The season is ending soon (we’ll be gone for two weeks), so I decided to write a report before it’s too late. I’ve gotten so much (friendship, practice, lessons) from these rides that it’s past due for me to show my appreciation in writing. …more…

Christine and Erin led a ride at Tamarancho in Marin. There were thirteen of us total who showed up.  The ride is pretty much a loop, and we went the “easier” way.  Still, there are quite a few sections, either due to roots, pointy rocks, or rounded rocks, that are challenging to most of …more…

This was an announcement from PTB newsletter.
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What: Women’s ride at Water Dog Lake Park in Belmont followed by dinner & drinks at Passion Trails Bicycles
Where: Passion Trails Bicycles, 415-C Old County Road, Belmont. …more…

Following is my post to MTBR.
Last year, I posted A (very) slow rider's Downieville XC report here. In response to the generous encouragement I received, I promised I would come back. A promise is a promise is a promise. I did. So here I am again to report back. …more…

I confess: I’ve been lazy.
Not so lazy that I haven’t been riding Arastradero, but too lazy to write about it. After a few weeks away, Mei rode with us tonight. In her gentle way she gave me a small dose of guilt: “Has the group been riding? I haven’t seen any ride reports. …more…

On Saturday, we slept in as what most people did on the day after July 4th and did not pull into Hunting Hollow parking lot until almost 11. The sun was already cooking the ground by then. Perfect for heat training at Coe. Two riders returned from their ride of the day while we were gearing up. …more…

The weekend didn’t start out well. When we were about to board our shuttle on Saturday to Packer Saddle for a downhill run, I realized that I forgot my riding shorts at home. I had to spend $50+ on a pair of most uncomfortable MTB shorts (Mens’ Small was the closest I could find and they …more…

Friday:
We took a three o'clock shuttle to Packer Saddle and did a DH run: Sunrise, Butcher Ranch, 2nd Divide. Sunrise is a very flowy single track. There is almost no obstacles. Butcher Ranch has some technical sections. You can see in this youtube video how the rock garden topples many racers. …more…

When Erik and I topped out on the Downieville Classic Cross Country (XC) course at Packer Saddle on our third day of riding, it was a very pleasant surprise to see and chat with a couple of divas, DH Jill and Heather. Four divas were still on the climb and they were going to wait, so we said goodbye …more…

[Note: This was my post on MTBR, where I learned about this event.]
8AM at Coe HQ? That’s just too early! But Erik said since we had so much fun on our last ride (note: my only Coe ride), we should give something back. That makes sense. …more…

[Note: Below was my ride report sent to the dirt divas.]
All I did was I asked, “So, Janet, you are not riding, but you are still writing the ride report, right?” “No, but Mei, you are writing it.” *kicking myself* Why did I ask? Okay, here is my assignment. …more…

One nice thing about riding close to home is when we found out that Erik forgot his camelpak at home, he could drive home to fetch it while I rode around the parking lot doing my drills. It was meant to be a short ride on the last day of our long weekend, so we just went around the perimeter clockwise …more…

It’s a long awaited three-day weekend, so normally we would have taken the opportunity to go somewhere that we otherwise couldn’t get to on a regular weekend. However, the weather in the Sierra looks crappy, the traffic in and out of the Bay Area sounds daunting, plus the gas price is …more…

It was two months ago, I made my first ride to Water Dog and immediately fell in love with that little city park. I went back twice during lunch breaks by myself, but I felt a little lonely. Plus, both times I saw an old man, once with a big stick in his hands, on the trails. …more…

I’m taking a Written Communication Skills class for ESL Speakers at work. The first feedback my instructor gave me on my assignments was “wordy.” Knowing my problem doesn’t necessarily mean I know how to fix it. But it enables me to warn you — this is going to be a long …more…

I’ve already posted my ride report yesterday. Today I made sure I had my camera in hand all the time.
Here is our group at Denny’s for breakfast on Sunday morning. Ryan whom Jeff and I rode with went home last night. Erik came down at 1:30 in the morning after work and went back to work …more…

I patted myself on the back — I did it, the Sea Otter Mountain Biking Recreational Ride (aka MTB tour).
I have to confess though my motive in signing up for the ride was not pure. Erik had ridden at Sea Otter a few times. Last year when he quit riding there (not interested any more), his …more…

I know there is a reason why people say it’s important to build a relationship with the LBS (Local Bike Shop). My LBS is Passion Trail Bikes. I met Jill at PTB and heard about this underground group of female mountain bikers — the Dirt Divas. (Oops, did I say underground? …more…

Once at Purisima and once at Skeggs (aka El Corte De Madera) on the same day.Our mountain bike ride started in the afternoon from Skeggs Point parking lot. After turning off Skyline, we took the Purisima Creek Trail down, a sweet fire road, to the bottom. …more…

Yesterday, I signed up for the Mountain Bike Recreational Ride (aka tour) at Sea Otter Classic 2008. From what I heard, Sea Otter is a big event in bicycling. Last year, we went to the Expo the last day. Along with all the vendor booths, there were some competitions such as free riding and BMX’ing …more…

[Note: I wrote this report after the race. I posted it both on MTBR and our Biking Forum.]
I can see the finish now. A few hard pedals, I’m there! I probably have let out a scream or two in excitement. The support staff tears off the bottom portion of my bib. It is a great feeling. …more…

[Note: This is my trip report posted on the forum.]
Another fun day! Strom and I camped near Bear Valley and met up with Delbomber, Nick, YETITIME, and my friend Melissa (I climbed with her three years ago). Uncle Stinky swang by and said hi. …more…

[Note: We hooked up with Uncle Stinky and he gave us a MTB tour of Bear Valley. I posted this TR on the forum.]
An awesome tour indeed. Uncle Stinky (Jeff S.) is great! To us, he is a god-send. The MTB guidebook in the sports shop is sold out. The trails in the area are more than confusing. …more…