Peck Rd Conservation Park

 Solo 20. Just adding a few more miles before the end of the year 🥳 🎉 🥳. Took the other trail to the Peck Rd Water Conservation 💧 Park. I'd been on that section of trail 2 times during my 32 years of riding so I figured I'd explore a little bit. 😁 More populated than I remember, plenty of parks compared to the other trail upper section Of course powered by Millie's last night with Gina. Potato 🥔 Power. 

I do have to say, people are funny. I am just out riding, cruising just doing my ride. As one can see from my Saturday ride video, some riders catch me and I just keep doing my thing. I don't feel the need to prove myself to anyone or to race every rider that passes me. It's called discipline, I just keep doing my thing.

In the video, a couple passes me before an underpass on the upper section of the trail. They seemed to be doing pretty well so I just let them pass but they tend to slow a bit before the underpass. Safety reasons I am sure as it is a little sketchy there as seen in the video. So I naturally keep up not trying but because they slowed a bit. Then after the underpass, they pull away, no problem. I stick to my plan.

Then later, I rolled by a rest stop and a couple is on the side of the road so I have to slow to pass safely. Later, they come up from behind. The dude rolls by me and I move to the right to be safe knowing the chick is behind me somewhere. I kind of looked back but she was hesitant so I made it clear I wasn't going to latch on the dude's wheel or something so she could go. Then she goes by in a standing sprint. OK, no problem, I'm sticking to my plan. They get up ahead somewhere but later, they slow and I pass them about 5 miles later. They really slowed, I don't know why but I need another mile or so to get my goal for the day. So I take another trail that branches off. I head out to get my number then turn back and there they are heading the opposite way as I seeing I am backtracking at that point. No biggie, they were kicking butt, good for them.

But the dude that got me was the other day. I saw some dude and thought, hey that's **** ******.  No name he he he! I recognized him from a few Facebook bike groups. He has a certain style, very relaxed riding a different kind of bike but does serious mileage. I've seen him out there quite a few times. But this day, he's on a road bike at a park that I'm using to refill and tinkle he he he! I see him prepping his bike and think nothing of competition at all. Apparently he was, I guess. 

I head out of the park and can see that he's on the trail from a 90 degree off shoot of the trail. He looks like he's pushing hard. I get on the trail and see him going pretty well ahead. Again, I am not pushing, just doing my thing and we're on a gentle descent heading down from the mountain  area. I myself am not impressed with downhill segments on Strava etc. Heck, most people are fast with a downhill but I just keep my pace. If I tried, I could probably do 21 but holding about 17 or 18 because again, it's a gently descent, 1 to 2% maybe.

Down the road, he slows and maybe struggling with the headwind? I'm not sure but I end up rolling up and passing him. Now I was doing a much better pace than he was so not sure why he slowed so much. So I just roll by figuring he's going to fall behind. I pay no mind but hit that tricky underpass section that is in my video, the dark tunnel like underpass. So I back off my pace some, go through then the tricky turns till finally straightening out. I had not idea but he's right on my wheel, uhhhh OK!

I hit a little climb section and give a good effort as I always do on the 50 yard section just to make it over. Then I look back and he is near but fell off  a bit. So I just return to my steady effort once the road heads down once again. But he rolls right up behind me then a second or two later, he hammers around me. Uhhh OK!

Then he pulls ahead about 20 yards, no problem but then he starts looking back at me like he won some kind of race or something. Uhhh OK! So I just keep my pace then he pulls over then turns around. Uhhh OK! I know that kind of rider who is always the casual non racer type that wants just to say, I beat that guy on a roadbike. Though he was as well which is unusual for him so I guess he just wanted to prove himself for some reason. But I couldn't help but laugh, wow ok, you are really impressive racing that mile. That's what we call a One Mile Wonder ha ha ha! Funny thing was, seems he had a hard time winning the one mile race that wasn't even happening. One of those guys that just wants to say they passed some dude on a roadie. Ok, you're impressive ha ha ha! Only sad thing is that he is probably unaware that I know who he is from viewing facebook bike groups ha ha ha! 

I guess I just don't understand what people get out of beating someone who isn't even playing the game. Heck, I was 30 miles into my ride and he was ONE ha ha ha!

I guess they know us at the mall. 😄 Last night sitting at coffee ☕️,  the jewelry store owner came out to wish us a Merry Christmas handing us a bag with a nice little blanket and candycanes inside.  Very nice of him and I know Gina's excited.  She has a gang of throw blankets but even so, when we go to Macy's,  she's gotta look always open for new opportunities ha ha ha.  So this being a really soft feeling blanket,  she's happy. 

Nice people,  same people that brought out fruit for me in the past as well as bread and other little goodies.  I feel kind of guilty but I have given them See's candy before because they're always nice to us. 

Fat Bastard 37 (youtube Video)

 Solo 37 from Pico to the base of the Azusa mnts. Felt good and relaxed. Probably because of my tshirt yesterday 😁 and a little Sizzler with my Honey Gina. Little wind here and there but plenty of people on the trail. 👍

                                                                                 Youtube Video

And, I'm the Local Legend as well.  😄

Sizzler was last night then Millie's after the ride. 

I guess they know us at the mall. Sitting there with my coffee,  the store owner approached asking if we would like coffee,  snacks,  water, but I told him we had just eaten and I already had coffee.  So he brought us a little gift,  a blanket for the couch he said.  That was nice of him.  

Recovery Ride and Your Welcome/ Meeting George

 What am I talking about, I'm old, they're all recovery rides. 😄 Your Welcome, they cleaned out the Peck Rd. and other underpass. I report it every time as they block 1 entire lane at times with 🛋 couches etc. Too dangerous. Then met a cool dude George after the ride. Complimenting my oldies seeing he has one very similar. Cool guy and he knows his bikes so we had a good chat.

One thing I can say is that it is getting easier and easier to dislike e-bikes more and more. As usual, sure there are some good riders but most part, the majority I have encountered are unskilled dangerous riders or A holes. Today, some idiot came up from behind me on the return. I was riding along as usual, safely then he came from behind and buzzed me at about 30 mph. No reason, just to be an butt hole. I could tell he came up right on my tail then swung around. Luckily I heard the hum of his tires and felt him coming up about 3 seconds before he passed so he was unable to startle me. After he passed, he looked back. I'm thinking to see if he had shaken me or something but nope, I'm one of those hyper alert guys on a bike. I know when people are coming and going. Except the last ride where Sandra took me down, not sure how she went undetected ha ha ha!

But the dude kept looking back like he knew he was being an A hole and wondering if I'd try to catch him. Forget that, I'd be wasting my energy trying to catch a motorcycle that can probably do 40 if they tried. So I just rode on looking normal so that he wouldn't have the satisfaction. I just chalk it down to another butt hole on an E-bike. 

A month or two ago, some idiot was coming head on and swerved towards me like he was going to go head on trying to scare me. I don't scare easily and I figure the idiot might end up getting more injured than I would seeing most these idiots are like 150 pounds, hitting me is going to hurt and I'm going to do my best to cause some damage, like throwing an elbow to the jaw hoping to break something. I mean, the butt hole is going to pay one way or another.

Then at the mall, the busy West Covina mall, looking at the tile floors, burn out markings on the tile floors. Idiots! But one thing I don't understand, the mall security guards who are actually pretty worthless allow them into the mall. I see kids walking bikes, skateboards, scooters and the dumabass looking guards just allow them to wander around. Common sense pretty much tells one that sooner or later, the idiots are going to mount their toys and do some stupid sheot. They do! But  let some dude put his foot on a chair and they'll ask him to remove it. I guess it looks good on their reports. OK, that would be me but you gotta know, if you think you're going to F with Mr. Beanz, you're going to get harassed in return. That same dumbsheot guard walking around and looks up at me. I look back  making eye contact with a smirk on my face and sure enough, he just puts his head down and walks on by. Idiots, ought to pay more attention to the ebikes doing 25 in the mall rather than me putting my foot on a chair. In all fairness, I did see one guard, one of the smallest ones chasing out some dude on a skateboard. Good job dude, don't be a wussy like the other big guys with no balls ha ha ha! Either way, the E-bikers are making this world a rotten place.

👍 Handle bar tape torn in the fall so the new stuff is on the way thanks to ebay. 😊

Of course,  overlooking the lake,  I always wonder how I deal with these  California winter conditions. 🙄 

Ah, Sizzler then a coffee ☕️ after my little spill on the road.  Looking up the data,  I was only doing 11 mph when I caught Sandra's wheel.  But I did have a chance to stop in an attempt to counter balance so I remember being at a complete stop while falling over. A little twinge on my other let's Achilles on today's ride,  actually after.  Looking down I did see I have a scraped and small puncture there. Never even felt that but it's there. 

And as always   the incident didn't hurt much but the elbow? Swelled for a bit but seems to have gone down  BUT!!!! Now taking a shower, driving,  or eating   you know that elbow has got to catch onto everything. 🤣😂🤣

My Friend Took Me Down Tour 🤣 (video)

 Ha ha ha! About a mile into the ride,  we were approaching an intersection aiming for a left turn lane with Sandra a good distance ahead of  me so I looked back at traffic. Next thing I know I'm overlapping her wheel.  I tried to counter balance but I was too far gone.  Next thing I know,  I'm hitting the ground.  Most with my arm at the side for protection.  I hit the ground waiting patiently wondering if I was going to slide or bounce.  Nope just hit the ground ha ha ha.  I realized that I don't bounce. 😄 But thankfully it was a slow speed crash.  A scraped elbow and cut knee. Didn't hurt but felt the impact in my bones more than anything.  Luckily Sandra had a first aid kit so we patched it up then finished the ride. 😄 And a stop at Starbucks. ☕️ 

Good thing there was very little traffic.  I hit the ground then some guy in a van stopped some distance behind.  30 yards maybe,  waiting till I got up and out of the way. Some good considerate drivers out there 👏 

Coincidence? Funny because Gina and I just bought a box of band-aids the other day. 😄

Strange that when I fell, I did on my side and lifted my arm as if to block a punch to the side. So I hit mu shoulder and my hand not involved at all but my arm was jarred and I felt some pressure a mile later on the ride. Not a problem but Sandra had Tylenol and offered some so I figured it would get me through the ride if my arm was stiff or something. It felt great and 12 hours later, no problem with the arm at all but strangely,  the thumb palm pad section of my hand is tender and sore. Hmm, seems my hand was not involved at all but it's tender in that one 3 inch section. Crazy.

                                                                           Starbuck's

The video

The course link

Race for the KOM points

Tacos de lengua

After the ride

Some GTC images from his cell.

                                                 Good 27 miles with 1600 ft gain...ish ! 

One thing that cracked me up today.  TC, Tony was pushing hard up every hill getting in his workout.  So late in the ride I said,"good job Pantani !" Referring to Marco Pantani,  one of the Tour de France great climbers. 

Then Tony turned to me saying, ................"Pan-Tony!!".  😆😄😆

Some video images

                           That's gonna sting in the shower. Actually I was surprised it didn't.

And she laughs at my pain 😁

San Dimas Cyn

A wave from the Leaf Blower Guy

Good thing we're doing 45 MPH ha ha ha!

West on Badillo, the return

THE LOOK. Like Lance to Jan as he passes.

Short but Sweet, and Easy

 Short easy 25 miles. Going easy with the cool California air.  Low of 54 thinking it might rain.  But no,  the sun poked out a little by the end of the ride.  Wind breaker and tights today. 😃

Did feel a little more aerodynamic after cutting my hair yesterday.  I should have rode but one of the only times I get the place to myself so I took advantage of it.  Not to mention I got more miles this year than expected and planning on topping it next year. 😄

Not to mention, saving about $50 on a haircut.  This little setup has already paid for itself. 

Did go to Sizzler after my ride and ate rather light. But later, the mall being opened longer holiday hours, I got hungry and planning a ride on Monday with TC and Sandra along the foothills so I figured I better eat a little more. So we went to Red Robin, not a favorite but convenient there in the mall. I had a hamburger and Gina had an order of Yukon chips. She ate most of the cheese fondue stuff and I very little. She is  cheese lover and I like it but trying to avoid bad stuff so I just ate the burger, mostly and a taste here and there of the fondue.