Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Did a MTB loop at Claremont Hills. Than a little cruise down to a park along the creek trail. Boy was today tough. Dragging my butt up the hill was slow but once I got to the top, I could see the bushes blowing pretty good. OK I feel better now. That would explain to so I feel better now ha ha! Climbing nearly 1000 ft in a little over two miles is tough with a big headwind. I did shoot some video footage but nothing worth posting. Well not enough but I will say, summer is coming and fast!


Heading up there!


                             One guy close then another waaay up there. That is where I'm headed


                                          The north lot is huge now. Still not open but HUGE!


Some ele info  



Saturday, February 23, 2013

SART 2/23/13


 It's back, the SART Journal ongoing thread Here it is in the SoCalBikeforums.com forum under "Ride Reports"..or just follow the link.


                SART Journal 2013



Gina and I on another 42 miler. Tried to take it easy today but the stiff headwind made it a good workout. Try to go slow, you're not going anywhere so you've got to push, no cruising. We did meet up with Alex2, Tammy and Alan, and Jose at the coast. We all rode back together with a nice tailwind so that was our chance to cruise back.

At one point Alan came up along my side and said "GIMME DA CAMARRAH!" so I did. Hey, I got in the video ha ha! So some of the footage was courtesy of camera man Alan. I got some recording of him recording us ha ha!

Not sure why Alan kept insisting my last name was DEE- AGO ha ha!



                                                            Self explanatory picture ha ha!



Gina looking for my Jesus sandals (see Alan comments in video)




Sunday, February 17, 2013

SART 2/17/13


 It's back, the SART Journal ongoing thread Here it is in the SoCalBikeforums.com forum under "Ride Reports"..or just follow the link.


                SART Journal 2013



Not too much happening. A windy ride with Gina and Jose. Krylon with a fly by hello but sadly the recorder was off. A fly by hello with Bad Bob. who was nearly taken out head on by some dope from a fixie group who was riding all over the trail without paying attention. Greg rode by but I missed him through a crowded section. Just another 41 miler on the trail.


Nobody at the beach


                                       I had no other subjects today so I took pics of Gina ha ha!


                                                                                Smile!


                                                                     Heading back


                                                   OK, I admit it., I'm an Ass Man!


                                         Not a mustache man but I took his pic anyway ha ha!


Saturday, February 16, 2013

SART 2/16/13

A good ride with Jose. One of those rides where it looks still but the second you start pedaling it feels like you've got a huge headwind. You think you're just having a bad day but the averages are lower than your effort. We met up with Ron & Dixie at the coast. Ron actually looked tired. I've never seen Ron look tired. Later he mentioned that the headwind seemed to be non stop the entire time. That's what I felt so it was a relief to know it wasn't just me. Of course when Jose & I left the coast we were expecting a tailwind, NOT! No, it had to be one of those days. I held a pretty good pace trying to be consistent at 19 or so. Later I moved over and let Jose do the pull. Being close to the end of the ride I think he felt good and picked up the pace to 21 MPH. The guy had a good day so I just held on the back wondering when he was going to slow down. 21 might not be a big number but again, when you're having one of those "killer headwind every direction" rides, it's good speed to hold.

We did first see Ron & Dixie, along with RayClone.com at the start. We were all heading inland, they to Green River and us to Imperial. I always stop at the Honda Center for a pit stop and they had also planned to stop since Ray had to go. Well I start slow so I figure we'll meet up at the pit stoop then I'll try to hang on for a mile or two to get some video footage. We get near the pit stop and they're GONE! Later I asked come to find out they ran into another tandem so they just went with it, poor Ray ha ha! They must have been flying. When we arrived at the horseshoe turn, one can see for a mile and they were no where to be seen. Like I said, I had planned to hang for a mile or two after the stop. No way would I hang for long, you'd know what I mean if you had a chance to see Ron's times posted on Strava, SART and GMR times, the dude is fast! Turns out the Ron & Dixie tandem team alternated pulls with Ray so I'm thinking Ray is fast too!

Later at the coast we ran into Herb & Alyce. Mingled for a bit then along comes Thong Dude. Wow, I can't figure out this dude. He skates by in a thong. Everywhere he goes people stop and stare, shout comments and laugh out loud (LOL). But the dude just continues on and even smiles as some of the insults thrown his was by groups of young drunks. One of these day, I'm going to have to interview the dude and get his thoughts, he's got some balls. No, I don't  mean the thong, I mean nerve ha ha! 

At about  8:15 into the video, one of two guys shouted "Beanz" as we rolled by in opposite directions. I slowed the video but don't recognize the guy. Maybe we haven't met YET! I slowed the video so they have a chance to identify themselves ha ha!

We did stop at Edna Park for to refill water. Also stopped there was a woman Jose recognized from the beach. She was on a road bike but most times she's running along the coast from what I understand. Jose recognized her so he started talking, he used to run till he encountered some knee problems. So they are talking and I'm just minding my own. After a while she asks about her brakes rubbing. At this point some other roadie is there so he tells her to ride with the lever open, that will fix it! I just can't do it, I can't let her ride off like that. So I look at her brake and yeah it is rubbing with a capital "R". I wonder how she got to where she was like rubbing that hard. So I try to center the brake but even that isn't helping. So have to loosen the cable for adjustment. I set everything just right and she's pretty happy. I explain that she should ow a little something about the set up if she's going to be riding alone. She says she took mechanic classes at REI........... HOLY SMOKES, remind me to avoid their classes ha ha ha!

Before she leaves I suggested she let me inspect her rear. She did and sure enough, glad I did. Her rear was a hard rubbin' as well! I fixed her all up and she was pretty happy with my service ha ha! She rode off one happy woman!

Like I said, we were having a good smooth ride. Till we encountered some dude near Warner. OK, how stupid is this? We're holding a consistent 18 MPH. We approach this dude wearing safety minded equipment. High visibility green, lights on his helmet for SAFETY purposes. I'm guessing to be SAFE! So we're passing at 18 while this dude is doing 14 maybe, I said maybe! What happens next, something that pisses me off. My pet peeve!

Again, passing at 18, dude is at 14, I make sure it's clear, ring my bell, call on your left, make sure it's clear the opposite direction then continue with a safe pass giving the guy plenty of room for a safe pass. WHAT DOES THE MORON DO? He speeds up and starts racing while forcing me to stay in the opposite lane. What a dope! I'm thinking WTF so I speed up a bit and move back into the lane. Just then Jose comes continues on to the front so now I am on his wheel. Just then the safety dude somehow manages to race around the left (that's fine) and sprints away like he was Stanley Sprinter. Sure that's fine but why not let others pass then go into hero mode, for safety purposes?

Just then Michael rolls by. We had met before and I had no idea it was him at this point. So he rolls by a few second after Mr. Safety. Jose asks if I want him to pick up the pace to catch up. Nope, I tell him all the time, I ride my pace for my workout. Plus I've seen to many Stanley Sprinters fade like the sun. Sure enough I'm back at the front holding my pace when we roll up on a tandem (video). They are dong very well so I take a short breather. Then I roll around with a friendly greeting to take the front and continue my pace. I see they can't quite catch on so I slow half a step. It's only fair, I use them so use me baby! They seemed to fall off a couple times and each time I held back but after a few tries, I figured they were to tired to hold on so we continued.

Later down the road guess who has faded big time? It's Mr. Safety...again! As you can see in the video (7:15) we roll up on him then roll on by. I thought the little helmet light was there for safety reasons like so that other riders wouldn't hit him from behind. Now I'm thinking it's there to tell other riders "you can't pass me". Well we rolled on by hoping he wouldn't play his little game again but at this point, I think he was to burned out to try or even take our wheel cause he faded big time and fell way behind. Oh well, he was a hero for 2 miles ha ha!

A little later we ran into Michael a second time. I still didn't know it was him but he was still rolling well so I held his wheel for a bit. He was rolling strong but seemed to fade at one point so I rolled to the front to help a bit. I rolled by making sure he was able to hop on the back. Hey, I figure if another rider helps you out, then return the favor, Billy Don't Be a Hero, help out! ;-)






RayClone.com still proud of his Torelli


                                                              A smile from Alex2


                                                       Michael, Ray Clone, Dixie & Ron


                               It was about 80 today and Jose looks sad. Can't figure that one out ha ha!


                                                               Jose at the golf course


                                                           Herb & Alyce at Rampart




Sunday, February 10, 2013

SART Tandems


 It's back, the SART Journal ongoing thread Here it is in the SoCalBikeforums.com forum under "Ride Reports"..or just follow the link.


                SART Journal 2013


Another 41 SART miles. Had planned to ride with Aimee but the morning of the ride Alyce asked if we had plans to ride the tandem. Yes we were so hop on your tandem and come along, Shirley it would be fun! Something unusual about Alyce's outfit, she's wearing tights and a jersey with an under layer. Heck, usually when it's this cool she's in shorts and a tank top ha ha!

So we head out and it feels cold so a nice long warm up was good. Because it had been so windy the day before I figured I'd move aside and let the H&A tandem take some pulls. This was nice, it makes a world of difference when someone works with you. Two tandems rotating is nice. Other riders didn't seem to mind at all either.

One point we made some rather wide turns on the horse shoe turn by the Honda Center. A couple of rider cut it short and ended up cutting of the H&A tandem, OOOKAY! Not sure where these guys came from but the race off and keep looking back like they want to race, OOOKAY! The H&A tandem hold the front and from behind I'm keeping myself entertained watching the two guys pretend we're racing. Sure enough by the time we get to the leaky fountain the guys are fading. The one at the back bobbing and swerving in a desperate effort to stay ahead. This is always good for a chuckle though I don't understand it. The H&A tandem keep pace at the front as we roll by the two riders. Of course they hop on the back and are happy to  hang there so I got to get them on video ha ha! I guess I just can't ever understand why riders want to make a race out of it when they encounter other rides our there just doing their thing. Surely when a faster rider rolls by they just keep rolling. But when you got guys ahead the keep looking back every 10 seconds, you know they're up to no good ha ha! Seen this too many times and it's always good for a laugh ha ha!

So anyway, we stop to refill water at Edna and a short break. We get to talking about bikes and rides when I realize I really got to go pee. So I ask Herb to hold on cause I GOTTA go! Herb says no problem but stands at the door and keeps on with the story while I try to pee. I can see over the wall of the stall and I really got to go but Herb keeps on. Then he asks me a question and I can't answer. Dude, I really got to pee and he's asking for essay answers ha ha! I finally had to avoid the questions so I could do my thing. It was almost like when someone asks you to try whistling and peeing at the same time, it's not happening here, not today. So I come out laughing and tell the story to the gals along with some illustrations of myself trying to hit the target while Herb demands answers. That was good for a few laughs. You know Herb & Alyce skipped church to come along for the ride. Church is good but I don't think they would have had these kind of laughs if they had. Ya know, I could be making my way to hell with my sense of humor but I'm having a whole lot of fun doing it ha ha!

So on with the ride. It was fun! The H&A tandem would take a turn at the front giving us a much needed break. Herb did a good job with the rotation. We did nice long pulls, maybe 2 miles at a time. Most other riders that take the front will pretty much move to the front and immediately lift the pace. If we are racing OK, but trying to ride "together", it really helped that he'd let us catch our breath for a minute then continue. Too many times ride partners will let us take a monster pull then go around lifting the pace by 3 or 4 MPH. That's a killer trying to catch up and recover. Most times it won't happen for a mile or two. Then it's usually time for the other rider to off the front leaving us with pretty much more of an all out effort to catch up than recovery time. Ahhhh this is the way I like to ride "together". After a monster pull, your ride partners give you a minute to recover then continues.

After a couple of bad weekends and performances on the bike I was worried that today was going to be murder with Gina on the tandem. let me tell you, tandems can be fun  and fast but if your partner is struggling, it can be murder on the legs. I was really expecting a big struggle today but Gina really came around for today's ride. Seemed we all did well and rode "together" well so it made for a really fun ride!






Saturday, February 9, 2013

SART 2/9/13

 It's back, the SART Journal ongoing thread Here it is in the SoCalBikeforums.com forum under "Ride Reports"..or just follow the link.


                SART Journal 2013


Another 41 point sumthin' miles on the trail with Gina. I was supposed to do the Tour de Palm Springs but as the ride got closer, my interest faded. Just didn't feel like hitting the road at 4 am to make the start in PS. Oh well!

It was tough getting out of bed just to do our usual ride. Not sure if it was the rain, the cold or just old age ha ha! Turned out to be a good ride as usual. It was tough getting Gina out of bed and it showed on the ride. I think she should have stayed home under the covers. It was cold and somewhat a good headwind so I can understand how she felt today. I felt the same way but I need to ride.

I did get a glimpse of Tony as we crossed paths at the coast. I quick wave at Henry at the Honda Center park as we rolled by. Jack rolled up on his recumbent as Gina an I relaxed at the coast. Talked a while, told some jokes then Julie rolled up. Had a little conversation then she headed. I'm thinking she's aiming toward another 15,000 miles this year.

Let me tell you, Jack was a bad man on the bike when we met 15 years ago. He was 65 and averaged 24 mph from the coast to the wooden bridge at Edna Park. I remember being on the tandem, giving it our all and within a minute or two, he was out of sight, bad dude! Now at 80, he's still out there rolling along on his bent even after battling prostrate cancer.

                                                  Gina not looking too thrilled today ha ha!


                                                      Jack, Ohhh this is a Bad Man!



                                                     Julie, looking for another 15,000!



                                                         80 years old and still rollin'!



Sunday, February 3, 2013

Tandem SART 2/3/13



 It's back, the SART Journal ongoing thread Here it is in the SoCalBikeforums.com forum under "Ride Reports"..or just follow the link.

                SART Journal 2013


I haven't watched the Superbowl in over 15 years. Why, bike riding ha ha! Another year and another I'd rather ride my bike day. So Gina and I hit SART with the tandem. Nice day and it seems most riders hit the trail a bit early. That left us with the trail mostly to ourselves. Did we rush home to catch the end of the game? Heck no! There is a Sonic Burger on the way home and Gina's been wanting to try it for a couple years. So we stopped today after watching the commercials teasing us with them foot long hot dogs. Now that we know there is one right of the freeway, we had to stop. Hot dog was good, burger, Meh!

We did see Alex at the beach stop. A short visit then he was off to complete his 50 miler. And YES! I got him to smile ha ha!




Saturday, February 2, 2013

GMR 2/2/13

 It's back, the SART Journal ongoing thread Here it is in the SoCalBikeforums.com forum under "Ride Reports"..or just follow the link.

                SART Journal 2013



Well, after a long absence on GMR, Alyce talked us into riding GMR to the shack. Gina wan't happy but figured she'd give it a chance. Being sick for a long period of time, pretty sure Gina was feeling it today. But she's a trooper. I figured and I think Herb figured she'd say "uncle" at about mile 2. But she fought her way up and that's what counts. If you can't make it on your worst day........

Alyce on the other hand just seemed to float up the mountain today. We think she's been training secretly ha ha! And what is a good GMR ride without encountering the ever cool Mat. Guy always has something nice to say. Along with the famous GMR Blogger and Bill the super photographer dude! Always nice to see run into them. We talked for a bit then figured we might catch Gina. Alyce I'm sure was gone but maybe Gina. Nope, didn't happen. She must have rode herself into form somewhere along the way cause she was gone.

I've been sick myself but figured I better do a little climbing since I got suckered into doing the Palm Springs century next weekend. Darn flu but I figure if I don't puke more than twice on the century, I'm doing OK!

All in all a nice day and a nice ride! Oh yeah, what's a good GMR ride without Chicken and Ribs after?