Dartmouth Cycling Wiki | Profiles / Another Futile Attempt At Legibility

" The high grey-flannel fog of winter closed off the Salinas Valley from the sky and from all the rest of the world. On every side it sat like a lid on the mountains and made the great valley a closed pot... It was a time of quiet and of waiting. The air was cold and tender." (Steinbeck, The Chrysanthemums)

Steinbeck was talking about his homeland, but it's not that much different north of Salinas in the Bay Area. The lid of fog has been quite tight that last couple of days. Steinbecks descriptions stray in one area-- he mentions that fog and rain do not go together-- this isn't so true up here. The fog gets so thick and warm that everything gets coated in a light dew. Certain trees are quite good at capturing the fog, and passing under them you're hit with heavy drops. In the summer, despite little rain, the fog keeps certain areas lush and fertile.

So, lucky me, I get to ride through all, this, and get soaking wet despite it not raining. It's kind of pleasant, actually.

I won't bore you with details of the latest 55mi/6000ft of climbing ride, except for

1) I need to rest. Though I feel good out on the bike, all my output levels are drifting down. I am no longer all that is man. for shame. etc...

2) I was looking at a flock of ~10 vultures on the side of the road, and then promptly ran over a banana slug (note: a banana slug is a slug roughly the size of a cigar, and are either yellow or green colored). contrary to popular belief, slugs offer great traction. There are gooey spot on my tires now, though.

3) the Centennial descent= one of the greatest descents ever. You're going 50mph straight down a hill, with views of the whole bay in front of you (well, you couldn't see 30ft in front of you because of the fog today, but bear with me). Then, you hit a huge sweeping left hand turn that makes you parallel the ridge again; you can take that thing without hitting the breaks, its crazy fun. Then, right before the road goes steeply down hill again, there's an antique particle accelerator (i swear to god) on the right. crazy.

A few housekeeping items. Jen is wondering, Eric Schilge (she calls you "saundy-pop," how weirdly cute), where the fuck are you? You're totally MIA.

Secondly, I highly recommend to wear a scarf-- it doesn't need to be cold outside for your neck to feel naked.

rock out, matt