The East Bay Invitational (EBI)

I've been pretty lax in getting around to posting about the past couple of months of riding.

Thanks to Rob Hamner for pulling together a great ride for the 1st annual East Bay Invitational (September 17th, 2006). Although I didn't feel my best during the day (I think I under-hydrated), it was a great ride with a bunch of nice folks. I hope this is the first of many annual rides.

Here's a shot of my friend Paul and I at the top of Tunnel Road / Skyline (depending upon which way you approach it). Clearly, I'm still feeling pretty good at this point, but it was not to be my day. We ran along Grizzly Peak and up to the Steam Trains, where we set off down a steep winding decent I've never done (and doubt I'll do again). Kinda crappy road conditions and a cyclo-cross sand pit at the bottom. This met Wildcat Canyon about a mile from Inspiration Point (towards the bears). I think just running over to Shasta or the entrance at Euclid would have been a better idea (and perhaps an idea for next year).

In any case, the weather was fantastic and we got some decent pacelining going, though I haven't ridden with these gentlemen (and ladies) before,
so you can see the safety distance (that's me in second place, waiting to take a pull at the front).

For some reason, the Bears kicked my ass a little bit this time around. Admittedly, I hadn't been on the bike in a couple of weeks, but I was getting passed easily going up Papa Bear. Hot day, ran out of water -- all the excuses, but I just had a weak day.

Nonetheless, a good group of folks, a well organized ride, and good fun. Plus, it hooked me back up with my friend Paul and ultimately led to my registering for the Grizzly Century.

Thanks, Rob. Looking forward to it next year (perhaps without the cyclocross section).