66-mile challenge

Dani and Kathy both turned 66 years old, Kathy 24 days ago, Dani today. They decided to challenge themselves, and others, to ride 66 miles today. 9am, the first group left from Red Sea and Hovnanian to ride around the airport. Brenda, Lori, Maria, Kathy, Dani:

It was a cold ride with wind from the NNW at 19 mph, gusting to 31 mph. Two hours later, everyone came back and parked their bikes in my garage

and came in for a rest break and snacks. Blueberry scones, fruit, trail mix, and Oreos.

The second ride started at about 11:45. Sheila, Maria, Kathy, Dani, BarbaraB, Cheryl, Lori Brenda:

Two hours later, almost everyone came back for warm ham and gruyere sliders and chips.

Rider #3 started about 2:45. Rosalyn, Dani, Kathy, Jane, Brenda, and Lori:

Two hours later, they were back.

Time for cake and ice cream.

Happy birthday Kathy and Dani and for riding 66 miles in one day. Brenda, Lori, and Barbara B also rode 66 miles. Fun challenge. Looking tired, but happy:

Ride to Cherry Island

A very cold morning – not by Canadian standards however. I left at 8 am, it was 33F and foggy. I rode to meet the Jibe group in front of Kohl’s. There were 13 of us on today’s ride. Brenda was ride leader, I rode sweep. Lorge and Kathy were mechanics.

We rode to the Cherry Island Soccer Complex.

29 miles for me today. Good ride.

Active Transportation Commission

Thursday evening in Historic Old City Hall. The room would end up being quite well-attended. The media was setting up in the corner re agenda item 5: Alternative recommendation: Truxel Bridge Concept and Feasibility Study. There were 32 comments posted on the website and 16 people appeared in person, each of them spoke for 2 minutes or less. Everyone was in favor of a bridge design which does not allow private motor vehicles.

We voted unanimously to reject the current designs and instead recommended “that the City Council direct staff to evaluate and study a Truxel Bridge alternative without personal motor vehicles.” And, I was re-elected to be Chair of ATC for a second, and final, one-year term.

Also of note, on the screen in the picture is a CalTrans project under construction. Due to a lawsuit CalTrans has been forced to add a separated bicycle/pedestrian over the American River in addition to replacing the decking on this 8-lane roadway known as the Capital City Freeway.

Sports

Sophia played in a volleyball tournament in Roseville all weekend. Meanwhile on Sunday, Avery played flag football at Jesuit:

Carson played basketball at Arden Middle School:

After a short dinner break, Avery played basketball at Jesuit. Busy sports kids!

Celebrations of Life

Saturday: my cousin Phyllis who passed away in Deer Lodge MT. Today was her celebration of life in Rio Linda where she lived for 75 of her 81 years.

Sunday: we celebrated the lives of my cousin Charles (Phyl’s brother) and his daughter Karen.

In a 7-week span, we lost three members of the Hodel family.

Meetings

Tuesday: Personnel and Public Employees Committee. Five City of Sacramento commissions presented their 2024 annual reports. As Chair of the Active Transportation Commission, I presented our report.

Thursday: County of Sacramento Bicycle Advisory Committee aka SacBAC. I’ve been on this committee for two years and was surprised to learn I’m actually third in seniority of the seven members. This meant I was in line to be Vice Chair and was elected to do that.

District 1 Christmas Party

All the committee members and commissioners appointed by City Councilmember Lisa Kaplan were invited to Lock & Key Tapas Bar on Monday the 23rd.

It was great to meet many neighbors and N Natomas residents who serve on the various City committees and commissions, including one who lives down the street from me – surprise.