Rough Solo 35 & Gina is Too Much

 First, darn Gina did it again.  So patient and always minding her own bidness at work.  She got another pay increase! Money 💰 🤑 💸 

Happy for her except they've been very busy making parts for SpaceX.  Also had some parts on that moon shuttle trip thing couple weeks back.  They were doing 10 hour days and 8 on Saturdays for a couple months.  Then down to 9 and 5 but starting yesterday,  back up to 10 and 8 hours. I don't know how she does it but she likes it. Me? I'd rather ride my bike.  Oh well, Mo' Money.  Nobody says I can't have 2 pair new bike shoes. 😁

                                                                          Here's to Gina !

Thought it was windy on the way up feeling like I should have stayed in bed but I just turned it into an easy cruise.  Of course windy on the way down too so I was just chillin'. A restaurant buddy gave me a mole' taco yesterday saying he wanted me to taste it and give him feedback.  It was good 😋 but I think it ruined my cycling energy stash. 😄 Thought I saw Danny today but missed him on the way back so maybe it wasn't.  But now see his route,  he swung over to the other trail. 😁

My face on the upper section thinking there's nobody around and with am I doing out here? 🤣

It was rough right out of the gate today.  Had thoughts of cutting it short but did the smart thing.  Backed off the effort and went the distance.  There's always better days coming after the rough ones.  Can see by the HR, I backed off turning it into a chill ride. 

 

On Sunday, did take my Honey to lunch and dinner. Usual stuff. But I did wear my special I LOVE MY WIFE t-shirt only to get to the restaurant to find out she forgot to put her wedding band on after her shower. Had some fun with that one, people always make comments when I wear this shirt but today I had some good comeback material seeing she forgot her ring. Guess I had dinner with my clean girlfriend ha ha ha!

Then dinner was at Sizzler. Trying the chicken for a while. Actually better than I expected. A little higher in sodium compared to the steak but hey, gotta eat something.

Love the special treatment from The Girls at Sizzler. Didn't even have to call for a reservation ha ha ha!

One thing that did surprise me was when we were exiting the mall. A big group of kids on bikes were approaching the doorway ready to enter. I saw them coming and thought, here come those a holes as they often ride across the mall. But this time, one of the lead kids shouted out, " I LOVE YOUR SHIRT!!". Well darn, now I gotta be nice ha ha ha! I said thanks then he shouted out to Gina, "You're a lucky woman!".  Hey thanks kids, for the support. Every woman should feel this way, sadly they don't but I'm trying my best. 

Solo 36 & Men, No Means No 😠 & The Fat Wife of a Cyclist

 Solo 36 today.  Beautiful clouds once again.  Chance of rain,like 20 percent at most so I figured I could beat the rain and be home before before the 40 percenters show up. 😁

Got pretty breezy on the way back.  I ended up catching a guy on top of the dsm heading south.  We had to stop at a cross light so I waited for him to go but he wouldn't.  OK, so I went hitting the trail first.  A few minutes later I hit a little steep ramp and sa something out of my peripheral.  Thought I had a bug on my sunglasses but it was him hugging my side.  I sat up to let him pull away, he did. Looking back as if we were racing.  OK, now you making a game out of it, let's see what you got. 

He got about 75 yards ahead looking back at me like he was winning. 😁 You think you are but I'm just giving you space to celebrate your victory before I crush your soul. 😄

Sure enough about 4 miles later,  he's struggling and I'm keeping my HR at 140.  But I pass him and stay left for a while so he gets the hint that I'm not interested in riding with anyone.  But he jumps my wheel so I told him I like riding alone but he says we can ride together.  I said no, I ride alone.  So he sits o the left side of the trail matching my pace about 5 yards back so I just sat up letting him pass. Again I drop back about 50 yards as he's standing into the wind and up little ramps. That means he's struggling so once again with his hard efforts   he's maybe more than 75 yards by now, good effort. 

But!!! I'm still comfy at 145 BPM ❤️ and know if he's having to stand, he's struggling 😨 He did well but now, last mile and a half.  I let him celebrate enough and I'm thinking his spirits are high at this point.  Perfect time to crush his soul.  🤣

I kicked it up and now my HR is at 160, max HR for my age. He stood one more time hoping to beat the wind but nope! Caught him with about a mile to go, kept hammering into the wind leaving him behind.  Didn't look at him,  just rolled by once again letting him know he was beat, he was. If he had anything left,  sure didn't see it. Got to the little dam climb in Pico, always a beotch. I looked back as it crosses perpendicular to the trail so I could see him, about 75 yards back. 

When I got to the climb, I stood up to sprint up a bit. Figured that would crush his soul even more knowing he couldn't catch me now.  I went up then down the other side seeing him about 150 yards back.  I ended my ride there at the golf course but he rode by. I thought maybe he was riding further but nope, saw him turn around then head back.  That was good because that meant if my done and he's heading back,  I've done more miles than he has at this point.  Im guessing he was 20 years younger than I, so  I feel good about this 12 mile effort to the finish. 👊

The dude who wouldn't take no a couple days ago is a whole other story. So I was near the end of my solo ride couple days ago. I did a 17.6 average speed from the dam down to the Pico golf course. It was windy and I was feeling good so I was getting my workout. I really don't like riding with other riders because they draft for good periods of time while I hold a pace. But when it's their turn to take a pull, they will pick it up so much that I take it as they're trying to drop me after I carried them for so long. I've had this happen way too many times. Even after explaining to some riders how I ride, they will still do this sheot, even after I have described my strategy. So I prefer to ride alone unless it is a rider I know will follow the program.

So I did this 10 mile stretch at a good effort when I ran across a dude about 2 miles from the end of my ride. Actually 2 guys riding together but one about 30 yards ahead of the other. So I rolled by the first guy no problem Now these guys were doing about 14 mph, no big deal. So after rolling by the first guy, I caught and passed the second guy also doing about 14, I was doing 17+.

He hopped my wheel and I told him that if he wanted to go ahead, go around but that I want to ride alone. He said, "that's OK, I'm going to just sit back here behind you." Uhh, no  you're not!

I told him I wanted to ride alone as I had been from the beginning of my ride but he wouldn't take no for an answer. I told him so then went on my way but he stuck on my wheel, C'mon man! So I told him once again, I'm riding alone so back off or go ahead. But he didn't. This is a major flag right here, this idiot is a dick. So I told the guy to get away from me  so he went ahead for about 1/8 a mile then faded. Weak MOFO!

So I caught and tried to pass him once again. He  hugged my side picking up the pace forcing me to stay in the other lane. Wouldn't let me pass so I sat up and said, "dude, are you just trying to be a dick?!". He played dumb asking what I meant. I meant, you were doing 14 back there for several miles I'm guess and now you're ego is telling you that you need to keep up with me? He said he was just riding so I said, "no you're not, you're just being a dick wanting to bother me for some reason even after I told you that I wanted to be alone."  Then he shouted, FUCK YOU!!!".  I backed off a bit pulling up on his side and said, "you better get the fuck away from me!". Then I lifted the pace even more dropping his sorry ass while he tried to keep up.

Left him behind then went up the little dam climb, always a beotch. I went to the other side where you go down to the golf course which is a narrow little fenced area, like a narrow gate for those who don't know. Then a tricky little curve around a fenced area.

I stopped right at the narrow entrance to the descent, got off my bike, leaned it against the fence then waited for him to arrive after doing the little climb. He stayed back doing little circles around the top of the dam. Then finally as his friend arrived he rode over and asked, "what do you want?". So I said I got off my bike to rest, I can  stop where ever I fucking want, do you have a problem with that?". He looked at me and asked what he did wrong, I told him that I made it clear I wanted to ride alone but he insisted on bothering me. Then he said, " well the reason I hopped on your wheel was because I was waiting for my friend because he was a little bit behind me."

OK, WTF!!! That doesn't even make sense. Your friend is slower so waiting for him means hopping on the wheel of someone who is going faster? That's BS!!! He hopped my wheel because his weak ass ego told him that he should be able to keep up with someone going by faster than he was traveling. Makes no sense at all. 

So I told him that if someone says they want to ride alone, then he should have enough respect to grant them their wish.  I swear, I can't count the number of weak ass riders like this. I guess they feel the need to prove they can keep up with someone for a mile after doing a sorry ass pace of their own.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Been eating my steel cut Oatmeal and grapes for breakfast as a pre-ride. Been working well feeling good and finishing strong on my rides. 

But tonight,  Gina and I went out for Mexican.  I rarely eat like this anymore and 30 minutes later,  this stuff feels like it wants to come up. Couple of hiccups here and there reminding me that it's a good thing I rarely eat like this anymore.  🤣

Gina got her chicken and shrimp salad but quickly realized they forgot the shrimp.  So they brought it on the side, actually pretty good.  But the service sucked reminding me of why we go to Sizzler rather often.  😄 I did try the Italian herb chicken dish last time. Pretty good and a search claims it better than the 6 oz steak.  But it seems to have more sodium.  I'll have to see if it is noticeable in any way. I'll have to decide which is best or healthiest. 

                                                                      After the shrimp dump

Good while I was eating it but in the end,  not so good.  But a change for once 

Uh oh, forgot the shrimp but looks purty. 😃

The Fat Wife. You know, I met some moron years back on a forum ride up GMR. He seemed cool but later started saying stupid things on the forums. Later heard several people that knew him say that he had no filters and ran his mouth more than he should. I really didn't know the guy but he would always say Hi Mr. Beanz when we would cross paths so I never really had a problem with him till..........

I once did a ride with Aimee up GMR posting a pic of her. This idiot said, "Oh, I see Gina finally lost some weight." What a stupid thing to say and the thing that really makes it stupid is that if your wife rides and ends up in other people's pictures, you better hope she looks good because that sheot is going to fall back on you.

It did but I can not be so cruel to the wife. Not her fault her husband is a fucking idiot. So there was a ride this weekend and the couple was on it. I saw the pics that another rider posted and holy fuck, his wife has gained a lot of weight. I mean her legs look like fat Tootsie Rolls, from behind, the rolls sticking out of her jersey are hard not to notice. I'm going to say that Gina has never had rolls like that sticking out a foot in each direction and her butt has never looked that baggy and rippled. I'm sorry but the guy wants to go there, he never should have and I did save the picture of them. I guess I'm not that cruel as to post the picture of her here for others to get grossed out but I'm keeping it just so I can remind myself of what a disgusting guy he is and that I am the bigger person doing him the favor by not posting it. I'm just way too nice sometimes.  I'll just say that she has gained so much weight that I did not recognize her through all the rolls and blubber sticking out of her jersey.  The guy never should have opened his mouth because he's the one who's got the Fat Wife. 😒

Beauty Eh! & Gina and I Have Been Adopted 😄View Count

 I'll have to look it up. People at the golf course said that the trail is closing to enlarge the dam. 🤔 OK, but what water?😄 But anyway, another round of exercise. 👊

Pretty cool what one can do with photo editors nowadays. I use GIMP for certain things like cloning and used to do color saturating type stuff by using layers but now? Pfft, push a button then use a slider making it far too easy to have a little fun with pics. This one is from PhotoScape X, free online. GIMP is free as well and work rather nicely much like photoshop but free. Extra paid stuff but there is so many features that one does not need the paid subscrip.

                                                                         Today's profile. 

One thing that trips me out is the view count on my blog. I think it's just a little diary for myself, maybe someday I'll read it before I die ha ha ha! Actually cool when I want to look up a pic or video. But the numbers can be crazy sometimes. Lately, maybe over the last year, I seem to be getting more views.  Heck, I remember on bike forums, my thread would get 20,000+ plus EVERY YEAR. Now, looking in on the dead threads, there is over 14,000 views but that is over 5 YEARS  ha ha ha!

These were the stats posted yesterday.

 

646,715 all time 😁

Either my Millie's $6.99 breakfast specials are that interesting or I have too many internet stalkers watching me thinking I might be posting plans to rob a few banks ha ha ha! 

I think we've been adopted. The Girls invited us out for dinner to The Boiling Crab. Then ice cream at After's right after dinner. Heck yeah I ate ice cream. 😁

It's funny because both girls are so tall, like 5'8 and Gina is the shorty at 5'3. 😄 Then the funny part, at the end of the night, they said, "you guys get along so well, don't you ever fight?". 😆

Both girls have been so sweet to the both of us.  Funny that a couple girls would want to hang out with us. Well,  if we've been adopted,  I guess they're our Girls now. 😆😄😆

I was surprised Tuesday ha ha ha! I go to the mall for tacos on Mondays, sometimes a Friday. But as mentioned, I see a lot of mentally challenged people in the food court for during lunch time. I saw one lady, looks about 45 years old using a walker. I had seen her before collecting the plastic bottles. She's with a little group of 4 with a caretaker dude with them. So one day, I walked by her table after I was done with my water bottle offering it up to her to see if she would take it. I wasn't even sure if she could talk or not but hey, she is recycling bottles so why not get something out of it, so I gave her my bottle then she smiled and said thank you and her caretaker smiled at me giving me a thumbs up.

So another time I see her again and give her my bottle once again after I finish my lunch. They leave then later I sat at a bench playing on my computer when they walked by. She rolled her walker by then looked up at me and pointed me out saying Hey!. Then the caretaker guy once again smiled with a thumbs up. I told the guy I had a bottle but tossed it seeing they left before I was done and he said that was cool, no porblem.

The next time I saw them there, they finished but left before I could give the lady my bottle. So today, they were there again but left before I could finish BUT...I had seen them walk by the high bench table where I play with my computer. So I took my bottle with me figuring they would walk by. 

Then I saw them coming by then she waved at me so I showed her that I had the bottle. She came over then I asked about how much she makes with the bottles. She said last time was about $11. Nice!

So I gave her the bottle then handed her a dollar as well saying that would cover the last time I wasn't able to give her my bottle. She really surprised me as she shouted out really loud across the mall, " WHOO HOOO, I'M RICH!!!!". 😆😄😆

Then she asked me my name so I said Fred. I asked her name then she said Nancy Reagan. I don't know if she was yanking my chain or that was really her name. I told her that it was good that she did all the hard work to recycle. She looked really happy then said, "I'm so proud of myself, most people won't even talk to me." 😔

Not sure why she said that but she looked really happy with the bottle and the dollar. Only thing I can think of is that looking at her, I don't think most people would figure she could communicate. But it was really cool to make her day and every time they go by, she seems happy to see me. 😊 She did take me by surprise with the loud WHOO HOO, though. 😄

                      

Saving Energy

 Solo 35 going easy planning a ride on Monday but changed my plan. Sometimes trying to accommodate other riders is more effort than the end rewards.  So a change of plans and I just might end up sleeping in. 😆😄😆

I might have done this ride a little differently than if I hadn't a Monday plan but hey, I rode my bike.  That's all that counts. 

Saw some models posing for pics on the trail,  top of dam. Renaissance Pleasure Faire models,  almost stopped taking pics of my own. 😁 Lots of joggers too, and cyclists.  Went easy but got in a couple PR's. 🏅 It's like this dude at the picnic table is always on break. 😄

Easy HR

 You know what's really cool is that I have downloaded a few CD's 💿 onto my cellphone so I have over 600 songs to choose from on my trail rides. I don't use earbuds on the roads. I put the music player on shuffle and 💥 boom, I'm good 👍.  

Except every once in a while trying to maintain an effort when a silly slow romantic song comes on. 😄 

Waiting for The Cult, Sonic Temple to arrive from eBay.  Can't wait to add that set.

Ya know, I ran across a post that showed up on my facebook feed. Some e-bike page, a lady started going off on cyclists criticizing e-bikers. Pretty obnoxious and rude claiming that cyclists are ego blah blah blah and they should understand e-bikers blah blah blah. I posted a comment mentioning how many times I've had some dope on an e-bike pass me then start looking back at me as if we were racing, or as if having a motor was even a fair competition. I have also mentioned to other riders that I would never and will never ride a motor but many of them get upset. That is just me! If I can't cycle any longer, I'll take up walking. I just believe in propelling my own self and body. If it gets to the point where I can only ride 10 miles, then I will do so. I won't use a motor then brag about doing 100 miles.

Not to mention, Strava doesn't even seem like a competitive site any longer as there are far too many riders using motors and many not claiming it on Strava. Not that I am racing them but that takes out the motivation of the whole deal. Heck, used to be cool to see how you stacked up on the trail with other riders. Nowadays, you don't know who has a motor. Not to mention, I have seen forum people who were big whiners on the bike, excuses for everything and finding ways to ride their bikes without having to put in any effort. AND now they're riding e-bikes. Point proven right there ha ha ha!

I did post this pic on that e-bike group post so I'm pretty sure they're not going to like it ha ha ha! I'm almost pretty sure I'll hear some comments as well when I wear this jersey. But hey, I can't see an e-biker threatening to take my lunch money. I don't think I'd be scared ha ha ha!

First Ride in New Jersey Tour (Real Men Don't Need Motors)

 My First Ride in New Jersey Tour. 😃 Trying out this new jersey. $17 on eBay ($10 for shipping🤣). Pretty nice, comfy, and attractive material. Just as good as the one I have that was $80. I like it, feels good 👍  Another Local Legend, I'll take it. 😄 Solo 36 miles.

I  might get beat down by the tough guys on e-bikes 🥱 but I thought it's good for a laugh. 😁😆😁

It's a 5XL which was the largest for this ebay store. Chest was 49 max so when I ordered,  the seller actually contacted me stating it was the largest available with concern.  I told him I am a 51 and that if it was too small,  I'd give it to a buddy.  He said he would have his guy go as big as possible while making it. I dunno,  maybe they are precut. But it worked,  fits 👍 great. 

I told him that if it worked,  I'd be ordering more. Well,  it worked so I ordered 2 more.  Very happy with this seller.  Great communication and the jersey is pretty nice. 

The ebay store from which I purchased the jersey. 😝

https://www.ebay.com/str/cyclinglife777

https://www.ebay.com/str/cyclinglife777

BTW, I saw an ice chest/cooler on the side of the road with some plastic bottles and other stuff by one of the homeless areas. They throw so much crap and leave shopping carts and debris on the trail, that I figured, I'd put it to good use. I grabbed the cooler and dumped the sheot out then flipped it over using it as a stand to hold my cell camera and little tripod. Took the pic then just left the sheot there. Figured they could pick it up and repack the stuff if they wanted. Would give them something to do with their time.  Payback for all the sheot they leave on the trail. 😆

I ordered 2 more last night after seeing the new jersey when it arrived.  This jersey, I'm not old  I'm a classic. 😄 I pointed out the missing A on this jersey but they fixed it.  

Also another one I posted before but internet stalker whined about it to the blog police so they added a parental OK to view permission thing. So I just deleted it.

But I did order that one so hopefully when I'm riding in the jersey,  I won't be bothered so I won't have to....., well  you know.  😄

Easy Strugglin' Tour & Stiil, Loco Legend

 Solo 34.5 miles. Looking for an easy ride but boy, started thinking I should have just stayed in bed. Felt cold and windy and a couple fast guys zipping by me didn't help. But ran into 1 at the water stop, he said it was windy so I felt better. 😁 I should have done only 20 and thought about it on the bike but, might as well stick to the plan.  Nice skies though 👌

It's funny because looking at my bike nowadays, it really looks old fashion compared to those I see but I often recall Jack from the Santa Ana Bike Trail (SART). We met him when he was 65 and kicking butt on an old beater looking bike. Actually a nice bike but he didn't clean it or polish it up saying he didn't want to look fast ha ha ha!. But he was one of the fastest riders I had ever met. Now I find myself being in the same boat. Not fast but feeling an old bike is just as good as a new bike if it runs well. Heck, I actually like the way this old Canni feels vs my carbon Madone. I can easily fix up the Madone but I really haven't missed it but will if I need to do so. The rubber on the shifter is ripped so I would have to buy a complete set of shifters on ebay to repair it properly. No big rush though ha ha ha! I do look at my bike and think it looks like and oldie when comparing it to others bug when I'm riding it, doesn't make a darn difference to me. I can keep up with my friends so what's the big deal? Maybe someday if I get a new style everything bike, I might notice the difference but hmmm! I never really noticed a difference in my Cannondale and the Madone even though they are 17 years apart, iirc.

I guess I have to say, it's all about the engine and I've actually been feeling really strong lately. Other than a ride here and there where I feel like I should take it easy but it's all part of the program.

MOF, now that I'm on this issue of oldies, ha ha ha! Reminds me of the other day when I was our riding with TC. We arrived at an intersection with an old lady that crossed the road, rather slowly with a walker. I was waiting for the green at the corner when the lady  looked over at me, saw my jersey then said, "Old Fart, you're an Old Fart, how old are you?". OK now, she didn't look much older than me in my opinion. If so, couldn't be more than a year. Maybe it was the helmet that she didn't think I  was an Old Fart. So I said,"63." I will be in May but didn't feel like saying 62 and 11 months so I just used 63.

She said oh, then started to walk off so I shouted, "how old are you? ". She looked at me and started to walk off. "Hey, hey, how old are you?". She just said, " I gotta go!. Ha ha ha, I don't think she was any older than me and probably didn't want to answer. Well, that's good if she underestimated my age. I'm getting up there but damn, I feel good! 

Not that the Local Legend means all that much but I'm surprised I still have the title for these 2 segments seeing how many riders are out there.  Over 6200 riders all time and 600 plus in the last 90 days if I recall correctly. 

The thing is they are of good distance.  One is 17 miles and the other 34 miles. I guess I ride more than I thought. 😄

My tacos yesterday at lunch. The dude who runs the bidness told me as I walked up that I started a trend. Actually it would be Gina.  She's the one who was craving the flour chips over the last couple of years,  maybe more.  But she's the reason I asked about them the day after she asked if I thought they might do it. 

So I did a review on Yelp and Google on their taco joint.  Actually a couple now after they have done good things for us. So the guy told me that we started a trend.  After my review with pics,  people started asking if they were still making the flour tortilla chips.  Of course he told them as long as they were willing to wait a bit for them to prepare them. 

                        Who knows   maybe they'll name them after her, Gina Flour Chips. 😆😄😆

                                                         My S&M tacos, (Shrimp and meat).

Though I tried to go easy, seems I did according to my HR zones. I was never really tired as far as HR or cardio. More like my leg muscles didn't want to cooperate. Sign of old age I guess ha ha ha! Actually, I think it is about recovery. Had a couple of good rides this week with TC and a couple days after that solo so I think it was time for an easy ride. Like I said, I should have just settled for 20 knowing how the legs were barking once I started riding. But my mind set can be most of the time, if I can do it on a bad day, I can do it on a good day. Not to mention that many times, this type of a day can be the best workout. 

This is where my HR goes up on any ride ha ha ha! I know some people who avoid this section but I like to do it. It hurts but I do it for my own good. The more I do it, the easier other hills along the way and other courses don't seem so bad. I thought it topped out at 11% looking at my device when I'm going up. But I see here on Strava that it is 12.4% grade. No wonder those 5%'s feel so much easier when I ride them.

Yes, this is what they call The Damn Dam Climb. 😆