Just Another Dam Ride

 Just Another Dam Ride. 😄 Solo 26 from Pico Rivera to the Santa Fe Dam. Digging the new Camelback bottles. Way better 👍and nice clear nipples. The last ones got cruddy quickly and were bright red. Never a fan of cruddy bright red nipples. 🤣 And if my dam climb time is slow, it's because I did the top section with one hand while taking three 📸 pics. Well that's my excuse today. 😆😄😆 I like clouds. 👍

Your welcome! Sent a complaint online Friday.  Couches still there on Monday so I sent another with a better pic and a comment about what a shame it would be if they faced a lawsuit from a trail user because the mess was allowed to remain. 😉

OK, so it was Friday the first time taking time to coordinate the clean up but sure a second complaint wouldn't hurt.

I sure didn't feel like riding today but Gina and I did hit up the new Los Jarritos that recently reopened.  So figured I better ride it off. 

Strangely though, this is the Casa Jiminez building we frequented for years, one of my favorite places and people.  They were forced to close due to a large increase in the lease rate. Jose just closed shop and retired. 

Los Jarritos closed because they're tearing down the old strip mall to build a condo complex. So after being closed for 3 months,  Los Jarritos moved into the vacant CJ building,  okaaay.

I thought that building would be empty for years like the last CJ building. Down the street still empty after 20 years,  same issue,  left after an increase. 

But the new Jarritos building? What happened there? CJ left due to high rent but LJ moved in?

Makes me wonder if they just take in more  money or did the owner lower the rate after Casa Jiminez left? What a shame either way and maybe he figured it out after seeing the old building empty for 20 years. I sure those people lost a lot of money as they're still trying to lease it out.

But either way,  Los Jarritos is expensive now. Few years back, we at for 20 bucks for years. And yes, before Trump took office,  they prices increased rather quickly.  Last night, we spent a couple bucks short of $50. 

Potato dish is smaller,  less sauce, pay for Pico, everything is smaller and more expensive.  The building cost maybe?

Either way,  we were talking about not returning though we were regulars before closing 3 months back. 

There is another place,  cousins I think,  El Menedero by the LA fair dragstrip. Ate there 3 weeks back before finding out about the Los Jarritos re-opening. Just as good,  a mini bit different but they did serve bigger portions than the new LJ. So now,  I think when I'm in the mood for this kind of food   I'll skip LJ. I mean $50 for a little rice and beans with a Chile pepper and tortilla? 🥺

Secret Mission Tour with Sandra (video posted)

 43 miles with about 1500 ft of elevation gain. Sandra wanted to ride on the flatter side of the world but heading east on Badillo does not feel flat. She did a ride over the weekend with over 3k of climbing so I can't blame her. I myself, my third straight day of riding and I rarely do that. So I didn't complain about her thoughts of heading down to the flatter section.

But I did forget that the Santa Fe rec area is closed on Mon and Tues. What I didn't know not ever coming up the entrance driveway was that there is a big gate near the road blocking the entrance and there is NO WAY around it. Small gap in the center so Sandra hopped the gate then I handed the bikes over. Funny, after I handed my bike over, she said, "boy, you're tall!". Not sure if it was standing next to my bike or because I could lift my leg up to the top of the section she had to climb ha ha ha!

Headed east as Sandra was telling me about one of the groups she rides with does not exceed a certain speed to keep it together. Cool but she said she liked to pick it up some for a good workout. So that is what I did ha ha ha! A group ride we used to do would head west to start and everybody was flying. But once we turned and headed back east, it was a gentle climb and most of the riders would fade big time. Remembering this, I figured I would work out Sandra heading east, the gentle climb for a workout. It worked, she suffered some which is a good thing if one is looking for a good workout. She did tell me at the start of the ride that she was feeling good and strong so that's why I figured I'd pick it up ha ha ha!

But we both had a good ride and Sandra did ride strong as always. Really improved from when I first met her in a group. Once we reached the secret destination, she offered a Frappacino as appreciation for tagging along.  Vanilla Bean that was actually pretty good. OF course we all know anything that is free tastes better ha ha ha!

So we headed back and she went into beast mode once again. When we head east, she thinks she is wiped out but I know it's the incline and remind her. I figure we can burn it out then when we head back, it will be easier if for any reason we suffer too much. But Sandra has this thing about recovering really well. Very resilient and after riding with several of the female riders in the past, I think she is one of the strongest. A couple that are just flat out awesome monsters on the bike but Sandra ain't far behind. Never complains about climbing like some of the others and when it comes down to it, I'd place money on her making it to the top first. And as always, when I think she's cooked, she recovers and starts to punish me a bit on the bike. I have to remind myself that it will only hurt for a little bit ha ha ha!

On a good but sad note with Annette's passing, I had sent an email to Hillbasher (of the forums). We used to ride GMR together till he moved up north. I had sent an email but he did not respond then I remembered, he was 61 back then, I think 10 years ago? Notifying him of her passing and no response, I started to think, uh oh, maybe he's gone too! So I sent a text while Gina and I were having dinner and he responded rather quickly.  Whew! I was starting to worry that maybe I had lost 2 cycling buddies. But not, thank goodness! He did say that he hadn't been on his bike in some time and our of shape. Heck, aren't we all. I guess at this point in our lives, if we're still alive, we're ok! So it was cool chatting with him if even in a text message. Brings back memories and I still look back at our rides on my blog.

So still riding, alive and kicking, I'd have to say that I'm doing ok myself ha ha ha!

Youtube video

Easy but Sleazy & I HATE Polar Bottles

 Solo 26 miles, Easy but Sleazy Tour.  Tried to go easy but Mother Nature was blowing on me all the way back,  and not in a good way. 😂 Pico Rivera to the SF Nature Center and back.

Saturday and Sunday heart rates. Pretty cool using the monitor to exercise a little smarter. It can be a little difficult to make yourself slow down and maintain but that's discipline. Something I have noticed many cyclists don't have or can't follow. 

Saturday vs Sunday

BTW, as mentioned in my video yesterday,  I hate Polar bottles.  Just ordered a couple more Podium bottles from Jenson. FORTY BUCKS! It's amazing how expensive bottles have gotten but to be honest, Camelback are more than likely worth it after having to deal with these slop Polar bottles.

I'll have to send another complaint.  Sheot is still there but who knows,  maybe they didn't get around to it on Friday.  But better pics this time. 

And  a mostly nice post ride dinner with my Honey. Avolio's, great salad and the pasta has been really good the last couple times. We usually get the pizza but a hankering for pasta lately. I got cannelloni and Gina, stuffed shells. She was quite happy with them today.

But sadly, some ignorant loud people sat nearby. Wow, a little baby with them, The conversation was like....Aww, say thank you baby, awwwww that's so cute.  I TOLD THAT MOTHER F#@KER THAT HE NEEDS TO STOP BEING A B!TCH AND GROW UP, STUPID MOTHER F#@KER!!!  Awww, the baby just said pizza, so cute.....SO I'M GOING TO CALL THAT A HOLE RIGHT NOW AND TELL THAT MOTHER F#@KER THAT HE BETTER NOT BE THERE WHEN I GET HOME. I'M  TIRED OF THAT PIECE OF SH!T.....awwwww, the baby just took a bite of her pizza.

Wow, so loud and obnoxious ignorant  people. I can't believe people talk like that with a baby around. I mean, not even quietly, pretty much shouting across the dining room, no class at all. I felt like shouting...WOULD YOU SHUT THE F#@IK UP?! 

Solo SART and Annette Video Mention RIP

 Solo 46 miles at 16.2 average speed on SART. Pretty windy today. Big headwind to the coast and thought I would have a tailwind on the way back, nope! Not much really going on, just a couple of little kids showing me how it's supposed to go ha ha ha! Cool when Dad takes the kids for a ride. They did look strong making me feel a little wimpy ha ha ha!

Did mention Annette in the video, sad news. Ran across Ron, PinoyBenter on the trail.

                                                                         The video

                                                                            Ron, PinoyBenter

OMG....GMR Sad News

 Browsing around Facebook,  I stumbled upon Bill's profile.  Annette, GMR'S husband.  Thought I'd take a look seeing GMR hasn't posted on her blog for years.  Last I heard she wasn't riding much having a good time taking care of grandkids. 

But I saw this. A post saying Annette came home but not in the way he wanted.  So sad, my heart dropped with the news. 

A wonderful friendly intelligent lady known to many in the cycling world.  Wow! About all I can say losing another cycling buddy. 

Taken way too early.  Bill mentioned battling a brain tumor over the last year. He was her caretaker.  Wow, all I can say, just wow. She will be missed. 

Solo Meeting EL and Alexza of Strava

 Solo 30 miles today, Pico Rivera to Encanto Park and back. Stopped to pose for pics then this dude rode up suffering 🤣 He stopped to talk, named EL. 75 years old. 👏 Then this gal came up. I recognized her from Strava so she stopped to chat. I was surprised with her encouraging motivating attitude towards cycling. I thought she was much younger as well but she's 50. Hope this cycling 🚲 thing does something good for me. 😆

First off   I want to post this link for Trail users.  Too often,  the Peck Rd underpass and the other just north are occupied by homeless idiots who don't give a sheot about anyone but themselves.  Today, a full size couch with 2 occupants being romantic while placing others in danger.  Side of luggage along side of the couch. The other underpass is often occupied by someone  and their luggage at the bottom of the underpass. 

Way too dangerous in the shadows but mostly,  I don't like that sheot. Not long ago they had patio chairs and tables with fishing poles extended out into the center of the lane at face level.

So if you see this sheot,  report it, I do. Let's keep each other safe.  Just sent another complaint about 10 minutes ago.  You ca remain anonymous if desired.  But do something.  Even if it's clear for 2 weeks, could prevent injury,  which is a good thing 

Picture of the shitbheads below. With red arrow. 

https://trails.lacounty.gov/Trail/265/ReportIssue/san-gabriel-river-trail

EL was funny 😁  He really struggled up the dam climb.  I saw him coming while packing up my camera stuff so I kept it out figuring I'd take a pic. Pretty sure most riders think it's rough and never seen one that didn't mind a pic on that section. 

But I snapped the first picture and he didn't look happy.  Not about the picture but the struggle. The second picture was much better,  the look on his face more of a cyclist rather than a sad look. 😔 

Once he reached the top,  he stopped and we started chatting.  He quickly brought up the fact that he used to race and the dam was never a problem back in the day.  He was funny, pulled out a few different versions of his racing licenses from various years dating back to 1977.  He had plenty of stories. 

I was actually shocked to hear that he was 75 years old.  Looked to be in great shape.  I knew a couple more around his age that are still better than good on the bike.  Hope I am half a good when I get that age, if I live that long.  Heck, retiring now, I took it. I might not live to see 67 as I've found out learning of another cycling buddy's passing. 😔

EL was entertaining though,  plenty of bike talk. He has several bikes mentioning something about having one from every suit of cards. I forgot the term he used. 

One with hearts, De Rosa, Colnago clubs, I forget the exact details,  but he has the bikes. 😄

I did use EL to show his name.  El might not be so clear and he was insistent that i got his name correct in conversation.  My name is EL, not Al, with an E,... E-L. 😄

Je says ask any of the Filipino cycling population out there,  and they will recognize his name.  

You know me, I'll test his theory first chance I get. 😁