Bob Freitas was hoping someone would give a ride report and I have been hoping the same thing also. Those who usually report are far more eloquent in describing the events than I but they seem to be silent in this instance, so I'll give it a try for once. Please excuse me for not knowing or remembering everyone's name.
I've only been riding with this group for that past year, so I'm not as knowledgable in many ways as they are.
I shared a ride with Bob Freitas this past Saturday and while riding home, we both agreed that this was possibly the best ride ever. Ofcoarse, it seems like each one of these rides is better than the last. Let's face it, it can't keep getting better forever.
This Saturday ride was in the hills and valleys of the Woodside which is not far from Palo Alto and Stanford University. This area is a favorite for many cyclists in the bay area and it seemed like most of them were out on Saturday. The tree covered hills are gently rolling which makes the ride much more interesting and enjoyable than one which is perfectly flat or extremely mountainous. The weather was about as perfect as one could imagine as well. It was sunny and warm, but there was plenty of shade for those who wished to remain cool.
Most of the usual suspects were present. I got to meet a few people I had not met in the past. Dave and Linda Martinez led the ride which was about 25 miles. We got strung out a few time but stopped often to regroup. Towards the end though, we inadvertently got seperated into two groups but converged at the predetermined spot for lunch. Fresh deli sandwiches were enjoyed in a picnic setting in the local school yard. Lots of enjoyable conversation ensued and there was mention of a couple of birthdays that had occurred in the last few days.
Jan and Peter Johnson were riding their matching Masi's.... Bob Freitas made his maiden voyage on a newly acquired Cinelli which began with a tire blowing out in the parking lot before the ride even started. I graciously offered him my spare tube which when unrolled turned out to be the spare tube for my Bike Friday which uses 20" wheels...Not much help there. Mark rode his white Paramount. Felix brought his immaculate Cinelli. Tom(?)shared his new Hetchins (beautiful). Thomas had his trusty Bianchi. I brought my Gios. I can't remember whether Dave was riding a Cinelli or a Masi but I do remeber that it had more patina than paint. But it had been passed around the group for a number of years and has found a home where it is loved just as it is. Linda was riding a much more presentable Cinelli. I forget the gentleman's name who was riding the Jeff Lyons but he told an interesting tale of how he went to England and brought it home only to have Jeff Lyons move to within a few miles of him a month or two later. Terry brought a chrome Colnago which he had just finished building the week before. Brad was riding a Zeus which is all I've ever seen him ride. I think he really likes Zeus bicycles. Let's see, who am I forgetting. And less importantly, which bikes am I forgetting. There were many wonderful people and machines there to say the least. The location, scenery, weather, lunch, conversation and companionship was as good as it gets... Can't wait for the next one...
Bruce Schrader San Francisco, CA
===== "Not all those that wander are lost." -J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973)