All posts by Mike

A lot less stressful than driving to SLO and back for a dog

Ride reports (not Tu/Th)


The plan (remember, there’s always a plan) was to get back to the usual, the Pescadero/Tunitas loop. But well before we even got to the base of Old LaHonda, Kevin was complaining about his knee and thinking maybe just get to the top and head back home. Me? No power, but no pain either. I’m good for whatever comes my way, as long as it’s not fast.

But as usual, Kevin felt better as he went. At his suggestion we skipped the Pescadero visit, heading directly to San Gregorio. Back in the day, this wasn’t a great option because the San Gregorio General Store wasn’t bike-friendly, but that’s changed over the years; today, the woman at the counter even let us know they had a bathroom if we needed it (we didn’t). Very good drip coffee, by the way!

One downside of a coffee/snack break in San Gregorio though. Afterward, you immediately climb up Stage Road. With a break in Pescadero, you have several miles before you hit any climbing. That immediate climb up Stage, heading north from San Gregorio, is a rude awakening! You can pretend it’s a warm-up to Tunitas, but you’re just kidding yourself. It’s too much, too soon, at least for a 65 year old. Kevin, on the other hand? He can hit the ground running, no issue.

Somehow I managed to stay on Kevin’s wheel and not hold us up too much on Tunitas. We even passed quite a few people along the way. Except. Except this one guy, who we’ve seen before on Tunitas, flying past. I joked with another cyclist who’d seen him fly by that the guy doesn’t actually ride all the way up Tunitas; he hides, waits for someone to come by, chases them down, rides ahead at full speed far enough to get out of sight, then pulls off and hides, waiting for the next victim. The candle that burns twice as bright only has to travel half as far. 🙂

So now, Kevin hates me. Why? Because, like nearly every other ride, it worked out like I said it would. He felt much better at the end than the beginning.

Kind of surprised you’re still here!

Tues/Thurs 7:45am ride

Normally I don’t post photos without bikes in them, but this was a slightly different perspective of the “usual” WOLH photo, so it’s allowed to violate the unwritten no-bikes…no post rule.
Three of us Thursday; myself, Kevin (not ex-pilot) and Karen. The other Kevin had mentioned he might be riding to San Luis Obispo this week; pretty nice winter weather for that! Still, a bit cold for us, dipping down to 38 or so. That wouldn’t have been bad at all, years past, but the circulation issue in my hands has been worsening at an increasing rate so the day could come where it’s just too darned cold for me. Did not think it would ever come to that. Well, sure, maybe, but not for some time!

I thought I was the dead-man-walking as we started up through the park, but about halfway up Kings I was doing a bit better, and Kevin a bit worse. Maybe a lot worse. Just before the first wide section, I raced up ahead to Karen to let her know this was a day it would make sense for her to go on ahead; we could be awhile! And awhile we were. I think it was just under 36 minutes, the sort of time you’d see on rain bikes, when you’re just slogging your way up the hill on a heavy bike with soaked-through heavy clothing.

Kevin was hoping that maybe we were running so late we’d just head back down into Woodside, but no, I really can’t be slacking off any more than I already have, and expect to stay in halfway-decent shape. Sadly, no turkeys (or rabbits) on West Old LaHonda, just us. Sunday? Hopefully back to Pescadero for the first time in a while. THAT will be painful. And slow! And we’ll feel good afterward for having gotten out there.