Floating with the flahutes.....

I learned a new term this past week.  It's a reference to the "hard men" of cycling, the Flandrians of the past who rode in sh*tty weather over sh%tty roads for sh$tty paychecks.  They called them "flahutes".   While I can claim none of their "hardness", the weather in Northern California recently has forced those of us who want to get out on our bikes to at least "channel our inner flahute", as a friend said.  The rain is falling pretty incessantly and if you want to ride, you're gonna get wet.  So, here's to the flahutes!

Here is a shot of my soaked, dirty ankles (and dirty Lion of Flanders socks - how appropriate) from yesterday's even more soaked ride.  Merry Christmas to all flahutes (and their tolerant friends)!

What's a flahute?

Happy Holidays!

Nice T-Day!

After a beautiful 28 mile morning ride with friends to induce a Thanksgiving appetite, we went to dinner with 12 people at in-laws in Berkeley.  Great time with yummy traditional food!

Brendan (with new chin fur) and Mike (with old shirt)

Mike and Uncle Dave (can't escape that Gill-look)

Happy Thanksgiving 2012!

Hope everyone gets a chance to build up an appetite and have a great Turkey Day!

Sandy......

To all my east coast friends and family......stay safe during the storm over the next couple of days.  You are in my thoughts!

Paris and the Pyrenees

As noted in the last entry, we had a great time in France this fall, visiting relatives in Paris and riding bikes in the Pyrenees!  It took longer than it should have to get my pics sorted, selected and posted. But hey, I took 1777 of them!  My philosophy is simple......take enough and a few are bound to come out!  Here's a link to my faves.  Pardon if you see some doubles or similar ones.  It's a work in progress.  Enjoy.  Comments encourged!


https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=spankyvelo&target=ALBUM&id=5801057464711070689&authkey=Gv1sRgCObjvZKUvIegqQE&invite=CPS1i6EE&feat=email

One of our switchbacked roads, leading to the Cirque du Troumouse at the border of France and Spain

Cycling Heaven.....

Well, we made it down south to Luz St. Sauveur in the Pyrenees yesterday (Sat, Sept 22) to start the riding part of our trip.  And today we went out and did one of the epic climbs of the Tour de France, the "Tourmalet".  It first appeared in the Tour in 1910 (unpaved) and often returns these days, including this past July.

We left Paris yesterday after a great few days with Caryn's aunt and cousins treating us to great food and company.  Now we are with Bay Area cycling friends for a week of riding.  It was very warm today (80-85), but they say it may SNOW at elevation in a few days.  That's only about 10 miles upt the road!  We'd better get our riding in.  It's back to Paris next Saturday (Sept 29) for about 6 more days.  I've been taking tons of pics and here are just a few for now.

Au revoir!

Mike with Aunt Annik and cousin Sophie at Montmartre

Loving "Smart Cars" in Paris

Cousin Emmaunelle, Aunt Annik, Caryn and Mike in Paris

Readying the bikes for the first ride up the Tourmalet
(in front of rental house in Luz St. Sauveur)

View from window of Mike and Caryn's rented apt (1 km up the road from friends)

Garrett and Mike 1/2 way up the Tourmalet climb

Jeff (front) and Caryn (rear) climbing last 2km of Tourmalet

View looking back down from (almost) top of Tourmalet

Mike at top of Tourmalet (with Tour de France memorial)

Post-Tourmalet meal

From Napa to the Pyrenees....

Well, if what I've been doing is training for the France trip - which means riding in the Pyrenees - then I should be ready after Saturday's ride north of Napa!  I'd call it an "epic" ride for sure.  We rode 66 miles, which on the face of it sounds pretty normal.  But in the middle of it, there were 3 miles of loose dirt with VERY steep pitches - 10-20%.  This was on the road bike, so all I can say is I'm glad I didn't have to descend on that sh*t!  It would have been tough to avoid crashing. But we made it ok.  By the way - with no standing, othewise the rear wheel would spin out....ugh.  It was a gorgeous day, and hey, we avoided a lot of traffic with that route!

The lesson here is be careful when using google maps!  My French friend Marius picked out the route, starting innocently enough from beautiful St. Helena.  But he thought the "small lines for roads" would be nice and quiet for riding.  Well, they were, but only because no one would dare negotiate this excuse for a "road".  We can laugh now....but it was epic!  

Like I said, it was all for fun (and a little for training for the Pyrenees).  We depart tomorrow afternoon.....and I think I'm all set now!

Marius climbing a 15% section....no standing or your wheel has no grip!

Mike peaking out on the last of the dirt.

Mike delirious after finishing 3 miles of dirt.

And now, we have pavement!  And maybe cows.....

Back to civilization in Napa Valley.  This is Mondavi winery on Hwy 29.
I visited here with a friend back in winter 1983!

The ride.....

Solano Stroll Street Fair....etc.

Had a fun weekend with a KALX "50th Anniversary" event on Friday in downtown Oakland as well as a huge local annual street fair, the "Solano Stroll" on Sunday.  

KALX 50th Anniversary  http://kalx.berkeley.edu/node/263393

Solano Stroll    http://www.solanoavenueassn.org/strol.htm

Oops... and no weekend is complete without a bike ride, right??  Here a couple of pics.   :-)

The Solano Stroll from the top of the Avenue looking east.

There's room for everyone at the Solano Stroll, no matter the cause!

Guitar Love......Lots of bands at the Stroll....some good and some not.

Old album covers at the KALX 50th Anniversary event

Lou, Chris and Mike after Saturday's ride, the "Old Guy's Cuppa Joe Ride".

Labor Day Weekend in Sonoma!

We had a great time up in Kenwood riding, eating, and just hanging out this weekend, thanks to our hosts Nana and Zadie, the ever gracious hosts.  It was kind of a last blast for B, who heads off to Cal Poly very shortly for his first semester of freshman year!  The weather was hot, the grapes were about to be harvested and the bike rides were tiring.  All was good!

I was able to ride up on Saturday.  Here is a map, followed by a few pics of the ride and red and white grapes almost ready for picking!  These vines were at a house on Schultz Road in Kenwood.

The church in Nicasio

Mike and Jeff in Petaluma.  Jeff and Khanh joined Mike to Petaluma, then turned around as Mike continued to Kenwood.

White......

....and Red!

Black Belts and Sore Feet - What a Great Weekend!

Well, Brendan was successful and got his black belt on Friday night!  It makes us all proud that he's reached this goal after 10 years of training.  And only weeks before leaving for college.  Check for a video soon!  Lots of family and friends were able to make it, as well as my sister Sharon, who was able to be there from CT.

Caryn, Dustin, Brendan, Nancy, Jill and Rosa

On Sunday we took a "long" walk around San Francisco, taking in the sights, sounds, and tastes.  We experienced some of the America's Cup sailing race, beautiful neighborhoods and even Ghirardelli ice cream.  Ever been up the Lyon Street Steps?  It's worth the effort!

America's Cup boats in dock in SF (Aug 26, 2012)

Caryn, Sharon and Frank climbing the Lyon Street Steps, San Francisco

View from top of Lyon Street Steps

Sharon and Frank - Washington Square, San Francisco

Our walk route .......

The Pyrenees are looming......

We're looking forward to our trip to cycle in the French Pyrenees - one month to go!  Got another good ride in this weekend, but nothing will compare to the mountain climbing there.  Here is a great webpage with photos, videos and descriptions of rides that we hope to do (and the town we'll be staying in.....Luz St. Sauveur, which is in a valley and the start of many climbs) and one picture that epitomizes the surrounding roads.  September - a month of "special" days for many reasons!

http://www.steephill.tv/galleries/2005/high-pyrenees/

The west side of the Col du Tourmalet (Thanks steephill.tv!)

Beautiful Ride on Mt. Tam

Had a great ride (although HOT!) on Mt. Tam today.  Five of us rode from Fairfax up the mountain and back.  Although there was the typical summer fog at the coast (and probably 60-65 degrees), a few miles away on the mountain, it was up to 100 degrees!  Ah....the Bay Area.  Here is the course and a few pics.

Panoramic View from SF to Ocean Beach from Mt Tam 

Stinson Beach and Bolinas from Ridgecrest 

San Francisco skyline from Mt. Tam

San Luis Obispo Visit!

Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo

...Next Steps...

So, Brendan's been accepted to Cal Poly and this week we made a trip to start the registration and orientation process...for the parents too!  We drove down Wed to San San Luis Obispo (SLO), stayed in a dorm, and listened to many (many many....) talks on how things will work and potential pitfalls that freshman (will likely) face.  Sometimes, I wish I were the one heading off to college again.  But it's Brendan's turn!  He has a week of orientation starting Sept 12th and then the real world of college collapses on him Sept 19th.  But what a place it'll be!  It seems like a resort.  And SLO is a great college town.  If there is a kid who isn't good warding off these distractions, they will ultimately fail at this place.  Perhaps it's TOO nice.  But hey - us parents are just jealous!

Good luck to all the freshmen as they start this next chapter in their young lives.

Wed night Full Moon!  (on way to SLO)

B driving us to SLO in his Euro-cruiser

New Cal Poly dorms where we stayed 2 nights.

The glow of Saba is still there.....and Friday is coming!  :-)

I'm in the process of going through Saba pics and here are two to enjoy.

Day 1 - in St. Marteen waiting for the final flight.
(Is there a drinking age here??)

And at the end of the trip....do I really want to leave?

Back to Reality

It took 18 hours (!), but we're back home safely from Saba.

(Here is how we started the return trip - in the "stomach shaker" from Saba to St. Maarten.)
What a great trip!

Present and Future Vacations.......

Sunrises, Sunsets and Views:  Saba and France...

Still have a couple more days here in gorgeous Saba....check out these views from the house.   Beautiful views of a sunset and an afternoon view.

Had time to watch today's mountainous stage of the Tour de France, which went through the area we'll visit in September - the Pyrenees on the Spanish border.  Yep, already looking ahead to the next vacation!  Below are screenshots from today's stage in that area - beautiful, small roads and towns - great for bike riding.