TC & Me, Azusa Cyn from Pico (video posted)

 Good ride on the way up then a good push back down into the wind. TC pushing pretty good into the wind, I was just hoping to keep up. Enjoying my new jersey. 😁 11 new PRs at age 63, can't complain. 😄 Did a little red lining today. I know exactly when, when my HR was elevated ha ha ha! 🤣

Funny thing about the jersey. I sat in the golf course patio to record my online ride data. I saw a group of people there, again. I think they may have something to do with taking over the golf course as they come up carrying blue print looking tubes and stuff like that. Look rather professional so I'm guessing. One of the dudes is really tall, like 6'5 and pretty thin.

Well, when I got up and started walking out, he ended up walking along my side to the parking lot. He said, "I like your jersey, I feel the same way and that is why I run!". Ha ha ha, see, I'm not the only one. 😆

Back to the ride, pretty cool good ride with TC. I did see a couple of chicks that are on Strava but I really don't know them. Only noticed after viewing rides from other riders on the fly-by feature. I noticed one guy mentioning one of the gals so I looked at his posted pic and sure 'nuff, was one of the chicks. I didn't realize it at the time but I captured her on my video. Only recognizing her name as she is a friend of a friend. Then another gal doing 100 miles as a birthday ride, WOW!  I think we ran across her on the ride but she's not on the fly-by page. Only noticed her after she gave TC and I kudos on her ride. Seems like she has a lot of friends getting 77 kudos last time I saw. Heck, I get 15 if I'm lucky. I'm more the type I like exchanging with actual friends and ever some of those don't give me kudos ha ha ha!

But TC and I did a nice steady pace up to the top, took a break then did  a pretty good effort down against the wind. I swear, the descent on this ride is rarely an actual descent as the wind is always to make sure that it feels like going up again ha ha ha, boo hoo! But a good effort down then TC slowed down at the final dam about 1/2 mile before the finish.  He usually slows the last section of his ride and I finish then ride around really slow in the lot or down the trail once again to cool down. Heck, I probably have 30 undocumented miles on my Strava but I don't count those slow cooldown miles trying to relax the legs and get the regular blood flow back into my bod.

I mentioned something about that in the video so it's unclear what I was talking about. Just making it clear TC slowed down for his cooldown before the end of his ride as usual, not that he got dropped or anything like that. In case anyone is puzzled as to what I was talking about. Some of you might know that pushing the pace and trying to record video can take your breath away so when one tries to talk after the ride and still recovering, the brain ain't all there lacking oxygen ha ha ha! Sometimes hard to get in a clear point.

But I think we did well overall.  I know I usually ride alone but when riding with another rider who actually knows how to help out, the speed can be a little better as well as the final effort. So it was good to work together making it a little more interesting at times.

There were a couple of time TC lifted the pace taking the front. This was when one's body says, I'm done but nah!!! I know TC now and he will push pretty good till you feel like cracking but over the years, I know if I hold on not panicking while thinking, just relax, he'll sit up after a bit then I'm good ha ha ha! Sometimes, it's all about the mind ha ha ha!

Also in the video was TC catching the 2 guys that were well ahead starting the climb before we got there, seen in the video. Those two guys had just passed us at the top of the trail right before the dam. I was actually surprised seeing them about 1/3 of the way up before we arrived. I didn't think we could catch them even if we wanted. So I just made my way up having done the dam climb a thousand times now. Also conserving energy for the rest of the ride knowing we still had a few more miles of ascending before reaching the top of the trail.

I was actually a bit surprised when TC took off but then I noticed he was easily catching the guys. I knew as soon as we hit the climb, he would. I just threw a little text into the video to make it interesting, or entertaining, or maybe neither one of those ha ha ha! But I like these little victories because way too many times, other riders will hammer hard to pass you on the flats then crack when you hit any sort of a climb ha ha ha! I actually thought about going myself but riding up with one hand trying to get a video of the toughest part of the ride, I knew I couldn't and was actually a little happy I didn't, I might have gotten tired ha ha ha!

Sadly, the little videos that TC takes with his cell, I see on strava but can't download them to place on the blog. Right near the end, it got windy and I think TC was tired at this point having said he was tired the last 7 miles, this was the last mile. I ended up in front pushing hard. Tc got me rolling then said, "Fred's a beast!". Cool little clip but I can't share it. But it was cool to see oneself ridding. I think that is one of the biggest kicks I get out of making videos. Some people like to see themselves in action.

Heck, the reason I started taking pic way back when. Had so many people say they appreciate it and how cool it was to see pics of themselves in action. Most have said they have seen themselves in pics at rest stops, coffee breaks etc. but never in action. So it's been cool then the videos, even more entertaining if you ask me, and them. But of course, there were the morons and idiots who said that I only post pics to show how tough I am by showing the places we ride.

Uhh, OK! Riding the bike trail, really tough eh ha ha ha! If I wanted to show how tough I was, I would be riding up GMR every day ha ha ha! 

BUT !!!! Then again there were the riders like BigKahunnies and that RAM racer dude who completed Race Across America like 5 times that said I only did sissy rides and training after viewing my pics. ONLY to have getting the sheot kicked out of them by Mr. Beanz ha ha ha! Heck, Big Kahunnies challenged me several times and never once was even a competition ha ha ha! Heck, he had tougher climbs, roads, wind blah blah blah so I went to his home turf to kick the snot out of him on his rides. The really icing on the cake was when he challenged me on GMR. 

Ha ha ha! I finished the 20 mile climb, app 5k ft gain, turned around descending only to find him at the 14 mile of 20 point struggling to make it up. Yeah, I'm a sissy but he quit and decide it was best that he turn around at that point ha ha ha! Had he finished the rest of the climb, it would have taken him an hour. Can you imagine being One hour and thirty minutes ahead of a guy who called you a sissy? I'm still laughing at that one, or rather those few times I got to spank him on centuries and climbs......on his home turf because mine was too easy for sissies. ha ha ha!

Now that I think about, it maybe I am a tough guy because people on cycling forums though BigKahunnies was fast. Yeah ok ha ha ha!

But anyway, a good ride with TC and being motivated to ride a little harder with a partner, I got 11 more PR's on Strava. Amazing and surprising if you ask me seeing I will be 63 at the end of the month. ANd honestly, let's say BigKahunnies was still in his prime as he was at that point, and I at 63, I still think I would smoke him up the 5k ft 20 mile climb on GMR. 😆😁😆 

The Youtube Video

This is crazy! I bought these for like under $15 and they work really well. They are really thin and made to use while sleeping. I won't say too much but I need to shut out my surroundings trying to get some sleep at night. 🤣 But these actually work really well and fit so that I can sleep on my side without crushing my ears, no pain barely even knowing they are there. No app, just basic earphones easy to use. Tap once or twice for controls. I have an equalizer on my cell phone Music Player app so they sound just as good as my Samsung Galaxy buds ($110). 🎶🎼🎶

I had bought a pair of Galaxy buds after Gina told me that her friends at work said they work great. I was disappointed with the first pair thinking maybe I got a lemon so I bought a second and nope, they both suck! If I walk into the other room, they lose connection. With these cheap buds, I can walk into the other room without losing connection, better than the Galaxy, wow!

Plus they have physical push buttons on the sides so you know that you are actually hitting the control buttons unlike the Galaxy where you have to tap here, tap there, hoping to hit the control spot. Haven't tried them with the phone yet but I did buy them to sleep. Only because they are so flat for comfort but really surprised at how well they are working so far. Cool little lighted case, seems a little cheaply built there but with a little care, no problem and what do you expect for $14? 💵

I do see them as MD538 on another site for $7. But mine are from ebay and no name listed. Also seen them on other sites for $24. But for the $14 I paid, I'm totally surprised. Not as many features or an app like my JBL buds ($75 'ish), but sound almost as good side by side and the equalizer on the cell phone allows just about as much control of the sound. Seems though that I have only been able to pair them to my cell vs my JBL that pair with multiple devices at once. But again, just using them for bed time sleep. Haven't tried any romantical music yet. 💋😆

Also, no rubber fittings here and there too stick in the ear so a little easier to deal with seeing those rubber things come off in your ear once in a while. These thin buds just sit in flat. I'm happy! ☺️

Update: I have used them for a couple of nights now and the they last about 4 hours on one charge. The case is still able to charge them once again as most buds only that I am not awake to charge them he he he!

But the 4 hours is the same as the Galaxy buds knowing this as I used them at work and they always had to be recharged during lunch. So the battery isn't lacking compared to the Galaxy. Which is good! I also had Gina call me so I could test the phone and it worked really well, no issues. Pretty basic, tap once and it answers, tap once again and it hangs up. Pretty basic and simple. None of this tap twice, stand on one leg control type commands. Just tap once, I likey!

Solo 46 Charles & Eileen As Well As Ron & Dixie /Sunday Dad Flowers 💐

 Solo 46 on SART today. Felt really good and ran into some cool people. Charles and Eileen at the start. Some cycling chat and plans. Ron and Dixie along the way. Rode  back around one another but not together. I know how it is trying to ride together with others while riding a tandem. A little harder to respond, brake, accelerate etc. So it was a little easier for each of us to do our own thing. 

I did run across a friend of a Strava buddy at Edna Park. Riding trikes, friend of Glenn. They have a whole troop of Cat Trike Riders that ride together pretty often. The dude's name is Tom and he's 84 years old if I recall correctly. Off by a year or two maybe but you get the idea. Funny because I can never capture Glenn on video because I'm taken by surprise and I really don't know exactly what he looks like. So many times I've recorded a group of trikes going by only to find out it wasn't his group ha ha ha!

So Tom told me that Glenn was not far behind him so I left Edna Park riding with the GoPro in my hand ready to record. One handed into the wind ha ha ha! 5 or 6 miles later, I don't think they're coming. Did see a few other people I know so it's all good.

Ron did tell me that I looked thinner, able to see it in my face. Funny, I look at the video and I still have a fat head ha ha ha! Really, feeling better eating better and eating oatmeal for breakfast. Still eating cucumbers, salads and all. I do post food pics here but other than that, I'm eating good stuff. Then ran into Jesus who used to ride his bike just about every time we did. He was running though, about 5 or 6 miles. Sadly he has had a medical issue that has kept him off his bike but able to run, that's cool. If I can't ever ride, I'll take up walking, running is no fun anymore ha ha ha!

But haven't seen him in a couple of years but he did say he can see that I lost weight.  OK thanks, I'll take it! Good to know others notice so I guess it's a good thing going into my old age. Heck, no more time to play around, better take it seriously if I expect to stay healthy into my old age.

I really wasn't wanting to make a video because there really isn't too much on the trail I frequent heading towards the mountains. Most people are riding down on the flatter section to the coast. Smoother and cleaner in my opinion heading up so I do. But today, figured I'd head to the coast since I haven't in quite some time. Really been avoiding the trip to SART because of the gas prices right now, 30 mile drive vs the 6 to SGRT.

But I'm glad I took the GoPro having a chance to run into some old friends and new.  Plus I found this song on YouTube, the royalty free list that I actually like. Most of the royalty free music sounds kind of bee bop like so this one is actually a pretty good rock song. It reminds me of a band called Kings of the Sun. Not many people have heard of the band but a friend back in 1990 let me borrow the CD. Really liked it so I recorded it on a cassette tape but eventually wore out and not being able to find it anywhere. Rhino Records, nope! And they have tons of used CD's, and new. On Ebay I have had a hard time finding it from a seller than actually responds to messages. Too many "I'll send pics to prove not damaged" in the ads but the couple that I requested pics didn't respond. Well, one I said I wanted to know it was good because I don't want to deal with the BS sellers who waste my time. He said his staff was too busy to verify it, ok, BYE!

So I found one guy that seems to be pretty honest and had some good communications so I ordered it. Drop the Gun, Full Frontal Attack, a few others that are pretty good rockers so I'm hoping they clear the yt copyrights thingy.

But this band reminded me of them so I downloaded it for a video. Today I made a video so I used it. Either that or The Cult who also has some pretty good rockers as well and clear on YT.

But this band is called Blue Deet and the song is "Take the Reins". Seen the names of the musicians on a few other songs along the way sounding pretty good for royalty free music. Some strange stuff offered on YT but hip hop and electronics aren't really my thing. I'll take a little rock over that stuff any day.

Take the Reins by Blue Deer, thanks! So I did give credit in the video and the description as well. 

                                                                          The youtube video

Charles and Eileen

Ron and Dixie

Some friendly dude on a trike.

The Cranky Old Bastard

                                                                   An image from Ron's GP

Sunday no ride, Dad flowers. Went to see my Dad and all his flower less friends today. Taking Dads some 💐 flowers. To visit Gina's Dad and lunch at Tepeyac. I broke down today enjoying a church ice cream dessert. Actually pretty good, light and crispy bread with a little ice cream .😋 Sun was a little bright so we had to squint. 😆

400+ for April / Tearing Down Pico Golf Course in October 🤣

 Solo 25 miles. Just a ride to put myself over 400 for the month & try blueberries 🫐 in my Oatmeal. No big difference, just more chewing. 😁

I often run into one of the cooks at the golf course.  She told me that the golf course will close down on October first and the army will be taking over the area.  I have heard that there is a project to enlarge the dam area with a section of the trail closing down.  I searched online but can't find anything clearly stating the facts or details.  Guess I'll search more using the golf course as the subject. 

You know last time, I felt like I had a hard time on the bike and didn't know why. I think I now know. The previous night I told Gina I kind of felt a little tiny itty bitty congested. Then after the ride, we went to the mall and I felt a little heat come out of my breath once or twice. I started thinking that I was feeling a bit of a cold or something. Felt it for a bit, the next day I felt it some again but when I rode today, I felt good. I was just chillin' and cruising but it was much easier than the previous ride where it felt tough.

Kind of cool when I think about it because the times that I have gotten on a program where I start feeling good and fit, I rarely feel sick. I have had times where something just didn't feel just right, maybe a little tough only to find out that I think I might have been sick but feeling so good physically that I didn't even really notice it too much or really knew that I was sick. Just something a little off for a ride or two then back to feeling good. Happens when I start getting into good condition.  Of course I have never really been kept down when I've gotten sick but I know some people who turn into giant wusses ha ha ha! Glad I'm not one of those and glad I can reach these levels of overcoming ailments.

                         Well darn, I'll have to start riding down to the beach where the bikinis are. 🤣

The reason for today's ride was to bring me up to 400 miles as I.ve been doing over 300 over the last few months. A couple 400's along the way. but I fid manage 8 PR's along the way this month. Most would be about 14 years old. So not too bad for an old fart who will be tuning 63 in May on a 29 year old bicycle. 😄

Got my Cult Sonic Temple in the mail today from Ebay. Been missing this one so I ordered it. Cool rock songs and best of all, seems the music is ok using in videos on YT.  Burning to MP3 and placing on my cell using the Music Player, I have about 650 songs now. Plenty to keep me busy on the bike.

Sonic Temple.....Some pretty good rockers on there to keep the cycling beat.

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. 😁

A little edit. This day and the day after I did notice that I felt a little soar throat. At one point I had that feeling of heat coming out of the mouth like the soar throat was trying to escape. But I wasn't sure then a little nose drip when I leaned over. Good thing I wasn't at a salad bar ha ha ha! 

Then I started to realize that I might have been a little under the weather. But the good thing is the following ride, I felt great. Though I went easy just to get in some month finishing miles, I felt really good and the symptoms were gone, it seems. Feel better now but what gets me is that when you start getting into shape, it seem an ailment doesn't seem to affect you, or stand out as much. Actually it almost feels as if you're not sick. Or don't really know it, which is good. Better than being a sicky on the couch whining about it ha ha ha!

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.