It seems there were frequent sightings of VeloRaptors biking in Europe recently, everywhere from France to Mallorca to Croatia. Here are a few of the observations and selected images.
The largest flock were in Mallorca and a big Thank You goes out to Kathy T and Becky M for their efforts making this trip happen.
Another VeloRaptor (Alma) was spotted in Southern France:
And in Croatia – Alvin and Katie were all smiles!
Looks like all were having fun!
This past week a few VeloRaptors had a great ride from Orinda to Alamo and back via Saint Stephen’s path each way. Ruth B., a Veloraptor who visits us from abroad, graced us with her presence, and I’m pretty sure she had a good time — I mean how could she not with Larry D leading the ride?
We started at 9 am and like a lovely mountain stream, we flowed along our way in beautiful weather, even through downtown Lafayette where the drivers were actually quite nice. After we turned on Second Street, we came to the day’s first big highlight — the Halloween House. This is the place with a new and gigantic theme every year. This year it was a ghost resort complete with check in, dining room, golf, horses, etc. There was even a “just married” ghoul couple in their own sporty car. I had to cut the photo frenzy short as people would have stayed the whole day just to gawk. Besides, there were loads of other skeletons, creeps, slime balls, ghouls, monsters, etc. of all kinds along the way.
The second big highlight was “The Hill” past the Tice restrooms. I asked Diane if she was up for it. We wavered because Barbara and Ruth had already made the left turn. Right at the last second, I said, “I’m doing the hill, f—k it.” And all the others followed! We then panted and gasped our way to Danville Blvd. where we rendezvoused with B and R thanks to cell phones, IMO a really great invention.
It was getting hot, and in Alamo we roped in Krish and Martine who’d gone ahead (cell phones again), to get them back so we could all go to Alamo Peet’s which was the day’s third highlight. There we sat in the shade and yakked. Thanks to Krish, we had a great convo on the human user’s relation to A.I. We also talked about other world-shaking matters in the order of “I really like how your kit matches.” Also, thanks to Krish, our attention was drawn to the Cafe Brioche which is practically next door to Peet’s. Nice pastries and buns.
The ride back was pretty nice. It was hot, but really beautiful. There was no whining or meltdowns. And, thanks to Barbara who screamed at us across the street as we were riding by, four of us (Laurie, Ruth, Barbara, and I) stopped for ice cream at Loard’s, and just yakked more and sat a bit. (I had my usual burgundy cherry to which I am addicted. Not even pistachio keeps me from it.)
For some reason, it is always delightful to end a bike ride! And the ice cream ending was super.
-Larry D.
Fil has been keeping us up-to-date on the Saturday rides. Several ride summary’s are included below.
Greetings Saturday bike riders. Pay no attention to the raindrops that fell on Thursday. Saturday is projected to be dry, in a warming trend and even sunny by mid morning. Meet at The Warehouse for an easy-paced ride on the beautiful Bay Trail to Yoly’s Roma Caffé & Bar in Point Richmond for breakfast/lunch. We will leave promptly at 8:45 AM. Those looking for a shorter option may meet us enroute. We will pass Seabreeze Market & Deli around 9:20 AM. Aug. 29 we had another good sized turnout.
Aug 22: Steve B’s neighbor, Kristan, joined our ride again. She was last seen on the Saturday ride back in May. Welcome back, Kristan. We had two Steve B’s last week. So noting that Kristan is Steve B’s neighbor didn’t really establish her provenance did it? Not everyone in the picture was on the Saturday ride. Tom, Pat and Joe met us at Yoly’s. People literally come from miles around just to share food, drink and conversation with us. We’re that good.
We had excellent turnout on a sunny Wednesday morning. Everyone was glad for a break in the June Gloom that has extended into July.
Six adventurous Hike-o-Raptors met at 9:00 AM on Memorial Day at the Clyde Woolridge staging area in Anthony Chabot Regional park. The weather cooperated with a cool, overcast day, so we didn’t have to worry about overheating.
Our route took us down the Jackson Grade to the stone bridge, where we turned south onto the Brandon trail. No-one was fazed by the steep climb up Cottonwood to Redwood Road. At the top, we turned north on Redtail trail and successfully located the “hole in the hedge” trail that appears on All Trails but not on the EBRPD map of Anthony Chabot park. This took us out to Redwood Road itself, where everyone followed strict instructions to walk in single file along the road for a few hundred yards. We then crossed the road to pick up Soaring Hawk trail on the east side of Redwood Road. Despite the low clouds, we still had breathtaking views of the San Leandro reservoir and the bay, so we stopped for photos and to enjoy the wildflowers. We then made our way down to Bort Meadow with its welcome bathrooms and picnic tables. Suitably refreshed, we were energized to ascend Buckeye trail to Goldenrod, which skirted Skyline, taking us to Jalquin and back to Clyde Woolridge. A herd of goats were busily chowing down on grass and weeds along the way, and we noticed in the adjacent area, where they had been the week before, that they’d eaten everything except the straw and poison oak.
We were exceedingly lucky with this hike – none of the tree work that had closed some of our route the previous week was underway. We saw very few other hikers – the cool temperatures must have convinced some to hike later in the day. We clocked 7.5 miles and 1260 feet of elevation gain, but no-one seemed to be challenged by the route. As an added bonus, we traveled some trails that were unfamiliar to some of the group. And the conversations were wonderful!
On a cloudy and chilly Sunday morning in May, BORP and the VeloRaptors had to supply their own sunshine and spirit for BORP’s annual Revolution Ride (the “Rev”). Starting from the Mill Valley Community Center, ten VeloRaptors assembled for the 8 AM start along a 41-mile route that includes the spectacular Marin Highlands ascent and the thrilling descent along the coast.
That loop leads seamlessly into the equally beautiful ride along the northern coast of the Bay, through Tiburon and following the Paradise Loop back to Mill Valley via a challenging uphill climb.
A second group of VeloRaptors started at 9AM to pursue the Tiburon-Paradise Loop route, including the aforementioned hill. After the ride, all enjoyed a hearty, healthy lunch and refreshments. A local band, based on an “Iko, Iko” Cajun sound, livened an afternoon that turned sunny.
In keeping with its longstanding support of BORP, VeloRaptors Cycling Club members were the 3rd in team fundraising with a total of at least $16,165 raised to support BORP and its vital programs for developmentally-disabled cyclists and other athletes. Overall BORP raised $220,000 through the 2026 Rev ride.
Here is part of the Thank You we received from BORP.
| Thank you for making this year’s Rev such a joyful, generous, and very BORP kind of day. This year’s Rev brought together 204 registered riders, more than 50 volunteers, and 1,132 peer-to-peer donations, raising over $220,000 and counting for BORP programs across the Bay Area. That number is worth celebrating, and it reflects so much more than dollars raised. It represents riders reaching out to friends and family, volunteers making the day run smoothly, donors giving from near and far, sponsors investing in BORP’s work, and a whole community choosing, once again, to show up. The Rev has never been just a bike ride. It is one of the ways this community keeps BORP moving and helps make sure people with disabilities across the Bay Area can find sports, recreation, adventure, confidence, and community. |
VeloRapters were a top 20 individual contributor with $1,650 in individual donations, plus a $2,500 corporate donation (thank you, Rick P.). The event had 400 participants this year and raised $213,000 for Oakland and Alameda schools.
And there were TWO VELORAPTORS THIS YEAR
The 110-mile ride was under cool weather with 4,761 feet of elevation. The route is pretty going through cow and solar farm country between the Benicia Bridge and Vacaville.
The cool weather turned out to be an asset. The ambience and support on the ride was amazing. I am sore but feeling good today.
Davis Rest Stop included olives, sushi, pickle juice, and chargers for iPhones and iWatches.
Thank you for your generous support. It really makes a difference.
Sincerely,
Rick
Pauline, Chris and Gail show that they can Brighten a Rainy Ride!
We had a wonderful hike planned for April, to enjoy spring flowers and green grass. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate. While we always need rain, it brings problems on hike days. Several VeloRaptors looked at the weather forecast and decided to change their plans.
Three hardy folks made of sterner stuff (Gail Y, Karen G and Fiona D) met at the Clyde Woolridge staging area, donned rain gear, and set off down the Jackson Grade. We immediately noticed that the trail was slick underfoot, so Fiona returned to her car to get poles. Appropriately equipped, we continued down to the stone bridge, enjoying the amazing scent of wet vegetation. As we proceeded south on the Brandon Trail, the mud got thicker – the stick to your boots kind of mud. We valiantly pressed on for a while further, when the mud got worse, and we decided that discretion is the better part of valor – the hike would be available in future, but we’d be able to enjoy it better without any broken bones or other injuries. Regardless, it was a nice walk retracing our steps. We had a fun 1.5 mile outing and look forward to doing the full hike later in the year.
Wednesday, April 8: A group of 11 intrepid VeloRaptors headed up Mt Diablo. They started in Walnut Creek, and took an intricate route through the neighborhoods that took them to the south entrance. They then proceeded up the south side and picked up another VeloRaptor at the junction, making a tidy dozen. After enjoying the view from the top they descended the north side, and midway down an agitated rattlesnake added a bit of extra excitement to their day. The first rider to pass the snake must have upset the creature, because it was coiled and ready for those that followed, even striking at one or two! Fortunately, downhill speed was to the riders advantage and no one was snake bit by the experience. Weather was perfect! Thanks to Kathy T. for organizing and leading this fun ride.
