Hayward->Berkeley (and back)

After picking up my cap and gown from school today. I decided to go for a ride to Berkeley. But before I go on about the rest of my day Im gonna talk about the highlight of my day: Getting pulled over by a cop for running a red light.

Heres the story.
I was trying to beat this yellow but right when I get to the crosswalk it turns red on me and on my right is a cop car waiting at the light. (just my luck) He turns right away and yells at me to pull over and I do. He gets out real mad and yelling at me to get off my bike and hand him my license. At this point Im getting pretty damn scared cause my friend Alex got a ticket a month or so ago and it was $500! I dont have that money! He then pulls out that booklet for writing tickets. Now Im practically begging him to not give me a ticket.

Then we have this conversation:
Cop: Give me a reason why I shouldnt give you a ticket.
Me: Cause I dont have the money to pay for it.
Cop: First of all you ran the red. You have no brakes on your bike and the tire doesnt count. Then you have an earphone on and youre suppose to have both ears open driving or riding a bike.
Me: I understand...
Cop: Well, what are you listening to?
Me: Uhh.. Kid Cudi...
Cop: Oh. Allright. Well next time.... he proceeds to give me a 5-10 minute lecture on what I should and shouldnt do while riding a bike and we also got to talking bikes and that he rides bikes too.

Ahhhh saved!
But anyways. enough of that.

Met up with Ramiro in the beginning but he called it quits once we hit San Leandro. (sorry dude). Once there met up with Vince and Eric. From there rode through Alameda, Oakland, and eventually got to Berkeley.
We were hungry from the ride and we decided to hit up Brazil Cafe. Best tri-tip sandwich in town. So good that all 3 of us ordered it. Ryan and Erica met us up and later on Jenny came.


After eating we grabbed some brews and Eric showed us to this really chill park hidden within the Berkeley neighborhoods. Nice little spot, theres a chimney in the middle of the park. Random right? I didnt get a picture but ill make sure to come back and take one.

After that Alex came by and we started riding off to Hayward and that when I got pulled over by the cop.

and heres a bonus. Eric got into a bike accident a couple weeks ago and showed me the aftermath. Hes all healed up now with just a few scars on his face. Hes healing up real fast and back on the bike!

Good ride today. My total came up to a little under 60 miles on the saddle and my legs arent sore. So I guess thats a good thing!

Weekend

Another slow weekend for me. Spent mostly recovering from the week before. From all the traveling, adjusting to time changes, catching up on shows, and putting lots of miles on the bike.
Also had to work both days since the race was postponed. Which I somewhat welcomed meaning that I got to avoid this stupid rain, get some more rest cause Im feeling like Im getting sick and my left thigh/butt cheek is still sore.

But heres a couple snaps from today.
Lunch of the cheap courtesy of tips from some generous customers today. Thank you.
Ugly weather. Where the hell is the sun?
Oh also started taking these things again. My knees are not liking all these miles.
On top of the pills my Grandma was nice enough to use some old school oil for joints and massage my knees. Helped a LOT. Maybe she can do this after every ride, just like the pros. haha.

Chicago

Went to Chicago for a couple of days earlier in the week with my Mom, brother, and sister to visit my Aunt and her family. She was nice enough to tour us around town. Shes prolly the coolest aunt in my family. She actually wants me to move out there, so I give it a year and if I cant find a job out here. To Chicago I might go.

We also went to Minneapolis to visit the Mall of America which isnt as great as youd think, it's just a regular mall but with roller coasters inside! and thats pretty much all that I did, ride roller coasters with my brother and little cousin. My little cousin ended up throwing up. haha

The weather was a little ugly but I didnt mind. At least it wasnt freezing. Last day there we enjoyed some hot chocolate downtown. It feels just like San Francisco. I didnt get to do everything I wanted due to lack of time and having to stay with family. Im planning on going back in the summer to really see the city.

Ill update later

Weekend Update

This weekend was pretty uneventful. Happy Easter to everyone out there, hope you guys had a feast. As for me; I actually went to church for the first time in months. But instead of going out to a family party I stayed home with my Grandpa.

I stayed home cause the other day I was woken up, to find out that he had blood in his urine. So I took him to his doctor. Dont think its that serious, either a stone or an infection and he got medication for both. Hes scheduled for a follow up in the next few days. The amount of blood has gone down since then. But either way, he's a tough dude. He'll be fine.

Sorry if this grosses you out. If it does, just think of it as cranberry juice or something.
+ a couple extras.



Oh and this rain sucks major balls.

04-01-10

No April fools joke on me. Only thing I did today was meet up with Archie and headed to Area Cycles to say whats up to the crew. Then got on their Thursday night ride and went to Pleasanton. Super dark. Good climbing and a fast and long descent. Fun ride. Till next time!

03-31-10

Actually woke up before 12 today and got a lot of things done. Handled some bank stuff and while waiting I made friends with this baby. Kid wouldnt let go of my watch and his Mom wasnt even doing anything. But he was cool, kept me entertained while I waited.
Then I decided to take a friend's advice and hang out all by myself for a bit. Had a cup of tea and a cup of frozen yogurt. Pretty relaxing but its just a different vibe out here. It feels waaaaay better in a real city, like SF, Berkeley, etc. and plus I dont get hollered at by high school girls.

Went over Archie's and he made me a bomb veggie sandwich so we can have some fuel prior to rock climbing. But I guess the sandwich wasnt enough cause he insisted on drinking before starting, which I still cant decide if it was a good or bad idea.



After our arms and hands died. We met up with the guamanians and had ourselves a couple rounds of bowling. Our team won and all those losers had to crawl between our legs. haaaa