When I posted this ride, I wondered if anyone would show up. To my total delight 25 TA riders arrived at Kaiser ready to ride! This wasn't just any 50 mile ride. Those who went the distance climbed 3900 ft in the 50 miles. A great workout!
We headed across the Fruitvale Bridge to 38th and 35th. We climbed to Mountain Blvd and headed to the Zoo. Here we waved good bye to "Sweeps", Zoraida, Diane and Alan, all opting for a shorter ride today. Sweeps, great to see you out today. The rest of us headed up Golf Links Rd to Skyline and onto the ranger station for a quick "nature break" (a TDF term). Rens departed for home going down Butters. The rest of us headed back to and descended Redwood, only to turn left and climb Pinehurst back to Skyline. A good contingent, Mike & Clare, Tony, Tom, Owen, Isabella, Sri and Jeanne, opted to head back to the Island after this climb via Shepherds Canyon and Park. That left a hearty 12 souls still ready for more! It was off to Sibley, Grizzly and the Steam Trains. We; David, Mike, Steve, Ravi, Kelly, Sal, Julie, Ann, Ralph, Rick, Rob, and I finally got to go down hill all the way to 4th St in Berkeley. Glorious!!!! The last leg of the ride was all flat, going through Aquatic Park, along the Embarcadero and to the Island.
Perfect, cool day for a challenging ride. Made even better by the group that came out to ride. Thanks everyone for a great effort. We will do this ride again --- maybe in the opposite direction next time!! Maybe stretch it to 60 miles...
