I'd Treat a Person First

 I'd rather be kind to a human. Gina was supposed to help me wash my truck but found a way out of it so I went myself. Car wash next to a busy burger place and not so busy at this point so I stopped in to taste a burger. Was ok but nothing great, lots of fries. 

     While I was ordering, a homeless lady tried to pour a cup of coffee but the cashier, owner's wife yelled at her so she left quickly. I ate outside noticing the lady hanging out collecting recyclables. I had 8 quarters so I said Yo, need some quarters? She said ok, grabbed them then said,"Santa will be good to you this year!".😄

      So then I offered her fries and she accepted seeing I had a ton left. So she took the bag then cleaned up my trash too. Wow! So I asked why he was homeless. We chatted then later spoke of alcoholism.   

   I told her I thought it was sad with today's society. People will through food to a stray dog but won't feed another human. We chatted and though she was hard to understand, we had a good conversation. Looking into her focused eyes, I saw the person, not the monster people would expect. 

     Then I offered her another dollar I had, she just smiled. We chatted more then I asked if she would pose for a pic with me. She said ok. Then she said she had to go. 

    OK but first, let me pay you for the pic. She tried to refuse but I said I wanted to pay her for her time. So I gave her a $10 bill that I won't miss anytime soon. I think God will somehow repay me anyway.

   Funny because for my birthday, Gina was offering expensive gifts. I liked them but don't need them. This kind of a gift somehow means more to me. 

      I know a couple of wonderful people who have helped me in times of need so being one of them is a gift in itself. Even if it's a little something to me that could mean the world to them. She got THE POSE down ha ha ha!

Sunday Recovery

 20 miles, fun and easy. Pico to the Santa Fe Dam and back.  Sure didn't feel like riding today after yesterday but being a holiday tomorrow,  figured I'd relax with Gina and suffer today. 🤣

Powdered  by bday 🎂 cake and enchiladas last night.  😄

https://www.relive.cc/view/vXOnnLkr4BO

....and my birthday weekend continues! 😄

Beanz Birthday Ride

 Mostly solo 61 miles. I really am an old fart now ha ha ha! 15.4 average speed, not bad for the wind conditions. Read on the net expected 20 mph gusts. Hoping it wouldn't be true, not sure if it was, but it was windy as seen in the trees, video. I actually thought about turning back wondering if it was really worth it but yeah, told myself I wasn't going to wimp out ha ha ha!

Did see MTBLurker for the first time in years. Still riding some it seems but not like before. I guess we're all in the same boat nowadays.  Then Ron and Dixie appeared at the coast so we chatted a bit then headed back together. They lifted the pace more than I would have alone but it helped having someone to work with on the return, final 15 miles or so. Always good to see them.

So I got my 61 miles in, that's what matters.

Good thing is that I disconnected my speed sensor and the satellite function seems to work much better. Who knows, maybe the XOSS sensor being inexpensive is getting worn. Not a problem because I'm actually getting tired of replacing batteries every three months or so. Just glad my GPS is fine.

Of course dinner with Gina on Friday which was my actual birthday, at Spaghetti Factory.

 And a cool little laptop cooling table that Gina got me for my birthday. Perfect for keeping my laptop cool while making the videos. Works nicely, good idea Gina!

Video still images

Solo Sunday Fat Bastard

 Another 20 miles on Sunday. Still having an issue with my Bryton GPS. I'm guessing that my speed sensor battery is dying. The correction feature on Strava and Garmin work so I'm guessing the satellite function is working. Getting tired of replacing batteries anyway so I figure I'll just remove the sensor and go with the satellites to see if it solves the issue. 

But anyway, a good ride from Pico to Downey and back. But pretty demoralizing when you're pushing hard with an average of 13 something, doing 18 with a tailwind then see your average drop. Hmmm, after 2 rides, I'm guessing a funk that goes along with a failing battery. We'll see!

But always good to be on the bike. Feeling good on the new saddle and today, dropped it a few MM's and what a difference it can make.  Felt good already but just that much better now. Sometimes, one has to take a little chance changing the setup to see if it works, it did and I like it!

And of course, dinner with Gina then a visit to the mall to reap the rewards ha ha ha!

https://www.relive.cc/web/view/v1Ow5wp5kEq

 

Solo Saturday SART

 Rough 46 miles today and of course, my GPS ripped me off. Breezy and tough. But only registered 42.5 on the ride. Strange that I was riding at 15-16 with an average of 14.1 but my average kept dropping down to 13.6, wow!

Thank goodness for distance correction on Strava and Garmin. 46.6 miles at 15.7 average speed.

I did see Al so stopped for a chat. Saw Poli but didn't have my recorder on as he and a bud rolled by pretty fast heading the opposite way. Thought I'd ride this trail hoping to run into Ron and Dixie but they didn't ride the trail today.

But a good tough ride, builds character. I guess ha ha ha! Did put on a new tire after last week but sure didn't feel like it ha ha ha! No speed gains there ha ha ha!

https://www.relive.cc/web/view/vNOP7G2pg2v

Solo to the Seal

 40 solo miles.  Of course,  another flat. This one was my fault though after fixing a split with Shoe Goo. Eventually pokes through and of course,  when it's inconvenient. 🤣

I've had bad luck heading to the coast.  Seems like 3 flats in 5 rides heading that direction. I guess it's cleaner heading up to the mountains.  Always seem to run across scary looking debris under some of those underpasses where the homeless hang out.  Pretty clean splits and cuts there when I flat. Pretty sure it's the low life scumbags that hang there just hoping to cause a flat for someone. 

But anyway,  gave me a chance to use one of the new CO2 canisters I picked up on ebay.  I'd say not even close to 120 psi from what I see. Maybe 90 but it is quick.  I could have topped it off with my pump but I was too lazy and curious to how it would hold on the return. 

But, another good ride. 

https://www.relive.cc/view/vr63Q1Emddv

Second pair arrived today. Rock Bros tights. No zippers, high wasted, no plumber's crack, and only $12.

Of course,  the day after I get a flat, my new CO2 inflator nozzle shows up in the mail 🙄 

Sunday in Laughlin

 Second day in Laughlin. Mother in law's birthday happened to fall on Mother's Day so we took her for a visit. Second day, see previous post. Shorter video this time, I promise ha ha ha.

Laughlin Weekend, No Ride

 Yeah, no ride! Gin'as Mom's birthday is on Mother's Day so we took her on a little road trip for the weekend. And $300 slot machine money. Damn, could have bought something for my bike with that, why do I feel so nice sometimes? ha ha ha! But she's a good lady, so it's all good!

Gave us a chance to eat at Casa Serrano. Really good inexpensive place at the Riverside Hotel. Wish it was close to home.

But anyway, fun little road trip so far and I did order a little nozzle for my CO2, so I got my money out of the deal ha ha ha! And a donut!

Not bad for cell phone pics. Didn't feel like carrying my camera case around this time!

Almost home,  Steer N Stein in Rancho. Another breakfast at Casa Serrano before leaving Laughlin