Not writing on my blog, that’s for sure!!
Actually, a new blog is in the works, as I’ve previously mentioned. I’m hoping to use it to combine my love of cycling and cooking. But life is busier than ever and it’s kind of been on the back burner as far as getting it built up.
Still, I think about this blog all the time, and I also think about all you folks in the triathlon and cycling community that I’ve come to know through it as well. I thought I would check in, say hello and post my latest video creation. I’ve been getting more into documenting my adventures with my camera, and I’m beginning to consider buying one of those chest mounts.
Most of the times I ride my bike I think about how to share the beauty I experience with others, whether they are cyclists or not. I really do realize how lucky I am to live and ride in Sonoma County!!
Last weekend we had the 2nd “Soup Spoons & Carbon Forks” ride, which is sponsored by West County Revolution (you can read more about them at Lee’s blog). This is a new monthly ride that takes place on the 3rd Saturday of every month. We start from a different restaurant every time, and after the ride, sit down to enjoy a meal and revel in the post-ride endorphins together.
This month’s ride began at Rosso Pizzeria & Wine Bar (my most favorite place ever, and according to SF Chronicle’s Michael Bauer last Thursday, worth driving an hour north of SF for). We headed northeast up Old Redwood Highway and made our way out to Chalk Hill Road. From there we continued on the 8 mile rolling stretch to Hwy 128, and turned right to head south toward Calistoga. Before we hit Calistoga, however, we turned onto Franz Valley Road to take in some even more beautiful country roads and get ourselves off the busy 2-lane main thoroughfare. Franz Valley led us over to Petrified Forest Road, where we could climb up, up up to Calistoga Road and head up over the mountain to come back into Santa Rosa. It was about 3000 ft of climbing ALL at the end of a 45 mile ride! Still, it was great to have friends to suffer with.
There is a huge storm thrashing the Bay Area right now, and we all were prepared to see it hit Saturday afternoon. Imagine our surprise when we began to ride under blue skies and sunshine! However, it only lasted until we got to Calistoga Road. With about 7 more miles to go, the skies began to darken and the air got much chillier – it was time to pick it up and get back to the restaurant – FAST!
Below is a movie I made from all the different videos I took during the ride. I think I had as much fun editing it as I did taking the footage!
So besides that, I’ve been racing at the Early Bird Criterium Training Series down in Fremont every Sunday. It’s been GREAT to race again and get the cobwebs out! I can’t wait for the first real race of the season – the Cherry Pie Crit in Napa on 2/7/10.
That’s about it for now. Happy New Year to everybody and have a great week!
*****************************
5 comments:
Welcome back! Thanks for the great video and pictures which all of us are using as our FB profile pic. I only have one question. Can you really call it suffering when you're riding with great people on your way to a great lunch? It was great riding with your Saturday.
tons of biking is tons of fun! Good to see you again sarah. rock on.
That was a nice well edited little video. I've been playing more and more with video, but still stumbling with how to make it really pop like stuff on Vimeo or elsewhere. I guess just time and patience...
I thought I was hallucinating when I saw your blog pop up in reader. Cool ride idea.
The 2010 race season is here? Already? I was so close to attending the Crit Clinics in Fremont but it doesn't fit into my Ironman training plan for 2010. Next year!
It was great to see a new post and to read that you're doing what you love to do.
All the best in 2010.
Ron
Post a Comment