Stephen Quashnick's Biking Page

I don't ride very much anymore, but that will have to change now. Since I started to ride a stationary bike at physical therapy, I will now need to ride at home. It will be very easy rides, but it will definitely be more fun with moving scenery.

The last big ride for me was on April 28th, 2001 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. A small group of friends (about 8 people) headed out on a 25 mile road ride. What a blast! The pace was easy but steady. My friend Dave and I were averaging nearly 13 miles/hour and complete the course in 2 hours. The MS Society people had SAG support and rest breaks with water and food. It was a lovely day!

Northern California is a great place to be for many reasons; one of the best is the excellent mountain bike trails. Some trails are paved bike paths that run along the San Francisco Bay, others are dirt trails that lead through forested and grassy open space preserves.

Riding is more fun when done with a group (also safer). I have a great group of riding friends, we usually head out once a week to battle the mountain. The group has a very diverse skill level profile (newbie to veteran -or- flat paved trail rider to mountain goat). With this great difference in riding abilities and skills we have made a motto: Leave your Pride in the Car. I like this motto (riding is fun and not work)--pride will distroy your fun, rob your strength, and make you bitter (at this point you might as well go to work).

I have two bikes (road and mountain). For the mountains I ride a Bontrager frame (hard tail is the only way to ride) which I custom built from the frame up. It is not a light-as-a-feather bike, but the wieght helps me feel "grounded". I use a Rock Shox Judy front suspension fork with WTB Velociraptor tires (front and rear) which have saved my ass many times by helping me climb out of a rut before it corners and I do an endo. I use clipless pedals by Ritchie--I suggest you try them. If you have never used clipless, be prepared to cow-tip (To Cow-Tip: you must come to a stop without releasing from the pedal and then falling over like a tipped cow--on my first ride, I cow-tipped 4 times). For the road, I ride a 1985 Nishiki. This is a plain vanilla chomoly steel frame that is too big for me (I bought it used from a friend). I always ride on Continental "bald" (no tread) 700 x 23. This is a bottom-of-the-line bike, but it ride well. For all of you dirt-heads, try a road ride to develope quick feet.

Spinning Earth

Here is a list of some of our favorite Northern California rides:

Saratoga Gap/Russian Ridge--this ride starts in a conifer (pine) forest area and weaves around to a scrub brush hilly section with climbs that overlook the Pacific Ocean. This ride can be as short as two miles or as long as 20 depending on the number of loops you take. Pictures
Fremont Older--This ride starts in a park an quickly moves to the "out-back" where a very long climb awaits (1.5 mile 9-12% grade) on a grassy fire trail, it has sparse covering with a few hardwood trees.
Russian Ridge--Nearly all out in open grass area with a few forested areas to help cool you off. This ride will take you around a small fishing lake. Pictures
Arasadero--This ride is nearly the same as Russian Ridge, but a lot easier. The steepest grade is 8-9% and lasts less than a quarter mile.
Grant Ranch--This NORBA trial has forested sections and open plains with many tough climbs (it is easier and more fun when riden in the reverse direction). This trail is very technical and provides the advanced rider some mind boggling trail navigation.
Wilder Ranch--Santa Cruz, California ride with very open tall grass areas with lots of altitude gain before a cooling off at the eucalyptus grove; normally a hot ride (water is absolutely necesary). Pictures
National Bike Registry

Take a look at the few links I have for the sport of bicycling. There aren't very many, but they are useful:
1) Bay Area Trail Reviews is a GREAT place to get a lot of info.
2) Biking links for frames, tools, and rides.
3) Lake Tahoe pictures.

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