80 percent bad idea

Last year, a friend of mine and his bud decided to race a bike path quality tandem bike in the Sea Otter Classic race. The discussion went something like ‘I have a bad idea…. well maybe an 80 percent bad idea.’ I always liked that expression, so I’m going to steal it here.

Two weeks ago, I raced the first CCCX race, and lost badly. I mean, it was sad, I got DFL, although I had fun, and it was a good race. No crashes, and only one flat right near the end, so really I can’t complain. I always say that any ride is a good ride that doesn’t end up in the emergency room.

Last weekend, I got stomach flu something awful, and blew a three day weekend… actually made it a four day weekend because I had to take Friday off. Basically, I blew the first three days in bed, lost 6 pounds (not necessarily a bad thing apart from feeling weak afterwards), and spent Monday watching the baby. Which is fine, except I needed to get out and do a ride. 

So this weekend, there is this big storm blowing in. My wife told me to go ride, but with the storm, I thought that would be a bad idea. Then I thought about it. Heck I got rain and cold weather gear… and a singlespeed bike with disk brakes… hmmmm…. maybe I can do this.

Maybe it’s a bad idea, but only an 80 percent bad idea. If it sucks too badly, I can bug out back to the car and figure something else out.So with little preparation, I throw some gear in the car. I’m going for everything I can think of since I’m not really taking the time to think it through.

I quickly get dressed in:

Bibs

workout pants

club fit jersey

coolmax long sleeve shirt

smartwool socks

So I throw in the car:

Camera

REi rain shell with pit zips

Baklava

knee warmers

arm warmers

Dakine knit ski cap

My MC29er singlespeed bike

Snacky bars and a pack of Gu in the Bento Box on the bike

two bottles of sport drink from powder

Winter bike gloves

… and the usual bike gear stuff, helmet, shoes, etc.

I drove out to Tennessee Valley and parked in a residential neighborhood, and start getting my gear together. From what I have read about rain riding is expect to get wet, but dress to stay warm when wet. Hmmmm, warm…. So I put on the arm and knee warmers under my long sleeve shirt and workout pants. I throw on the rain shell, and stuff the baklava in the pocket. What I am going to use this for, I have no idea. Hail, maybe? The ski cap under my helmet, change out my lenses for clears, winter gloves, and away I go.

I headed up to the horse stables at Tennessee Valley, and head up to Miwok Trail (yes, the legal part) and down to Fort Cronkhite to Rodeo Beach. Wow, this is great! Yeah, the wind was picking up, and the rain pelted me a bit, but not too bad. The rain shell kept my core warm and dry. My legs were wet, but still warm. Feet soaked, hands soaked, but still not too bad. I thought this was gonna kinda suck, but I’m actually enjoying this.

I hung out at the beach for about 20 minutes, just taking it in, watching the surfers. Beautiful, even in the rain. I realize I need a bathroom, so I find the one in the parking lot. In the bathroom, they had those electric hand dryers. I’m in heaven! I spent some time warming up by drying off my hands, then I thought I should dry off my gloves. Futile. I forgot the philosophy here. Don’t try to stay dry, embrace the damp. Just try to stay warm.

I head back up Bobcat Trail, which is basically a fireroad grind back over the hill. It runs around three miles, with about 800 feet in vertical gain. The grade is not too bad. I cleaned it on the singlespeed without too much effort.

After the climb out, I picked up Monticello back down to the horse ranch, and then down Tennessee Valley Road back to the car. 

Strange. There are a few days that I thank God for such a beautiful day. Whoda thunk it would be a stormy day on the bike on normally unexciting trails.

Okay, I could have been better prepared. Next time I have to remember to bring a change of clothes and a towel. Wups! That would have been a good idea. Driving home in wet shorts could have been avoided. Also, I should bring some of those chemical hand and foot warmers. Maybe some plastic bags for my toes to keep them from getting so soaked, or at least to help keep them warm if they did. Next time I do not need two full sport drink bottles. One would have been fine.

Total ride distance: 14 miles

Vertical gain: Dunno, but guessing 1600 feet

Ride time: 1:45

Average Speed: 8 MPH