Lifetime Behind Bars Tour

 Solo 51miles. Life Behind Bars Tour 😁 Tried going easy but tough on the return. Didn't even look at the temp to avoid getting psyched but average 90 degrees. Really windy at the top. 9 mph at 140 heart rate 🤣

Saw new Strava buddy Emmitt again. Dude has only been riding 4 months and doing great. I was about40 miles into my ride when he came up from behind me. Lucky dude lives right near the trail entrance. I was getting a little toasted. Not by the heat but by the effort it seems. Could have been the heat sneaking up on me but not sure. But when I got to the top of the dam, oh my goodness! Did well on the dam but once hitting the nature center and above, it got so darn windy. At one point I was doing 9 mph with a pretty good heart rate. I tried to relax but it was like the wind was pushing me back. You know when you see the leaves hitting you straight head on.

Then once at the park, cops had the entrances blocked and a fire truck doing something with hoses. I thought someone had started a fire as I could smell the smoke. Later Gina told me that there was a big fire at the mouth of Azusa Cyn. Good thing I was too tired to go up ha ha ha!

I was testing some carb sources today. Usually using fig bars but reading on how to optimize the carb sources, I was informed that I should not mix my carb drink with the fig bars. Different types and the sugars will clash somehow. I know I got the main idea reading it but at this moment, I don't remember the exact terminology but just knowing not to mix them or they nullify one another. Today I tried the first bottle of Skratch carb mix, then a fig bar with water only for 30 minutes or so to give it time to digest. Heck, didn't feel anything other than tired so I'm guessing I feel better with the fast acting carb drink. So I'll fiddle around a little more with other stuff but on shorter rides I am guessing seeing this day, didn't seem to work with the combo used.

What I did forget to mention was that 2 days ago, I saw one of the homeless thugs under the pass acting like his usual crazy self. Very annoying imo as he sits there laughing tossing a ton of rocks into the path. Like 200 or 300 normal sized rocks that could be dangerous. I had seen him there on my last 3 or 4 rides just sitting there tossing them onto the trail. I even thought about stopping and taking pics on the return so that I could send them in as a complaint as I have before in other areas but same trail. I almost thought he might get stupid with me if I stopped. So I was planning my counter attack ha ha ha!

But on the return, there were cop cars with lights flashing. a big dump truck and about 5 or 6 guys in white outfit jumpsuits cleaning up the mess the thugs have made under the pass. Saw a dude dressed a little more professionally walking up from the trucks that were blocking the entire trail. I asked if it was ok to walk through. We ended up chatting and I expressed my concerns about those clowns, especially this one. I told him I had thought about taking pictures to send in the he said now that they were made aware, they had been monitoring it much closer not having realized how big of a problem it was. Yeah, I noticed a big difference and seen several trucks present over the last year or so. Much better so we chatted a bit and I thanked him for the efforts. Then stopped to chat with one of the dudes in a white suit. Must have been in charge, he asked me about my ride then we chatted a bit too. Then I also thanked him and told the guys to keep up the good work. So I'm happy as they said they have been coming around once a month to clean up the mess. Nice!

Just got this jersey yesterday. Thought it was red but looks more orange to me. Cool looks like a good traffic ride jersey being so bright. Liked it and the several others I've gotten off ebay so I ordered the blue one as well. Pretty cool scary looking jersey. Sadly delivery estimate is after Halloween.

Double Emerald Pendant Without the Clasp and A Bit More. Solo Fitty ! Cyclist Suck !!! 😂

 Solo Fitty !Started out for 40 miles but felt good so I rolled it out to 50 with the upper section for the grand finale. Pics at the Peck Rd Water Conservation Park. EMPTY, nobody there as it is closed on Mon & Tuesdays. Nice to have the park to myself but the restrooms were closed. 🩲 14 PR's, I'll take it! Did the course they call Emerald Necklace but I did it twice, once reversed and then some. The upper section of the trail for the grand finale. So I guess I would call it a double Emerald Pendant Without the Clasp and A Bit More. Easy heart rate, felt good!

The cyclist suck part? I have never been involved in a sport where the participants are so hypocritical. Always always on the forums or FB pages crying about how drivers make it dangerous for cyclists, how they disrespect cyclists, and lack patients when it comes to cyclists.

But yet, when I was starting my ride, the perfect example of my thoughts. I am on the street heading south while a group of 5 are heading north. Leaving Encanto Park, I am on my merry way when I see the group approaching the park. I have the right of way but the group starts to turn right, across my lane ON THE STREET in the opposite direction to make the driveway. The first three make it in time but the fourth and fifth riders arrive the same time I do in the area but they turn anyway in front of me, making a left turn as if at in an intersection, I have the right of way. But the cyclists turn in front of me. Isn't this the same as a car turning in front of a cyclist at an intersection who has the right of way? Yes! Freaking disrespectful idiots! This is why I hate reading all the cry baby stuff on the internet. If I was stupid enough to only see one side, then I guess I'd be one of the crybabies ha ha ha! But nope, I see both sides and think the crybabies need to open their eyes.

BTW, I have to ride on a short section of a busy road to get from one trail to the other. At a busy intersection, I saw a big screw so I leaned over, picked it up and tossed into a nearby field. Then I saw a big chunk of metal on the road a few seconds later. I picked it up and tossed it as well into the field. All in front of the traffic mostly stopped behind me. Hopefully they figure not all cyclists are butt holes ha ha ha! I know myself, I see a whole lotta respect and consideration on the road so I figure, karma knows what we do!

Surprised I felt so good after a movie yesterday with Gina, Other Mommy. The popcorn so gross that it's good ha ha ha! Shared Junior Mints and a drink. Crazy, senior prices $9 for admission, 2 of us but with the snacks, ends up being $50. Wow, talk about taking advantage of seniors ha ha ha!

A bit disappointed with the movie myself. I figured out the cause right at the beginning of the movie so it was no surprise or nothing new for me. Oh well,, Gina wanted to see it so it was a good time. Oh yeah, being like 1:30 minutes long, I told Gina I was expecting a cheesy movie kind of like those on Roku that I see pretty often. The good movies are almost 2 hours, sometimes more so 1:30, I was already expecting to be disappointed. I mean, it was ok but renting the video would have been much better than $50 ha ha ha! Plus I think microwave popcorn at home is better. 🍿

BUT !!!! The early showing, the theatre was almost empty. I think 10 other people there so it was cool having the joint mostly to ourselves.

I was actually expecting to feel like poop on the ride after yesterday. Popcorn then dinner at Red Robin which in my opinion, really sucks. I had fish and chips and Gina just a queso dip and fries. Oh yeah some shrimp. Pretty lousy dinner as far as nutrition but I think I am getting my carb intake dialed in so feeling better on the rides.

Hmmm! I never really knew there were strategies for taking in carb drinks, wafers, and, and gels until recently. When I was younger, I would just climb a mountain until my kidneys wanted to shoot our of my back. Being older I guess, I need carbs on the bike because I don't eat everything and anything like I used to do. OF course, type 2 diabetes NON MEDICATED diabetic, I try to eat better. But it seems I need more fuel while cycling 40 miles, my usual.

I always though you just ate a nutrition bar when you got hungry or when you hit your break time. I used to drink all water for the first 30 miles. Then drink a bottle of gatorade and eat a bar at break then ride back to the start, another 10 to 15 miles.

Now I see there is a strategy. Drinking a carb drink like Skratch high carb mix (least sugar drink I could find) for the first 30 minutes or so alternating with water, so carrying 2 bottles, one water, one Skratch. Sipping consistently from each keeps the carbs going through the system without any stomach issues and good absorption.

Then the waffle, eat the Honey Stinger about mid ride but DON'T DRINK THE CARB DRINK during this point as it interferes with the carb absorption and the stomach referring back to the Skratch drink. So this point, eat the waffle and drink water only to help digest the food/carbs. ONLY WATER for about 30 minutes.

Then return back to the carb drink bottle rotating with water as before.

THEN!!! The final 30minutes, WATER ONLY, no carb drink so that the remaining sugar burns and gets used through the system in order to keep the sugar count down. Pretty important part in my case not taking meds for type 2. My blood work last month was POINT 4 higher which surprised me thinking it would be lower with all the cycling but I think the fueling improperly got me. So now I know that I have to burn it out at the end of the ride cutting off the drinks on the last 30 minutes. And the Skratch stuff seems to burn clean from what I've felt. Could just be in my head but I feel it is better fuel than eating bars and solids on the ride. Maybe 1 item on the ride and the rest carb drink and as I said, Skratch being the lowest in sugar I could find with 4 grams of sugar and 4 added (whatever that means). The rest of the drinks I've considered are like 25 grams of sugar.

Too bad because the 365 drink has a starter special, like 3 pounds of powder with 5 free gels, a free flask, a free bottle, like $100 worth of stuff for $50. Useless to me but good for someone who isn't diabetic.

Wow, didn't realize there was a science behind it. I was just drinking and eating at break. Now I know the plan, pretty sure it's going to help. I have been doing close to this over the last couple of weeks having read some a week or two ago, but now it's getting more clear as to what is going on.

Pretty cool knowing how the system works and anxious to give it a try hoping to tailor my strategy so that I can keep up with all my friends.

Just reading more today with a couple of little clips but last week, read others that mention pretty much the same program and direction. Pretty cool this AI stuff, ask a question get answers and even custom tailors drink methods and programs for one's ride. Asking what my ride distance and times are, then it generates a drinking program with advice and stuff. Even tells you how many scoops to use and other stuff. 😁

Senior Citizen Cruise Tour & Shitty E-Bike Attitude

 Just out exercising.  2 days in a row is rare nowadays but supposed to rain 🌧 tomorrow and I was lazy this week.  🤪 Few rain drops but just enough to dirty my 😎 shades. Headed south from Encanto Park hoping to do 20 out beyond the Pico Golf course just to see if anything has happened yet. Nope! Other than boarding up the windows, all looks the same. But 17.5 miles out, started raining so I turned around heading back hoping it was still dry up north. Hmm, a few rain drops here and there so can't complain too much. Didn't really get wet.

Stopped at the Chalan rest stop for a quick visit with Omar. Always cool dude and today, a free bottle of water. He'd refused money before but I always insist on paying as it ain't free! But today, he refused as he was cleaning up so I said, "ok since you already closed the register" ha ha ha! Seems bidness was slow today with the chance of rain and the wind.

Good ride but a little upsetting seeing the nice little park at Thiennes is already getting painted up. Sadly, the fools can't leave things alone for all to appreciate any kind of effort a city  makes to care for people. You want a water fountain, here's one but the idiots continue to screw things up. Of course they're probably taking it out on the city for losing their SNAP benefits ha ha ha!

Oh well, a good ride though even with the wind as seen in the video. I did go pretty easy just to get in some exercise miles. Funny though, I was riding across the dam passing some dude after I climbed the damn dam, and he didn't. I wasn't racing as usual but he took my wheel for a bit. I slowed to let him pass. Heck, I don't go out there to carry or race people. So he went around and picked it up going up the hill. I'm figuring like most fools on bikes, he thought us big guys can't push up the hills. He got about 150 yards ahead, good for him. But he made the mistake of fading ha ha ha! He must have seen me coming up again so he picked it up again getting back about 100 yards again. But hey, the top and my turn around is right there, about a half mile ahead and I'm gaining again. Being honest, I had picked it up about half way figuring if he got tired, I was going to attack him ha ha ha! He started the game so I was going to TRY to finish it. Yup, about 1/4 mile left, the steepest short section and he stands to grind up. I pushed hard and at the top,, I was only about 20 yards behind.

Here we go, gave it my all and rolled right by him, take that MOFO ha ha ha! I kept the effort and left him behind just to teach him, don't underestimate us big guys ha ha ha! I was actually surprised he was that far behind once I hit the top. A little fun time ha ha ha!

More later

The YT video

No real changes to the golf course or the surrounding trail....YET !!!

Scary sheot around the dark tunnel entrance

Kept it easy, easy HR

Awesome light, the Niterider Lumina 1400 boost headlight.  First off, I like my Rock Bros lights but none have just the FAST FLASH mode. This one does and the RB only the obnoxious strobes. I do prefer the fast flash for riding in the streets during the day, a better eye catcher than solid without setting off a migraine in a driver. 

Few years back, about 4 I guess, I wanted a Niterider like this but thought $90 is just too much seeing I had Cygolites that worked well. But I found a Boost 100 on the trail, the SART. And yes, I did post it on Strava, forums, the blog, & facebook just in case someone happened to see it and claim it. I would have been happy to return it. I know I'd be upset if I lost it. It was totally dead so I thought it was broken but once charged, it worked well. Score!

I ended up buying a more expensive Cygolite but very disappointing compared to NR and RB models.  Heck, $75 just siting in a drawer now, not even in my light box collection. And I really liked the NR I found but it has an old style minu USB (I think that's what it's called) and it acts a little whacky sometimes having to use just the right power chord or else.... So I saw this one on ebay and $90, from an 100 to a 1400, no big deal but I like the C chord plug. So I ordered it knowing how much I liked the first one. Tried it out on this ride and pretty cool! Very bright, I'm happy! 

OK, now the stupid e-bikers! I have said many times and will say it again and again, I WILL NEVER RIDE AN E-BIKE. I will never and if I did, which I never will but if I happened to someday, but I never will,  I WOULD NOT BE BOASTING ON THE NET ABOUT JOW MANY MILES I RODE.

My mindset is that I always have and always will be the type of person that believes in propelling my own weight under my own power, otherwise it's bull shit ha ha ha! So I say, that I WILL NEVER RIDE AN E-BIKE but those people get so upset. They say someday I'll be 60 and so pathetic that I'll need a motor. Uh, 63 and still "pedaling" my bike. I don't care what level, full throttle, little bit, any bike with a motor is not 100% propelling one's own weight. If I ever get too old to ride my bike 60 miles, I'll ride 40. If I can't do 40, I'll do 20. If I can't do 20, I'll do 10. If I can't do 10, I'll take up walking but you will never see me on a bike with a motor. A wheelchair? Yeah if I had to use a motor on a wheelchair, yeah I would but you would not catch me boasting on the net how far I walked. 😒

But as much as they whine day after day claiming to have equaled the efforts and achievements of people actually riding their bikes, BS and they can't accept the fact that someone says they will never ride an e-bike without throwing a tantrum. 

I have said many times, if you feel it is for you, great. If you are physically limited, then great for you but even if I am ever limited, I will not ride an e-bike. They get so upset and just, maybe even more judgmental as cyclists who dislike e-bikers. The pot calling the kettle black.

Soi a lady didn't like my opinion so she jumped in and said that she rides e-bikes BUT HAS PEDALED AN ACTUAL BIKE JUST AS MUCH, MAYBE EVEN MORE THAN I HAVE ON HER PEDAL BIKE ALONE. She was foolish enough to post a link to her Strava. I guess she was trying to impress me with stats but that backfired ha ha ha!

Remember, she said AS MUCH OR MORE ON HER PEDAL BIKE ALONE without the mileage of her e-bike added in to the mix. Ok, she had like 15,000 miles on Stava and I have almost 45,000 all time miles.

2026, I have almost 3500 and she had about 1200. I looked at her rides and 3/4 of them were e-bikes so where is the TOPPING my 3500 she claims on a pedal bike? 400'ish miles?? Are you serious??? 😆😁😆

Then I look at her rides on a previous month as she has one high mileage month. THERE IS A RIDE THAT STATES 270 miles in 7 hours. WHAAAAAT THE FFFFFFF?!?!?! 😆😁😆 I asked her abou tit and then she says I'm accusing her of lying. OK, now if you can do 270 miles in 7 hours, she should be leading Tadej Pogacar across the Pyrenees in the Tour De France ha ha ha!

I'm sorry, but too many e-bikers are either fools or full of sheot ha ha ha!

Her mileage, lots of empty months there so she thinks she did more mileage than I did riding 7 months out of the year. 😆😁😆 KEEPING IN MIND, about 3/4 of her miles are on an e-bike.

My stats, no BS! I ride 99% if my rides alone and under my own power, no motors! Of course plenty of other riders doing more mileage than I but I'm not stupid enough to call them out.  Fools!

New Socks Tour & Met Emmitt S. 🏈

  Actually Emmitt S. From Strava. New rider but very serious and determined. Cool Dude 😎 Met at the Peck Rd Water Conservation Park having a good chat. New socks from Aerotech so had to try them out. 3 for $20 but of course shipping takes it close to 30. But decent socks. Gina likes them, said they're soft. 😁 Of course I had to snap a few pics of the socks in action. Pretty much the Emerald Necklace loop, out and back. 

Dude Emmitt was really cool. Only cycling 4 months and already doing some really good rides. 70 and 100 coming up in a week or two. Seemed really excited about cycling, good for him! Exchanged kudos on Strava but I noticed he was not on the fly bys. So I mentioned it figuring he would get a kick out of it being new to Strava as well and having a lotta friends already. He didn't know about it so he said he's going to look into it.

                                                          New Aerotech shorts and socks.

I have to say good things about Aerotech customer service. Honestly, I was a little upset because I ordered solid black socks but some reason, they sent white with black stripes. Felt like I was back in the 1970's ha ha ha! Immediately I sent an email to one of the reps and not a nice one I have to say. The second he got it, he said they were sending out the correct 3 pair of socks and a return label so that I could send the incorrect shipment back.

I was really happy because some of the other things I have ordered on the net that turned out incorrect, I would have to send back, have it processed and approved then they would send the correct item. I call bull sheot on this method. I mentioned it to the CS rep, I said it was there freaking mistake and I was going to have to wait 3 weeks now for the process? He was great, sent and email immediately stating they were sending out the correct socks that day. Awesome, no waiting like I thought and 3 days later, there they are on the doorstep. Appreciated !!!

So of course, another email with a %15 discount on the 8+ hour shorts? I ordered a 3rd pair. The first two felt so good that Gina suggested I order another pair. Who and I to argue?

I had a good time with the first Black Bibs I ordered with the red pad. Felt good but the next order I got was a green new updated pad. Just can't LIKE that one! It seems to stick on my skin. You know what it's  like having a pad stick to your balls for 40 miles? Ha ha ha! This Aerotech pad is rather slick and much more comfy. Of course $119 vs the $35 of the Black Bibs. Seemed worth it with the first couple pair but the new style, like I said, I just can't like the pad and like Gina says, even at 3 times the price, it's worth it if they work and feel much better. Who am I to argue? 😆😁😆

Freddy Diamond (Guitar)

Your wife is so sweet!!! WHT, what about me?! 🤣 First off, time for a $6.99, uh $7.49 breakfast special at Millie's. 😫 Went up 50 cent but still best deal in town. So went to the mall after then a lady that works here comes up and says," I LIKE YOUR WIFE, SHE IS SO SWEET!!!". 😊 What the......, I get no respect! 😩

 Haven't picked up my guitar but a couple of times in the last 3 or 4 years so here I am. Just trying to see if I can still play or not. After today, I'm wondering if I could ever really play at all ha ha ha!

                                                                         Freddy Diamond 💎

                                              The Cars / Beanz, Best Friend's Girlfriend 😆😁😆

Solo 60 SART 106 degrees 🔥

 Solo 60, somebody's got to do it. Drinking boiling water and fluids most of the way. Met some cool people having to stop at Edna Park on the return. One dude at the park must have thought I looked hot because he offered to ride back with me. I appreciate looking out for fellow cyclists even though I refused the offer. Good guy!!! Saw Ron and Dixie as they were heading back. I called out but they didn't look too coherent. The heat!!! 🔥 Water over the head trick. 😄

The YT video

Gal getting ready for an Iron Man in a couple weeks.

Cool chick on the trail

Plenty of people on the trail today

Dad teaching the kid!

Jose R. and his group

Freaking wind! 139 bpm at 11 MPH

Dinner last night to carb up. I don't think it helped. 😄

Went to Sizzler after the ride thinking I was going to eat a lot but had achard time getting it down. Ate the meat off the ribs,  most the rice, the shrimp 🍤 but only one bite of the steak.  Food just wouldn't go down tonight.

But our girl Angelina did make sure to reserve a table for us. We each had our own reserved sign ha ha ha!

 

Alright Suckuhhhhs !!! $23 at Macy's. Got a magic bullet. Have a Ninja but that thing is SOOOO LOUD. Been wanting to get back to my vegetable smoothies so got this MB tonight. I hate veges so making a smoothie out of them, veges and ice only with maybe a berry to hide the vege taste works well. Tested it a few minutes ago but only had a cucumber, peach, and an orange. Works well and not nearly as loud as the Ninja. Now I can get back to getting in veges with the pulp and all where the nutrition lays. The juice from the mall is cool but lacks the pulp as it is from a juicer. I want it all! 😄 Worked well and cleaned up well, I'm back in bidness.

YES YES YES !!! This is what I've been wanting. Vegetable smoothie with the good stuff in it. Juice is ok but I want the pulp etc. I can take in spinach this way seeing I hate it ha ha ha! Maybe someday I'll be like Popeye! 😁 A few dark berries to taste it up a bit but didn't do much. Maybe I'll skip the berries though it does make it look purtier than just an ugly poop green. 🤮