So this blog is going to be different from what I expected. I figured on a few comments about the weather, maybe an interesting sight or two. Maybe even a tough climb (gasp)! Regardless, it had more excitement than some.

Anyhow, so this was the Western Wheelers annual Candy Classic ride, so called because it stops at a tasty bakery in Burlingame. About 24 miles in to the ride, as I was climbing up the small hill to the Bunker Hill offramp I heard a noise that sounded like what you hear when a truck goes by with no cargo and the load bed bangs around.

I glanced to my right just in time to see a vehicle with a rather smashed in hood rolling over and stopping on its right side, on the embankment in the middle of 280.

I yelled ahead to the people in front of me, but they'd already seen it happen. When I got to the interchange a minute or so later, we milled about for a bit not knowing what to do. People fumbling for cellphones, etc.

In less time than it takes to tell about it, we suddenly noticed that Mike (default name for Western Wheelers members, I'm starting to realize) was down the embankment and darting through the now mostly stopped traffic to get to the truck. It was smoking slightly, and there was understandable concern that it might do something bad, like, say, explode.

Fortunately, there were no explosions, and as we watched anxiously Mike helped get the driver out of his pickup. It seemed like there was another cyclist also helping, but where he came from (or went to, for that matter) I don't know, so maybe I imagined that.
Edit: Well, I just uploaded the pics, and I guess there was another cyclist. Mystery Rescue Cyclist.

After what seemed like a long time, some cars finally stopped and other people got out, so that we could safely leave the scene. Apparently the driver was an older gentleman who'd fallen asleep at the wheel and crashed right into the pillar holding up the overpass. Amazing that he'd survived. Sounded like he was in pretty good shape, just cuts and bruises.

Anyhow, that was the most excitement for the day. We continued on, climbed through Hillsborough, saw the Spreckels mansion, and after lunch at the Steelhead brewery, headed back via the trail along the bay.

Only other minor anecdote I have is that shortly after his rescue activity, someone called ahead that Mike was behind fixing a flat. It must have been a bad one, because it took like fifteen minutes, and while we were waiting, I was chatting with a group which included Mike's wife Priscilla, who commented, "I wonder who we're waiting for?" "Um, Mike, that is, *your* Mike..." "Ohh...."

Further edit: I notice one or two pictures that require explanation. The picture at Arastradero I took simply because right then a car zoomed into the preserve parking lot, with the Macarena blaring through closed windows. So I took a shot of the group with the Macarenamobile behind.

Pics here.