Nice easy 31 today with Gina at 16.0. Windy again but manageable ha ha! Strange way that the wind has been changing directions lately. Tail, head, cross, where the heck is is coming from? Seemed like we would have a headwind all the way to the coast, a tough one. But soon it was not as bad as expected. So we were holding 16-16.5. Not bad considering I was thinking we would be doing 14 with the way the wind felt. But on the return, it was like 16 and the tailwind I was expecting was not there. So these are the times you just consider it a ride that builds your mileage and character cause you ain't setting no records today ha ha!

But that's what we're here for, exercise!  Seemed like a decent amount of cyclists at the start but soon thinned out. I saw a couple of riders on the way back but not one near us on Strava. Of course I don't think many riders know, though many notes have been sent out, that Strava disabled the fly bys for all riders and if you want to be seen by others, you need to go and set your settings back to visible. I really think it's a bummer not being able to see many others around on the rides. But oh well!

So the only little excitement I had on the ride was getting a bee sting on my middle finger at the beach stop. I felt something tickling my neck at the hairline. I thought it was the gator style mask tickling my neck. I reached back to move it and bam, bee sting! I swell in the area around the sting and this one got me right on the side of the tip so I was expecting to have a huge Flinstone finger by the next day. I do carry Benadryl with me for that reason. That and putting mud, sand mud on my finger, it didn't get that bad this time. Of course at a stand still, I was able to pull out the stinger right away. Versus a GMR ride where I was descending at 30 mph and a bee sting right between the eyes. I couldn't stop fast enough and not being able to see between my own eyes, I had to wait for Gina to catch up and pull it out for me. So I am pretty sure I got the full doze and looked like I boxed Mike Tyson ha ha! SO thankfully, this was an easy one. Some Cortisone 1% cream for a couple of days and it was good, not too much swelling at all.

Let see, the only thing on the road was that I was holding my pace and catching up to some dude. He kept looking back to see where we were. Again, not racing, just doing our thing. SO I took this dude for a sucker already. 

Once we catch up, he jumps on Gina's wheel and is like 3 inches away. I didn't want him there. Gina  is wearing her mask and after an ass chewing from me about not wearing masks when she should (transporting idiots home from parties who have been exposed all night to other idiots) at 3 am. 

So I didn't want this guy that close to her wheel for bike safety reasons as well as Covid. So after trying to leave us behind as if we were racing, we passed and sure enough. So I waved the guy around and said, "go ahead of us!". He looked at me and said, "well you passed me!". Dude, I'm riding with my wife and I want to be alone and spend time together. He said, "oh sorry, I apologize!" then took off and raced ahead. Of course a couple miles later, couldn't help but pass the guy again but this time he didn't hop on Gina's wheel. Well, at least he saw my side of the situation. I have had too many guys argue as to why they should be able to draft us. WTH, if I say no, then GTFA!! Get The Fuck Away for those of you..... :-P

But anyway, Gina did really well. A slower average than recent rides but it was windy and I know she was working hard at times. Many times in wind like this, she will fall back at times but today, she even passed me on the steep little hill heading south by Moon Park ha ha! I usually leave her behind there but today she pass me! But in all fairness, I did a longer ride on Saturday, I got a million of them ha ha! But really, Gina rode strong and did well. Just wish it was a less windy day, it would have reflected on the average.

                                                             The boring little video

Cleared out this wing. Removed the table which I don't mind if it means clearing out the area of a bunch of homeless people not wearing masks. They camp out at the tables and don't wear masks. The last ride, I saw some idiot homeless in the restroom mad at something so he was slamming and kicking the faucets and dryers. I almost said something to him but he looked like he would be obnoxious and though I don't have a problem confronting these idiots, the last thing I need is to see a video of me walking out of the rest room with some bloody idiot laying unconscious on the floor ha ha! LOOKING FOR THIS FAT BASTARD CYCLIST ON VIDEO WHO APPARENTLY ATTACKED A HOMELESS MAN AT A TRAIN STATION  ha ha ha!

Just wanted a pic of Gina in the clear hall.

Wow, electric bikes with big spot light headlights on the front, WITH AEROBARS???!!! Just how much faster do you need to go on an electric bike that does 30+ on the bike trail? And why the big spot light? Not like you can't see other cyclists around you in broad daylight on the trail.

The Gina interview :-P

CRUNCH! Dead bee!

Yes, got me on THE FINGER

46 With Jimbo

 Good tough 46 today with Jimbo at 16.5 average speed. I had looked at the forecast the other day and it said 5 mph winds on Saturday. Sure seemed a lot harder than that today ha ha! Joaquin had set up the ride last week, he wanted to do Green River today seeing he hasn't done the length of the trail yet. BUT, ummmm somebody didn't show up ha ha! I sent a couple messages but no answer right away. After the ride, I turned on my phone and there it was. He did ride but only a short ride. I didn't see him out there but I saw his truck at Edna Park.

I had planned on a 3 man ride to Green River which meant sharing the load would make it easier for the 3 of us. But seeing that the wind was blowing when I arrived, and the missing man, I aske Jimbo if he wanted to do the 60 anyway. I think his answer was about the same as my thoughts. We'll start the ride and once we figure out how hard the wind was blowing, we could make adjustments. I knew right away it was a stiff headwind so we figured on the 43 only to Yorba Park. But once we got there, Jimbo was in front and doing fine so I suggested that we do Wier Cyn ha ha! I was feeling strong behind Jimbo in his draft ha ha!

But we did pretty well taking turns at the front. At one point, it seemed we were rolling up on some dude. We were just about to catch him when I think he saw us because he poured it on and pulled away. We kept our same pace then later on, caught him. Again, like most times, riders try to stay away then once they get caught, they want to hop on the back. Jimbo had his turn, I had mine then I peeled off the front and fell back giving the guy a chance to go keep his place in line hoping that he would help as it was a stiff headwind. Nope! I knew it but never hurts to hope ha ha! Cheeseball!

But along the way, we would see a rider here and there go by and Jimbo would point out the riders he sees on my blog ha ha ha! Actually saw quite a few today and the good thing is, I'm sure Jimbo now knows they really exist and not a figment of my imagination ha ha ha! We spoke of a few others that frequent the trail, like Bad Bob. Then a couple minutes later, he rides up. So that was good as Jimbo got to meet one or two regulars and see a few others.

As we were there, Tim rode up as well. He had a bike with a tall stem to accommodate his neck problems. It was funny because I saw him a couple weeks back and he shouted out, "I got this bike to keep up with you!". He did leave the beach with us and was doing well, but 5 miles in, I heard him say goodbye and faded back. So much for that bike ha ha! I really don't know though, I guess he has had problems and to what extent, I don't know. But sad when riders you know face problems that really slow them down.

Bad Bob rode back with us for a while as well. He and I were side by side chatting. I saw Tim behind us and thought it was Jimbo. Then after a good look, I noticed it was Tim. WHAT?! Where is Jimbo? I guess he had to start his Strava on his cell as we left the coast. He had to turn on his phone, unlock it, type in codes, do three somersaults and take 2 steps backward to get  his Strava working. Exaggerating of course, but I did not realize he had hesitated at the start of the return. And Tim pretty much looks like everybody ha ha! So we stutter stepped it for a while so Jimbo could catch back up. Then we pretty much cruised the first 5 miles back. Then as the other 2 turned off, we picked it up some. 

At one point, I was doing 17 or so, still windy and not the tailwind I was hoping for but I was working pretty good. Then Jimbo went around me and said, "let me help for a while!". Yeah, OK! He easily picked it up to 19. What the heck?! I think Jimbo was sandbagging or something cause I was working pretty good then he went around like nothing and lifted the pace. Heck, I wasn't complaining though, better for me ha ha!

But anyway, we had a pretty decent ride. I am a little disappointed with the average speed but with stiff headwinds both ways, it makes for a tough workout. And sometimes, you got to go with the workout to build character and not think so much about the average speed. It all comes back around in the end!

Good ride Jimbo!!!

                                                                HDR Jimbo ha ha ha!

Jimbo was at the front heading toward Yorba Park. I was feeling strong in the

draft so I suggested to the concrete overpass, Weir Cyn ha ha!

Nice tailwind for a few miles. Not too hard knowing  the wind

is going to shift somewhere and we'll need the energy.

Jimbo is 69 and looks like he's 29. Need to keep riding my bike!

Bad Bob. Now Jimbo knows he's not just an imaginary myth!

Jimbo at the coast!

Almost over couple more miles!

 

 16 miles at 14.2 average speed. Keeping the pace down for a relaxation ride. Cool night average temp of 57. Tights, windbreaker and mask over ears and nose kind of chilly night for us So Cal riders ha ha!

I just wanted to keep the pace down to save the legs for Saturday. Joaquin asking me if I wanted to do a long ride, maybe the entire trail as he has never been to Green River. So, this ride then hope I can get in a really easy 10 miler on Thurs nite or Friday. 

I did ride across Baseline to Amelia. Instead of going up this time, I went down to Old Baseline or whatever they call it. Quiet street with farm house looking residential area mostly. Then down to Bonita via San Dimas Cyn. Not a whole lotta traffic.

The temp was high of 59, low of 55 and average of 57. Not too much variation going on there, just cool the entire way. Used the mask to cover my ears as well as stuffed with tissue. I hate the thought of getting an ear ache. Though I don't get them really, just the thought of the cold air getting in makes me think of how much I don't want one ha ha!

I did see ash in the air. Plenty of it. Not sure if it was a fire, fireplaces, or Pinnacle Peak restaurant. All I know is lots of ash and good smelling food as I rolled by ha ha! But even a half mile down the road I could see it and further south on Old Baseline. So I really don't know, just glad I had a mask on.

Tights, under layer. jersey and a windbreaker was just right. Never used to get so cold but maybe it's all that global warming that is making me a wuss to the cool air ha ha!

                                        Once I'm 5 miles out, the traffic thins pretty well. 

Nice houses on Old Baseline.

Camera sucks at night. I was trying to get my bars and the

bike lane logo but the camera hesitates while focusing. Oh

well, got my speedo pretty well. At this point, it's easy to

do 20-25 but I was trying to keep it down. Resting legs and too

dark to attempt land speed records ha ha!

Yup, camera doesn't pick up much at night. Got me but 

not the freeway and cars that were in the background

seeing I was on an overpass. But hey, my ankle bands

lit up! 

Of course a little guitar fun the next day! :-P

Little Longer with Gina

 35 miles at 15.5 average speed today. Gina said she would like to increase the mileage a bit if I would back off the pace some. Sure! So I backed off as much as I could with the stiff headwind ha ha! But the tailwind was nice, made for an easy cruise on the return just cruising at about 17 was pretty easy. Heck, this was one of those days that if Gina was in form, she could hold 20 on the way back. But I promised so we just cruised back.

Did see too many riders as we started a bit late. Also, only a couple of riders at the coast. But plenty of fog at the beach, couldn't even see the water. But overall, a pretty nice ride and I think the usual 43 is well within reach again for Gina. 

As we were leaving the coast, we saw Eduardo and a couple of his buddies taking a break. So we turned back for a quick chat and a couple of pics. Then we rolled back with the tailwind! Nice!

                                                A warmup, a stretch and a couple of pics

Eduardo and Tio's Cycling Team buds.

She looked so serious today!

Nice stiff headwind always deserves a little grin!

Pretty foggy at the coast.

Ahhh, end of the ride!

Wow, Gina's hair down to her waist again. And she says she doesn't have any hair ha ha!

45 with Joaquin

45 with Joaquin at 17.7 average speed. Very nice day! My average temp was 72 and the entire time, I never really felt hot at all. Not even sure I broke a sweat. Joaquin looked really strong today. His usual was 20 miles but he wanted to ramp up for his birthday in early November. Well we did and his 60 mile birthday ride was last week so I really thought he was going back to his usual 20 today. But to my surprise, I got a message last night asking if I was going to ride. Apparently, he wants to stick to doing longer rides for a while. He said he was feeling strong and enjoying the longer rides. Good thing is he said he likes riding with me since I am pretty steady. He likes the good pace with out the race surges and sprints. That is my style ha ha!

So we did long turns at the front, maybe 5+ miles each time which worked out pretty well. He did the last section to the coast for a monster pull. Along the way, some dude hopped on the back as we passed him. He sat there for 8,9 miles maybe. Joaquin and I rotated at the front, Joaquin doing the bigger share but this guy just sat there and when Joaquin tried to rotate him in, he refused to move up ha ha! I thought I was the only one who felt this way but Joaquin shook his head at the guy. Ha ha ha! So the guy just sat there and something told me right away he wouldn't contribute. But later at the coast, he did ride by as we unmounted and shouted a thanks for the tow! That was cool!

At the coast, Ramy rode up and mentioned he was having tire problems. Tube tires and he had flatted a couple times already. He wasn't sure what was going on but I told him I had some Scab patches if he wanted a couple. He took them but later on Strava mentioned that he had no further problems but appreciated the patches and hoped he can pass it forward when the op comes. That would be cool! We were about 5 miles heading back when Ramy blew by us. Wow, that dude is fast. Well, at least he ahead of us if he had any tire problems.

Tony also rolled up just before we were about to head back. Oh yeah, saw Bad Bob roll by for a shout. So anyway, Tony headed back with us. I pulled from the coast to the wooden bridge at about 18 warming up the legs. Joaquin says he likes a warmup and so do I! So I took the front not pushing too hard. Then Tony took the front after that. Pretty soon I see we were doing about 24. I looked back at Joaquin because last week when Rheo was going that fast, he said he liked to slow down as it was too fast doing the distance. But today, he took Tony's wheel and cranked it up. So Tony pulled us along the trail at a really good pace for a while. I was OK but when we hit a couple of the little climbs, my legs were arguing ha ha! I was able to recover but going across by Moon Park, I think we were doing 24-25 then hit the little climb and I popped! To heck with that ha ha! I had to do my pace to recover so Tony pulled away. Joaquin looked back and I told him to go ahead but he said nope, he was good at our pace. So we slowed back down to 19,20 maybe as Tony pulled away! But it was good while it lasted.

Oh yeah, there was a point toward the coast where a large group was coming the other way, not bad and well organized at that point. 3 of us heading to the coast but some rider comes around 3 beachcruisers and seems to be coming head on with us. Son of a beotch, you mother ffffff.......OH WAIT, it's one of my friends ha ha ha! Sum a bitch ha ha! OK, no names and I don't think he recognized me ha ha!

 

                                                         Joaquin looking strong today!

The hardware!

Nice day today!

In the medieval days, it was said they measured a man's strength by the size of his banana and Joaquin was packing a big banana today ha ha ha!

Thumbs up on the ride!

Just a looking back selfie!

Joaquin is 2.5 years older than I but looks like he could be my son in the pic ha ha!

Ramy asked to do a selfie with my camera. :-P

Ramy, the fast dude!

Tony hitting about 24 today. Check out those ripped legs!

Joaquin did well but I popped on the little hill. Oh well, next time!

Solo Night Ride BLSB Ride

 22 miles at 14.1 average speed. Looking for  some good safe roads out there so tonight, I just went where I thought I could go and not see too much fast traffic. Baseline is pretty wide so no problem there. But I went across to Amelia then up to Foothill (above Rt 66). Across to Lorraine which is a nice wide road and good bike lane, low traffic. Across Sierra Madre back to Valley Center, then across Old Baseline, just So of baseline in the residential area. Low traffic again. Down San Dimas to Bonita then across back to Baseline and Mills.

II thought I would get more climbing this way but was less than the other course. Hmm, I'll have to find a way to get a little more climbing in without going too far out of the way. I thought about going up GMR to Dalton Cyn but thought it may be to dark at this time. I did descend Valley Center and it does look dark in the car so I was a little weary. But on the bike, and the lights, no problem. Much better than I expected.

It was chilly at the start. About 6 pm. My ears were feeling frozen though it was only 55 degrees as a low. I had brought my gator type mask just in case. I didn't want to be sucking in cold air. Heck, if you get a soar throat nowadays, one is not sure if it is a death sentence. So I brought the mask to avoid that but better yet, I used it to cover my frozen ears ha ha! Not that cold but sure felt like it!

Anyway, good ride, not too much traffic but missing a little something. BLSB, Baseline, Lorraine, Sierra Madre, and Bonita ride ha ha!

                                                                         Cold ears!

Got my Mark's Bike Shop bottles. Pretty thin and squeezable plastic. Less hassle on the dark road. Just squeeze and drink.

Just posing ha ha! Little school I ran into along the way.

Had this pic in my files so hey, I'll post it. Nothing better than eating tortillas ha ha!

 

Joaquin's Birthday Ride Video

 The video from Saturday. 60 miles for 60 years at 17.4 average speed. Us 3 guys, Joaquin, Eduardo, and I. Later joined by Rheo for the return 13 miles or so. Also ran into Tom the Man at the coast and the end of the ride.

Also, I want to throw in that my friend Tony will be happy! About a month ago he was squeezing my brake levers saying my brakes looked low. Well, I had one set of brakes but I found a pack of 5 pair for $40 on ebay ha ha ha! So now I have 6 pair. Now I just need to find the motivation to replace them ha ha!

And I would like all you to know, that I am a Shimano guy! Even my sheets and pillow cases are Shimano blue ha ha ha!

Nice 31 with Gina

 31 miles at 16.2 average speed. Nice ride today, started easy and not all that bad to the coast. Had a 16 average at that time, half way point. Usually one can raise the average about 1 MPH heading back with somewhat, maybe even a tailwind. Today felt about the same as heading to the coast then the last 4 or 5 miles, the headwind started up harder. What the heck ha ha!? So we got the average up to 16.4 but after the wind started, it fell to 16.2 Oh well! Gina hasn't done too many miles and I was tired from yesterday so I didn't want to work too hard. It was good enough for me and Gina got in some decent mileage. For so long she has been doing 26 miles so increasing it lately to 31 is good. Hopefully soon I get her back to the 43 like so many years before, 23 actually!

But a good ride. Plenty of riders heading back as we were heading to the coast. A few more cyclists at the beach stop but not too many. Way more people at the beach vs last week when it was super windy. Did see Bad Bob shout out as we were approaching the coast. Hey Bob! :-)

On the way back, I rode past the train station to the horseshoe turn at the Honda Center just to make sure Strava gives me the 31 and doesn't cheat me like it usually does ha ha. Heck, been a habit now that if I want 31 mile ride, I ride another .1 or .2 beyond my target to make sure I get it. 

It was there that I ran into Rick B. This dude was doing double centuries when I first posted on cycling forums back in 2002. We did some GMR rides together and all 4 times I did Ride Around the Bear, he was there ha ha! I think he has done that ride like 12 times. But the Triple Crown, he has done many many years. The jersey he was wearing today says 25 doubles. But I know he has far more than that, I am sure! Not only a distance rider, but plenty of rough tough mileage!

Funny that yesterday, I was talking with a friend after the ride. He said, since he is 61 and I am 57, that if we can still ride a bike at 70, that would be a great thing. So today, I asked Rick his age and his response was 70! :-O

Wow man, not only is he 70 and still getting on the bike, but doing long miles and still hitting the hills and mountains. Today when I ran into him, he already had 48 miles and 4k feet of climbing in the Whittier Hills. Wow, way to go Rick! I hope I can still clean a bike at 70 ha ha!

                                                              Getting ready to roll!

Nice rolling, feeling relaxed!

Break time at the coast

I'm not going to lie. I miss seeing her big ass out there on the bike ha ha!

Rick the Triple Crown Dude!

Check out the jersey! He probably has 20 of them!