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Wow, where do we start? Mmkay, it was WINDY! Gina and I figured we'd do the usual but if it got too windy or her , we'd cut it a bit short. But as we got near Imperial, it was blowin'. But Gina felt good so it was no problem. All the times we'd done the wind, it's payed off. Seems like no CA wind is too big or too tough for Gina. We practically rolled to the coast without pedaling.
We get to the coast and run into MTBLrkr and his buddy Dennis. I'm trying to catch the Lrkr on cam, next thing I know he snatches the recorder from my hand. So he performs the "silent interview". I didn't know there was such a thing, but I do now ha ha! We chat for a bit then they head off. We got caught by other riders so we decide to stay at the coast and shoot the breeze. Few regulars drop by including the always pleasant Julie, Jack, and George. Alex2 rolls in then Mark and his honey Gail.
While we were at the coast I noticed a couple of guys doing some major work on one of their bikes. Nice bikes and experienced looking riders so I figure they know what they're doing. A bit later one of the guys asks,"do any of you know how to adjust the derailleur?". If I can help ya, I will I told the dude. He explains the situation and steps back. Wow, he turned limit screws every which way but loose ha ha! It was like starting at step one but it's always cool when you get to help another person with a pretty major problem, which it was at this point for someone who doesn't know the process. So I go through the steps, set it up and explain how the thing works. Cool, in about 5 minutes the dude has a ton more knowledge and his machine is running fine. His buddy looked at me and said, "this is the best this thing has ever run!". So they were pretty happy that I saved them a trip to the shop in about 5 easy minutes. It's always nice to help a rider in distress.
So we hang out for bit then head into another stiff headwind for the return. This is always fun! We hung with Alex for a bit, then Jack, then headed off alone when Jack turned off to Costco for a hot dog. The rest was just another windy ride.
This was cool! One of those days you go home with a feeling knowing that the ride was a good experience. Yes, I ride here all the time but the people made the difference on this ride. WELL, WELL, Very WELL supported and again, the people are SUPER! I myself told Louie that I was only riding as a bandit but that I wanted to make a video and report for my blog etc. Louie mentioned that since I was promoting their ride I was welcomed to anything and everything. But being a self supported frequent flyer of the trail, I knew it was no sweat doing for myself. So after maybe 20 offers from Louie and other ride officials I stuck to my guns. I wasn't here for a handout eventhough Louie said after the short promo video I did that he'd take care of me if I covered the ride.
So on with the ride I went. WOW, lots of friendly riders. That is a first when just about everybody waves to the camera and smiles. I can't count the shouts I got, "Mr. Beanz!". Hey, every shout is a good thing IMO although I don't always know every rider. Heck, one guy even came up to introduce himself at the start, "Bowser" from the forums.
I took off with the metric riders heading to Santiago Canyon. Only for a bit on the trail for some footage. Then doubled back for the 44 milers who were to remain on the trail throughout. That gave me a chance to see just how many riders were on this ride, I was shocked and the number is growing. So I headed out with the 44 milers and just hung on the back so that I wouldn't be in the way while being able to maneuver around with the recorder. I'd shoot off the front then plant myself on a ramp hoping to get some pics. It was dark out and though I got a few ride pics, my skills are lacking in low light situations ha ha!
First SAG stop was Edna Park. Holy smokes! There was chicken adobo, ham, and all kinds of food there. I met Jerry (Chairman) who also turned out to be a super guy. More food offers but I again I stuck to my guns. But the people more more than nice, all of them. The volunteers were great. So I headed to the coast just cruising along trying to conserve energy. I do this ride all the time but believe it or not, doubling back, sprinting ahead, trying to catch backup really takes some energy. Plus I'm getting old ha ha! Met some super people along the way. Some good chit chat and some darn good riders cranking along. I'd hang on long enough for some footage but if I try to stay there, I'd be toast.
So I meet a couple of great gals near the coast and we ride together (Velo Avanti, hope I got it right). They were pretty happy to be on the ride and good company throughout the ride. Then on to meet Gregg and his lovely wife Lillybeth at the SAG stop on the coast. Wonderful people and Gregg a Super nice guy! He too had a recorder and a few cameras so he had to be cool ha ha ha! I did have to edit this section with the names as I got them wrong. I told you Gregg was cool, no hard feelings over the mistake and he excused me ha ha!
Heading back I once again crossed the Edna rest stop. More offers of food but I passed again.............UNTIL! Jerry hit me up with some steak! OH NO WAY could I pass this up. I should have taken a picture. Instant drool! Well heck, I might as well take a roll too. Well a little bit but still sticking to my guns when I could.
So I head off and catch more of the riders on tape, sitting in for a spell while I could. I get back to the park only to find tables of food served by gorgeous women!Oh my garsh! I thought I was in heaven but again, sticking to my guns. I sat around for a bit then as I planned to head out Louie asked me if I wanted to eat. I told him I was on my way out. Honestly, I have a hard time eating right after a ride. A good breakfast and bar on the ride (not to mention some steak and a roll), usually takes me a bit before I can eat. But he insisted, grabbed a plate and had the Goddesses of Grub serve me up 2 PLATES OF FOOD! Wow, Louie said he'd take care of me if I made a video but 2 PLATES was way too much for me. Great food though! The teriyaki chicken was to die for! Wow, the food they had, speechless I am! Just when I thought it was done, they roll in another hog. Wow, I have nothing left to say.
So the volunteers were all great. The Coast SAG volunteers Super nice guy Gregg and his wife Lillybeth. Red, Jerry, Ben, and Louie all took care of me. They were super people! Louie invited me back for next year. I told him I was impressed and that I'd sign up for the ride next year. He said nope, show up, do the ride and make a video and he'd take care of me again. Hmm, maybe I better let him watch the video before he makes that decision ha ha! Again, a super bunch of people including volunteers. I still can't believe the $60 includes a jersey!
I found a couple of Santana songs that were perfect for the video but wouldn't you know it, YT disabled the video in a few countries and the Philippines was one of them.
Link to new SART Thread at it's new home in SoCalBikeForums.com SART Thread
Another 42 mile ride on the trail. Pretty breezy ride with a big headwind near the coast. That is always fun! Aimee had asked to join us on the ride so I said, "uh- huh, everybody wants to ride with Beanz". She said no that she was riding alone today and she needed someone to fix a flat if it were to happen, Uh OK hahahaha! That was cool though, Aimee is a very strong rider but took it easy on us Sunday as she ran 10 miles on Saturday. She also does a few of the marathons here and abroad.
Heading to the coast we stopped at Edna Park for a refill and surprisingly ran into Charlie once again. This time he had his wife Heidi so we chatted for bit. Cool people and Gina thought Heidi was a very nice person. I had to get pic and a vid scene. Also on the way to the coast we caught a quick glimpse of The Legend Greg and Bad Bob of the Haircut Crew. Then at the coast we ran into George and Tony once again. Cool, we broke back together. Then they headed back to the coast.
Another cool ride on a very pretty day. A little windy but hey, we survived!
EDIT: Oh that sucks man! I'm typing my story on my blog trying to recall everyone and everything. I had it in my head, even the situation but I go back to fix mistakes (my typing sucks) then I forget my place and leave stuff out.
I meant to post: As we were leaving the coast we ran into Genaro. He gave us a nice loud greeting so the group pulled over as I had said I wanted to catch him on cam the next time we ran across one another. We all pulled over looked back but he kept on rolling.
This is his very own, "Oh Man I'm sorry Genaro" section ha ha!
Link to new SART Thread at it's new home in SoCalBikeForums.com SART Thread
Gina and I decided to ride to Glen Helen on Saturday. Crazy gas prices! We had planned to start a DayCreek Park but something was going on and there was no parking so we used the park at Wardman/Bullock. Started out pretty cool and by the end of the ride, it started to rain lightly. Once we left the area, it cleared up, strange weather.
We hit the new loop off of GlenHelen PKWY. We needed a few more miles so we did it again haha. Figured once we were back at the park we do Banyan but the rain, sheesh! I figured it would clear but Gina though otherwise. Maybe it had something to do with hitting the hills for the first time in a while haha! Not much happening on SART but WOW what a nice day! Met a dude from Canyon Velo, one of JohnR's buddies. He also knew of the 3T TT with the SoCal Boyz. Says he'll be out there on Tuesday. Never did get his name. Also met up with Tony. One of the OC locals. Poor guy, had to deal with George and 50,000 questions about his bike haha! I thought it was 20 questions but George has this way!
Not much footage on Sunday so I mixed the short interviews with the Saturday ride to Glen Helen.
Tony and his Giant, CanyonVelo dude and Gina at Glen Helen in Devore. Plus me on the SART practicing some camera angles.
Link to new SART Thread at it's new home in SoCalBikeForums.com SART Thread
Another 42 miles on the trail with Gina. Much better day! Lots of strong headwinds but we both seem to have felt much better today. Met some dude at the coast named Kenny. Dude loved to talk bike rides so he was in the right place. Lots of chatting! A little camera shy but what the hey...I took his pic anyways haha! Then along came Ed with another jersey, dude has got a million of them! So I took his Tony the Tiger pic too!
A bit later Louie rode up and handed us a flyer promoting the Sikad Ng Bayan Family Ride. No way can I pronounce it but hey, I saw them out there last year. I know lots of the RiverVelo guys are involved and I've seen Louie out there for a few years so hey, let me at it. I asked him to say a few words on video for a plug. Can't hurt. This year include are 22,44, and 62(metric) courses. The new course for the metric will go through Santiago Canyon. The 44 is all on SART. The ride benefits children and schools in the Philippines. I don't know how they do it but for $60 the ride includes a JERSEY! Along with SAG stops and a big feast at the end of the ride in Yorba Park. $60 and a JERSEY, I can't get over that! Not only that, but Louie promised me a taco and a big burrito if I attend the ride haha!
Well I made a little video for Louie so he gave me a bag of M&M's. Will work for candy haha! The wind was a little strong so hard to hear in a couple places but hey, my studio is outdoors!
First video is Louie alone. Second video is Kenny and Ed then Louie again. I figure Louie can post his elsewhere if he likes.
Link to new SART Thread at it's new home in SoCalBikeForums.com SART Thread
Met Joel, Alex2, Herb & Alyce on the trail. OK, so the sickness is going around. I have a sore throat and my voice sounds funny. But overall I feel better, Every so often I cough a bit then feel OK after the bout. We had planned to kick up the mileage a bit but I was a Little worried how I'd feel on the bike. Got to the turnaround and Gina said go for it. So we hit Weir instead of stopping at Imperial for a few extra. Everything going well till we are half ways back to the coast. Then Gina starts feeling sick. Not good but we continue. We were doing OK but the last 5 miles or so, Gina really started feeling weak so we slowed the pace. Not sure what it is that's slowing her down, the sore throat or the fact that she forgot to take her Heartburn meds haha!
We ran into Herb & Alyce on the way to the coast so we stopped to chat for a bit. Same with Alex near the stadium. He's doing another 100! While we were chatting with H&A, Jack rolled by on his bent. We eventually caught him near the coast and did a little riding together. The dude is 79 years old now. Wow, although he has given up his upright, he's still riding even after a battle with colon cancer! GO Jack! Did get a quick flyby by Eric Anderson on his bent too.
At the coast we ran into a dude named Joel. friendly guy and a darn sweet bike. Of course I had to check it out so I moved in with the recorder haha! He's getting ready for the San Diego Gran Fondo.
Joel in all white, Alex2, and Herb/Alyce on the tandem.
