Beast Mode in the Small Ring

 Really good ride today with TC & Mark. 33 miles at 17.0 average speed on the Santa Ana River Trail and a bit of Pacific Coast Hwy. Every body did well and I actually felt great spinning my small ring for most of the ride, about 95%. TC called it Beast Mode in the Small Ring. 😄 A ride for the old guys, US !!! 🤣😂🤣 And of course my usual pre-ride meal, 2 eggs, 2 turkey sausage links, and 1 corn tortilla. 😋 Makes a big difference riding with others. My average HR on my GPS was only 126.

Solo Silly Ride for Video Footage (video later)

 Pfft! Solo 24 miles. Silly Solo Ride just looking for video stuff. Supposed to be easy and good thing I didn't do the ride I had been thinking about. Today, a high of 102, average of 97 degrees and windy. But I just rolled along and tried to enjoy it anyway. Only like 5 other riders I saw out there. And some people at the golf course said they cycle too but not today, too darn hot! But I survived once again! 😄

More later

The youtube video

Solo Sunday Feeling Great

 Solo 37 miles. Started out EZ and a short ride. Headed back finding out my Monday ride was canceled so I turned around again and continued on up to the top. 😄 But I felt great. Must have been my pre ride night ritual dinner, Sizzler petite steak and a cup of rice. Gina had the salad bar. 😄

As much as I wanted to ride this week, it was rough getting started. Tuesday I think then I thought about Thursday, Friday, and Saturday but ended up spending time with Gina. Nice but sometimes after a few hours, we're struggling trying to think of things to do ha ha ha! I guess riding the first few hours of the day makes it just right then the rest of the day and evening are nice. Heck, did have a good time at the movies the last couple of times but the price here in California, WTF! About $20 per ticket and these are movies that I don't really WANT to watch. I might watch them if there isn't anything else playing of interest. Now Laughlin, $7.50 per senior, more my style and I would go to the movies more often if tis were the case here at home. $20, F that ha ha ha!

Somebody spreading stories around Facebook and bike groups saying the Pico Rivera golf course doesn't allow cyclists to park there any longer. Not true! All these cars are cyclists there this morning. Another 6 when I finished about 2 pm.

The thing that I don't like about cycling forums and facebook bike groups. Too many people talking out their asses not knowing what's going on. Like the parking sitch-ee-ation. Someone reads a sign and jumps to conclusions without even asking, investigating, or trying to find out what the signs are really about. I mean, c'mon, hundreds of cyclists would be affected had someone not had their head up their ass finding out the real deal. Just like fb cycling pages and groups. I know many of the posters from cycling forums and some don't even freaking ride bikes. They talk a lot and kiss ass a lot but they don't even ride. I dunno, I guess walking a lot makes one a knowledgeable cyclist ha ha ha! Gotta throw this in as well. The internet bike forum poster who constantly says he wants some fine chick for a wife. Tone body, long beautiful hair, purty lips, and walks like an angel all the while criticizing women who are a bit overweight, not fat but don't fit the BMI BS chart. But looks like Jerry Lewis and found a woman that fit his description but unable to keep her happy so now he has to visit his child when he can, or when she lets him. Bunch of lost losers who really can't cope with life. Oh yeah, the one moron who gets offended by everything everyone says claiming everyone is an alcoholic but later posts that his wife says he's drinking too much. Ok ha ha ha! I guess these groups are just too much to fit into reality ha ha ha!

Another thing about internet cyclists, always crying and whining about how drivers are trying to kill us. OK, today, a usual example of what I see and why I get disgusted with internet whining. I get treated well on the road, night or day.

But today, a cyclist packing up his stuff when I approached the end of my ride. I began packing up my stuff. Took a little longer to log my mileage on strava. The dude was done when I first pulled up into the lot on my bike. Sat in his van for a long time as I did my stuff. But as soon as I start my truck, back up, then proceed out the lot, he starts his van taking off blind from the opposite side of the lot. Both heading south to the exit gate, he speeds up, doesn't see me and cuts right into my path. I'm thinking, what a CS'er. But realize he didn't even realize I was there so actually, he's an idiot. Then as we exit the gate onto a road with a blind curve, speed limit of 25 mph, he's rips out of there going about 50 mph, WTF! I swear, too many freaking idiots on bikes that are drivers too. And way too much hypocrisy on the net.

After my ride, had to get something to eat.  Tough decision after everything seems to be pretty much the same, ok but expensive. But wanting to go somewhere, Lucille's, they suck now, other places, lots of money and not really good. Decent place but not wanting to drive 60 miles rt for a decent ordinary meal, ended up at Avolio's. Usually good pizza and salad but disappointed with the pasta a few times but today, what the heck. I chose Cannelloni. It was actually good and tasty today. Glad we went. Gina got angel hair pasta with Alfredo sauce. 

BTW, this is too funny! I saw this gal a couple weeks back. Didn't look anything like the pics she posted on her strava. 

EDIT: My bad! I apologize. I did see her on Tuesday heading up the damn dam as I was descending. She wasn't in full kit so I got a better look as she was wearing the white tank top and she is much more attractive than I thought.  She does in fact look like the pics AND........ she made it up the climb. 😄

Parked at Pico Golf Course (people be talkin')

People talking about Pico Golf course not allowing cyclists to park in the lot any longer. Not true! I guess some people saw some new signs then ass-umed it pertained to cyclists. No fact checking, just spreading false info on facebook cycling groups. Hmmm!

So anyway, somebody posted on Sept 1st that the golf course banned cyclists from using the parking lot. On Sept 4th, I arrived and some dude was there, said he had been using the lot for 30 years. He noticed some signs and was worried it meant cyclists. He cut his ride short, 15 instead of 30 because he got nervous on the bike. So I arrived and he pointed out the signs. Hmmm, in my opinion, it didn't mean cyclists, more like vagrants, mobile home street dwellers, people smoking dope etc. 

After he packed up, and I was getting ready, he said he was going to ask. Said he talked to someone who he thought might be the manager and he said it was fine for cyclists. They had problems with people parking there who would leave their cars there after hours. The employees would lock the gates but the people would come back to get their cars and even cut the chains and/or locks. The GF would have to spend money replacing several locks and chains.

So we got the story. Then I saw the posts on a group page. Then the original post some lady posted back on Sept 1st stating false info. Matter of fact, as I went in this morning to verify once again, there were a couple of cyclists who seemed to have met a wife, parked their bikes on the outside and had a beer while I was in there inquiring. I don't think the GF would want to lose the cycling world business in the bar. 

SO anyway, the info spread around about the golf course prohibiting cyclists from parking in their lot is FALSE.!!!

 PARKED at Pico Rivera golf ⛳️ course then rode to the SF Nature Center and back. Solo 25 miles. Nice smooth ride after vacay. Road trips are more work and more tiring than riding my bike. 😆😄😆 New GPS sucked so I had to do some work and swap out parts with old stuff I ha I order to get it to work. Ebay refunded my money thank goodness. More work than I paid for it. 🤨 nice day not feeling hot but my salty glove tells a different story but sure was a nice day.

Parked !!!

A nice pace but nothing strenuous other than The Damn Dam climb

Removed a glove to rinse my eye with water. Seems the sweat that doesn't show on the bike really shows once you remove the glove from the hand and allow the salt to dry. Then it really shows ha ha ha! But the ride didn't feel any kind of hot today, very nice!

Boy, this mount SUCKED !!! I contacted the seller and told them it sucked and I was requesting a refund. They must have known it sucks because they asked me to refrain from posting negative feedback, they would be happy to refund my money and keep the mount.

I did not think about the design in the image seeing it has one screw in the center. I engaged my unit and had a heck of a time trying to get it out as the entire base fixture would spin. Then the camera holder on the lower section required 2 screw holes in order to fit on with the unit base leaving only one hole for the unit. It sucked! If I tried to attach the screws in holes simultaneously, there was not enough room for all screws to seat so using the camera mount, one has no choice but to go with the one center hole and you all know I use my recorders.

They didn't even want it back, what does that tell you? Ha, so I ended up going through my boxes, drawers of go pro mounts and stuff that I have, and I got a lot ha ha ha! I found a different design camera mount to attach on the lower side to make it work. This kept the inline 3 holes free to mount the base for the unit. So I actually have 5 screws now, all lock tite'ened into place. Not sure how you would say that ha ha ha!

But I got it to work after like an hour and a half trying other fixtures and mounts I found. It works now but I think I put more time and spare parts into what I paid for it.  But it works though not as purty or slick as the one that broke and only $10. This one was $17 and the only reason I went for it was because of that two hole design holding the arm out. That is where my other one snapped. I figure that little gap area would absorb some of the pressure I place on it while connecting the gopro into place.

This is the image I sent with an explanation to the seller. 

Sant Fe Nature Center

On the dam

Anniversary Weekend in Laughlin

Weekend in Laughlin with Cecee the Head Banger. 😂🤣😂 One tough cookie! For the record, in Laughlin 2 minutes, first stop at the River Lodge to look around before checking into The Edgewater having arrived early. Walking from the Parking lot to the casino, Cecee tripped on uneven pavement, fell hitting her knees hard, then forward onto her hands, then her face hitting the curb. I myself would have turned and went home but after being checked out by paramedics and casino personnel, Cecee said, "aim me towards the casino!" refusing to make any less of the weekend than a good time!

The Video

         Gina and I out admiring the fresh air. Was very nice on Friday, didn't feel hot, just nice.

Geeze, 2 minutes in Laughlin,  stopped at The Lodge to check it out having arrived early before check in time at this  Edgewater,  Cecee takes a dive in the parking lot.  Uneven broken pavement catches her foot then boom. Fell hitting her knee then rolls down to her hands and face  face plant. Ouch. Checked out by security,  casino employees,  paramedics but she insists she is OK. Cut eye as well. That's going to hurt in the morning.  I offered to drive right back home,  another 2 and a half hours but she's determined to hit the slots. 🤣 One tough cookie! Gina must get it from her.

On the way before the face plant. Breakfast stop in Barstow.  

Just before heading home, had breakfast at the Aquarius River Cafe. Great deals at times when we go there lately. This time, my dish was $4.99. 2 eggs, hashbrowns, biscuits and gravy, including the drink. Gina and Cecee having ham and eggs $7.99, including the drink. Of course showing off her war wounds.

Gina and I playing slots together. I rarely play but figured what the heck this time. We got up to $80 really quick. I stopped so sat down for a mocha latta and a pastry, being bad ha ha ha! Gina got my stuff for me then walked aways saying she was going to play a little more but not all 80. Of course she returned a few minutes later saying she lost all 80 bucks ha ha ha! Just not my thing, sitting down throwing away $20 in like 2 minutes. I'd rather buy something for my bike, like a computer mount ha ha ha! Of course, I'm guessing Cecee lost 5 hundred, I gave her 3 to play. Gina might have lost 2 to 3 hundred, oh, and my $80. Just not my thing, gimme something for my bike and money.

Again the cafe Sat nite, a $6 burger with fries and a drink, nice.

Casa Serrano. Man the stuff is good. Tamales very tasty and the huevos rancheros my favorite. We keep talking about trying the buffet at the Riverside but can't seem to break away from CS.