2020 NorCal Fire Thread
09-01-20, 11:55 AM
#76
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I talked myself into a smart trainer (refurbed kickr core) and Zwift last year to help keep up my momentum through the winter, which it did fairly well. At the time I didn't consider that it was actually for two seasons, winter and fire season-- so it's an even better investment than I thought originally.
Good luck wgscott, and stay safe if you do head out there!
Good luck wgscott, and stay safe if you do head out there!
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09-01-20, 04:41 PM
#77
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The smoke in Santa Cruz seems to be better, according to my nose and Purple Air, than in much of the Bay Area. I think I am going to try to ride in and see what is going on with my house. That will be about 2000 ft net of climbing in smoke, which might be kind of stupid, but I can't get past the road blocks in my car.
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09-01-20, 08:32 PM
#78
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It was fine. The smoke wasn't even that bad.
The burn areas I went by on the way up looked like it was primarily undergrowth, and the trees for the most part looked ok. I took a different route down, Empire Grade, and stopped to see where a friend/colleague had a place. That was pretty tough, and I am not even emotionally attached to the house. I had never seen a melted windshield before. The trees in that area were fully engulfed. Empire Grade is quite devastated.
Smith Grade
Ice Cream Grade
Empire Grade
The burn areas I went by on the way up looked like it was primarily undergrowth, and the trees for the most part looked ok. I took a different route down, Empire Grade, and stopped to see where a friend/colleague had a place. That was pretty tough, and I am not even emotionally attached to the house. I had never seen a melted windshield before. The trees in that area were fully engulfed. Empire Grade is quite devastated.
Smith Grade
Ice Cream Grade
Empire Grade
Last edited by Cyclist0108; 09-02-20 at 01:40 PM.
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09-02-20, 02:48 PM
#79
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Anyone been up Hamilton recently? Advisable to ride up there?
So sad to see the photos of the Big Basin area. We rode China Grade in July and buddies and I were planning to ride out to Big Basin the weekend of the lightning.
Hopefully nature will heal itself and everyone affected will get back to their feet soon.
So sad to see the photos of the Big Basin area. We rode China Grade in July and buddies and I were planning to ride out to Big Basin the weekend of the lightning.
Hopefully nature will heal itself and everyone affected will get back to their feet soon.
09-03-20, 10:19 AM
#80
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Haven't ridden it, but I think the front side of Hamilton was spared, the fire did sweep over the summit, but all the buildings and telescopes were spared. I think the back side and Mines Rd area was pretty much scorched.
As far as the SC mountains, this winter could be a second wave of devastation with mud slides and debris flows...especially if we get any AR's that dump 6+ inches in a short time up there...
As far as the SC mountains, this winter could be a second wave of devastation with mud slides and debris flows...especially if we get any AR's that dump 6+ inches in a short time up there...
09-03-20, 03:35 PM
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Second straight day of some (FINALLY) good air. Hopefully this is a good sign for the firefighters and us.
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09-03-20, 06:15 PM
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I went back in today, with my kid, so he could see it for himself. Air quality was about the same, but it is clear some stuff is still smoldering.
09-09-20, 10:07 AM
#83
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9am and it's still dark outside because of the ash.
The hood of the DiabloMobile:
The hood of the DiabloMobile:
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09-09-20, 10:36 AM
#84
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The weirdest thing - apart from the orange effing sky! - is that the AQI is 'acceptable' and at ground level it's not bad at all breathing. Still, it's so DARK that I think I'm gonna ride in the garage.
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09-09-20, 11:50 AM
#85
Junior Member
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!
09-09-20, 01:47 PM
#86
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09-09-20, 03:35 PM
#87
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Dust Bunny
The Dust Bunny is not amused !
Barry
Dust Bunny 09/09/2020
Barry
Dust Bunny 09/09/2020
09-09-20, 03:59 PM
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I know the AQI is apparently "not unhealthy" but man, there is literally ash falling from the sky. I'm not riding in this...I know it's the PM2.5 tiny-sized particles that are really bad for you, but you can't tell me this is "healthy" air, even if the AQI is under 100. We're so low to the ground on a bike, and every car that blows by will kick up a cloud of ash. This absolutely has to be bad to be outside, regardless of the AQI number. I hate riding the trainer, especially when it's not raining, but to hell with this!
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09-09-20, 05:09 PM
#90
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I know the AQI is apparently "not unhealthy" but man, there is literally ash falling from the sky. I'm not riding in this...I know it's the PM2.5 tiny-sized particles that are really bad for you, but you can't tell me this is "healthy" air, even if the AQI is under 100. We're so low to the ground on a bike, and every car that blows by will kick up a cloud of ash. This absolutely has to be bad to be outside, regardless of the AQI number. I hate riding the trainer, especially when it's not raining, but to hell with this!
The other thing? The ambient light level is about like 15 minutes after sunset, and I DO NOT ride after sunset, for safety reasons. So I'm with you - time to ride in the garage again.
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09-09-20, 07:06 PM
#91
Junior Member
Agree completely w/cthenn. I don’t care what the AQI is - no way I’m riding outside under these conditions (I live in Oakland).
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09-09-20, 07:53 PM
#92
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The smoke has finally hit us here on the far NorCal coast; it was dim and orange all day, no sign of the sun. The marine layer is in a bit as well, so all in all it feels like Gondor the day the sun didn't rise. Thanks, Sauron! <-- sarcasm.
It's supposed to be worse tomorrow. No fire risk, but breathing is getting risky.
It's supposed to be worse tomorrow. No fire risk, but breathing is getting risky.
09-09-20, 08:08 PM
#93
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I know the AQI is apparently "not unhealthy" but man, there is literally ash falling from the sky. I'm not riding in this...I know it's the PM2.5 tiny-sized particles that are really bad for you, but you can't tell me this is "healthy" air, even if the AQI is under 100. We're so low to the ground on a bike, and every car that blows by will kick up a cloud of ash. This absolutely has to be bad to be outside, regardless of the AQI number. I hate riding the trainer, especially when it's not raining, but to hell with this!
09-09-20, 08:09 PM
#94
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The smoke has finally hit us here on the far NorCal coast; it was dim and orange all day, no sign of the sun. The marine layer is in a bit as well, so all in all it feels like Gondor the day the sun didn't rise. Thanks, Sauron! <-- sarcasm.
It's supposed to be worse tomorrow. No fire risk, but breathing is getting risky.
It's supposed to be worse tomorrow. No fire risk, but breathing is getting risky.
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09-09-20, 08:30 PM
#95
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09-10-20, 01:14 AM
#96
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One does not simply walk into ride in Mordor NorCal....It is a barren wasteland, riddled with fire and ash and dust, the very air you breathe is a poisonous fume
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09-10-20, 07:55 AM
#97
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Today looks a lot better! The sun actually came up this morning and I’m heading out for an hour ride before work. I hope it’s better in your areas as well.
09-10-20, 09:09 AM
#98
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It's worse here today in the East Bay. The AQI numbers are worse, and it doesn't look much different from yesterday. Maybe not quite as heavy a smoke layer, but still pretty bad. Sigh...
09-10-20, 09:24 AM
#99
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I like my Kickr bike... but not nearly enough "risk" compared to playing with the traffic outdoors.
So I ebay'ed a set of Rollers yesterday and now I'm trying to break my neck using them.
It's been decades since I Roller Raced and I've totally forgotted how to ride em
Indoors can be fun.
Barry
So I ebay'ed a set of Rollers yesterday and now I'm trying to break my neck using them.
It's been decades since I Roller Raced and I've totally forgotted how to ride em
Indoors can be fun.
Barry
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09-10-20, 12:42 PM
#100
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OTOH, yesterday the air was relatively clear, which added to how eerie it was - at ground level there was very little visible haze, but almost no light getting through. Today, the air is "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" to "Unhealthy for Everyone" depending on where you are, and visibly hazy.
Not sure which is worse, or better, but I wouldn't ride in either.
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"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
