Ratpick cross ride article

[fc]

Read, weep, comment.

Trip Report: Redwood Shores to Bodega Bay Out-n-back on a Cross Bike | Road Bike News, Reviews, and Photos

<img src="http://reviews.roadbikereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/643927_10151495758394256_1664073671_n.jpg">

fc

[ask]

Ratpick - That is quite an inspiring ride. Well done and great writeup! Once I started reading, I couldn't stop until I finished the article. Makes me want to get a CX bike even more.

[Sean Allan]

Excellent Patrick!

[shredchic]

Woah, I think I caught one way of Ratpick's route on Strava, but missed the return trip! Holy moly. Looks like great training for the zombie apocolypse! I am definitely gonna set aside some time after work to read all 9 pages...

[ratpick]

Thanks! It was a fun ride. I couldn't believe how beautiful it was out there this weekend - definitely turned into a photographic expedition!

[fc]

Thanks! It was a fun ride. I couldn't believe how beautiful it was out there this weekend - definitely turned into a photographic expedition!

I think that is the bonus as the whole ride was tracked and photographed for the rest of us desk jockeys to relive.

Roadbikereview is going to sponsor you. Keep riding and writing.

fc

[powwow]

Cool ride man.

Bolinas Ridge - Inverness Ridge loop here I come!

[JMac47]

Makes his Rose-Toads ride look like a warm up!

[etuck]

If you have a Strava link or GPS for Inverness Ridge/Bolinas Ridge I'd love to see it. I know Bo Ridge well but have never ridden Inverness Ridge. Sounds like a killer loop.

[Diesel~]

Nice writeup, Ratpick; it was an enjoyable read.

-D

[Leopold Porkstacker]

Ratpick is a f&#117;cking unstoppable animal. If you see him, just run the other way as fast as you can, or just cower in the corner and cry like a little girl and hope he will just pass you by.

[ratpick]

Ratpick is a ****ing unstoppable animal. If you see him, just run the other way as fast as you can, or just cower in the corner and cry like a little girl and hope he will just pass you by.

Haha.. takes one to know one!

My wife is away this weekend and I'll be all turkeyed up.. trying to find something to top this...

[Leopold Porkstacker]

Haha.. takes one to know one!

My wife is away this weekend and I'll be all turkeyed up.. trying to find something to top this...

I’m bringing a couple 750ml bottles of Duvel triple hop tomorrow morning. Be there!!!

[ratpick]

I've managed to escalate

132 miles, 11,500'!

I hit some trails I've never ridden, such as the Coyote Hills on the east side of Dumbarton Bridge

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YOMB1Vqd2xsQbSfyihCRjdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5i1Y-rAFow4/ULKGTxbbopI/AAAAAAAAusI/ihyXFjMKChg/s800/P1060874.JPG" height="506" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/106734738449712481100/CXRideMissionPeakSierraVistaMtHamiltonNov2012?auth user=0&feat=embedwebsite">CX ride: Mission Peak-Sierra Vista-Mt Hamilton - Nov 2012</a></td></tr></table>

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4LQPR3iFaWCX2kFkTAs3CtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jb2YMR0hpFc/ULKGWM1-TqI/AAAAAAAAusg/4AHCNDzZTnA/s800/P1060880.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/106734738449712481100/CXRideMissionPeakSierraVistaMtHamiltonNov2012?auth user=0&feat=embedwebsite">CX ride: Mission Peak-Sierra Vista-Mt Hamilton - Nov 2012</a></td></tr></table>

Surprisingly fun!

Climbed Mission Peak from Ohlone College (the "easy" way). I passed a hiker on the way down who exclaimed, "Woah.. double chain-ring!".. heh.. I didn't mention I have a 26x32 as my low gear.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iquqCxMHIOHgWTcipcjZD9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DDwFvQCNbGA/ULKGZ1U4E1I/AAAAAAAAu0I/vv0Cp-HPGp8/s800/P1060888.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/106734738449712481100/CXRideMissionPeakSierraVistaMtHamiltonNov2012?auth user=0&feat=embedwebsite">CX ride: Mission Peak-Sierra Vista-Mt Hamilton - Nov 2012</a></td></tr></table>

Couldn't go to the summit as EBRPD's helicopter was destroying the peace buzzing around the summit and shouting at people up there. They came over near me when they saw I might be headed up. They need to be defunded.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HPXx8KYuV6qF7LI9kF76k9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IMc4MP2U8HE/ULKGa5T4VkI/AAAAAAAAutY/2S2KF478Xg0/s800/P1060889.JPG" height="500" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/106734738449712481100/CXRideMissionPeakSierraVistaMtHamiltonNov2012?auth user=0&feat=embedwebsite">CX ride: Mission Peak-Sierra Vista-Mt Hamilton - Nov 2012</a></td></tr></table>

Continued on to Mt Allisson and Monument Peak. Some of the gates, normally open, were chained shut but it's open space so I just jumped the gates.

I got a view of Mt Hamilton - wasn't planning to go up there on this ride, although my plans later changed.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ap5jk9K5nfzwjOwemLzHQdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u7fQg13cZTA/ULKGdp_bcrI/AAAAAAAAut4/uh1GhfY85Jc/s800/P1060893.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/106734738449712481100/CXRideMissionPeakSierraVistaMtHamiltonNov2012?auth user=0&feat=embedwebsite">CX ride: Mission Peak-Sierra Vista-Mt Hamilton - Nov 2012</a></td></tr></table>

The Ridge Trail descent down to Ed Levin Park was very steep and bumpy but not nearly as bad as it used to be.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/BAsqzNRXgsUfWLmfuyIqFNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-728IyJimSvk/ULKGiUIRlCI/AAAAAAAAuuw/Ztzb2FndQyY/s800/P1060903.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/106734738449712481100/CXRideMissionPeakSierraVistaMtHamiltonNov2012?auth user=0&feat=embedwebsite">CX ride: Mission Peak-Sierra Vista-Mt Hamilton - Nov 2012</a></td></tr></table>

Down through Ed Levin Park, to Piedmont and then up Suncrest. Fall colors are nice on the lower parts of this street.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/33uZO8umSmoHhLKYHyPs49MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LylZ130aFJI/ULKGoYHqMAI/AAAAAAAAuv4/gYRCB5uyjAk/s800/P1060914.JPG" height="499" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/106734738449712481100/CXRideMissionPeakSierraVistaMtHamiltonNov2012?auth user=0&feat=embedwebsite">CX ride: Mission Peak-Sierra Vista-Mt Hamilton - Nov 2012</a></td></tr></table>

Into Alum Rock Park then Sierra Vista. Some steep climbing, but achievable on CX (I only lost grip on one section right after this photo)

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-LdPHrMYwGt_el3fxLGzMtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=em bedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AyAJUeUYfvA/ULKGr7ic3RI/AAAAAAAAu0I/UUIL-5C0uCk/s800/P1060919.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/106734738449712481100/CXRideMissionPeakSierraVistaMtHamiltonNov2012?auth user=0&feat=embedwebsite">CX ride: Mission Peak-Sierra Vista-Mt Hamilton - Nov 2012</a></td></tr></table>

Onto the (relatively) new Sierra Vista Trail

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Wwn1AOAJkJpnVeL1ePcYLtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_hqq****OGo/ULKGuOPJ8FI/AAAAAAAAuw8/3Gpk6WwHXgQ/s800/P1060922.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/106734738449712481100/CXRideMissionPeakSierraVistaMtHamiltonNov2012?auth user=0&feat=embedwebsite">CX ride: Mission Peak-Sierra Vista-Mt Hamilton - Nov 2012</a></td></tr></table>

The view from this trail is wonderful!

My plan once I hit Mt Hamilton Rd was to refill water at Grant Ranch, descend Quimby and make my way over to climb Highway 9 from Saratoga, descending dirty Alpine to get home. But with only 2 hours of sunlight left, and the thought that I'd never ridden from home to Mt Hamilton before, I decided to go to the top. Glad I did! I got there about 30 mins before sunset - there was a constant stream of cars headed to the top, which I almost never see on morning rides up there. Clearly, it was a good place to watch the sunset.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/i3IffgD69jEwZ5_DrAbEXNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-toFw-PTdzM8/ULKG5Z6i1AI/AAAAAAAAuy4/J-vNiriErXc/s800/P1060945.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/106734738449712481100/CXRideMissionPeakSierraVistaMtHamiltonNov2012?auth user=0&feat=embedwebsite">CX ride: Mission Peak-Sierra Vista-Mt Hamilton - Nov 2012</a></td></tr></table>

Ob photo at the top - Mission & Monument Peaks are way in the background - that was cool to see.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HKNPrnNG87Iz9KqpkgH3N9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lsDrr-dxNrw/ULKG53zCg5I/AAAAAAAAuzA/sSdkX1LPqMM/s800/P1060946.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/106734738449712481100/CXRideMissionPeakSierraVistaMtHamiltonNov2012?auth user=0&feat=embedwebsite">CX ride: Mission Peak-Sierra Vista-Mt Hamilton - Nov 2012</a></td></tr></table>

I was so, so hungry. I hadn't eaten much all day - just bars, dried fruit, etc, expecting to have stopped for a meal by this point - I actually lay down at the observatory for 10 mins until I felt I could go on.

I was tempted to watch the sunset from the observatory - I'd be riding for hours in the night anyway - but I figured the twisty descent would be safer with some light, especially with deer about.

There were so many times I had to stop to take a photo on the way down. Unbelievable sunset, despite the lack of clouds.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uSVNcf_gclotE2VzHA79yNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-d0WrxbdbqRE/ULKG6WZNxdI/AAAAAAAAuzI/_EcKNL9Idgs/s800/P1060948.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/106734738449712481100/CXRideMissionPeakSierraVistaMtHamiltonNov2012?auth user=0&feat=embedwebsite">CX ride: Mission Peak-Sierra Vista-Mt Hamilton - Nov 2012</a></td></tr></table>

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ds6cG5Hony2xPYUVRMogFNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Dp9QD2Q15tc/ULKG7HJytQI/AAAAAAAAuzU/jbRfT8Hx7Jw/s800/P1060949.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/106734738449712481100/CXRideMissionPeakSierraVistaMtHamiltonNov2012?auth user=0&feat=embedwebsite">CX ride: Mission Peak-Sierra Vista-Mt Hamilton - Nov 2012</a></td></tr></table>

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uHDpfTFJOjEtRI6s-kVP99MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VleueBbKlm0/ULKG7gvGuBI/AAAAAAAAuzc/7b1BmNpOEuI/s800/P1060950.JPG" height="500" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/106734738449712481100/CXRideMissionPeakSierraVistaMtHamiltonNov2012?auth user=0&feat=embedwebsite">CX ride: Mission Peak-Sierra Vista-Mt Hamilton - Nov 2012</a></td></tr></table>

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GiabIW5ek0Ik1MT9b8Nep9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5DdufJ6fdjA/ULKG72RtcqI/AAAAAAAAuzk/E2Q9fH72AAQ/s800/P1060951.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/106734738449712481100/CXRideMissionPeakSierraVistaMtHamiltonNov2012?auth user=0&feat=embedwebsite">CX ride: Mission Peak-Sierra Vista-Mt Hamilton - Nov 2012</a></td></tr></table>

I finally got some food in Milpitas - Cat in the Box - tasted horrible but was just what I needed and I instantly felt renewed. I decided to work my way back via the 237 bike path, then the Bay Trail. Since I didn't have the route in my Garmin, I had to stop frequently to check my iPhone - it was losing battery quickly so sometimes I took risks and made wrong turns.

Quite an adventure! Now, how to escalate again next week.....

[Diesel~]

I've managed to escalate

......

Quite an adventure! Now, how to escalate again next week.....

Looks like a fun ride; always impressed with the magnitude of of these endeavors. Makes our 50 mile Coe and HB ride look like a walk in the park.


-D

[ratpick]

Looks like a fun ride.

Thanks Diesel!

[IAmHolland]

Damn, it's just epic after epic!

Are you running 40/26 front and 11-32 in the back on your Crux?

[p2rider426]

Ratpick, you are unbelievable brother. I hope I can have half the adventures on a bike that you do. Congrats!

[ratpick]

Thanks! I really love big rides! CX opens up so many possibilities!

26/36 up front and 11-32 in the rear. Not quite the low ratio I'd like but works well enough.

[plymmer]

Both very entertaining reads. Thanks Patrick for your detailed write-ups. You take us there, pedal stroke after pedal stroke.

I always wondered about road riding. I only ride to work but road riding is so different than dirt. Long, long miles of pedaling. It seems like it would be so much harder than a mountain bike ride in some ways.

Roy.

[Couch Bike Dude]

That’s a beautiful “Cyclomentary” Patrick! The reality of trips like your RWS2BB and back at my door step are all the proof I need to know that I’ve already died and gone to heaven. Thanks…

[Specialized2k10]

This article convinced me to get a cx bike. Went out and bought a used bmc cx02. Loving it so far. Thanks for writing a great article.

[ratpick]

This article convinced me to get a cx bike. Went out and bought a used bmc cx02. Loving it so far. Thanks for writing a great article.

Mission accomplished . Enjoy!

[Leopold Porkstacker]

Both very entertaining reads. Thanks Patrick for your detailed write-ups. You take us there, pedal stroke after pedal stroke.

I always wondered about road riding. I only ride to work but road riding is so different than dirt. Long, long miles of pedaling. It seems like it would be so much harder than a mountain bike ride in some ways.

Roy.

For me, it’s the stress of dealing with do&#117;chebags in cars who don’t understand the California Vehicle Code as it pertains to automobiles and bicycles sharing the roads. That’s why I sold my roadbike a few years ago.

[nativeson]

we did a ride similar to this route a few years back all the way up to jenner from sf. it took almost a week though and we camped the whole time. ur nutz.