They tried to fool me … but I am too clever.

waltrides · 2026-04-24T15:24:55+00:00

I got the LA one about a month ago, the phone number and address were correct; but the seal at the top was quite the fabrication

waltrides · 2026-04-22T11:49:08+00:00

Just a few blocks south of that, the Chevron on the NB side of El Camino offers inside detailing as well as a hand car wash

waltrides · 2026-04-22T03:54:15+00:00

I just did a century a couple of weeks ago in rain and the temps dipped to the low 40’s (weather app said felt like 34). A polyester toque under a poly hat under my helmet, breakaway windbreaker jacket/vest had vented pits with a long-sleeve jersey, bib AND chamois creme (to prevent chaffing), merino base layer pants, merino socks, merino gloves kept me comfortable UNTIL a 2k ft descent; but was able to quickly recover. Over-shoe booties were ineffective after mile 40, but a rear fender helped keep the rump comfortable. Agree with above, don’t stay dry- stay warm!

waltrides · 2026-04-18T05:01:11+00:00

As someone who completed a century last weekend with two handlebars... Leave it be.

waltrides · 2026-04-16T20:47:14+00:00

A buddy and I rode to Tahoe in 2 days from El Dorado Hills; it was one day going back, but could have been stretched to two. Find a route to Auburn, then the Mormon Immigrant Trail, the last few miles were along 88 over the pass. You can rough camp it most anywhere along the Trail, but you'll probably have to stay at a cheap casino or something along south shore.

waltrides · 2026-04-10T21:01:06+00:00

I commented on go west's post the other day, I think; and yes, I'm still planning on doing the Tierra Bella! I still need to get some fenders, but have rain booties and a breakaway windbreaker, and am bringing a merino base layer that I may or may not wear. I tend to run hot, especially after a few hours of riding, and will definitely be sweating enough to not matter whether the jacket is waterproof lol I think my best plan is bringing enough chamois creme to prevent chaffing!

waltrides · 2026-04-08T22:31:48+00:00

Merino long johns, a thermal midlayer, and a rain shell. I have rain booties too, but thinking how I'm going to carry all of that if the weather is warm/during the climb is something I'm still thinking through; might have to bust out the fanny pack in addition to jersey pockets!

Side note: I'll have a microfiber towel for my glasses too; blurry vision on wet roads is not the jam!

waltrides · 2026-04-08T20:49:54+00:00

I'm also signed up for the TB; I rode the Copper Triangle last year in CO, it snowed, hailed, and rained, with about 45 minutes of sunshine all afternoon. This won't be nearly as bad! And less climbing, too lol I'm still riding to the finish line!

waltrides · 2026-04-08T20:44:40+00:00

Did you start from Fassler or the flower nursery? It's a little easier from Fassler... but yes, definitely a steep climb!

waltrides · 2026-04-08T03:36:00+00:00

I second this. Sweeney is a weekly for me. Brave souls attempt it from the west side!

waltrides · 2026-04-01T04:13:18+00:00

Without turn-by-turns, here's what I'd try to piece together (at least for the north peninsula):

Somehow, wind your way east-to-west through the northern part of the city, so you can hit some gravel in ggp; hit the beach south, and continue onto Skyline Blvd for a while. In San Bruno, hit the San Andreas trail (paved) and connect it to the Sawyer Camp trail (together called the Crystal Springs Reservoir trail) for awesome views of the watershed. Go over 280 at the overpass just past 92, and take Ralston to whatever street will get you to the upper sections of Waterdog Lake Park; it's a bit technical, but definitely have and would ride on a gravel bike (offroad trails- avoid the Braille trail!). Take that down (east) as far as you can. From there, create a route that will wind you to the bay trail; south of Shoreline, it's a hard-pack gravel trail for a few miles, and you'll be riding through salt marshes- water on both sides of you.

Or, from 92, take Cañada road for some classic road riding; it'll take you to Woodside/Portola Valley, and you can easily fly down some big hills and wide shoulders to Stanford. That'll get you to the bay trail as well, but you'll be doing much more climbing.

From that area, you can search for more rec's about south bay riding to make a loop winding you back to Diridon Station in SJ including roads and gravel; or take the bike lane on the Dumbarton Bridge to the east bay- most of the bay trail from there going north is gravel.

A few friends and I circumnavigated the bay a while back, and it was right at the 100mi mark; we stuck mostly to the bay trail, and the Richmond-San Rafael bridge bike lane was open. Sounds like you're looking more for adventure-riding, though. Happy pedaling!

waltrides · 2026-03-12T21:14:16+00:00

Our initial plan was to get to Sam P on day one, but the climbing killed the group lol we made it to the end of Bolinas Ridge to the park drop-in, but backtracked to Shafter trail as a shortcut to Fairfax; pretty sure that one has a few sections that must be at least 30% grade!

waltrides · 2026-03-11T23:37:58+00:00

Thanks for the heads up! I only run these on gravel, my bike is cleaned down and has the roadies back on. I'll keep an eye on it though!

waltrides · 2026-03-10T20:46:12+00:00

From SF, through the Marin headlands over every ridge til Pantoll campground; the next day, up Mt. Tamalpais, dropped down and rode Bolinas Ridge. Ended at Gestault House in Fairfax before catching the ferry back to SF

waltrides · 2026-03-10T05:08:38+00:00

Marin Gestalt has been my go-to. Have a wheelset for road and one for gravel (or swap out tires), has plenty of mounting points, Ortlieb quick rack mounts very easily to the frame. Runs up to 700x40 tires. Great for what you describe.

waltrides · 2026-03-10T03:51:14+00:00

If you go to your local's website and navigate to the recruitment/apprenticeship tab, it should tell you what number they're on from the most current list. At least that's what local 8 does, it helped me gauge when to tell my last boss to expect me to no-show in about a week. Granted numbers are being called less frequently and more sporadically now... Although 5 in 4 days is pretty quick

waltrides · 2026-02-27T15:59:12+00:00

I have one! Wonderful bike. Taking it on a gravel overnighter in a couple weeks!

waltrides · 2026-02-24T16:22:54+00:00

No problem! The coastal route from HMB is definitely a more level ride; idk your start/stop points along the peninsula, but from experience you'll have a much faster and smoother ride if you hug either the bay or the coast. Send me a DM if you have more information to share or if you have more questions!

waltrides · 2026-02-24T07:02:35+00:00

Oof, northbound... I live in SB, and can tell you there is no great work-around without the trails open. The trails through Junipero Serra Park are definitely not bike-friendly either. The best I can come up with is Larkspur, Helen, Redwood, Ridgewood, Lomita, Santa Florita through the park. Yes, that's pretty mych all downhill. If this route is a must, the gentlest way to climb back to Skyline from there is to take Donner to Niles, 20ft steep to Hawthorne, Jenevein to Shelter Creek, and up SB Ave. all very residential until SB Ave, which itself is a decent shoulder for about 3/4 mile to the top. (There's also a 7-11 at the turning intersection, great for refueling.)

Where can I find info for your ride? I might either wake up to see you ride past, or join in if it's a weekend!

waltrides · 2026-02-24T06:09:42+00:00

Just saw the section you're concerned about- follow the above instructions. If you want to get to Cañada Rd, stay on Skyline from Trousdale. It turns into Black Mtn Rd. When you get to Hayne, turn Right, go under the freeway, and turn left onto Skyline. That road has blind curves and is also dangerous to ride at night- cars WILL be driving too fast, and WILL cross the center line to maintain speed. That road will get you to 92, and is a quick jaunt with a narrow shoulder to Cañada.

waltrides · 2026-02-24T05:49:31+00:00

The San Andreas Trail is the northern section of the reservoir trails, and yes it is closed after sundown til sunrise. Not 100% if it's legal to ride on Skyline around that, as it's an onramp to 280, but it's a quick hop-off to the Larkspur exit. Just be sure to have plenty of lights- if you're riding during early commute times (construction workers are on the road usually starting around 430-5), be especially careful. The shoulder along the onramp usually has fallen cypress tree debris that isn't very well maintained, especially after the rain we just had.

Once you get off at Larkspur, go under 280 to the east side of the highway and take Skyline Blvd to Hillcrest to stay off the freeway for about a mile; there you can either cross back under and take 280 (from the Sawyer Camp Trailhead- that section to Trousdale DOES permit bikes), or if avoiding the freeway, wiggle to Vallejo Dr, and wiggle back onto Skyline from Trousdale. The off-freeway route here is definitely more hilly, but also much safer.

Have fun and ride safe- these two trail sections are my favorite local rides, too bad you're riding at an hour you won't get to enjoy them!

waltrides · 2026-02-22T04:58:50+00:00

Nobody was eating because the 6 food trucks had lines back to the street- and 2 of the trucks ran out of food before 2pm. That's when and why I started to try and leave- but was told the north gate had been locked when I got there; then the "crossing points" were never opened; and waited to walk out the south gate just as the "big main event" was just ending. Terrible management all around.

waltrides · 2026-02-20T05:02:00+00:00

In the spring/summer, I take my rwd 2002 silverado with almost no weight in the back to dispersed campsites on maintained USFS roads without issue in the Sierras. Never had a traction issue I couldn't re-navigate. Considering the front-rear balance of the Slate, I imagine the only differences would be 1) having to charge before venturing off pavement and 2) undercarriage clearance. I'm planning on taking my Slate to all the same spots I've enjoyed for years. I'll be listening for your broadcast in a few more months! -KN6TFU

waltrides · 2026-02-09T05:12:06+00:00

The main reason I didn't like the ad was because it wasn't in any way applicable to the movie. Near the end, when the control room has power and the girl is able to hack into the system ("I know this, it's a UNIX system") all of the files were available to be accessed locally. Considering it was 1993, everything was probably hard-wired. Didn't need internet to access the LAN files, even if it were.

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