Thursday Morning Foothills w/TC (video)

 Nice Thursday morning ride with TC. Video later. Along the Foothills Claremont/San Dimas area. Mostly a conversational pace just burning 🔥 some calories with a couple short good efforts up a hill. No big hills as TC had to keep a schedule today. But a good enjoyable ride. 👍

TC has had a busy start of the year and some out of town vacations so we went kind of easy. Other than a couple good pushes on a hill or two. But either way, always good exercise, better than sitting on a couch with a remote in hand. Usually TC wants to throw in the San Dimas Cyn climb but today he was pressed for time. I rode a couple of days ago and TC invited me to ride yesterday but I requested to wait till Thursday giving me a day to rest between rides. Old age I guess, not really, more like being smart. Not wearing oneself out or getting so tired that one can avoid injuries by not pushing too hard. Because in reality, I'm just out for exercise. So it was cool that he was willing to wait even though he would be pressed for time.

                                                 Break time at Horse Thief Canyon Park

Raspberry fig bars, no no! 🤣 Boy, I like those fig bars, Nature's Oven brand but the raspberry don't like me. I guess because the berry has all those little itty bitty seeds all over, when I eat the raspberry flavor, I get something stuck in my throat. This is about the third time it has happened. Not with the blueberry or the apple though which is a good thing, I can still eat those flavors. But this raspberry, it's like getting pepper stuck in your throat. I start choking then gagging and end up trying to gag myself to get it out. Lots of water, swallowing gummy lifesavers, whatever I can do to get it out. But darn, even after I'm back on the bike and rolling, I still get the feeling of gagging and puking. No more raspberry for me.

Tuesday Tour & More PRs on Strava

 36 mkes 16.0 average speed. Just went out for some exercise today. Got to a segment that I know so figured I'd give it a go besting my best effort about a month ago. Shoes are feeling very natural , I likey! 😁 Ended up with 3 PRs. Short section 24.4 average speed. Ended up in my weight class #1 out of 39 for the year. #19 out of 903 all time. Not bad for an old fat guy. 😁

Ran into a gal named Vicky at the nature center during break.  I had seen her before mistaking her for someone else several months ago.  She remembered.  Only cycling a few months building up so I offered a little nutritional advice and pedaling technique that she can think about as she develops into longer miles.  She was thankful saying nobody had ever mentioned those things to her.  Always funny when a new rider thinks you're smart. 😄

Trying out this new base layer from Wally World.  Brand called George.  Seems the price of their house brand is going up. $16 but seems well constructed and maybe a bit thicker than the other brands I have.  Which I guess is a good thing if it's a little cooler.  Pretty much got it not finding the color in your size in other brands at local stores. 

The new shoes, feeling pretty natural now. Second ride I think. I know I wait way too long to replace shoes but now I'm wondering why I waited so long ha ha ha!

Got this for now by about 2 mph.

# 1 out of 39 for the year so far. 

#19 out of 903 all time on Strava. Not bad figuring I never even tried till about a month ago. Probably could have done better back in 2012 when I joined Strava. Heck, even better in 2005 before there was a Strava when I was in shape. 😋

Started out at an easy ride but worked up into a pretty good workout according to the heart rate. ❤️ musta been the Oatmeal. 😁

Everything Went Wrong B4 The Ride Tour

 Rode yesterday then noticed my rear tire was soft. So repaired it, got up this morning,  had breakfast,  packed bike,  then truck was totally dead, wouldn't start., unpacked thinking I wouldn't ride. Removed battery,  Auto Zone swap, returned home replacing battery,  drove back to auto Zone testing the system,  good!👍 Returned home,  thought about it,  got dressed again,  packed up again,  then did a ride.  I guess finishing around dinner is better than no ride at all. Call me superstitious but this is why I don't like change.  Everything was good and smooth.  Got new bike shoes, went smooth then BANG BANG,  something or somebody shoots me down.  😄 I was good with the old beat up shoes doing just fine ha ha ha!

91 degrees today but it didn't feel hot to me while riding. The wind was strange today, thought it was just me being tired after working on my truck. But glad to find out that some of my strava buddies actually turned back half way through their rides or shortened them due to the wind. Make me feel better ha ha ha!

                  Looks like the lizard is trying to mount my bike. Musta been a cyclist in a past life. 😄

The "Renaissance" Pleasure Faire at the Santa Fe Dam Rec area. Of course I spelled it incorrectly so I had to look it up ha ha ha! I don't think I'll ever get that word right.

Of course, dinner with my Honey at Sizzler.  The orange chicken was really good today. I actually ate it, so tender, sweet, and hot. With some crushed red chili pepper pods, yum!

Never get tired of this silly girl.

Zapatos Nuevos Tour, for the gringos, Nu Chuus 😄 (2 Local Legends)

 Finally broke down getting new shoes after 14 years.  Did the eyeball trick last night with new cleats getting it right the first time.  Planned to make adjustments along the way but only a couple of checks to make sure the screws wouldn't vibrate out.  Am I good or what? 😄 Couple friendly people I saw on the bike.👀

Solo 25 miles. I don't usually pay attention to local legends but now I have 2. I think it's cool because most riders don't go all the way up skipping the uphill section.  But I've had the Pico to Azusa cyn for a couple of weeks.  15 or so miles segment but now I see I have Pico to the top and back. A 33 mile segment.  I'm good with that. 😄

Just like my shoes,  I try to get everything out of my stuff.  Not cheap,  just want to get what I pay for. Like the speed stick I use to lube my chamois/pad. I have like 3 new ones but still I take that little piece out and use it till the end before using the new one. Same with toothpaste and whatever else I have ha ha ha. 

                           Pre-ride meal,  steel cut Oatmeal,  turkey sausage, and a few grapes.

Solo Saturday 40 Pico to Seal beach and Back (New Shoes)

Reposted because my original post was hidden behind a warning page that allows entry with consent.  Only thing I can think of is the second jersey I ordered. Boy, people are way too sensitive nowadays. People offended by jersey graphics and what has been for years, silly funny antics.😒 But it's nice to know not having any association with some people, they still care enough to stalk me and follow me on the net just looking for every little thing I say trying to turn it into a major issue.  Glad you still care about me and will remember my name for the rest of your life.  I mut have made a major impression ha ha ha!

 Solo 40 at 16.5 average speed. Pico Rivera to Seal Beach and back.  Strange how 71 degrees can feel cold even with a base layer.  I guess after a few days of 100, everything else feels  cold. 😄 Ran into Sandra,  met Audrey after the ride and scored some cold water from Doreen who I met for the first time today as well.   Seems Doreen was providing some support at the golf course for a ride today. 👍

Did run into Sandra at the end of my ride, Pico golf course. She was with another lady, Audrey. They were doing 73+ miles with a group. Sandra said she saw me heading to the coast, shouted my name but I didn't hear her. Of course wind and earbuds, I was enjoying some tunes ha ha ha!

Got a chance to meet Audrey for the first time. I told her that Sandra never invites me on group rides because she's ashamed of me, Sandra says she didn't think I'd want to join. I might join a ride or two just to see how it goes and be motivating to do some longer distances. Audrey asked if I could change a flat as many of the women would need help. She said flat out, she needs someone to help change flats. You mean you don't care about my feelings then she said no, just need someone to change fukking flat tires ha ha ha! Reminds me of Aimee, she said she didn't like me and the only reason she wanted to ride with us was because she couldn't change a flat ha ha ha!

So we'll see what happens. Did get a chance to chat with another lady named Doreen. After Sandra and Audrey took off, I rolled up to the patio at the golf course. Right away a lady asked if I wanted some cold water. SURE! Turns out Doreen was on the ride with the others but turned back early so she picked up some cold water meeting the group at the gc during the return section. Pretty cool deal and nice of her to do that for the group.

Then I did run into Strava buddy George C as he was returning from his ride. Got in a good little chat about cycling then he packed up and headed off. Always good seeing George. He rode up to Encanto Park then a little off-road on his cross bike (?).

Pretty cool deal. Found this jersey on ebay, $25 a Chinese seller but being slightly smaller, the dude said he would have his guy make the jersey a little bigger for me. Chest size 49 inch and mine are 51 inch 5XL. He suggested it so that's cool. Good rep on ebay so I ordered this one REAL MEN DON'T NEED MOTORS. 😄

Awww what a wonderful wife. She pushes me to buy and/or accept bike stuff. Everyone knows I don't like to spend much on bike stuff. My bike shoes go at least 14 years back. So far that threads and stuff are hanging off the back flying around like streamers in the wind when I ride. She finally forced me to order some new shoes on ebay. 😄

Then at Costco she forced me to accept cream (used as chamois cream on the bike shorts). I usually buy Wally World brand for $8 but suff at Costco was on sale. Usually much more expensive. Then forced me to accept 2 bags of Liquid IV, electrolytes. $20 sale at Costco which is great seeing some places sell it for $30 or more.

She said, "you already got new socks and orderedthejersey!". Gotta love this woman. 🥰

But yeah, bike shoes were 14+ years. A little broken in, I guess you can say. 😆😄😆

New cleats too, $10, not bad.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Lazy Dog sucks! 🤣 Waiter asked when he greeted us asking had we been there before. I said like 10 years ago but I didn't say why. He said welcome back. Then as we were leaving he said, hope we see you again before another 10 years. We just smiled as we exited the restaurant. It won't be another 10 years, maybe 15. 😆😄😆 Good waiter but their food does nothing for us. Like frozen tv dinner quality. 🥴

Solo BM Tour 💩 & Mo' Strava PRs

 Solo BM Tour 💩..... No, not BM like poopie, BM as in base miles. 😁 Solo 34 miles. Pushed hard on a couple sections reaching 180 bpm as a heart rate. I think my max should be 157 but hey! Got 5 PRs, I'll take it. 👍 Beautiful day!

I did see Jason A on the trail again. About the 4th or 5th time I's seen him in about the exact same place as the other few times. Hadn't seen him in years but recently, several times. Funny though, we must both keep tight schedules because every time I see him, it's in the exact spot ha ha ha! He might not even recognize me as when we pass, the last couple times I shouted JASON and he looked back kind of puzzled. Today I shouted his name again then the second passing, I shouted MR. BEANZ ha ha ha! He was like number 5 for the longest time on the GMR segments till the Tour Of California hit town.  Met on the cycling forums back in early 2000s. Great climber. I remember he showed up late on a forum ride with about 30 people. I was riding sweep with Gina when he went by, stopped introducing himself then got back on his bike and passed everyone before they reached the village ha ha ha!

Funny thing was that there was some big mouth arrogant dude on the forums, think he went by something like EMD (?). His real name was Steve. One of the dude saying if you don' race or use a powermeter, then you're nothing. So I asked Jason if he used all that fancy stuff and all he said was that you don't need that stuff and he only uses a heartrate monitor. So he signed up for the Mt. Everest Challenge as an general population rider, forgot the term.  But he was ahead of the big mouth dude but flatted. So he got off, repaired his flat then got back on and passed the big mouth dude again finishing ahead of him by like 30 minutes or so ha ha ha! Love that story! But anyway, saw Jason again today.

Posers are out. Saw a rider that I hadn't seen in quite a while and really different stuff on Strava as far as activities. Of course being about that time of the year when the poseurs start coming out, she's out. Short rides but I will say, at least it's a ride even though I think the main purpose is to use big boobs to attract viewers. Maybe even one of those pay to watch chicks ha ha ha!

Now for the stupid truck driver. There is a bike crossing with a light and a crosswalk near the Santa Fe Dam at the top of the trail, Live Oak I think. There is a light to stop traffic but I myself don't see the sense in using the light stopping traffic. I mean stopping 10 to 15 cars, several semis to cross the road. What I do is wait till there is a break in traffic then go through. Most times it will be clear but every now and then I see another group coming so I will go through knowing I have plenty of time rather than push the button stopping another 10 cars. I feel for the semis, having to stop so a cyclist can use 5 seconds to get across.

So actually, I'm being considerate to traffic. But today, plenty of cars so I waited, never against a little break to catch my breath. I saw the opening, totally clear on one side then a semi about 75 yards away. So I ride my bike across the crosswalk within 5 seconds or so which is all it will take me to cross, I'm a fast starter from a dead stop having my technique down. But as I am in the middle of the crosswalk, the semi driver is about 75 yards away when I hear him step on the accelerator knowing so as I hear his engine gunning up. 

Uhhh, OK! I'm across then as he approaches, he starts honking his horn. OK, you know what mother fukker, take a good look at my finger ha ha ha! He's already passing but starts honking more after seeing my finger I am sure. Heck, wish he would have stopped so I could have choked him or used his face like a punching bag ha ha ha!

Well, actually I would have explained to the moron that he should be a little more respectful when someone is doing him a favor which was keeping him from stopping. He would have been fine just rolling through at a steady pace. Another truck behind him and hoping he knows the guy so he tell hem what an asshole he is knowing I did them a favor keeping them from stopping.

Well heck, next time I'll just push the button and stop a whole gang of cars and trucks. Maybe I'll push it twice just because the guy was an ass hole ha ha ha!

Got a little red lining in there today but a good effort and some strava PR's. 😁

Hey alright! I pushed myself on this segment just realizing it was a segment a couple weeks back.  Not bad for an almost 63 year Old Fart. 😆

Number 1 out of  30 in my weight class THIS YEAR

My HR was 146 on this segment but today, I topped out at 183 on a different segment. Had I planned it a little better, I could have pushed even harder on this segment. Now if I wait for a tailwind and push 180, I think I might move up some he he he!

Number 30 out of 900 riders in my weight class.

Sweet! I have this jersey from about 7 years ago but only worn it a handful of times. But it's my favorite and packed away in storage with about 6 other rather new jerseys. 2 units and I would not know where to start to find them. These jerseys worn maybe 3 or 4 times. But I found this one, Bone Collector jersey on the Primal website on sale for $20. Only had one and it was my size. I think I paid $55 back then 7 years ago, on sale. So this is cool, like getting my favorite jersey back for $20. By the time I get the rest of my other jerseys out of storage, they'll be collector's items. 😆

I will say this, time is flying by. Looking on my blog for an image of the jersey, it was 7 years back. I would swear it was only a couple years back. Wow!

I see so many motor cycle riders, I guess they call them e-bikes, on the road nowadays that I'm considering this jersey ha ha ha! Like I have told friends, I will NEVER ride a bike with a motor on it for recreation and/or exercise. I'd rather propel my self under my own power. That's just me! 😉

If I'm 90 years old without a license and can't drive any longer but need groceries, maybe but not for exercise. Sorry but some of the people I know riding motors nowadays were the types that avoid hills and wind. Me, that's part of the workout and if I can no longer ride a bike, I'll take up walking.