Club Member Spotlight - Margaret takes the Group to Mt. Hamilton, Harvey Wong's Devil Mountain Report, and Poetry from Wei P. Sun

Margaret took of our Tuesday Show and Go ride to Mt. Hamilton in April.  It was really windy.  Lori Sommer says “in the background of the first picture you can see the bike is blown over.”

Devil Mountain Report
by Harvey Wong

Why did I sign up for this?  I needed a new challenge after having completed the Death Ride a few times and Terrible Two last year.  With last Saturday’s unexpected heat wave, the challenge got tougher.  The legs felt great on the Mt. Diablo climb.  Morgan Territory was bumpy fun.  Hit 47mph on its smooth backside descent.  The calm windmills in the distance were a happy sight--no headwind!  Then it got hot.  Patterson Pass registered 101 degrees with its motionless windmills. Drinking warm liquids was no fun.  With every swallow, I kept thinking I should’ve brought the polar bottles.  Mines Rd was baking at 90+ degrees.  I topped off my two bottles at the Mines Rd stop and barely made it to the Junction stop with sips remaining.

Topped off my water bottles again and grudgingly headed toward Mt. Hamilton.  Half a bottle remained at the 6-mile summit marker.  Luckily, a sag vehicle rolled by and topped off my water before the real grind began.  While standing, I turned the cranks over at 2.5mph.  While seated, I made it to 3mph. 
A few riders passed me at a turtle pace in this upper 90 degree heat.  Further up the road, I would see some of them again stretching on the side, some even vomiting or walking their bikes.  One of the most refreshing popsicles would be eaten at the Mt. Hamilton stop a mile from the top.  After a much needed rest and liquid refill, I crested over the summit. 

Since the 5am start, 12 hours had passed with over 14k of climb and 135 miles in grueling heat.  The descent to the Crothers stop was much cooler.  However, the energy regained at Crothers would only be spent again on Sierra Rd.  As the sun went down, the temps dropped even further on Calaveras. 
A chili dog and V8 were just what the body called for at the Sunol stop.  After Sunol, Palomares and Norris were just blurs in this 206 mile event with 20k of climb.

At the end lasagna feed, one rider described this ride best as the‘survival ride’.  Riding a mountainous double century is one thing but riding it in 101 degree heat raises the bar tremendously.

(No Good Deeds Go Unrhymed)

The Primavera Rides throughout the years
Would not occur if not for volunteers
Who gave their time that most could not afford,
As spring time blossoms bloom without reward.
Some served as captains manning the rest stations
Whilst others worked, distributing the rations.
SAG, photos, sign-ins, even baking cookies,
All done by veterans and first year rookies.
Each person tasked to individual aim,
When all combined, a body they became:
Each leg, each arm, the eyes, the lungs, the heart,
With thoughtful care, everyone played a part.
I write this verse to serve as celebration
To praise their deeds and selfless dedication.
John Goeschl, a brave soul he was indeed,
As chief coordinator he did lead.
With Ron on SAG, John also filled the role:
They dispatched cars that did the roads patrol.
Then John again, with Dale provided maps,
So no one would get lost, should memories lapse.
A map alone was not sufficient guide;
Neil Michelfelder' s signs showed where to ride.
Just to make sure that none would lose their way,
For Jason Sage's markings saved the day.
At Logan High some cyclists registered
At dawn's first light, before the roosters stirred.
Dave Epps and Louis Friedenberg succeeded
By setting up what registration needed.
Ed Levin Park, there Andy Payne did lead,
The first rest stop, where riders would proceed.
To have their water, food, or just a rest,
Before they left, they all their thanks expressed.
A fast descent from Calaveras' peak,
On to Sunol, where riders next would seek;
Lucchesis, Dan and Susan, with delight
Set up a cafe, all wore black and white.
Rios Lovell, where Gayle and Eric served
The lunch time meals that those who rode deserved.
Darryl and Sally Wilson also gave
Out food that riders by that time would crave.
At Livermore, a water stop was set,
Dave Ransom worked so cyclists' needs were met.
Let's not forget our dear friend Shelly Wills
Who staffed the rest stop at Coyote Hills
At Palo Verde, Jean O'Donnell manned
The final rest stop, as the route was planned.
Octavio, our Palo Verde saint
Who gave his yard, yet never a complaint.
When done with resting, cyclists would ride on:
One final climb, then homeward they were drawn.
All volunteers Karen coordinated;
Last minute reassignments she updated.
Dale Blanchard snapped the photos for the day
(For pictures speak far more than words convey,
Of glowing smiles and laughter on display).
"Tenacious Tanaka," that's Ed who ran
The kitchen tasks, according to the plan.
All things set out, Jim Herman did supply,
Making certain that nothing went awry:
Two ice chests here, four water jugs right there,
All things assigned, each rest stop had its share.
Dixie Polakoff cleverly designed
Both patch and T-shirt art this year defined;
For Becky Denevan worked just as hard:
The breads and cookies baked with due regard.
More volunteers involved I did not list,
So please forgive me, those whose names I've missed.
No less their passions when they gave their all,
Their work be praised, however great or small.
If you would like to know this form of rhyme
I write to dedicate their gifts of time:
Iambic lines, with cadence of five feet,
Then rhyming couplets, making pairs complete.
For Dryden, Pope and other poets wrote
In this old form that modern people quote.
It's called heroic verse, this form is clearly
A metaphor in praising them sincerely:
Those faithful Primavera volunteers,
Whose deeds are most heroic through the years.

Wei Sun
5/14/2007

Ballad of Junction Café

For Brad will lead a group this day;
Straight up Mines Road we'll pedal.
We ride this route with all its climbs
To test our strength and mettle.

We first will meet at Livermore:
Where Holmes will cross Concannon;
Then toward the sunrise we will start
By riding on Concannon.

At Livermore we will turn right,
South Ave is its full name.
It quickly turns to Tesla Road,
For Mines Road we now aim.

Along Mines Road the sights we'll pass
Are beautiful to see:
A Bierstadt painting at each mile,
Most pastoral scenery.

Del Puerto Canyon Road is it,
Thirty-one miles away.
We'll make our stop to have our lunch
There at Junction Café.

(I've often heard that Brad once there
Far far too much did eat:
A burger made from half a cow,
A hot dog for a treat.

And so it was a sight to see
Poor Brad on his return:
The storm of sweat revealed his pain,
His stomach's wrenching churn.)

We'll start the climb on our trip back
Then make our long descent.
Without delay we'll end this ride;
Enjoy our time well-spent.

I wrote this verse at Brad's request
And hope you read with laughter.
One final thought I like to give
Then end this poem thereafter.

The lesson of the story is:
Don't eat too much at Junction!
For greasy burgers may taste good;
Your legs will lose their function!

Wei Sun
4/26/2007

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