The 3 F-Words Tour 34 Miles

 F word Puncture, Hot AF 🔥, & Windy AF. Average 97 degrees according to Strava.  Someone tossed stuff into the road and trying to avoid it but got me about mile 3. Thought about turning back but, Naaaah! Hate having to repair on the road but some dude came by recognizing me saying he watches my videos.  Described some video stuff so I know he actually watches.  Cool dude and low key so no names but turned out having a good time. 😀 Started out good with my Oatmeal but the way back was windy and rough. 

Nice ride up but really felt the heat near the top so I kept the effort down hoping to survive. Saw 105 on my device but Strava says average 97 degrees. Of course heading down I figured I could make it even easier but nope, stupid wind! I was doing like 14 mph at times with a heart rate of 140. Usually at 140 HR, I'm catching people. But today, nobody to catch anyway ha ha ha!

I saw one other rider heading up and one above the SF Nature Center. Other than that, I didn't see any other riders above Encanto Park. A jogger and a walker but that was it. I usually have a few flybys on Strava but when I looked earlier, there was only one other rider. 

Sadly, my tire seems like it has a little life left in it though it has a small split. Figuring it might be old so when your wife is bugging you to buy a new set of Conti's, one does not argue. Just ordered a new set but dayum they are so expensive now.  I did install the Vitorria I bought a couple or weeks ago just to see how it feels and handles. About half the price of a Conti so it would be nice it it worked just as well. Probably won't tell much being the front tire and taking little pressure on the bike but it should be good enough to get me through a few days till the Conti's arrive. Then I'll keep it as a back up so that I have a matching set on the bike.

After the ride, I ran into George C in the parking lot who was getting ready to go for a ride. He hadn't seen my Trek before but when he saw it, he walked up to it and said, "wow, that is a nice bike and frame!". Yeah, now that I have it back out, I'm realizing how smooth it actually rides. I looked up the specs last night and the original bike was $2200 back in 2011. OF course I got the frame and fork on a warranty claim. So not a bad deal figuring the original Lemond I bought from Trek was only $1050.

Reading some reviews, I saw that people nowadays are saying that it was a smooth ride and one does not need much more in a bike with this one. I always thought that if I win the lotto, I'd buy a newer bike but knowing me, even if I won 10 million, I don't think I would be happy paying more than 5 thousand for a bike. And if I did, I'd spend more time worrying about damaging it rather than riding it ha ha ha!

                                                                              

                                                                      THE F WORD !!!!

A little too many homeless scumbags out here. Yeah, I know, some people say they're just looking for a better life but imo, worthless idiots. They hang out at the underpasses throwing rocks in the road, glass, boulders under the dark ones, and whatever else they can place on the trail to make it dangerous for cyclists. In this case, some moron broke some kind of an item that looked like a broken Christmas ornament or something similar and harder. I saw it a little early and went to the left to avoid the larges mess in my  lane but somehow happened to hit a piece that sliced my tire.

Flags blowing a direct headwind at me, boo hoo!

Breakfast oatmeal

                             Keeping a low heart rate and effort knowing it was going to be hot. 🔥 🥵 

First Place in My Age Category (Target SGRT Classic) 😄

 Won 1st place in my age category today. 41 miles.  Target "SGRT Classic". 63 years, 2 months & 8 Days Category  😆😄😆Ok not really, I bought this plastic medal at Target for a dollar.  😄 Tough getting out of bed knowing it's hot but once I did,  felt great! 👍 Poser ride. Once at the top, some lady pulled over saying something about doing great.  Then said something about me being really handsome Then insisted I take a bottle of water.  Very nice of her! OK, so the handsome part isn't exactly true. 😄 13.3 average at the top so not bad and I did get a little sweat on my legs today.

It is funny how so many complain about drivers but I have nothing but great experiences with them. Heck, only 3 places to cross traffic on this ride and every time, drivers stop and wave me on. Sometimes 3 or 4 of them stop to let me go. I do make sure we are ALL on the same level to be safe and it amazes me how many are willing to stop for a cyclist to get by safely. Now they're even stopping on the side of the road to give me water ha ha ha!

The lady was very cool to stop by and drop off the water bottle along with a fist bump. I didn't really need it but with the language barrier, I was not sure how to refuse while she was being insistent. So I took it but I left it in the shadows in case somebody else needed it, though there was not any others around. Just not me to take things from others that I don't know. Maybe too many Forensic Files episodes but I just worry about that kind of stuff. Just as if we go out and Gina has a margarita. I don't drink and never accept something from anybody unless it's a family function. Otherwise, just give me a sealed bottle of water. Nowadays, just hard to trust anyone and I'm sure the lady meant well. Great gesture!

Just playing around with the camera. I meant to strike a pose but then heard the car coming so I tried to exit the strike a pose so it wasn't what I planned but actually, probably the better of the set I took ha ha ha!

Just taking a break in the sun

Warm but didn't feel hot though my legs did sweat on the way up, at the top

My Madone riding beautifully! I've often though as I get older, I'd get a smooth riding bike next time but having this back on the road, I'm thinking I'd save money just keeping it going!

Handlebars so much cleaner with the cables under the bar tape. I should have done this sooner for gopro reasons.

Didn't have a chance to make my oatmeal this morn so had to settle for BK. Not really excited about it but it works. Don't think I have ever once felt lacking on a ride after the BK special. Maybe it's the high sodium, I dunno but it works. Did cut up a nectarine though. Pretty sure oatmeal is better for sure and the grapes I usually eat, they suck lately ha ha ha. Soft and mushy but I love them when Gina can find the nice crispy grapes. So switched to nectarines for now.

Post ride meal, a little Sizzler. Our buddy Ashley hooked us up for sure. The girls know I'm a good tipper so we enjoy the side benefits ha ha ha! Like extra plates and salad bowls though we didn't get an all you can eat dinner. Ashley is cool! Cute little gal about 20 that started at the registers. Moved on to a server and a real hustler! Gal knows how to make the customers happy and kind of fun watching her run around the dining area taking care of people. Sweet little gal and a good worker so I gave her the tip and she sort of acted like she wanted to refuse it but nope, I told her she deserved it being just as good or maybe even better than the others who have been serving for a good while. Always nice to see a fresh face and I think she is the first one to try to refuse the big tip. But she deserves it!

My complimentary salad ha ha ha!

My Honey

Don't even have to ask anymore, the lemons just show up with the sweetener and extra bowls and plates.

My winner winner chicken dinner

Gina with a little steak today and a trip to the salad bar

Burning some Calories 🔥 (video)

 Seal Beach 40 miles to the beach.  Extreme heat warning but wasn't all that bad. Just riding for exercise. Seems bikini season is near, or maybe here and I just arrive a little too early ha ha ha! Seal Beach is not like Huntington where we used to ride. Smaller and arranged so that the ride access points are nowhere near the action and bikinis. Oh well.

Sadly,  spoke with an employee of the golf course,  maybe a manager.  She said that some of the employees are gone already.  Since the golf course will close October 1st. Not planning to replace them being so close to closing.  She said that the property will be leveled as well as the building to improve the dam. Saying it is planned to take 5 years.  

From the lot entrance gate to the dam,  it will be destroyed.  She said she's not sure what they will do to route the cyclists around the mess. Who knows? Im thinking they could fill the river with water then let us take a fairy upstream. 😄

what puzzles me is, improve the dam for what? There ain't no water and even at the Santa Fe dam,  it's huge,  miles long and rarely ever water in it. The times I've seen water there,  seems like only enough to fill 3 swimming pools. 🤣

I will say though, as I always have is that the biggest danger to me on my bicycle is other cyclists. One reason I hate reading about drivers against cyclists. Very hipocritical if you ask me. Cyclists are just as stupid as auto drivers, maybe even more. Maybe a lesser chance of dying but still the common sense mentality is lacking. Doesn't make a difference whether one is a driver or a cyclist, stupid is stupid.

Today, as soon as I got on the trail, doing about 10 mph spinning up the legs, 50 yards covered, I hit a gate where one has to ride to the opposite side of the trail to continue. At the gate, a group of about 6 riders re-entering the trail. They ride through the gate as I slow to yield but they spread out like and echelon. The person in the back, a little gal about 5 feet tall and not even 100 pounds swings to their left but is in the middle of my lane. WTF!!! They are going about 10 mph as well so it's not like she is going to fall off the back and lose the draft. So why TF did she think she had to challenge me by going head on. A little shout to make her think, hopefully she learns something. One of the bad things about group rides, stupid people do stupid sheot.

Then 1 mile later at the dark steep tunnel, locals will know what I'm talking about. Dark, steep, narrow with the gutters angling down so it's pretty tricky and very unsafe to race through knowing cyclists are heading the opposite way. Many riders just skip the tunnel and cross the busy street after waiting for traffic to clear on a busy blvd.

Right before the tunnel is a snaking left turn heading from the south, Covered and hidden by shrubbery so the rider can't see too well what is coming up. Pretty much a blind turn but snaking S shape to add a little more danger. I approach and slow as one should to look for opposite cycling traffic. As I snake to the left rounding a set of bushes, some moron is on my side, my lane, in the center. Luckily he is only going about 10 mph as it is a steep little ramp up. As I round my turn, I am startled by his presence and he almost jumped out of his bike shorts when he looked up to see me heading at him. Now, WTF, what kind of idiot goes into the opposite lane on a blind turn knowing it is a very dangerous area and surely there had to be some kind of an idea in his stupid head that another cyclist could possibly be approaching. I guess I just don't understand stupid people. And there are far too many of them!

Video on YT

Madone rolling smoothly once again! Once I started riding the Cannondale, I didn't miss or even think twice about the carbon Madone being smoother on the road. The Cannondale feels very responsive. Now just putting my hand over the stem cap and walking with the bike, like un-racking it to prepare it for a ride, it feels very plush vs the thin quill stem of the Cannondale. I do feel it smoother on the road as well. Especially since the trail down to the beach really sucks on the SGRT. That's why I ride up toe Azusa Cyn most times, like 98% of the time now. But the heat lately, I did ride to the coast 2 times which actually surprised myself ha ha ha! I do feel the Madone smoother and more plush but it feels like a damper as if I am being held back. Not that I am, not that my speeds are any lower, maybe it's that feeling that many have stated, feeling like dead wood. Maybe it will save me on longer rides but it just doesn't feel the same as the exciting Cannondale. But who knows, maybe my nutty buddies will thank me down the road somewhere ha ha ha!

People taking all kinds of motor vehicles on the trails. Last week I saw a full on doon buggy on the trail. More stupid people.

Brings me back to this image once again. Always good for a good laugh. First of all, there are signs that say NO MOTOR VEHICLES OR BICYCLES WITH MOTORS ALLOWED ON THE TRAIL. but once again, stupid e-bikers think they're above the rules. Maybe too lazy to pedal, too lazy to read the signs so this one always cracks me up!

Couple of riders with a friendly nod. Oh, the last one is me and yes, I am friendly if you aren't stupid ha ha ha!

And no ride on Sunday.  But a very productive day. Cut, trimmed, and filed my toenails.  Then breakfast with my Honey.  Day complete! 

Toenails not bad for 2500 miles so far for the year and Gina says my feet don't stink. 😄

Testing My Mechanical Skills Tour (video tomorrow)

 Testing My Mechanical Skills Tour...Solo 30 miles. Got my Madone back on the road.  New mid chain ring, shifters, all cables,  and a good cleaning.  Replaced the ring as it started acting up & having to remove the crank. The hood ripped, had been replaced 2 times but couldn't find more and not paying $150 on ebay for a used junk one to get the hood. So gave Sora a try being the only new 9 speed around.  Good reviews and it actually worked great. Reviews said Sora now is better than 105 from 2005 which I had. Thought I had a cassette in my stash but only a new chain so ordered the cassette but after today's ride,  I don't think I need them yet but good to stock up. Also cables are routed under the bar tape so no more extensions for the gopro mounts. 👍 Worked flawlessly but I'm thinking cables will break in a bit soon. Oh yeah,  I got more sore doing the work than riding it bending in ways I haven't for a while ha ha ha. 🤣 The red thing is a top cap screw given to me by TC on a psat birthday.  Good to have the Madone back on the road but I was having plenty of fun riding the Cannondale over the last year and a half.  Finally found the time to fix the Madone.  😄

91 degrees with a high of 100 according to my device. Everything worked really well considering I was getting very impatient while doing the stuff. I had this idea that I should go to the park to work on the bike. Started in the shade but a few minutes later, the sun was all over the place and it was hot. Heck, my hips, thighs, and back muscles are really sore. Not used to those movements I guess and being out there from 10 am to about 4 pm, it was nothing but hot. I get so involved that I didn't eat anything, just a small pack of crackers, 4 squares and one small bottle of water. You know how it is when you get involved.

So I thought that I had gotten everything close to perfect but was ready to call it a day. So I was not sure just how well I adjusted everything having gotten frustrated a bit. Heck, I read that I could just remove the middle ring without removing the crank but that internet info was incorrect. I had to remove the entire crank to work on it so that took more time and effort. 

I did place my cell out there with a small wifi speaker to play some music while I worked but heard my phone make a strange noise. An alert that it was overheating, sitting in the sun I guess after the sun moved. So I turned it off then restarted it a while later. Tried to look up a few things on the net but the stupid phone disconnected me somehow so I could not get the net, text, or make a call. So some of the things I wanted to look up, I couldn't. But I got it right anyway because when I went to go ride it, it was perfect. I was actually surprised thinking I was in the ballpark but nope, it was all dialed in perfectly.

The only thing I missed was setting the low gear limit screw a little so the low low gear was hitting the front derailleur. I realized it as soon as I rolled the bike around the parking lot for about 30 seconds testing the gear combos. A 10 second adjustment and I was good! I'm really surprised I had it set that well. But hey, someone who hates taking his bike to the shop for reasons, I guess I can see why it was that good ha ha ha! Heck, TC had asked if I wanted to do a ride in the foothills this day but I told him that I was going on the trail for sure and a short ride to test the bike. Doesn't matter who worked on my bike, I wouldn't trust the first ride on the road, with cars and buses, and trucks unless I know everything is perfectly tuned. All I need is to lose a brake cable in front of a semi ha ha ha!

But all was great, much better than I expected and I would have been good but I'm the better safe than sorry type.

I do have anew chain and thought I had a new cassette but only the chain. So I ordered a 105 cassette on ebay but hard to find new stuff. I did but it took a while as well as the SRAM stuff, hard to find in 9 speed. But ordered the 10 9 speed cassette. Thought that if the bike was rough, I would change the chain and cassette but nicely, everything was very smooth. And Gina did insist that I order a Sunrace cassette as well just to try it out so that I would have more options if I ever need another. Good reviews and a bit cheaper so hopefully. I'll be getting both either way so I should be set for a while.

I did go to a shop to look for a hood but nope, nothing. So I asked about the Sora shifters but nope. Matter of fact, the dude asked why I was still messing with 9 speed stuff. Well, I still  have 2 perfectly fine running 9 speed bikes, not sure why I would spend more money just to say I have 10 or 11 speed. In other words, why spend $5000 plus for something that isn't going to make much or a difference? Same feeling towards disc brakes, do I need them? Nope! Would be a big waste of money for me. All I need is a bike to run smoothly so that I can continue to exercise.

The YT video. Funny, Gina watched the video and when it got to the downhill section of the damn dam, right before it shows my turn, she shouted, "Oooooweee!" ha ha ha!

I did ask her too, if I showed myself a little too much. She said, "no, it's your video." Okay, good! I usually turn it towards my face after crossing paths with other riders often thinking that I'm not going to use the clip or the shot of my face. But then I notice that I turn the recorder to my face most times a little quicker than I expected without waiting to end the scene so it would look awkward ending the scene so abruptly. So I leave it on and a little extra footage  and like she said, it is my video ha ha ha!

Encanto Park

Nice! No more front cables out front so the gopro will be happier not having to use an extension. Less hardware and less connections. Now the gopro will sit right under my gps. Looks clean too!

Fat Bastard top cap screw ha ha ha! A bday gift from TC last year.

Real test, climbing the 9 and 11% grade, the damn dam climb in the 39 ring and NO SKIPPING. Worked really well and smooth shifting.

A little warm today. Cleaned and polished it up before the ride. Sure enough, the heart rate strap was wet as soon as I put it on ha ha ha!

Boy, Gina and I went to Sizzluh having a good time with Erika. Then to watch The Odyssey at the movies. Ate some caramel popcorn and paid the price. My stomach ain't used to the sheot ha ha ha! Thank goodness for Pepto Bismol ha ha ha!

Descent but looooong movie.

Another one of our friends from Sizzler. Great service and all the perks!

I eat the senior petite steak with rice or potatoes, a bowl of soup, but I always seem to get the extras like a salad bowl cause they all like me because I'm so nice ha ha ha!

Gina is usually the salad bar or steak with a one time to the salad bar.