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Search: Posts Made By: Pavol Stromcek
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12-14-23, 08:18 PM
Replies: 16
Views: 1,041
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

I actually rode down Wildcat Canyon for the first...

I actually rode down Wildcat Canyon for the first time in many months just this last Sunday, after I wrote my last post above, and I can confirm that there was a surprising number of people walking,...
12-09-23, 06:47 PM
Replies: 16
Views: 1,041
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

I've gone down South Park probably hundreds of...

I've gone down South Park probably hundreds of times, though I must confess I've never gone up it. The other issue with South Park in winter is that you get lots of hikers, dog walkers, and others...
12-08-23, 06:22 PM
Replies: 16
Views: 1,041
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Thanks for the info, everyone! I will try to plan...

Thanks for the info, everyone! I will try to plan a ride through Wildcat soon. Sounds like it'll be ride-able for a while longer.



Yes, good point! I'm used to dealing with piles of wet and...
12-08-23, 09:43 AM
Replies: 16
Views: 1,041
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Are cyclists still able to get through that lower...

Are cyclists still able to get through that lower section of Wildcat Canyon? I haven't been through there in long time. And is there any difference between weekdays and weekends, i.e., are there...
10-13-23, 01:09 PM
Replies: 0
Views: 197
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Bike Fitting Recommendations in Oakland/Berkeley

Can anyone recommend a good bike fitter in Oakland or Berkeley? I did a search for this, but the threads were older and/or the recommendations were generally for places in other towns.

I've been...
04-14-23, 05:42 PM
Replies: 92
Views: 5,866
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Just wondering if anyone has attempted to go...

Just wondering if anyone has attempted to go through Wildcat Canyon recently and whether folks have encountered a work crew and if the crew let them through. I didn't want to risk getting to the...
04-01-23, 01:17 PM
Replies: 92
Views: 5,866
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

I rode down Wildcat Canyon yesterday (on a Friday...

I rode down Wildcat Canyon yesterday (on a Friday morning). I stupidly forgot to check to see if there were any new road closures after the most recent storms, so I was not expecting this closure. I...
01-21-23, 08:30 PM
Replies: 92
Views: 5,866
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Thanks. Yeah, I've done a few short rides up...

Thanks. Yeah, I've done a few short rides up Tunnel Road and through Skyline over the past week or so, but haven't had a chance to head down Redwood or through Pinehurst yet. Tunnel Road last week...
01-19-23, 06:41 PM
Replies: 92
Views: 5,866
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Can anyone tell me if the Contra Costa Co....

Can anyone tell me if the Contra Costa Co. portion of Pinehurst is currently open? Everything I'm seeing seems to indicate only the Alameda Co. side is closed up to the county line, and the link...
09-06-22, 12:53 PM
Replies: 16
Views: 1,285
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Just wanted to say that the last two times I rode...

Just wanted to say that the last two times I rode Pinehurst (both times over the Labor Day weekend), I noticed the stretch between Canyon and the school has honestly become what I'd describe as...
08-25-22, 08:33 PM
Replies: 16
Views: 1,285
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Yeah, I mentioned that last weekend parts of it...

Yeah, I mentioned that last weekend parts of it were already looking better/smoother than the week before. On my last ride, the stretch between Canyon and the school looked/felt almost quasi...
08-19-22, 01:54 PM
Replies: 16
Views: 1,285
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

I rode Pinehurst again this morning, in the same...

I rode Pinehurst again this morning, in the same direction as last time, from Redwood to Skyline. The surface on that first descent felt/looked a little more compacted, and I was hearing...
08-16-22, 12:17 PM
Replies: 16
Views: 1,285
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Yeah, I get that the kinds of back roads favored...

Yeah, I get that the kinds of back roads favored by us road cyclists are, sadly, the ones that are most susceptible to the chip seal treatment. Still, what I saw on Pinehurst seemed pretty darn...
08-15-22, 08:14 AM
Replies: 16
Views: 1,285
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Damn, looks like they chip sealed Wildcat Canyon...

Damn, looks like they chip sealed Wildcat Canyon too. Bummer!

https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3083&ARC=10735

For those unfamiliar with the East Bay, Wildcat Canyon and...
08-14-22, 09:16 PM
Replies: 16
Views: 1,285
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

That's kind of strange and presumptuous to...

That's kind of strange and presumptuous to suggest, like you have here with these two sentences, that cyclists who complain about new chipseal treatment do not "proceed with caution." I mean, I...
08-14-22, 04:25 PM
Replies: 16
Views: 1,285
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Not on *any* of the roads I regularly ride in the...

Not on *any* of the roads I regularly ride in the East Bay hills in the past seven or so years. Seems like the Three Bears loop, which I've done occasionally (though not in about four years) has had...
08-14-22, 01:42 PM
Replies: 16
Views: 1,285
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Pinehurst (Contra Costa Hills/Oakland) Now Covered in Chip Seal/Loose Gravel. WTH?

Prior to this morning, the last time I rode Pinehurst was two weeks ago, on July 31. At that time, road workers had been repaving numerous stretches of road all along Pinehurst, from near the top of...
09-13-20, 01:18 PM
Replies: 181
Views: 14,982
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

I think you have to weigh the data with what...

I think you have to weigh the data with what feels right for you. For me, if the air quality numbers are higher than, say, ~110 on Purple Air, I've noticed that I can usually smell smoke in the air....
09-11-20, 08:29 AM
Replies: 181
Views: 14,982
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

I know what you mean. I was looking at the very...

I know what you mean. I was looking at the very fine layer of ash that has coated our deck, and it struck me that while, sure this isn't going to get deep in your lungs the way the PM2.5 particles...
09-09-20, 11:50 AM
Replies: 181
Views: 14,982
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Man, who'd have thought we'd wake up to find...

Man, who'd have thought we'd wake up to find ourselves in Blade Runner 2049? Air Quality is fine right now in Oakland according to Purple Air, but the prospect of riding in this feels strange!
09-01-20, 09:46 AM
Replies: 181
Views: 14,982
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Totally agree - AirNow is useless because of the...

Totally agree - AirNow is useless because of the one- to two-hour lag time, and Purple Air is infinitely more useful to us cyclists because it gives you localized and regularly updated readings for...
08-31-20, 02:43 PM
Replies: 181
Views: 14,982
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

I don't know, I'm honestly a bit skeptical about...

I don't know, I'm honestly a bit skeptical about Purple Air's LRAPA conversion. There are times when it seems to paint a much rosier picture than what I'm actually smelling and seeing when I step...
08-20-20, 12:02 PM
Replies: 181
Views: 14,982
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Air quality in my part of Oakland this morning...

Air quality in my part of Oakland this morning has been technically safe (for "healthy people") according to Purple Air, hovering in the 120s and 130s, but the smoke smell is still very strong and...
08-20-20, 11:53 AM
Replies: 181
Views: 14,982
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Oh man, I'm so sorry to hear this - this sounds...

Oh man, I'm so sorry to hear this - this sounds horrifying. I hope you're safe and OK!
06-25-20, 11:38 PM
Replies: 12
Views: 1,401
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Looks like the new bridge is open now? Haven't...

Looks like the new bridge is open now? Haven't been through there in a while, but I just saw this update on Moraga's website (https://www.moraga.ca.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=50):

Posted on: June 23,...
05-18-20, 05:46 PM
Replies: 12
Views: 1,401
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Has anyone been through here on a Sunday, the one...

Has anyone been through here on a Sunday, the one day it's supposed to be open? It'd be nice to know that it actually is open on Sundays in case I head through there.
04-01-20, 11:33 AM
Replies: 90
Views: 9,850
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Yikes! I hope they don't implement this in...

Yikes! I hope they don't implement this in Alameda County.

But if they do, it looks like I'd still be able to do my shorter ~20-mile routes, according to...
03-27-20, 12:34 PM
Replies: 131
Views: 13,684
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

The overwhelming majority of cyclists where I...

The overwhelming majority of cyclists where I live in the Bay Area run stop signs when there are no cars around. I do it too, but I always yield the right of way to any cars who legally have it. Most...
03-22-20, 03:16 PM
Replies: 90
Views: 9,850
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Just got back from another ride in the Oakland...

Just got back from another ride in the Oakland hills, and I couldn't believe how many cars there were up and down Skyline, Redwood, Pinehurst, etc., not to mention loads of cars parked up and down...
03-21-20, 02:55 PM
Replies: 90
Views: 9,850
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Oh wow, that's nuts! I forgot to mention that on...

Oh wow, that's nuts! I forgot to mention that on the ride I took Wednesday afternoon, Lake Temescal was closed. The gates were shut and locked. I ride through that park to get to Tunnel Road, and on...
03-20-20, 08:55 AM
Replies: 90
Views: 9,850
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

According to this article...

According to this article (https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Coronavirus-Atria-Burlingame-nursing-home-SF-15142764.php), under the state-wide order, "Individuals can also leave their houses to...
03-19-20, 05:38 PM
Replies: 90
Views: 9,850
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

I mentioned this in a thread in General, but I...

I mentioned this in a thread in General, but I went on a ride through the Oakland hills yesterday and I saw quite a few more cyclists out than I normally would on a weekday afternoon - and far fewer...
11-14-18, 06:35 PM
Replies: 75
Views: 8,445
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

No worries. I probably could have been clearer in...

No worries. I probably could have been clearer in my original post about acknowledging how exponentially more severe the problems are for people who are in or closer to the fire's path, and that I...
11-14-18, 06:31 PM
Replies: 75
Views: 8,445
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Thanks for such a thoughtful post. I agree - I...

Thanks for such a thoughtful post. I agree - I think if we make sure to acknowledge that there are people affected by the same broader problem who are in a significantly more dire situation, we can...
11-14-18, 02:17 PM
Replies: 75
Views: 8,445
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

You know, I started my post by saying I'm not...

You know, I started my post by saying I'm not intending to trivialize the tragedy and devastation that people are experiencing in the fires. It's an unspeakable level of loss and I can't even begin...
11-12-18, 06:43 PM
Replies: 75
Views: 8,445
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

I don't mean to trivialize the unspeakable...

I don't mean to trivialize the unspeakable devastation and tragedy that these fires are causing, but if this is now going to be a normal, yearly occurrence, I'm going to have to invest in an indoor...
08-23-18, 07:10 PM
Replies: 75
Views: 8,445
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Air quality here in and around Oakland today was...

Air quality here in and around Oakland today was the worst I've seen it in a while. Air quality index had it in the "unhealthy" range at 159! That doesn't bode well for my weekend riding plans.
06-20-18, 04:47 PM
Replies: 80
Views: 11,852
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Well, this story may have a happy ending. I took...

Well, this story may have a happy ending. I took the bike back yet again (for the third time since the incident, if anyone's counting), and I lucked out by getting one of this shop's best mechanics -...
06-15-18, 07:22 AM
Replies: 80
Views: 11,852
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Obviously, I'm super careful about that.

Obviously, I'm super careful about that.
06-14-18, 05:52 PM
Replies: 80
Views: 11,852
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

It was maybe about 3 millimeters off, I think....

It was maybe about 3 millimeters off, I think. Not a lot, but it was off enough to be visible to the naked eye.

A cycling buddy of mine actually just highly recommended another authorized Bianchi...
06-14-18, 05:00 PM
Replies: 80
Views: 11,852
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Groan... believe it or not, the saga continues: ...

Groan... believe it or not, the saga continues:

About a week after I got the bike back, I noticed the rear wheel was slightly off to one side, so it wasn't sitting dead center, but a bit closer to...
05-31-18, 09:26 AM
Replies: 80
Views: 11,852
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Yup, that's exactly the paint I bought. I am...

Yup, that's exactly the paint I bought. I am aware that Bianchi has several variations of their celeste color, and this one may not be a perfect match. But the area I'm touching up is really just...
05-30-18, 04:42 PM
Replies: 80
Views: 11,852
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

I asked the repair shop if they have Bianchi...

I asked the repair shop if they have Bianchi celeste touch-up paint (they don't), and whether they'd be willing to touch up the bits of exposed steel around the hanger. They seemed kind of reluctant...
05-26-18, 09:39 PM
Replies: 80
Views: 11,852
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Ha! Or dorc disque? Oh, I agreed with...

Ha! Or dorc disque?



Oh, I agreed with you from the start - one of the pulleys was pinned to the dork disk, leaving a dent/gash big enough to indicate that had the disk not been there, that...
05-26-18, 03:36 PM
Replies: 80
Views: 11,852
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Yeah, I agree, which is why I'm going to first...

Yeah, I agree, which is why I'm going to first talk to the shop to see if they're able to get the touch-up paint; if they can't or won't, then I'll worry about finding it myself. (I'm not concerned...
05-26-18, 01:25 PM
Replies: 80
Views: 11,852
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Huh, that's annoying. Well, if worse comes to...

Huh, that's annoying. Well, if worse comes to worse, I can probably find it on eBay or something.
05-26-18, 01:25 PM
Replies: 80
Views: 11,852
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

I'm happy to report that I was able to squeeze in...

I'm happy to report that I was able to squeeze in a 24-mile ride this morning, and my bike's drivetrain performed flawlessly. The rear wheel looks to be perfectly straight, too.

Also, I forgot to...
05-26-18, 09:44 AM
Replies: 80
Views: 11,852
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Thankfully, in this case, nearly all the theories...

Thankfully, in this case, nearly all the theories quoted in your post turned out to be incorrect.
05-25-18, 11:00 PM
Replies: 80
Views: 11,852
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Good to know - thanks for the link. And yeah, I...

Good to know - thanks for the link. And yeah, I agree that it's reasonable to see if the shop can get it.
05-25-18, 10:57 PM
Replies: 80
Views: 11,852
Posted By Pavol Stromcek

Nail polish, huh? I'll see if I can get the shop...

Nail polish, huh? I'll see if I can get the shop to get some touch-up paint from Bianchi, but it's good to know about the nail polish.
Showing results 1 to 50 of 84
 


 
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