. Jordan getting some very good advise on how to shift when climbing hills and how to ride in a group of riders.(Thanks to everybody for your kindness and patience with Jordan, it made his first club ride a positive experience). When I would ask Jordan how he was doing, he would look at me and smile and say "Awsome, this is great !" We continued this comfortable pace until Jordan wanted to pick it up at Jackson HWY, so I followed him trying to stay on his wheel. Once on Old Sacramento Rd. Jordan decided to back his pace down and hold a slower pace for his poor old dad.(Thank goodness) Carolle backed off her pace with Karen to see how we where doing. At which time Jordan and Carolle decided to challange each other, I'm not sure who backed down first since I was so far behind them. We pulled into Plymouth just in time to watch everybody head up towards Mt. Aukum. Jordan and I rested at the park for about ten minutes then headed back to Ione. The trip back was at a very good pace for dad, we enjoyed great conversation,watched baby turkeys in the field, and had mild temperatures to ride in. When we reached the car in Ione, Jordan was ready to get off the bike (for the day) and have some lunch. Again, thanks to everybody on today's ride!! You all made Jordan's first club ride experience a very positive one!! and he can't wait to ride with all of you very soon. (SM) THE DON: Well what was a fine ride came to an abrupt stop for JR on Tyler Rd. about 3 miles from the store. The REX doesn't look like a fine piece of equipment presently thanks to a dropped chain that got wrapped up by the wheel and cog set. A great guy by the name or Larin , who lives on Tyler, came along soon after the problem and gave JR and the REX a ride to the store. After JR got loaded into the broom wagon, Mike A left the scene to chase down KB and CP. The look on Karen's and Carolle's face was priceless when they saw JR leaning out of the window of a Bronco. While JR waited in Mt. Aukum the gang headed back to Ione "the quickest way possible" according to KB. They headed down Hiways 49 and 124 and got back to Ione really quickly. Good luck to all that are doing the Death Ride and hope to see you the following weekend to hear all the success stories. (JR) |
| 7/7/2001 | 64 | SC - Volcano - Tabeau - Stoney Creek | Ray, Anita, Ed, Steve H, Dave B, Larry H, Chuck, Jim, Michael K (45), John S (10+10 walking), Al Q (37), John D () | Larry will do anything to avoid celebrating another birthday, even ride on Saturday, but he brought reinforcements in the persons of Jim and Chuck. Filling out the ranks even more were John S and Al, who joined in Sutter Creek. Dave B has obviously been sneaking in some training. Everyone else hasn't been sneaking it in. In everyone's case (well, except me, perhaps, since I've been in an extended "tapering" period), the training--mostly focusing on the Death Ride--showed. Chuck had a deep reserve from all his long rides. Larry and Jim rode comfortably and fast all day--with Jim taking the big headwind pull on Jackson Valley. Ray was, of course, Ray, showing signs that being a guide in Italy probably only added to the edge on his training. Anita was riding so well that a concerted post-ride effort led by Chuck succeeded in getting her to agree to take a spare ticket and to the Death Ride on spur of the moment--no need to train now--just a tiny bit of fretting time. Plans to gather for Friday dinner and meet on Sat morning were exchanged--contact Chuck or Larry for info. Everyone, especially Jim, is aiming for not just 5 passes, but the Hayes Challenge of tossing in Luther for good measure. Speaking of DR training, John D was last seen heading up from Volcano. Rumor has it he was heading for 88 as a means of getting more miles and more climbing for the DR. John S's multiple flats on the creek road ended his ride way early. Michael, still observing his knee-strengthening discipline, took the creek road back from Volcano. (EH) JOHN S: I rode 10 miles and walked the 10 back to Sutter cr!! Someone who will remain unmentioned agreed to ride to Volcano and turn back but decided to finish the ride instead. That is a long rough road walking without shoes....pearl isumi socks are good for about a mile and a half before total blow out. (JS) |
| 7/7/2001 | 46 | Plymouth - Mt Aukum - Fiddletown - Mt Aukum - Plymouth | Peter S. & Bob D. | Well, I guess you could call this an Erma's ride.. Up early to get back early, we started out at Plymouth under heavy cloudy skies. Hardly a car on the roads, save the Forest Service Fire crews. Just at Mount Auykum we turned right onto (forget the name) road, a beautiful stretch that we did not recognize. Negotiated with a large boisterous pit bull along the way, found a very nice downhill and then suddenly we were in Fiddletown. Aha! part of the Sierra Century ride in reverse! Mourned the Fallen Fiddle for a moment then headed back up. Landed in Plymouth just as the sun came out. Not the best training for the DR, but it'll have to do! (PS) |
| 7/4/2001 | 63 | Mt. Aukum Loop | Carolle, Steve, Chuck, Karen, and John R | The five of us got on the road at 7 before the day "became hotter than a firecracker"....how appropriate for a Fourth of July ride! We actually almost beat the heat but got a good taste of the hot stuff just as we reached Carbondale Rd.on the return trip. "The Mt. Aukum Loop" was, as usual, a perfect ride to get in a reasonable number of miles and give it a good go if one chose to do so. After a brief stop in Mt. Aukum we rode at a good pace all the way back to Ione non-stop. Chuck and JR had a good run on Irish Hill while Steve was a gent and kept KB and CP company . We were all glad to pull into "Ermas Parking Lot" and all agreed , despite having to get up around 5, that the early start was well worth losing a little sleep time. We all had a good time and Chuck and Steve are in perfect form to have a great ride in Markleeville. (JR) |
| 7/4/2001 | 37 | Sutter Creek-Volcano-Red Corral-Clinton-Jackson | Cheryl, Ed, Ray, Brandon | To each his/her own. This was the anything's - better - than - getting - up - at - 5am ride. We did agree to meet early to have a pre-ride coffee at 8:30. Had a great time chatting, laughing, hearing more about Ray's Italy "work," and getting acquainted with Brandon, Ray's friend who's new to biking. Ray decided to put Brandon (and his 42X23 low gear) to the test with the Red Corral option rather than Rams Horn. Even the highway wasn't bad, and the backroads were unusually quiet, as was the entire town of Sutter Creek, which we had to ourselves. Cheryl and I WANTED the heat to get ready for Grand Canyon, and it felt great. Ray will just ride as long as there's a bike under him. Brandon wasn't so sure by the time we got to Jackson, but he managed Jackson Gate and over the hump and slid down into Sutter Creek with the longest ride of his career. Congrats, Brandon. Great to have a fun, leisurely time on the fourth. (EH) |
| 7/3/2001 | 25 | S.C. Volcano | Steve H. Gene, Kevin Sage | This was Gene.s spinniing practice for Baton Rouge. Did I mention the weather was the same as Baton Rouge? It was hot and it was very muggy-when we stopped the sweat would pour over us in buckets-or for you upper class types-persperation. We did have a little scare when Gene began having vertigo after going up Fabio but he recouped and should be ready for the race. (SWH) |
| 6/30/2001 | 50 | Standard coffee | Ray, Anita, Steve H, Gene, Cheryl (30), Ed (30), José (20), John D, Mike C, joint ride with SBC | Stockton Bike Club joined the group in Ione. Cheryl and I joined in Sutter Creek. Biggest group for coffee ever with two groups, the market, and aerobics class. Good to have Jose back after injury and surgery--stiil easing into riding, so turned back after coffee. Also good to have SBC join us in such numbers, though Mike C also had to turn back to stay in page range. But we had good seats and fun conversation before Steve-initiated chase up the creek. I don't know what happened since I was still warming and was last. Steve had a flat at base of Rams Horn, and three of us stopped to offer all the advice he never wanted--that'll teach him to have a flat. The lively SBCers joined in our standard Shake Race and gave Ray and the rest of us something to twitch about, but with Ray taking not only the final pull, but Papa's Top. John Drumm did a bunch of pulling in the "Old Ray" style--setting an attacking pace that eventually led to overload on Mama Bear. Great comfortable ride for Cheryl and me since we were parked in Sutter Creek. Everyone left and apparently made it back successfully. (EH) |
| 6/30/2001 | *200!!! | Terrible Two | Chuck* and Steve | Here is the ride report from the Terrible Two. The expletives have been deleted. It was not until mile 170 that I wanted to give up cycling altogether, but it was basically an ugly event. We started with a terrific Friday evening pre-ride meal in Santa Rosa with the family of a friend of Steveís who lives in Santa Rosa. On Saturday morning the gathering of cyclists was not the usual century riders, nor were they the usual riders that I have seen at other doubles. The peleton seemed younger, more fit, and while there were women, there were not as many. There were very few tandems, and who needed them. Most of the down hills were two technical to want to jump on their wheel, and of course the ups were no place for any but the best of tandem teams. It was a mass start. A sag vehicle lead the ìracersî through town, tripping all the traffic lights ahead of the group, not that Steve or I needed it, we were just hoping to finish. At ten miles, the route became rural, with the first rolling climb out of Bennett Valley. The first major ascent (at 24 miles) was Trinity Grade, a feature of the old Coors Classic stage race. Steve was in great form and pulled most of the way. The descent off the backside of Trinity was steep and twisty, with some major potholes. One rider with graphite wheels ìlost itî because the rims ate through his brake pads on the descent. He had to lay it down to stop. Steve said the guy's body looked terrible from the road rash. Aside from a case of dehydration combined with hypothermia late in the day, that is the only serous injury I can report. A second, shorter climb lead to the top of Oakville Grade and the wide-open, 52+ mph downhill into the Napa Valley. The next forty miles rolled easily through the picturesque vineyards and meadows of Napa, Knights, and Alexander Valleys, with only a few moderate hills. Steve and Chuck found a good pace line and made quick time until the first rest stop at 51 miles in Calistoga. The serious climbing began again at Geysers Road. It was a brutally hot, steep, nine-mile, twin-summit climb. Here is where the sag team of Carolle Peacock and Jordan McGrath really made the ride tolerable passing cold water and strong encouragement to riders as we passed. The descent off the backside of Geysers was ugly! Why bother climbing if the descent is pocked with construction, gravel, potholes, and bumpy switchbacks? We then suffered through many miles of riding the brakes into Sulfur Creek Canyon, with several miles of small climbs and longer descents along the canyon. This is an active geothermal area, with steep, unstable terrain. The road was in a state of serious disrepair with lots of gravel sections. After passing through Cloverdale, a short climb on Dutcher Creek and a descent into Dry Creek Valley lead to the lunch stop at the Warm Springs Dam Visitor Center (mile 109). Steve and Chuck continued on, but either could have been talked into quitting at this point. We thought the ride was ugly up to this point. After lunch it got truly terrible. The first half of the race climbs 7500' in 109 miles. The second half climbs nearly 9000' in 91 miles, 5000' of it in the first 30 miles after lunch. (It often takes riders up to three hours longer to complete the second century...if they finish it at all.) Skaggs Springs-the road was built by the Army Corps of Engineers to bypass Lake Sonoma in 1981-is an endless series of steep, sun-baked climbs and false summits. It was hot. It was here that Steveís back really began to spasm causing him to commit to finish it next year. Chuck knew he could never be talked into doing it again and continued on. After many long miles of steep ups and downs that resembled slug gulch mixed with Charleston, we recuperated on 12 mellow miles of down hills and rollers along the Gualala River. There was a rest stop at Camp Gualala (mile 137). After the stop, the route continues on the same road all the way to Stewarts Point at the Pacific Ocean. There were two climbs in this section: a truly wicked, 1.7 mile, 900' ìwallî where my front wheel would try to lift up off the pavement with each pedal stroke, followed by a steep, technical descent, an easier 300' climb, and another tricky drop to the sea. It was about here that I committed to skipping the Death Ride and only taking my bike out for 1/2 mile jaunts around the block every couple of months or so, if I could only make it home. At Stewarts Point, the route turned south along the ocean on Hwy 1. The temperature was much cooler. For the first time I felt like I could enjoy the ride. I had a tailwing, and the beaches and pounding surf were a great moral boost. The climb on Ft. Ross Road is 2.6 miles, and the grade averages only 11%, but it seemed steeper. Most of it was shaded and beautiful, but at this point I did not care about the scenery. It was followed by a bumpy, narrow descent, a more gradual climb up to Black Mountain, and a long, technical descent into Cazadero where the local high school boys taunted the riders. A flat, tree lined run along Austin Creek and the Russian River lead to the last rest stop in Monte Rio. After that, the road climbed for seven miles, near Occidental, before a long, smooth, fast downhill. Two small hills entering and leaving the village of Graton complete the climbing at mile 195, and then it was all downhill and level to the finish. All I can say is that it is over, and never again. In summation, I owe a very special thanks Carolle, Jordan and Steve. (CG) |
| 6/30/2001 | 86 Jim & Penny, Larry C; 89 Larry H | Ione - Omo Ranch Rd - Return | Jim, Penny, Larry H, Larry C, John D, Michael A (??),Ken S (??), Joined by Steve H (38) | Note: I didn't see a report for our ride so will try to recreate the events of Larry's ride. The start time had been changed to 7:00 a.m in an attempt to beat the heat. A small group consisting of Larry H, Larry C, Jim and Penny,John D.,and Michael A (?) showed up - we assumed everyone else was either at the Terrible Two or Markleeville. It wasn't long before we separated into two groups - yep you guessed it, Jim and I were in the back joined by our faithfull coach Larry H. He was great at offering encouragement and reminding me to breathe when I stand, and reminding Larry C to drink plenty. We were joined in Mt. Aukum by Steve H. Ken S. and Steve H. left us at Mt. Aukum to parts unknown (at least to me). Omo Ranch Rd. was hot, hot, and hotter, and long, long, longer. The gang was very nice and waited for Jim, Penny, and the two Larry's at the school. They had taken advantge of the water and shade, but made room for us when we arrived. I soon learned that water faucets on hot rides are your best friend. Not more than 1/4 mile after we left, the tandem experience major chain suck. It took 3 people about 1/2 hour to get the chain fixed - well, it wasn't exactly fixed, but didn't resemble twisted licorice quite as much. The good news was we were able to continue - the bad news was we were able to continue, all be it much slower, and in fewer gears - the tandem wouldn't stay in any one gear for very long and immediately rebelled if we tried to stand. Highway 88 never looked so good. We couldn't use the big chain ring so our descent was a little bit slower than usual, but still plenty fast enough for me. The group separated again at Shake Ridge, with the two Larry's and Jim & Penny going back down Ram's Horn while the others took Shake Ridge(?). Our adventure continued as we had a flat on Ione-Sutter Creek road, about 1 mile from the end. Considering the heat, Larry C's asthma, and problems with the tandem it really was quite a ride . Thanks to everyone for the encouragement and help getting through it! |
| 6/26/2001 | 36, 30 | S.C Volcano,Red Coral, Clinton, Jackson Gate | Steve H.,Gene , Steve M.,Kevin Sage*,, John Drumm | The ARRP ride is becoming the hot ticket. Five riders showed up to help Gene train. It was a beatiful day after our nice rain which got all the dust down. John Drumm led the pack up to Volcano at a good clip which got Steve M. revved up to take the lead. Rose as usual was there to great us"Where's the maest Point?" Kevin left us to do Rams Horn and we continued up to Red Corral discussing "boystuff" -attributtes of women etc. It was a beautiful ride down Tabeau-Cinton with the old guys (ie experienced) vs the young studs. In spite of trickery the young guys pulled ahead until the end. At Bill's store, we all weighed our bikes--it's a guy thing, Anita--and headed for home. Great way to start the day. (SWH) |
| 6/24/2001 | 86*, 67 | Five Mile Road,Jackson Valley,Stoney Creek, Clinton,Tabeau,88,Volcano Pioneer Road,Rams Horn, Shake Ridge,Sutter Creek Ione Road | Ken, Jim*, Mike A, John from Plymouth, Don from Stockton | This was a true Erma's type ride. We decided when we got there what the ride was going to be. Decided to do Irish Hill-Willow Creek for a warmup, then to Sutter Creek, Volcano, Rams Horn and back down Shake Ridge. Before we even got half way out of Ione we decided to do Stoney Creek, Clinton, Tabeau to Volcano since it was a nice cool day. I was thinking of going back to get a jacket since it was so cold. Nice pace all the way to Stoney Creek, then the faster hill climber left me and Jim behind, they were waiting for us at Argonaut High School. Next it was to Jackson Family Sports to refill our water bottles then up to Lake Tabeau and over to Highway 88. Jim and I took our time on the hills and we regrouped at 88 & Tabeau Road. Don and Mike lead the pace line till we got to Gayle Manor where Don took off with me chasing him; the thought of a turkey sandwich in Volcano sure can motative you. We arrived in Volcano and had some food & drink. John decided to take the Creek Road back with the rest doing Rams Horn. At Daffodil Hill Jim decided to head on up to Lockwood Junction and Fiddletown. It was the usually express train down Shake Ridge. At the junction with Gopher Flat Road Mike when up Gopher Flat Road, claimed he needed more hills. While Don and Ken when down to the Creek Road. Mike beat us back to Ione. Must be Gopher Flat is faster. (KS) |
| 6/23/2001 | 60-88 | Coffee Ride, with variances | 88: Steve M; 65: Ray, JR, John H, Dave B, Mike C; 60: Karen, Carolle, Michael K; ??: Gene | Low rider on the totem pole inherits ride report duty. Through a pharmeceutical haze reminiscent of a Rolling Stone reunion, I begin. The nicer weather brought out a larger crowd. It was nice to see some faces I had only ridden with a few times before. Steve, in training for the terrible two, rode in via Plymouth. J.R. talked us into an Irish Hill/Willow Creek warm up. It sounded like a good idea at the time. A relaxed ride up to Sutter Creek delivered us to the restrooms. It was decided we would not stop for coffee. Gene, trying to fine tune his training for his upcoming competition, decided to opt for some alternative routes back down to Ione. (I should have gone with him) The rest of us rolled on up to Volcano. We went marching mostly two by two. J.R. was nice enough to buddy up with me, despite my snail's pace. I am starting to buy into his theory that the creek road magically lengthens 1/10th of a mile each time. Finally, we got to Volcano. Rosie was there to inspire us, as only she can. After a break, the bulk of the group continued on up Ram's Horn. Karen, Carol, and I went straight back down the creek road. We thought we would have a nice long break at the Sutter Creek restrooms. Mike, showing that his month off the bike has done nothing to diminish his strength, arrived way too soon. When asked where the rest of the group was, he responded, "I don't know, I haven't seen them since the bottom of Ram's Horn." The rest of the guys quickly filed in. After a short rest, for them, we all headed down. Karen and J.R. feined fatigue, but looked strong to me. By now Mama Cass was revealing herself to me with increasing frequency and with less and less clothing. A big thanks to Ray for the literal helping hand up the school hill.(Now I know what it's like to ride a moped!) Thanks to John H., who pulled me down the highway to Ione. We all made it back to the lot. Everyone was in a hurry to get packed up and out of there. I was left alone to ice my ever swelling knees and contemplate the meaning of cycling.... |
| 6/20/2001 | 30 | S.C. Volcano. Shake Ridge | S. Honeychurch, Kevin S. | Gene took the day off to teach bible school as opposed to testing the fiery heat of Hell on Rams Horn so we left a little too early and Kevin tried to catch me. Rose claimed that I hadn't come by yet. (I never saw him, officer) But we did do it and finished early in time to enjoy the Ed type weather. (SWH) ... and now for the quiz: (A) Did Steve ride alone or not? (B) Who is the "we" who left early? (C) Did Kevin catch Steve to form the "we" who enjoyed the heat later or was Steve carrying mice in his pockets again? (D) Which "bible" was Gene teaching from that it doesn't get a capital letter? (E) Is Steve's shift key broken or is he a doctor? (F) The original report said it was for "May 20"--do you think that was right after all or was this truly a "senior" ride? (the editor) |
| 6/17/2001 | 63, 50* | Stoney, Clinton, Pine Grove, Volcano, RamsHorn, Shake, Home | Karen, John R, Steve H, Dave B, Ed*, new John from Plymouth | Hot, hot, hot!!! Due to everyone's various vacations, DR Training and Father's Day, we were pleasantly suprised to not be riding alone. Coming up Stoney Creek, we met Ed racing down and thought him to be riding with a group of Non-Ermas, but we were mistaken!! We couldn't wait to pull into Jackson for an ice cold Gatorade!! Then, onward (and upward . . .) to Pine Grove, then Volcano and another Gatorade!!! Can't get enough fluid today!!! There we met, what I'm sure, is a future Erma rider, John, who kept a good pace with Dave all the way up Rams Horn, flying past me (but then, duh, who doesn't). We regrouped and had a nice paced run down Shake, with Dr. Steve back aways and cursing me, I'm sure, for talking him into not going back the Creek Road!!! Sorry, Steve!!! Builds character, right??? The trek from S.C. to Ione was hot and long and kicked my fanny!!! Great ride guys!!! Thanks. (kb) |
| 6/16/2001 | 50*, 46 | standard coffee | Gene*, Ed*, Cheryl, Steve, Michael, Russ (SBC escapee) | Ed has asked that I write something up for the 6-16 ride. Hopefully I won't bonk! Well here goes... I was wondering in what condition Mama Cass was going to reveal herself to me, thankfully she stayed in her muumuu for most of the ride with just a brief appearance in her one-piece towards the end. Anita chose to sit this one out; maybe a combination of not having Ray's motorized campionship, her stress level at maintaining her mileage spot and also just wanting some time at home. We started out from the lot with a very small group. It was nice to see Gene back, and with another new helmet, which he barely remembered to put on. He did forget his sunglasses, but quickly caught back up. We picked up a rider named "Russ" from the lot and then several others joined us while still on the Highway, including Al (Amador Al, not Lodi Al). These riders continued up the hill as we took Ione-Sutter Creek. Russ stayed with us throughout the majority of the ride. A nice slow roll up to Sutter Creek brought us to the coffee shop. The warmer weather was evident as there were no tables available. Ed instituted a new "Ermas Rule"; The first one sitting on the porch benches cannot put their legs up until everyone has gone by. Ed followed this new rule up with a lung crushing pace up to Volcano. Steve stayed with Ed and Gene was with them for quite a ways. Gene then slowed down so that Cheryl and I could catch him. Rosie was excited to see Gene and I was just excited to make it to Volcano in the barely visible afterglow of Ed's jets. Once in Volcano, Steve wanted to leave himself some energy for a Sunday ride. Cheryl and I just wanted to leave ourselves some energy period. The three of us, along with Russ, all headed back down Sutter Creek/Volcano, a first for me. We also picked up "Joe," who joined us back to Ione. Ed and Gene toughed it up Ram's Horn. The ride down was great. My knees kept thanking me all the way down. I kept thinking the only thing missing from making it a truly wonderful descent was smoother pavement. It really leant a different perspective travelling this route in reverse. We all made good time coming down and stopped at the bathrooms in Sutter Creek. Cheryl really wanted to wait for Ed, but we twisted her arm into leaving without him. Russ took off and it was just the four of us down to Ione. Joe turned off at the lot and we three, Cheryl, Steve and I, coasted in. Things felt very good. Mama Cass's one-piece was tastefully displayed, yet still not welcomed. Cheryl had cold watermelon waiting. Everyone dug right in, except for some strange guy who has a thing about finger foods. Ed and Gene arrived a short time later. Gene felt good about pushing himself perhaps too hard. Ed looked as if his back might have been just a tad tired from the pulling he had done. Ray's absence has definitely been felt. We expect him back soon, provided he is not mistakenly taken into questioning in wake of the Giro scandle. One of the nicest parts of the ride for me was the parking lot comraderie shared after the ride. I am definitely hooked! Even Mama Cass is starting to sort of look good to me. (MK) |
| 6/16/2001 | 51 | Both sides Monitor Pass | Steve McGrath; Carolle Peacock and Jimmy Gray | This is what cycling is all about...Good friends, excellent weather and a fully supported ride. We started from Turtle Rock Park at 9:00 sharp and Jimmy pulled us to the base of Monitor Pass. As Steve and Jimmy pulled away from me and my heavy breathing started it became very evident that I hate the first half of Monitor pass. Jimmy has his first flat, which was perfect for me since I was ready for a break. We continued to the top and joined Penny and Jordan. We noticed Jimmy was missing and Penny went back to rescue Jimmy so Steve and I headed down the back side of Monitor, thinking the whole time we have to climb up this soon! Jimmy meanwhile was fixing his second flat. This time by replacing the rear tire. We all reunited and enjoyed a terrific lunch. I started out first trying to get a head start on the guys. They caught me in the canyon and we rode together up and up and up. Then there were two angels on the side of the rode with ICE WATER!!! Just when I thought life could not get any better, it did. Our sag angels were passing out Carmel/Apple suckers. Just hearing Steve eat and climb was all the inspiration I needed to get to the top, again...we got back to the summit and started heading down into a fierce head wind. We enjoyed the head wind all the way back to Turtle Rock Park. It was a wonderful day of cycling. A special thanks to Penny Gray and Jordan McGrath for their willingness to give up a Saturday to take care of us on our bikes!!! They seemed to know exactly where to stop for us and had words of encouragement for us. Especially when Jordan leaned out the car window and asked how my asthma was. Penny had so much food that we never went hungry. Thanks again Penny & Jordan...you are the best! (cp) |
| 6/13/2001 | 36,+30 | S.C Volcano Red Corral Clinton, Jackson Gate | Steve H. Gene P., Kevin Sage* | Gene and Steve have been taking their weekly AARP training ride for months now so it is on the web site for all. Kevin Sage joined us from Stockton for a leisurely jaunt to Volcano. While he went to Daffodil Hill we did our usual climb to Red Corral while it was still cool. Gene is practicing intervals and it really shows coming down Clinton. As we came over Jackson Gate he remarked what a great day it was to have a fire and sure enough there was a large plume of smoke billowing up from Jackson Valley.As you know 1000 acres were burning with fire equipment coming from all over. Good time to end the ride and eat ice cream. (SWH) |
| 6/10/2001 | 63 | Ione, I.Hill, W.Creek, S.C., Jackson, Butte Mt. Loop & Back to Ione | Jimmy & Penny, Carolle & Steve, JR & KB | [see http://ermasdiner.com/reports/7.html for 7am report] Another gorgeous day to ride!! Where IS everyone??? Our little group assembled and were on the road promptly at 8. We did notice other familiar cars in the parking lot - those early bird riders heading to Omo Ranch, as I understand. Well, after 2 mid-week rides of almost 80 miles total, I thought my form was coming back rather quickly, but then I was jolted back to reality by the fact that Carolle, Steve & Jimmy had all ridden both sides of Ebbetts yesterday, and JR was almost bored to tears by the pace and did almost as many vulture circles as Larry, on a good day!! So, I guess I'm not doing as well as I thought!! Personally, I thought the day, the pace, the weather & the company were all absolutely PERFECT!!! Glad to be back and hope to ride with more Ermas soon!! (kb) |
| 6/9/2001 | 50 | standard coffee route | Cheryl, Ed, Steve H, Anita, Michael K, Ken, Stockton BC escapee | Just what the doctor--and everyone else--ordered. A major recovery week after all the build-up to the Sierra Century. Ray is in Italy, but I think even the locomotive would have had the governor on today. It was unanimous to keep the mileage to the standard route and to take it easy--most of the way. Michael is back from hell with new pedals and straps on his knees. With some mid-stream adjustments and a shift in his pills, he felt much better and finished encouraged about his cycling future. Anita dragged herself out to protect her position in the GC. Cheryl and I just dragged ourselves out--period. Ken and I agreed that it was a bit chilly for bike riding, but there was not enough snow to ski, so we rode. Rams Horn warmed us up enough for a big peloton pull down Shake Ridge, in which we all stayed together, after pulling Michael back into the fold immediately behind me in second position ("get in behind the house" as Steve put it). Michael's getting to like those pacelines, I think. I'll let him tell you about his "Mama Cass" sliding scale of knee pain. Dr. Cheryl prescribed some herbs for Dr. Steve, and he filled his prescription at Cheryl's Pharmacy. Anita enticed everyone with her trunk full of drugs (she had the company car) but would not hand out any samples, citing the trouble at the Giro and not wanting such a scandal at Erma's. All in all, a moderate, fun, chatty, coffee ride that seemed to go by very quickly (especially after two weeks in a row of Slug Gulch). (EH) |
| 6/3/2001 | 52 | Almost to Mt. Aukum & Back | Chuck, JR, KB | I came; I saw; I conquered! Well, maybe that's overstating it a bit. How 'bout: I showed up; I tried real hard; I bonked bad!! That's more accurate!! My first truly post-production ride, but being so focused on closing weekend, I didn't take into consideration proper ride preparation, such as food, water, sleep - none of which I had proper amounts of for at least 2 days - unless, of course, you count double-shot-mochas and handfuls of Ginsing, Alfalfa and Brewer's Yeast tablets!!! Ah, the nightlife of the theatre . . . Anyway, we started off in high hopes of a Mt. Aukum ride, but sadly saw me crying "Uncle" at the highway just past the Montevina winery. Luckily, Chuck, having ridden the Sierra Century, wasn't too disappointed in the shortened, slow ride, and JR was focused on a late afternoon golf game, so he didn't mind, either. Good weather, good ride, good company. Hopefully, it won't take me too long to shed a few pounds and harden the old sit bones and be a proper Erma rider again soon! Thanks to all who made it to the play. Looking forward to a fun summer of Erma rides!!! (kb) |
| 6/2/2001 | 104, 122 | Sierra Century | 122: Michael T, Sarah; 104: Gene, Cheryl, Ed, Ray, Anita, Steve M, Carolle (80), Steve H, Chuck, Larry, John H, Scott, Joanne; 65: Dave B, Bob D, Peter S; 81: Jim & Penny | One of the best Erma gatherings. The group that started together stayed essentially intact for the full ride. Two outriders--Sarah & Michael--started early and rode on their own to attempt and succeed in taking on the full "Challenge" of 122 miles. Dave B had to get back for a "massage appointment," if you believe that one, and did his own short version. Carolle struggled with asthma all day but still managed to turn in an 80-miler, returning from Aukum. Jim & Penny left early and stayed out front all day, so not sure about them. Bob & Peter left later, and we never saw them except via email. Rather than try to write a full report, I'll just ask those who rode to send in a sentence or two about their favorite part. HAMBONE: Many thanks to the Sac Wheelman for a well-run, well-fed event. Thanks to all of the Ermas for their help in completing one of the most enjoyable rides I've been on with the group. We stayed in touch throughout. We helped each other as we all went through the ups and downs of a ride of this distance. The trip down Omo Ranch all the way to Plymouth was a thing of beauty. That is what being a "club" is all about. I look forward to our next ride. RAY: Tandem chasing and Team Erma. While chasing tandems on Fiddletown Road, and on the descent from Omo heading for the barn in Plymouth, the Erma Train was a well-drilled paceline, picking up more riders along the way. As we passed one rider, I heard her say, "It's the Ermas!" as she accelerated to latch on to the back of our continually growing train. Looking back and seeing a long line of Erma Jerseys, gave a sense of unity, and of belonging to a group. It was a great day to be part of Ermaís Diner! The "team" was "gruppo compatto," chasing down all would-be attackers who would try to disrupt our flow. Those ungrateful riders, who would attack after sitting in our paceline, were promptly chased down and put back in their place. Go Team! Other notable moments were latching (just barely) onto Ed and the fast moving tandem on the way to Slug, and sitting by the pool with everyone at Omo Ranch. Sarah, where were you?! Thanks to all for an awesome day! SARAH: best parts for me: #1: The realization that a combination of an early start, fresh legs and cool temps might yield success in the double metric, which I had not even contemplated prior to arriving in Plymouth. The determination to proceed on, mostly alone, but meeting new "cycling friends" all along the way, and heading up Omo Ranch road solo after the schoolhouse rest stop (that pool looked so tempting!) and the beauty of that solitary road through the El Dorado National Forest - a first time route for me! #2: Homemade Rice Krispie treats at the rest stop before Slug Gulch! #3: Finishing.........after a bit of a bonk at 107 miles. The hills of Ostrum had never seemed so steep! #4: Seeing a celebratory group of colorful, happy Ermas finishing the ride together en masse with smiles on their faces and stories to tell. I was sorry not to be a part of that fantastic team, but overall quite content with the day, my riding, and participating in one of the finest bike rides ever! The Sacramento Wheelmen and Wheelwomen are most gracious hosts, and what a well-run ride. PETER: (w/Bob D., Jim Thompson, Dave the Helmet-less guy--with helmet this time). I am always reminded when I do the SC of the blessing we have to ride this beautiful country every week. Another stunning day in the country. JOANN: Just wanted to send a great big THANK YOU to all of you for letting me hop on the Erma's Diner train for my first official century! The ride certainly would have been far more difficult and alot less interesting had I done it alone. I enjoyed myself every 'revolution' of the way. I felt like a slug struggling up the gulch. But it was also one of those moments of grace that one feels when cycling, although in a different way from the flow of the paceline stretched out on the sweeping turns down to Fiddletown! Hope to ride with all of you again soon! PENNY: What a beautiful day for a ride, even though Jim and I wished we had stayed in bed due to lack fo sleep for several days (another story). We took our usual & customary head start, hoping to stay ahead of the group until the 1st Rest Stop - we couldn't believe our luck when we still hadn't been caught on Irish Hill. We even talked about skipping the 1st official stop and hitting the Erma's Official Ione Watering Hole. Nah - the group will be coming by soon - we will just wait for them at the "official" rest stop - we'll be good and follow the course. Well we thought we had it made when we were told we were the first Erma's Diners to hit the stop - but did we ever have egg on our face - it didn't take long to realize the group blew by the first official stop - so much for our plans. We did have a great ride. The best part was when several riders complimented Jim on his cornering while flying down Fiddletown Road, and his patience for waiting for them to catch back up. We had hoped to do the entire 100 minus Slug Gulch, but after a long, long debate at Mt. Aukum, we decided to head back. What a surprise to find Carolle waiting for anybody(?) back at Plymouth. Enjoyed her company for the after ride meal tremendously. STEVE H: The best part--there were many but the ride down Fiddletown Road and passing the tandem! Superior! Sprinting into Fiddletown with Ray, Ed, Chuck and passing the truck over the double white line 30 seconds before the CHP drives up. We are truly blessed (LUCKY). BOB D: Peter and I got a leisurely start, so we missed the Hard Core/High Mileage Erma's. Once again the Sacramento Wheelmen's excellent rest stops (those "waiters" with the food on trays in Volcano are a kick) and the surprisingly -- and merciful -- Spring-like weather made for a great day out. CHERYL: I don't have any favorite moments. The entire ride was fun, challenging, relaxing at times and pushed my limits. The food was good; I ate at every rest stop. One of the highlights was when Ray discovered me in a pace line behind two tandems (coming down Fiddletown Rd), until he and Ed caught up to tow me the rest of the way. He said, "So this is where you've been hiding." I had to laugh and then get ready to hang on as he pulled us past the tandems. ED: Among lots of fun and satisfaction, a stand-out was being able to hang onto the wheel of a strong tandem that pulled me (breathlessly) through my least favorite part of the ride--Shenandoah Hwy - Fairplay - Perry Creek to the base of Slug. Ray and I agreed that our legs were anything but rested after that "tow" from a Mt. Diablo-based couple, but what a ride! Another favorite was sitting with the full Erma gang at the foot-soak pools at the school. |
| 5/28/2001 | 40 | Various Backroads to/from Plymouth | Dave B, JR & KB | Two days in a row . . . what parts didn't hurt? Not many. Luckily, we weren't alone in the parking lot (although where were Ed & Cheryl, Dr. Steve & Al - those who said they'd be there??) Also luckily, Dave didn't want to do more than 4 hours, and a leisurely pace over the flattest roads possible from Ione to Plymouth was OK with him. So, Michigan-Bar to Forest Home (ouch) to Old Sac then back via Old Sac to Carbondale back out to the Highway then Willow Creek back to the car and blessed relief from that horrid saddle!!! Up in Ione, there were 2 youngins preparing to set off to do a little training for next week's Sierra Century. They joined us for a bit, until I couldn't keep up (thanks, in part to Dave's spurring me on on Old Sac - ouch, ouch) . . . then they disappeared over the horizon. Even in my foggy brain, I should have known better than to attempt to keep pace with a gal half my age with a tatoo around her bicep and calves that looked like steel cables!! She said it would be her first century, but I have a feeling she'll race it then wonder where the hard parts were supposed to be!! Anyway, nice "kids". So, that's all for our little ride. Looking forward to many more!! Good luck to all the Sierra riders next weekend and we'll see y'all real soon! (kb) |
| 5/27/2001 | 66, 67 | Mt Aukum w/Fiddletown option | John R, Karen, Carolle, Steve M, Chuck, Don, Ed, Dave NEFF | No matter how long it might be between Erma rides, be it weeks or many months, some things never change: the friendly chatter, the familiar roads of Amador Co., Ed in his windbreaker well into the ride on a fine sunny day, the quick pace on Irish Hill (thanks Steve and JR for letting me draft). It was like time had stood still, except Chuck and Steve displayed some of the strength they earned from last week's double. So much so that the guys, well, all but JR who decided to hang with the ladies, decided to return to Plymouth from Mt. Akum via Tyler and Fiddleton instead of retracing our route on Shenandoah and Steiner, and race the other 3 back. Steve took a sizable lead on the climb out of Fiddletown but the engine of Chuck&Ed wheeled him in on the last little climb before the "Y". Just the right distance on a holiday weekend with a great bunch of riders. It felt good to be back. And, oh yes, the ladies and JR won. (DN) |
| 5/26/2001 | 102 | Sierra Century, starting in Ione | 102: Ray, Anita, Ed; 99: Cheryl; 80: Michael K, Steve H, Ken S; 56: Steve M, Carolle; ??: Al, John S, John A | STEVE: This is the ride you all have been waiting for-a 100+ miler with Slug Gulch thrown in for the supratentorially impaired (ask Sarah). W e started up to Sutter Creek and all of a sudden it looks like we were in Texas--cows all over the highway with them real cowboys on real horses herding them. After pulling up in our little arroyo to let them pass, we continued, looking like a bunch of DUI folks on bicycles as we dodged through many (fresh) cowpies. Some people didn't dodge them so well, and we stayed far away from them. After a brief stop in S.C., Anita pulled us up to Volcano at a steady very leisurely pace. Steve and John S. couldn't take it any more, and the sprint was on. Ray and John A. gave pursuit and caught them as we had a lapse of judgment and figured we got them--no such luck. After drinking all the fluids we could, we had a pleasant ride up to Lockwood. The sprint was on again on the way down with Ray Steve H. and the two Johns taking turns at the front. Ed took the peleton down at a rapid pace and everyone stayed tucked in. Cheers ANITA! Corol Steve M. and the two Johns headed back to Ione as we went through Tyler Road which was pleasantly cool and scenic. Much discussion ensued at the Mt Aukum Store as Ray Ed and Cheryl wanted to do Slug Gulch (The Devil made me do it, Doc!) Ken and Steve had a nice pace ride back while slapping themselves on the back for being so smart as the temperature at Irish Hill was its usual 130 degees or so it seemed. Next portion with medical updates from Ray. (SWH) RAY: The Slug Report. After parting ways with Steve, Carolle, John A., John S. and Al at Fiddletown, the remaining 7 of us continued onto Mt. Aukum. A lengthy debate ensued with Steve H., about why we should or shouldn't do Slug Gulch more than once a year--then there were 5. Loaded with pain-killers, Michael decided against the good Doctor's advice, and chose to do Slug anyway despite the excruciating pain in his knees (read the graphic description below -- I cringe at the thought!). But after a mile up Omo Ranch Road, Michael came to his senses and turned back to try and catch Steve and Ken. According to Mike it was a very painful trip. And then there were 4. We continued up the road until we got to the Fairplay turnoff, when Cheryl decides she'll tackle Slug next week and take Omo Ranch Road up to the school and meet us there. And then there were 3. Since you only have one maiden voyage up Slug Gulch, Ed and I were determined to make sure Anita would not forget it. It was hot. It was steep. It was long. After a few minutes of grinding up a particularly steep section, Ed informs Anita that the real climbing begins just up the road. I chimed in that she shouldn't be in the granny gear and that she really should have a few more gears left. Ed says she should still be in the big ring. Ed and I found it particularly humorous, although by Anita's scowl, she didn't find it quite as funny. Looking down the hill I could see a sigh of relief on her face when she saw me doing vulture circles at the false summit (everyone who's done Slug should know where this point is, especially on your first ride up, when you think you're at the top). Boy, was she sooo discouraged, when the short downhill was over and the road started to tilt back up. And then there were 2 -1/2 ... ARE WE HAVING FUN YET?!!! She finally made it to the hairpin, almost in tears. Okay, I felt bad. So I told her there were ONLY 8 more miles of this to go, and she was still looking strong (heh, heh, heh...). When the blood flushed out of her face, I told her that the hard part was behind her, really. Cheryl met us 2 miles down from the school, and then there were 4, again. Up at the school, we sucked down what little snacks we had left while Anita told us how much she LOVED her new socks. It was a fast descent back to Mt. Aukum. In Plymouth, the local youth were showing why Plymouth will most likely NOT make Conde Naste's Top Ten Places to Visit This Summer List. Much to our dismay, the last few miles on Old Stockton Road was under construction. A stretch of several hundred yards was all gravel. We all collapsed in our folding chairs upon reaching the parking lot. It had been a long day, and I couldn't imagine this being a double century and only being half done. Ughhh! Thanks for a great ride, and congratulations to Anita for taking on Slug for the first time and surviving the mental distress Ed and I put her through. ... and then there were none. (RC) MICHAEL: I feel like (cow) Shit! I never did catch Steve and Ken. Maybe they went in a faster way, or maybe I was going so slowly I just never caught up. The only way I knew to get home was the way we usually go. After pregnant pauses at ever intersection somehow the Bike Gods pointed out the correct way, even though I swore I heard them giggling each time. Irish Hill was the worst. Every single pedal stroke made my knees feel like they were going to explode. I could never find a comfortable style, too little a gear was terrible, too big a gear even worse. I would pedal a few stokes and then coast. Coasting was the only tolerable time. But then of course I could not coast the whole time, especially uphill! I was praying that some rabid mountain lion would put me out of my misery. I was certainly going slow enough for a three-legged lion to overtake me. The only short cut I knew was to go straight instead of turning on Five Mile Road, at the end. I swear to God, that at one stop on that main Highway, going into Ione, just after the left off of Irish Hill, a vulture-looking bird kept circling lower and lower around me. Even being pecked alive would have been respite from the pain in the knees. I had to stop numerous times to let the pain subside. Yet every time I had to unclip was like being shot in both knees. Starting back up again was awful too. Upon arriving home to an unsympathetic wife, I was told I could not play with the group any more. We will see about that! The most frustrating part was that I felt so good otherwise. I did much better at pacing myself and felt I could have gone on forever, or at least another mile or two, if not for the two ice picks being driven into each knee, during each stroke. P.S. Ed, thanx so much for picking us up on the caboose ride into Fiddletown. That was best time I've had yet. That slower train ride is just what I need, until I get used to going fast on the descents. (MK) |
| 5/26/2001 | 102 | Indian Valley Century | Jim & Penny, Larry H | We couldn't have asked for better weather, better scenery, or better company. This century is as easy paced and tranquil as you can get. No one is rushing, everyone is cheerful and very helpful. And yes, Ed, there was more informed help, more food, and more riders than last year. The setting is so peaceful for the first 30 miles, that you hate for it to be over, not only because you know the climb is coming, but because the Indian Valley was just gorgeous, poppies were still blooming, as were many other wildflowers. The pastures were all full of fat and contented cattle and horses. The climb began and we approached it slowly (like I know how to do it any other way). Larry was right there stopping to remove rocks from the road that might have interferred with our descent. We made it to the top with energy to spare. Lunch is held at a forest station - again, wonderful scenery, plenty of food (of which Larry and I wished we hadn't eaten so much), and a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere - even with all the testosterone from the go fast riders. The descent was great except for one corner where we came in just a little too fast --. The headwind coming back into town didn't seem as strong this year, either that, or we (Jim)has/have gotten stronger than I realize. There were still lots of people on the course when we got in - hard to believe isn't it? The day ended with a wonderful dinner back at the combination B/B,hotel/biker bar. All in all, it was well worth the drive. In fact, I think we have found a new Portola! (PG) |
| 5/20/2001 | 64 & change | Ione to Sutter Creek, Volcano, Lockwood, Fiddletown, Plymouth, Irish Hill to Ione | Ed, John H, Peter S | Hot enough for ya? Yeah, well at least it's a dry heat... It was plenty warm at the 8:00 start, with a fair amount of climbing in our plans. John & Peter were out to Ione for the first time in a while, Ed was spinning on top of yesterday's 80-miler, so we took it easy, enjoying the (fading) green of late spring. The climb out of Volcano was plenty warm, and by Daffodil Hill I was tired of sweaty climbing. A few more miles and finally, finally the long sweet descent to Fiddle town. I was living on fig newtons and gatorade which were no match for the heat, as I would soon find out. Climbing out of Fiddle town both legs suddenly locked up on me good. Fortunately Ed gave me an "Emergen-C" packet from his stash, which had an amazing, almost instantaneous effect - most impressive first aid. Rolled the rest of the way to Ione without incident. Can you spell "electrolyte"? Count me among the believers in the specialty sports drinks, especially in hot weather! (PS) |
| 5/19/2001 | 81 | Ione, SC, Volcano, DH, Lockwood, Fiddletown, Tyler, Mt Akum, Plymouth, FH, IH | Michael K, Ray, Ed, Cheryl, Sarah, Jerry S, Anita, Gene (50), Dave B (62), Chrissie (62), JR (62), Jim & Penny (70), John S (60) | 8:30 was the game time and most of us made it there early. Chrissie came blasting in helmet on and ready to ride in a flash. Dave B casually getting ready with his NEW Rex on the top of the car--didn't say a word to anyone. We all admired the beautiful paint job and checked for any scratches yet. The pace for the day was set with an easy slow warming up pace to SC--until Ed realized he had to hurry to get his double shot and pinwheel before everyone was ready to go from the restrooms, so he hustled and the rest of us took our time. Onward and upward to Volcano, refigerator road felt good today since it felt like it was already pushing 100 degrees. Dave claimed he had to turn around because his new Rex had dust on it and that was unacceptable, but he hung in there dust and all. Just outside of town Anita got her first flat of the day and flagged down the guys to help her fix it. Sarah and Cheryl decided to push on, anticipating the guys to do the usual fast pace up the hill. We regrouped in Volcano with the usual refueling and chatting with Rosie. Someone from the theater group challenged some of the guys to the Lemond route up Charleston. I don't understand why Ray didn't take it on since he claims it has been regraded and it's FLAT now. Gene left us at DH to head home alone down Shake because he's tapering down his mileage for upcoming time trails. Once more regrouped at LW. The Ray/Ed power engine lead the way to Fiddletown--what a ride. They switched off pulling to keep the speed up, and it was fast. John S, Cheryl & Chrissie were the lucky ones that were able to hang on; the rest of the group was not far behind. At Fiddletown Dave, JR, John S and Chrissie all went straight in; Jim & Penny went over Ostrom. I couldn't convince the ladies to go with me over Ostrom with J&P so I reluctantly went with the rest of the group over Tyler. Despite an assault at the beginning of Tyler by skin-headed bozos with more hostility and time than brains (they hit two riders with plastic bottles thrown from the car--description to follow on Cool List), it was beautiful back there and worth the effort to get there. Ed made sure to warn us of the "hidden root dips" along the way (we were all trying to figure out what a root dip was until we hit all the dips in the road. There was no avoiding them. The Aukum store was the next stop, where everyone bought food & drinks. Jerry gallantly carried Sarah's empty cup and leftover Cheetos in his pocket all the way home. Anita pushed the pace going out until she flatted again, flagging down the group to stop. At least she found a nice little shady spot! in front of "the Fung Shui" house with all sorts of "fun shui" stuff in the yard. While Ray and Jerry changed the flat, Anita longed for the chocolate chip cookies being baked inside, and of course Sarah kept us all entertained with talk and talk and talk. She is now the newly elected replacement for Dr. Laura on the Erma's web site, and any other radio show she wants to go on I think she has enough material. On the road again with the R/E engine leading the way. By the time we hit Plymouth, I felt the bonk about to hit--chills and sweat all at once--drink, take Emergen-C, eat--nothing was working so pushing on was the only option. Most of us were just ready to be back at the cars by now. The R/E engine roared again, getting us all though the headwinds until Forest Home. Jerry got a jump start on the IH race, E & R started their push once they were over the last big bump, the rest of us just suffered through it (Michael was riding strong but got behind the guys when he had to retrieve his water bottle again). Next stop the Hwy and home. I crawled home with Jerry holding my hand to make sure I didn't faint or fall over--thank you, Jerry. We were all glad to be back at the cars. Sarah gave me an icy towel to cool me down, Michael headed straight to the store for a cold Gatorade, Anita shared her brownies and another good ride was finished. Just a reminder to everyone: Sierra Century in two weeks, so check out next Saturday's route. (CY) |
| 5/19/2001 | 200 | Davis Double | Larry Hayes, Steve McGrath, Hux Manheim, Chuck Gray, and Mark Martinez | The high altitude, long distance, and hill training paid off for the Erma contingency at this year's Davis Double. It was a great ride. The start was typically fast, with great pace lines and lots of tandems to hook. Mark's lighting system provided enough pre-dawn light for everyone. The scenery was beautiful, the route far more isolated than I expected, and the Erma Team was awesome! At one point, when the pace slowed, Steve said what we need now is a tandem. Instantly a fast tandem appeared. Steve and Chuck were able to jump on right behind the stoker as the tandem crested the hill and ride the wake for what seemed like an hour. Sure, we made fun of Mark's pack, after all, it only weighed 40 pounds, but you never know when you will need a couple tires, your shower shoes or a change of clothes (and we all liked having his lighting system). But his flat was no laughing matter. Can you imagine riding all those hills and the first 120 miles on 40 psi? Mark sure is strong. His 5th double this year! Chris, also a seasoned double rider from the Bay Area (he rode with us at the Death Valley Double) joined us at lunch. After lunch, and a new tubular for Mark, the team broke into three groups. Hux and Steve headed out fast, Larry and Chuck were in the middle trying to maintain contact with both the front and those at the rear, but it did not last long. The early miles on a flat had taken its toll for Mark, and Chris was off his usual pace, so we formed two groups. The Erma guys had trained together for a fast double, the day was waning, and the tandems and pace lines were all well ahead of us. If we were going to finish with any of the glory we had trained for we had to step it up. Maintaining 22-27 mph with terrific pulls by all, the Erma pace line was sweet. Too bad those we passed were too pooped to hook. (We did slow for two people who rode our wake to rest stop 8.) We finished strong, but the success was soured knowing we had broken an earlier commitment to stay together and finish together with the people we started with, but the group was too diverse, and the day too long to live up to that commitment. Thank you Steve, Larry, and Hux. I had a great time!! A special note of thanks to the volunteers that supported the ride. One in particular deserves special recognition. She passed out ice water, gave massages, loaned her pump, provided tires, coached riders on how to boot a tire, picked up the "dying" from along side the road and drove them to the aid stations, and provided back lighting for the final miles into Davis in the dark. Thank you Carrolle Peacock!!!! (CG) |
| 5/13/2001 | 67 | Longer Saturday Coffee Ride Loop | Mike A., Dr. Steve, JR & KB | For those of us who had permission from our mothers, there was an Erma ride, leaving Ione @ 8 a.m. and heading over Irish Hill and onward to Sutter Creek, where, thanks to a well timed flat by Mike A., we actually stopped and sat at the coffee house (yes, JR, too!!). It was lovely!! Dr. Steve made some very interesting conversation along the lines of how he supported himself during his college days. I can't give away his secrets, but suffice it to say that it was San Francisco in the 60ies!!! Enough said! But if you're still curious, you can ask him yourself. I thought the mocha & muffin in Sutter Creek would propel me up Rams Horn, but sadly I bonked about 1/4 mile from the top and had to have JR push me up (my hero!!) . . . it'd been so long since I've ridden Rams Horn, I'm not even sure if this wasn't my first go at it in 2001!!! Coulda been!! Ah, the relief of being on Shake Ridge!!! We raced (well, not by normal Saturday standards) down, with one of the guys always coming back to babysit me when I fell off the back . . . I had very brief moments of power, followed by lenghly bouts of intense pain!!! Finally back into Sutter Creek and straight thru . . . Home, James, Home!!! I got slower and slower until the pack had to finally wait for me at the turnoff to Ione, but then, Yes, Dear Lord, I could smell the barn and there was no stopping me!!! Alone and on a mission, I tried like heck to get to 30 mph in honor of Ed & Ray, but could only muster 29.6 on my fast and determined flight back to the car, where I peeled my tired, sore & sweaty body off the bike and threw it on the pavement to see if it would straighten out - I think I walked funny the rest of the day!!! BOY, DO I MISS RIDING!!! And I also missed all our other Ermas who were being good to their mom's, I'm sure!!! Thanks to Mike, Steve & JR for getting me thru the day!! See y'all soon!!! (kb) |
| 5/12/2001 | 77 | Sutter Creek - Volcano - Lockwood - Fiddletown - Aukum - Shenandoah - Plymouth - Irish Hill | Larry (92), Steve M (92), Ray, Anita, Ed, Cheryl, Sarah, Michael K, Gene, Chuck, Jim & Penny (70), Gail (20), Joyce (20) | Larry's pet rattler on Sutter-Ione. Michael's NEW new bike. Ray's crash. The DCers are ready. Gene stronger than ever. Those are the headlines. Larry and Steve started early and circled back to ride to Sutter Creek with us. Route changed at last minute to exclude early "warm-up" loop and replace it with a trip to Mt. Aukum. That change kept the group together the entire time, except that J&P went straight in from Fiddletown and Joyce and Gail turned back at Sutter Creek. Foregoing the coffee made the creek road tougher for some of us, not to mention lack of warm-up miles on this "chilly" 80-degree day. Ray was feeling his full complement of "oats" all day, leading the charge up the creek and then down Fiddletown. I could tell he was in one of those grooves in which he didn't want help pulling the train. I call that "taking the Ray Train." We rode casually over to Aukum via Lawrence (no bolts fell off, but Steve was so far out in front, he did Tyler instead, not knowing about the Lawrence turn). Down the highway, someone had to pull the emergency brake cord on the Ray Train so Sarah and others could scamper up the tracks and get back in the caboose. The roller coaster ride down Steiner was made more "interesting" by road work that left big gravel patches to ride through. We learned that Ray's choice is the path of greatest gravel. Larry's Paceline School went into session on Schoolhouse and almost immediately recessed--too late in day, too tired, too fast, too etc. The Zippadeedoo down Old Sac was interrupted by Ray, Ed, and/or Cheryl dropping something near the bridge. Turned out to be Ed's sunscreen, which Chuck had turned back to pick up, thinking it was Cheryl's. Cheryl was sure it was Ray's. Ed didn't know from anything. Over Irish Hill, Ray held back, discussing strategy with Sarah and Cheryl while Steve led a charge over the first hills that didn't shake his three tailgunners, so he settled into a strong pace and towed everyone until someone shouted "car back" and RAY shot by on the penultimate hill. Chuck started the counterattack, followed by Ed and Larry. Larry decided to lead-out Ed for the final hill since Ray was suffering from his all-out time trail and then his attack. But as Ray looked back to see if he could stop abusing his legs and lungs, his bike went straight just where the road curves and he found himself in the big shoulder gravel. He kept it up for a while, but then unsnapped his foot and went down on his left side, fortunately landing mainly on his elbow, thus protecting his bike from any scratches except on the handlebar tape (elbows, after all, will heal). At the corner, Ray picked the largest pieces of gravel out from the wound as Larry hosed him off with his water bottle. Chuck did medic duties back at in Ione. As Ray drove off, he admitted that it was beginning to sting. Unfortunate end to a very strong ride for Ray, but very fortunate in that it was at the end of the ride and no damage to The Prince. Also a very strong ride thoughout for Steve, Larry, and Chuck, who are all clearly ready to do an easy and fast Davis Double next weekend (along with convincing me that I'm not ready) with the Apache Towing Service. Everyone else also had a strong consistent ride, including Michael Kale, increasing his longest Erma ride by my than 20 miles--and all on the maiden voyage of his brand new (replacement) bike. No problems for him or his bike this time. And Gene finished the ride feeling something like guilt for riding so much beyond his scheduled training mileage, but he was just having too much fun to stop. (EH) RAY: In addition to Ed's report, a word of thanks--but first, a lesson learned: Don't look over your shoulder as the road turns! Within sight of the highway, after what I thought was a pretty good move a mile back, I was humbly picking myself off the gravel in a cloud of dust. The most important question being, Is the bike okay? Apart from a scuffed pedal, a small nick (probably from flying rocks) on the chainstay, and minor scratches on the brake lever and bar tape, the bike made it through the crash in surprisingly good shape. Not even a flat tire! Just a few minor cosmetic repairs that can easily be solved with a dab of touch-up paint and new bar tape. My forearm/elbow, on the other hand, took most of the impact, along with some minor road rash on the side of my leg. Thanks Larry, for rinsing out the wound as I picked the pea gravel out of my arm. It left a nice little divot. Thanks Chuck, for dressing the wound back in the parking lot. Thankfully I got home before the gauze dried. But special thanks to Sarah, our resident ER nurse who saved me immeasurable pain and suffering. For anyone who has endured the agony of scrubbing the gravel out of a fresh wound knows what I'm talking about. That anesthetic, xylo-something, works great!!! After applying it to the wound, I was still a little apprehensive about the whole scrubbing idea. But after determining that the pain factor was nearly non-existent, I scrubbed and picked that wound to a nice strawberry red! By the way, thanks for the strawberries too, they were very delicious! Sarah, you're a lifesaver! (Oh, thanks for letting me have the red one, too)! Again, thanks to all for a great ride and all the help. (RC) |
| 5/11/2001 | 27 | Jackson, out Jackson Gate to Arganaut, down Stoney Creek to Pardee and back | Cheryl | t was a beautiful day for a ride. My plan once again was to do the Middle Bar ride Joyce and Chrissie talk about, because I was going it alone again I opted for Stoney Creek. What can I say, Stoney Creek is one of my favorite roads to travel, you see all sorts of wild life and flowers, it's quiet and little traffic AND it is a great workout. Being out there makes me think of the training rides Karen and I did on that road and hope someday I will get back into that kind of shape. Getting out on the bike on Friday for a short ride before the Saturday marathon sure helps my legs get in the groove Saturday morning. (CY) |
| 5/6/2001 | 116 | The "Big Ride" | Larry, Chuck, Hux, Michael A (88), Steve H (?), Ed (76) | Yes, this is a "big ride." It was just as Larry predicted, lots of miles with lots of climbing, lots of alternatives to suit every rider, and lots of fun. Chuck, Larry, Hux, and Michael headed up Stony Creek, then Clinton-Tabeau to Volcano, where we met up with Steve and Ed, for the climb up Ram's Horn to Lockwood Junction. Steve and Michael turned toward the barn in Fiddletown; the rest headed up to Mt. Aukum, Omo Ranch, Highway 88, and back down Shake Ridge to Sutter Creek. In the final analysis, it was just another wonderful ride, and Ed's long pulls helped make the extra miles seem easy. (CG) Larry and Chuck were right all along--Omo Ranch Road is spectacular--great riding and scenery (but I am glad I waited until the snow was gone and the temperature warmer). The part of the ride I did was a great one, including reconnecting with my old racing partner Hux. (Ed) |
| 5/5/2001 | 68 | Annual Cinco de Mayo AARP Ride Coffe HOUSE plus Hale road | John H (62), Dave B (50), Michael K (50), Steve, Gene, Ray, Ed, John R, Sarah, Jerry S, Cheryl, Al (new to Erma), Andy (rode once before) | STEVE: The sun was bright and the day promised to be warm so many riders showed up for what was promised to be an enventful ride. After writing a note to Ed and Cheryl that Irishtown would not be till the end (lucky, lucky), we took off to Sutter Creek. Halfway up Sarah had a flat and it took six men and three tubes and two co2 containers to fix it. This was an omen! Coffee for some while others charged on ahead to beat the infamous Ray Ed and Steve paceline up to Volcano: 44 minutes--getting better. Rest at Volcano and while Ray showed his hypertestosteronism by going up Charleston, some of us meandered slowly up Rams Horn discussing life, love, sex, etc. Going down Shake Ridge, we all made the turn on to Hale Road preparing for the steep bumpy descent. Gene, experienced mountain biker that he is, streaked on ahead with Andy. But where were the rest of the group? Michael Kale had a problem with his new great-looking bike as the rear dropouts were uneven (Oh they are all like that, says the rep!) and the tire exploded with many parts of tube flying and riding down on the rim. Michael must have good bike skills as neither he nor anyone else went down. We found that the bike was a "no code" or DNR as we say in the medical profession and cell phones don't work on Hale Road. Steve took off for home and told Michael to relax for an hour and 1/2 or so. Michael quietly went to sleep on a bed of red ants--this was not his day! After getting his car, Steve picked up Mike and became the official sag wagon but couldn't find anymore takers (i.e., Al) - End of part one-part two to Sarah. SARAH: We headed out in perfect cycling weather, slathered in SPF30, anticipating the warm, sunny day ahead. The group was patient with a very early flat by Sarah - like in the parking lot in Ione, and my trusty spouse assisted (well, I held the pump!) with a quick tube change. Four miles later I flatted again, and a large group stopped to #1 catch their breath #2 give input on the best way to change a flat on Spox wheels #3 let Ed & Cheryl catch up with the group. We did all three - with my flat requiring two tubes, and the expertise of Ray to show all the correct way to insert tube, avoid pinch flats! Thank you Ray, and your flat fixing lasted the entire rest of my ride! (No criticism implied, Jerry). Andy (new Erma rider Stockton - very strong) and Allen (also a newbie) had gone ahead, and didn't realize the group always gathers in Sutter Creek for coffee, conversation, bathroom, water and regrouping, so they had already headed up the Creek Road. We found them lounging with Rosie in Volcano, after a delightful ride up Sutter-Volcano road (no refrigerator road today) and an opportunity to meet and talk with Dave B. and catch up on life with John H. who we hadn't seen in a couple of years. Made the miles go quickly and enjoyably. Most of the group headed up Rams Horn Grade at a steady pace - the outlier Ray, gave Charleston a challenge. He swore they had regraded and resurfaced the road and it is now almost flat! I believe that almost as much as Gene's perpetual promises: only one more hill! Some of us vacillated about doing Hale Road - a first for me, and hated to miss that lovely ride up to Lockwood and then cruise down into Fiddletown, but Gene, he who speaks sometimes with forked tongue, promised we would love Hale Road. The first descent begged to differ - bumpy, rutted, hands aching from gripping the brakes, head banging around inside my brain bucket, three chipped teeth (well, that one is made up)and a silent curse to Steve & Gene for chosing this option. Then came upon Michael K dangling a shredded tube & tire from his new Specialized Allez - Jerry trying to figure out a way to get it back on the bent rim, duct tape the tire back together, etc. Jerry can usually fix anything, but Michael's problem needed a major fix - like a ride back to the car in Ione and a trip to the bike shop where he recently purchased his bike. Steve came huffing back up the hill looking for the group (appeared to need some quick CPR after that climb) and tried his cell phone....not sure who we were going to call. All the creative heads together came up with a plan that included a nice nap in the shade for Michael & bike while Steve rode straight back to his home to get a car to pick Michael up, then take him to Ione. Meanwhile Ed & Cheryl gallantly offered to drive Steve's other car back to his ranch, thereby placing them within striking distance of a favorite winery for a resupply visit. Must admit the second part of Hale Road was lovely - beautiful scenery on this very remote road, smooth pavement, a little stream to bike through at the bottom, then a dutiful climb out of the valley where Allen & Andy awaited. Smooth glide into Fiddletown to Gu up at the park and discuss the homeward trek. Jerry was opting for the "shortest, easiest way home" - feeling the effects of a protracted bout with an upper respirator infection for the past two weeks. Finally convinced to try Ostrum - another first for us, and it was very nice. J & I were fading a bit, and the ever thoughtful Ray hung back and paced us into Plymouth. Thank you again, kind Ray. A last regroup in the Plymouth park - more water (getting hot) and everyone polished off the last of their food supply, with emergency rations to Al, who was feeling a bit of a bonk. Cheryl warned that the race was on, with the horses at the gate, off they went: Ray, Ed & John R. spinning like stallions on IH - very impressive performance! Some obnoxious driver came up behind...blasting his horn....none other than Steve bringing Michael back to the barn. We asked them how we looked out there on the road, and they assured us we looked GREAT! That gave us the energy to speed on back to Ione, visions of a promised icey cold Gatorade (thank you John R.) in my head spurred me on. Andy got to witness me attempting to remove an errant bee from my sports bra on Marlette Road (yes, three big welts when I got home....none of them a nipple!) John R., ever the gentleman, circled back to herd up the crew, while Andy & I could only think of the shady parking lot and rudely went on our way, obediently stopping at the stop signs (thanks for the warning, John.) In retrospect: A bigger, longer ride than we had anticipated considering Jerry's recently infirm condition, but with great weather, the ever beautiful scenery, a fantastic group of fellow cyclists who create an atmosphere most conducive to enjoying cycling at it's finest. As Jerry said, "That is the most courteous, concerned bunch of people I have ever ridden with." We are again struck by the Erma ethics, which include comraderie, challenge, group spirit, counseling, teaching, sharing tire tubes, Gu and philosophy, and always, always, looking out for each other. After a rather sad week at work, it absolutely reaffirmed my soul and understanding of what is really important in this world......health, friendship, caring & sharing. Thanks again to all the Ermas, and especially to Gene, cyclist extraordiare' who is our hero, our mentor, and just an all around grand person! |
| 5/4/2001 | 37 | Sutter-Ione, WC-IH, SC | Cheryl, Ed | Since my "weekend" is now Friday and Saturday, I wanted to be sure to get in both days of riding so I put a ride on the calendar, but I guess the combination of too short a notice and mid-day ride on Friday was too much for most, so the only taker on my Friday "Nooner" was Ed. The traffic seemed heavy on the highway, so we decided to stay off it and not go to Middle Bar, opting instead for Sutter-Ione, Willow Creek, Irish Hill, and ending with Sutter-Ione again. It felt unusual doing it in "reverse" that way, especially with the afternoon light on us rather than the morning light, but we had a pleasant ride with good steady pace throughout, including some harder pushes up the hills going home on Sutter-Ione. A good workout and "warmup" for Saturday's AARP-Hale ride. (CY) |
| 4/29/2001 | 102 | John R, Michael T, Steve H (38), Karen (19), Ed (72), Cheryl (72), Michael A (57), Larry H | Sunday's ride turnout was a little sparse at first, John R, Michael, Steve H. and myself the left the parking lot at 8 O'clock heading for Volcano by Clinton/Tabeaud. The ride to Jackson was uneventful, the pace was moderate, the four of us enjoying the rolling green hills and just being on our bikes. Steve departed the group in Jackson, heading for the barn [with just enough miles to keep him out of church]. Another Ermaís rider showed up on Clinton road, Karen was taking a little break from work and rehearsals. The rumor is that she is been nominated for a Golden Globe award. John disappeared from our group for a short time, to spend a little time with Karen. We regrouped in Volcano to find our group doubling in size. Cheryl, Ed and Mike were ready to join us for our assault on Rams Horn. Michael A had to ride straight in from Daffodil Hill. Ed showed us what he is made of going up one of the rollers on Fiddletown Road; he dropped onto his 54-tooth chainring and didnít slow down until the restroom in Fiddletown. What a pull. Cheryl and Ed headed for home, going straight in from Fiddletown. John, Michael T, and myself headed up Tyler for our last stop at the Mt Aukum store. The trip back to Ione was a bit breezy, but it didn't appear to affect John, who pulled most of the way. The total elevation gain for Sunday's ride was 8500 vertical feet in 102 miles. (LH) |
|
| 4/28/2001 | 68 | standard long (Irish HIll-Willow Creek) coffee | Anita, Ray, Al, Michael K (54), Steve, John R, Karen (64), Gene (64), Ed, Chrissie (30) | Everyone showed up on time today as to not incur any wrath from fellow riders. It took awhile for us all to warm up on Irish Hill but things came to an abrupt stop as the entire road was blocked on Carbondale by the Ione version of a spring cattle drive. Eventualy we were able to go through the well lubricated road with even JR's Rex plunging ahead. Turning on to Willow Creek, JR got his first flat and we pros carefully explained to Michael the best way to change a tire with all the subtle nuances we have learned. Eight miles further we got to do it again with dissenting opinions on the right way since the tube was bulging out the rim. AND... before we started we got to do it again--Michael should be glad we are so graphic in our demonstrations. Going up to Sutter Creek was slow as we all had excuses for our lethargy. Anita was up late, Karen was stressed, Gene had been riding too much, Al had been working too hard, Ed wasn't warmed up. blah, blah blah. After stoking up with caffiene in Sutter Creek things changed. Anita as usual led out (she wiil realize we are letting her wear out first). Steve did his usual rabbit act but Ray, Al, Ed, and Chrissie, who joined us at S.C., caught up and the pace line was on. Eventualy attrition set in, and Ray and Ed cruised into Volcano first where a wedding was going on--we weren't invited. Karen and Gene decided to go back down the creek road. Michael led us up Rams Horn on his new bike, showing how well it climbs--he would pay for this later. After we all gathered up, Chrissie took off while the rest of us liesurely got started, thinking we testosterone-loaded folks could easily reel her in. She was so far ahead that Anita was lamenting being the only women on the ride--lucky her! We did catch Chrissie, but not till Mama bear (we were just letting her hang out to exhaust her--oh yeah) After meeting Karen at S.C. (1) She claimed to have waited very long for us, (2) memorized all her lines for the upcomign play, (3) read War and Peace, (4) written a new musical--were we that slow? Down at S.C., Michael! bought Chrissie a duck for the Duck Race to pay for a ride in her car to Ione--unfortunately for Al she only accepted paying customers, so the rest of us poor folk biked on down. A good day with good camraderie. (SWH) Ed note: Can't resist telling this one. As we were climbing out of S.C., Ray, Al, & I were bringing up the rear. Al was slightly behind Ray and me. He was still suffering the lingering effects of his major bonk. Ray asked him why he hadn't taken a ride with Chrissie. Ray and I almost fell off our bikes laughing when this mousy voice from behind us squeaked, "I didn't have five dollars for a duck." |
| 4/22/2001 | 54*, 65**, 82*** | The Saturday Route | Jim and Penny*, Mike C**, Carolle**, Steve M ***, John *** | A near perfect day to ride in Amador County and who would have "thunk it" after Mother Nature threw her hopefully last cold storm of the season at us on Friday. On Saturday, with 3" of snow on the deck of our home in Pioneer, it was quite amazing indeed to find the roads so dry and clean. Only 6 of us enjoyed the "The Sat. Ride" on this Sunday while "Los Tres Amigos" , Mike T, Mike A, and Larry H., decided to ride to Omo Ranch for some reason .... to test their snow tires?? A bit cold at the apex of that ride I suspect. Jim and Penny warmed up with us on Marlette and 5 Mile Rd. but then decided to give us a rabbit to chase by going straight away to Sutter Creek while the rest of us rode Irish HIll and Willow Creek before heading to SC. Well Penny must have been cracking the whip to get into form for next week's Chico Century because we finally joined up with them at Daffodil Hill. After a brief stop in Volcano, Mike C REALLY attacked Rams Horn on a mission to catch the "outlaw tandem" after Rose , who was complaining of too much wind, informed us that J & P had pulled out a few minutes before our arrival. The ride down Shakeridge Rd. was the usual fun except for an encounter with a red Jeep Cheokee that took forever to come around, heaven forbid crossing over the double line, but when she did pass , she just about removed our handle bar tape!! At the intersection of 124 and Ione-Sutter Cr. Rd., Carolle, Jim and Penny, and Mike C. turned for Ione while John R. and Steve M. figured the day was too perfect to call it a day just yet so they took on Willow Cr. and Irish Hill. It was another great ride with great folks!!"Good riding" to all who will be in Chico next weekend and hope to see the rest of our Erma Gang Sat. and or Sunday for a day that will have temperatures that Edzo will look forward to!!! (JR) |
| 4/22/2001 | 95 | long Sunday ride | MT, MA, LH | Sunday's riders consisting of Michael Arreguin, Larry Hayes and Michael Thurmond headed off toward the high country of Omo Ranch Rd and Hwy 88. We wanted a long ride with climbing and we certainly got it. Michael A had not been in the saddle for almost two weeks and was not in his best form. Larry was his usual Rabbit self and brings spice to the ride with his incredible memory of Rides of the Past. I have difficulty remembering what I did last hour, yet Larry can recount details from rides that took place years ago-he's got a great bundle of synapses! For the most part the ride took in the usual beauty this time of the year as we headed for Plymouth, Shenendoah Rd (resurfacing for about a mile), Steiner Rd and then into Mt. Aukum. The beauty of Omo Ranch Rd becomes ever present as we began our assent. There was even more traffic than I expected, but that lessened considerably once we went beyond Fairplay and got into the pines, where there was cool fragrant air (Buckhorn was in blossom), snow and the sound of the wind whistling through the trees. I especially enjoy spinning on Barney Ridge and looking across to the south to the backlit pines of Farnham Ridge. I had forgotten that its just a steady spin UP from Omo Ranch School and by the time we reached Hwy 88 I noted we had an elevation of almost 5000 ft. The snow was not abundant, but there was enough on the road to keep the road wet and make for some extra cleanup of the bike once arriving home. Attaining speeds of 45+ down to Shake Ridge is always fun and it's always nice to get off of Hwy 88. There were definitely a number of unaware drivers on the road today as we came up on a man and wife stopped just below the crest of a hill admiring the deer and oblivious to the fact there were other motorists on the rode. Moving on down to Fiddletown Rd we encountered a bicyclist, also stopped in the middle of our down hill lane, seemingly unaware that she was facing the wrong way and in a position to be pancaked by a speeding motorist. Larry's comment that she was lucky there were no logging trucks was succinctly put. One wonders how some folks make it past adolescence. We kept a steady pace line back into Plymouth, Irish Hill and Ione and were great-Full to pull into the police station as Jim and Penny were headed home. A quick check-in with them and a look at our mileage/elevation gain indicated we had covered 95 miles with a little less than 7000 ft of gain. We were pleasantly tired and yet ready to do it again another day. Thanks Larry H and Michael A for your company-it was a beautiful day again wearing the Erma's jersey! (MT) |
| 4/21/2001 | 52 | Tour de Creek & Coffee: Willow Creek, Sutter Creek, Stoney Creek | Michael K, Michael C, Anita, Ray, Ed, Ann Marie | Several firsts on a threatening-looking morning, but despite the threats and some dark clouds for a while, not a drop of rain. Michael Kale rode his brand new Specialized road bike for the first time--quite an inaugural voyage. He says he was tired by the end, but he and his bike both seemed to perform well. Ann Marie, a winemaker from Lodi area, came out for her first Erma ride--at Mike C's recommendation. For the first time in a while, Mike was not on call and could relax. For a change, I mostly kept up with the group in the first 10-20 miles (mostly). For a change, everyone was eager to get to the coffee house, take a break, eat, drink, talk, get acquainted--the conversation running from bike racing to home prices to wine making to Bay Area commuting, etc. The weather was blustery. No one regretted any choice to add warm clothing, including Michael K's borrowed leg warmers and Ray and Mike C's last-minute booties. Despite the bluster, it was a gorgeous day with lots of greenery and color changes caused by the changing cloud formations. By the time we finished a relatively casual ride (except, of course, coming down Stoney Creek), it was sunny and warm in Ione, Main Street was lined with Harleys and denim vests, and the big barbecue was being rolled into the park, making Ray hungry. (EH) |
| 4/15/2001 | 40 | Easter recovery ride to Plymouth & back | John R, Karen, Cheryl, Ed, Chrissie | A modest, but seemingly quick ride to Plymouth featuring catching up on Karen's play rehearsals and Chrissie's teaching experiences. Finally a warmer day at the start, but not quite warm enough. Just enough of a headwind on the way back to make it interesting. Then JR pushed the pace on Irish Hill for old time's sake and to blow out any remaining carbon after yesterday's interval workout with Fred. A pleasant, reverent Easter ride, dropping everyone back in Ione near noon, plenty of time for eggs, eating, and other things. (EH) |
| 4/15/2001 | 46 | Ione-Comanche-CampoSeco-Ione | Jim and Penny, Carolle | 9:00 sounded good to me - unfortunately, Jim wasn't feeling well and didn't think we could keep up with everyone else. So, we decided to come early and leave early. Carolle and Michael were also there at 8:00 - Carolle came with us, while Michael was doing Omo Ranch. We had a wonderful ride, the weather was perfect except for the bit of headwind on the way back. We were able to enjoy an after ride visit with John, Karen, Ed, Cheryl,a nd Chrissie (Penny Gray) |
| 4/14/2001 | 67, 84 | standard coffee with IH-WC loop | Ray, Fred, Warren, Anita, Sarah, Jerry S, Ed, Al, John S, Steve H, Gene, Dave B, John A, Mike C {and a couple of Stockton buddies), John R (84) | RAY: It was great to see so many riders out this fine Saturday morning. A lot of old and new faces. We welcomed back S&J, Fred, John A., along with new faces, Larry and Andy from Stockton. Fred looked to be in very good form after losing 47 pounds. I thought to myself, it's going to be really interesting to see how much faster he'll be going uphill. It was a little cooler than originally forecasted, but John S. and I decided to forego the extra baggage of jackets and arm warmers in hopes of a quick warm up. It didn't take long to warm up, before we knew it we were sprinting over the bumps on Irish Hill. Most notably Mike, Larry, Fred (out of the saddle too), and Warren. The pace didn't slow much over Willow Creek either. After regrouping at the highway before turning onto SC-Ione Rd., the pace again picked up to the beat of Carlos Santana, thanks to Fred. At the end of a quick coffee stop in SC, we said goodbye to Mike, Larry, and Andy. In hopes that they would return, Sarah requested that Mike not lose Larry and Andy on the way back to Ione since they were a little unsure of the way back. Meanwhile the rest of us started on the 12 mile stretch to Volcano. S and J, JR, JS, and Al, got a small head start from the restrooms. But before long, the casual dual paceline turned into a single paceline, led out by Fred to the sounds of Pink Floyd. Fred's blistering pace put quite a few of the group in a bit of a bother. By the time we hit the wall at Fabio, The Wall (Pink Floyd's) was blasting out of Fred's rear pocket. Unfortunately, when I looked back, no one else was there to enjoy it as we attacked the hill. Fred and I made the final climb up to Volcano where we were shortly joined by the others. The climb up RH was one of the more casual parts of the day. There were at least 8 of us at the back of the pack that took up the whole lane. No one was really in a hurry to expend any extra energy for the upcoming race down SR. At the top, Fred asked me if he should put it into the big ring, or casually cruise down the hill at the back as he normally does. I told him to kick it into the big ring, and the race was on. On the first part of the descent, I was out front, until John A. came flying by me. The lead changed back and forth a couple of times from various attacks, before Ed and I thinned the pack before Mama Bear. I could still feel someone breathing down my neck. We looked back and saw Fred still working hard to catch us. After a very short discussion, Ed and I agreed that Fred would want us to make him work harder and improve his conditioning, rather than wait for him to catch up. Thankfully, there wasn't that much further to go because my legs were on the verge of cramping. Back in SC, a few rode straight back to Ione, while others needed water and muffins. On the way back over SC-Ione Rd., JR, Ed and I rode fast to the highway. JR wanted more miles, so he took the additional loop back over WC/IH, while the rest of us packed it in for Ione. The last sprint of the day took place on the highway heading into Ione. Major strategic error on my part going way too soon. I forgot about that slight grade change before the long straight-a-way to the stop sign. I went flying by Fred, but paid for it with a thigh cramp shortly thereafter. Fred came by with a smirk. I struggled to jump on the last wheel heading in to the home stretch. Then Ed attacked, and only John S. responded. Eventually, John nipped Ed at the line. We pulled in as S and J, and Steve were pulling out of the parking lot. It turned out to be a great day with a little bit of everything in this ride. Just enough to let you know you had a great workout, but still wanting more. If you weren't there, you missed the best ride of the year so far. But the season has just started and I'm sure there will be more days like this to come. Thanks for a great ride! (RC) ED: 17 riders, a great day (after it warmed up), and a Fred-Ray intensity workout combined with fun, scenic, social riding--AND coffee. What more could you want? Wow, what a workout we had trying to follow Fred on his 20-minute interval up the creek road (it wasn't cold at all because we were working so hard). One of the best efforts ever. And then Fred did his second interval coming down Shake, trying to catch Ray and me. Fortunately, his 20 minutes ran out and he backed off just before the final wall. But it was a lot more than racing and intensity workouts. It was funny, chatty, slow-paced, scenic, especially the entire ride through Irish Hill, Willow Creek, and Sutter-Ione. But, then again, what would I know, I was off the back with frozen feet most of the time. Lots of catching up with riders who haven't been out for a while--John A, Sarah & Jerry, Dave B, Al, John S, Mike. Some riders who hadn't been out before: Warren, who came with Fred and rode very strongly, and Mike's Stockton friends (they had to turn back at Sutter Creek since Mike was on call). Some of the 14 remaining riders planned to turn back early, but all were talked into continuing the entire ride. I think everyone was glad of it. It was one of those perfect combos: everyone was included and got the workout they wanted. Gene, for example, was ecstatic back at Ione: "Let's do this kind of ride every Saturday." Fred pushed/pulled us, as did Warren, but they both paid a price for it when they found that Ray can push/pull back. But that's what they wanted in a ride in our hills. They got it. We all got a great ride, thanks to a big, diverse group that both included and challenged every rider. Thanks to Fred for being the catalyst, as usual, but thanks to everyone for the help, the challenge, and especially the fun. Oh, yeah, and guess who was the solo rider who did WC-IH when everyone else turned for home? (EH) |
| 4/14/2001 | 104 | Grand Tour (modified) | Chuck-104, Larry H.-87, Don S.-87, "Hux -87 | Those training for the Davis Double elected a longer ride with deviations from the standard Grand Tour as the route progressed, to get in as much climbing as they could find. It was terrific to see Hux on his new Rex. It looks like we will see lots more of him with Erma rides. It was a pleasure to ride with such a renowned racer and gentleman. The first route change came as the four departed Plymouth and took the Fiddletown route up to Mt Aukum just to add a few more miles and some climbing. The ride was spectacular, except for the Chinese dust that blocked our traditional views of Mt. Diablo. Still lots of snow in the higher reaches from Omo School to Cooks Station, but the roads were in great shape. When we got to Volcano, the proprietor of the store said there were lots of riders that went through an hour earlier. It was sad to realize we had missed the main Erma contingency. Larry had a surprise birthday party for Gayle, so he elected to bail-out at Volcano and take the Creek road back to Ione. Hux, Don, and Chuck all agreed to keep him company, knowing they could still get in over 100 if we took the Willow Creek/Irish Hill loop at the end. Hux, Larry, and Don arrived back at the parking lot to find ìthe Don.î Seems John had taken an extra loop and was just wrapping up his ride with the main contingency. (Chuck Gray) |
| 4/8/2001 | 50*, 67** | Coal Mine, Campo Seco, Jackson, Sutter Creek, WC and IH |
Chrissie*, Cheryl*, Ed*, Chuck **, John R** | This ride started at 10 and despite the later than normal start, it was still a a bit COOL at the start. Ed was dressed in his sub-zero attire and kept it on during the entire ride. After leaving Ione we heated up by climbing Coal Mine.Rd. ... one of CY's not so favorite climbs!! Chuck was really in good form and has gotten even stronger after battling 65 mph winds on the Solvang Double. Chrissie, "E", and Chuck attacked Stoney Creek while CY and The Don took it nice and steady. The "plan" was to ride WC and IH but when we got to the jct. of Ione-Sutter Cr.and Hiway 124 only JR was foolish enough to continue the game plan. WC was fine but IH had The Don in a bit of bother due to a not so pleasant headwind. Too add to the fun, the water from Pardee caused his stomach to really start rumbling . It's bottle water for me from now on. All and all it was a good ride and I think most of our Erma buddies would have enjoyed today's ride a bunch more than the Party Pardee .....they would have stayed dry that's for sure. The weather will be "just dandy" for this coming weekend so hope to see you all then. (JR) |
| 4/7/2001 | 65, 66, 67, or 68 (depending on who's reporting) | Party Pardee | see report | report is at http://ermasdiner.com/reports/pardee2001.html |
| 4/1/2001 | 64-77 | Irish-Willow-Sutter Creek-Volcano-Jackson-Sutter Crk | 77: John R, Michael T, Michael A; 73: Larry H; 55: Jim & Penny; 64: Ed, Cheryl | Even though the clocks had to "spring forward" Saturday nite we still had a good turnout for an 8 o'clock start. Jim and Penny's truck must not have liked the earlier start since it "decided" to have a flat just outside of Ione. We met them while we warmed up on 5 Mile Rd. and then hooked up with them later, this time on their tandem, in Sutter Creek after we rode Irish Hill and Willow Creek. In Sutter Creek, Ed and Cheryl headed back while the rest of us headed up to Volcano via "the Creek Rd." which seems to get a bit longer each time I ride it!! In Volcano it was great to run into Karen and Carolle who were riding "KB's Lunchtime Loop". Karen couldn't do today's longish Erma Ride so she would be rested for her 4 or 5 hour "Road to Mecca" rehearsal later in the day. Today's route is definitely a "keeper" .... just ask Michael A. how great it was !! Michael finally was treated to a ride with us that didn't go to Mt. Aukum or out into the Pardee area. He got just a little taste of how good it gets up in the Volcano area. Michael T., who was really hooked up today and AMPED already for the 2001 Death Ride, really inspired Michael A. as they raced down Tabeau and later Clinton with JR doing his best to keep up and push the pace when he did catch up .....or when they waited for him!! From Jackson we rode non-stop to Ione and MA, MT, and JR did a little extra loop via Mule Creek Prison and 5 Mile Rd. What a great spring day for a ride and the weather and rides are only going to get better and that's something to look forward to indeed! See you all at the Party Pardee and the Post-Pardee Ride to Plymouth!! (JR) Minority report: Cheryl & I split off at Sutter Creek to return via Willow-Irish but by then I felt good and we rode Carbondale all the way and then Lambert Road, where we watched a Lear Jet land on the little runway back there, "drive" right across the road next to us (pilots waving), and off into an invisible area with no trespassing signs, just like a James Bond movie. We, of course, followed and when stopped by a couple of guys in a jeep, we asked for water, and they let us get some before escorting us out of the compound. Very interesting. After bundling against the EARLY morning cold, I finally warmed up on Willow Creek (the second time) after 3 hours. Turned out to be a fun ride both with the group and on our own. (EH) |
| 3/31/2001 | 71-43 | New Standard Sat route (Camanche-Campo-Pardee-Stoney) | 71: Ray, Ed, Gene, Anita, Chrissie; 63: Don; 54: Steve H; 43: John R, Karen, Carolle, Steve M, Michael Kale (new);??: Joyce; Tim, Tom & Michael (from Sacto), with cameo by Richard | Obviously, my negotiation skills need some work or Ray would be writing this ride report, buying the drink at the gas station wasn't enough to get me out of this...Great group with some first timers. Weather was perfect. Caught up with Joyce around the Camanche area. John & Karen and Steve & Carolle split before Campo Seco. Michael also detoured on his mountain bike but kept up a fast pace with the group until this point. To make the day a little more interesting...a little competition was set up for the hills through Camp Seco. Many people from the Spinning Classes at Quail Lakes on Stoney Creek these past two weekends. Tim, Tom and Michael rode until the campgrounds at Pardee--thanks for being good sports! Chuck [ED NOTE: it wasn't Chuck, who was in Solvang, but I don't remember who it was] worked on bike problems on this break. Joyce had her kayak delivered to the lake and was planning on completing the triathon with a swim! That left Chrissie to race Ray to the top of Stoney Creek; after last week's performance, we knew she was good for it...fortunately Richard blew past us and tried to narrow the gap with Ray. But a dog near the top sneaked up to Ray's bike and barked loudly at his heels. The scare made his legs cramp...and I still don't know if he beat his time from the previous week. Found Don riding up Stoney Creek as well. At the top, I actually talked the group out of doing the Butte Mountain loop but after a coffee break in Sutter Creek, I opened my big mouth and added the Willow/Irish Hill loop to the end of the ride. Chrissie pointed out how good Ed's haircut looked. Gene got pretty competitive down Sutter/Ione and out to Irish Hill. And back to the parking lot to find Ray's car T.P.'d...somebody need to confess to this one! And yes Ed...I need a lot of work on PACING!!! Let's hope I'm off the hook for writing another one of these for a long while. (Anita) |
| 3/31/2001 | 209 | Solvang Double Century | Chuck and Mark Martinez, aka Apache Towing Service | The Solvang Double Century is one of the loveliest courses on the TripleCrown circuit. The Erma riders on this event were Chuck & Myself. This was Chuck's second attempt at a TripleCrown event. This was my second running of this course. This course is mostly Rollies, and being that time of the year, mostly foggy & damp. The last 18 miles are the toughest part with most of the climbing being done in this last section. I like D.C.s the best because they are for serious riders only, and they are too long and hard for 'Racers'... Bear in mind however that the average speed for the record ( including breaks ) on most of the courses is over 20 miles an hour !!! Truly Serious Riders Only Need Apply !!! So the highlights of this event: 1) Chuck's Good Company And Attitude. Chuck is a Real Gentleman. 2) The other Riders who are regulars on the Triple-Crown Circuit. 3) The Scenery when the Sun came out. 4) Seeing Carol Gray waiting Patiently for Chuck at the Finish. Yeah Carol !!! The lowpoints: 1) Getting Lost In The Fog At Night. Oh yes, that was also the Worst Climb that day !!! 2) My Flat Tubular. After the Debacle of DeathValley Spring '01, there was never a question in Chuck's or my mind of quitting... That was another Highlight... So Chuck, we have two more to go together, Davis, DeathValley Fall, Eastern Sierra ??? CHUCK: It would be easy to enter a ride report of three words, "I did it," but that would not do Mark Martinez justice for all I learned from him on Saturday. For those of you who do not know Mark, he is the proprieter of the Apache Towing Service (see the rear pocket on your Erma jersey). The service he provides is not the normal AAA kind of tow; instead he pulls long pace lines across the countryside during double centuries. Ed and John first hooked up with him a year or so ago. I met him for the first time on the ill-fated attempt at the Death Valley Double this spring. Here is my top ten list of what I learned from Mark this weekend: 1) You can complete a double in the fog, sun, wind, and dark. 2) You can make the 22 miles from Lompoc to Solvang in an hour. 3) If you start together, you finish together. 4) You can miss a turn at the 179 mile mark, in the dark, get mighty lost, end up climbing through the fog to no man's land, finish at 11:15PM and still wake up the next morning thinking you had a good time. 5) People who ride tubulars coast much faster and farther. 6) People who ride tubular tires may at first, refuse to believe they have a flat. 7) People who feel guilty for not patching their punctured clincher tubes shouldn't when you compare a $4.00 tube to a $70.00 tubular. 8)Riding 200 mile without any more than 80 miles a week in training (Chuck) over the past three weeks can result in physical distress, but it is do-able. 9) Riding 200 miles with Chuck brings out his weaknesses like having to pee all the time, having his light break on a bump in the dark and finishing the ride with no light, and developing a sore knee at the 100 mile mark. 10) I missed my Erma ride(ers). Thanks Mark for helping make my first California Triple Crown qualifying double; only two more to go. (Chuck) |
| 3/30/2001 | 63 | Irish Willow Sutter Daffy | John R, Sarah, Jerry S | coming from Sarah... |
| 3/25/2001 | 60 | Buena Vista, Burson, Ospital Loop and return | Steve H, Larry H, Mike T, Ed and Cheryl (tandem veterans) |
It was a rainy, dreary morning, scaring off those less hardy-- but the promise of drier times got us out there (and the fear of being assigned Sunday chores). Cheryl and Ed picked this ride as the ideal tandem training ride--which it was. As we headed out of Ione, drafting a big tandem in the wet is not a good way to keep your bike clean or your face dry, but we quickly learned. Soon tho' the rain stoppped, and the fields were especially green with all the poppies coming out. Mike was busy practicing his sprints as we waited for him to burn out--he didn't. Steve added a melodic squeaking the entire 60 miles from his bottom backet again and received many words of advice from all. Cheryl was not enjoying her tight confines of the stoker which was made especially for achondroplastic dwarfs or similar person but motored on getting stronger by the moment. Larry uncharacteristically stayed steady on the pace reflecting on this beautiful escape for the day. A good day made better by the company and route--Thanks SWH... |
| 3/25/2001 | 63 | To Mt. Aukum and back | Bob D/Peter S/Michael A/Don/Penny & Jim | 9:00AM--We came, we rode, we split. Spring was bursting with green. A righteous experience. (BD) The early bird did not get the worm in this case; just the rain. We started at the leisurely hour of nine, thinking we might catch up the the not-so-early birds, but since none of us had any idea how to get to Burson We opted for something more familiar: Irish Hill-Plymouth-Steiner-Mt Aukum & back. This time there were no mechanical mishaps, no flats, and no rain. Roads were beautifully wet at departure, clouds gathered and threatened but nothing cam of it, save a glorious green spring day. Bob Dahlquist was back out for the first time since his broken collar bone in November and he seemed intent on making up for lost time & mileage. Rode strong and fast from the first to the last. We improved our net pace from last week by nearly 1 MPH, thanks in part to JIm & Penny's fast pull on the way back. Saw more Harleys than sheep (come to think of it, there is some resemblance!) and had a grand time all in all. And now I say au revoir for a couple weeks, off to France and (hopefully) some leisurely riding in Loire. (PS) |
| 3/24/2001 | 50-83 | Camanche-Campo Seco-Pardee-Stoney Ck-Butte Mtn-Jackson Gate-Sutter Creek | 50: Joyce, Martha, Chrissie, Robert F; 65: John H; 67: Anita, Ray, Gene, Ed; 83: Chuck | Joyce organized the early group starting from her house and riding to Ione. They were waiting when all of us arrived and waited some more for the casual start and for Martha's wheel to be trued. Martha's goal is the Death Ride, and she shouldn't have any trouble the way she rode today. Chuck's goal is the Triple Crown. No problem. The rest of us were too tired to think, but Chuck when off to do the Ernie Banks loop (Willow-Irish). (We'll see who gets that allusion.) The pace was fast on Marlette, but the two riding beside me--Chuckles and Hambone--both said they weren't pushing the pace. Anita, Chuck, Gene, and Bob tended to set the early pace to Camanche Blue. John took photos of us all but Joyce, who was too fired up to stop. Up and over Campo Seco, down into Pardee, up again over the overlook (last I saw, Ray and Bob were duking it out for that prime ["preem"]). Chrissie flew into Pardee rest area just after we did, after waiting for Joyce and Martha. J & M weren't far behind, so the group was all together again and spent some time lounging, joking, eating. John saw an old friend, who didn't recognize him and warily kept his distance from this lycra-clad, helmeted "stranger" until John told him who he was. Chuck had another one of his "moments," losing the buckle for his helmet. We were looking around for it, when Bob, who hadn't moved from the bench while doing some Zen meditaton, apparently, said, "Here it is." It had been there on his helmet all along. Going up Stoney we separated mostly into "break-out groups" to discuss or think about our lives and the scenery. Ray says that he once looked at some flowers as he attacked the hill. Chrissie was ecstatic at the top to have held off everyone but Ray. Yes, she's been riding, she's strong, she knows it, and her attitude is back (along with her "voice"). Anita kept doing a very good imitation of the "old" Larry Hayes (whom we all thought about and wished the best for). The rabbit is dead; long live the rabbit. And I swear that The Hambone has been either sneaking in some hill training that he's not admitting, or he's been popping some of those EPO samples he gets. Bob, Carol, Ted, Alice, Joyce, Chrissie, Hambone, Martha took Argonaut back to Sutter Creek. JH had started an hour early and done the Lake Amador loop. The rest of us went to a little candy store-coffee house on Main Street in Jackson and sat on the sidewalk chairs and discussed Emily Dickinson (Chuck learned a very valuable lesson on this ride: don't ask Ed about Emily Dickinson). Then up to Butte, where Ray towed me to the top and then towed us all into a headwind down Clinton. Jackson Gate was no really fun for some of us, but Ray and Chuck at least did it quickly. Chuck, Ray, and I did a quick descent of Sutter-Ione, sticking closely together and riding fast. Great, smooth. Then Chuck collected enough water to fill his bottle and took off for MORE via Willow Creek. The rest of us were very glad to get back and let our legs rest--I think Ray might have even begun to get a little bit tired by the end. Lots of climbing, lots of sun with some clouds. Lots of spectacular vistas of grass, oak, and wildflowers everywhere we went. Good group. Good ride (now that I'm home eating chips). (EH) |
| 3/18/2001 | 63-94 | joint ride with G.C. Tandems to Mt Aukum | Jim & Penny, Ed & Cheryl (yes, on a tandem for first time), Peter S, Michael T, Bob K, Joyce, Chuck, John R, Karen, Larry, Steve H, Chrissie; Gary & Karen, Heidi & Jeff | Our first tandem ride (thanks to a loaner Cannondale from Pat and Marggie) got off to a shaky start, as I expected, but we didn't fall and felt more and more comfortable as we went. It was also Peter's first Erma ride of the year, but obviously not his first ride. But at Plymouth, I tried to raise my saddle a bit and turn Cheryl's handlebars so they would rub a bruise in a different position for a while, and I overtightened and stripped the threads. That meant no saddle and certain doom when no one had a spare bolt. But John saw that a little "mechanic" shop was open and so I went and Alan G. Hiatt, president (and chief welder) of Hiatt's Metal Fabrications, Inc. ("Creative Intelligence Expressed in Metal") gave me a substitute bolt-nut combo to try and a pair of pliers to use. After lots of tinkering, including using Gary's clever and handy ratchet set, the new bolt wasn't working. John rode over and got a washer. Better, but not tight enough. Eventually, Cheryl and I decided to turn back, but tried at Alan's shop one more time. This time, he worked with us and eventually pulled a quick-release binder bolt off his mountain bike, and we made it work. Cheryl and I took off up the highway in chase, and finally caught Jim & Penny and Karen & Gary (ultramarathon runners from Reno, it turns out) at Mt Aukum. The group had split by then with some heading back early down the highway and others crossing the ridge to Fiddletown. We screamed down the highway, Steiner, and School House and by then Cheryl and I were really warmed up and comfy on the tandem and got it going mighty spiffily down Old Sacramento, etc. Regrouping and chatting with JP/GK til Irish Hill, and then we went nuts and accelerated, entirely in the big chainring after the first hill, until back to the highway and then Ione. By then we were also desperate to get off those foreign saddles and onto anything else. (Pat & Marggie, how do you do it?) JP/GK weren't back so be drove back to find them, and they had finished fixing a flat and were rolling along fine. It seemed extraordinary that Garry and Karen would drive from RENO for a bike ride out of Ione, until I learned that they are both runners who've done the Western States Trail Run, a 100-mile run from Squaw Valley to Auburn, which you must finish in 24 hours to get the coveted silver buckle. I guess they're used to crossing those passes and doing it in a car must seem like luxury. Thanks for everyone's help and patience while we learned and broke things (don't worry, Pat and Marggie, the bike's mostly fine). More from the missing group later, I assume... (EH) This is part four of The Tour of Mechanics--not your usual Sunday ride. The hardy remnants of our band split up at Mt Aukum whilst Steve and Larry felt the tandem riders all the way from Cameron Park should have a tour of our fine roads. So we took them on Tyler road to test out Heidi's Softride seat which performed admirably. It was apparent that these two are STRONG riders because they kept a fast pace even while weaving around to admire the scenery (according to Jeff). We all took turns doing pulls down Fiddletown Road but they pulled Larry and Steve all the way from Plymouth to Ione while threatening to charge us mightily. They can ride with us anytime, we told them! (SWH) |
| 3/18/2001 | 40 | Plymouth | Anita, Al ,Ray | The 4:15 start was so late that everyone was long gone by the time we arrived in the parking lot. Nevertheless, a quick ride to Plymouth was in order. It was a quick pace out of Ione as there was just a few hours of daylight left. Al explained the reason for not making yesterday's ride was due to a major mechanical problems with his "new" freewheel while en route to Sutter Creek. Anita, having only 3 gears working, did very well to keep up with the blistering pace. We stopped in Plymouth just long enough to take a bite out of a power bar before we headed back. The return to Ione was marked by hacking and coughing, as we were pelted with those annoying little gnats, a few of which got swallowed by Al and Anita. We barely made it down Irish Hill as the sun went down. One good thing about such a late start was the beautiful sunset we had the opportunity to witness - maybe not quite as dramatic as a sunrise in Death Valley, but hey! it was still pretty cool! (RC). |
| 3/17/2001 | 19 | SGW Criterium Wm. Land Park | Steve H, Gene P | Steve and Gene got up extra early to head down to Land Park as the over 55 masters was the first event at 8 a.m. After an all too brief warmup the 45+ were sent off 30 seconds ahead. At the crack of the second whistle the peleton surged off. The pace was fast but usually steady with the usual breakaways and then the peleton would surey pull them in time after time. It was apparant that the Silks racing team would control the race as they put their pacers and blockers out and never let any beakaway last long. Steve and Gene stayed right in the middle of the pack cheered on by Mike Thurmond every time they passed the start -finish line. As the last half lap sprint came they both stayed in the sprint to the end, finishing midpack--not too bad for the Geezers. (SWH) |
| 3/17/2001 | 60 | Sutter Creek, Volcano, Red Corral, Clinton-Tabeau, Stoney Creek |
Anita, Carolle & Steve, Chuck, Awesome Patty from Lodi, and Don (F = k (q1 X q2) / d**2) the physist | It was a great day for us all to be in the foothills on a bike, but this day belonged to Patty. Having only ridden with Erma once before for all of 20 miles, to have so successfully tackled this very difficult route is a true testament to her motto and the wording on her vanity license plate: "stay fit." Last seen she was headed to the bike shop to find a road bike and save her mountain-monster for the rough terrain. We will see more of her I am sure. (CG) |
| 3/11/2001 | 60-?? | Plymouth-Shenandoah-Aukum-unknown | Larry, Chuck, Steve, Ed, Cheryl, Chrissie, Karen, John R, Carolle, Mike A, Jim & Penny | By some huge mistake, Cheryl and I started at (huh?) 8 am. It was not warm, but it was pretty and clear. Larry, Chuck, and Steve planned Big Miles. Chrissie planned a Plymouth and back. CY and I planned 60. Chrissie rode and talked well, turning back at the park as planned. CY and I turned back at the end of Steiner and were just wondering where the 9:00 starters were when they pulled around the bend at the lower end of Shenandoah School. They were all riding with bare arms and legs - one of the many benefits from starting at a more sensible and warm time. We turned around and rode with them a while to make up the mileage we would be short since we wanted no more riding on the highway. I warmed up finally about Plymouth (the SECOND time) and had a fast run in for the last 20 miles. Chrissie's car was gone, so we assume she's ok. Carolle made it and emailed that she got 63 mi, but the others seem to have disappeared - at least until we get a report from someone who rode the whole ride. (EH) So here's what happened to the "lost trio": we rode past Mt Aukum. That part was normal. But as soon as we started up Omo Ranch, we all seemed to know that this ride would not be your average Erma ride. Past the horse farms, past the winery, past the Fairplay turn, the feeling grew that we were on a mission. We seemed to bond with each other as a team but most important with our other halves--our bicycles. The pedals and our feet became indistinguishable and inseparable. Our legs were meant to ride but, more particularly, to climb hills. We found ourselves gaining altitude in a silence that needed no explanation. We understood each other. We understood everything. By the school at the top of Slug Gulch, we all knew that we could not stop and we could not be stopped. We filled our bottles, but our spirits could not have been fuller. We exchanged a few glances and pleasantries, it seemed and before we knew it, we were into the the first signs of snow and cold and then into definite snow and green gravel and cold. We were Andy Hampsten in the Giro. Our goal was no longer "88"; it was infinity. [to be continued...] [more just in...] Steve said Chuck should write another "Kirkwood-with-Hell's-Angels" story, but Chuck just smiled his Mona Lisa smile, looked at Larry, who had just sprinted off the front and returned breathing hard, and said, "No, we can out-do that" and picked up the pace, spinning like a mad top. Through the snow patches, into the snow banks, they finally emerged into the solid snowy landscape of Hwy 88 above Dewdrop and below Cook's Station. But names like Silver Lake and the Devil's Rockpile and Kit Carson lured them toward what seemed like a perfect melding of heritage and inheritance and away from such mundane names as Sutter Creek and Shake Ridge and - god forbid - Daffodil Hill. So on, into Man's Country, they rode. Up and up, stopping only briefly to saunter into the store at Cook's for water and food and only the briefest, most cryptic words with the admiring counter girl. It was she who reminded each of his wife and that he still owed some small allegiance to the world now left behind. In turn, they made The Call. Steve's wife was just back from her visit with Him and wished Steve well and took comfort in the fact that he would at least be physically closer to heaven the more he climbed. Chuck's wife asked for the anthropological rights to his remains and his story. Gayle offered to drive the RV up to meet the crew, but Larry refused, thinking she would not be able to manage that monster in the terrain they were headed for. They said their goodbyes and their vague, tentative plans for contact and possible reunion in the unnameable future, walked outside to embrace and be embraced by the growing chill, like the kiss of their Mountain Mistresses, clipped themselves into their pedals, and swirled off into the highway in a clatter and sparkle of green gravel. [...] Whirling up and down, in and out of the pine-covered landscape that became increasingly snow-covered too, we felt like dancers in a snaking dance that included the vehicles, the pavement, the entire network of roadways and travelers across the continent. At one point, on a particularly long downhill stretch, we did wish that Ed were with us in case he might share some of his 6 layers of clothing, but mostly we were warmed by the riding and the adventure and the unknown we seemed destined to immerse ourselves in. At Silver Lake, the ice around the lake just excited us. At the vista point down near the lodge, we stopped to refuel and take in the view. At one point, we looked at each other in that setting and just laughed at the wonderful foolhardiness of it all. We did beg some spare garbage bags at the store, which we ripped apart to use as extra insulation in our shoes and under our jerseys. Then "off off forth on swing as a skate's heel sweeps smooth on a bow-bend" (as Hopkins writes of the falcon), we glided back into the asphalt stream and the current pulled us eastward. [...] |
| 3/11/2001 | 63 | Mt. Aukum Loop | John R, Karen, Jim,Penny, Carolle,and Michael A | I think it would be a fair to say that spring has finally arrived. What a beautiful day we were graced with, and for all who ride anything inside the timing is not a day too soon! The ride started out with a small problem for our tandem the pilot (Jim) brought the wrong pair of shoes so the hill work was a bit of a challenge for him and Penny. As for the ride, it was just a great day to be out and take in some fresh air for a change. Nothing really major to report--as usual the conversation shifted about from work to kids to suprise parties, and of course the normal bicycle news. Just a little information for those die-hard bicycle news readers: there is a website called Active.com with some really great articles. This is my first ride report so I welcome all constructive criticism. I have never been a great writer! I will see you guys the weekend of the 23rd. I am off to Colorado for my sister's 40th birthday. Have a great weekend in the hills and keep the peleton tight. (Michael!) |
| 3/11/2001 | 85 | Omo Ranch | Larry, Chuck, Steve H | Ok here is the real story. The ride is one to member. No one pushed the pace, (hard to believe) and we talked a great deal. The higher we rode the cooler it became, the level of snow grew with the elevation, by the time we reached highway 88 there was about 3' of snow along the road. There were several wet spots on the road, and a little snow just below the cattle guard at the junction of Omo Ranch and highway 88. I would have liked to have ridden to the overlook Chuck described but it wasn't safe, the shoulder of the road was covered with snow. The downhill from the junction of Omo Ranch road on 88 was great 47+MPH with a headwind. The rest of the ride was just another GREAT ERMA'S ride with friends. (LH) |
| 3/10/2001 | 49-66 | very non-standard coffee route: Irish Hill-Willow Creek Sutter Creek, Stoney Creek, Buena Vista Creek, Jackson Valley Creek, Marlette Creek | Ray, John H, Gene, Steve H, Larry H, Anita, Don, Michael T, Ed | Anyone? Here are the basics for now. Ray had to start early to leave early, and he was joined by Larry, John, and Don. The rest of us (the civilized ones) started and 9 and met them on the IH-WC route, which they had done backward. They were well into 5-Mi Rd when we met up. Back to Irish. Soap box on Willow (I won by a couple of feet over Ray, but it was nip and tuck between my weight and Larry's Rolfs for a while). Ray and JH turned back to meet deadlines at Tonzi. The rest of us had coffee while Michael did his own criterium in the SC parking lot. Down Stoney was a treat—for the speed, the great weather, the crystalline views of green everywhere. Very nice pacelining as a group back from Pardee. Great mix of people, conversations, scenery, riding, coffee, and finally Anita's scones. Did I miss something? (EH) |
| 3/4/2001 | ???- Rain shorted out my computer, around 12 I think | Hogan Dam | Ray "It's not going to rain that bad" Cablayan, and a few mtb friends | Amidst 45 mph winds and horizontal rain, would anyone be foolish enough to take on Mother Nature in such inclement conditions? Hmmm... Jose, you should have made that bet with your wife...read on. Ray's MTB Adventure around Hogan Dam: Although this doesn't qualify as an "official" Erma ride, I thought it might be interesting reading. Saturday's little ride around Tonzi just whetted my appetite for mud, rocks, and various other hazardous obstacles. While the sane world sat around cozy fireplaces, sipping hot chocolate, reading the latest novel off the NY Times Bestseller list, my friend John and I (along with 2 of his friends) chose the #1 option on the "What the @#$% was I thinking?!!!" List. The single-track along Hogan Reservoir would have been challenging enough in dry conditions, but with the added wind, rain, and poor visibility, the only way this ride could have gotten anymore crazy, is if we did it in the dark. Foolish, yes, but not stupid. The moment I stepped out of the truck, I was immediately pelted with that horizontal rain. As the 4 of us set out, we knew the trail was all ours, as no else was in sight. Part of the reason for adding mountain biking to my riding regimen was to improve my bike handling skills. I have never concentrated more on a ride than I had that afternoon. Sometimes on the road it's easy to fall into a trance and just zone out watching the spokes of the wheel in front of you spin, and not really pay attention. Today , it was either pay attention or pay the consequences! Climbing steep pitches in the mud (or dirt) is skill I am determined to master. There's a certain balance point in distributing your weight so you don't spin out the back tire, and you don't pull the front tire off the ground. Both of which I did plenty of. More "fun" was to be found while encountering descents on true 180 degree back-to-back hairpin turns on a muddy single track, while maneuvering around slippery rocks and tree stumps. One such encounter was not so successful as I went over the handlebars. I was not going very fast at all, but after taking a bad line into the turn, my front wheel lost traction and slid off the trail. My helmet hit a rock as I landed and put a small crack in the plastic shell. Ouch! The aftermath of that little mishap could have been even more disastrous. As the rain continued to pour, I was pushing the pace, riding way too fast, way too recklessly, trying to catch the others. Not a good idea. Wisdom eventually took over before something really serious happened. The last part of the ride took us up a steep climb. I was losing so much traction I think I was off the bike as much as I was on it. The descent was very technical, shift the weight correctly or go over the handlebars (again), brakes don't work as well when they're covered in mud, and most importantly, you better be able to get your feet unclipped pretty fast just in case. So... 3 hours later, covered in mud, slightly bruised, and completely soaked, we arrived back in the parking lot. The wind was still blowing, and the rain was still coming down in buckets. Oh Boy! What a day!...Would I do it again? ...you can bet on it! (RC) |
| 3/3/2001 | 20 | MTB VERSION: Tonzi Loop | Chrissie, Joyce, Bob, Ray, Anita, Jose, Ed | We made the decision not to wait til the last minute and just go ahead and schedule a mountain bike ride since Ray's been itching to get his new bike (purchased on the Internet) out in some mud and everyone else wanted to get in a for-sure ride. So of course, it was sunny and dry. As Ray said at first he was disappointed that he was missing out on a road-riding day, but by mid-ride, he said, he was glad we were doing what we were doing. After a leisurely coffee and gearing-up in Sutter Creek, we took off chasing Joyce and Bob, who had arrived ready to roll. We didn't catch them until Payne Rd. That's where the real fun began. Dirt, puddles, a couple of stream crossings, lots of joking. Ray and I by then had gotten over road-bike-itis and were ramming over rocks and through water and ruts and every other obstacle we could find. I remembered why mtb-ing is so much fun: you can just forget about everything but riding for the pure sake of riding and bouncing over land without having to watch constantly for every little piece of green rock or glass. It was "bring-it-on" riding and especially nice is the long hill on the backside of Tonzi after the deep stream crossing. Yaahooo. That was fun. The only thing missing for making it a perfect mtb ride was some rain and wind, but I have to admit it was nice to finish completely dry and warm. Next we have to do Jesus Maria and Ponderosa. What a great break and great exercise for the lungs and bike handling skills. Thanks for suggesting it, Ray and to the great group of participants. (EH) |
| 3/3/2001 | 40, 62 | Mt. Aukum Loop | Carolle & Steve (38); Chuck, Gene, JR & KB (62) | It was a miracle . . . to actually wake up on a weekend day and have it NOT be raining!!! YIPPEE!!! Our little group wasted no time in hitting the road to Plymouth, where Carolle & Steve, who had been hacking & weezing in their attempt at respitory-bug recovery, make a u-ie and headed back. The remaining 4, headed up! It was over-cast, but really the perfect riding temperature (well, uphill anyway), the downhill from Mt. Aukum was about 5 degrees too chilly for me. It was a great pace. Gene, having ridden lots of miles during the week, held good form; Chuck showed that he's Triple Crown material this year; JR proved that, despite rumors from last year, he is human after all, when he said he wasn't going to race Irish Hill, then DIDN'T. Also adding to his human-ness, his admission of having tired legs, after all our recent snow-outs and rain-days!! We never did have even a hint of rain and it was a great day!! Thanks guys!! (kb) |
| 2/25/2001 | 39, 20 | Ione Pardee Stoney C reek Argonaut Jackson Gate SC Ione | STEVE HONEYCHURCH AKA THE LONE RANGER--plus (late): Ray, Al, Brandon (new), Patty (new) (20) | Whos's afraid of rain? The Lone Ranger isn't. All you people who read the weather reports from TV and radio about the weather remember these were the people who brought you the election night forecast. It was beautiful! No rain and the sun was out and the amount of birds and wildlife were amazing. Try again next Saturday! (SWH) LATE GROUP: A late start is better than no start at all (sorry we missed you Steve). By the time it we decided that it was no longer going to rain. I convinced my friend Brandon to come out for a short ride. It was his first time on a bike in years. I called up Al (the Pal,) to see if wanted to join us. Coincidently, he was also introducing road cycling to his friend Patty. It was the perfect opportunity to get them on an "easy" ride and not have them worry about having others wait for them. A quick 20 miler around Irish Hill/Willow Creek was the perfect choice. The day turned out to be beautiful. Both Brandon and Patty felt that the ride was the perfect intro to cycling in the foothills - challenging enough for a new rider, but not too difficult that they hate it. They'll be back, but will take a little time to build up to our more "hilly" rides. (RC) |
| 2/24/2001 | 100, 150 | Death Valley Double Century | John B, Ed, Chuck, Mark (joined by Chris from San Rafael) | We decided to do a joint report, with each rider writing a best-and-worst-moments summary. Here’s the overview: John and I finally got back down to Death Valley after a layoff of 1.5 yr, getting the chance to ride with our savior of 1999, Mark Martinez - also known as the Apache Towing Service. Unable to connect the evening before with Mark, we did luck into Chuck and Carol at dinner and arranged to meet at the start at - gulp - 4 am. Mark introduced us to his buddy Chris. The five of us took off as a team at a hot pace. The teamwork consisted of Mark pulling ("towing") and the rest of us being quiet and grateful and hanging on. After Stovepipe Wells (25 mi), Mark organized the group into a working paceline, keeping the pace moderate. We were cruising along with less than 5 mi to Furnace Creek: John's front wheel touched Chris' rear. I was behind JB. I heard a cry from him and then he was going down in front of me. I veered right to avoid him and thought I had a clear lane until his bike shot out away from his body and right in front of me. I veered as much more as I could without going off the right shoulder, but I couldn't avoid his rear wheel. I ran over the rim, tossing me sideways. I overcorrected and flew back across the roadway, thinking I was about to go down when my left foot slammed down on the road, pushing me upright. JB was getting up and checking on his bike when I turned around and got back. Then he noticed that there was blood dripping from somewhere and staining the previously unmarred paint job on his LeMond. He discovered that the end of his right index finger had been sliced nearly off - just a thin slice - the deli cut. He remembers it this way: first his wheel being side by side rubbing on Chris'; then realizing he was going down unavoidably; then seeing himself land on his elbow; finally wondering who was going to crash into him from behind. Well, that would be me, I guess. It could have been worse: Chris had a first-aid kit and could clean and bandage the finger thoroughly. John's elbow and knee were bruised and scraped but didn't seem serious. His rear wheel was out of true, but fixable. I had sheared off the rear part of my left cleat and could no longer clip into my pedal, but Chuck had a spare back at Furnace Creek. After fixing ourselves up while Chris, Mark, and Chuck had breakfast, JB & I were rousted from camp by the eager three (now pressured severely by time limitations), and we were on the road again. Into a headwind. Our pacelining got us to Badwater in good time, but not without the cost of more energy than is good to spend on an early-season DC, so JB and I turned back about 10 miles after Badwater, so we'd have 100 mi on the day. Chuck, Mark, and Chris powered on into the strongest headwind I've ever experienced. At one point, we were going slightly downhill and I was pedalling in my 39 X 26 just to keep moving forward. The day had also gotten colder. Big black clouds filled the sky ahead. Later a woman told JB that she was on her way to Shoshone, the lunch point, to pick up some friends and that she'd been told that 30 cyclists were waiting there to be sagged back and that they'd reported encountering rain and snow over the passes. After getting cleaned up, JB and I checked Chuck's room and the finish line to see if the others had returned. They hadn't, so we started out toward Badwater to look for them. There they were heading back - with the tailwind that had propelled JB and me over 50 mph at one point. At that point the wind had lessened a little, so the boys had fought the worst of the headwind without being able to benefit from the best of the tailwind, but it was still a fast one. When we were coming back, all JB and I had to do was to sit up slightly and the wind would push us like Fred Proudman with his hand on our backs. JB and I went on to hike Golden Canyon and then drive to look out over Zabriske Point at the sunset and the view of Badwater and Telescope Peak: the lowest point in the U.S. and an 11,000+-foot snow-capped spire. The top of Telescope was in the sun and ABOVE the cloud layer. (EH) CHUCK: For Chuck the best parts of the Death Valley ride were: 1) a "once in a lifetime" quality sunrise near the dunes, 2) the pace lines, 3) Zabrisky point with Carol Sunday morning--thanks Steve, you were right, 4) the shadows and the colors, 5) getting into snow and rain in Death Valley--who would have guessed? 5) knowing that next October Ed is getting out of bed an hour an a half earlier and is not stopping for coffee until after the first 200, 6) knowing I could have when less than 10 of the 1,700 total riders finished the 200, 7) hooking up with the Apache Towing Service - Thanks Mark and Chris, and 8) the static electric discharges that come from riding in 50 plus mile an hour head winds. It was just like walking across carpet and touching a door knob, but with a lot more kick -- a loud pop and sharp pain as the electrons build up in your body from the friction of the wind across nylon and spandex, then jump from your leg to the cranks, then dive for the pavement when the crank is at the 6 o'clock position. Who needs Gu when you are electrically charged? For Chuck the low point was having to leave. Death Valley is a wonderful place. ED: high points--the longest climb going out toward Stovepipe, feeling fully warmed up and well "in the effort" thanks to Mark's 20-mi tow. Deciding to turn back mutually with JB but only after we had enough for 100--BEFORE NOON (5:57 riding time). The huge tailwind that flew us back to Furnace Creek (and blew most of the yahoos out of the campground). Camping with JB and especially the coffee with a shot in the morning. Hiking Golden Canyon and Zabriske. Low points: JB's crash. Otherwise, I felt good and the ride and weather were fine, though not optimal by about 20 degrees for my tastes. I didn't even mind the 100 mph headwind (at least not when I knew that we were turning back soon). (EH) |
| 2/17/2001 | 37 | Irish-Willow-Sutter Creek & return | Gene (20), Steve H, Ray, Anita, Ed, Mike C | You should have known. If the weather-guessers say rain for sure, it will be dry and warm. Up to the last minute, Ray and I were phoning to try to decide: wet mountain bike ride or possibly wet road ride. Finally, Ray and Anita made the decision: road bikes. Steve and Gene were there with road bikes too. And then Mike showed up since he thought the Stockton club's later start might put them in the rain. We opted for Irish-Willow first, so we'd have a bail out, but without a threat, we went on up to Sutter Creek, had coffee, and came back. (Gene had to get back so went straight in.) All without a drop. We even stood around for quite a while in the parking lot, talking and eating Anita's banana bread. Always good to ride, but especially when you think you might not be able to. Good pace, good conversation, good coffee (thanks, Anita, for "hoping" we could). (EH) |
| 2/4/2001 | 35-102 | Irish Hill-Plymouth-Shenandoah-Mt Aukum-Fairplay to Prerry Creek to Fiddletown and back over Irish Hill |
102 Chuck; 92 Larry; 87 Jim, Penny, Steve H. & Al; 50 for Cheryl, Ed, Robert Fuller, Bob Korock, Bill Lucas; 35 for Richard, Steve M, Carrole | What a great day! Larry and Chuck both woke early and ended up in Ione with time for a quick romp to Buena Vista for a few warm-up miles before the "Ermans" headed up to Plymouth, many in short sleeves. Those with extra clothing wished they had short sleeves by the end of the day. Robert Fuller invited a couple of his friends to ride with us. The caliber of the group went up several notches with their presence. They are very strong riders, and nice guys. Hope they can come aout again, if for no other reason than to keep the tempo of our Saturday race down Shake Ridge or Stoney Creek exciting. Richard from Stockton joined us for his first ride with the group, and we hope he joins us again as well. Carrolle and Steve had chores at home and peeled of in Plymouth with Richard. Ed Cheryl, and The Three from Lodi turned around at the flower farm to cap off the day with a quick 50 miles. The rest of the peleton took the route to Mt. Aukum and Fairplay to make the most of the beautiful day, (and help Chuck get in some base miles for his event at Death Valley). Al, Steve, and Chuck capped off the day with a race over Irish Hill where Steve proved that after three consecutive days of hard riding he has can still take the sprint. (CG) I guess I was the only one who (yet again) did not show any skin, but I was perfectly comfortable. In addition to the usual Erma fun and camaraderie, a couple of special thanks. One to Larry for the brake levers and another to Robert for bringing out his own personal towing service in the form of Bob and Bill. I'll take a shot of that B&B anytime. They were amazingly strong and smooth riders and patient and confident enough to tow Cheryl and me along with them so fast that we were finished the fastest we've ever finished a hilly 50-miler in recent memory. Fun and great training to be in such a fast smooth paceline, especially with some guys who think of 30 mph as a baseline speed to make jumps from. I hope to have the privilege of riding with them again--especially on such a beautiful spring-like day. (EH) |
| 2/3/2001 | 51 | coffee-stoney route | John B, Ray, Al, Chuck, Dave B, Steve M, Carolle, Karen, John R, Gene, Ed, Chrissie (35), Steve H (30) | Spring is here. At least for this weekend. The Saturday ride got front loaded with some Sunday escapees and augmented by Steve and Chrissie showing up from Sutter Creek (Chrissie riding from her home to meet us on Sutter-Ione; Steve patiently waiting while we soap-boxed on Willow Creek). Chuck, trying to gather as many trophies for his case as he can, won the soap box derby down Willow Creek and then went on to show that he's ready for the triple crown. Karen rehearsed her lines for her audition tomorrow. Break a leg, KB. Carolle, JB, Chrissie, and Al were returning to the saddle after considerable time off but didn't show it. Ray has been sneaking in some Armstrong training from the strength and length of his pulls today. Gene is also on the Armstrong training plan and told Ray to watch out in a couple of weeks. Nobody complained about having to peel off warmers and layers as the day warmed to spingtime temps. More skin showed today than on any other ride this year (I think even a little of MY ankle was showing). And tomorrow is supposed to be warmer. (EH) |
| 1/28/2001 | 62 | New Hogan Super Bowl loop | Jim & Penny, Mike A, Larry, Chuck, John R, Karen, Cheryl, Ed, Steve H, Robert Fuller (40) | On a very attractive day with an excellent Erma turnout, our first-time guest Robert Fuller said it best in his thank-you note: Ed and Gang, Thanks for letting me follow you guys around over the hills of Camanche. You all made me feel very welcome on your ride. I have not had a ride that enjoyable for a while (nice pace with friendly people). I am sorry I cut out after Burson. Sunday was my second ride of the year, and I did not want you guys to see me "melt down" after 50 miles. If you guys will have me back, I'll be in better shape, I promise. Three cheers for the Erma's Diner Bunch. (RF) |
| 1/27/2001 | 36 | Sutter Creek, Argonaut, Stoney Creek, Buena Vista | Gene, Ray, Ed | A day of teamwork. Ray and I came up from the valley and were very surprised to see a reversal of the typical situation: sunny in the valley and fog at Rancho Murietta. It was foggy at Ione, throwing in doubt the desireability of the new revised route over Irish Hill. Gene convinced us when he said that the fog topped out only another few hundred feet up, so off we went seeking sun and coffee on the usual route toward Sutter Creek. I was wearing all my cold gear plus my rain jacket to be sure of warmth. It was a good idea for the first 5 miles or so, but unnecessary after that. We hit the sun only a mile or two up Sutter-Ione Rd and were warm from then on. What started out as one of the colder days in Ione quickly became one of the warmer and nicer ones. We had a pleasant talk and ride to the coffee house, no one in a hurry. We lingered long enough for the Stockton Mavericks to show up, led by Kevin and including Joanne, Phil, and Joe. We continued with them since our new path was the same as theirs: Argonaut-Stoney. We parted with the Stocktonites at Pardee entrance after Ray stretched his legs and my lungs down Stoney Creek, but ended up trailing them to Buena Vista and waving goodbye before pacelining over Jackson Valley and joking about the mysteries of life, including Gene's zipper, time trial training, and his wife. Lots of fun, a good pace, and some beautiful weather. (EH) |
| 1/21/2001 | 65 | Ospital Loop | Don, Cheryl, Ed | Ed, Cheryl and Don (from Modesto) were the stalwart few who braved the chill and the remote threat of rain to ride the Ospital Loop today. We had a great ride although the day did not start off auspiciously. Before we even got on the road Cheryl was topping off her front tire, but the more she pumped the flatter it got. Turned out the valve stem had parted company with the rest of the tube, so in goes the spare tube. And wouldn't you know this tube won't pump up either. Check the pump, try Don's frame pump, no go, must be bad tube, get brand new tube and put it in, same drill lots of pump no air, even Ed can't make this tube bulge. So take everything apart, check tube for hole, found one, check location against rim, found suspicious spoke ferrule poking just past the rim tape, cut boot from stem-less tube and still can't pump up the *#@!! tube. Ed to the rescue, flips over the washer in the Silca track pump and VOILA! AIR!. So it's about 9:30 before we get off but the sun is starting to cut through the clouds and it looks like it will be a relatively warm day. (The sun later retreated behind the clouds and high overcast but it's earlier appearance was enough to lift our spirits.) We breezed through Camanche Village and on to Burson. In Burson we met a very talkative young man with his buddy out by his mountain bike. He first suggested that we might be a team from the Tour de France, what with our snazzy jerseys and such, but we patiently explained that we were mere mortals out for a Sunday ride. (ED note: he pronounced it "hella-cool" to see cyclists out there.) He wished us well mumbling something about wanting a bike lane on Hwy. 26 and we left him to drink the can of beer he was trying to hide up his sleeve. We then stopped at the Burson Full Gospel Church to refill our water bottles. Everyone there was cheerful and pleasant, and we went on to Ospital Road returning to the church some 20 miles later, Ed taking several really good pulls at the front. And our reception was even better the second time around. We were given ice water and offered ice tea. The church had just finished a old-fashioned pot luck and seemed to be suggesting that had we been there sooner we would have been more than welcome for lunch. Nice people! Leaving the church we cruised on back to Ione as the day started to chill again. Nice ride! (DS) |
| 1/21/2001 | 40 | Am River Bike Route to Folsom Lake | Chuck Gray and Dave Brubaker | Dave Brubaker was headed for Ione when he remembered that he could not remember if he had closed the garage door as he left. (Kind-of-like leaving the iron on.) Turns out the door was closed, but by the time he drove home to make sure, it was too late for the traditional Erma route. Not to be denied a ride, he jumped on the bike trail near his home and headed for Beale's Point where he ran into Chuck. Chuck's excuse was he stayed home this weekend to console his family over their grand daughter's departure to Seattle. But, he could not stand it any longer and went for a ride on the Bike Tail as well. The two put in a quick 40 with good conversation about retirement, travel, vacation and the importance of cycling to the cosmos. Chuck then went by Kevin Winter's home to (finally) drop off his "New" Erma Jersey and vest. Kevin is getting in some miles each week and plans on getting back with Erma soon. Now that he has the jersey and vest he has no excuse. See you next week Kevin. (OK, this may or may not count as Erma miles, but at least we didn't ride up to Boreal and ski a few runs while we were on our ride!) (CG) |
| 1/20/2001 | 50, 30, + | standard coffee plus earlybird | Steve H, Ed, Gene, John R, Steve M, Jim & Penny, Chrissie, Joyce, John S, Al (w/cameos by Kevin and Bill) | After the recent cold snap, today felt like spring. A very good day to ride for that reason, for the clear air, for the good turnout, and to avoid the possibility of rain tomorrow. Gene showed up in no-man's-land by arriving early for the announced ride to find that JR and SM were getting a late start on their early start. After waiting for Gene, the earlybirds didn't leave until nearly 9. All the more time for coffee, Steve H and I figured, as we headed to Sutter Creek and a rendezvous with Chrissie, Joyce, John S, and Al, who started from there. After a good long (humorous) talk ("sting rays," windows, the color of zinfandel, etc.), joined near the end by Kevin Sage and his partner Bill from Lodi. They are building up to joining us all the way to Daffy Hill when Kevin's back is fully recovered. With Chrissie taking the role of The Don and urging us to get on the road, we moved the meeting to the restrooms to see whether the others would show, running into Karen in her civvies on the way. Then in flew JR, SM, and GP. So away we went to Volcano. Meat Locker Road had been downgraded to Simple Refrigerator. A good long break at Volcano still did not produce a free slot in Rosie's round of meetings to allow her to give us any significant attention, so we left. John-John pounded up the Horn. Steve M's new Klein kept autoshifting. I kept Al away from women except Joyce, with whom he can talk shop. Chrissie and Steve H laid back, discussing their strategy for the Shake Ridge Race. Most of the pack stayed together all the way down. Gene showed up after most had left and was cramping, so I gave him some of Cheryl's fizzy magic powder and Joyce agreed to ride with him to make sure he didn't need a ride from Sutter Creek. I started chasing the rest of the group, which had to head "straight back," according to JR, but when I got back I saw why I never caught anyone: they hadn't arrived yet. Turns out they waited to see how Gene was doing back in Sutter Creek. But that's not the end of Gene's troubles. He and I got to talking about his training program while everyone else pulled out of the parking lot. Then Gene realized that he had locked his keys in the car. I lent him phone change so he could call the tow company and waiting for them to find their way clear across town (about three blocks) in a half hour. When I left, the tow truck guy was still fiddling with his tools (I mean Gene's doors). (EH) |
| 1/15/2001 | 20, ?? | Sutter Creek, Volcano, ?? | Steve, Chrissie, Cheryl, Ed | Since we could find no one who planned to ride from Ione and since we only had time for a short one, Cheryl and I changed the start to Sutter Creek and were joined by Chrissie and Steve. My bike finally gave up the effort to shift into the small chainring (probably frozen by the lowest temps yet on Freezer Road), Cheryl and I turned back at "Fabio," getting a nice short spin before driving over to Lake County. Chrissie and Steve continued toward Volcano and beyond. We'll see where they ended up. (EH) |
| 1/15/2001 | 36, 20, 50* | Sutter Creek, Volcano, Red Corral, Tabaud,Clinton Jackson Sutter Creek | Ed# Cheryl# Steve H. Chrissie, Don* | This ride may have planned to be in honor of Dr King but I think it really was in honor of ADM Perry's expedion to the North Pole. It was 23 degrees at my house when I got up but Sutter Creek-Volcano Rd felt much colder. Ed and Cheryl had to leave early as A. They had to get to Calistoga, B. Ed's shifters wern't working C.They had to change the litter box but certainly not D-It was cold. After Cheryl showed off her new SUV-pickupwhich got many comments ie "Cool Dude" they headed back. Steve and Chrissie soldiered on and it actuaaly got quite pleasant going up to Pioneer. After dodging all the traffic coming home from Kirkwood Tabaud Rd was beautiful with Steve pulling and Chrissie picking up his loose parts falling out of his tool bag. After climbing out of Jackson we saw the new locomotive with new livery- Amador Foothill R.R. Chrissie felt she was getting back in the swing of the bike thing when she got back and we all hope to see a lot more of her this season. (SWH) |
| 1/14/2001 | 81 | Ione-Irish Hill-Plymouth-Fiddletown-Mt. Aukum-Fairplay-and return | Jim Gray,Karen & John, Larry H.,Chuck, Michael (John's friend) | Sunny and cold at the start - Larry, as usual, took off like a rocket (unlike his usual rabbit), Karen was telling everyone not to get sucked in, and then she took off like a rocket herself! Then, we regrouped once we got past the dogs on Forest Home and everyone continued as a group to Plymouth - until Fiddletown - we began to separate again at Tyler Road - the "boys" got ahead of Karen and I and we later joined them at the top. When we got to Mt. Aukum, there was discussion as to go right back or take the Fair Play loop - 10 more miles Rovane won and we took the Fairplay loop. On the way back to Mt. Aukum Karen was struggling a bit, but Larry said she was just sandbagging for later on - he was right! Everyone stayed pretty much as a group until Irish Hill when Karen and Mike dropped way off the back, Chuck and John blew ahead of Larry and myself. Larry and I were going just as fast as I could go, and then all of a sudden Karen said "Hi" and proceeded to punish me for the next couple of miles until we got to the highway. It was uneventful back to Ione - it was decided to use Larry's odometer as the official miles. We ran into Ed and Cheryl back in Ione. PS - all dogs found were treated to milk bones along the route. I won't tell Daisy and Grover if you don't. (JG) |
| 1/13/2001 | 50 | Usual Coffee House | Ray, Steve H., Gene, Anita, John H & Luis? | A beautiful sunny day greeted us tho' cold. Steve got his second flat the second time he rode on Volcano-Sutter Creek road and flatted again coming down . Gene loaned his long stem tube and we eventually made it back to Ione. Curse the chips the Amador County uses! (SWH) |
| 1/7/2001 | 65, 42. 31 | Pardee Party Loop | Larry, Chuck, Carolle, Karen, Steve, John R., Mike Arreguin, Karen - John H. & Pat (started early/finished early) and Dave B. (finished early) | It was actually warm at the start. Ok, so maybe "warm" isn't quite accurate, but it definitely wasn't as cold as we're used to as we set off down Marlette. Pat & John H. shocked us by getting there early and looping back to pick up the pack. Our goal today was to repeat the New Years ride, but quicker so we'd have time to spare on the Plymouth leg of the journey. On the one hand, the plan worked, but on the other hand, it didn't. We did keep a decent pace (unfortunately The Rabbit drew me into a quick start, against my better judgement), and we kept moving, with no "official" stops until Valley Springs, and had plenty of time to get to Plymouth and back. However, on the down side Michael, Carolle, Chuck and I were too tired to give it a go - although JR was more than ready, just no willing victims today!! Belated "See ya's" to Dave, John & Pat, who turned off early when I wasn't looking. It was nice to see them all again, as it's been too long between Erma rides for the trio, but if Pat's true to his New Year's Resolution, we'll be seeing more of him. We "broke" in a new potential Erma rider, Michael, who was still speaking to us at the end, so I can only assume he'll be back to ride another day!! By the end of the ride, we were thinking that if we really did add on the Plymouth loop, we'd probably get caught in the rain (or so we all wanted to believe, to make our guilty conscience's more agreeable to Carolle's idea: hot shower, soft couch!! JR's rain demonstration using his water bottle sealed our fate and we were headed home. Overall, it was just another day in paradise!! (kb) |
| 1/6/2001 | 50, ... | standard coffee + early | Anita, Ray, Ed (50); Bob, Gail (40); Joyce, Chrissie, Marsha (30); Jim & Penny, Chuck, John R (66), Karen (39) | Bob and Gail waited for us flat, and a cattle drive, we were slower than usual but still took time to celebrate Chrissie's return to cycling at the coffee house. Anita and Marsha were also returning to cycling after a layoff. JR and Anita took off up Freezer Road but Karen was coming down from Pine Grove and flatted for the second of the day. At Volcano we had a long rest waiting for the gang to regroup and then rested a bit more while Chuck repaired the third flat of the day. After regrouping at the top, Ray, Chuck, and I powered down Shake Ridge behind the tandem, with Ray playing booster rocket up the bumps. Then at the base of Mama Bear, we rested again for Ray to repair the fourth flat of the day. A bit more ragged than the typical Saturday ride and missing John Burge because of back trouble just before leaving the for the ride, the ride was a good effort on a good day for riding, highlighted by a coffee stop to get reacquainted with Chrissie, Joyce, and Marsha. Also good to find out more about Anita's ethnic/linguistic heritage at Volcano. (EH) |
| 1/6/2001 | 66, 50, 40, 35, 30 | Standard Saturday Route with early riders doing Irish Hill/Willow Creek | John R(66) Jim and Penny Gray(66), Chuck(66), Ed(50), Anita(50), Ray(50), Karen(35), Robert(30), Gayle (40), Joyce (30) Chrissy(30), Marta (30) | The early risers got in 16 extra miles with a loop around Irish Hill and Willow Creek arriving at Ione Sutter Creek Road just in time for a cattle drive that had also held up the standard route contingency. We rode up to Sutter Creek to find Joyce, Martha, Robert, and Chrissy waiting for us at the coffee shop. It was great to see Martha, and Chrissy out again. Our sincere hope is that they will continue to ride. They make the miles and conversation more fun. Chrissy was a bit tired from getting so little sleep the night before. We would have understood if she was still in college and studying for finals, but given the opportunity, we enjoyed teasing Chrissy if for no other reason than old times sake! Thanks for being there, and CONGRATULATIONS on your BA! We enjoyed the usual pull from Ray down Sutter Creek. With people beginning and ending the ride as necessary to suit busy schedules, the number of riders trickled off between Sutter Creek and Ione. Just about everyone ended with a bit of sun on their cheeks from the beautiful sunshine. Only three flats during the day due to sharp rocks from the sanding crews. Thanks everyone for a great day! (CG) |
| 1/1/2001 | 101, 114, 61, 30 | Modified Pardee loop plus Plymouth out and back | 114: Chuck, Larry H; 101: Jim G, John B, Ray, John R, Karen, Ed, Michael T; 61: Carolle, Cheryl; 30: Steve M | What a way to start the year. A beautiful day. Very little traffic, a good ride that works out to be perfect for everyone who came out (except, maybe, for Steve, who had to leave early to go to work). Cheryl and Carolle agreed to drive support so that the rest of us could bypass downtown Ione (and the temptation to put the bikes away). Many of us were unsure about that last 40 miles, but the quick pace and the replenishing of energy at Plymouth gave everyone plenty of energy to finish very strongly on the last 20 miles. Everyone ended together, but since we were .8 mi short of 101, five of us went back out until Ray's computer read more than 101 miles. Chuck and Larry started early and got an extra 13 miles. Both still did the entire regular ride and finished very strongly. Another rider showing new strength and endurance from his spin classes was Jim. John Burge, despite too much time off the bike, rode exceptionally well, making the pace and endurance look easy. He also pulled off an excellent turn-fake on Warren Rd that got Karen and Carolle so far down the wrong direction until someone had to chase them down. Larry had enough energy to give us a clothing (or rather de-clothing) demo while riding. Ray was a bit sluggish. Was it from partying until 3am? No, it was from three full-court 3-on-3 basketball games yesterday. No wonder those legs had only about ten strong pulls in them. Karen worried and doubted but showed no weaknesses. JR rode very strongly and consistently all day. Chuck showed himself ready for a double next month (if he learns to keep the pace under control, that is). Cheryl and Carolle seemed back in good form and ready with a good base for the new year. Michael seemed at mid-season strength already. Steve was gone before he got fully warmed up. Those of you who have been on previous wild-goose chases for the observatory in the New Hogan area, well, ask the guys from this ride: they finally got to see it. Ray even got a photo to prove it. While we were doing that, JR and the women chatted with a bunch of donkeys and dogs at the bottom of the hill. (EH, running out of gas) CHUCK to the rescue: The lucky dozen--It was just like a European road race; the first 100 miles were quiet, a few break-a-ways now and again, some fast climbs, a high-speed descent, and a lot of peleton chatter. Then as we got within striking distance of the finish line near the end of Irish Hill, we noticed John Rovane had an eight-second lead. Ray and Chuck gave chase, taking turns pulling, but they just could not close the gap. Finally Ray took the lead and pulled to within a few seconds of John. Chuck, having rested on Ray's wheel for a couple hundred yards, sprinted to cross the Irish Hill finish line just ahead of John. But the yellow jersey was retained by John for his solo effort at such a fast pace after such a long ride, and in the off-season. The only way he was reeled in was by a team effort at the final meter. Don't ya just love it? Thanks everyone! Hey Larry, can you believe it? You and Chuck are number one and two for the year 2001 on the mileage chart. How long can that last? Dave Neff where were you when we needed you? Get well and return soon! (CG) |