46 with TC (video later)

 46 windy miles with TC today. My legs 🦵 were fryn' but TC looked strong on the bike. But most impressive was his display of sexy boobage. 😆😄😆 Hey, someone sent this picture of my truck to me. I think somebody's spying 🕵️‍♂️ on me. 😁😄😁

                                                            An image from TC's cell cam.

The YT video

Joaquin sent this image to me asking if it was my truck. Yup, rode in his neck of the woods today. I had originally planned to ride in Pico as usual but down to the coast. I do really dislike that lower section of the San Gabriel Trail being so bumpy and rough, dark and dangerous. But TC asked if I had plans so I changed them to ride the Santa Ana trail.

I did have to replace my rear wheel after the foothills ride. Somehow, a chunk of rubber was removed from my rear tire. Maybe half the tire life left but that cut it short. I have the 2 Conti's in my stash now but giving these Vittoria Rubino Pro G2.0 tires a test. I had used the front before the rear Conti got taken out but luckily, the new tire I ordered on ebay showed up on Friday evening so I just replaced it really quick with plans to test it on Saturday. It worked though today was a bit tough for me. I could chalk that up to the change of bikes and geo, or the longer cranks, the new tires, or just the fact I did some climbing a couple days before. BUT the wind was rough today.

Someone said it was as if she was posing for the camera

This group came rolling by at a good rate of speed. Hopped on the back for a bit but kinda blocked off, I fell back hoping to get a good view of the group but they picked it up and rolled away. Ended up catching up to a couple of stragglers so I hopped on the back with a plan to go to the front to help them in return after I recovered a bit but TC wanted to stop at Edna Park for water. So we stopped.

No names but someone suggested that I capture this one on camera

On a side note, I did order a set of hoods for my shifters. They are Sora seeing they are the only 9 speed available. Cool thing is the label on the shifters looks like a 105 label so already, a couple of people have mistaken them ha ha ha! But I ordered a back up set just in case the hoods tear somewhere down the road. I wish I had bought a couple sets for my 105 shifters, I wouldn't have had to swap them out.

 After the ride,  to Sizzler for my senior chicken dinner. 🐔 

Our girl Angelina had baked small cakes 🎂 to treat her friends.  It was tasty 😋 and the frosting wasn't as sweet as it looks so it went down pretty easily.  Just enough for us to share and enjoy without the guilt 

😄

Solo 40 Along the Foothills

 Solo 40 with 2,270 ft gain,  had I payed attention I would have rode up the road for another 30 ft. 🤣 Glendora to Claremont, to San Dimas, to the GMR gate.  Felt really good.  TC was 'posed to join me but experiencing mechanicals. 🔧 

                                                

Along the way I was recording and saw some moron stop right in the center of the bike lane before the steep little climb just west of Town avenue. Of course talking on the phone and guess what, it was another cyclist. As I have said, it is more the cyclists that are a threat to me while on my bike. I bring this up because I read on so many stories on the net about terrible drivers and dangerous cars trying to kill us. In my case, it is the other way around, way too many incidents with other cyclists. I can't count the times that cyclists have whined about a car blocking or parking in the bike lane. In this case, the dude was right in the center of the bike lane, full stop, talking on the phone. C'mon you idiot!

But I must also mention some dope on a motorcycle. As well as complaining cyclists, I see plenty from motorcycle riders. I WANT TO GET HOME AND LIVE TO SEE MY FAMILY SO PLEASE DON'T KILL ME type stuff but yet, they themselves are the problem. On this ride, I came to a stop at Lone Hill on old Foothill heading east. A line of cars to my left stopped so I waited for my turn. As I started to make my way through the intersection (4 way stop), some idiot rides his motorcycle between the cars running the stop and making a turn right in front of me but a coupe of feet. 

Idiot! Was cool because I got to make some good hand gestures at him in front of several other drivers who I am sure would agree with me. I was almost wishing the dude would have stopped or came after me. Yeah, I've had plenty of big mouth drivers talk trash while in their vehicles but too scared to confront anyone without the protection of being in their vehicle, bunch of pussies ha ha ha!

Old Man Tour

 Solo 40 miles. Set out for an easy ride today but had a hard time getting started.  Took it as easy as possible even thought about cutting it short but, NAAAAAH! 😄 Warm but a little rain at the top. 😳 Just another ride exercising fighting off the old age. 🤣 Didn't care for the PB $ Strawberry Honey Stinger. Tastes like an old stale skinny P&J  sandwich. 

Average 91 degrees today.  Ran into a few friends actually. Rare on a weekday ride.  I did chat with David, cool dude that rode with me once before. Always a good chat about how so many cyclists lack a real sense of etiquette and safety as far as cycling. Cool dude knows what he is talking about and observes the same lacking skills behavior I see in so many cyclists. Glad to hear this stuff as it reinforces my thoughts about things cyclists shouldn't do in order to keep themselves and others safe on rides.

Ran into Armando. I ran into him a couple weeks back heading to Seal Beach. I think maybe it was at the beach where we chatted. Heck, old age must be getting me as I don't exactly remember now ha ha ha! All I remember was that he was flying down the trail when I saw him. He was rolling pretty fast but somehow I managed to run into him on the way back though he left well before me. Today he was on the side of the road about a mile before the end of my ride. He recognized me then we chatted for a bit on the side of the road. He rides from the SF dam to Seal Beach and back which is about 60 miles. Pretty good ride in the heat. But when I saw him, he was on the side of the road after having to get off the trail picking up something to drink from a convenience store. 

Saw Jason, completing his ride up GMR. He mentioned the rain and yup, I got a few drops but guessing he got more being higher in the mountains. I mentioned that he looked far more vascular than I remember him from several years ago. He said he had made some changes in his diet causing him to lose 15 pounds. Wow, didn't realize he had 15 to lose. But a great climber. I remember him being like number 5 on GMR to the shack on Strava years ago. Of course that bunch of dumb pros came to down racing up GMR swiping all our KOMs. Oh wait, no way did I ever have a KOM on GNR but it would have been nice ha ha ha!

Ah the stale skinny P&J sandwich Honey Stinger ha ha ha! I will say it was not as bad late into my ride, I musta gotten hungry. But they feel much smaller than the Stroopwafels I get from Wally World. Lots cheaper, bigger, and more filling, I would recommend the Stroopwafels  way before the more expensive Honey Stingers. Salted caramel in the HS is much better as well, imo.

Oatmeal an nectarines for breakfast 

Tried Tilapia for dinner last night.  Been trying to eat healthy stuff, chicken and fish. Guess it's better than red meat 🍖 but I ain't giving it up, just mixing in some stuff that is supposed to be healthier choices. 

Used this tire now for a couple of rides testing it out. Seems to be fine, can't tell a difference between it and the Conti 5000 I had on the front. But again, that is the front so wondering about what it would feel like on the back of the bike seeing most of a cyclist's weight is on the rear tire. I did use Vittoria years ago back in about 98. Not sure why I didn't use it more. Maybe the model I used was hard to find? But this model is so far less than a Conti and close to the same scores in reviews. Maybe a little less favor but the price is huge now. So I have another one on the way, should be here in a few days. I have the new Contis already so decisions decisions! Do I installl both Vittorias, or both Contis, or wear out the Conti on the rear then install the Vitorria knowing the current one on the front will outlive the older Conti I have on the rear? Wow, the things us cyclists have to live with trying to decide ha ha ha!

Dinner tonight, after a hot ride. Winner Winner Chicken Dinner. I don't know why Gina always says that. 😄 But both a senior Italian Herb chicken dinner tonight. Gina got the salad bar and I got a soup. Though my little buddies always toss in an extra plate or bowl so that I get a salad as well. I just eat a smaller salad figuring it might be good for me to top of my dinner.

The Who Needs Hot Yoga When You Got Hot Cycling Tour 🚲 Hot 🔥 (video on YT)

 Another 40 warm ones today.  Average 97 degrees and 92 when I finished.  Stopped to chat with Omar at the Chalan rest stop.  First time I actually chatted with him.  Funny good guy, some good laughs.  Plus much appreciated the rest stop there with the cold water.  Made a big difference on the way back. 👍

A really great ride today! Met a new friend, think I had seen him out there a few times but he wears a rag around his head most times. Name is Estevan, cool friendly dude turning 62 today. We had a good chat then he asked me to use his cell phone to record his little speech. I did then I asked him to redo it for my video. His son has a channel and they seem to be pretty active so this should be cool. Had a good time chatting with him then saw him as I was heading down for a clip to include him in the music video section.

Being so hot, today I decided to stop at the Chalan rest stop. Got a cold water from Omar then headed on. On the return, I stopped for a couple more cold bottles of water to down with my stroop wafel. Made a big difference on the last 10 miles.  I ride on the days that he is not there, during the week actually. But I rarely stop there seeing I can easily get water from the SF Nature Center area. But today being so hot, I was happy to stop there. He didn't want to accept money for the water but I insisted on making a donation. Heck, everybody appreciates that he goes out there every Sat and Sun providing support for the cyclists. Everything from food to mechanics. I know I used his pump once before after flatting earlier, nice to top it off after making the repair on the roadside.

But this time, I actually sat down with Omar seeing there was hardly anybody there on my return. Got to chat about all kinds of stuff and having some good laughs. I didn't know Omar had a good sense of humor like he does ha ha ha! Talking bikes and other stuff, we had some good chuckles ha ha ha!

Got to chat with a couple of others as well but just for a minute. Good time today and really appreciated Omar and the rest stop. I have mentioned it in the past but back in 2005ish, Gina and I did a forum ride with about 20 riders from Encanto Park to Seal Beach and back, 72 miles roundtrip. It was hot on the way back approaching the SF dam and no services in sight. I think it was before they built the many convenience stores at the many gas stations now. But our group of 5 or so were getting really hot and nothing around to drink other than the hot water in our bottles. But some dude was riding a mountain type bike pulling a buggy trailer. In it was an ice chest with bottles of Gatorade, coldest Gatorade I'd ever had. One dollar! Wow, life saver stuff and Omar was the dude on the bike ha ha ha! Since then, he has really grown, mechanics, cycling duds, food, coffee, ice water, everything for all occasions and seasons. So it's pretty cool to have it there and a gang of about 30 cyclists at times.

                                                                     The Youtube video

Average of 97 today

At the end of my ride, the net said 92

A little salty but on the last two rides, I've had 3 extra large bottles of water to prevent dehydration. I think I downed 7 large bottles of water and electrolytes alternating drinks between bottles. Plus 3 cold bottles of water at Omar's rest stop.

Omar in pink

Some people I saw out there today

I tested a new tire today on the front, Vittoria Rubino Pro. tire running about $45 delivered off ebay. Good reviews but some compare it to the Conti GP5000 saying it isn't quite as smooth. Nut using it today on the front, I didn't see any difference other than being $30 cheaper than the Conti. 

I did order 2 new Conti 5000s from ebay and geeze, $160. Really gone up so I've been looking at alternatives. Though my Honey Gina suggested I order the 2 Contis so that I have a matching set. Then suggested that I order another Vittoria just so that I can have both matching sets. What a woman ha ha ha!

Plus she says that if I have both tires the same on the bike, front and back, I'd get the full effect of the tires and a better comparison between the two brands. Again, who am I to argue ha ha ha!

No ride Sunday, lunch with my Honey.  

I swear,  I must be dying or something.  Gina is the sweetest kindest silliest woman in the world.  After lunch,  Wally World looking at 💿 CDs. I see a 3 Disc set of Queen's greatest hits. Would go nicely on my bike music list. She says buy it but I see Def Leperd too so she says get it too. 

Then to the Stroopwafels aisle. Pick up a box but she says get 2. Then a walk through the sport area.  She sees the Honey Stingers in a different flavor,  buy it too just so you can taste them. Then Costco,  you need more Cetaphil, get the 2 pack, OK!

Then the electronics department seeing the little camera packages, get one if you like.  No thanks,  I carry my cell camera now though it was interesting and tempting.  

No camera,  so she sees the GoPro 13, you need one or want one? 🤣😂🤣

Yes, I want one but I don't NEED one. Sounds good but it would just be more stuff for me forcing me to care for and be responsible. 😄

Plus,  you know me,  I don't mind riding a bike that's 29 years old ha ha ha,  as long as it works and my GoPro 10 is only about a year and a half so the way I see it, we got another 20 years together. 😆

But I keep wondering,  how did I get so lucky to end up with such a lovely woman?

So cool, I ordered the senior Italian herb chicken dish so how did I end up with so many salad and soup bowls? 😁😄😁