Exercise 36 (Video on YT)

 Just some exercise, another 36. But due to a sit-chee-ation beyond my control, had breakfast at Bugger King. Sandwich not too good but I can see how people get hooked on the tato tots. 😄 But I did miss my Oatmeal, peanut butter, and blueberries breakfast

Ran into some cool cyclists and Omar Chalan. I ran into some guy at the hub taking a break.  He started asking about my ride distance so it ended up being a pretty good conversation.  I thought he was older than me but when I asked, I said 63 then he said, "wow you look good for your age!". Why thank you 😊 He was 58 and just as we mentioned our ages, a young dude in his thirties I would say, said we both looked good for our age. Heck,  I'll take it!

Then the 58 dude rode off but rolled back asking if I could hear the squeak in his bike.  Pretty basic,  sounds like the chain and pulleys need some lube. Later as I stopped at Omar's Chalan rest stop,  he rolled in asking Omar to take a look at it. Yup, Omar said the same thing.  I told them that I diagnosed it so I should get the diagnosis fee. Probably the language barrier but they didn't get it.  Oh well,  I thought it was funny. The dude's bike in the Omar image above. 

Just before leaving the nature center,  a couple came up asking for directions on how to get to the dam.  They seemed enthusiastic about seeing it. Pretty simple if you been there but thinking back to the first couple times I rode through the area,  I remember I was puzzled.  Though there is a big billboard with a map from the mountains to the sea outlining the trails, I can see where it's still confusing.  So I drew a couple of maps in the dirt for them with the actual directions coordinated accordingly.  Had a pretty good chat with them as well  then they headed off with a few directions.  Make a right at the first stop sign, follow the ugly section of road around as it curves to the left,  then ride THROUGH  the second stop sign and it will ramp you up right onto the dam, then the dam will lead you west to the 605.......😄 Obviously they found their way as I caught up capturing them in the video. 

The dude in the red, I see him out there about half the times I ride out there.  I remember seeing him for the first time about a year ago.  I think he was a new rider seeming a little off and struggling big time into the wind.  But a year later,  seems to have improved dramatically.  Back about a month ago, ran into him on the same dam climb. Though I wasn't trying to race him,  he flew up the climb and smoked me ha ha ha.  I think he remembers me being out there when he was struggling so it seems every time I see him out there,  he wants to crank it up to show me what he can do now ha ha ha.  But good for him,  it's a great source of recreation and surely a healthy one.

Talking about the climb, I had to do the upper section 3 extra times to get the shot I wanted.  First,  rode up, set the recorder   down and up only to find somehow I didn't hit the record button correctly.  So down and up again.  Stood up for the second half and though I knew I had to pass the recorder,  I sat down too early realizing I didn't stand as long as planned.  So, down and up again.  Last time after the dude in red made his way up.  So I recorded him then my final attempt.  At this point,  my 4th time up the 9% grade,  I was just happy to remain seated making it beyond the recorder.  So the standing images are from my second time up ha ha ha.  Oh the things we do for fun! 😄

Some still images. Omar at the Chalan rest stop. Some dude I see out there very often,  in red.

And me. I did the second part of the Dam Climb in order to get the footage I wanted ha ha ha. 

Some new jerseys today.

Kinda cool! 63 years old, Strava since 2012 when I found out about it, done this segment over 200 times but still set a PR in my old age. Done plenty of climbing in my time but this steep little section they call The Damn Dam Climb on the San Gabriel River Trail near the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area (for the foreigners 😁) is a PITA for many riders. I have friends that will go around it in order to avoid doing the stinging climb on their rides. Pretty proud of myself after 34 years of consistent cycling, getting old and still able to set a PR on a little stinger like this! 1/4 mile, 6% average grade but 9% and 11% kickers that burn. 9.7 MPH best in my old age. Not bad for a 6'1 230 pound dude that comes from a family that is lucky to have relatives who can still walk after reaching the age of 60. 🤣

🏆🥇🏆

I did order one of these compression base layers. Fit very well,  3XL as a Chinese sizing. Nice fit and long to stay tucked,  no plumber's crack. 😄 I have several base layers but the are a bit baggy in the sleeves so I wanted something more snug. 

Funny that I have a few newer Under Armor and a Columbia.  But these Chinese suckers feel much better and only about $15. I ordered a navy blue to match one of the new jerseys.  But, I liked it so much that I ordered a couple more.  A black and another navy because the color is hard to find.  I looked at Nike stores, UA, even Wally World with no luck trying to find navy blue. 

And Aero too, if I were going to race anyone,  I'd wear one of these.  😄