Vote Today for More Acces to Mountain Bike Trails on Mt. Tam

Hey Hot Mamas it's time to vote!

Should there be more opportunities for mountain biking on Mt. Tam?
Read the article and vote today at: The Marin IJ
(Deadline December 1st)

Weight Loss Ride in the Headlands

My body reached the 135 pounds mark and Dana told me she wanted to do some climbing to get in shape, so I planned this Friday ride in the Headlands with training and weight loss in mind. It was raining and foggy so I bribed Dana with hot chocolate after the ride plus assured her and she was going to ride some fun trails for the first time.

This is me deciding what rain gear to bring.

This is the map with the route and the prize after the ride, yummy hot chocolate. The route consisted basically going to the Golden Gate bridge and back home via Hill 88. Dana didn't realize what she was getting into...

This is Dana finally committing to the weight loss ride.

This is Poncho telling us we are nuts for riding in this weather and very sad because Dana didn't bring his big strong handsome boyfriend Hawk.

This is a mountain lion's poop we found during the ride.

I promise we didn't eat it because I knew about Dana's cinnamon roll with peanut butter jelly. I always beg her for a couple of bites. She wasn't so mad at me for taking her to this ride yet, so she let me have a big bite. Behind the cinnamon roll is Rodeo beach at the Headlands.

We found rescue teams practicing rescuing people from big cliffs and we were amazed by all the equipment they use.

And by now, after riding 19 miles and climbing 4,652 feet under the rain for about 6 hours Dana was really mad at me.

The fun trails we did and the hot chocolate, beer and pizza after the ride didn't snap Dana out of her bad mood. Before she left the house she told me: "I won't ride the Headlands in 20 years!"

But after some days in another ride, she told me she lost 4 pounds. I lost one pound only! That wasn't fair!

Last Women's Ride of 2007: Wed Sep 19th

Seven women showed up this last time! yeah! Celia, Francine, Dolores, Suzie, Lornita, Karen and Nicole. But only 6 of us gathered by the kiosk at San Pedro Road around 5:30 pm to ride the last Women's Ride of the year around the front side of China Camp. And yes, there are only 5 women in the picture above.... What about the 6th and the 7th women? Well, the picture above was taken at the end of the ride and only 5 of us finished the ride together, from left to right: Francine, Dolores, Suzie, Celia and Nicole. So what happened?! Do we still have two women lost in China Camp from last night?!! Keep reading if you want to know what happened.

Karen took off after half an hour for some back-to-school night event leaving her daughter Nicole with us who showed us how fast she is riding around those switchbacks and singletracks. Watch out for this 8th grader girl who is going to be kicking butts next year when she gets into her highschool mountain bike team.

Yesterday was a end of season day, practically the first day of the Fall. The day was cold and very windy, and somehow people went crazy around the 101 because it was literally a parking lot which was the reason why Lornita couldn't join us on time. We decided not to wait for Lornita as she was stuck in the 101, but we agreed to have her start the loop counterclockwise to meet us at some point as we were riding it clockwise.

Because the sun was rapidly setting, we decided to take the Oat Ridge fireroad shortcut to get back to the cars faster. So Francine called Lornita to let her know. Good for cell phones! Lornita made an U-turn to come back to meet with us and good she thought about bringing a night light because by the time she got to the car it was totally dark. She rode by herself but she was happy she got on her bike and actually enjoyed doing some night riding to start practicing for winter and stay in shape like a Hot Mama.

As I was fearing, none of us went anywhere to have beers afterwards. (This is why I miss having boys on the rides!). But I went home and drank my favorite non-alcoholic beer Dark Clausterhauler. It relaxes me like beer does, it tates like a good lager beer tastes and best of all, it has way less calories than a beer so it keeps me like a Hot Mama!!!

We will resume these rides next year in Spring 08. Stay tuned and stay Hot Mama!!!

A BIG thank you to Mike's Bikes for promoting this ride by spreading the voice and offering good discounts to the Hot Mamas.

And CONGRATULATIONS to Dolores, who placed 2nd on an important and competitive gokart race at Infineon. Her sponsor gave her a new machine to race faster. The trophe she got is bigger than her!!!

Wed Sep 5th Women's Ride w/ Sue, Clare & Celia

Last Wednesday Sep 5th, Clare, Sue and Celia showed up for the Women's Ride. As usual, we did the front loop of China Camp. Click in the MotionBased map below to view the ride stats, ride Google map and even the ride Google Earth!



Clare was a first timer, she came to say goodbye as she is heading up to Cambridge for college. But I am sure we will see her again.

Toward the end of the ride, Sue became a true mountain biker. She hit some dry roots or something on the trail that made her loose control of her bike to go over the handlebars. She scratched her elbow, her shoulder and her face. The wounds were superficial but enough to be considered the initiation of her mountain biking path. After making sure Sue and her bike were all right, we continued on with the ride on a nice steady pace to finish right before sunset.

See you all on Wednesday Sep 19th at 5:30 pm at San Pedro Rd by the kiosk. Be ready to roll and 6:00 pm.

Celia

Wed August 9 Hot Mama Ride Report

A group of 9 hot mamas showed up last night for the women's ride supported by Mike's Bikes. The hotties from left to right (click on the picture for a close up): Nicole, Celia, Suzie, Karen, Francine, Sue, Lorna, Dana and Maria.

We enjoyed climbs, descends, switchbacks and practiced balancing riding over "skinnies" and other obstacles Dana built with some wooden blocks and boards. Dana is becoming an expert on skinnies and obstacles building. I think she is planning on converting her house into a mountain biking balancing center, as every week she sends me pictures of new constructions on her backyard, garage, front yard and the last one was a ramp over the stairs to the living room....

Below is a picture of Dana helping Lorna to master switchbacks technique!!!



THE NEXT RIDE IS ON WED AUGUST 22, 2007. BE THERE OR BE SQUARE.

Celia

Next Women's Ride Wed August 8th

Dear Hot Mamas,
Time to have fun again!!! Come to a mellow ride filled with fun and female energy. Some of you can jump, go fast or try to beat Celia on the uphill steep climb... and some of you can go slower, enjoy the views better or get some switchbacks down.

And of course, everyone can chat about boyfriends, husbands, partners, children, grandchildren, pets and lovers!

When: Wed August 8th
Where: Meet at China Camp by the Kiosk on San Pedro Rd.
When: 5:30 pm to roll at 6:00 pm
About 2 hours ride.

Celia

PS. For more info get in touch with Mike's Bikes San Rafael or visit their website http://mikesbikes.com and click on group ride directory

Wednesday June 27 Women's Ride

Last June 27th was another warm beautiful Wednesday, perfect for a hot mama ride. This time I was the dork getting really early to make sure I wouldn't miss the ride. The hot mamas this time were Lindley, Suzie, Dominica, Sue, Dolores, Celia and Dana.

We started the ride with the warm up climb while chatting away as usual, you know this is what women do when we ride.

Then we tried getting some air at a jump, and was able to take a picture of Dolores in the air!

We continued our ride and practice some switchbacks techniques after Celia gave a demonstration of what NOT to do. Suzie, Sue, Lindley and Dominica cleared some good ones!

Click here to see more pictures

Next ride is on Wednesday July 11, 2007 at China Camp. Meeting at 5:30 pm to roll at 6:00 pm. Bring your friends!

Thanks to Mike's Bikes San Rafael for helping organized these rides!

Click in the link below to see the stats, the route, the map and more!

First Mike's Bikes Women Ride June 5, 2007

A total of 13 women showed up to our first gals' ride! Leigh, Tracey, Judy, Suzie, Sam, Linda, Lisa, Jennifer, Sue, Corienne, Allie, Dolores and Heidi! With Dana and me Celia, we were 15 women! oh yeah baby!


Dana was so excited to lead this first ride, she decided to camp and sleep in China Camp near the meeting place the night before to make sure she was on time. Well... maybe not.. but she was there ready to go way before 6:00 pm.

Around 5:30 pm we started gathering, getting ready to roll at 6:00 pm. We rode the front loop of China Camp in about 2 hours chatting while pedaling and regrouping once in a while to make sure we all stayed together. Tracey and Cori had to leave early, Heidi joined us half way and the rest of us did the whole ride.






A big thank you to Jason from Mike's Bikes who came to our first ride as the sweeper!

After the ride, some of us decided to celebrate with beers and dinner at the Marin Brewery Co in Larskpur Landing. We got to know each other a little better!

Next ride is next Wednesday June 20th!
Meeting time: 5:30 pm
Rolling time: 6:00 pm
Meeting place: San Pedro Rd by the parking lot kiosk
Ride route: China Camp

Celia's Birthday Present

The end result of being sick, travelling for work and working long hours for the last two weeks was only three mountain bike rides. I was pretty cranky and moody, snappy, didn't want to deal with work, etc.. so Sally, the kids and I knew it was time for me to go biking, despite the rain.

Last Friday Feb 9th in the morning I put on all my usual winter layers (what a normal person will wear to ski in the cold snow) plus all my rain gear. I was looking like as astronaut. See below a picture Sally took before the ride:

I wanted to ride from my house all the way to Slacker to admire one of the most gorgeous views of the Golden Gate and the San Francisco Bay. I went down to the Tennessea Valley stables via Coastal, then climbed Marincello, did some secret trails that connected me with Alta, then went to Slacker via other secret trails. Once in Slacker, I did some secret trails to Coastal, where I descended to the bottom of Bob Cat to climb back Marincello. At the top of Marincello, I went down back to the stables via another secret trail, and ended the ride with the hard steep Coastal climb from the stables.

I was out there for 3 hours, climbed about 3,500 ft, was soaking wet and muddy with my spirit renewed, my peace of mind re-established and my self re-centered. It was the best birthday gift I could give to myself.

Here is how I was looking after the ride:

The Very Last 2006 Hot Mama Ride Dec 30 w/ Karen & Celia

Last December 30th, I headed to Karen's house by China Camp early morning. We made the deal that we were going to ride slow, keeping a relaxed very mellow pace to keep a zone 1 heart rate, kind of a recovery ride. Sure...

It was really cold, I could see frozen cars, streets, roofs, etc... but since I committed to be at her house and the ride was going to be easy I just went for it. After bundle up in many warm layers, Karen and I went for our "mellow, zone 1, recovery" ride that started with a "very mild mellow" climb directly to the top of the Nike site! Karen is nuts! In less than 20 minutes we were already at the top of China Camp. These cross country racers are a royal pain in the #$%@!!!

Back at the more challening side of China Camp, we joined Jon riding with a friend for a little while, and ended up riding a section of the "M&M trail". That section (an "easy" section) was so steep that in order to ride it with no dabs I had my chin/face on top of my saddle! These downhillers design some challenging trails! They are nuts!

Sand Hill Ranch & the UPS Connection

I am very pleased with UPS not only for its delivery service but also for connecting me with Tara...

Everything started with Tara asking Sally (my partner) if there was any biker living in the house as she has been delivering bike parts for quite some time. Sally told her about me, got her email and the UPS connection happened!

Since then, Tara (who is an awesome rider) and I have been in races and rides together. Hot Mamas: Dana, Becky and Wendy have ridden with Tara plus her sweet boyfriend Eric and good friend Jason who are also great riders.

Last December 17th, Dana and I got invited by Tara to go with Eric, Jason and other friends to Sand Hill Ranch to check out the mountain cross, slalom and free ride jumps.

The UPS connection made it possible for me and Dana to experience the unlimited thrill, incredible joy, powerful adrenaline rush and deep accomplishment feeling one experiences when having the cojones or the cocoya to move your bike against gravity and fly using your wheels as wings.

One of the most fascinating phenomena to me is how free riding connects people across the age spectrum. Regardless of how young or old you are, if you are there to fly with your wheels you are in! (Although your older body takes a little longer to heal when you crash...).

Jason is also a photographer, a painter and a graphic designer. He is the author of the blog I Hate Bikes, a collection of riding photos and stories about friends riding bikes.

Click below to read the story Jason wrote and check out the awesome pictures he fortunately took so I have a proof that Dana and I actually did jump over that car in the picture!.

Girl Power at Sand Hill Ranch

Last 2006 Hot Mama Ride: Tamarancho & Around w/ Mary Lynn

Last Tuesday Dec 19th, Mary Lynn and I brought our Nomads and bundled up in warm clothes as if we were going to the North Pole. It was very cold. But that didn't stop us from riding the last Hot Mama Ride of 2006.

We went up to Tamarancho counter clockwise for a faster exit to the ridge to then descend one of the most fun downhill trails of Marin where someone found once a camera wrapped around a tree...

The grass, trees and even the dirt were frozen covered by the white layer of ice. We could hear the cracking as our tires rolled the trails. Mary Lynn tried many technical sections with her new Nomad, she is conquering all Marin technical trails with the combination of her will and bike! Just wait....

This week ride: Thursday Oct 26

Ride date: Thursday Oct 26, 2006
Meeting place: Java Hut parking lot, Fairfax
Meeting time: 6:00 pm
Starting time: 6:30 pm BRING YOUR LIGHTS!!!
Ride duration: 2 - 2.5 hours
Ride area: around Fairfax
Ride skill level: Advance*

*IMPORTANT: Hot Mama Rides are classified as follow:
-Beginner: not applicable;
-Intermediate: not very technical singletracks and not very steep climbs, e.g. the front loop of China Camp;
-Intermediate to advance: some technical singletracks and some steep climbs e.g. Tamarancho loop;
-Advance: challenging singletracks with technical descends, steep climbs and tight switchbacks e.g. back side of China Camp, the Dominican side.

Friday Oct 20: Mt. Tam Delight - Modified Version

Pam, Dana and I planned to meet at Deer Park around 7:30 am to start pedaling around 8:00 am. I was running 15 minutes late and couldn't call them because I left my cellular at home. Gosh! how dependant we have become to this electronics! I was hoping Dana and Pam were running late too, and my wishes came true. Kris brought the news to me to Deer Park since Pam called her to let her know she was running late. Kris stopped by before leaving for work. Thanks Kris!

We ended up starting around 9:00 am. Oh well... getting confused about starting times happens once in a while, plus the waiting was forgotten right away when the three of us were pedaling up Deer Park toward Mt. Tam. We did modify the original ride plan since we were an hour late but still got to ride awesome trails on that awesome mountain. It is almost too small to be called a mountain, but it offers so many different gorgeous spots around its skirts in all directions. I just love Mt. Tam.

During the ride we got to practice several sections several times. Pam was coaching me and Dana on different technical sections. And by the way, Pam cleaned all sections of the ride on her very first time riding it! And Dana cleaned several sections on several trails she couldn't clean before!!!

Tuesday Oct 17 Hot Mama Ride

Last Tuesday I decided at the last minute to go for a ride. I called Dolores and Dana to see if they would ride with me that night. I couldn't start until 8:30 pm so I didn't think they would come. But I wanted some company. Dolores and Dana couldn't. And unfortunately I couldn't hook up with Wendy in time who went for a ride somewhere with her boyfriend. I then called Joanmary hoping she was in town and yes! she was available!

Joanmary came a little earlier to say hi to Sally and the kids. And we went for a Headlands 2 hours ride behind my house. We used the opportunity to catch up with our lives, talked about our new jobs and our plans for the future while paying attention to the wild life. We saw an owl and three deers, but no bob cats or mountain lions.

Let's ride next week. Send me an email if you have a plan for a ride. celiag@pacbell.net.

Celia

Hot Mama Ride Oct 10th Deer Park etc...

Last night Dolores, Wendy, Lori were waiting for Celia at the Java Hut parking lot. I arrived right at 6:30 pm and the three of them were very nice to wait for me. Dolores said hi to me while handing me a "I am a Dork" notepad for work and home so people have no doubts about my cool treats. Lori was there ready with her clean black and red bike, and Wendy was also with a super fun new bike. Forgot the brand! Gosh! what kind of rider am I!!!!

Around 6:45-7:00 pm we took off for Tamarancho until Dolores suggested to do something different, so we made a U-turn and headed to Deer Park. We climbed Deer Park fire road to then descend via Madrone and Flying Squirrel trails. It was a fun 1.5 hour ride. My first time doing those trails on my single speed, I had more fun than I originally thought on that bike. What a workout!

After the ride, we were all happy and relaxed. It was cool leaving all the stress behind on the mountains.

Back at Java Hut parking lot, Sally showed up with our brother-in-law Jess (another dork that needs another one of those note pads). They were going to join us at Iron Springs Brew for dinner and beers. Jess made sure he told everyone his republican pro Bush politics, so we didn't talk about that subject at all.... Instead Lori and Jess talked about cooking recipes and tricks (while Sally and I were cored listening to that shit). You know, we like to eat and taste it, not to cook it...

I think this is all for now. I am a little sad tonight because Sally just left for Texas for a conference and I am going to miss her all this weekend. But I am happy Jess is still here and just prepared a gourmet dinner with seared tuna, mushrom, brussels sprouts, salad, yummy! Healthy and tasty.

And Friday morning I am driving with Dolores and Tom to Sierra City to do some super fun riding around that area. I hope it doesn't rain nor snow!

Let's ride next week on Tuesday Oct 17th!!!! Stay Tuned for the details.

Celia

Two Hot Mama Rides - Sep 27 & October 2

Special Hot Mama Ride: Featuring the Freewheeler Biscuits, Monday October 2

After an intense work meeting retreat in Fairfax, I drove my hot sexy blue truck to Deer Park to meet the Freewheeler biscuits: Barb; Nancy; Robin and Kris.

When discussing what route to do I noticed two things, first Barb wanted to climb Repack! and second Robin wanted to ride a fun trail that crosses Mt. Tam. With Barb's suggestion I started to wonder why many of the Freewheeler rides include nasty climbs. I thought it was because of Randy's preferences but I wonder if the wife has anything to do with this? who knows.... And with Robin's suggestion, I noticed how determined she was to ride that particular trail.. perhaps because she already had planned the whole ride from the previous week when we talked at the book club...

Barb had to compromise her eagerness to climb steep fire roads, so we decided to climb Rock Springs instead. Barb and Robin were always ahead talking non stop during the whole climb while Nancy, Kris and I were taking very slowly also talking non stop. All of us were of course talking about everything BUT bikes or bike parts.

Once we reached this super fun trail we started the fun part of the ride, and at mid point on that trail finally Robin spell out her riding plans, to go down this other secret trail, a really fun downhill trail that dropped us at the Lagunitas Lake. We continued going down toward Deer Park through some other trails. It was a fun technical ride!

Regular Hot Mama Ride, Wednesday September 27th
Only Celia, myself, showed up for last week ride. I decided to ride Tamarancho and tried to go as fast as possible without stopping just for the hell of it because I am not training these days.... However, I couldn't follow my plans. First, I met Mike Joyce, one of the Hot Mama Boys who has been gone in the East Coast for some time so we had to catch up a little. Then I saw Matt with some girl I don't know and couldn't ask for her email to get her into this Hot Mama Rides. And when I was finishing the loop, a couple of guys yield at me to stop to ask me if I could slow down and guide them out of Tamarancho. It was dark already and they didn't have lights.

After I was back in town I went to Cafe Amsterdam where the Freewheeler biscuits were meeting for their book club. It was that night that I got accepted to be part of the club and also when the girls planned the ride for Monday October 2nd.

Click the map below for some Tamarancho stats:

Next Hot Mama Ride
Ride date: Wednesday Sep 27, 2006
Meeting place: Java Hut parking lot, Fairfax
Meeting time: 5:30 pm
Starting time: 6:00 pm BRING YOUR LIGHTS!!!
Ride duration: 2 - 2.5 hours
Ride area: Fairfax
Ride skill level: Advance*
Special Note: Hot Mamas will have beers at Iron Springs after the ride. Join us!!!

*IMPORTANT: Hot Mama Rides are classified as follow:
-Beginner: not applicable;
-Intermediate: not very technical singletracks and not very steep climbs, e.g. the front loop of China Camp;
-Intermediate to advance: some technical singletracks and some steep climbs e.g. Tamarancho loop;
-Advance: challenging singletracks with technical descends, steep climbs and tight switchbacks e.g. back side of China Camp, the Dominican side.

Last Tuesday Hot Mama Ride in Tamarancho
As planned, last Tuesday Sep 19th the Hot Mamas met at Java Hut in Fairfax. By 5:30 pm Coral, Dolores, Tom and Celia started pedaling toward Tamarancho. We had a nice ride around this awesome singletrack loop. We did it clockwise. Coral,1st place XC junior at Sea Otter, showed us her great riding skill. It was great having her in the ride.

After the ride, Coral took off home. Also Dolores and Tom also went home. And I went to pick up Nicole (my daugther) from her volleyball practice. I was supposed to get beer for me and Tom, and a root beer for Dolores, who was cooking some yummy pasta for all of us. Well, I brought the beer, Dolores had the yummy pasta, and I forgot her root beer!!!! ooops.... But I think Dolores forgave me.... Then we played with Dolores & Tom's new kitty. Super fun. And finally Nicole and I took off back top the school this time to pick up Andrea (my other daughter) who came back from a field trip. CLICK BELOW FOR THE STATS:

This Week Ride & Last Week Ride Report

This Week Ride Tuesday Sep 19, 2006
Ride date: Tuesday Sep 19, 2006
Meeting place: Java Hut parking lot, Fairfax
Meeting time: 5:00 pm
Starting time: 5:30 pm
Ride duration: 2 hours
Ride area: Tamarancho
Ride skill level: Intermediate to Advance*

*IMPORTANT: Hot Mama Rides are classified as follow:
-Beginner: not applicable;
-Intermediate: not very technical singletracks and not very steep climbs, e.g. the front loop of China Camp;
-Intermediate to advance: some technical singletracks and some steep climbs e.g. Tamarancho loop;
-Advance: challenging singletracks with technical descends, steep climbs and tight switchbacks e.g. back side of China Camp, the Dominican side.


Last Week Ride Report
Last Tuesday Sep 12, the Hot Mama ride went to the Headlands featuring Kris, Nick and Celia. It was our first night ride in a long time. We struggled a little with the lights but we were able to finish and enjoy a "bushy" singletrack ride as Nick described it. Oh well... we did get scratches and had to squeeze in between bushes and branches, but we had fun.

After the ride, Sally spoiled us with a yummy dinner and beers...

Last Week Ride & Tomorrow's Ride

Last week ride
Last Tuesday Sep 5 Celia and Dolores rode a fun Tamarancho loop. We found Coral with a flat when we were starting the ride so unfortunately she couldn't join us as we were riding without lights that day and couldn't wait any longer. Later on Coral told me that she got a second flat and actually it was a great thing she finally took her bike to the shop to be fixed and tuned up. Hopefully Coral will join us next time.

In the meantime, Dolores and Celia has a relaxing steady pace loop. We finish the ride in 2 hours, I went home happy and Dolores met Tom who just got back in town at Iron Springs Brew.

This week - Tomorrow's Ride
Ride date: Tuesday Sep 12, 2006
Meeting place: Celia's house at 801 Spring Drive, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Meeting time: 7:00 pm
Starting time: 7:30 pm
Ride duration: 2 hours
Ride area: Headlands
Ride skill level: Advance*

*IMPORTANT: Hot Mama Rides are classified as follow:
-Beginner: not applicable;
-Intermediate: not very technical singletracks and not very steep climbs, e.g. the front loop of China Camp;
-Intermediate to advance: some technical singletracks and some steep climbs e.g. Tamarancho loop;
-Advance: challenging singletracks with technical descends, steep climbs and tight switchbacks e.g. back side of China Camp, the Dominican side.