Doing LSD in the Sun Tour 🌞

 Doing LSD in the Sun Tour 🌞.....Long Slow Distance. 😄 I don't know if that's actually LONG, but it's slow. 😆 Going easy for the heat warning. Not too bad but downed about 11 large bottles of fluids to be sure, electrolytes and water. Good thing I'm the type to pay attention to my surroundings, tree 🌳 down! 😲 Target is 300 miles per month hitting 324 today so I'm doing ay't! 😁

                                             Almost done, 6 miles left. Time for a photoshoot

Felt good on the ride. Cleaned and lubed the chain so the bike ran really well and smoothly. I'm really surprised at how well it is running. I always tell myself that when I win the lotto, I'm going to buy a new tech roadie but lately, being back on the Madone, I really don't think I need all the new stuff. Heck, it's all about riding the bike. Seeing all these wussies bailing out for e-bikes, I can't help but think that I'm doing more than well enough actually pedaling my bike unlike all those, well you, pussies out there. Like I said, I believe in doing my own physical work. If I can't ride 100 ore 60 miles someday, I'll do 40. If I can't do 40, I'll do 20 as long as I don't puss out. And one thing I really dislike nowadays is the wussies using motors boasting about how far they rode their bikes. In some bike groups, postings by wussies claiming to have hit so many miles this month. SO What you wuss, try pedaling your bike!!!

Tree down and across the trail

Seal Beach. The pier is down the way and this area, way too far to see the water, not much action

I was totally shocked! I suggested Gina take off a day from work on Tuesday. She's been doing 11 hour days and 5 to 8 on Saturdays. Very busy at work and the others in her position have left. Another new hire that worked there for a few weeks then decided to leave because of small children, the drive, and the long hours as well as Saturdays. Another employee there but I won't say much about that ha ha ha! So, I told her that she should take a day off as all the others have taken several but Gina is the doesn't call into work type. So I suggested it saying that once the other gal leaves, she's going to have a hard time taking a day off. She agreed so we spent the day together. 

Lunch at Los Jarritos. Always good but don't visit much any longer avoiding the things that are just too good and not good for my health ha ha ha! I did cheat, shared a small order of nachos as well then to the Montclair Plaza, our old hangout. A visit to Candy Land where they have some really cool old candies that I remember from the 60's. So heck, already cheated today so might as well make the best of it, had a couple candy bars too and sharing with Gina, maybe not as bad as I could have been ha ha ha!

Gina did see some Clark sandals on sale at Macy's so I talked her into buying them. Better than just switching her old sandals with the new ones and leaving them there ha ha ha! That's a joke for the slow people. But she was really happy with her new sandals, she just tossed the old ones into the bag and then into the trash. It was time!

Came across a post in a bike group that asked, what got you cycling?  Reminded me of how I got started as an adult. This is my story. 1992 when I started cycling on a challenge.

I've always played sports and at 29, still playing on a traveling softball team. Working at a company that had over 2,000 employees, we had a gym, various leagues in different sports. Always being an athlete, I did well in all of them but 3 VEGETARIANS that worked with me about 10% body fat said that I was strong, could run fast but they bet only for a short time. They bet that I did not have any cardio so they challenged me to get a bike, hybrids and claimed that I would not be able to keep up with them on a 60 mile bike ride. Uhhh ok! I was 6'1 and 220 pounds. They were 5'10 max and 150 pounds I'm guessing. We started the ride, I checked what they had then they got tired so I took the front pushing the pace. After the first 20 miles, one puked and the other pooped out and decided to turn back. I won the bet but best of all, I started to like the cycling. 1992 and I haven't stopped yet. Big mistake too many cyclist make, underestimating the big guys. Done some timed events, 100 miles with 10,000 ft climbing and did very well. This was 1992 when the skinny people said there was no way I could keep up with them, I was too big! 😆

46 with TC / Hydration (video on YT)

 46 windy miles with TC today. My legs 🦵 were fryn' but TC looked strong on the bike. But most impressive was his display of sexy boobage. 😆😄😆 Hey, someone sent this picture of my truck to me. I think somebody's spying 🕵️‍♂️ on me. 😁😄😁

                                                            An image from TC's cell cam.

The YT video. Funny as always, if I use my image or another cyclist's image on the YT thumbnail, I get 75 views maybe. Use a bikini or a female, I get a couple hundred views rather quickly. You bunch of perverts ha ha ha!

Joaquin sent this image to me asking if it was my truck. Yup, rode in his neck of the woods today. I had originally planned to ride in Pico as usual but down to the coast. I do really dislike that lower section of the San Gabriel Trail being so bumpy and rough, dark and dangerous. But TC asked if I had plans so I changed them to ride the Santa Ana trail.

I did have to replace my rear wheel after the foothills ride. Somehow, a chunk of rubber was removed from my rear tire. Maybe half the tire life left but that cut it short. I have the 2 Conti's in my stash now but giving these Vittoria Rubino Pro G2.0 tires a test. I had used the front before the rear Conti got taken out but luckily, the new tire I ordered on ebay showed up on Friday evening so I just replaced it really quick with plans to test it on Saturday. It worked though today was a bit tough for me. I could chalk that up to the change of bikes and geo, or the longer cranks, the new tires, or just the fact I did some climbing a couple days before. BUT the wind was rough today.

About hydration, TC and I were talking about dehydration during hot rides. He mentioned something about doing more damage than good riding in the heat as I have been doing. I know about darker urine while being dehydrated. So I was reminded on the first hot ride I did. Came out a little dark so I did some more reading on it knowing and several searches say that it is from dehydration, as I knew. 

Mentioning that if one comes out darker but lightens up after some water, it is not a bad thing. If it doesn't then one could be doing damage to the kidneys. I myself knew this so after a little reminder after the first hot ride, I drank A LOT !!!!!

I did my best to hydrate the day before then the morning of the rides. I drank a full large bottle right before shoving off on the rides at the golf course. I rode 12 miles drinking 2 more large bottles. Downed another large bottle at the Nature center before continuing. Then another 2 bottles up the hill and back, about 10 miles. Another downed bottle then 2 more for the return trip.

So that is 9 full large bottles on the 35 to 40 mile rides. As well as another bottle after the ride. Yeah, I was pretty clear after the ride and felt great considering the heat.

Not to mention that I read one should bounce back and forth between water and electrolyte bottles to even out the intake. Usually I do water only for the first hour then the remainder with electrolytes after reading the strategy. But because it is so hot, tips say to alternate making sure to get in both sources. So I did and it seemed to work, so good!

Not to mention, another bottle of electrolytes on the way to the golf course so I am getting a whole lotta fluids. Really seemed to make a difference in the way I feel and the clear pee pee after the ride ha ha ha! Plus as mentioned, after a bottle of water the first time it showed a little dark due to dehydration, it cleared up rather quickly so it seems to work, what I'm doing. Feeling good and being clear, keeping the HR down and not exerting myself too much, I think I'm ok.

Funny that when we stopped at Edna Park, some dude was there sitting in the shade of the building saying how hot it was then. I was like really? Ha ha ha, 79 as an average felt pretty cool to me ha ha ha! I guess the heat acclimation rides do me good as others seem to complain about the heat. My average 97 degree rides are hot and if I can handle them, 70's almost seem cold ha ha ha!

Someone said it was as if she was posing for the camera

This group came rolling by at a good rate of speed. Hopped on the back for a bit but kinda blocked off, I fell back hoping to get a good view of the group but they picked it up and rolled away. Ended up catching up to a couple of stragglers so I hopped on the back with a plan to go to the front to help them in return after I recovered a bit but TC wanted to stop at Edna Park for water. So we stopped.

No names but someone suggested that I capture this one on camera

On a side note, I did order a set of hoods for my shifters. They are Sora seeing they are the only 9 speed available. Cool thing is the label on the shifters looks like a 105 label so already, a couple of people have mistaken them ha ha ha! But I ordered a back up set just in case the hoods tear somewhere down the road. I wish I had bought a couple sets for my 105 shifters, I wouldn't have had to swap them out.

 After the ride,  to Sizzler for my senior chicken dinner. 🐔 

Our girl Angelina had baked small cakes 🎂 to treat her friends.  It was tasty 😋 and the frosting wasn't as sweet as it looks so it went down pretty easily.  Just enough for us to share and enjoy without the guilt 

😄

Solo 40 Along the Foothills

 Solo 40 with 2,270 ft gain,  had I payed attention I would have rode up the road for another 30 ft. 🤣 Glendora to Claremont, to San Dimas, to the GMR gate.  Felt really good.  TC was 'posed to join me but experiencing mechanicals. 🔧 

                                                

Along the way I was recording and saw some moron stop right in the center of the bike lane before the steep little climb just west of Town avenue. Of course talking on the phone and guess what, it was another cyclist. As I have said, it is more the cyclists that are a threat to me while on my bike. I bring this up because I read on so many stories on the net about terrible drivers and dangerous cars trying to kill us. In my case, it is the other way around, way too many incidents with other cyclists. I can't count the times that cyclists have whined about a car blocking or parking in the bike lane. In this case, the dude was right in the center of the bike lane, full stop, talking on the phone. C'mon you idiot!

But I must also mention some dope on a motorcycle. As well as complaining cyclists, I see plenty from motorcycle riders. I WANT TO GET HOME AND LIVE TO SEE MY FAMILY SO PLEASE DON'T KILL ME type stuff but yet, they themselves are the problem. On this ride, I came to a stop at Lone Hill on old Foothill heading east. A line of cars to my left stopped so I waited for my turn. As I started to make my way through the intersection (4 way stop), some idiot rides his motorcycle between the cars running the stop and making a turn right in front of me but a coupe of feet. 

Idiot! Was cool because I got to make some good hand gestures at him in front of several other drivers who I am sure would agree with me. I was almost wishing the dude would have stopped or came after me. Yeah, I've had plenty of big mouth drivers talk trash while in their vehicles but too scared to confront anyone without the protection of being in their vehicle, bunch of pussies ha ha ha!

Old Man Tour

 Solo 40 miles. Set out for an easy ride today but had a hard time getting started.  Took it as easy as possible even thought about cutting it short but, NAAAAAH! 😄 Warm but a little rain at the top. 😳 Just another ride exercising fighting off the old age. 🤣 Didn't care for the PB $ Strawberry Honey Stinger. Tastes like an old stale skinny P&J  sandwich. 

Average 91 degrees today.  Ran into a few friends actually. Rare on a weekday ride.  I did chat with David, cool dude that rode with me once before. Always a good chat about how so many cyclists lack a real sense of etiquette and safety as far as cycling. Cool dude knows what he is talking about and observes the same lacking skills behavior I see in so many cyclists. Glad to hear this stuff as it reinforces my thoughts about things cyclists shouldn't do in order to keep themselves and others safe on rides.

Ran into Armando. I ran into him a couple weeks back heading to Seal Beach. I think maybe it was at the beach where we chatted. Heck, old age must be getting me as I don't exactly remember now ha ha ha! All I remember was that he was flying down the trail when I saw him. He was rolling pretty fast but somehow I managed to run into him on the way back though he left well before me. Today he was on the side of the road about a mile before the end of my ride. He recognized me then we chatted for a bit on the side of the road. He rides from the SF dam to Seal Beach and back which is about 60 miles. Pretty good ride in the heat. But when I saw him, he was on the side of the road after having to get off the trail picking up something to drink from a convenience store. 

Saw Jason, completing his ride up GMR. He mentioned the rain and yup, I got a few drops but guessing he got more being higher in the mountains. I mentioned that he looked far more vascular than I remember him from several years ago. He said he had made some changes in his diet causing him to lose 15 pounds. Wow, didn't realize he had 15 to lose. But a great climber. I remember him being like number 5 on GMR to the shack on Strava years ago. Of course that bunch of dumb pros came to down racing up GMR swiping all our KOMs. Oh wait, no way did I ever have a KOM on GNR but it would have been nice ha ha ha!

Ah the stale skinny P&J sandwich Honey Stinger ha ha ha! I will say it was not as bad late into my ride, I musta gotten hungry. But they feel much smaller than the Stroopwafels I get from Wally World. Lots cheaper, bigger, and more filling, I would recommend the Stroopwafels  way before the more expensive Honey Stingers. Salted caramel in the HS is much better as well, imo.

Oatmeal an nectarines for breakfast 

Tried Tilapia for dinner last night.  Been trying to eat healthy stuff, chicken and fish. Guess it's better than red meat 🍖 but I ain't giving it up, just mixing in some stuff that is supposed to be healthier choices. 

Used this tire now for a couple of rides testing it out. Seems to be fine, can't tell a difference between it and the Conti 5000 I had on the front. But again, that is the front so wondering about what it would feel like on the back of the bike seeing most of a cyclist's weight is on the rear tire. I did use Vittoria years ago back in about 98. Not sure why I didn't use it more. Maybe the model I used was hard to find? But this model is so far less than a Conti and close to the same scores in reviews. Maybe a little less favor but the price is huge now. So I have another one on the way, should be here in a few days. I have the new Contis already so decisions decisions! Do I installl both Vittorias, or both Contis, or wear out the Conti on the rear then install the Vitorria knowing the current one on the front will outlive the older Conti I have on the rear? Wow, the things us cyclists have to live with trying to decide ha ha ha!

Dinner tonight, after a hot ride. Winner Winner Chicken Dinner. I don't know why Gina always says that. 😄 But both a senior Italian Herb chicken dinner tonight. Gina got the salad bar and I got a soup. Though my little buddies always toss in an extra plate or bowl so that I get a salad as well. I just eat a smaller salad figuring it might be good for me to top of my dinner.