San Dimas Canyon with Sandra

 23 miles , 1240 ft gain., another good ride with Sandra.  I felt really good but she said she wasn't feeling it. It was a hot day, I think 90 but she said it was hotter. Not sure, sometimes just the way one feels.  I looked it up and it was 93 as a high. I never really thought about it till my last video, I could see that she sweats pretty good. I don't much, or it doesn't show while riding, only when I stop. But I'm not a dripper and I could see her garments were sweat soaked in some areas. So maybe she feels the heat a little more than I do. But she always does well and driven. Heck, I have know cycling people that won't even try San Dimas Cyn so like it's said, do it on a bad day, one can do it on a good day.

Started out a little slow but warmed up into the ride, both of us. By the time we got to the top, it had cooled down some and the sun was going down. On the way down by SD park, wow, it was super nice, cool and fresh.

Then heading back on Badillo, she mentioned liking the street very much, wide open like we have the street to ourselves. It is a nice street to cycle once you know where the bumps are ha ha ha!

But just another great ride. They're all great I guess as long as nobody gets hurt.

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SGRT & Keto Cyclist

An easy ride to relax the legs. After climbing during the week then a windy solo 40 yesterday, my legs were tired so today was to recover and relax. Felt good but again windy. Solo 23 miles. A bit warm, my device recorded a high of 100, min of 84 and average of 89.

Ran into Keto Cyclist again, not sure of her real name but a really cool lady.  Always a pleasure to run into her though this is my second time. Nice friendly and entertaining gal, enjoy running into her. Also Jose Castillo from Baldwin Park. Looked up my channel there so figure we got to get him to say hi on video ha ha ha!

At the recreation area at the SF Dam, actually saw a lifeguard run into the water with his floatie thing. I wasn't sure what was going on  but then noticed a small girl bobbing up and down in the water. She was actually in trouble but the guard was on his way. He was swimming hard but then I noticed some dude FLY, actually FLY over there on a surf board. Man, what a good idea having lifeguards floating around out there. The swimmer dude was about 40 yards away being on the shore and swimming hard but taking some time. The dude on the board was about 40 yards away as well but that dude freaking flew across the water. I was impressed! Pretty awesome to see someone rescue someone like that. Should have beotch slapped the parents though but I was really impressed with the lifeguards. Awesome job!

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They are really getting carried away with the motors now. Ebikes, motorbikes, and even full size motorcycles all over the paths now. Bummer!

Then another meal with Gina at Mongolian BBQ in Claremont. Sure I mentioned it before but IIRC, my parents took me there when I was about 14 years old the first time I remember. 48 years ago and still, the same decor ha ha ha! I remember taking a girlfriend there before meeting Gina 37 years ago. Only had gone out with her like 3 times then I took her to Mongolian BBQ, she asked me, "what kind of hole in the wall place is this?". 

Uhhh, bye bye! I met Gina, took her to a couple fancy places then took her to this hole in the wall. She loved it and there ya go, held onto this one and even married her ha ha ha!

Saturday Solo 40 the Hard Way

 Solo 40, 15. 6 average . Rough day getting out of bed.  Yesterday the 4th and a ton of fireworks in the area. Gina and I had Sizzler but our girl Angelina had the day off so we didn't get a chance to give her the card we got for her. 

Gina had been asking me to cut ✂️ her hair so I did. She wanted it a little shorter so I did it. Not bad, looks a little fuller seeing the weight of her hair usually keeps it very straight and most times down to her waist.  Though most wouldn't know always having it pinned up. But I'm always bugging her to let it down. 

Fourth at Sizzler 

So Saturday,  being up late thanks to those fools still going at it beyond 2 am. But boy, what a display of professional like fireworks.  

Rough getting out of bed even thought of skipping the ride. But riding when you really don't feel up to it can be beneficial at times.  Always feeling if I can do it on my worst day   I can do it on my best. 

Today was that day. I got out, on the bike  and after 5 miles,  I felt like I was done and even considered turning back. Gina says she's surprised I went.  But, I knew it would do me good.  Sometimes those are the best workouts. 

Felt like I was struggling into the wind.  Then turning back,  my legs were feeling fried. So I would spin then stop every so often.  Very unlike my continuous spinning style.  

I felt almost bad but plugging my device into strava after the ride, found I had 3 PR's that were just about 20 miles long. From Seal Beach back to Pico, wow! I was surprised but hey, I'll take it.  Might even start thinking if I had a good day,  I could have even done better. 

Not many riders out today.  I'm figuring because of the 4th of July but also some heat. Big difference in Temps today. Low of 71 and high of 92. Strangely enough,  didn't feel like I had broken a sweat. A little beat at the end but feeling better than most hot days. Maybe I'm getting re acclimated to the heat.

So ended up a good ride after all then back to Sizzler Saturday.  😄 My usual and anytime we go in, Angelina is sure to set us up at a table.  Ate then surprised her with a little card. 💸 😁

And of course,  on to the mall chilling out and drinking a coffee ☕️.  Even though I really don't like coffee,  what else can I drink for a treat? I gave up those fruit waters because of the sugar,  haven't had a soda in over 9 years, so I gotta drink something.  I drink tea with my meal and yeah,  I really don't like tea either. 🤣 But better than getting sick from diabetes seeing I am doing my best to address the issue without medication.  Been doing well at it,  too!

No mocha Lattas, 31 flavors  ice cream,  no sodas, no candies, no donuts,  no nachos, why am I still alive? 😆😄😆

Hills with Sandra (video)

 23 miles 1230 ft gain with Sandra. Dang she is strong! Working hard to keep up with her on the hills, and flats. But going uphill, WORKING to keep up then she would fade a little bit so I would keep the pace thinking she fell back so I'd get a little happy. THEN I'd hear a little Huffy puffy coming back up. Darn, no time to rest. She's gotten much stronger since we last rode together, about a year ago. She had my heart rate up pretty good trying to keep up. 🤣

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Tuesday Pico SF Dam Rec Area

 Good ride today, 23 miles at 15.2 average speed. Doesn't seem fast but this trail is different from SART. This section I ride is all uphill from the Pico Rivera Golf course to the Santa Fe Dam Rec area. And that Dam Climb, ouch! But felt good today even though it was windy.

I was planning to go easy but at the start of my ride, I ran into 3 riders, Filipino I think. They started from the Pico dam right as I was getting up there. So they headed down as I was warming up and had a good 50 yards on me. I wasn't racing, heck 3 of them and 1 of me, figuring I couldn't keep up with a small line by my lonesome. So I started somewhat easy watching them pull away. Later, about 2 miles down the road, I noticed I started gaining. So I changed my ride plan a bit exerting a little more effort than expected.

Soon I caught them then passed with a friendly hello! I ended up ahead about 30 yards ahead and noticed that they kept coming close. I was slowing down going around maintenance trucks, about 3 of then on the trail at different points so I was aware of my surroundings. At one point, they were about 15 yards behind but we hit the stair section of the trail about 3miles form the top of the trail. At this point, I figured me at 240 pounds, and them at about 150, they were probably expecting me to fade on the short climbs. So I told myself, no fading today! So I actually kicked it up. My HR was at about 130 near the start. At that point I was not expecting them to come back but they were so I kicked it up. At 140, I'm usually catching people on the flatter trail in Santa Ana. Here I was at 130 but they were coming back so I kicked it up to 140's. Dropped them behind but then they were coming back again so I gave a good effort, high 150's, around 158 to the top of the trail on a section of about 2 miles according to my graph.

At that point, they were well behind so I kept going and climbed the Dam Climb, ouch! When I got to the top of the climb, I saw them down on the trail arriving at the Chelan rest area.  They did a quick regroup then headed up in my direction. Along the top of the dam is flat and though I did not work too hard, I looked back just to see where they were and nowhere in sight. Cool!

I went down into the SF rec area for a break, a few pics, and a short break.  NOBODY AROUND which was cool. I might have been the only Mexican around the area today that does not fear ICE deportation ha ha ha! But the park was totally empty and I liked it. Reminds me of back in the day when the country was not so overcrowded.  I love it!

Then I cruised back somewhat trying to keep a good pace though it had gotten windy. I made it and happy with the ride feeling great!

Then a little dinner with Gina at Millie's. Not sure why but I've been craving chorizo. I made some eggs with chorizo the other day and boy it was good. So today, flatbread breakfast tacos with chorizo and Gina had a chicken pot pie. Oh, and then we shared an individual cherry pie for dessert. Gina hasn't ridden in quite some time but I still loves my time with my Honey, sweetest person ever and only getting sweeter in our old age. Can't say the same for myself but she keeps me balanced.

Oh yeah, mail call today. 2 new GP5000's having just installed the last of my stash last week. Now I'm back up and with 2 free tubes included. I hate having to worry about paying too much at the bike shops when I can get them much cheaper with a little plan ahead effort.

Riding in California, the jersey that is! 

My sweet Honey

 

Half way through the graph is the top. My HR started easier at 130 then noticing the guys catching up, kicked it up to 140's then 158 along the top section of the grade for about 2 miles. Good workout and fun. Heck, if they weren't trying to catch me, so what! I was having my own fun and workout.

Then the return, trying to keep it going but not too hard.

I know I shouldn't be eating this pie but hey, salads  cucumbers,  fruit, and good portions most the time,  I deserve a little cherry pie.  And, I only ate half sharing this individual size with Gina. 

Hot Sunday

 Wish it were a hot sundae ha ha ha! No ice cream but a hot ride. Forecast said 88 but topped out at 95 according to my device loaded on the bike sites. Easy 20 miles, seeing if I could hold it down to 120 bpm with the heart rate. Pretty hard actually, trying to go that easy. Heck, if I even started to apply some force, the hr would go up to 130. Oh well, got in my easy ride like I wanted, in the heat which I figured might raise my hr anyway.

A very easy ride from the Pico golf course to the SF Dam and back. Just a little beyond the dam crossing up and to the west through the tunnel and to the 605 fwy. Overlooking the other side of the little hill, I see the water holes were filled. Seems Trump's ass whippin's on Gavin must have done some good because there is some water, even in Summer. The 3 years I have been riding this area, I have never seen water in those holes.

I ran into Luis and his wife Sandra before my ride. He was finishing up as I was getting ready to leave. He said it was windy coming back and one would really feel it. He was right, pretty windy coming back. Just not fair, riding up hill then the reward of coming down is null because of the wind.

Probably somebody's father, husband, son, driving up to the homeless camp to do drugs with the local scumbags.

High of 95 according to Bryton and Strava

Then to Mongolian BBQ in Claremont for an early dinner with Gina and Cecee. They make their own hot mustard and boy, the stuff is good! Stuff that clears your sinuses, makes your eyes water and your nose run, but just so darn good! 

Big difference in today's and yesterday's heart rates on the rides.