Solo 62 Birthday Miles on SART

 Solo 62 Birthday miles 15.6 average speed. 62 miles for 62 years. Not bad for an old guy. 62 but you see no lines or wrinkles around my eyes and you can't see a receding hairline either. 😆😄😆 Thanks to Gina for another energizing breakfast, the usual 2 eggs and turkey sausage. Oh and 1 corn tortilla. 😁 Sadly I forgot to pack an energy bar but I survived 🤪

I did see a few friends. Ran into Fazi and Dariush at the coast. Doing 45 I believe and I doing a longer ride than I have in a while, thought about riding back with them but glad I didn't because they might have killed me ha ha ha! Heck, it's rough keeping up with Ron and Dixie on their tandem so doing a long ride, I figured I was best off staying solo keeping my pace.

Bad thing, finishing the ride at the Anaheim train station realizing you're 4 miles short ha ha ha! Had to turn around and backtrack once again for a couple miles so when I turned around, I'd complete the entire 62. Oh what a feeling when you're really hoping you could pack it in for the day.

But I actually felt pretty good for doing 62 for the first time in a long time. Even later at dinner, and now almost 10 PM, still feeling good as I write my post. Maybe I'm not as old as I thought ha ha ha!

Did have a wonderful birthday with Gina. How could I not have a good day with a wonderful woman like Gina.

The youtube video

Had plans to do Steer N Stein or something like that but Gina's Mom Cecee decided she would go with us just because it's my bday. She doesn't much care to go out much but I talked her into it ha ha ha! Guilt trip of course. So we changed our plans to Sizzler being more comfortable for her and a shorter drive, only 3 miles. 

And they really got me at Sizzler. Hadn't been there all week but Angelina got me really good. Having the same birthday as her father, she remembered mine. Sadly she wasn't there having the weekend off but we went in today after my ride. I had told Gina not to say anything as I didn't think the servers there had any idea and Gina doesn't like to be sung to so I told her if she did, I would get her back ha ha ha!

But just about as I was finished with my meal, very unexpecting I saw the servers walking towards us with a dessert. I thought it was for another family as we have often seen them sing but SURPRISE !!! Oh man, they stopped at our table and about 6 of them started singing ha ha ha! Cecee said she wished she had a camera to get a pic of the expression on my face ha ha ha! She said I really looked shocked and surprised, I was!

But a great experience ha ha ha! Can't ask for a better day. Evelyn told me that Angelina had brought a raspberry bunt cake for me. She loves to bake and stuff so heck, I enjoy it when she brings goodies. Chocolate covered strawberries, cookies, and other stuff that I can't turn down ha ha ha!

And it was nice that all the servers signed a birthday card for me. Thanks Angie, made for a great experience!

Then finished off the night with a 31 Flavors ice cream cake. I sure I hope I wake up in the morning ha ha ha! Haven't had this much sugar in one day for a loooong time!

Last treat of the night, the 31 Flavors cake. When we bought it, they said they had candles but I said we didn't need them. But once we got home, Gina found these candles, 60. She said she wanted to light them for the HB singing. I didn't argue, heck being 60 again sounds better than 62 ha ha ha!

And of course on Strava, plenty of Bday wishes but I always appreciate these types. Growing older and remembering the things we've done, always great to get something like this. This is Jimmy, a ride I met through the forums when they were great with real riders ha ha ha! We did Ride Around the Bear the same year, having done it 4 times. Jimmy remembers the training rides up to Baldy and all the hard work we put into it those years. The ride 100 miles with 10k of climbing, a timed event. I outweighed him and just about every rider I know by 60-80 pounds and did very well. I think I outweighed Jimmy by 60 maybe and finished about 10 minutes after he did. So he was surprised and we still remember that. Every time I have run into Jimmy, he reminds me of how shocked he was that I did so well. Of course Jimmy is a great guy and rider, always a pleasure to hear from him.

I guess he doesn't see me getting old yet ha ha ha!

Did run into Fazi, Dariush, and Roy of Wolfpack Cycling

Getting Older and Car Repairs

 Don't ask me why,  but I woke up dreaming about this BBQ beef roll sandwich from Joanne's in Ontario.  So I drove down for one and there is another one of our favorite waitresses,  Leti. She served my dad for about 20 years before he passed away.  

Knowing me as the baby of our family,   every time she sees me,  she shouts, " Hi Baby!!!" 😆😄😆 

People in the restaurant probably look at me and think, what kind of baby is that?! 😁😁😁

But anyway,  super nice great waitress and knowing I like the coleslaw there, she packs it sky high in the little bowl.  I think she gave me enough to hold me over for 6 months. Only place that actually serves GOOD  coleslaw.  👍 

But anyway,  she shouted,  "HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!!" so I figured I had to get a selfie. 🤳 😄

62 tomorrow 🤣 oh well, I do get the senior discount at Sizzler. 😁

Car repairs,  Oy! 

Gina's car, the money pit. She loves the CX9 but man, it has been one thing,  one right after another.  Little things that add up especially if we were to take it to a mechanic.  Some things we have that I didn't have the time or tools so we end up paying for labor. 

So this time,  her low beam headlight goes out. Replaced bulbs.  Couple weeks later,  replace high beams. But when I replaced the low beams, we upgraded the bulbs from the original grade to the brighter more bettered super bright see down the road better bulbs. $45 for 2 freaking light bulbs. 

About a 2 months later,  one goes out, WTF!  So I check it and when I moved the wire   it went back on. Checked it out, a little corrosion on a connector tab and bulb holder unit. Brushed it out, still only worked when I moved the wire. Damn! 

So I made a little boot out of electrical tape to hold in place like a cast on a broken bone. It worked for about 3 weeks then went off again.  Tap the headlight and it goes back on. Gina drove it to work like this for about a week seeing its dark on the freeway at 5 am. 

So looking into the repair, the dealer would be about $300.  Didn't even bother asking tge auto electric place as they can be outrageous as well. 

Looked up the part on Parts Geek dot com. BTW,  excellent source for auto parts on the net. Rather quick delivery as well. The part was only $9. ....delivery a little expensive I guess,  $9. But for $20, I have the part. Also came with the modern fancy butt connector that heat up after crimping to shrink wrap type stuff sealing the connection. 

Great but the manufacturer assembles the light so that there is barely enough wire to maneuver for the repair.  How in the world am I going to work with 2 inches of wire protruding from the light assembly and no slack? Had to cut the old fixture off and hope I could manage some way. 

I did assemble the first part, mounting fixture to the butt connector.  Stripped wires and crimped to proper gage. Of course 18 gage isn't the same as 18 on the stripper. Figuring at least I had enough wire on this end to experiment with the tools and connection if I needed.  Good plan because I only wasted about 1/8 of an inch figuring out what would work.  Perfect and still have about 8 inches of slack on this end. 

All good but then going to inside the engine,  different story. No  way was I fitting the stripper crimping tool into the small space, F#@K!!!

I managed to get it with a small pliers cutting tool.  Having and hoping to only apply a certain amount of pressure to cut the housing without cutting the copper strands. Without being able to see while my hands inserted,  I managed to get both wires just perfect.  Wow ok! Didn't want to cut the wire any shorter if I happened to mess up cutting blindly. I really don't know how I did it but I did. Many people around me throughout my life have said I have good mechanical ability,  Maybe they're right. Heck, I build my own bike wheels so cutting a wire shouldn't be a challenge.  Only if you're blind but I did it and inspecting with magnifier glasses and a light, I didn't damage any of the copper wire s inside the insulation. 

So luckily the crimping section of the tool is on the tip but holding two wires into a butting connector while trying to work with the wire tool, again blind, is a challenge.  Sometimes I do things and I really don't know how. Maybe thinking and planning them in your head while you sleep helps ha ha ha. Then on the spot thinking and feeling,  if I move my hands a little this way and the part that way as I move my head and eyes away, it will work out.

Thankfully it did and again,  not sure how ha ha ha byt inspecting after crimping,  I had a good connection.  Tgen heated up the shrink cover thing being careful not to burn anything as cautioned on YouTube, it worked! Great connection and saved plenty of money,  about $260 if my calculations are correct. 

Oh, and amazingly,  went into Auto Zone for new bulbs wanting to keep the beams looking even and balanced, got the original non super duper bulbs, tge price was $33 for the pair. At the register,  the dude said we had $20 star points, cash whatever it is, but we had a $20 credit so actually only paid $13. Which was great because that was about expire in 5 days, wow! What a deal! 

So now, the lights on Gina's car are The Sheot!!! Ha ha ha! And for the record,  I'll never buy those super duper bight bulbs again.  Could be coincidence never having a problem before but can't help but think the trade off for brighter lights is that the heat they produce are going to fry your bulb fixtures. Which BTW, I read could start a fire seeing it can produce enough heat to burn up the part.

So after saving the money 💰,  I was rewarded with a great salad at Avolio's.  Yes  pizza too. 🍕 Guess I am getting old. Only ate 4 pieces vs the old days when I could easily eat 12 if I tried.  

The pizza looks big in the pic 6 pcs,  but really isn't. It's actually harder finishing the salad. 

Now, I'll be 62 but hey, I qualify for the Sizzler senior discount ha ha ha. 

Solo 40 SGRT

 Nice solo 40 miles on the San Gabriel trail today, 16.1 average speed. Usual morning ride breakfast, 2 eggs and 2 lean turkey sausage 😋 Breezy but felt good. I didn't look at the temperature but I know it wasn't 105 like last week. 🤣

Usually do longer rides on Saturday but got lazy with the weather on Sat so I rode on Sunday. Saw a few people heading to opposite direction while heading to the coast but wow, on the way back, I think I was the only guy heading north. Other than the dude on the ebike in the video.

But felt great so I can't complain. Oh wait, yes I can. As I have mentioned many times, the biggest threat to my safety while on a bike is other bike riders. Today, about 1/2 mile from the coast, I was passing a jogger, signaled then went to the left to go around. Some freaking idiot on aerobars, comes on my left squeezing through actually startling me figuring nobody would be stupid enough to squeeze through like that at a high speed. But yes, a cyclist. I see so many facebook posts about stupid drivers but gee, there are just as many freaking idiots on bikes. When we got to the coast, he arrived about 30 seconds before I did so I was hoping he would be there so I could tell him what a fucking moron he is. But when I rode up, he had just turned around and had such a big smile on his face and said hi as if he was super proud of his effort. Uhhh, I was actually taken by surprise thinking he would be an arrogant bastard so I held back when he rolled by and waved. I had actually turned to video on so I could capture my words on video letting him know what jerk he was but something got me ha ha ha! Well damn, ruined the entire scene.

Lazy Saturday so I took Gina to a movie instead. Mongolian BBQ in Claremont then The Accountant 2 in Montclair, the mall.

Youtube video

My usual nutritious pre ride breakfast. I think too many people eat too much on and before rides. 40 miles with breakfast and I'm good. All water on the ride figuring too many people take in too many drink products as well. Heck, think the drinks didn't do much other than make me feel sick unless it was really hot. 

Montlcair movie house balcony overlooking the 10 fwy by Monte Vista Ave.

Bejeesus, movie and goody package, $65 and that ain't no fancy theatre Imax stuff. And the early show, wow. Though I don't know why, I might return to watch Mission Imp when it comes out. Something to do I guess though I never watched the first few in the series ha ha ha!

Mongolian BBQ

Sizzler and Franja Bikes

 As some may know, we frequent Sizzler near the West Covina mall. Best one ever and best service. Has been verified by some of our friends and associates. All will tell you that this is the best Sizzler location. We've been to several over our 60 plus years of life, all over the valley and Inland Empire where I grew up. Best ever!

Well, we have a few servers that take care of us and greatly appreciated. One dude who has quickly climbed the ranks from new guy to manager is Diego. Super nice guy and great worker. The other day he came over asking if everything was good so we ended up chatting. Of course, Mr. Beanz has to turn it into some kind of cycling conversation. But come to find out, Diego used to work at a bike shop that his family owned in Mexico. Franja Bikes.  So I told him that I'd look it up and I did. So I thought I'd share the link just for kicks if one wants to look around. Always interesting to see things from the another part of the  world. Heck, I'm starting to wonder now if he can fix my bikes when needed ha ha ha!

But Diego is a cool guy so asking him about the shop, I asked if I could have a pic to post on my blog and he agreed. Angelina ended up in the pic too, not exactly remembering how now that I think about it. Did Diego invite her or did she just happen to walk up.

But either way, as I snapped the pic, we noticed that Christian and Evelyn saw us taking the pic. Gina told me that she wondered if they would say anything seeing they were left out. Just then, Evelyn walked by and said, "TFTI!". I didn't hear that well as always but funny enough, Evelyn walked by again claiming she heard Gina say she didn't know TFTI. Wow, great ears because sitting next to Gina, I didn't even hear but Evelyn did like 5 tables away ha ha ha! I am getting old ha ha ha!

TFTI.........Thanks For The Invite 

So we laughed as she teased a bit about being left out of the pic so Gina suggested we take another with Evelyn and Christian, so Angelina called them over. Group pic! We did chat during our meal a bit about music with Angelina. He father is exactly one year younger than I, same birth date. Brought up a few bands and she didn't know any of them other than Led Zeppelin as her father liked their music.

But wow, being 3 times the age of these kiddies, it's strange when you don't really think too much about how much older you are than they are but once you realize how different the things are than you are familiar with, makes you realize how old you really are ha ha ha! I mean, Angelina doesn't know who Santana or Marvin Gaye is and we have no idea what the Movie Minecraft is about ha ha ha!

Oh yeah, and when you see the lines around your eyes and the smooth skin of the youngsters, you know ha ha ha!

Franja Bikes in Mexico

https://franjabikes.com/

The pics:

Me, Angelina, Gina, and Diego in the first pic.

Me, Gina, Angelina, Evelyn, and Christian. One day, we went in but Angelina wasn't there so Evelyn told Angelina that The Homies had been there. So from them on, they've known us as The Homies ha ha ha! That's ok because we receive special services. Like, being slipped in the back and around 50 customers waiting in line when necessary he he he! And other stuff I won't mention to avoid getting anyone in trouble with the Soup and Salad Commissioners he he he! 

I also did get the double light package to Alvino last night as well, after Sizzler. We walked up to the sitting area just as he got up for a visit to the little boys' room. He didn't see us as he walked away. So Gina and I sat on a couch with our backs to the direction from where he would be approaching. As he returned, I placed one of the lights in his direction but I was not looking back. Sure enough he saw it and walked up with a big smile, "Oh, you got it!"

I had told him that I ordered a light for him on Ebay. 2 actually. So I demonstrated it a bit to show him how it worked. He said it was great! Wow, did he have a big cheesy smile on his face. I didn't realize he had great looking teeth. Of course his is one really grumpy old looking guy that sits at the mall all day and night. So seeing him smile was very different ha ha ha but glad I could put a smile on his face. Maybe that is what caught my attention. A grumpy old dude sitting there snarling at people that walk by. I changed that ha ha ha!

About 6 or 7 different modes but I have one like it that I like a lot. But mine strobes blue and red where his strobe red and white along with a white solid mode so he can use in the front if he had to do so.

 

Easy Leg Spin

 Trying to keep my HR down around 120 hoping to go easy just to spin up the 🦵 legs for relaxation. But it sure is hard trying to go that easy especially throwing in the Santa Fe Dam climb. 😄 California for ya, one day it's 105 degrees and the next, 68. 

Felt good to ride in cool air. Guess I'm getting old cause the heat wore me down on Saturday.  Nah! Just getting used to the heat and need some electrolytes.  I ain't that old yet. 😄

Big difference in zone times comparing today to Saturday's ride. Of course the heat jacked up my HR for sure. 

That old dude Alvino we see at the mall, felt bad for him so I ordered these little lights for him eventhough he lost the first one. Not expensive and having one like this,  I know it works pretty good. 

So a 2 pack. Hopefully the dude doesn't lose them like the first.  Saw him the other day at the mall.  Waved at us then pulled out a bag of Oreo cookies asking if we wanted some.

No thanks but I guess he can't be all that bad offering us some of what little he has. Ok, I'll get you another light. 😄

A little dinner dinner with my Honey.  And ankle tan line. 😄

Hotter Than Hell SART

 46 mostly solo miles 16.0 average speed. Suffered being my first heat ride.🤣 Mostly Solo but return with R&D tandem (14 miles) . Their last sprint made my eyes roll trying to stay on their wheel. Barely survived and I will say, took me some time to recoup after the ride before I could put my bike on the rack. 😄😆😄 And the first time I had to pour water over my head after a ride. 90 average temp, 105 max. Plenty of high heart ❤️ rates today.

Youtube video, sorry blocked in Russia :-P

Lesson learned. I should have taken some electrolytes with me, Liquid IV. But didn't expect it to be so taxing and forgetting how tough the first hot ride back can be after so many cool rides. Felt depleted most of the evening, after dinner and beyond. Felt hungry and unsatisfied. Did take in some electrolytes and some good massaging from Gina he he he! Always makes me feel better and relaxing.

I could tell as soon as I started that the HR was going to rise really quick. And like I said, Ron and Dixie's last push made my eyes cross trying to hold their wheel ha ha ha!

Into the wind on a hot day. 161 HR doing 12 MPH.  My max is 180 so 161 was pushing but going nowhere, and fast!

Sunday morning, I did feel ok and wanted and easy 20 that would have relaxed my legs. But I wussed out for Mother's Day and went to eat instead. Tried a few restaurants but man, they were busy so we ended up at a little diner called Millie's. Usually an older crowd so I told Gina after having no luck at the other placed, we should try there because the usual crowd is so old that I doubt many of them don't have mothers anymore. I was correct! A little more than usual for that place but not too many. By the time we left, around 2 PM, there were maybe 4 families in the joint. But it's a cute place. Little itty bitty gift shop, old 50's style, oldies playing on the system, and a pie baker counter. And actually, and excellent banana split.

I had chicken fajita tacos, potato wedges for an appetizer and the banana split. Feeling I deserved it after a hard ride yesterday, I freakin' ate everything ha ha ha! That is rare nowadays after cutting back on my intake and sugar. Eating well for quite some time now but today, my body was calling, actually screaming out for that banana split ha ha ha!