November 2007 Ride Calendar

Below is our updated ride classification chart. To see the full chart, including mountain bike rides and ride guidelines, go to the FFBC website (home / rides / ride classification)

Key for Pace: The pace assumes the rider is on relatively flat terrain with little wind.  Significant hills, wind, or a pace line will affect the pace actually maintained.

1st Week in DECEMBER

Sat. Dec. 1   Calaveras Clockwise
8:30 AM   40 miles, 3 M
This is our traditional "1st Saturday of the Month" ride. We will meet in the Downtown Niles Parking Lot and ride up Niles Canyon into Sunol then on to Calaveras. Our traditional route brings us out in Milpitas and we return via a route that stays close to the hills. There will be a ride leader for the pace(s) listed below.  Rain or a serious threat of rain cancels. Call me after 7am.
M Pace: Tony Flusche, (510) 247-3220, TonyF@att.net

Sat. Dec.1    Low-key ride
8:30 AM SHARP   60 miles F-2
Race Team ride #17   South Bay lakes tour
A new ride area for the team. Start from Sports Basement in Sunnyvale and out to the lakes in the area of Morgan Hill and back. Sports Basement will be providing lunch (to be confirmed)
All race team members are requested to wear their team uniform. Rain will NOT stop play. No stopping, no dropping.
Co leaders are Messrs
Richard Brockie (650) 868-3346  rmb_ffbc@brockie.org.uk 
Garry Birch    (925) 556-1564 or (510) 438-9632

Sun Dec. 2   Harder and a Little Farther
8:30 AM    40 miles, 4 M-B
Meet at downtown Niles parking lot by the train car.  We will warm up on the ride to Hayward before switching to the big gears to climb Harder Rd. and Hayward Blvd.  The downhill side into Castro Valley is by way of Fairview and Five Canyons Parkway.  From Castro Valley we will take Dublin Canyon into Pleasanton and Foothill to Sunol.  Niles Canyon is the last leg.  There will be regroups but ride is designed to be back before noon so the only coffee stop will be at the rides end.  Rain cancels ride.
Jim Marsh (510) 783-8561 home, (510) 861-7806 cell jajmarsh@sbcglobal.net

Sun. Dec. 2    Low-key ride
8:30 AM SHARP    45 miles F-2
Race Team Ride #18
On roads where we can do an easy spin and practice some rotating pacelines. To the bottom of the Calaveras climb and then Pleasanton and Sunol. All race team members are requested to wear their team uniform. Rain will stop play. No stopping, no dropping. Start from the Niles Parking Lot
Garry Birch    (925) 556-1564 or (510) 438-9632

Mon. Dec. 3   Monday Morning Recovery Ride
8:30 AM    25 to 38 miles, 1-2 M
Let's meet at the Bicycle Garage at 8:30 for an 8:45 start to an easy-going ride down Paseo Padre to South Grimmer. Then it's relatively flat down past Club Sport to the end of Fremont Blvd. We'll turn around and have a coffee break at a local Starbucks and decide whether to head straight back (for about 25 miles) or make our way over to Coyote Hills for a trip back on the trail (for about 38 miles). The shorter option will get us back before 11:30, the longer well before 12:30.   Elevation gain is 465 feet.  Rain or threat of rain cancels. If rain threatens, call me between 7:30 and 8:00 on the day of the ride.
Mike Northrup; gmnorthrup@hotmail.com  (510) 796-8832

Tue Dec. 4   Show and Go
9:00 AM    20-50 miles, 1-5 L-M-B
Meet at the Bicycle Garage, at the corner of Thornton and Balboa Way.

Tues. Dec 4,  Tuesday Night Training Ride
5:45 PM    15-25 miles, 2-3 B
Don't be lazy; fight that holiday weight gain before it gets started. Come and join us for a mid-week ride. Route TBD at the start. Meet in front of my shop at 45405 #1 Industrial Place, Fremont. I have bathroom and water available. This is a night ride and there will be traffic, so good front & rear lights are needed.  Please email (preferred) or call if you're coming, so I know whom to expect. Rain cancels, threat of rain does not. We'll just stay close if it's threatening.
Dan Amaral W: 510-656-9354 (try 1st), C: 510-774-9683 danamaral@earthlink.net

Wed. Dec. 5   Mid-week Morning Ride
8:30 AM   35-45 miles, 2-3 M/B
Meet at Newark Java in the Raley’s shopping center at Jarvis & Newark Blvd., for a ride across the Dumbarton Bridge to a destination on the Peninsula. This will be a fun ride en route to a coffee/snack stop, so bring $$.
Al Quintana (510) 760-9245; alanq44@hotmail.com

Thur. Dec. 6   Thursday Morning Coffee Ride
9:00 AM     20-40 miles, 2-3M (M+, flats)
Come ride with a fun, welcoming group. We meet at Newark Java in the Raley's shopping center parking lot. Sometimes we just go to Union City via Nike Hill. More often, we cross the bridge and ride to Shoreline, Robert's Market, do "Margaret's Ride", or we get adventurous and find new routes. There are no route sheets so we regroup as necessary. We stop for coffee so bring money. Rain cancels, call if unsure.
Lori Sommer (510) 794-8624 home, (510) 693-8624 cell; lmsommer@sbcglobal.net

Thur. Dec. 6    Club Meeting
7:30 PM    Silliman Center
Note the new location for the board and general membership club meetings. The Silliman Center is located at 6800 Mowry Ave., Newark CA (510) 742-4700.

Fri. Dec. 7    The Friday Bike Club
8:30 AM    35-45 miles, 3-4 M/B
Meet at the Castro Valley Park & Ride Lot. Bring $$ for a coffee stop.
Al Quintana (510) 760-9245; alanq44@hotmail.com

2nd Week in DECEMBER

Sat. Dec 8    Los Altos Coffee Ride
9:00 AM    40-45 Miles, 3M
We'll cross the bay, take Alpine, Arastradero and Purissima to Los Altos and return on Foothill and Sandhill before crossing the bay again.  Meet at Newark Java. We'll regroup a few times and make sure nobody gets left behind.  Bring $ for a refreshment stop in downtown Los Altos.  Rain cancels. 
Gary Smith  510-797-7809 home, 510-304-0956 cell, GSMITH289@aol.com

Sat. Dec. 8   Low-key ride
8:30 AM SHARP    50 miles F-2
Race Team Ride #19   Livermore Valley Tour
We will wander around the Livermore Valley and avoid any major climbs. Hopefully the sun will shine and the cycling gods will smile upon us, for Tomorrow, we race. All race team members are requested to wear their team uniform. Rain will stop play. No stopping, no dropping. Start from the Niles Parking Lot
Garry Birch    (925) 556-1564 or (510) 438-9632

Sat. Dec. 8      Sierra & Calaveras Loop
8:30 AM    50 miles, 5 B-lite to B
This is the first ride of the "Last Tough Rides of 2007" series, which highlights routes that are not long but will contain some fun and challenging climbs.  We'll head toward Milpitas, then tackle the 10% grade of Sierra Road, blast down Felter, then scoot up "The Wall" on Calaveras and continue on to finish the CCW loop.  Climbing is about 3,800 ft.  If rain threatens, contact ride leader or check FFBC email list as some other option might arise.  Ride starts from Niles Parking Lot.
Brad, 510-795-7065, bradbaldwin@att.net

Sun. Dec. 9   FFBC “Get-To-Know-Us-Ride”
9:00 AM    20-25 miles, 1-2 L-T-M
Please join us on this monthly “Get-To-Know-Us-Ride”.  This casual, social ride is always fun and offers everyone the chance to meet other cyclists.  Bring your cycling friends along and help us introduce newcomers and guests to the club. Meet at Newark Java in the Raley’s shopping center at Jarvis & Newark Blvd., for a ride through the Fremont area.  Don’t forget $$ for a coffee/snack stop.  If you have a club jersey or jacket, this is a great time to wear it.
Wynn Kageyama  C: 408-499-0881: davitusrider@yahoo.com

Sun. Dec. 9    Dougherty & Collier Canyon
9:00 AM    45 miles, 3M
Start at Sunol Glen School.
A nice day's outing around the Livermore Valley with a modicum of hills.  Our Northern route is Foothill Rd. and Dougherty to the shops at Blackhawk where we'll stop for coffee (bring $).  Our return trip is over Highland and down Collier Canyon to tag Livermore before returning to Sunol.  Rain cancels.
Eric Dittmar, 510-579-7337, ericdit@gmail.com

Sun. Dec. 9   Time Trial Race
8:30 AM SHARP    45 miles FF-2
Race Team Ride #20    Calaveras TT
We will ride out to the Calaveras TT course, maybe with a loop within Fremont to start so we know we will be properly warmed up for our big effort of the day. Options are pairing up for a Team TT, Tandems, and please bring your high end TT bike if you feel comfortable with that as well. Rain will stop play. Start from the Niles Parking Lot
Garry Birch    (925) 556-1564 or (510) 438-9632

Mon. Dec. 10   Monday Morning Recovery Ride
8:30 AM    1-2 M, 25 to 38 miles
See the listing of Mon. Dec. 3 for complete details of this recurring ride starting at the Bicycle Garage.
Mike Northrup; gmnorthrup@hotmail.com  (510) 796-8832

Tue Dec. 11   Show and Go
9:00 AM    20-50 miles, 1-5 L-M-B
Meet at the Bicycle Garage, at the corner of Thornton and Balboa Way.

Tues. Dec 11    Tuesday Night Training Ride
5:45 PM    15-25 miles, 2-3 B
Don't be lazy; fight that holiday weight gain before it gets started. Come and join us for a mid-week ride. Route TBD at the start. Meet in front of my shop at 45405 #1 Industrial Place, Fremont. I have bathroom and water available. This is a night ride and there will be traffic, so good front & rear lights are needed.  Please email (preferred) or call if you're coming, so I know whom to expect. Rain cancels, threat of rain does not. We'll just stay close if it's threatening.
Dan Amaral W: 510-656-9354 (try 1st), C: 510-774-9683 danamaral@earthlink.net

Wed. Dec. 12    Mid-week Morning Ride
8:30 AM    35-45 miles, 2-3 M/B
Meet at the Niles Staging Area parking lot located at the east end of the Alameda Creek Trail. We will do a loop around Fremont-Newark en route to a coffee/snack stop, so bring $$.  
Al Quintana (510) 760-9245; alanq44@hotmail.com

Thur. Dec. 13    Thursday Morning Coffee Ride
9:00AM     20-40 miles, 2-3M (M+, flats)
See the listing of Thur. Dec. 6 for complete details of this recurring ride starting at Newark Java.
Lori Sommer (510) 794-8624 home, (510) 693-8624 cell; lmsommer@sbcglobal.net

Fri. Dec. 14     The Friday Bike Club
8:30 AM     35-45 miles, 3-4 M/B
Meet at the Castro Valley Park & Ride Lot. Bring $$ for a coffee stop.
Al Quintana (510) 760-9245; alanq44@hotmail.com

3rd Week in DECEMBER

Sat. Dec. 15    Patterson Pass (riding east) & Corral Hollow
9:00 AM     55 miles, 5 B-lite to B
Second of the "Last Tough Rides of 2007" series.  We'll climb Patterson Pass in a direction and route not often done by the club -- from the Livermore side (which actually seems a bit easier) -- and then reward ourselves with a long, fast descent toward Tracy. We'll stop to refuel at the quickie mart/gas station nearby Hgwy 580, then head over to Corral Hollow and climb the twisting canyon road the steep way.  If rain threatens, contact ride leader or check FFBC email list as some other option might arise.  Ride starts from Livermore Lucky's market, corner of Concannon and Holmes.
Brad, 510-795-7065, bradbaldwin@att.net

Sat. Dec. 15    Calaveras Counter Clockwise
8:30 AM     42 miles,3 M , 1900 feet.
We’ll start in Downtown Niles Parking Lot and take the Paseo Padre route down south.  We will regroup at Ed Levin Park and after the climbing the wall.  Bring lots of fluids and a snack as any stop where we can buy food and drink is not until Sunol. Rain or a serious threat of rain cancels. Call me after 7am.
M Pace: Tony Flusche, (510) 247-3220, TonyF@att.net

Sat. Dec. 15     Tempo ride
9:00 AM SHARP (to be verified)     70 miles (min) F-2
Race Team Ride #21   Golden Gate Tourists / Marin Headlands
Lets go ride where we never have. The rough plan is to start somewhere near Golden Gate Park in SF and cross the GG bridge into Marin. Route to be devised as yet All race team members are requested to wear their team uniform. Rain will NOT stop play. No stopping, no dropping. Start point TBD
Garry Birch    (925) 556-1564 or (510) 438-9632

Sun. Dec. 16     Slow Pokes & Old Folks
9:00 AM      25 Miles Flat Ride
Meet at Newark Java, for a ride through Coyote Hills and down the Alameda Creek trail. This is a good for people beginning cycling because 80% of the ride is on trails and no one gets left behind.
Dan & Susan Lucchesi 510 797-2005 dllucchesi1@aol.com

Sun Dec 16     Palomares and Five Canyons
8:45 AM    38 miles, 4M
Meet in Downtown Niles for a trip through Niles Canyon until Palomares and on to Five Canyons (the road) by way of Castro Valley Blvd.  Although I’m listing this ride as a moderate pace, I am hoping to get back before noon. Expect chilly weather and bring plenty of water and snacks as we can’t really count on a coffee stop.  We’ll regroup as necessary to keep this “M” paced ride together.
Karen White (510) 475-0746; kkwh@pacbell.net

Sun. Dec. 16     Low-key ride
8:30 AM SHARP     45 miles F-2
Race Team Ride #22
On roads where we can do an easy spin How about a ride to Alum Rock and back for a change. All race team members are requested to wear their team uniform. Rain will stop play. No stopping, no dropping. Start from the Niles Parking Lot
Leader TBD (925) 556-1564 or (510) 438-9632

Mon. Dec. 17    Monday Morning Recovery Ride
8:30 AM     1-2 M, 25 to 38 miles
See the listing of Mon. Dec. 3 for complete details of this recurring ride starting at the Bicycle Garage.
Mike Northrup; gmnorthrup@hotmail.com  (510) 796-8832

Tue Dec. 18     Show and Go
9:00 AM      20-50 miles, 1-5 L-M-B
Meet at the Bicycle Garage, at the corner of Thornton and Balboa Way.

Tues. Dec 18     Tuesday Night Training Ride
5:45 PM    15-25 miles, 2-3 B
Don't be lazy; fight that holiday weight gain before it gets started. Come and join us for a mid-week ride. Route TBD at the start. Meet in front of my shop at 45405 #1 Industrial Place, Fremont. I have bathroom and water available. This is a night ride and there will be traffic, so good front & rear lights are needed.  Please email (preferred) or call if you're coming, so I know whom to expect. Rain cancels, threat of rain does not. We'll just stay close if it's threatening.
Dan Amaral W: 510-656-9354 (try 1st), C: 510-774-9683 danamaral@earthlink.net

Wed. Dec. 19    Mid-week Morning Ride
8:30 AM  35-45 miles, 2-3 M/B
Meet at Newark Java in the Raley’s shopping center at Jarvis & Newark Blvd., for a ride across the Dumbarton Bridge to a destination on the Peninsula. This will be a fun ride en route to a coffee/snack stop, so bring $$.
Al Quintana (510) 760-9245; alanq44@hotmail.com

Thur. Dec. 20   Thursday Morning Coffee Ride
9:00AM     20-40 miles, 2-3M (M+, flats)
See the listing of Thur. Dec. 6 for complete details of this recurring ride starting at Newark Java.
Lori Sommer (510) 794-8624 home, (510) 693-8624 cell; lmsommer@sbcglobal.net

Fri. Dec. 21    The Friday Bike Club
8:30 AM     35-45 miles, 3-4 M/B
Meet at the Castro Valley Park & Ride Lot. Bring $$ for a coffee stop.
Al Quintana (510) 760-9245; alanq44@hotmail.com

Fri. Dec. 21     Christmas Lights Ride
7:00 PM    15-20 miles, 1-L
Meet at Newark Java for a meandering route through Newark and Fremont to admire the Christmas decorations without adding to the traffic congestion. This is a new route as of last year. So get in the holiday spirit, dress warm, and join us for a different type of ride. Bring $$ for hot drinks at Newark Java after the ride. Head light and taillight are required!
Jim Herman (510) 790-9044; jdherman@earthlink.net

4th Week in DECEMBER

Sat. Dec. 22   Portola Road Ride
9:00 AM     40 miles, 3 M
Meet me at Newark Java for a loop through the scenic portola valley.  Same route used in Progressive Rides.
Wynn Kageyama home: 510-659-1360 cell:  408-499-0881

Sat. Dec. 22    Tempo ride
8:30 AM SHARP      70 miles F-2
Race Team Ride #23    Moraga / Lafayette
We will follow the route of the long defunct FFBC Primavera northern loop, With all the joys of climbing Reillez station Road.
All race team members are requested to wear their team uniform. Rain will NOT stop play. No stopping, no dropping. Start from the Niles Parking Lot
Garry Birch    (925) 556-1564 or (510) 438-9632

Sun. Dec. 23    Grant Park
9:00 AM      40 miles, 4M
Start Lucky’s  shop ctr.,Warm Springs & Mission
Time for a little steady climbing work.  South via the usual roads to Alum Rock Park, then up Mt. Hamilton Rd. as far as Grant Park before turning back.  Those who want to ride a little harder are welcome to do hill repeats.  Enjoy the views of the bay while descending We'll take a short stop, so bring some $, and then roll back to Warm Springs.
Eric Dittmar, 510-579-7337, ericdit@gmail.com

Sun. Dec. 23      Low-key ride
8:30 AM SHARP      45 miles F-2
Race Team Ride #24
On roads where we can do an easy spin How about a ride to Alum Rock and back for a change. All race team members are requested to wear their team uniform. Rain will stop play. No stopping, no dropping. Start from the Niles Parking Lot
Leader TBD (925) 556-1564 or (510) 438-9632

Mon. Dec. 24   Monday Morning Recovery Ride
8:30 AM      1-2 M, 25 to 38 miles
See the listing of Mon. Dec. 3 for complete details of this recurring ride starting at the Bicycle Garage.
Mike Northrup; gmnorthrup@hotmail.com  (510) 796-8832

Tue Dec. 25   Show and Go
9:00 AM    20-50 miles, 1-5 L-M-B
Meet at the Bicycle Garage, at the corner of Thornton and Balboa Way.

Wed. Dec. 26     Mid-week Morning Ride
8:30 AM    35-45 miles, 2-3 M/B
Meet at the Niles Staging Area parking lot located at the east end of the Alameda Creek Trail. We will do a loop around Fremont-Newark en route to a coffee/snack stop, so bring $$.  
Al Quintana (510) 760-9245; alanq44@hotmail.com

Wed. Dec. 26    LSD Hilly Ride
8:30 AM Sharp    65 Miles?
Team ride #25     Morgan Territory here we come
Garry will lead a ride that includes ascents of Morgan Territory
and Mt. Diablo to the “junction” Plenty of mountain to get rid of mountains of Christmas excess All race team members are requested to wear their team uniform. Rain will stop play. No stopping, no dropping. Start from the Pleasanton Park and Ride on Johnson & Stoneridge, From I-680 north, take Stoneridge East to Johnson Drive
Garry Birch    (925) 556-1564 or (510) 438-9632

Thur. Dec. 27    Thursday Morning Coffee Ride
9:00AM    20-40 miles, 2-3M (M+, flats)
See the listing of Thur. Dec. 6 for complete details of this recurring ride starting at Newark Java.
Lori Sommer (510) 794-8624 home, (510) 693-8624 cell; lmsommer@sbcglobal.net

Thur. Dec. 27   Thursday Night Training Ride
5:45 PM     15-25 miles, 2-3 B
Don't be lazy; fight that holiday weight gain before it gets started. Come and join us for a mid-week ride. Route TBD at the start. Meet in front of my shop at 45405 #1 Industrial Place, Fremont. I have bathroom and water available. This is a night ride and there will be traffic, so good front & rear lights are needed.  Please email (preferred) or call if you're coming, so I know whom to expect. Rain cancels, threat of rain does not. We'll just stay close if it's threatening.
Dan Amaral W: 510-656-9354 (try 1st), C: 510-774-9683 danamaral@earthlink.net

Fri. Dec. 28     The Friday Bike Club
8:30 AM      35-45 miles, 3-4 M/B
Meet at the Castro Valley Park & Ride Lot. Bring $$ for a coffee stop.
Al Quintana (510) 760-9245; alanq44@hotmail.com

5th Week in DECEMBER

Sat Dec 29     Over the Hill to Woodside via Edgewood
8:45 AM   45 miles, 3-4M
Meet at Newark Java for a trip over the Dumbarton Bridge as we make our way through Redwood City and wind our way to Edgewood Road.  Once we reach Woodside, we’ll stop for a snack and a chance to warm up at Robert’s Market before continuing back up Canada Road for a climb up Godetia before heading back down to Redwood City for our trip back home.  Bring water, snacks and warm clothes.  We’ll regroup as necessary to keep this “M” paced ride together.
Karen White (510) 475-0746; kkwh@pacbell.net

Sat. Dec. 29    Tempo
8:30 AM SHARP      65 miles F-4
Team Ride #26 - Del Valle
A gruppo compacto to lake Del Valle. Climb over the hill and descend to the gate house and lake (water and potty) and retrace to regroup at the top of the climb. Total climbing for the day will be approx. 3000 ft. All race team members are requested to wear their team uniform. Rain will NOT stop play
No stopping, no dropping. Start from the Niles Parking Lot
Garry Birch (925) 556-1564 or (510) 438-9632

Sun. Dec. 30    Mt. Hamilton
8:30 AM    60 miles, 5 B-lite to B
Final ride of the "Last Tough Rides of 2007" series.  Sure, the weather could be iffy -- in fact, there could be snow at the summit, but we've climbed Mt. Ham several times before at this time and it can also be magnificent. So, let's hope for the best!   Will probably have a coffee/pastry stop somewhere on the return trip.  As before, if rain threatens, contact ride leader or check FFBC email list as some other option might arise. Ride starts from the shopping complex parking lot in front of Longs on Mission Blvd. & Warm Springs.
Brad, 510-795-7065, bradbaldwin@att.net

Sun. Dec. 30     Low-key ride
8:30 AM SHARP   45 miles F-2
Race Team Ride #27
On roads where we can do an easy spin. How about a ride over the Dumbo for a change. All race team members are requested to wear their team uniform. Rain will stop play. No stopping, no dropping. Start from the Niles Parking Lot
Leader TBD (925) 556-1564 or (510) 438-9632

Mon. Dec. 31   Monday Morning Recovery Ride
8:30 AM    1-2 M, 25 to 38 miles
See the listing of Mon. Dec. 3 for complete details of this recurring ride starting at the Bicycle Garage.
Mike Northrup; gmnorthrup@hotmail.com  (510) 796-8832

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