Blue Monday

 Solo 35 miles from Pico to the top of the trail and back. Started out aiming for an easy ride as the legs were tight from the weekend and too many bday celebrations. So figured I'd go from the golf course to the SF rec area and back, maybe 22 or so. But it took the entire trail to loosen up the legs and once I got there, figured I'd just keep going seeing I had nothing to do other than dinner ha ha ha!

Strange windy day, 20% chance rain at 2 pm but didn't think it would happen. The wind was blowing as I was heading up and when I hit the dam, DAMN!!! I had a massive headwind heading up so I just cruised as easy as possible, on an 11% grade, if that's possible. Once I hit the rec area, figured maybe I would keep going to Encanto Park. Once I got there, figured I'd just go to the top. 

Once there, I met some dude named Martel. We started chatting about riding and bikes.  Everything came up, rides, groups, people, then throwing in some real world issues and events ha ha ha! Turned out to be a pretty enjoyable conversation. I intended to stop only long enough to take a couple pics but after the chat started, we were there pretty long. I know he mentioned taking off about 4 or 5 times but we were having some fun conversations ha ha ha! Finally he left then I snapped a few but by the time I hit the trail, he was gone. But a really good time!

Then I headed back and O-M-G !!! The wind was worse this direction. How in the world does one do a ride with the leaves on the ground blowing at you as traveling both directions. Supposed to be an easy ride but it was rough so I just tried to relax and get through it. I survived ha ha ha!

No rain but some really nice clouds and I surely didn't miss the rain.

Then of course,  Sizzler going back to my usual petite steak after a weekend of.......FOOD. 😋 

SART Saturday (Poli)

 A solo 45 on SART  but a little challenging.  Too much wind, too much food,  and too much popcorn 🍿 ha ha ha. 

But did my best which was pretty good 👍.  

Then ran into Poli at Yorba Park.  He and his group ride from Gren River. 

Then more food after the ride to continue Gina's Birthday ha ha ha 

The celebration continued all weekend long ha ha!

Happy Birthday Gina (63)

 Happy birthday to Gina, Oct 10th, she'll be 63. Wow, can't believe it's been 39 years as we met at 24. A video for now, dinner at Northwoods Inn in Covina. Same thing as back then, steak and lobster, and just lobster for Gina.

The story, I saw her as the new girl at work. I thought she was pretty and so sweet looking though she always looked so serious. But I saw her shake her butt and DAYUM !!! I was stuck!

Then I ended up talking to her and though looking so serious, she was soooo sweet and a great sense of humor. One would not know because she was so shy and quiet. But we started talking at breaktime and I was in love. Asked her out but she said no, I was surprised because she looked like she wanted to say yes but didn't. Asked again but no. Then I figured she looked interested but figured I would not ask a 3rd time because if she said no, it would be 3 strikes and out. 

But one night, we had a thank you type event from work. Dinner at a big hotel then the group of people went to a small club at the Holiday Inn. She was not a club person but just went. I asked her to dance and we danced a couple of times. Then I told her I was leaving and going to Denny's for coffee. Ha ha ha I was not a coffee drinker but looking to escape the scene. She said she was leaving too so I walked her out to her car, maybe 11pm. So I invited her to go with me and she said ok but in her own car to be safe. OK, I was no threat but heck, I was just happy she was willing to go.

We stayed at Denny's till 5 am talking over once cup of coffee and one piece of pie. Then headed home but she was new to the area and not sure how to get home. I had her follow me then as my turn arrived, I told her that if she drove straight, she would be heading straight home. She hesitated a long while and I was like, what? She smiled then finally drove off so later I asked her why she had hesitated so long. She said she was hoping I'd run around her car then kiss her. WHAT? I don't thinks so. She didn't want to drive with me in my car because she was worried about being safe but wanted me to run around her car to try to kiss her? I don't think so ha ha ha!

So we went out and I took her to Northwoods Inn. She loved it then I took her home, in my car this time. I walked her to the door like a gentleman then she actually kissed me, a small but tasty kiss. Heck, I grabber her and lay one on her. Mmmm, I did not her expect to be that good of a kisser but I was more than happy. I didn't date many women knowing it was all drama and an act with most girls. Even kissed a few and disappointed with more than a few but once I kissed Gina, I was like, this is it! I didn't say anything to be too forward but later when I talked to her, she asked," why do you want a girlfriend like me?". 

I was like, I didn't say I wanted a girlfriend, I just wanted to go out to dinner. Bu they, so beautiful, funny, sweet,  and  beautiful outside and out. So yeah, I let her be my girlfriend and here we are 40 years later ha ha ha!

Thursday but her birthday is actually on Friday so I should be adding more pics and stuff.

The video on YT

Getting Old Bike Tour

 Solo 35 from Pico to the SF Dam Nature Center again.  I must be getting old because it's like every ride nowadays is easy. Getting too old to push hard I guess.  But a beautiful day, windy but felt good 👍 as usual now. Getting older but feeling strong.

Though this coffee ☕️ and cycling 🚲 aren't doing much for my arms.  I better start hitting the iron because if any of the young punks see these puny arms, they just might try to take my lunch money. 🤣

My camera set up. Claw, swivel arm,  and cell phone clamp.  Clamps on to just about anything sticking out. 

Me after climbing the Damn Dam 😄

They're right   an extra inch and a half makes a difference. 😁 Another new bag. Bought one about a week ago on ebay.  Really like it so I bought a second one but next size up. A liiiiiuutle bigger makes a difference.  Easier to carry the claw and stuff. 

                  

                  The Hub Bike stop

2 eggs, 3 turkey sausage.  Chorizo for little extra flavor.  It's like a lot of food. But easily held me over on the ride. 

Solo Monday Pico to The Top

 Solo 35 miles on SGRT from Pico to the top of the trail. Nice day feeling good and rolling well without feeling tired or too much effort. Nice day on the Oldie. Love this bike, 28 years old now and still feeling like a new bike. After adjusting the headset the other day, feels smooth. Matter of fact, feeling like I was climbing much faster. OK, didn't say I was, said I felt ha ha ha! But always a good feeling when you know the bike is on spot!

To the top with a stop at the SF nature center wanting to sneak in a little break or two. Just turned around and rolled back once at the top, circle and go. The new park The Hub at the nature center really is a great spot now. Always logistically but now with a nice water filler thingy, it's the perfect place for a rest. No more Encanto Park turn offs from the trail. Nice park as well but a little bit out of the way if not starting or finishing there. Not to mention, there are several employees constantly driving by the new park. Seems they are keeping a good eye on the investment. Not to mention, a couple cameras on poles extending up from the top of the building. Hope they help and hopefully the idiots won't climb up and spray paint the globes like they did the others on the edge of the building.

A nice little rest after the ride at the golf course patio area. And yes, I walk my bike from the walk bikes please area as one should to be considerate. I just really don't get it watching cyclist after cyclist on forums and fb groups whining and crying about not being treated fairly but yet will not conform themselves. I don't get it other than cyclists can be idiots too ha ha ha!

Ah my Baby turns 28 this year. An oldie but still got some shine in the sun. Really do love this bike! Someday I'll replace the parts on my Madone but for now, they're just sitting there till I feel like riding something else.

Not a tough effort feeling good on the bike as told by the HR time in zones chart.

Elevation graph looks pretty impressive in the Bryton app ha ha ha!

Heading back, Jack !

Resting at the golf course after the ride downloading my info. And yes, several employees walking by saying hello with no issue. If I hadn't figured it out for myself like the person on FB said about cyclists, not being allowed, I would have worried that 3 or 4 of them might have gathered together to carry me out ha ha ha!

I am going to speak out and say that I hate these Polar bottles. The inside of the valve gathers gunk rather quickly so I end up soaking them in bleach quite often. Unlike the CamelBack bottle where I would just scrub the bottles inside and the tops coming clean rather easily. Polar is supposed to be easy clean but they suck!

And......the valves leak. Not because of a leak but one needs to make sure to twist the nipples (he he he!) in a certain direction after opening for a drink or it will pour all over you and the bike. I dislike having to pay extra attention to this every time I switch bottles or open the valves on the bottles.

Final word, Polar sucks!