Road Report: Mines

[jimboecv]

Got out on Mines Monday (because I can now).  Hot. 
Gravel is widespread and spread wide.  If you ride it in the near future, stay in the car tracks, they're pretty clean.  The tight corners show evidence of horse trailers dragging onto the shoulder, then dragging the shoulder onto the road. 
Also, I'm pretty sure hunting season's started (which accounts for some of the trailers) and the ranchers are bringing in cattle, too (more trailers).  I slowed while some 'dude' was pulling a cow out of a creek and a bunch of his dogs jumped from the brush to escorte me for a few yards.  Overall, the Alameda county side of the road was in good shape except for the gravel.
On the Santa Clara side (clearly marked) the gravel seemed much better so I suspect the county was up to something on the Alameda side.  However, there were lots of spots on the shoulders where the road has deteriorated heavily.  Watchout, some of it was bad enough that there was more dirt than road so stick toward the centerline and go slow through the slow rights.  Outside of the shoulder garbage the Santa Clara portion of the road was pretty fast.  I did see two fresh roadkill deer, as in one wasn't there on my way south but it was an hour later, and I think that could have something to do with hunting presure.  Where orange - like me.  Only saw one bike and a few cars.  It was in the mid 90's at the Junction.

Summery; not the worst, by far, but the gravel on the Alameda side was kinda a buzz kill.
Side note, the conversation at the Junction revolved around someone's dropping dead girls on Patterson Pass Road so don't stop for nobody.

Happy Trails,
'bo

[Michael Moore]

Wow. Gravel, dogs, dead deer and dead girls. You really know how to sell a ride! 

[Drunken Monkey]

Wow. Gravel, dogs, dead deer and dead girls. You really know how to sell a ride! 

Could you post this review up on Esquire or Wired or whatever magazine it was that revealed all my favorite riding roads? 

[duckwrench13]

Could you post this review up on Esquire or Wired or whatever magazine it was that revealed all my favorite riding roads? 

+ 11ty billion!

[jimboecv]

Wow. Gravel, dogs, dead deer and dead girls. You really know how to sell a ride! 

O' so you're in for a nite-ride?! (Please ride your scooter...and o'please o'please o'please wear the plad skirt and white knee-socks I bought you)

[Michael Moore]

O' so you're in for a nite-ride?! (Please ride your scooter...and o'please o'please o'please wear the plad skirt and white knee-socks I bought you)

Eh, the cold air blowing up my skirt - it makes my balls shrivel. 

[duckwrench13]

Eh, the cold air blowing up my skirt - it makes my balls shrivel. 

T.M.I!!!!!

[jimboecv]

Eh, the cold air blowing up my skirt - it makes my balls shrivel. 

Ball, hon, ball. 

[desmogirl]

Wow. Gravel, dogs, dead deer and dead girls. You really know how to sell a ride! 

At least they're found on a back road.....in Toronto, they throw them on the highway..(the dead human bodies)

[jimboecv]

Nothing could be further from Toronto than Mines.  The only reason there not on the road anymore is that the hill people have eaten them.