Sierra Cascades – 9/13/2013 – Epilog (Or is it Epiblog?)

 

Dallas friends commented / criticized not having more photos of bicycles or bicyclists. 

Herb, “It’s not about the bike.” 

Haven’t you heard that?  Where did I hear that? Who said it?  Anyway, a bike tour – different from a bike rally – is about exploring and enjoying a new and/or interesting environment.  So I photograph the environment.  The bike is incidental.  It is only a mechanism which enables the exploration.  In a perfect world, one in which the bike never gives you problems, you forget about the bike.  You never know it’s there.

So it’s time to pack the bikes and start heading home or wherever your next destination takes you.  For those of us with “coupled bikes” (ones which come apart and fit in an airline legal case - total dimensions less than or equal 62 inches and weight under 50 pounds - that is quite a process requiring an hour or more.   A beer helps.

 

Group photo taken before Beany left and Carol joined us.

So as the lids close on the bike boxes and the luggage, the lid also closes on this blog. By the way, this blog has experienced over 3,000 pageviews the past month or over 100 per day; thanks for viewing it and for the kind comments both here and on Facebook.  Unless some unexpected trip pops up, the next scheduled bike tour and blog is our own BAC Texas Hill Country tourbeginning in Austin, Texas April 6. 2014.

Sierra Cascades – 9/12/2013 – Murphy’s to Yosemite Nat’l Park

 

This is the last riding day.  One month.  Over 1,200 miles of cycling.  Altitude gains of over 70,000 feet.  This was a difficult ride.  But Yosemite National Park alone makes it worth while.  It’s maybe the most beautiful place on the planet.  Hope the smoke is not too bad; we were there once before with smoke from 5 area fires; it was not something to enjoy.

You may wonder how I got these photos since I’m not there.  Well the photos were from another trip – 2001.  We were in Yosemite National Park September 1, 2001.  The day the world trade center went down. Twelve years ago.

WHO’S RIDING?

JOHN MCMANUS AND BRENDA COLE (Dallas, TX) Biking Blogger John and his bio-writing-bride Brenda both retired from Mobil Oil Corp in 2000.  John spent his career as a computer geek; Brenda was an accountant and financial analyst.  Since their retirement they have been on 50 BAC tours of which they’ve led 14 (Texas, Ireland and Italy). They’ve also led tandem tours for their club (DATES-Dallas Area Tandem Enthusiasts) in England, Nova Scotia, Italy and Ireland. Brenda is a gourmet cook; John obviously enjoys the fruits of her hobby.  When in Dallas, Brenda works part-time at  THE CONTAINER STORE  and John works part-time as a salesman at the  THE RICHARDSON BIKE MART .  Our new lifestyle includes 2 months each summer at 9,000 feet in Frisco, Co; how else to get out of the Texas heat? This photo is from Truckee in July 2010.  Glad we didn’t see any of that white stuff this year.  In fact we only had rain on one day.  Not bad for a month’s cycling.

 

 

Terminating a Bike Tour

Most one or two week bike tours end with a celebratory dinner. These are more or less perfunctory.  But if it’s a special tour, usually one much longer or much more difficult than the norm, then there is much more camaraderie.  You bond with people, many whom you’ve never met before. I’ve experienced this:

• When we rode “end-to-end”, 21 days from Lands End, England to John O’Grote, Scotland. On the last day, the fastest riders waited for the others in a pub (The Brit’s are always looking for a pub.) and then we all rode to the “other end” as a group.
• On my 50-day cross country ride, all 51 on us, who had never met before stopped at a bakery only a few miles from the end and began hugging and promising to keep in contact with each other.

So this special tour is coming to an end. Today they ride into Yosemite National Park. Tomorrow they’ll have the celebratory dinner in the grand Ahwahnee dining room. And there is a lot to celebrate: this was a very difficult tour. All riders are to be congratulated. Brenda and Alison and the rest will all be celebrating.  But, sadly, I’ll not be with them.

Sierra Cascades – 9/11/2013 – Rest Day in Murphy’s

 

Brenda said she rested more on this rest day than any of the others.  And I guess she did: I didn’t get a blog report or any photos.

WHO’S RIDING

ALISON STONE  (Piedmont, CA).  In the blog prologue I mentioned our organizer and guide is known in the Bay Area as the “Pink Lady”.  She’s a bit eccentric:

• Always, always rides with four panniers.  Legend has it that sometimes they’re filled with bricks.  When I first met her in Sicily in 2006, I discovered she carries a chain-whip in her panniers.
• Both the panniers and her jersey are always pink.
• She travels with a stuffed animal “Moosie” on the back of her bike.
• She ships her bike on the airline wrapped in plastic like a mummy.

Alison was born in New York, moved to Arizona when she was 12, moved to Mexico when she was 13, returned to the US during her last year in high school.  Went to Nuclear Medicine school in Santa Barbara, took a break to work in adventure travel (led a few treks in Nepal), before returning to Nuclear Medicine.  She retired from that in 1992 and now works part-time for a construction and custom cabinet business.   She has more cycling experience than most of us can imagine:

• She’s cycled in France, Japan, Italy, Spain, UK, Ireland, Scotland, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, Poland, Germany, former E. Germany, Denmark, Norway, Tunisia, Western China, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Chile, Argentina, Canada – and even Texas
• She and her illusive husband John (a bicycle historian) have cycled across the US independently four times.  The first time was a back to back; not intended to be but they enjoyed it so much, when they got the the east coast  they said “let’s turn around and cycle back to home”.

• Her 50th  birthday ride was from North Africa (Tunisia) to the Arctic Circle (Norway).  On John's 50th, they rode from Istanbul to London.
• In addition to crazy tours like this in which the leader works longer and harder than the riders, in 2014 she will lead her 8th and 9th BAC tours in Mallorca.
• I won’t mention other crazy things they’ve done like
  • dog sledding in Gates of the Arctic National Park for a week (with a low of -50 to a high of -35), where they had our own team of dogs to care for and deal with
  • taking a 3 week trip to Mongolia by horseback up near the Siberian border to find a group of nomadic people who subsist on raising reindeer.  (Never again does she need to ride a horse - especially a Mongolian one!!!)

Alison, I predict that leading this ride is like riding a Mongolian horse; you’ll never want to do it again!  So those of us who got to do it, had a once in a lifetime experience. Thanks, crazy lady!  We need more volunteer leaders like you.

Sierra Cascades – 9/10/2013 – Bear Valley to Murphys

 

 

A down hill day.  38 miles, 1,125 feet of elevation gain and 5,000 feet of elevation lost.  Brenda’s average speed was 17.5.

Not a picturesque ride until we arrived at the Calaverra Big Tree State Park.

 

Temperature in Murphys is 90 degrees.  Brenda and I were there in 2001 but soon left because of threatening forest fires.

 Miles today = 38, Elevation gain = 1,125.  Total miles = 1,201, Tot Elevation gain = 70,560

 

 

 

 

WHO’S RIDING? (BRENDA’S BIOS)

ROZ AND LARRY GIBEL (Albuquerque, NM) They have been married for 40 years and have known each other for 45 years. WOW!!! They produced 2 children, a son who is a documentary film producer and a daughter who is an actress. Neither child is married nor has produced any grandchildren, although the daughter is engaged. The kids live on both coasts and Roz and Larry are sort of central in New Mexico. Larry is an Urologist and worked as an Associate Professor at University of New Mexico Health Science Center. He also served in the capacity of Surgical Director of Kidney Transplant, also Medical Director of the Stateside Donor Program and for many years was the Chief of Urology at the Veterans Hospital.  Roz’s training is in speech pathology and for many years worked with children with neurological developmental difficulties.  Since moving to New Mexico 28 years ago she has worked as a free-lance travel agent which allows her to tailor her time to her meet her clients needs as well as her own needs. Larry retired a little more than 2 years ago. This Cascades-Sierra trip is their favorite of their 5 BAC rides.

Sierra Cascades – 9/09/2013 – Sorenson’s to Bear Valley

 

Yesterday’s blog stated today’s destination was Walker; it was actually Bear Valley. But it still had 5,400 feet of climbing;  some switchbacks reportedly with an 18% grade.  Maybe it’s good that I’m in Dallas. Internet and cell service in Bear Valley is poor.  Hopefully it will be better in Murphy’s and we can get reports for the blog.

Craig left the group on Saturday and I left on Sunday.

That means Andy, Chuck, Larry and Steve have to take care of – put up with – 14 women.

You lucky guys.

 

Brenda’s report: 

This was by far the hardest day (48 miles and 5,435 feet of climbing).  Steepest climbing.  Some of the signs indicated 24% grades which I assumed was the inside of the hairpin turns.  I took the outside of the turn, even if I had to go completely to the other side of the road but even then I felt my front wheel lifting a couple of times.  Ebbett's Pass was pretty along some rivers with waterfalls but it had some short steep 15% grades.  Mostly my computer will not give grades above 11 or 12 % but occasionally I would see higher numbers.  The steepest parts were on the Pacific Grade.  Some on straight road it looked like going up a wall and also on the switchbacks.  Pacific Grade was about 2 miles long.

I didn't take many pictures.  I was behind everyone because of the gear problem early on.  I finally remembered that I could put the chain into the front Granny ring manually then figured out that if I was off the back and picked up the rear wheel, it would shift into granny.  Sweet Patrice rode with me the entire uphill.  That was very nice since she is so much faster than me.  Bear Lodge is pretty much a dump, old, old, old.  We did have a decent dinner and breakfast was just okay. 

Miles today = 48, Elevation gain = 5,435.  Total miles = 1,163, Tot Elevation gain = 69,436

WHO’S RIDING?  (BRENDA’S BIOS)

KRIS AND CHUCK CARLSON (Dallas, TX) Chuck and Kris have been married 44 years!!!, the longest of any couple on this trip, although some of the others are 35 and 32 years.  Is this longevity a part of cycling or something else? Maybe tandeming!  Chuck was a copy writer and graphic designer for 27 years, some of these years he was self employed. Kris was with JC Penny company for 34 years and worked in district and regional positions then was promoted to VP and Director of Support Services. They moved to Dallas when Kris was promoted to the corporate office position.  Although they log a high percentage of their biking miles on a tandem they both have done plenty of single bike riding.  Kris has done RAGBRAI twice and Chuck once. Chuck has also ridden Oregon Bicycle Ride (OBR) 7 times. One of his proudest accomplishments was to ride Vatternurndun, in Sweden. This is a one day ride of 300 km with 16,000 riders. It took him 12 hours to complete the ride. Chuck and Kris are the coordinators for the Dallas Area Tandem Enthusiasts (DATES) and they lead day rides for this group.

Sierra Cascades – 9/08/2013 – South Lake Tahoe to Sorenson’s

 

Note that Sorenson’s is a resort, not a town.

Last night at happy hour I told someone of adventure cyclist and author Willie Weir’s concept of a “travel sponge.”  If you travel enough, your sponge will become full and you want to go home.  I was almost there.  We have a few days planned in San Francisco after the tour and I wish we didn’t.

After a great dinner on the pier I returned home and read email.  A disturbing note from my daughter (too complicated to explain) dictated that I need to go home – now.  I called American Airlines and got the only seat left on any flight Sunday from Reno to Dallas.  This is not the way to empty your travel sponge.

It was a peaceful morning on Lake Tahoe but I had a sleepless night trying to figure out how this retreat was going to work.  Everything fell in place:

• The small bike store across the street finally opened at 9:00 (their web site said 8:00) and they would pack and ship my bike to Dallas.
• I found a shuttle service from the casinos 1.5 miles away direct to the Reno airport.
• Brenda and I quickly re-arranged luggage and I put my rear rack on her bike.  ‘Gave her more tubes and tools. I gave Chuck some advice about packing Brenda’s bike at the end of the trip. 
• We hugged and we were off – my for an airplane and her continuing the bike ride.
• We’ll try to continue this blog jointly and remotely but already she’s discovered that Sorenson’s doesn’t have adequate cell service.  Walker, where they’re riding today, may not either.

On a completely different subject, last month I provided BAC photographs to a lady working with one of our members on a magazine article.  I has no idea what the article was going to say so just sent the best photos from our archive; I didn’t indetify the loaction, the bike ride, the subjects or the photographers.  So I was amused and please to finally see the article. The lead photo was not only from the Texas Hill Country that Brenda and I organized bit I’m the first rider in the photo. HERE IS THE ARTICLE

WHO’S RIDING? (BRENDA’S BIOS)

PATRICE VAN VLEET (Littleton,Co) was born in Heidelberg, Germany and lived there 6 years with her German mother and American father. From the beginning her mother spoke to her in German and her father spoke to her in English so she learned both languages simultaneously. Then the family moved to France for 5 years, mostly in Paris, where she also became fluent in French. To this day she and her mother, now living in California, speak German to each other. Another 2 years spent in Switzerland, then she moved to Santa Clara, CA. She graduated from San Jose State with a degree in Business and spent 15 years in corporate America working in different capacities before starting her own graphic design company in 1994.  She operated the business until 2006. She has been married to Glenn Guenterberg for 30 years. Their first BAC trip was in 2004: then they led trips to the Black Forest and Alsace in 2006. Her other hobby is tele-skiing

Sierra Cascades – 9/07/2013 – Rest Day in South Lake Tahoe

 

 

 

Rest days provide a chance for maintenance, not only of body and soul, but also you do laundry, perform maintenance on the bicycle (al least oil the chain and pump up the tires), rearrange your luggage, catch up on some email, get your beard trimmed, finger nails painted, and so forth.

Last night we enjoyed sunset on the lake. A BAC tradition is a nightly “happy hour” or “map wrap” as some call it. You not only socialize with snacks and drinks, but you may recall something interesting on the day’s ride and then will discuss tomorrow’s ride directions and food opportunities.  These are fairly low-key events. But last night there was a singer on the beach, compliments of the resort.  When he started at 5:30 he had an audience of two.  But our happy hour was within hearing distance.  It started with a little applause but quickly turned into a dance session, mostly with our female riders.  Our participation brought a bigger audience and the singer enjoyed it so much he performed 3 hours without a break.  I’ve been on over 50 BAC tours and have never seen dancing; even three ex-board members participated.  Check out the video below.

 

Sierra Cascades – 9/06/2013 – Truckee to South Lake Tahoe

Congratulations to Andy, Craig, Mimi, Patrice, Chuck and Kris for riding the entire distance into Truckee.  It was a very difficult ride.  Nine of us required van assistance.

Miles today = 47, Elevation gain = 2,349. Total miles = 1,056, Tot Elevation gain = 61,075

It was a LEISURELY RIDE to South Lake Tahoe.  We started late and lingered at the Tahoe House Bakery, probably the best bakery I’ve ever visited. Most of today’s ride was on tree lined bike paths away from the traffic.  Not a single logging truck all day!  The ride started along the crystal clear Truckee River.

We began to see LAKE TAHOE but could also see some smoke. Lake Tahoe is the third deepest lake in the US; remember from a couple of weeks ago that Crater Lake is the deepest.  There are 63 streams into the lake and only one going out.  Water from Lake Tahoe never reaches an ocean.  The photos are from Inspiration Point; it seemed more like perspiration point to us after the climbs to get there.

Photo on the left, Yoga on the Rocks, taken by Patrice van Vleet.

 

We’re staying two nights at a large and luxurious resort on the lake.  Everyone in the group has a room and balcony facing the lake.  The rest day tomorrow is much needed after nine consecutive days of riding. We only have four days to go; one is very difficult and two are easy; tomorrow’s is moderate.

WHO’S RIDING? (BRENDA’S BIOS)

MIMI CRANE (Big Sky, MT) Mimi was born in Philadelphia. She had a difficult time deciding what to study in college. After 2 years at Barnard College in NYC, on the swim team, studying liberal arts she changed colleges and pursued engineering which was not her favorite. She spent her junior year abroad in Vienna and by now she was busy applying to the Air Force Academy because in 1980 women had just been allowed into the academy. She was lucky to get the needed recommendation and joined the class of 1981. She spent 7 years in active duty after graduation as a pilot, 5 years in Del Rio, TX and 2 years in Okinawa. After her Air Force commitment was completed she elected to work for FedEx for 25 years. She flew left and right seat in nearly all the types of aircraft and was fortunate enough to end her career flying the 777 which she describes as a pleasure to pilot. She retired 2 years ago and now claims to be a full-time ski bum, enjoying cross country and downhill skiing. She is also getting into biking. Mostly, she is dedicating her time to maintaining and improving her health which she says suffered because of her work schedule. She also enjoys weight training and yoga. This is her first BAC ride and I think we will see her on many more trips in the future.

Sierra Cascades – 9/05/2013 – Quincy to Truckee (Well Part Way)

 

Miles today = 35, Elevation gain = 2,787.  Total miles = 1,009, Tot Elevation gain = 58,726

 

So, only two summit photographs? I thought there were three summits today!  Well there were but I didn’t make it to the third.  In fact I only rode half of today’s distance. Not only was today the toughest ride of the tour but we also had 20 mph headwind for much of the day.  Based on the first part of the ride I estimate my arrival time at 5:00 pm. Actually it would have been worse because the wind was picking up and you’d be riding directly into it the last 30 or 40 miles. So I made a mental decision to get a ride sometime during the day; then the van appears at the second summit (the half-way point) so I jump in.  I’m not alone. The day is not over yet but almost everyone took a ride today.  It will be interesting to see if those few still on the road make it. As far as I can remember, this is the first time I’ve taken a ride in the van in 40 years of cycling.  But if stronger riders like Carol Nacon and Diane Sanchez Castello get in the van, I guess there’s not too much humility for me to do it.  HERE IS THE PART I DID.

 

WHO’S RIDING? (BRENDA’S BIOS)

DIANE SANCHEZ COSTELLO (San Jose, Ca) Dianne has been married for 22 years and they have 2 sons, one of which was just married and this delayed her joining us on this trip; she started in Hood River. Although she recently retired, for many years she taught grades 6 & 7 in Language Arts and History. For more than 25 years she also taught strength training, pilates, yoga and spin classes. This explains why she is first up all the climbs! In addition to biking Dianne is also a gardener, does needlepoint, is a voracious reader and loves to travel and ski. She is planning her first BAC trip as a leader (be on the lookout for the announcement this Fall for a September 2014 trip in California) and she also leads tours and daily rides for the Almaden Cycle Club. She is looking forward to welcoming a yellow lab puppy into their home in the next few months.

PATTI AND STEVE SUNDERMAN (Glenwood Springs, CO) Patti and Steve have been married for 35 years in October. That’s quite an accomplishment! They grew up in Carroll, Iowa and raised 2 sons, Carl and Eric. Carl is married and has 4-year-old twin boys. He lives in Iowa and works in IT. Eric lives in NYC and is a writer. Steve was a volunteer fire fighter for 35 years and an EMT during 10 of those years. Since 1982 Patti has worked a fitness instructor but her primary job was raising the 2 boys. In 1993 they began working full-time at their photography studio where Steve was the photographer and Patti kept the place running. They sold this business January 2013 and soon moved to Glenwood Springs, CO. Patti’s hobbies include yoga, pilates, reading and biking. Steve says he has been too busy with work for hobbies but I’m betting he will find some volunteer activities to fill in the gaps when they are not riding their bikes. They have participated in RAGBRAI many times. This is their second BAC tour.

 

We navigate each day’s route with a “route sheet” like this.  Typically, there is one page of instructions with around 20 points of interest or turns. In addition, I have a Garmin bike computer with point-by-point navigation.  The Garmin beeps at me before each turn and the screen displays the roads with an arrow showing you how to turn.

Well tomorrow to South  Lake Tahoe is going to be different. There are two pages with more than 40 instructions.  And my Garmin GPS doesn’t show the many bike paths we’ll be on.  I’m not very good at reading the instructions while keeping the bike on the road.  Maybe Brenda will slow down and ride with me; she’s good at navigation.

Sierra Cascades – 9/04/2013 – Child’s Meadow Resort to Quincy, CA

 

We woke to fog but it went away quickly. This was supposed to be a pretty easy day but it didn’t feel like it.  That’s probably due to the logging trucks and the need to continually monitor your rear so you know when to get off the road.  I took to the ditch probably a dozen times.  Maybe more. I really hate Highway 89, the main north-south road we’re taking.  A road with no shoulders is not is not ideal for cycling. Particularly when you have logging trucks all day.  The logging truck drivers are real pros and will give you wide berth, if possible.  But it’s often not possible, or wise, if they can’t see around a curve.  HERE IS TODSY'S ROUTE.

 

WHO’S RIDING (BRENDA’S BIOS)

CAROL NACON (Martinez, CA) Carol was born in New Jersey, but headed to California to complete her college degree in Accounting and later passing the CPA exam. When she was in college the tuition for a full-time student was $30 per semester. She doesn’t look that old!!! Her jobs moved her around the country. She lived in Kirlkand, WA, Martinez, CA, Gaithersburg, MD (worked in DC) Aiken, SC and then she retired and returned to Martinez, CA where she still owns a home that had been rented all those years. She has 1 daughter and 2 grandchildren, all in Maryland. Carol is a former BAC board member and chair of the Board.

LOIS DUBOIS (Tucson, CA) Lois is a 5^th generation Californian and 4 of her grandchildren are 7^th generation! How long can they keep this going? Grandmother is applying pressure!!! Lois spent her college years in many places and studying many different disciplines. Here is a thumbnail sketch: first year at University of Redlands studying organ, then to Bogata to study Spanish Literature, back to CA at UC Santa Barbara and finally settling at UC Davis where she received a BA in Anthropology and a MA in Linguistics. WOW. She has 3 sons and 6 grandchildren. As you might expect her hobbies are as varied as her academic training. She loves to scuba dive and does dives nearly every year, favorite destinations are Fiji and Sea of Cortez. She makes quilts for her grandchildren. She grew up on a hog farm and during her 4H years raised lambs, steers, and pigs. Her family of dad, 1 brother and 2 sisters still own and operate the farm.

Miles today = 44, Elevation gain = 1,334.                                   

Sierra Cascades – 9/03/2013 – Hat Creek to Child’s Meadow, CA

 

Neither Hat Creek nor Child’s Meadow are towns.  They’re “resorts”; Child’s Meadows is pretty primitive. I started at 7:00 and it was cold (38 degrees).  But I didn’t beat the logging trucks; they were out in full-force.  I probably got off the road 10 times in the first 8 miles.

After we turned into Lassen Volcanic park we were protected – commercial vehicles are not allowed in the park.  I’ve never heard of this park but it is beautiful.  The 4,000 feet climb was pretty gentle.  At about 6,000 feet the wind really picked up.  It wasn’t too much of a problem until the downhill but the wind in the trees was erie.

 

  The scenery today begged for photos.  Hopefully, these will make up for no on-the-road photos yesterday. Yesterday’s blog has not been published.  Is there sufficient wi-fi today?

WHO’S RIDING? (BRENDA’S BIOS)

CRAIG DEIDRICK (Lincoln, CA) Born in Ohio but looking for different opportunities he moved to California when he was 18. He began working as an apprentice electrician. He never thought this would be his career but it was and he spent many years as an electrician on commercial projects. Craig has never been married. His hobbies include skiing, hiking, biking and backpacking. Craig has traveled extensively over the years and he says his most interesting adventure was in 1999 on a 2 week trek in the Ellesmere Island National Reserve in Canada. At times he was only 500 miles from the North Pole at 82⁰ N Latitude. On our ride, Craig has become the “luggage captain”, loading the luggage each morning.

KATHERINE PIGOTT (Kitchener, Ontario, CA) Katherine was born in England but her family immigrated to Montreal, Canada when she was 10. The family moved to Ontario a few years later and Katherine has been there ever since. She has a degree in politics from the University of Toronto and for the past 13 years has held the title of Manger of Healthy Eating and Active Communities at Region of Waterloo. She is a dedicated yoga practitioner and studies twice a week. This helps her maintain a balance between a hectic work life and her personal time. In her spare time she enjoys classical music, theater and visiting art museums. She loves traveling to large cities and this closely follows her passion for urban and regional planning. She must be getting ideas from her travels. Katherine is the youngest person on this trip and the only one that works full-time. She is fluent in French and Spanish. She is in the planning stages of a BAC trip in Canada which will likely be offered for June 2015.

Miles today = 50, Elevation gain = 4,800. Total miles = 912, Tot Elevation gain = 53,741