Levi’s Gran Fondo is one of the most difficult events I have ever done. 2012 was my 2nd time doing it. While 2011 was rainy and dangerous the heat in 2012 made it difficult.
Ride data here: http://app.strava.com/activities/235403
Gran Fondo is 102 miles of pain. It makes the Marin Century and Solvang century feel like a a walk in the park. 100+ miles hurts but there are level of hurt and this one is up there. I’m sure Death Ride is much tougher but I haven’t been able to step up to that yet.
My rirding buddy Loren Geller. I would have been much slower without him pushing me. This climb was brutal. 10 miles of up, up and up. Loren was right
Beat my time from last year by 42 minutes. While I missed the 6pm cutoff I am proud I got faster. I'll totally get it next year
While I didn’t meet the cutoff time I am proud of toughing through the race and not quitting. For those endurance athletes out there you know half the battle is fighting the demons in your head telling you to quit. At this point in my life I DO NOT quit. I have to be broken to quit and even then I push through.
The coastal fog is so beautiful. I would have stopped to admire if it didn’t mean crashing into something.
Imagine that, Patrick Dempsey on the ride was popular with the ladies.
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Fleet Week is one of the busiest weekends in the SF bay area. Millions of people come in from out of town and there are dozens of major events.
Happy birthday cupcakes for Margaret!
Cal v UCLA game. Thought we would get crushed but the Cal offense finally showed up.
Congrats to Jared and Vicki and their first home!
Fleet Week!
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I attempted a ride up Mount Hamilton twice earlier this year. Both attempts were thwarted by 100+ degree weather. Finally, on Columbus day the temps cooled and I was able to complete the ride up the tallest peak in the Bay Area (4,200 feet).
http://app.strava.com/activities/244342
Nice sweeping road and views of San Jose
Resting at 4,200 feet
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Memorial Stadium is packed for 115th Big Game.
Sofia and I at Big Game rally the night before
Heading to Cal game in new shorts and shirt from back in the day.
Surprisingly got a lot of laughs from Stanfurd fans on the shirt. They got the last laugh since they crushed us.
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Sofia is quite the pumpkin carving expert. Me...not so much. This was my first time.
I attempted to do a Cal logo. Mission NOT accomplished.
Sofia wins.
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The Halloween costume ride with the SF Tri Club is one of my favorite events of the year.
This year I decided to be a fairy in SF tri club colors.
All of the pictures from the day: http://www.flickr.com/photos/calmenda/s
Some of my favorite shots and costumes from the day:
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Two of my best friend Jennifer Kremen and Piotr Prokop were married this weekend.
I met both in 1999 and were some of my first friends at UC Berkeley. I am so happy for them and wish them all the best. They are both like a brother and sister to me and look forward to being a part of their lives in the years to come.
Views from Pac Heights. Beautiful day for a wedding
The bride and groom
Sigma Nu was well represented for our fraternity brother's wedding
I caught the garter (4th one) and Whitney caught the bouquet
Jenn's strong arm tossed the bouquet on top of the fireplace so I went to retrieve it. Can't have the ceremony be interrupted.
Congratulations Jenn and Piotr!
