You Prolly Wonder Where I was.......

                          Maybe not but I was in Tucson Az. Taking Mom on a road trip! :-P

OK, so I took my Mom and my aunt to Tucson to light a candle at a little chapel type place out there. My Mom is a strong believer and has a lot of faith in the Catholic religion so she promised to take my aunt out there to light a candle for one of the saints she prayed to when my aunt was sick. My aunt was in the hospital over 6 years ago and almost died. So Mom prayed and promised. With all the stuff that went on with my Dad, she didn't have a chance to make it and never felt good about it.

Well now that we're together after Dad's passing, I can drive ha ha! So it took a few months but finally she was able to get things together and we hit the road. Ended up going with my cousin and aunt. Gina was planned to tag along but 2 days before the trip, her DIL called and informed her of an commemorative dinner for people who have died and donated organs etc.

When her son passed back in May, he wanted to give what he could being a recipient himself, Gina's kidney. So though he had plenty of problems withhis organs, he was able to donate his retinas and skin. I didn't know they did skin but yeah. So it was pretty cool. They had a lunch and a program honoring the donors. Gina received some kind of medal in his honor. So she stayed home and attended the lunch instead. Since it took so long to organize, we went on the trip anyway.

So Mom is pretty happy that after 6 years, she finally got around to fulfilling her promise.

Of course I took a few pics on the way home. Patton museum at Chiriaco Summit.

VIDEO from last night's Lady And Gents Night Ride

Threw together a ride video from last night.  Good ride, good people, fun ride. As stated in last post, fun ride from Claremont to Covina and back.

25 miles around the town at night.

25 Night Miles Lady & Gents Ride

I should have a video by Friday night.


25 DARK miles on a group ride tonight, 15.5 average speed. The ride is called Ladies and Gents ride organized by Eric P. who I met on the bike forums years ago. I think his name is SoCalCyclist on the board.  Also ran into a dude I met on the forums as well, on a forum GMR ride I had organized. Shame none of the current posters on the forum, oh wait, there are only about 3 or 4 ha ha, take charge and organize a few forum rides. So I ran into this dude who I haven't seen in about 15 years. It was good to chat with him for a bit about the cycling life.

Anyway, it was cool to ride and see some forum member friends again. Of course they don't visit the forums any longer. Hmm, wonder why ha ha!

So anyway, you know me, I avoid group rides other than my little circle of friends. We had been invited to do some group rides in the past and boy that was scary. Everybody starts out at 25 MPH leaving many behind, no organization, no direction. Turned out bad for us. People got hurt, luckily not me or Gina. But I avoid group rides like the plague.

Eric had invited me before but I did my best to avoid group rides but this was refreshing. Eric actually gave out safety direction at the beginning of the ride. I think every group should have reminders. Turned out to be a good group of people. VERY surprising to me that there were so many women. You know me, I appreciate the woman beauty but I'm taken ha ha! Kidding of course, but I will say that I have never seen so many strong women, very attractive women all in one place. All of them were attractive but man they were strong! I guess that is what surprised me.  A whole group of pretty women, there has to be a couple of weak one but boy was I wrong. I had to try really hard to keep from getting my butt handed to me on a platter ha ha!

But the group was really good and seemed everyone was considerate of one another and concerned. Somebody flatted and called out. The lead riders could not hear. But I let Eric know so we waited at the next regroup. Eric decided to ride back to see if he could lend a hand. That was cool. I know I myself have been left high and dry but a couple of my own personal friends.  So I was happy he thought enough about his group to go back. He did a pretty good job of leading the people.

I myself was a little timid, or should I say holding back on the ride at first not knowing where the heck I was going in the dark. I looked at the course on Strava of past posts but thought I know the roads, I could not memorize the course. So I actually started at the back figuring I would just follow. But again, I was surprised and the women just rolled away from em. Uh oh, I need to get my butt in gear ha ha!

In some sections it was dark so I had no idea where I was at times. Usually  works against me when I am riding blind, no idea of the course or where I was. I know at one point, we started up a road, not even sure where I was, all I know is I was going up.Not being familiar I had no idea how much energy to apply not knowing where the top of that climb might be. I had no idea where to relax and when to push. I remember on one road, it was a gentle climb. After a bit I was wondering where the relief was. I didn't know so I told myself to just keep going till I pass out ha ha!

Kind of tough because you're riding starting to catch your breath then the riders pick it up into a semi sprint knowing where the top is but I'm just following and boom, they're pulling away. Ha ha I know it will take me a few rides to get familiar with the course so I know when I can put in some effort knowing I will shortly get some relief.

But it was a good ride, I am going back for sure! Already got my invite for next week couple hours after the ride. I did take the pics but I was a bit hesitant to take the camera out. Worried if I slowed to snap a few shots, I'd be dropped like a hot potato. But after the ride, I felt good so I think I will survive next time as well,hopefully more pics.





                            SoCalCyclist (exact name ?) on the bike forums, Erik. Fearless leader.

Good, nice people!

These women were kick ass!

A bit blurry but maybe that bus caught my attention ha ha!

OK, am I lost?

Late Eve Ride Industrial Center

Nice easy 15 mile ride at 13.1 average speed. Just wanted to spin my legs up after GMR hoping to relax them. I am going to try to do a ride with a group on Thurs eve so we'll see how it goes. A night ride and I've never been on  the course so it might be tricky in the dark ha ha!

So I tried to get out there, a little late I expected but sheesh, everybody asking me stuff while I'm trying to get ready and out the door.  I'm prepping my bike and Mom wants me to hang up a curtain rod. Small simple thing but I figure I can get it done real quick and be out the door. But then as I'm almost ready to walk out the door, Gina asks me to turn on the Netflix, sound system and everything that goes with it. Stupid Netflix takes for ever to sign on. Who is watching? Who, what where> Dang it, just turn on you bastard ha ha! Actually Netflix is pretty cool and I don't pay for it. One of the benefits of taking care of Mom. My brother has an extra name on his account so he gave me his code to sign on. Hey, Netflix should be one of the benefits of taking care of Mom while he gets to go out and do whatever they want.  Heck, I can't even get mad when I want so that I don't upset Mom. Maybe that makes me a better person, Naw it doesn't but I'm taking the free Netflix ha ha!

So I go ride around Cedar and Archibald. I had watched some crits there before and looked like a cool place. I actually rode out there at night back in like 2000. So I went out there just to test it out thinking maybe I would ride there instead of Creekside. Wasn't bad but there are big warehouses there and one is in and out the entire time. Not a threat to me but passing by the yard is super loud with all the trucks running, charging, whatever they do.

So I got used to that and dark enough that I can easily tell if a truck comes from behind me. If so, would be 1/8 of a mile away at least so no danger. But what did scare the crap our of me is the airport just across Mission Blvd. WOW! I'm riding thinking I'm clear then BOOM! I think it's a truck that crept up on me unaware but I look around hoping to save my life and nothing. Took me a bit to figure out is was the airplanes starting up ha ha!

But otherwise it was good for a relaxing cruise.

Believe it or not, I got lost a bit in the industrial center. Everything looks square. So I rode up a little street  I had not been on before. Up, a little across, then down and what the heck? Where am I? This road really threw me off. I had to ride the loop 4 times trying to do it and get back to the right place but every time I made a wrong turn ha ha! WTH! Finally I realized what it was doing. Wow, pretty tricky.

So I wanted to do just 10 but after getting lost and exploring, I had 12 when I looked down at my Garmin. Oh well, let me do that other street a couple of times to figure it out even more so I ended up doing 15 easy miles.

I didn't think it was that late but heading home, it was almost 11 PM ha ha!

                          Oh well, other than this tricky little street, intersection, it was cool.

The Flash ha ha!

Old Fart and yes, red blinkie on the helmet via velcro strip and on seat post as well. Safety first.

Mr. Beanz Signature Line

Just in case you missed it, the Mr. Beanz signature line is now being offer by Trek Bikes! OK, not really, just having fun! :-P

                                                    Signature badge on head tube

GMR for 3,000 Please!

OK, so it was 3,133 ft of gain up to Peacock Saddle today. 26 miles roundtrip and most of the climbing in the first 13 miles. So who is the wiseguy who put uphills on the downhill ha ha!?

I started out aiming to make it to the shack nonstop. Then do a few more to get 3,000. But just before the shack, after the steep little, after the downhill, my left hamstring decided to lock up, CRAMP! CRAP!

I didn't want to stop and tried to nurse it but nope, here it comes. A almost stopped then thought, screw it, let's try this! I disengage my left leg and pedaled up the 7% section with one leg. Wow, didn't know I could do it but I did ha ha! I was determined not to stop and luckily it went mostly away after 7 or so pedal strokes. Then I nursed it barely using my left leg and shouting "RIGHT! RIGHT! RIGHT!".  I usually call out my left leg when I am climbing and feel my left fading. SO I call it out to concentrate on that leg hoping to dig out a little more power keeping up with my right. But today was opposite. It was either that or fall over ha ha! It worked, my leg recovered and actually made it the extra 1/8 (?) mile to the top landing above the shack. Where Monroe Truck Trail comes out.

Well I made my goal. Not sure why I cramped. Maybe  because I rode for the first time during the week? Maybe I'm just getting old ha ha! But I did it!

The weather is strange up there. At one point, maybe 10 miles up, it's 70 degrees and sunny. Then one mile later, it's dark and 61 degrees. Saw a couple of riders pull over and slap on the windbreakers. I know it was only 61 but it felt pretty freaking cold ha ha! Maybe because I kept looking at the snow capped mountain peaks.


But I survived! :-P

                                                 First stop, just above the shack!

Yes smiling because I did not have to stop even with a cramp!

13 miles up overlooking Camp Williams.

Big difference in the temps compared to Summer. I just climbed nearly 3,000 ft and not even a shine on the face. No sweat ha ha!

Fat Bastard ha ha!

First mile up, or so. Nice winding road for the first 8.

I put this one in after reading a thread in the bike forum about some dude wanting to keep his gloves nice and pretty. WTH! Just give me something to cover my palms and I'll ride my bike ha ha! Don't need to be pretty and soft to ride a bike ha ha!

Late Night Ride, I Dunno, is 9:00 PM Late?

17.5 miles at 16.8 average speed. Really wanted to ride my bike and finding that late night will probably work best for me with a 24/7 schedule taking care of my Mom. Not that she needs me to do much. More like not wanting to be alone as she can get sick anytime. So keeping an eye on her and doing the things she wants to do, is a busy schedule ha ha! But, I figure if she enjoys what is left of her life, then she should go out happy. Yeah, watch me go first ha ha!

So anyway, wanting to get on my horse, I figured later at night should work. What a beautiful evening. Where I was riding was where we used to live. Doing loops around Creekside. Really funny, people always talk about bad trail riders but believe me, there are just as many stupid people on the streets. One time, some dude on an ebike was doing like 20 MPH on the wrong side of the road going against traffic. With a big huge headlight that was so blinding, I could not tell if he was taking the inside or outside of the bike lane I was in, heading the proper direction.

This time, a woman on a pretty nice roadie, with a light heading straight at me. Because I am doing loops, I had to figure out what she was going to do every time we passed. Glad it was only 3 times. I can't believe the stupid people.

Like my buddy Hillbasher would say, "I am not anti-cyclist, I am anti-STUPID!".

But I wanted to ride for at least an hour so I did. Really nice, not much out there as far as vehicular traffic. Like I have said many times, my biggest threats are other cyclists, streets, trails, mountains, flats, you name it. So sad!

I did see an industrial center on Cedar and Archibald where the crits are sometimes held. I actually though about riding there as I did years ago. But only a couple of little offices with lights on so I wasn't sure about using the parking lot. My luck I'd get a security guard have my truck towed ha ha! But I think I will give it a try next time. Get me away from the stupid cyclists.

There may be a few big rigs out there loading in a couple companies but at leas I can tell what they are going to do. Like drive on the correct side of the road! ;-)

                                                  Happy to be out in the nice fresh air!

Trying to get my little rock back.

The cockpit

The lights. One ahead and one down on the road.

Wore the spiders hoping to keep people away from me ha ha!

The following posing session was done after the ride ha ha!