Solo Drunk Bastard to Seal Beach

 Drunk Bastard Beanz Tour. Solo from Pico to Seal Beach and back. 16.0 aversge speed. Tried to go easy but the wind rarely allows that. 🤣 I was thinking a 120 bpm ride but I see a 167 in there.🤣 Average heart ❤️ rate 144 bpm.

One thing I don't understand and never will, is why dudes want to be competitive and act like you're racing then once you pass them FROM A MILE BEHIND, they want to suck your wheel. Happened again today, some dope I saw a mile ahead was riding and I was gaining. I ride trying to maintain an average speed or heart rate, 140 is a decent effort for me so I try to keep it there and usually will meet my goals.

So I'm holding 140 and catching this guy. I did hit a bit higher then backed off not wanting to go too hard as I was approaching the half way point of my ride. But it was getting freaking windy so I had to keep a good effort to meet my average speed goal. My goal, my plan, my effort, my satisfaction.

I roll up on this guy on a short little incline when he is fading from the incline and the wind, both at the same time can be killer ha ha ha! Forgot to mention, he saw me coming when I was about 30 yards back looking at me like he didn't want to be caught. OK! So when I rolled by him, he was immediately like 15 yards behind. I kept on my way but 1/8 of a mile later, I notice he's on my wheel. I don't ride to tow anybody's ass around, I ride for my health and fitness. My thoughts are that I will get strong and maintain by doing my thing, do your own!

So this dude hops on so I move to the side and wave him by like Vanna White would present a prize on The Price is Right. Probably didn't spell her name correctly or probably didn't get the right game show either ha ha ha! Never watched those silly shows and not even sure how I know how I know of Vanna. But you get the picture of the arm wave. So he goes by and lifts the pace and I can see his head turning part of the way trying to see where I'm at, probably thinking I faded ha ha ha!

But no, I did not fade. I'm just letting him hang out front till he fades then I'll pass him again but put some pressure on so he can't keep up knowing he'll take my wheel again. I actually recorded it on my go pro but didn't have enough footage to make a video. I even aimed it backward after dropping him with a few words to describe the sit-chee-ation ha ha ha! I find it so funny, those guys buying speed with the expensive bikes nowadays. Tubless, lighter wheels, fancy material and still on my CAD3 1997, I can leave 'em behind in the wind ha ha ha!

Of course, after the ride I am a diner. 😁 With my Honey, Sizzluh 6 oz steak and rice. Then a smoothie 😋 I earned it. I probably should not have had the smoothie because of the sugar content but hey, better than an ice cream.

Pretty usual meal for me. Small steak, 6 oz and some rice or potatoes to keep some carbs in my daily diet.

No Ride, Laughi-land

 Pics for now but I did find Hulk Hogan.  He's an old bored card dealer at the Aquarius casino in Laughlin. 😆😄😆

Last breakfast,  a little slot time then heading home. 

Along the way, stopping in Barstow for a quick bite, had a good time relating with the waitress there. I was teasing Cecee about some things then the waitress got involved saying how her mother had a hate/love relationship with her husband. I was joking about how bad my MIL treated me but the waitress chimed in sayin how her mother ended up adoring her SIL. Really witty lady so we got along ha ha ha! Then she gave me a little paper with a scan code on it asking if we would rate her and do a review. SURE! I really enjoy praising people for their service etc and enjoy bashing people as well if they really suck ha ha ha! 

This was the review on Google and the response from the owner.

Another bidness I would like to mention, is this one on Instagram. As you may know, we frequent Sizzler in West Covina, by the mall. Gotten to know the staff really well and one of the gals we somewhat know is Eliya (sp?). Really sweet gal and an EXCELLENT  server. Rather quiet but friendly and very righteous about her duties and responsibilities. A very naturally beautiful girl. I mean, you look at this gal and you know she gets marriage proposals daily ha ha ha! But we've been told she is really into her beliefs and doing well in her studies to become a pro in the medical field. Doing great things and heading in all the right directions. So when Angelina gave us some goodies made by Eliya's mother's business, I was more than happy to pass along the link to the business. I myself would feel that if I wanted to get something done the good honest way, knowing the daughter and her great qualities. I'd put my faith in doing business withe her.

So here is the link to her Instagram and images of product. Checked it out myself and some good stuff! The  little samples Angelina gave us were good. Good cupcake, smooth, not too sweet and creamy top with a little cream or custard filling. Not too much, just a dab to keep it moist, worked well imo.

cakesbynati

This is the little sample give to us at Sizzler. Angelina had a baby shower for her SIL that she made a big spread of desserts and treats. Saw pics and very impressive but Eliya also had a baby shower for a relative where her mother made the goodies. So this is the little sample we got. Pretty cute, the bag is/was for a gender reveal type thing. M&M's in the bag labeled Nuts or No Nuts ha ha ha! Cute idea. This is when Angelina told us about the instagram page. I forgot to ask but I'm guessing she services the local areas, West Covina and beyond.

Short Sweet EZ Ride with a Little ICE

 A nice smooth easy 20 miles from Pico golf course to Bellflower. Kept my HR really low just to relax. I tried to stay down about 120 but later ran into a dude who caught me then started chatting. He picked it up a bit so I just hung with him. If my HR went up at all, that was about the time but even then, wasn't very high.

Strange thing though, a German dude was walking by the golf course. He stopped to chat with me asking about local places to have a good time for entertainment being new not knowing the area.  I asked if he was on vacation and he said somewhat but he would be here for 6 weeks. Hmm, he didn't give too much info about his trip but then started talking about his home Berlin in Germany. So I stuck up a conversation about Jan Ulrich and cycling. When he initially stopped, he said I was the first cyclist he had seen today. Strange as I just saw about 3 or 4 ride by. 

But we chatted for a bit then started talking about living in Cali. I told him it's nice to visit but too expensive to live. We chatted about gas prices, rent and a few other things. I told him how much Gina and I paid when we met. He asked how long ago was that, back in about 1990. He was like, Oh, that's a long time ago. He asked a few other things as well, friendly chat so we spoke about them so I asked in return about Germany.

Strange thing, I saw some dude jogging by before this guy approached and waved but he just looked at me with no expression. Then another guy on a cruiser type bike, same thing. But the German dude struck up a conversation and was friendly. I almost at first thought he was homeless but nope, nice Asics shoes, nice label back pack, clean clothes and a nice sport watch. I started noticing he was far from homeless and talking about his parents' house that he was having gutted and remodeled. 

SO again I asked about his visit here and he didn't say much other than he was on a mission and would only be here a few weeks before heading back. Strange though, once he walked away, after a 10 minute conversation, he walked towards the mountains. Later I mounted my bike as I was ready to head out. I looked north only to see him standing near the driving range of the course chatting with someone behind a fence. Then as I headed south, the jogger guy was not far from where we were. I rode by and once again, he gave me a funny suspicious look. Then guy on the cruiser was not far either and on the same stretch.

As he left the area, I started to hope that they weren't together setting me up to break into my truck or something. But what would they want with my old truck? Then later, I started wondering as Pico Rivera is a heavily Hispanic populated area, I wondered if they might have been I-C-E agents scoping me out with an quick interview to see if I might have appeared to be an illegal. Pretty sure if that was the case, they got the idea and good thing I mentioned things about living in my hometown since the 60's.

Who knows and would I be offended about social profiling stuff? Nope, if I can't convince you that I'm American, take me away.  BUT CAN I BRING GINA TOO??!! Heck, we'll enjoy a little vacation in Mexico before heading back ha ha ha!

Got a chance to use the new Black Bib shorts ( I don't like bibs). Another couple of pair though I don't really need them yet, just keeping a step ahead. The socks were cool, well constructed and comfy for $10. Only bought those because I needed 5 more bucks for free shipping status.

The shorts were comfortable and well constructed for the price, actually better than my more expensive shorts. So I've returned for more. I think 5 pair now, worth it!

But the old chamois was flat red and this new pad is like funky green with a little design. These are the men's version of the $35 shorts so I'm wondering with the funky design. maybe they're trying to cater to the woke crowd ha ha ha! I'm far from that but the shorts are good.

Solo Old F#@king Man on Old Bike Ride

I was called an old f#@king man on an old bike on Facebook by an illegal immigrants ha ha ha.  You know all this ICE stuff going on snatching illegals, I'm for it. Heck, I see the safety of Americans is first if you ask me. My grandpa came over in 1905 on a work visa and became a citizen the way he should have. Once his sister came over on a visit with a couple others. We did everything to the book to get them over for a visit legally. Never once has my family tried to sneak in a relative or visitor.  I'm a 3rd generation Mexican American. 

So many posts on FB hating ICE. Well too freaking bad, they're doing their jobs. If you came over illegally, I don't feel for you as I wouldn't far anyone. If I had a cousin sneak over, I wouldn't back him. So all these idiots here waving Mexican flags talking trash about the US on FB, okay!

WTF don't you go back if you love it so much? Why don't you go back if you feel you need to diss the US? So this moron talking about loving Mexico so much, I said that ICE was handing out free tickets back but he's hiding for some reason. He says that I'm a traitor because I am supporting the US, MY COUNTRY!!! Uhhh OK asshat, you're standing in your FB profile pic with a big Mexican flag but you're swimming across the river to the US to live among us traitors? He is the traitor if you ask me, leaving a country that you love so much. Go back and help your country ass hat.

So some other butt face leaves a comment, after checking my profile saying something like, "you old bike riding f#@king old man, you should get a steel or carbon bike and give up the aluminum.

Uhh ok ha ha ha! That's the way these asshats think. Justifying being a freaking wetback but dissing the bike material I ride? What a dumb shit! Dissing my old bike, yeah that makes everything right for your wetback family being here collecting welfare and playing the system avoiding taxes by pushing an ice cream cart ha ha ha! Gee I feel so bad riding an old aluminum bike now, NOT!!!! Of course I have and have had every material available for a bicycle. Well, not ti so maybe I suck ha ha ha! That's ok cause I'm staying in the US ha ha ha!

 Rough ride today 35 miles Pico to Azusa and back. Headwind, high of 93 degrees and 86 average though I didn't feel the heat today. More the wind and my new Black Bibs socks were not very aerodynamic cutting through the wind. 😄 The elevation graph looks cool though. I can see why I felt like I was going so slow. 😆😄😆

I did order another couple of pair of Black Bib shorts. $10 shipping or spend another 5 to reach the free shipping.  Might as well spend 10 and get socks. Pretty thick and supportive,  felt good and flawless.  But let me say, they did nothing to cut through the wind today.  🤣

I'm  guessing the homeless trash that did this. They have keys to the faucets and I have seen them using a ton of water cleaning their tents and crap they collect and carry. Noticed the water was cut off at the water fountains too. Idiots caused this for sure, punishing everyone for the stupid trash people that abuse the system. So I'm guessing they got upset and tried to hide from the cameras that they were camping there or misusing the facilities. 

Stupid people painted the bottom section of the cameras, more than one to hide their crap. I swear so many idiots who contribute NOTHING to society abuse whatever they can. And we pay taxes to fix their sheot! So now, the water is off because of trash scumbag people.

Black Bibs socks, pretty good for $10

I guess this is why I was feeling tired ha ha ha! High of 93 and average 86 degrees as well. Didn't feel the heat though, just the wind. Which is good because maybe I'm getting once again acclimated to the heat.

Then of course, coffee at the mall with my Pal ha ha ha!

Cranky Bastard S'posed 2 B EZ

 Cranky Bastard Sunday 20 miles 15.2 average speed. Set out for an easy 20 zone 2 recovery ride but saw a dude I met last week in the parking lot. I set out first then he caught me about 8 miles up so we rode together. Then he convinced me to do the Dam Climb. 🤣 Then easy turned into a good push on the return with 160+ heart rate vs the 120 I was hoping to achieve. But that's great because it forced me to go a little beyond getting these old Cranky Bastard legs moving. 😁

Pico to the Santa Fe Dam, up and around the west side by the 605 fwy. I had met Luis a week ago at the Pico parking lot where he was finishing up. He noticed my oldie Cannondale CAD3 and started chatting C'Dale as he has the newer version. His wife was there as well and having had been a rider in the past, she seemed interested and involved in our conversation.

Little did I know we would end up riding together. Pretty strong guy but I was not sure if he would catch me on the way up as I was trying to stay in zone 2, 125-140 bpm on my HR monitor. But he did and we rode together. I did a pretty good effort yesterday so today was a good effort sticking with him. I'd guess I'd do better if I was fresh. Old age catches up ha ha ha! But actually, I felt pretty good and once I settled in the pace, I felt relaxed to my surprise. We exchanged numbers so who knows, we may end up riding together again.

I did take my recorder on Saturday but nothing of interest and thought about taking it today but usually on the upper slopes, not much happening. Little did I know, today would have been a better recording session. I did manage a couple of snaps though.

Solo 44 Beanz Bonez Ride

Solo 44 hoping my homemade haircut would improve my aerodynamics ha ha ha! I think it did but heck, the wind wouldn't cooperate. I thought it was just me but after some commenting on Strava, I see it wasn't just me. Seems the wind was rough both ways on SART today. 

Felt good thought and happy with the ride. After the ride, Gina and I went again to Tepeyac in City of Industry. She got nachos and I chile verde enchiladas. I can't eat like I used to but I finished my plate but barely any chips. In the old days, I eat 2 servings of chips. This place is very tasty with both salsas having a kick, green and red.

Gina had thought about going with a chicharones dish but wasn't sure what they were like. Some places make them small cubes with little fat on them, others a whole lotta fat and mushy. This place makes them fresh but nice and light like those purchased at the market. Gina asked about them wondering if she should get the dish or not so she asked the waitress to describe them. Heck, she did better, she said she was going to have the cook serve up some fresh ones as a sample taster for us. Wow, nice!

She did and served with Tajin on them. The wet stuff is from the frying, grease, fat, I don't know exactly what it was, but it was really good. Great waitress Lourdes who goes by Lulu. Sweet woman and very very nice and friendly. Really appreciate the service and kindness so I left her a 20% tip and another 5 for the chicharones service ha ha ha!

Nachos were ok Gina says and I got a little taste. But we both agree that Los Jarritos had better ones bu they have closed down for now, leasing issues I think. But they were good enough and Gina says next time, she'll go with a Chile relleno burrito or maybe just the chile relleno dish. I told her that she should have asked Lulu how they were made and maybe she might have giver her a taste as well ha ha ha! Just kidding, we wouldn't take advantage of a situation like that but it was a funny thought.

                           Couple interesting things on the trail thought not much happening.

                                                                    1). Big Bouncing Butt

2) The Waving Lady. Always waving at everybody she crosses. Youtube video.

Solo Sunday 20 EZ Ride HORSEPOWER DUCK SUCKS !!!

 Solo 20 miles15.0 average speed. Ez Ride. Tried staying around 120 heart rate but wind made sure it wasn't too easy. Got close, 127 average HR. Easy ride powered by the usual 2 eggs and turkey sausage 😋 Of course thanks to TC, found a new joint since all ours have closed. Tepeyac in City of Industry. Munched out last night for some good nutrition. 😄 But again today, another cyclist I haven't seen in a couple months said, "wow you look really good, I wasn't even sure it was you". Heck, I'll take it! Trying to be really good but you gotta munch once in a while. 😁

Crazy, been watching my diet really well being older and knowing what happens when people gamble with their health and diet. Haven't actually been dieting, more like watching what I eat. Been eating plenty of cucumbers, salads with vinegar as a dressing. Couple eggs now and then, small amount of meat, small amount of potatoes. Being type 2, again not wanting to take meds feeling like a sell out, I'll do it the right way. Diet and exercise is key.

So I am really surprised just going along my bidness and having 3 dudes tell me in the last couple of days that I look really good and they can tell that I have lost weight, maybe toned up is more like it. I haven't weighed myself but maybe once in the last year and that was going in for a colonoscopy. Which came out healthy by the way, so my butt is good ha ha ha!

Mike said I look about 200 lbs or less. Nah, more like 235 I'm guessing but I'll take the 200 ha ha ha! I did run into some dude at the Pico golf course parking lot that hadn't been around for a couple of months working out of state. I parked next to him not knowing he had a new car. I parked on the opposite side this day so it through him off seeing me park on the other side for the last couple of years. He rode up finishing as I was getting ready to ride. Started chatting when he asked if I was the same guy that always parked on the opposite side, yup that's me.

He said he didn't recognize me saying I looked like I lost weight and he said, 'YOU LOOK REALLY GOOD!". That's really cool when GUYS tell you that you look good because you know they ain't lying and it takes a real man to compliment another without feeling like a sissy. I remember years ago when I worked out, some coworker who also worked out told me that I looked good and he wished he could look as good. Saying you know you look good when other men can honestly compliment you. I always appreciate honesty from other dudes who are confident enough to give honest feedback.

So this dude and I started chatting about people we know who try taking the easy way out making excuses. I told him that I'm at a point where I am too old to lie to myself, only one way to go about it, eat right and exercise, simple as that. No tricks, no special diets, no special supplements, just eat good stuff and ride your bike ha ha ha! Spoke of people we know, coworkers, family, that all fool themselves thinking taking meds is going to cure everything. Seems we know many of the same people, the ones that say it's just bad luck while they eat Taco Bell everyday. Let me just say, I ain't no fool!

So don't let all the food pics fool you, I eat good stuff and cheat a little here and there now that I think I have a good head start. I eat good all week, ride my bike then eat something bad on the weekends. And even then, when we go somewhere bad, I don't eat the crap I used to eat. Like the Mexican food, I eat the main dish and only very few chips to taste the salsa. Mongolian BBQ, the stirf ry and a piece of bread. A couple shrimp but I don't have to worry about wasting the rest because Gina and Cecee are surely going to polish it off ha ha ha!

But the dude was really cool. Always been friendly and always hello but never really chatted with the guy. Pleasantly surprised when I shouldn't have been knowing he was friendly, we had a few good laughs. I heard things I had never heard before talking Mexican restaurants and food with a White guy ha ha ha! I had to really think about the dishes he was trying to pronounce at times ha ha ha!

I told him about some moron at work that looks like a fat bellied Kenny Rogers reject who is always trying to tell me how to get into shape, like him! Uhhh OK ha ha ha! He found out I had changed my diet avoiding sugar and trying to eat more natural things so he tells me how I can get into shape the way he does. He says he and his wife walk everyday after work. OK, if that's what it takes to get into shape like you, I'll pass ha ha ha!

I'll ride my bike 40 to 60 miles, another 20 then maybe another 20 during the week. Eat well topping it off. The dude it on diabetes meds, hearing aid, big beer belly and pure white hair, and limps like a mofo! So I'm thinking, ok the dude is old, I'll give him credit for walking after work. But he keeps insisting that I get into shape his way. BUT then I ask his age thinking he's like 75. He tells me that he is 62 and I'm like WHHHHHAAAAAT THE FFFFFFF!!!! He's only 5 months older than I am ha ha ha!

I hate to bag on anybody that tries but he's a One Upper. Everything I do, he does better and his way is better. He told me that he walks up the stairs everyday a few time that helps him stay in shape. Umm, ok, I walk up 2 flights of stairs to get to the breakroom as well. I even sometimes walk all the way up skipping a step just for a workout. Maybe not on Mondays after a bike ride weekend but the mid week. But funny seeing the guy get up halfway and stopping to catch his breath when he doesn't realize I can see him ha ha ha!

Anyway, we exchanged some good funny stories of people we know who make excuses and expect results or wonder why things don't improve for them. THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY AND IF YOU'RE TO WEAK TO TAKE THAT ROUTE, YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG. That is my thinking and I'm sticking to it with NO EXCUSES.

That tricky little turn, steep grade thingy. Always tricky and a challenge to get up after a sharp turn. Made it every time so far even while pushing the remote shutter button ha ha ha! Seen so many walk up or dismount. As the dude in the pic. Even seen a couple of riders crash on group rides I've been on with forum members.

Walking it up!

My pre ride meal, 2 eggs and turkey sausage. 40 miles, water only. 60 miles water and a protein bar maybe. I think too many people take in too much stuff for what they do. Maybe just me but breakfast and water on the ride gets me through just fine.

Enchiladas with egg, rice and beans.

Mongolian BBQ. Really good waitress here, first time serving us. Really nice too offering to take our pic as we were exiting. She saw me preparing to take a pic of the gals so she asked if she could take the pics for us. I was hesitant as I like to get it from certain angles but OK, I let her seeing she was so nice and meant well. I could tell when she was taking them, they would be a challenge to edit. But!

She was nice so I didn't want to say no and she did take like 6 pics from different angles, good effort!

As we looked at the pics at home, Cecee said she was a very good waitress but maybe she shouldn't change occupations and stick with waitressing. Ha ha ha, funny but I have to give the gal credit for offering in the first place and she meant well.

Gina's plate was done first on the grill and she waits for no one ha ha ha!

This thing sucks! OK for vacuuming the keyboard on my laptop. Maybe a light suck job of the couch after I drop crumbs. Maybe a quick light sucking in my truck of the carpet console and very little of the floorboards. Then it's full or gets hot and won't run for an hour or so. Cute but the thing actually sucks in more ways than one ha ha ha! $39 for a POS duck.