Volume 41, Issue 5, May 2013


FFBC's 2013 Primavera was a great success thanks to all the hard work put in by our commitee and club volunteers. The event ran smoothly and a great time was had by all. We think Ed would have been pleased to see so many smiling faces.
Photo board collage courtesy of Karen Barry and photos courtesy Joyce Tanaka

Photo and article submissions for each month’s e-Newsletter must reach Marcella Casebolt (ffbc.newsletter@gmail.com) by the 20th of the month.

Newsletter Team
Marcella Casebolt

 
Karen White

Visit our website at www.ffbc.org.

This newsletter can be found on the web at http://www.pbcsmarketing.com/fremont/newsletter.htm

Making a Move?
Please notify Linda Fung.
membership@ffbc.org

Reminders & Happenings

FFBC Gear - Get in the program
FFBC Logo Bike Clothing & Custom-made Clip-On Bike Mirrors: Jerseys ($52), windbreakers ($45), vests ($45), arm warmers ($20), headbands ($5), and DeFeet socks ($6) are available for sale. Mirrors ($10) adjusts to fit the earpiece of almost any glasses frame gives you a broader field of view, and are guaranteed for life. These items can be purchased either at FFBC's monthly meeting or by calling for an appointment at my home. Ed Tanaka (510) 657-5068 for clothing, and Molly and Neil Michelfelder (510) 797-6458 for mirrors.


FROM THE SUMMIT

The 2013 Primavera is behind us.  We can all breathe a sigh of relief.  Some of us worked the day of the Primavera.  Some of us worked days, weeks or months in advance to plan and organize the Primavera.  Together we made the Primavera a ride that cyclists really enjoyed.  We can all be proud of the event we hosted.  Cyclists responded enthusiastically, and many of them look forward to riding the Primavera again. 

Some of us are already looking at ways to make next year’s Primavera even better.  For years we have tried to make each Primavera better than the ones before it.  Our quest for improvement continues.  You have already seen Andy’s messages requesting input on the Primavera.

Many of us joined the club to ride.  Now that the 2013 Primavera is past us, we can spend more time enjoying club rides.  The ride calendar includes a number of attractive rides, but there is certainly room for more.  If you don’t see rides that interest you, consider leading a ride.  It’s not as hard as you might think.  When I led my first ride, I just followed the example set by other ride leaders.  That seemed to work, and the other riders appreciated it.

Would you consider buying a cardboard bike?  For information on a cardboard bike and its inventor, check out the story at the following web site:

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference/2012/1207/Izhar-Gafni-invents-a-cardboard-bicycle-that-may-revolutionize-transportation

I don’t think I’m ready for a cardboard bike, but I find the idea interesting.  I’m not sure how long a cardboard bike might last.  However, considering the low price, there is not much to lose by trying one.  If you decide to spring for a cardboard bike, bring it on a club ride so we can see it.

I’ll see you at the Primavera workers party.

Gary
President, FFBC


BOARD MEETING MINUTES

FFBC BOARD MEETING
LOCATION: Fremont Adult School
DATE: April 9, 2013

Attendance 
Gary Smith (President), Ken Goldman (Vice President), Terri Yi (Treasurer), Vanessa McDonnell (Ride Coordinator), Chris Menicou (Race Team Liaison), Ron Mitchell (Director-at-Large), Jennifer Shively (Secretary)
Start 6:40pm
The board discussed Race Team activities, ride activities, treasurer’s report, and general business.
The March meeting minutes were approved.

Race Team Report
Team Fremont – FFBC members participated in 11 difference race events since our last report. The team is doing very well with the following summary of placements in these events:

7 Wins
8 Top 5’s
9 Top 10’s

Race Result Highlights:

Beat The Clock 10 mile Time Trial
Mark King – 1st Fixie Aero Class
Mark King – 7th ITT
Maxine Ho – 7th Non Aero Class

Bariani Road Race – March 17th
Sandra King– 9th

Putah Creek Time Trial – March 20th
Mark King -1st
Sandra King – 3rd

Wards Ferry Road Race – March 23rd
Tim Vickory – 5th Cat 4 Mstr.
John Lem – 7th Cat 4 Mstr.

Woodbridge Time Trial
Mark King – 1st
Sandra King – 2nd

Regalado Road Race
Mark King – 3rd
Sandra King – 2nd
Cynthia Wang – 3rd

Copperopolis Road Race
Mark King – 1st  Cat 4 Mstr.
Cynthia Wang – 1st Junior 15-16

Putah Creek Time Trial – April 3rd 
Mark King -10th
Sandra King – 7th

Central Coast Circuit Race – Monterey, April 6th
John Lem – 6th Cat 4 Mstr.
Darryl Leung – 8th Cat 5

Topsport Stage Race (Time Trial, Circuit Race, Road Race) – April 6-7th
Sandra King – 1st Cat 4

Team Target Event Update
The team target event for March was the Land Park Criterium in Sacramento on March 16th. Thirteen total team participants. Here are top 10 Places from the event:

Jeffery Melad – 2nd Cat 5
Elizabeth May-Gaitos – 8th Cat 4
Cynthia Wang 3rd – Junior 15-16
Lindsay Kageyama – 1st Junior 17-18

Team Sponsored Event & Fund Raiser
May 25th – Calaveras Road (Sunol) Individual Time Trial

Race, Ride, Event Update – Team Fremont Targeted Race Event s for 2013

Apr.  27th - Wente Road Race, Livermore
May 5th - Panoche Valley Road Race
June - Dash for Cash Crit or Niles Crit or Mt. Diablo HC TT
July 14th - Foothill Circuit Race, Palo Alto
Aug.-  Warnerville Time Trial or Tempus fugit TT or Winters RR if we do Mt. Diablo HC in June
Sept. - Giro di SF Crit or Milpitas GP

Tuesday - Thursday Night Training (TNT)
·       Tuesday Night Training:  Meet at 6:30 at the Club Sport parking lot for a local ride and workout. 
Lights required during Winter months.
·       Thursday Night Training always at 6:30PM on Eureka off Stevenson in Fremont.

Team Membership
57 Total Race Team Members signed-up for the 2013 season.

The Race Team will be helping out in the Rios Lovell Winery lunch stop for the Primavera FFBC event.

Ride Coordinator
The PRS and LAP rides finished last weekend.   A new T – M Portola Loop ride will be added to the Ride Calendar beginning in April.  Multiple Cinderella ride leaders showed interest and two stepped up to lead the monthly ride.  The upcoming Primavera Workers Ride has ride leaders for all distances.
The sock incentive ride leader program has 19 eligible recipients.  Vanessa has distributed 5 socks and brought a box of socks to the meeting. The club has no medium socks, but lots of XL socks. Ordering club socks would require a minimum of 10 dozen.  Primavera has ordered 150 pairs so the club may use the extra socks for the sock incentive drawing.

Treasurer’s Report
Current financials were reviewed.  At the end of March the club revenue shows $25,600.  The bulk of that number comes from Primavera registration.  The expenses coming in this month will include the Cinderella program and Primavera expenses.  Unfortunately, Terri is still working with Bank of America to resolve some lingering issues related to the check fraud situation.

General Business
FFBC Clothing
FFBC jerseys will arrive at the end of June and the thermal arm warmers will arrive a week later.  Primal will give the club an additional 20% discount on the jerseys due to a mistake that was made on the final Cinderella jersey.  Additionally, Primal has negotiated a special clothing price for 2014 Cinderella jersey and agreed to a lower order quantity. 
Club member jerseys purchased must be picked up at the FFBC General Meeting or at a club event.  Club jerseys can be purchased for $40 and arm warmers for $20. 
CPR Training
Due to the loss of a recent FFBC cyclist, Ken did some research on CPR training.  The board was most interested in the CPR hybrid training option:   complete first part online $22-$25 person, second part a 3 hour classroom session that costs $20 to $25 for a total cost of $50.  The board discussed FFBC picking up the cost of the second part.  A Yahoo Poll will be sent to the FFBC membership to find out interest level. 
For those interested, Sports Basement offers free CPR classes, but they fill up in 24 hours. 
Fremont Earth Day
The board decided to turn down the April 20th Fremont Earth Day opportunity.  The date falls on the day before Primavera and all available resources will be helping with Primavera.  We will re-visit the opportunity next year.
Primavera
Primavera will sellout and participation will cap at 1000 adults.
Donations Committee
The following FFBC members signed  up to participate on the Donations Committee:
Jorge Gildelatorre
Julie Gilson
Sandra King
Conni Smith
Lori Sommer
The board will take suggestions from the committee on where to donate.
By-laws will be discussed at the next May board meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 7:32pm.  The next Board and General Meetings will be held on Tuesday, May 14th.

 

FFBC GENERAL MEETING

There was a full classroom in anticipation of Dale & Ken’s presentation.  The general meeting also included one new member who introduced himself as Bob Miller.

March Meeting Minutes approved.  Chris presented the race team results, Terri provided a review of finances and Vanessa discussed the ride calendar, times for Primavera workers ride, and socks for incentive program. Colin Moy was the Ride Leader Drawing winner for the month of March.  Ron mentioned that the bicycle carriers are available for members to use and to send an email to reserve them.

General Meeting was adjourned at 7:45pm and Dale and Ken’s Touring Adventure to Mexico slideshow followed. 


Club Member Spotlight

FFBC Primavera Century 2013
A Ride Dedicated to the Memory of Ed Tanaka
Photos courtesy of Karen Barry and Joyce Tanaka

Beautiful weather, comfortable temperatures, happy smiling riders, a great new venue, and so many volunteers stepping up to make this years Primavera a success.  This year’s event was a great tribute to Ed Tanaka who wore many hats as he volunteered throughout the years for the FFBC.  It took 5 volunteers to take on the jobs he did each year for the Primavera, which shows the type of dedication he had to this club.  Ed would have been pleased to see how well the whole day’s event rolled out!


Checking in the riders at Mission San Jose High School, our new start and finish location


Riders getting ready to leave for their routes from the MSJ Horseshoe


Everyone enjoying a little shade and the baked goods at the Sunol Rest Stop!


The Sunol Gang greet the bikers with an “ALOHA!” as they enter and leave their Rest Stop


Enjoying the ride on Foothill


Riders always enjoy their time at the Palo Verde Rest Stop


There is plenty of shade and seating here for everyone


Heading towards the last climb of the day, Palomares


Yes, he’s going to climb it on that!  He’s been doing it ALL day!


Dear Gary and the FFBC family,
Yes, Ed is and would be proud. His presence was felt in the good weather, amazing rider's attitudes, and volunteer dedication. This is a one of a kind bike club. I am blessed to be part of it!
Joyce


SPECIAL HAPPENINGS

Our Next FFBC Meeting is May14th
Crank-2 Tandem Presentation
Meetings are regularly held the second Tuesday of every month.  The monthly Board Meeting is at 6:30 p.m. followed by the General Meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Meetings are now held at a NEW LOCATION:
Fremont Adult School
4700 Calaveras Avenue (Room N6)
Fremont, CA (map)
We will be using room N6, which is a prefab classroom at the rear of the rear parking lot. Members should park behind the main building, as far to the rear as possible to be close to the room.

Wednesday Evening Pizza Rides
It's time again for our popular Pizza Rides! Join Robin & Tim O’Hara and Vicki Timmons on Wednesday evenings in May for an early evening ride, returning before dark to feast on pizza. There will be multiple routes to choose from.

If you plan on staying for pizza, $5 buys you 3 slices of pizza and soft drinks after the ride (participation optional). When signing in, remember to check “YES” or “NO” on the sign-in sheet for pizza so we order the appropriate amount of pizza. The pizza order is placed before the ride starts so late arrivals will miss out. Food will be ready at 7:30 pm.

The rides meet at 6:00 PM for sign in, to be completed by 6:10. Departure time is 6:15pm SHARP.  This month meet in the parking lot across the street from Bronco Billy’s in downtown Niles.

Dale & Ken’s Excellent Adventures
Tracy Overnighter
47 miles Saturday, May 4th 9am
45 miles Sunday, May 5th 9am                                  
Here is a link to the route: http://lasthill.net/Maps/TracyOvernighter.htm
There is a negotiated a special group rate with the Fairfield Inn in Tracy. Call (209) 833-0135 and let them know you want the special rate for the Fremont Bicycle Club.
For more information check this month’s ride calendar.

Bikes on BART
Visit this page starting March 18, 2013, to take part in the new bike pilot survey. BART has announced a second test of bikes on BART during commute hours and your feedback from the survey will be used in evaluating the pilot's success. In the meantime, until the survey is live, you can always submit comments on any bike issues by emailing us at bikes@bart.gov
http://www.bart.gov/guide/bikes/index.aspx


APRIL 2013 Ride Calendar

WEDNESDAY EVENING PIZZA RIDES
It's time again for our popular Pizza Rides! Join Robin & Tim O’Hara and Vicki Timmons on Wednesday evenings in May for an early evening ride, returning before dark to feast on pizza. There will be multiple routes to choose from.

If you plan on staying for pizza, $5 buys you 3 slices of pizza and soft drinks after the ride (participation optional). When signing in, remember to check “YES” or “NO” on the sign-in sheet for pizza so we order the appropriate amount of pizza. The pizza order is placed before the ride starts so late arrivals will miss out. Food will be ready at 7:30 pm.

The rides meet at 6:00 PM for sign in, to be completed by 6:10. Departure time is 6:15pm SHARP.

Pizza Ride Leader Reservation List:
May: Robin & Tim O’Hara, Vicki Timmons
June: Robin & Tim O’Hara, Vicki Timmons
July: Julia & David Walker
August: OPEN
September: OPEN (usually only the first 2 weeks)

You can volunteer to lead a month of Pizza Rides anytime by contacting the Ride Coordinator. See the Pizza Ride Coordinator's "How To" Guide on the FFBC website for more information about leading one.

FFBC RIDE CLASSIFICATION
Ride leaders are encouraged to maintain their ride paces as outlined at http://www.ffbc.org/html/RideClassification.html.

Maps to the frequently used start locations.
Maps to the start locations may be viewed from the link on the FFBC website.

THANK YOU TO ALL THE MAY RIDE LEADERS!

1st Week in MAY

Wed May 1              Mid-week Morning Ride
8:30 AM             35-45 miles, 2-3, M-B
Meet at Raley’s shopping center parking lot east side, close to Tutti Frutti, Jarvis Ave & Newark Blvd (Newark), 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; alanq44@hotmail.com (510) 760-9245

Wed May 1               Pizza Ride
6:00 PM             20-25 miles, M,B
It’s Pizza Ride time again! What could be better than a mid-week bike ride followed by delicious pizza and the good company of other club members? Meet in the parking lot across the street from Bronco Billy’s in downtown Niles.
For details about how our Pizza Rides work please see the full description at the beginning of the ride schedule.
Vicki Timmons; vicki2bike@comcast.net; (510) 589-7356

Thurs May 2             Thursday Morning Coffee Ride
9:00 AM              Alum Rock Park
32 miles, 1-3, M
We meet at REI in Fremont (43962 Fremont Blvd.) and our first regroup is at Jose Higuera Park.  We ride along rolling foothills, climb into Alum Rock Park to the visitor's center, descend into Milpitas and have lunch at Noah's Bagels/Starbucks on North Milpitas Blvd. It is a flat ride back with no regroups.  No route sheets, no one left behind, and there are options (Alum Rock Road, Miguelito/Miguelita, Inspiration Point) for faster riders that like to climb. Bring $ for lunch.
Extreme temperatures or construction may modify the route. Rain cancels, check FFBC Yahoo! Group, email or call me.
Lori Sommer; lorimsommer@gmail.com; (510) 693-8624 -C

Thurs May 2               TNT (Thursday Night Training)
6:15 PM                60-90 minutes, 1, M-B-F
Every Thursday night (52 weeks of the year, rain or shine, daylight or nighttime). Riders of all levels and abilities congregate from about 6:15 PM onwards and we start a structured program at about 7 PM, training for around 60-90 minutes. We always do a combination of skills practice, speed and endurance work.
Meet at Eureka Drive, Newark (from I-880, go west on Stevenson Boulevard. Cross the Boyce road/Cherry Road intersection. Take the first right on to Eureka and then the first driveway on the left.
When dark, lights required. Helmets are mandatory.
Garry Birch; garry_b94568@yahoo.com; (925) 556-1564, (925) 819-0247

Fri May 3              The Friday Bike Club
8:30 AM               35-45 miles, 3-4, M-B
Meet at 580 Marketplace East Castro Valley Blvd East of I-580, on the Safeway Supermarket side of the shopping center (Castro Valley). Meet in the northeast corner of the parking lot. Bring $$ for a coffee stop.
Al Quintana; alanq44@hotmail.com (510) 760-9245

Sat May 4              5 Canyons + Mt. Diablo
7:45 AM             80 miles, 5, B
This ride starts as the usual 5-canyons ride with a detour after Norris Canyon to the north. We will go up Mt. Diablo from the south (to the guard house) and exit on the north. We’ll head home via Danville and Foothill. Rain cancels.
Raymond Nieh; rt.nieh@gmail.com; (510) 894-0688
Vanessa McDonnell; vanessa@mcnmc.com; (510) 517-1466

Sat May 4            Calaveras Clockwise
8:30 AM           40 miles, 3, M & B
This is our traditional "1st Saturday of the Month" ride. We will meet at DOWNTOWN Niles parking lot across from H St on Niles Blvd. 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. Rain or a serious threat of rain cancels.
B: West Kurihara; wkurihara@yahoo.com; (650) 279-0813 -C
M: Dave Fishbaugh; fish1950@comcast.net; (510) 364-2207

Sat May 4           Dale & Ken’s Excellent Adventure
9:00 AM             Tracy Overnighter – Day 1
47 miles, 4, T-M
Start location: Niles Downtown
The Dale and Ken Excellent Adventure for May will be a two day, overnight ride to Tracy. It will start in Niles on Saturday, May 4th.  We will stay at a very nice motel in Tracy before returning home on Sunday, May 5th. Saturday is a 47 mile ride and Sunday is a 45 mile ride. The climbing each day is about the same as a Calaveras loop. We will go out over Vallecitos and Corral Hollow and return over Patterson Pass.
This ride will be at T/M pace and is certainly suitable for riders who participated in the LAP series as well as Cinderella graduates.

There will be a vehicle to carry our overnight bags.  All you have to do is ride.

We have negotiated a special group rate with the Fairfield Inn in Tracy.  If you are interested in going, we suggest you make your reservations now. Since you are reserving directly with the motel, it can be cancelled until 6 pm 5/4 without penalty. Call : 209-833-0135 and tell them you want the special rate for the Fremont Bicycle Club. This is $80.00 (plus tax) for a room with two queen beds and a hot breakfast—(be sure to find a roommate to share the cost).  If there is any question when you call (there shouldn’t be) ask for the manager: Doshia Myrick. We stayed there last year and it is very nice with several nearby restaurants for a nice group dinner.
We will stop for coffee in Livermore and have lunch on the outskirts of Tracy.

Here is a link to a map and route sheet:
http://lasthill.net/Maps/TracyOvernighter.htm

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us directly
Dale Blanchard; dale-b@comcast.net; (510) 703-7474
Ken Goldman; ken.goldman@comcast.net; (510) 791-1095

Sun May 5                    Show & Go
8:30 AM                  20-50 miles, 2-4, L-T-M-B
Meet at the Raley's Shopping Center parking lot east side, close to Tutti Frutti, Jarvis Ave & Newark Blvd (Newark).

Sun May 5               Dale & Ken’s Excellent Adventure
9:00 AM             Tracy Overnighter – Day 2
45 miles, 4, T-M
Start location: Fairfield Inn Tracy
This is the return trip of our overnight ride.  Lunch will be in Livermore.
Dale Blanchard; dale-b@comcast.net; (510) 703-7474
Ken Goldman; ken.goldman@comcast.net; (510) 791-1095

2nd Week in MAY

Mon May 6            Monday Morning Recovery Ride
8:30 AM            40 miles, 1-2 (610’), M
Let's meet at the Cabrillo Park Cafe 4673 Thornton Ave, between I-880 and Dusterberry (former location of 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 a flat ride down past Club Sport to the end of Fremont Blvd. We'll turn around and have a coffee break at a local coffee shop and make our way over to Coyote Hills for a trip back on the trail, ending our ride well before 12:30 (on rare occasions we head directly home after coffee, shortening the ride to about 30 miles and getting back close to 11:30). Elevation gain is 610 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; mikenorthrup@gmail.com; (510) 796-8832

Tue May 7               Tour de Fremont Hills
8:30 AM             29 miles, 3 (~1,900'), M, B
Meet at the Isherwood staging area on Isherwood Way at Paseo Padre Pkwy on the dirt (north) side of Alameda Creek Trail and join us for a few of Fremont's finest hills. We'll warm up on the nice, flat Alameda Creek Trail before our first mini-climb: Stenhammer. Then it's up Mission (with a few detours thrown in) to the next climb: the short but steep Yakima/ Zapotek leg burner. A quick regroup and on to "The Animals" via Stanford. We'll head up Paseo Padre THE WRONG WAY followed by a short but steep kick up Pine and our weekly grind up Sabrecat. Just to make sure that we've managed to elevate our heart rate sufficiently we'll tackle Paseo Padre the wrong way again or for added suffering we’ll climb back over Pine! Then we're ready for a nice downhill coast to Peets for a well-deserved coffee and the end of our ride. Rain cancels the ride. If uncertain of the status of the ride, contact me between 7:15am and 7:45am on my cellphone on the day of the ride.
B: Vanessa McDonnell; vanessa@mcnmc.com; (510) 441-7607 -H, (510) 517-1466 -C
M: Jo Lynn McCabe; jojomc250@aol.com; (510) 406-5499

Tue May 7              Show & Go
9:00 AM              20-50 miles, 1-5, L-M-B
Meet at the Bicycle Garage 5006 Mowry Ave at Blacow Rd.

Tue May 7            TNT (Tuesday Night Training)
6:15 PM               60-90 minutes, 1, M-B-F
Club members of all levels and abilities are welcome to join the race team for a training ride around the locale. Departure time from the parking lot will be 6:30 PM. On rainy evenings the training may be moved indoors to The Bicycle Garage. An email will be sent to the Yahoo! Group if the plans are changed.
Meet at ClupSport parking lot (46650 Landing Parkway Fremont, CA 94538).
When dark, lights required. Helmets are always mandatory.
Garry Birch; garry_b94568@yahoo.com; (925) 556-1564, (925) 819-0247

Wed May 8                Mid-week Morning Ride
8:30 AM              35-45 miles, 2-3, M-B
Meet at DOWNTOWN Niles parking lot across from H St on Niles Blvd. We will do a loop around Fremont-Newark en route to a coffee/snack stop, so bring $$.
Al Quintana; alanq44@hotmail.com (510) 760-9245

Wed May 8             Pizza Ride
6:00 PM               20-25 miles, M,B
It’s Pizza Ride time again! What could be better than a mid-week bike ride followed by delicious pizza and the good company of other club members? Meet in the parking lot across the street from Bronco Billy’s in downtown Niles.
For details about how our Pizza Rides work please see the full description at the beginning of the ride schedule.
Vicki Timmons; vicki2bike@comcast.net; (510) 589-7356

Thurs May 9             Thursday Morning Coffee Ride
9:00 AM                 Across the Bridge
25-35 miles, 2-3, M
This ride starts at the Don Edward's Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (Marshlands Road, Fremont). We head across the Dumbarton Bridge to various destinations. For a flat ride we head through East Palo Alto and along a few paths to Shoreline Park for lunch. For a ride with climbing we do Woodside Road, Sand Hill/Whisky Hill, Alpine Loop, Arastradero or Edgewood Road.  Sometimes the climbing is optional.  We always stop for coffee and riders are welcome to head back on their own if they know the way. Usually we ride without route sheets so we regroup as necessary. No one is left behind. Bring $ for lunch.
Extreme temperatures or construction may modify the route. Rain cancels, check FFBC Yahoo! group, email or call me.
Lori Sommer; lorimsommer@gmail.com; (510) 693-8624 -C

Thurs May 9                TNT (Thursday Night Training)
6:15 PM              60-90 minutes, 1, M-B-F
Every Thursday night (52 weeks of the year, rain or shine, daylight or nighttime). Riders of all levels and abilities congregate from about 6:15 PM onwards and we start a structured program at about 7 PM, training for around 60-90 minutes. We always do a combination of skills practice, speed and endurance work.
Meet at Eureka Drive, Newark (from I-880, go west on Stevenson Boulevard. Cross the Boyce road/Cherry Road intersection. Take the first right on to Eureka and then the first driveway on the left.
When dark, lights required. Helmets are mandatory.
Garry Birch; garry_b94568@yahoo.com; (925) 556-1564, (925) 819-0247

Fri May 10                The Friday Bike Club
8:30 AM                  35-45 miles, 3-4, M-B
Meet at 580 Marketplace East Castro Valley Blvd East of I-580, on the Safeway Supermarket side of the shopping center (Castro Valley). Meet in the northeast corner of the parking lot. Bring $$ for a coffee stop.
Al Quintana; alanq44@hotmail.com (510) 760-9245

Sat May 11                 Tour of California, Stage
8:15 AM                 62 miles, 5 (5,000’), B
It's that time again! You know, time to preview a TOC stage.  OK, we've probably all done this climb, but now we have another excuse. I am choosing to follow the part of Stage 7 that everyone is going to pay attention to: the final stretch from Livermore to the Mt. Diablo summit.
Based on the stage log, it looks like 31 miles to the summit, following their route. (Our start location will be different, but the miles to the top should be about the same.) We will turn around, descend the mountain, and follow the tour route in reverse right back to where we started. I'm estimating 5000 feet on this one; your numbers may vary.
Start location: Lucky at Concannon and Holmes, Livermore
Mike Williams; mwilliams297@comcast.net; (510) 364-4335,

Sat May 11               Tuesday Hills On Saturday
8:30 AM                30 miles, 3, M
Get all of the Tuesday Tour de Fremont Hills ride fun on the weekend! Meet at the Isherwood staging area on Isherwood Way at Paseo Padre Pkwy on the dirt (north) side of Alameda Creek Trail and join us for a few of Fremont's finest hills. We'll warm up on the nice, flat Alameda Creek Trail before our first mini-climb: Stenhammer. Then it's up Mission (with a few detours thrown in) to the next climb: the short but steep Yakima/ Zapotek leg burner. A quick regroup and on to "The Animals" via Stanford. We'll head up Paseo Padre THE WRONG WAY followed by a short but steep kick up Pine and the grind up Sabrecat. If we haven't managed to elevate our heart rates sufficiently we'll tackle Paseo Padre the wrong way again; otherwise we'll head directly to Peets for a well-deserved coffee and the end of our ride. Rain cancels the ride.
If uncertain of the status of the ride, contact me between 7:00am and 7:30am by phone on the day of the ride.
Mike Northrup; mikenorthrup@gmail.com; (510) 796-8832

Sat May 11               Round the Bay
9:00 AM            45 miles, 1, T-M
Start location: REI Fremont
A Cindy-friendly ride around the bay.  Visit exotic and far-away cities like Sunnyvale and Palo Alto.  Only brave the Dumbarton approach once.  Coffee/light lunch in Mt.View.  No-drop ride.
Margaret Koniniec; koniniec@sbcglobal.net; (510) 651-3225

Sun May 12              Show & Go
8:30 AM                20-50 miles, 2-4, B
Meet at DOWNTOWN Niles parking lot across from H St on Niles Blvd.

Sun May 12         “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 the Raley's Shopping Center parking lot east side, close to Tutti Frutti, Jarvis Ave & Newark Blvd (Newark), 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.
Gary Smith; GSMITH289@aol.com; (510) 797-7809 –H, (510) 304-0956 –C

3rd Week in MAY

Mon May 13               Monday Morning Recovery Ride
8:30 AM               40 miles, 1-2 (610’), M
Let's meet at the Cabrillo Park Cafe 4673 Thornton Ave, between I-880 and Dusterberry (former location of 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 a flat ride down past Club Sport to the end of Fremont Blvd. We'll turn around and have a coffee break at a local coffee shop and make our way over to Coyote Hills for a trip back on the trail, ending our ride well before 12:30 (on rare occasions we head directly home after coffee, shortening the ride to about 30 miles and getting back close to 11:30). Elevation gain is 610 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; mikenorthrup@gmail.com; (510) 796-8832

Tue May 14                    Tour de Fremont Hills
8:30 AM                38 miles, 3 (~2,000’), M, B
Meet at the Isherwood staging area on Isherwood Way at Paseo Padre Pkwy on the north (dirt) side of Alameda Creek Trail. Since I've heard that a change is as good as a rest on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month we’ll do one of my favorite local hills – Palomares. We'll do a clockwise loop going up Palomares and Dublin grade followed by the rollers on Foothill. We’ll return through the canyon with the ride once again finishing at Peet’s for a well-deserved coffee. Rain cancels. If uncertain of the status of the ride, contact me between 7:15am and 7:45am on my cellphone on the day of the ride.
B: Vanessa McDonnell; vanessa@mcnmc.com; (510) 441-7607 -H, (510) 517-1466 -C
M: John Dickens; j_m_dickens@yahoo.com; (510) 364-1797

Tue May 14              Show & Go
9:00 AM              20-50 miles, 1-5, L-M-B
Meet at the Bicycle Garage 5006 Mowry Ave at Blacow Rd.

Tue May 14              TNT (Tuesday Night Training)
6:15 PM               60-90 minutes, 1, M-B-F
Club members of all levels and abilities are welcome to join the race team for a training ride around the locale. Departure time from the parking lot will be 6:30 PM. On rainy evenings the training may be moved indoors to The Bicycle Garage. An email will be sent to the Yahoo! Group if the plans are changed.
Meet at ClupSport parking lot (46650 Landing Parkway Fremont, CA 94538).
When dark, lights required. Helmets are always mandatory.
Garry Birch; garry_b94568@yahoo.com; (925) 556-1564, (925) 819-0247

Wed May 15           Mid-week Morning Ride
8:30 AM             35-45 miles, 2-3, M-B
Meet at Raley’s shopping center parking lot east side, close to Tutti Frutti, Jarvis Ave & Newark Blvd (Newark), 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; alanq44@hotmail.com (510) 760-9245

Wed May 15                 Pizza Ride
6:00 PM              20-25 miles, M,B
It’s Pizza Ride time again! What could be better than a mid-week bike ride followed by delicious pizza and the good company of other club members? Meet in the parking lot across the street from Bronco Billy’s in downtown Niles.
For details about how our Pizza Rides work please see the full description at the beginning of the ride schedule.
Vicki Timmons; vicki2bike@comcast.net; (510) 589-7356

Thurs May 16              Thursday Morning Coffee Ride
9:00 AM             Norris & Bollinger Canyons
27 miles, 3 (2,300’), M
This ride starts at Endless Cycles (3300 E. Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley, NEAR Center Street, please park in the small side-parking lot.  Jeff will open the shop early so we can use the restroom. We will head directly up Crow Canyon and climb Norris from the south side. We will do an out and back on Bollinger Canyon (go as far as you like or head directly to lunch). After our stop we will climb the south side of Norris and return via Crow Canyon. Climb at your own pace. If you’re a fast climber, when you reach the top, you can come back down for the last rider (usually me). Bring $ for lunch.
Extreme temperatures or construction may modify the route. Rain cancels, check FFBC Yahoo! group, email or call me.
Lori Sommer; lorimsommer@gmail.com; (510) 693-8624 -C

Thurs May 16            TNT (Thursday Night Training)
6:15 PM            60-90 minutes, 1, M-B-F
Every Thursday night (52 weeks of the year, rain or shine, daylight or nighttime). Riders of all levels and abilities congregate from about 6:15 PM onwards and we start a structured program at about 7 PM, training for around 60-90 minutes. We always do a combination of skills practice, speed and endurance work.
Meet at Eureka Drive, Newark (from I-880, go west on Stevenson Boulevard. Cross the Boyce road/Cherry Road intersection. Take the first right on to Eureka and then the first driveway on the left.
When dark, lights required. Helmets are mandatory.
Garry Birch; garry_b94568@yahoo.com; (925) 556-1564, (925) 819-0247

Fri May 17             The Friday Bike Club
8:30 AM              35-45 miles, 3-4, M-B
Meet at 580 Marketplace East Castro Valley Blvd East of I-580, on the Safeway Supermarket side of the shopping center (Castro Valley). Meet in the northeast corner of the parking lot. Bring $$ for a coffee stop.
Al Quintana; alanq44@hotmail.com (510) 760-9245

Sat May 18              Alum Rock with the Back Seat Driver
8:00 AM                30 miles, 1-2, T
Start location: Meet at REI Fremont on Ice House Terrace (near Auto Mall Pkwy & Fremont Blvd) in the side parking lot.
Join us for our favorite ride to Alum Rock Park. (Cinderella friendly. "Pink" riders from the Cinderella training series, this is a good ride for you, too!) Bring $ for a coffee stop in Milpitas at Noah’s Bagels or Starbucks Coffee. No one will be left behind! Note: If it's forecasted to be over 90 degrees, we'll talk about doing a shorter route when we meet.
Shelley & Jorge Gildelatorre; swills22@yahoo.com; (510) 651-0635

Sat May 18                  Portola Loop
8:30 AM                    30 miles, 3, T-M
Please join us for our newest monthly club ride at a touring-moderate pace. Meet at Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (Marshlands Rd., Fremont). We’ll ride across the Dumbarton bridge and do a loop around Portola Valley (sometimes CW, sometimes CCW depending on the ride leader’s preference). Bring money for a coffee stop along the way. This is a no-drop ride.
Julia & David Walker; walk9422@gmail.com; (510) 468-9712
 

Sat May 18              Show & Go
8:30 AM               20-50 miles, 2-4, B
Meet at the Raley's Shopping Center parking lot east side, close to Tutti Frutti, Jarvis Ave & Newark Blvd (Newark).

Sun May 19              Show & Go
8:30 AM              20-50 miles, 2-4, L-T-M-B
Meet at DOWNTOWN Niles parking lot across from H St on Niles Blvd.

Sun May 19              Pleasanton to Mt. Diablo Summit
8:45 AM             60 miles, 5, M
Start location: Pleasanton BART (north end parking lot by the Iron Horse Trail)
Missed the Tour de California and want to experience some of the Stage 7 fever?  Ride an M-pace loop from Pleasanton BART through Dublin, Pleasanton, Danville, and on to Mt. Diablo summit. We'll enter the South Gate and exit the North Gate, circle around Walnut Creek, rest stop in Danville, and head back to the BART station. Bring $ for snacks/coffee. First Fremont train leaves 8:14 A.M. and arrives Pleasanton 8:51 A.M. Rolling at 9 A.M.
http://www.mapmyride.com/us/dublin-ca/mt-diablo-pleasanton-loop-route-175099136
Colin Moy; moyboys@comcast.net ; (510) 690-7749 -C

4th Week in MAY

Mon May 20              Monday Morning Recovery Ride
8:30 AM              40 miles, 1-2 (610’), M
Let's meet at the Cabrillo Park Cafe 4673 Thornton Ave, between I-880 and Dusterberry (former location of 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 a flat ride down past Club Sport to the end of Fremont Blvd. We'll turn around and have a coffee break at a local coffee shop and make our way over to Coyote Hills for a trip back on the trail, ending our ride well before 12:30 (on rare occasions we head directly home after coffee, shortening the ride to about 30 miles and getting back close to 11:30). Elevation gain is 610 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; mikenorthrup@gmail.com; (510) 796-8832

Tue May 21                Tour de Fremont Hills
8:30 AM               29 miles, 3 (~1,900'), M, B
Meet at the Isherwood staging area on Isherwood Way at Paseo Padre Pkwy on the dirt (north) side of Alameda Creek Trail and join us for a few of Fremont's finest hills. We'll warm up on the nice, flat Alameda Creek Trail before our first mini-climb: Stenhammer. Then it's up Mission (with a few detours thrown in) to the next climb: the short but steep Yakima/ Zapotek leg burner. A quick regroup and on to "The Animals" via Stanford. We'll head up Paseo Padre THE WRONG WAY followed by a short but steep kick up Pine and our weekly grind up Sabrecat. Just to make sure that we've managed to elevate our heart rate sufficiently we'll tackle Paseo Padre the wrong way again or for added suffering we’ll climb back over Pine! Then we're ready for a nice downhill coast to Peets for a well-deserved coffee and the end of our ride. Rain cancels the ride. If uncertain of the status of the ride, contact me between 7:15am and 7:45am on my cellphone on the day of the ride.
B: Vanessa McDonnell; vanessa@mcnmc.com; (510) 441-7607 -H, (510) 517-1466 –C
M: Jo Lynn McCabe; jojomc250@aol.com; (510) 406-5499

Tue May 21                 Show & Go
9:00 AM               20-50 miles, 1-5, L-M-B
Meet at the Bicycle Garage 5006 Mowry Ave at Blacow Rd.

Tue May 21              TNT (Tuesday Night Training)
6:15 PM            60-90 minutes, 1, M-B-F
Club members of all levels and abilities are welcome to join the race team for a training ride around the locale. Departure time from the parking lot will be 6:30 PM. On rainy evenings the training may be moved indoors to The Bicycle Garage. An email will be sent to the Yahoo! Group if the plans are changed.
Meet at ClupSport parking lot (46650 Landing Parkway Fremont, CA 94538).
When dark, lights required. Helmets are always mandatory.
Garry Birch; garry_b94568@yahoo.com; (925) 556-1564, (925) 819-0247

Wed May 22              Mid-week Morning Ride
8:30 AM                35-45 miles, 2-3, M-B
Meet at DOWNTOWN Niles parking lot across from H St on Niles Blvd. We will do a loop around Fremont-Newark en route to a coffee/snack stop, so bring $$.
Al Quintana; alanq44@hotmail.com (510) 760-9245

Wed May 22                Pizza Ride
6:00 PM               20-25 miles, M,B
It’s Pizza Ride time again! What could be better than a mid-week bike ride followed by delicious pizza and the good company of other club members? Meet in the parking lot across the street from Bronco Billy’s in downtown Niles.
For details about how our Pizza Rides work please see the full description at the beginning of the ride schedule.
Tim & Robin O'Hara; tohara2938@aol.com; (510) 471-2464

Thurs May 23           Thursday Morning Coffee Ride
9:00 AM              Across the Bridge
25-35 miles, 1-3, M
This ride starts at the Don Edward's Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (Marshlands Road, Fremont). We head across the Dumbarton Bridge to various destinations. For a flat ride we head through East Palo Alto and along a few paths to Shoreline Park for lunch. For a ride with climbing we do Woodside Road, Sand Hill/Whisky Hill, Alpine Loop, Arastradero or Edgewood Road.  Sometimes the climbing is optional.  We always stop for coffee and riders are welcome to head back on their own if they know the way. Usually we ride without route sheets so we regroup as necessary. No one is left behind. Bring $ for lunch.
Extreme temperatures or construction may modify the route. Rain cancels, check FFBC Yahoo! group, email or call me.
Lori Sommer; lorimsommer@gmail.com; (510) 693-8624 -C

Thurs May 23            TNT (Thursday Night Training)
6:15 PM            60-90 minutes, 1, M-B-F
Every Thursday night (52 weeks of the year, rain or shine, daylight or nighttime). Riders of all levels and abilities congregate from about 6:15 PM onwards and we start a structured program at about 7 PM, training for around 60-90 minutes. We always do a combination of skills practice, speed and endurance work.
Meet at Eureka Drive, Newark (from I-880, go west on Stevenson Boulevard. Cross the Boyce road/Cherry Road intersection. Take the first right on to Eureka and then the first driveway on the left.
When dark, lights required. Helmets are mandatory.
Garry Birch; garry_b94568@yahoo.com; (925) 556-1564, (925) 819-0247

Fri May 24               The Friday Bike Club
8:30 AM                35-45 miles, 3-4, M-B
Meet at 580 Marketplace East Castro Valley Blvd East of I-580, on the Safeway Supermarket side of the shopping center (Castro Valley). Meet in the northeast corner of the parking lot. Bring $$ for a coffee stop.
Al Quintana; alanq44@hotmail.com (510) 760-9245

Sat May 25               Al’s Birthday Ride (15th Annual)
8:30 AM                 63 miles, 2, M
Join us on this annual ride and help me celebrate ANOTHER 29th birthday (my 36th one)! Similar to last year, we will cycle around the south end of the Bay. Meet by the bathrooms at Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge (9800 Thornton Ave., Fremont, CA.) at 8:30am. We will take a circuitous route down toward the southern end of Fremont, then head directly south to Milpitas..  We will make a brief stop there for coffee and a snack, then proceed around the south end of the Bay to our lunch destination in Palo Alto.
Al Quintana; alanq44@hotmail.com; (510) 760-9245

Sat May 25                Show & Go
8:30 AM             20-50 miles, 2-4, L-T-M-B
Meet at the Raley's Shopping Center parking lot east side, close to Tutti Frutti, Jarvis Ave & Newark Blvd (Newark).

Sun May 26               Show & Go
8:30 AM              20-50 miles, 2-4, L-T-M-B
Meet at DOWNTOWN Niles parking lot across from H St on Niles Blvd.

Sun May 26               Gary’s Nightmare
9:00 AM                50-55 miles, 5 (5,000’), M
Start location: Monta Vista Park, Foothill Road and Voss Ave, Cupertino
After enduring this ride last year, Jim Takasugi described it as "...really tough, a ride from hell, actually."  It sounds like fun, eh?  We'll start in Cupertino, wind our way up to Skyline, descend Kings Mountain Road into Woodside and return on Foothill.  Bring $ for a stop at Roberts Market.  Directions:  From 280, take the Foothill Road South exit.  Drive about 1.2 miles.  Turn right on Voss Ave. Park on the street or in the parking lot on your right.
Gary Smith; GSMITH289@aol.com ; (510) 797-7809 -H, (510) 304-0956 -C

5th Week in MAY

Mon May 27          Monday Morning Recovery Ride
8:30 AM              40 miles, 1-2 (610’), M
Let's meet at the Cabrillo Park Cafe 4673 Thornton Ave, between I-880 and Dusterberry (former location of 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 a flat ride down past Club Sport to the end of Fremont Blvd. We'll turn around and have a coffee break at a local coffee shop and make our way over to Coyote Hills for a trip back on the trail, ending our ride well before 12:30 (on rare occasions we head directly home after coffee, shortening the ride to about 30 miles and getting back close to 11:30). Elevation gain is 610 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; mikenorthrup@gmail.com; (510) 796-8832

Tue May 28                Tour de Fremont Hills
8:30 AM            38 miles, 3 (~2,000’), M, B
Meet at the Isherwood staging area on Isherwood Way at Paseo Padre Pkwy on the north (dirt) side of Alameda Creek Trail. Since I've heard that a change is as good as a rest on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month we’ll do one of my favorite local hills – Palomares. We'll do a clockwise loop going up Palomares and Dublin grade followed by the rollers on Foothill. We’ll return through the canyon with the ride once again finishing at Peet’s for a well-deserved coffee. Rain cancels. If uncertain of the status of the ride, contact me between 7:15am and 7:45am on my cellphone on the day of the ride.
B: Vanessa McDonnell; vanessa@mcnmc.com; (510) 441-7607 -H, (510) 517-1466 -C
M: John Dickens; j_m_dickens@yahoo.com; (510) 364-1797

Tue May 28                Show & Go
9:00 AM             20-50 miles, 1-5, L-M-B
Meet at the Bicycle Garage 5006 Mowry Ave at Blacow Rd.

Tue May 28              TNT (Tuesday Night Training)
6:15 PM             60-90 minutes, 1, M-B-F
Club members of all levels and abilities are welcome to join the race team for a training ride around the locale. Departure time from the parking lot will be 6:30 PM. On rainy evenings the training may be moved indoors to The Bicycle Garage. An email will be sent to the Yahoo! Group if the plans are changed.
Meet at ClupSport parking lot (46650 Landing Parkway Fremont, CA 94538).
When dark, lights required. Helmets are always mandatory.
Garry Birch; garry_b94568@yahoo.com; (925) 556-1564, (925) 819-0247

Wed May 29              Mid-week Morning Ride
8:30 AM               35-45 miles, 2-3, M-B
Meet at Raley’s shopping center parking lot east side, close to Tutti Frutti, Jarvis Ave & Newark Blvd (Newark), 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; alanq44@hotmail.com (510) 760-9245

Wed May 29                 Pizza Ride
6:00 PM               20-25 miles, M,B
It’s Pizza Ride time again! What could be better than a mid-week bike ride followed by delicious pizza and the good company of other club members? Meet in the parking lot across the street from Bronco Billy’s in downtown Niles.
For details about how our Pizza Rides work please see the full description at the beginning of the ride schedule.
Tim & Robin O'Hara; mail4ohara@aol.com; (510) 471-2464

Thurs May 30            Thursday Morning Coffee Ride
9:00 AM          Tully’s via Kilkare, Happy Valley & Bernal Bump
25-35 miles, 1-3, M
We will meet in the gravel parking lot across from the Sunol Train Station and ride up Kilkare. Then we will head up Foothill to ride Happy Valley and continue up the Bernal Bump. There are some options if you want to skip some climbing and meet us at Tully's coffee in Pleasanton. No one left behind. Bring $. There is also a yummy burrito store next door.
Extreme temperatures or construction may modify the route. Rain cancels, check FFBC Yahoo! group, email or call me.
Lori Sommer; lorimsommer@gmail.com; (510) 693-8624 -C

Thurs May 30              TNT (Thursday Night Training)
6:15 PM                  60-90 minutes, 1, M-B-F
Every Thursday night (52 weeks of the year, rain or shine, daylight or nighttime). Riders of all levels and abilities congregate from about 6:15 PM onwards and we start a structured program at about 7 PM, training for around 60-90 minutes. We always do a combination of skills practice, speed and endurance work.
Meet at Eureka Drive, Newark (from I-880, go west on Stevenson Boulevard. Cross the Boyce road/Cherry Road intersection. Take the first right on to Eureka and then the first driveway on the left.
When dark, lights required. Helmets are mandatory.
Garry Birch; garry_b94568@yahoo.com; (925) 556-1564, (925) 819-0247

Fri May 31               The Friday Bike Club
8:30 AM              35-45 miles, 3-4, M-B
Meet at 580 Marketplace East Castro Valley Blvd East of I-580, on the Safeway Supermarket side of the shopping center (Castro Valley). Meet in the northeast corner of the parking lot. Bring $$ for a coffee stop.
Al Quintana; alanq44@hotmail.com (510) 760-9245


New Members/Ride Leaders

THANK YOU APRIL RIDE LEADERS

Gary Birch
Dale Blanchard
Mark Davis
Jorge Gildelatorre
Shelley Gildelatorre
Ken Goldman
Marty Heinrich
Kevin McDonnell

Vanessa McDonnell
Jim Marsh
Mike Northrup
Tim O’Hara
Al Quintana
Andy Sass
Gary Smith
Lori Sommer