EZ Sunday & How to Take A Proper Pic 😉

 Easy 23 miles from Pico Rivera to the SF recreation area. EZ ride but showing how I take pics, step 1, 2, and 😁. Claw, swivel arm, cell clamp. And of course a little remote clicker thingy. Some people have asked. Warm ride, device showed 101 but device app a high of 105. No wonder I didn't see many riders today. 😄

I didn't want to take my pic, just showing the results of my pic set up ha ha ha!

You know what sucks? Going easy but as you approach a section like The Dam Climb (Santa Fe Dam), 1/3 of a mile with grades of 11% hoping to go easy but a song comes over the buds, one of my favorites, Highway to Hell. It's hard to not pick up the pace a bit. Not that I can or want to. but it is pretty motivating ha ha ha!

A ton of people at the SF rec area today. But I had to find a spot where none of those bastards would ruin my pic ha ha ha!

Ha, broke my saddle bag yesterday so it pays to have a couple laying around ha ha ha! This is one of the Rock Bros from ebay. Waterproof and side loader. A bit more room to carry my stuff. Only down side is the strap on the back does not hold the rear light straight. But that was taken care of with the seat stay light mount. 

A bit warm today

I'm used to having my GPS a bit further out. Thought about keeping it on the stem but too close, hard to view in my case. So I just ordered another aluminum mount. Hopefully it is a bit better being held together by a couple of screws rather than one solid piece. Thinking that the screws and separation might absorb the vibration and stress.

Just ordered, the 2 bolt design.

The design that broke on me.

OH SNAP!!!!

So a couple people have asked how I get pics. I use a claw/clamp. Add a swivel arm then a clamp for the cell phone.  Of course little attachments here and there to connect tripod, screw on, or magnetic type of mounting systems.

Yummy dinner with my Honey. Nobody sweeter than this woman right-ch here! I had mashies with meatloaf (supposed to be, more like salisbury steak) and red potatoes. Gina had a ham and cheese on sourdough. And shared a little individual hot cherry pie between the two of us. Very yummy tonight.

Everything Went Wrong Tour & Meeting Ed

 I would like to say that today sucked but I did get a chance to meet a viewer, Ed. He was riding into the parking lot while I was about to get my bike ready for my ride. He rolled by with a Mr. Beanz shout. I looked and said hey but didn't recognize him. So I walked over as he was packing up and asked if he would like to introduce himself. He did a good job and did say that he watches all my videos. Cool! Very fit looking guys, he and his buddy. Modest though saying I was faster ha ha ha! I started to think this might have been the same guy about a month ago that shouted Beanz. So this was the good point of the day, never hurts to have more bicycle friends.

Now the bummer! I was about 3 miles from the coast and had been trying the entire ride to hold my HR to about 130. Decent effort but knowing it was going to be hot today and I always start late, I figured going a little easy. So it got really windy near the coast and 3 miles out, I looked down at my HR and something looked really strange. OH, it was that there was nothing there ha ha ha! My gps.Gopro aluminum mount snapped and my Bryton fell off with a gopro extension. Well damn, had to backtrack really quick to look for it. Luckily not many riders around so I got it before it got ran over or damaged. I do use a rubber cover on it for protection and it worked as the unit wasn't touched at all in a bad way.

Then I got to the coast, knowing it was going to be hot and rough last week, I brought along a Z Bar and some electrolyte packets. But going to open my seat pack, I noticed the steel tab fell off of the zipper thingy. I tried to get it open but couldn't, even tried to pry it. Got it open about 1 or 2 inches but couldn't get my fingers in to grab anything. The zipper alignment looked jacked. Now how are all these aluminum and steel things just falling apart on me? Didn't want to destroy the seat bag so I knew I was going to go without before heading back, boo hoo! I didn't want to end up carrying everything in my jersey pocket figuring I didn't have enough space now that I was carrying a bracket and my GPS in the rear pockets as it was, including the cell phone. And yeah, I think I could have used the granola bar and the electrolytes on this 41 miler.

I waited till I got back then tore the bag apart to get my keys and stuff so then, I ate the bar. Oatmeal flavor and wow, had a punch as it was pretty sweet but tasted pretty good. Just like those Mother's oatmeal cookies. Sweet but good and wish I had it at the coast before heading back ha ha ha!

But I survived but I hate having to fix stuff before the next day's ride knowing and feeling like I just want to go eat with my Honey and enjoy the evening.  Having to install a new seat pack, I have the screw onto rails type handy, having to replace the GPS mount and little stuff is just a bugger when you don't really want to do it ha ha ha! But must ride tomorrow.

                                                                                 

                                                                               Ed

The youtube video

Some of the people I see out there.

Arriving at Seal Beach. Honestly, it took me a couple of minutes to notice the sign ha ha ha!

Hmmm, nice woman body looking chick.  But, my gosh! There are girls walking around pretty much wearing nothing! I saw about 15 girls about 15 or 16 wearing itty bitty bikinis, thongs not covering much, I was shocked. I know at the malls, many female types walk around half nekkid but at the beach, I think they pretty much are! As much as I like the female anatomy, I am totally shocked at what they are wearing these days to the beach. Thong bikinis not covering much, heck I'm embarrassed. I am really surprise they are allowed and so young! Again, I love the female anatomy but even I think it's too much nowadays for young girls of that age.

My mount snapped right there. Dropped the GPS and bracket for my GoPro. Had to backtrack about 1/8 mile to find it. Funny when you look down to look at your HR and there is nothing there!

Trying to cool off after the ride

That Z bar was tasty and inexpensive at Wally World. And tasty!

Then Sizzluh and the mall with Gina

My usual, petite senior 6 oz steak with rice. Gina had the salad bar and I did cheat a bit, I ate 2 of her chicken wings. I feel so naughty ha ha ha!

27 on SART with Tony and Mark

 27 miles 17.1 average with Tony and Mark. Anaheim train station to Huntington Beach and back. Nice cool day, tired of this heat ha ha ha! But Mark is on the comeback trail not having been on the bike for quite a while. We rode a couple weeks back and he did well but today, he did really well and looked strong. Tony has been doing well too so riding with a couple other guys to help fight the wind was pretty nice ha ha ha! 

On the way to the coast, we picked up  rider who hopped onto the back. Stopped at the beach stop and chatted with us a while. Really cool guy and likes to laugh, a BIG + in my book. Talked about bikes and rides for a bit before he headed back. We stayed there a bit longer catching up with us friends. The three of us attended high school together. Wow, graduated 45 years ago.  I used to think way back how it would be to make a 10 year reunion. Heck, we're way beyond that ha ha ha!

But a really cool ride as far as company, weather, and effort.  Really feels great to ride alone and fight the wind alone along my rides, then jump in with a couple of guys that will take the front. Really makes a big difference. Had to say it was pretty fun working together even though I have fun alone as well. 

                                                                     Youtube Video

I do not know how these guys do it, ride, remove helmet and their hair is as if they just had it styled ha ha ha!

Steve R.

Wow, riding with partners sure makes it much easier. Felt good and never under too much pressure. A good average and  only in zone 4 for not even 3 minutes. Big difference than fighting the wind solo for 40+ miles.