One of the smaller running events that I've been to, and I think it's by design because…read morenon-participants are also on the Lake Chabot Regional Park trails that coincide with some sections of the running courses. Really wished that the event started much earlier (closer to sunrise) because it was a bit warm and it was pretty distracting having to weave through non-participants especially bicyclists and those walking their dogs (got more busy later in the day). Besides that, the 5K course itself (there were other courses at the event as well) was great! Majority of it was shaded and throughout the course I got several peeks of Lake Chabot. There were gentle hills, but they were few and far between. Also shoutout to the very thorough e-mail newsletter presenting all of the info needed for the event (it's the little things lol but way better than clicking through several tabs on a running event website to gather the same kind of info). Goodies include an amazingly designed wood medallion, shirt, beer sampler stein (with actual beer sampling on-site), yogurt, and packaged snacks. Sasquatch mascot was there cheering runners (was pretty funny seeing general park visitors being confused, but also being happy, seeing a dude in a Sasquatch costume ahaha). *Highly* recommend arriving early for parking especially if you're planning to do free street parking. When I arrived at around 8 am, westbound Lake Chabot Rd. street parking was filled within maybe 0.7 mi from the entrance. Had to circle back and park eastbound grabbing a spot that's maybe 0.2 mi from the entrance. In terms of the parking lot ($5 fee), it was a little more than halfway filled.

Definitely a fun race with lots of fun people and some seriously fun costumes…read more Good Stuff: The course, through Golden Gate Park, is beautiful. A bit hilly at times, but manageable. It was easy to get in and out of the event and we arrived an hour before the start time and had no problem finding free street parking. It was also not too congested at the start and, although they didn't do waves, they kept it slowly moving through. Nice shirts and medals. The Not-So-Good Stuff: There were a few narrow spots along the route and apparently a lot of people don't understand the concept of "slower people on the right, faster people on the left." Seriously. Stop walking four-wide. More importantly, what was with the lack of water stations?! And by "lack" I mean there were none. Zero. When we got to the end, they were handing out water bottles but is was a flavored kind...tasted good but I would have preferred plain water.

I know that races that are more of "fun runs" are not generally as organized. And I completely…read moreunderstand that as the first time to be hosted in SF, there might have been a few glitches. But seriously - the ENTIRE race was poorly organized and there was NO SUPPORT on the field at all. If I were you, I would save my money for the Color Run. Awesome support and atittude by staff and volunteers, as well as participants.

Ran this race over 20 times. It's a fun way to celebrate Chinese New Year and the YMCA…read moreorganization. But my one complaint is with the new policy change by the MUNI system. They allowed a bus to come down just before the race. Everyone had to clear the way. Than as a runner, traffic police were stopping runners to allow traffic to clear. As a fast runner in training to PR, this is not what we paid for. It may be a fundraiser for walkers only if they keep up this policy. Art 62yrs

This is the run that I do for the children. Not like, on behalf of children of the world, but the…read morechildren out on the course with me. I, apparently, serve as the person they don't want to fall behind. Stride-wise, I take after my grandma. She would have a nice hearty start and a slow but steady jog after about a mile. I don't really train, so that is my running style. There are a lot of kids on this run. And it is my goal to keep up with them. They, apparently, try to make sure I don't. If you like to see kids best an old gal while also helping raise money for the local YMCA, this is your run. Super festive, scenic, and very cool lunar new year themed medals upon finishing.

OK friend saw flyer for this one so I decided to do it. The money goes to a good cause for $45.00…read moreto help out the Rotary tutoring projects at Garfield School in Redwood City and the Rotary scholarship program. I have a choice between 65 miles or 37 miles and I decide lower one since not sure I can handle and never done this tour ;)) Well good thing I picked the lower one since quite a few folks said 65 mile was really tough and there were some bad markings on 37 miler which a bunch of us got lost around VMWare and figured out that was the way back not towards the winery DOH!! So we all road 40 miles instead. Here are some highlights: -Lost in VMWare parking lot with 4 other folks going ok at least we were not alone -Going up Montebello Road and wondering why I'm going super slow to later realize I have a flat tire ( Ok not in such bad shape after all!) That road was super steep and sucked! -Nice man from SAG support who changed my tire super quick so I could go on my way. I owe you one! You are my hero! -Awesome view from Picchetti Ranch of Cupertino -Yummy roast beef sandwiches from Draegers and those grapes and oatmeal cookies rocked! -Way back some guy deciding to moon our group as we rode back (EWW!) Good times and hope to do again next year!

So...there comes a time in a former athlete's life when she must admit that she is old, and the…read morebody is no longer cooperative. That time would be this bike ride. My friend Monique and I decided to roll out of bed on a Sunday for a 7am start time of this 30 or 50 mile bike ride. Well, the 30 miler was billed as a beginning to intermediate ride. Folks--it was not. We hit the hills by Canada College near Woodside and OUCH--straight uphill. Knees uncooperative. Furthermore, this lovely little race was put on by the Rotary Club and claimed to be "fully supported." To that I say, "My ass!" or rather, "My knees!" Monique and I waited for a while for "support" after conquering the first set of three hills. My right knee was not in a good way. We finally gave up and rode gingerly to Robert's Market for hot chocolate. This race was a bust, and the $45 entry fee hopefully went to a good cause, because...otherwise I might be tempted to scream GIANT RIP-OFF. Oh wait, it was a giant rip off. Kids, if you want to go on a bike ride, just head to Woodside or Skyline and go biking. You'll get about the same amount of "support." God bless the Rotary Club....

Have you ever grumbled when the weather wasn't what the weather forecast told you it would be?…read more "Darn weathermen / women! They never know what they are talking about! They said sunshine and it is pouring!" . . . . and another picnic in Golden Gate Park is spoiled! Well, if you live in or near San Francisco, check out the day-to-day forecast in living color . . . as it is happening! Check out Web Marin. I know, it sounds like pictures of Marin County, but it's really a webcam that is mounted in Sausalito taking glorious pictures of the City by the Bay . . . San Francisco! If you want to know what is happening RIGHT NOW, go to www.webmarin.com! Updated every minute . . . .

In case you didn't get the heads up on this website from Rachel C. last last year www.webmarin.com…read more is a constant webcam from Marin to San Francisco. It's fantastic to wake up every day and click on it in my favorites and see what SF looks like from Marin. It's updated every 60 seconds till late at night. In the day it's ships and sailboats and at nite it's magical. It's especially terrific now because the Embarcaderro Buldings are lit at nite with holiday lights. In December it's beautiful. Thank You Rachel C . She always did find the most obscure yet amazing sites to review.

This is a cute little park. I went here for my god daughters 4th birthday and it was perfect for…read morethat age group. Picnic benches and great shade trees to sit under. The kids loved playing on the big jungle gym. There was a basketball hoop and big open grass area for baseball, soccer or just running around. Clean bathrooms that have a sink, soap and blow dryer.

This is a great little park where people can walk their dogs and hang out. This little park,…read morelocated in downtown San Carlos, also has small events once in awhile like music concerts with the Hot Harvest Nights Thursday nights and Art in the Park every August.

We recently did a two day trip in the Sierras. WOW! It was an amazing experience. Guided and…read moresupported backpacking is the best way to learn - or discover new area. They had all the gear (we had some but a few things we didn't, and they had, and those that did not have gear, they were set up 100%). We had a mixture of individuals - so with backpacking experience and for some it was their first time. The team guides were awesome - they were aware of how everyone was doing and provided options for paths or when the group wanted to take a break. They provided information on the area we were in - including entertaining stories. The camping spot was remote and beautiful - right in the edge of the lake. The evening campfire was enjoyable. We had a great group of people and remain in contact with them. If you want to go off the beaten path, see the beauty in our own backyard that not many see, and learn how to backpack - DO AN EXPEDITION. It is worth it with what you'll come away with!.

I bought my first bike without training wheels (an 8 speed steel hybird) the day I signed up for…read moreALC , barely 6 weeks before rollout. Since then I've fallen 3 times on my second bike (an 18 speed aluminum road bike), my percentage lowering to a 40% chance of falling every time I get on my bike. The ALC damage? Gained 8 pounds, burned super ugly tan lines all over my body including ridiculous glove tans and sunglasses tan, scarred up my legs and arms with battle wounds, ran away with beautiful memories and new friends and completed every single mile from SF to LA! Things to do again next year: + Get with a team! The three training rides I did with team Long Beach saved me a lot of pain and regret, as did their helping me pick out a more suitable bike, pairing me with a crazy wonderful tentmate Brady and getting packing logistics down to a science. + Identify people by helmets or shirts to shuttle together from the airport. Most people fly in on Saturday, Orientation day. + Run the 8.5 miles roundtrip from Doubletree hotel to Cow Palace. + See the chiropractors and sports meds. They helped me pop a rib back in and got rid of my weird elbow pain from archery two weeks ago! + Ear plugs are your best friends at night + Chill at Rest stop 4 for their shows and parties: my little brony, victoria secret models, dance parties + Make friends. Then recruit them to set up your tent. + Meet people in the food lines and sit with them; learn their stories, why they're riding + Witness a marriage proposal + Eat more ice cream at Paradise Pit! Things to do next year: + Socialize or bring things to do while in line for everything on orientation day + Utilize Uber! + On day 1, the line was 90 people deep for coffee at one point. Plan accordingly. + Bring own foam roller to roll in tent + Take it easy on the 109 mile day but know that the later it gets the windier it is + Repeat the Quadbuster hill over and over like the team bunnies + Go to butt clinic and get taped up + Bring money for ice cream in Santa Maria + Either bring clothes pins and a clothes line OR bring enough clothes to last you through all seven days, not both + Don't bring cotton anything. My towel never ever dried ever. + Attend the candlelight vigil to remember those who aren't able to ride + Ride out earlier the last day: it's going to be a race against the sweep vehicle if you roll out too late + Have your ride and meet ups coordinated on the last day + Start fundraising early! Here's my link if you can help the cause! ;) https://actnow.tofighthiv.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=DB17C64FE6898502A83CCE8911C533AA.app262b?idb=1753241307&df_id=4541&FR_ID=1630&PROXY_ID=3075809&4541.donation=form1&PROXY_TYPE=20 I decided to ride this year for wholly selfish reasons, to challenge myself physically and learn how to ride a road bike (learn how to drink when still riding and how to pump tires. I was riding at 50psi in both tires for six days of the ride). This experience completely changed me. I hung out with the most loving, accepting people while in this little community of 3000 other riders, roadies and motos. Everyday was, "I'm on your left, beautiful" and "I love your helmet, sweetie!" and "You're my hero for doing this in toe straps!" I've had more experienced riders push me up the hills on my bike while on their bikes. I decided to sign up for next year because HIV and AIDS affects the people I've come to love in this community and I want to see the end of this devastating ailment. ALC touched my soul and it can touch yours, too, in 7 days time. Welcome to the ALC family.

I am now a 5th year veteran, but have followed the ride since ALC 2 through my dad. My dad did the…read moreride for 5 years in a row, on ALC 6 I made the big jump and rode with him. I will say that riding ALC literally changed my life. It has been the single most moving experience I've ever had. Since ALC 6 I have retired from riding and I only Roadie, I LOVE IT! Being a roadie has enabled me to meet so many people over the years. The friendships I have built through ALC are life long and I don't know where I would be with out ALC. If you're ever thinking about doing the ride as a rider or as a roadie, DO IT! Life is too short to sit back and watch it go by! I guarantee you will have time of your life and want to come back every year. It's the one place I can go to every year and experience a utopia away from every day life. AIDS and HIV is still a problem today and right here in our own back yards. Stand up and do something to make a change! The San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the LA Gay and Lesbian Center have done, so please support the cause.