Solo Monday Pico to The Top

 Solo 35 miles on SGRT from Pico to the top of the trail. Nice day feeling good and rolling well without feeling tired or too much effort. Nice day on the Oldie. Love this bike, 28 years old now and still feeling like a new bike. After adjusting the headset the other day, feels smooth. Matter of fact, feeling like I was climbing much faster. OK, didn't say I was, said I felt ha ha ha! But always a good feeling when you know the bike is on spot!

To the top with a stop at the SF nature center wanting to sneak in a little break or two. Just turned around and rolled back once at the top, circle and go. The new park The Hub at the nature center really is a great spot now. Always logistically but now with a nice water filler thingy, it's the perfect place for a rest. No more Encanto Park turn offs from the trail. Nice park as well but a little bit out of the way if not starting or finishing there. Not to mention, there are several employees constantly driving by the new park. Seems they are keeping a good eye on the investment. Not to mention, a couple cameras on poles extending up from the top of the building. Hope they help and hopefully the idiots won't climb up and spray paint the globes like they did the others on the edge of the building.

A nice little rest after the ride at the golf course patio area. And yes, I walk my bike from the walk bikes please area as one should to be considerate. I just really don't get it watching cyclist after cyclist on forums and fb groups whining and crying about not being treated fairly but yet will not conform themselves. I don't get it other than cyclists can be idiots too ha ha ha!

Ah my Baby turns 28 this year. An oldie but still got some shine in the sun. Really do love this bike! Someday I'll replace the parts on my Madone but for now, they're just sitting there till I feel like riding something else.

Not a tough effort feeling good on the bike as told by the HR time in zones chart.

Elevation graph looks pretty impressive in the Bryton app ha ha ha!

Heading back, Jack !

Resting at the golf course after the ride downloading my info. And yes, several employees walking by saying hello with no issue. If I hadn't figured it out for myself like the person on FB said about cyclists, not being allowed, I would have worried that 3 or 4 of them might have gathered together to carry me out ha ha ha!

I am going to speak out and say that I hate these Polar bottles. The inside of the valve gathers gunk rather quickly so I end up soaking them in bleach quite often. Unlike the CamelBack bottle where I would just scrub the bottles inside and the tops coming clean rather easily. Polar is supposed to be easy clean but they suck!

And......the valves leak. Not because of a leak but one needs to make sure to twist the nipples (he he he!) in a certain direction after opening for a drink or it will pour all over you and the bike. I dislike having to pay extra attention to this every time I switch bottles or open the valves on the bottles.

Final word, Polar sucks!

Sleepless Night Solo 25 & Good Guys Bike Shop

 Bummer! Couldn't sleep all night finally falling asleep about 6 am. Woke up about 8 am then pretended that I was asleep but couldn't fool myself. Laying there wondering what to do, want to ride but figure I might not feel too good. But I decided to get up and ride seeing the weekend days without riding suck ha ha ha! One thing I did want to do was take my bike to a shop for a headset adjustment seeing I developed a slight knock about 3 weeks ago. So slight wasn't sure but felt it this past week like it was getting a little more obvious. Held it and rocked it back and forth and yup, I could feel it and front braking across cracked grounds, I could feel it. But I don't have the flat wrench for the old style threaded headset on my Canni.

So I figured I'd get up and go but maybe a quick stop at the shop down the street, Good Guys Cycling. Seems to be a mom and pop shop but maybe just a pop shop as I have never seen a femile in the place ha ha ha! I had gone in before needing some cap ends for cables and a cable for my derailleur. The dude ended up giving me the caps as they did not come with the cable I bought, he gave me a few actually which was cool. I went in when I needed a seat post as well but didn't have what I needed. Gina and I had gone in before just to look around and it seems the dude has a lot of old school stuff. Which is good because if I ever need and old part for my oldie, he might have it. Like the seat post, he had one for $20 but I needed a zero setback which he didn't have so I ended up spending $100 at another shop. $20 would have been nice.

So I went in there today to see how busy it was and getting up late, I figure the timing might be good. I walked in and it was empty, no customers. I asked the dude if he could do an adjustment but he said his mechanic wasn't coming in till 1 pm and it was 11:30 at the time. He asked me to come back but I said I was planning to ride so he asked me to come back after the ride when his mechanic was present. Kind of confused because I thought this dude had been there for years thinking he might know how to adjust the headset.  But ok! 

I actually think he might have thought I might be a dumb bike rider seeing I had an old bike. Surprise!!!! I asked how much an adjustment would be and he said maybe 20, maybe 40 if needed seals, or maybe not more than $30. I told him the headset was only 2 years old and for the first year, it was not ridden much at all so I'm pretty sure it's a quick adjustment with the 2 wrenches. He said come back when his mechanic was there so I asked if he could just sell me a flat wrench and I'd do it myself. He said it might be more than that, I'm sure it's not but ended up not having one to sell. So I said it would be no problem and I knew how to do it just didn't have the tool. I told him that I built my Madone and about 10 wheels so it would not be a problem for me to do it.

Then he said he would lend me his. Handed me a couple that were far too small, um ok! So then he finally gave me the right size. Uhhh ok, do you have a crescent wrench I can use to hold the top and he picked one up and asked, is this it? OK, C'mon! I think he was playing dumb hoping I would come back and put some faith into his mechanic.  Not sure what the purpose was, maybe to give his guy a chance to make a few bucks.

Dude, gimme the tools. I held the bottom nut, loosened the top keeping note of where I was with the lower wrench. Then turned it about 1/8 of a turn to tighten the bearings, tightened the top nut and BAM!!!  Freaking perfect! No knocking and smooth operation, voila!!! It took me all of 2 minutes ha ha ha! Probably surprised him that I did it so easy and quickly.

So I handed the tools back and said thanks, reached into my pocket and pulled out a $20 bill. I handed it to him and he said oh no but I insisted. He refused about 3 times but I insisted he take it. He was shocked then I told him that I realize he is running a business and I appreciate letting me use the tools. Then I told him about the caps he gave me in the past and told him that when I need it, remember me cause if I need help, he might help me out.  He was surprised and happy then asked my name. I'm Mr. Beanz dammit! 

Half asleep, took my bike out and rode it 25 miles. No sleep but dang it, I felt great! Fitness must be coming back because the flags at the golf course were moving pretty good but I didn't even feel the wind today. Hmmm, could have been that my body was numb from lack of sleep ha ha ha!

Did have a chance to visit the nature center at the SF dam. Nice little park finally opened up, the Emerald Necklace Bike hub. Nice rubber covered bike racks, tables, bottle filler, nice set up. Just hope the homeless living in the bush there don't tear it up like they do everything else at the  nature center. Though I have noticed plenty of employees roaming around the area so hopefully.

This is so funny but true. This is my thought exactly and many people know it ha ha ha!

Old man video, sometimes you gotta show a mother fucker that you're a mother fucker too ha ha ha!

sometime you gotta show a mother fuckerhttps://www.facebook.com/reel/685372987179021

Trying to catch some ZZZZs on the bike ha ha ha!

Funny, at Sizzler, the gal that usually serves us has not been around for a couple weeks. Well, we have missed her going in as her schedule has changed some. So the last 4 times, we have had different servers. Evenly who is excellent served us once, another gal Kim who did a good job.

But twice a gal Elena served us and WOW !!! This girl is on it. I have her in a video not long ago. Very sweet friendly girl and a little older than our usual gal so I think being a little more mature, she knows what to do and how to serve and treat customers having figured out a way to make them happy. Heck, they know I'm a good tipper so they are always happy to get us at their table. Usually sit in the same spot so at times, they might argue about who will serve us in a fun loving way. But the last couple of times, wow, a hug for each of us then no need to ask for anything. Refills before we ask,, lemons up the whazoo, extra plates for Gina with her all you can eat salad bar. Then if I want anything, I can have it. This gal is ON TOP OF IT. I think she is trying to win us from our usual gal ha ha ha! It just might be working. Heck, without asking, she just showed up before we left with drinks to go. I am a big tipper and they know it so it's great the way they treat us and the way this gal appreciates our patronage, is awesome! 

We walk into the place and the entire staff greets us. The managers come to our table and shake our hands. Wonderful! When we are in line for the register, the surrounding customers look at us like, who the heck are you?? Ha ha ha, once a dude said, wow, you must be a really good tipper ha ha ha! Yeah, they treat us well and I'm willing to show some appreciation.

At them mall after dinner for coffee. The people at Mrs' Field's like us too. The people there give Gina cookies and even insist at times she take them even though I am not supposed to eat them and Gina is not much of a sweets person. But today, lack of sleep so against my better judgement, gimme some cookies, I ate them, they were free ha ha ha!

                                                              Love me some good servers!

Ha ha ha 11 pm and I should be sleeping like Eddie Money says but I'm here typing in my blog.

Sunday I got lazy but being retired, I can ride whenever I like so I decide to take the day off for lunch with Gina at Black Angus. Little did she know she had a $20 credit so the Campfire Feast actually tasted that much better today ha ha ha!

Solo Eve Ride

 Solo 25 miles with 1100 ft gain from a park in Covina to San Dimas, Glendora, then back to the park in Covina. Beautiful night and I felt great! I was rolling on the bike feeling good and loose like I could ride forever. Hope that feeling rolls over into the weekend ha ha ha!

Wasn't going to start out solo but things happen. TC had baseball watching plans and wasn't sure, depending on a Dodger victory would help his decision. Me knowing how sports fans are, I wasn't counting on him to show up ha ha ha!

But the original plan was with Sandra who wants to ride in the evenings, certain days. Getting schedules mixed up, it gets frustrating so I mentioned on Monday that I would ride on Wed or Thursday even if she wanted to ride along. The Please Let Me Know if you don't want to go as I will ride during the day. But she said she wanted to ride Thursday at 4:30 that was good for her. OK! I only ride so many day s per week avoiding burnout so I didn't ride Tues or Wednesday to accommodate. 

So I show up early as usual to set up my recorder, lights, etc. Roll around a bit to stretch the legs then she shows up. Got ready really quick like 2 minutes. Heck, it takes me 20 ha ha ha! She wants to hit up the lady's room before we head off, cool. We do so then as we rolling out she says there must be something wrong with her bike feeling a thump. FLAT! About half way down. Seemed fine when we rolled to the restroom  but..... So she starts to change it and I let her as I did it last time for her and was a long event. Plus I wanted to see how she did on the job. She got the wheel off then replaced the tube but not doing so well placing the tire back onto the rim. I was offering vocal support but she didn't do too well. SO she said this is the part where I would have to help as she was not strong enough to get the bead on the rim. There is a technique but she wasn't getting it with my verbal instructions. So I placed the tire on for her then she started to pump with a little hand pump saying it would take her all day but my pump as well is not much bigger. 

Started out pretty well but went south. She started pumping getting about half way saying she would ride to the shop for a repair or use of a floor pump. Umm ok, that's about 3 miles and will she make it?  Then she told me that the tire was fine on Thrusday (?) last time she pumped it up, after her last ride.  She said she puts air in the tire after each ride to make sure it's ok. Ummm, I put air in my tires before each ride to make sure all is ok. She said she preferred to do it after a ride. Our logic is different I guess but I like to make sure everything is good before a ride especially if it might affect others counting on me to have proper functioning equipment, but who knows, maybe I'm crazy?

So she pumps the tire to about half inflation then unscrews the hose but manages to pull out the cored of the stem as well, or broke it, not sure, just know all the air came out within a second or two. So then she says she wants to drive to the shop 3 miles away to let them repair it and asked me to ride there to meet her. Hmmm, Then she says that she knows I like to ride later anyway and enjoy the dark. Yeah I do but I have lights and even bring two to make sure I am covered if anything happens or I still have plenty if one fails running them both at the same time most times once it gets dark.

So then I asked her if she had her lights as I didn't see them on her bike. Nope, she forgot them. OK, now I'm concerned about riding at night with someone who doesn't have lights. SO I told he I would rather her just skip the ride and go to the shop while I went on my ride because I plan my life around the ride times after I offer others the chance to name the ride time. Gina would be expecting me home at a certain time to eat my dinner or whatever our plans are on that day. So I headed off alone as she packed up her bike.

I would have been more than happy to help her, I'm not a jerk. But I did do it for her once in the past on another ride and strange incident. I did offer instructions as well as I did the replacement.  Step by step on how to easily place the chain in position before removal, tips to make it a bit easier. That time, she showed up with a flat as Tony and I waited for her at a park she named and time as well. Showed up and somehow, her tire went totally flat from her place to the start of the ride. She filled it with air before the ride this time but went flat on the drive.  She had a floor pump as well. So she struggled with it not knowing much so I did it. Started the ride but the tube she had must have had a puncture as well. OR maybe she punctured it attempting the initial repair? So we rolled about 100 yards and it was flat again. I don't remember if she had a 2nd tube or if I gave her one but I made the repair this time and we headed off. But what, an hour late, maybe? Tony complained of a pain in his wrist so he headed back to his car, packed up and left while I did the second repair.

So I was worried that this time, if she, we rolled to the shop 3 miles away on a damaged tire, or weak tube, or any other reason, we would end up having a world of trouble then what would we do? I would probably spend all night helping her get back to her car or the bike shop. Sometimes it's easier to just suggest one retreat and return to fight another day. Heck, I hate it when I flat, puts a damper on the entire ride but I do carry 2 spare tubes and a pump as well so I am self sufficient. If anything happens, I don't mind if the other riders leave me behind. Not a problem as I will not need their help or set them behind schedule or interfere with their ride.

But I am a firm believer in making sure my equipment is in good order before the ride.  Her logic is after the ride but hey, a lot can happen within a few days after you rode your bike. I've had slow leaks kill my tire over night in the past. SO if I air it up before the ride, I always know if something is wrong.

So I headed off alone and wow, I felt great. I did go from Covina to San Dimas, up Amelia to Lorraine then towards GMR, heading back down when I realized that I didn't have as many miles as I wanted so I looped around one more time. Beautiful day, nice clouds then a great night feeling the cool air. Started getting dark when I ended the first San Dimas run so kind of glad Sandra didn't go as it definitely required lights the final 1/3 of the ride. Images are from the GoPro that always seems to make it look lighter than it is in reality.

On the way back, I did slow to grab a drink as some dude unexpectedly rode up on my side and shouted something. WHOAH, scared the crap out of me not expecting anyone to be around. I told him that he scared me then he said sorry and rolled on ahead. But still, a wonderful ride. I've forgotten how sweet it is to ride alone at night and take in the beauty of the night

Another note, as most times, wow, drivers are so courteous to me when I'm, out and about. Not sure why as so many cyclists I know complain about the drivers.

BTW, as I have stated before, cooking at home, one realizes how ripped off we are at restaurants.  2 eggs and one small potato, plenty almost too much food for me. But a late breakfast early lunch so I'm prepared for the ride. Got to throw in some chorizo for flavor. Small piece.

Ask for this at a restaurant, it will surely look different. Barely color from the chorizo and the eggs will be a much smaller amount even though they claim two or three eggs.

                                               And 1 small corn tortilla for carbs ha ha ha!