Suffering Succotash on the 26

26 miles with Gina at 16.2 MPH speed. Figured we would do a shorter ride again since Gina has not been on the bike for another month again. Rain, engagements, medical visit family members, and not wanting to go out in the cold of night on shorter midweek rides with me set her back a bit, again.

But she actually did pretty well so though I wish she had finished a bit stronger, she did well with a 16.2 vs the 156 or her last ride one month ago. She her speed was better but she really suffered the last couple of miles. But I want to get our mileage back up again. Heck, we were doing 60's some time back and I know we can do it again once we get around the obstacles that have been thrown at us.

So I told her that if she had gone out on the bike with me at night, this would have been and easy ride for her. Short easy ride but she gets upset and says it wouldn't have helped at all. OK, I had to tell her that she is in denial because any midweek shorter ride with a lesser effort really helps and she knows it. She just felt like getting smart with me I guess  ha ha! Usually happens when she is suffering! :-P

But anyway, she did well, actually better but still too much time off. Must ride more!

The forecast said it would rain at 3 PM so we did the short ride, that and lack of saddle time. Either way, we beat the rain but there were some pretty nice looking clouds out there.

I will say if I haven't already, how surprised I am that there are plenty of large groups of cyclist. More today which is shocking to me. Big groups of 20 or more. I really have to say being mixed up with many sports over my life, I think cyclist are the most hypocritical. I see them all the time on the forums complaining about people not caring for the environment, no regard for human life, and the many many many stupid comments that drivers are jealous of them because they ride their bikes and stay healthy. Too many stupid comments by cyclists in my opinion.

Which is stupid because though I ride my bike, I know there are plenty of drivers in cars around me more fit than I. I know not all drivers are out there trying to run us over. My God I can not stand to read cycling advocacy forums. Some of the most twisted cyclist I have ever seen. Heck, I once saw a video in the forums of some ass hat on a recumbent complaining that a passenger was hassling him.  So some passenger shouts something at the cyclist and he gets upset. OK, the passenger is an ass too but this moron gives chase then starts a shouting match at the intersection. Driver not involved takes off. The moron chases again and continues to start shouting matches at each intersection, maybe 4 or 5 different spots. OK idiot, the passenger acted stupid but the fact you chase a vehicle and start confrontation several times tells me that he's worse than the dope that shouted initially. Heck, I know people will shout or make stupid comments. It doesn't just happen on the bike so grow up. He got pretty upset with me on youtube when I pointed out he was just as much to blame. Heck, Judge Judy would have told the guy he could have avoided it all but the fact he chased and kept it going, he is just as guilty.

But getting back to the big groups. So many cyclists saying others have no regard for human life, what the heck?! So like I have said, I did my rides socially distanced. I rode alone and I rode with Gina. I also tried to avoid cyclist who wanted to suck my wheel or tried to get in ahead of me by 5 feet.

I see some people think they are healthy and feeling well. But what about those around you? I don't usually preach about these things, but think of your aging mother, father, children who may have a weaker immune system and will have no choice when you infect them with the virus even though you feel fine. I myself am not afraid of the virus and think I would survive but I really don't think my 81 year old Mom could. But I will also say that in the big groups of cyclists, the guys did look like a bunch of arrogant pricks in my opinion. I guess so as they have no concern for human life as I see it. Too busy trying to pretend they're Lance Armstrong instead of maybe thinking this could be a real threat to those around us. Pretty sad I say!

                                                          Before the ride, all smiles.

Jose R and a couple buds.

On the return

After the ride. Looking kind of beat and even Charlie on her seat bag is looking kind of tired ha ha!

Almost lost my blue nipple! But with the threat of the virus, I didn't think anybody would take it ha ha! It was still there at Edna Park when I stopped to check on the return trip.

Supposed to rain but we beat it. Nice clouds though. 

SOLO Old Fart 50 Miles on SART

50 solo OLd Fart miles today on SART. 16.6 average speed. Strava gave me a 15.5. I swear they can never get it right! So I am going with Garmin Connect because that is what I see when I am on the bike.

I rode alone for the social distance thing. I am shocked at how many BIG groups I saw on the trail. I mean I see where we still want to ride but BIG groups? I rode alone to avoid this but I guess not many cyclists think much of it, 20+ groups. I am not one to panic or preach to others on what is moral. I do believe many like me want to do what they please but honestly, my big concern it to avoid big groups so that I an avoid spreading the virus to my Mother who will be 81 in a few days. Kind of scary to see how many people don't take the advice. As they say, you may feel fine but you can be a carrier. That is what scares me! I think I can fight it off, Gina too, but my Mom? Give it to her and pretty sure she'll have a real hard time. Not sure if all these people don't have any old people in their lives, but I do. I sure hope they don't!

But anyway, I enjoyed myself getting out alone. Also keeping my distance from others. Even at the coast, we did not get within 10 feet from one another. Couple of guy pals, Ed & Richard, Tony and Thai who are usually together anyway seemed to be OK with eachother. But that's cool, small groups are suggest.

The freeway was pretty clear on the way to the trail but the trail, wooh wee! Surprising number of cyclists. Far more than any normal day on the trail. Plenty of families walking, jogging, walking dogs, seemed everyone needed to get out. I honestly thought I would be the only dude on the trail. Boy was I wrong. Good thing is, nobody was close to me at anytime other than one wheelsucker.

This just still gets me. I mean I like to go out there to ride but that doesn't mean you want every dude you pass to hop your wheel. He hopped on my wheel so I waved him around. Dude, I just want to do MY thing. So of course, whenever you CATCH someone then pass them, they become miraculously faster as they hop on your wheel. You seemed comfy at your pace, why do these people feel they need to hop on when you roll by?

So I wave him around and the hotshot sprints off. Heck, I backed off letting him roll away. But just then, some really fast dude comes up from behind me and passes me. I think the wheelsucker who just sprinted off thought it was me trying to pass him, dumb ass ha ha!

So the fast guy is catching the wheelsucker but the wheelsucker steps on it. He gives it his all but the fast guy eventually goes around him. He looks shocked like what the hey! So then he shoots his wad and fades big time. Now again, just keeping my pace, I'm catching up. I bet he felt dumb! So about 3 miles later the guy can barely pedal, wasted his energy racing a race he made up in his mind ha ha! But as usual, just as I am about to pass him, he turns up a ramp and stops ha ha! I had to give him a big smile and shake of my head as I roll by ha ha!

I'm surprised that with the social distancing thing, anybody would take a stranger's wheel. I am not usually a germaphobe but with the virus, like I said, I'm trying to be careful for Mom and my family.

So after the guy gets lost, I cross the final wooden bridge before the coast. I passed some dude then crossed the bridge so he catches up. As I turn off the bridge I get a drink and switch bottles cage to cage. Just as I  get rolling again, this guy rolls up from behind and says he had a flat and didn't think  he put enough air in his tire. I guess that is his reason for getting passed. OK, I'm thinking there is a pretty big headwind and that is the reason. I know I was pushing pretty hard trying to keep a decent pace. But after he gives me the excuse, he pulls slightly ahead and gets in front of me, about 6 FEET!!!

OK, I think 6 feet if you're standing still to be safe. But 6 feet in front of me rolling into the wind, blowing all your freakin' germs on me?  Either pull away or fall behind. I didn't really want to slow down but this dude was right in my face, so I thought best to slow down. I let him go 30 yards or so ahead to get away from me. But he faded and I couldn't help but catch up so I slowed again. I dropped back again to protect myself but at the same time laughing inside thinking this dude is probably tickled because he passed me this time. So I waited for the last dip then picked it up knowing he would fade into the wind up the little climb. Sure enough, exactly what happened so I stepped on it. I just put my head down and cranked it up best I could into the wind so that I could lose him. Yup, he's gone and I am once again safe and socially distanced ha ha!

So I just make my way to the coast and stop at the top of the ramp that dumps you onto PCH. Wow, I did not see one cyclist for about 3 or 4 minutes. I had doubts about riding to the pier thinking something was up, no cyclists either side? Just then, I see a few approach, OK let's do it! So I head to that away to get a few extra to make my 50. Glad I did.

I ran across Ed and Richard a couple of times on the trail after having stopped at Edna Park to tinkle. But that was good because I got to encounter them a couple of times heading into the wind so I know we were all having the same fun ha ha!

I had headed to the pier for a quick turnaround so when I got back to my regular stop, they were there. Richard said, "we saw you on the trail a couple of times!". Ah OK! Took me a minute or two then I realized it was the 2 dudes I saw on the trail heading to the coast. So we chatted a bit, OK, maybe I did most of the chatting ha ha! But Richard seemed like a real nice friendly guy. Was nice meeting these guys. Turns out Ed is 76 and did a 76 miler for his last birthday ride, wow! Today only a 43 miler but hey, 76 years old? I have a hard time doing 20 and I'm almost 57 ha ha. Good job Ed! Nice to meet a couple of normal guys.

One thing I really like about these guys was that they agreed with me that it was windy on the way to the coast ha ha! Made me feel better about myself seeing it was tough fighting the wind. If they had said it was not windy and that it was just me getting old, then we could not be friends ha ha!

When I got back to my truck, I noticed a truck behind me with the driver's door open. I didn't see anybody around. I looked at the truck then looked from the front end into the windshield and did not see anybody inside. hmm!

So I lay my bike down and walked to the curb. Hey, it's Richard sitting at the back of his truck hidden from view. He must have been praying to the bike gods for good weather tomorrow as he was pretty quiet. I hope he prayed hard so I can get Gina out there tomorrow. So we chatted a bit more then he drove off. I mean, what do most people do in their trucks after a ride? Drive off ha ha! So anyway, good to have a couple more friends out there.



Couple new friends today. Ed (left) and Richard (right). Couple of cool guys I crossed paths with  on the trail, couple of times. Ran into them at the coast as well. Friendly guys. You would not know it but Ed is 76 years old. Wow! I mean WOW as in I hope I am still riding at his age and he looks really good. I would not guess he was 76. But he rolled out a 43 miler today, WOW! Good job Ed! And Richard was just as friendly as can be. Nice guy and willing to chat about cycling. Nice guy, glad I ran across these guys.

Thai and Tony. Guys play basketball and ride. Heck, I have a hard time just riding ha ha!

Herb and Alyce. No social distancing going on here ha ha! I think this may be the best pic I've ever taken of them.

Herb and Alyce dropping me ha ha!

The Old Fart

I tried to strike a pose but I don't think I'm that good at it ha ha!

Super Short Quick Funny Video

This was sent to me by an old friend, and when I say old, I mean OLD! :-P

So anyway, that dude Eyemage sent this video, pretty funny! Had to post it as I know plenty of men would feel the same way.

Only a few seconds but gotta love it ha ha ha!

Social distancing ha ha! So it gives me time to play with pics. I made this one for my aunt who asked if I had the pics I had made last May after my Uncle passed away. He was 76. I since deleted the others but on our trip to Tucson, she asked me about them. Nope, don't got 'em anymore so I made a new one. She loved it she says.

I Can See Corona From Here Ride

No kidding! I can really see Corona from here! :-P  Late night ride around an Ontario industrial center and if I look South, I can see the city of Corona ha ha! Just felt like riding and spinning up the legs for some exercise and racking up some miles.

15.6 miles, 15.0 Average speed. Had 14.9 at 15 miles but hey, let's do that extra 1/2 mile to bring up the average, why not? So it's pretty nice riding out at night. Not as dark as one would think. I like the areas with little traffic. Unlike most, I don't care about scenery, what I see or don't see on a ride. I just like the feeling and thought of riding my bike. I actually hate when people say stupid things like," I don't like to ride the trail cause it's boring!". Or, I don't like to ride here or there blah blah blah. Maybe I just like to ride my bike more than these stiffs. Face it, I've ridden streets, trails, mountains, you name it and after so many years, riding my bike is riding my bike. It's all good and those stiffs just need to pull the sticks out of their asses ha ha! Give me a ride, any speed, any place and I'll find a way to enjoy it. The real funny thing is I have had people say the SART trail is too easy. But yet the wimps won't try GMR ha ha!  Consider the source I guess.

So riding in an isolated industrial center, I don't care, I just want to ride my bike and it's the closest place for now. I actually do miss living in Upland I miss the roads around there. Light traffic into the foothills and some climbing as icing on the cake. Around here, not sure what it is around the industrial center but it's kind of hard to go fast. Heck, only 150 feet but my legs were burning ha ha! Maybe the wind (gets windy in the open areas of Ontario) or maybe the chilly weather with an average of 52 degrees.  Either way, fast or slow, I have a good time!

I don't even remember how I got this shot. Behind the helmet while riding ha ha! But I got it and as I looked at the pics when I got home, I realized how beat up this helmet is ha ha! I guess I am just one of them guys who squeezes the heck out of the tootpaste tube to get as much as I can out of things. Heck, I have 2 new helmets that I have worn maybe 2 or 3 times. But like I said, I'll try to get the most out of anything ha ha! Helmet does look pretty beat though. Maybe I'll save it for MTB rides in the Summer.

One thing I did see today was the Breathless Agony jerseys for this year. Man they look terrible. 

Sue glad I did it already and got a cool looking print. Those new ones just look awful ha ha!

Not to mention the jersey matches the socks when I did the ride. I'm thinking when the time is right, I'll do it again when I have a chance to do more serious riding. For now, much of my time is about my 81 year old blind mother. So I'm only 57 and if I do it when I'm 60, that would even be cool. ;-)

Heck, to do it at an older age would be cool considering those wimps like TrojoanHorse WIMP on the bike forums failed to complete it. Oh, well, some people are blowhards ha ha! Best of all equipment and still can't do it while I did it on a $1000 bike ha ha! Didn't even have a compact crank like The Wimp. I used a standard crank 39-26 combo. 

 I am just sad that they did away with Ride Around the Bear. That was my favorite ride, did it 4 times. Only sad I never bought the jersey. Only a FUGLY t shirt ha ha!

Hey, Ho, Wow!  This is funny. I got some PR's on my ride seeing this is the second time I rode that area since being on Strava. I tested myself on the big outer loop as I have not done this area in years. Maybe last time I rode there was 2001. Back then I did the big loop at 5:00. This time I did it at 5:25. Not bad considering I am almost 20 years older and I thought I was doing good back then so this is a good sign.

But anyway, part of the loop is a segment. I had no idea, just comparing myself to years ago. But I looked at the segment for this year and I am NUMBER ONE HA HA HA HA! 

Of course there are only 2 of us ha ha ha ha!

Really made me laugh though because on a real ride like GMR, I'll never get anywhere even close to the top in any year. Some pretty fast guys out there. But it made me think of one of the mods on bikeforums calls himself  DrIso-sumthin or other. We've had discussions before where he has said that GMR is much easier than his local climb. 

The funny thing, and the thing that brought this to mind is that he has one of those banners in his signature line in the forums. Has his stats. Something like 10 PR's on Strava. I was impressed but then I looked at his Strava profile after all the GMR talk and it turns out most of his KOM's on Strava are segments where HE IS THE ONLY RIDER HA HA HA!

OK, who the heck creates their own segments knowing they're the only ones who ride there just to post in the forums impressing people who have no idea that the super duper credits are actually fake ass accomplishments ha ha!

But anyway, looks really impressive in his signature.  The guy does ride a ton but with all the  riding he does, he'll never come even close to getting any kind of PR on GMR.  What a clown!

I will say that when I was into climbing and training, he does have my gate to shack time beat by 5 minutes or so.  Of course that was good for me being 230 pounds (GMR to shack in 56 minutes, sadly before Strava and going to the village. So maybe I could have tied his time had I concentrated back then on only riding to the shack. 

But this is just hilarious!  Talk trash about GMR, claim it's easy while impressing everyone on the bike forums with his banner stats only to realize he is creating his own segments where only he rides so he can claim KOM"s ha ha ha!

And these are the people who consider me a flaming A-Hole. Consider the source I guess.

So seeing my silly 1st place for this year made me think of this guy! WOW! I HAVE THE BEST TIME BUT THERE ARE ONLY TWO OF US HA HA HA! 

I wish I could claim victory for this all over the internet like the guy I just mentioned. Maybe the others will think I too am something special. :-P

WOW, I am at the top of the board like the hero on the forums. Actually, there are 2 riders on my number 1 ha ha ha!

Matter of fact, I'm thinking of finding a few little isolated hills I can ride to claim KOM's being the only rider ha ha ha!

Group Ride SART with Erik & Co.

The video!








52 miles, 17.3 average speed. I did stop my Garmin when we rolled thru town for lunch so maybe it is a bit higher than the others if they didn't stop their timers. But strange thing, I was rolling back and saw 16.6. I don't know, maybe we were rolling faster than I thought but as we regrouped at the train station, I looked down and my average was above 17. Hmm, not sure if it is legit or not. Heck, guess I shouldn't worry but just didn't think we were rolling that fast.

So anyway, 6 of us left Yorba Park at 9:00 am, early for me ha ha! But it was wet, the ground soaked as if it has just finished raining. The drive over I did not see rain but others from other cities said it poured on the drive. But the ground was wet enough to thrash our bikes but no rain which was good ha ha!

The 6 of us met up with another group at the train station. So we rolled off with a pretty big group. Nice ride though, I just sat back and enjoyed it. I did have a flat, another front flat pfft! Like the 3rd in a row. Ain't it usually the rear? Ha ha!

I usually don't mind the rain but the wet ground is what worries me, picking up more debris. So I flatted but Erik said to let him do it. Heck, I won't fight about it. He has pretty good skills fixing flats so it was quick and painless for me ha ha!

Two other people ended up flatting and Erik fixed those as well. Another simple fix but one was a major surgery repair ha ha! Dude hit something metal in the road splitting his tire from bead to bead. Erik had a boot so he installed it, then another tape or something. Then the dude's tire was almost impossible to get on. About 4 people fought with it but then Erik finally got it on. Luckily that dude only had 4 miles to the end of his ride.

But it was a pretty good ride, enjoyable and I think everybody had fun!

Last flat tire happened right before Imperial. We stopped on the bridge to wait not knowing what had happened. Then we realized it was a flat for one of the gals. But Mike had to go but before he did, I talked him into a mini Mike photoshoot on the bridge ha ha!

6 of us did 52 miles, the others did 33.

Contemplating A Magazine Bidness!

Well, I have been working and practicing on designing magazine covers ha ha! Maybe I'll go into bidness. :-P

Anyway, the rider is Rick Burneson who I have ridden with on several occasions. Known the guy since 2004 I'm guessing. Used to do many rides up GMR with forum members, several over the years and different forums. Too bad the SoCal forum in dot net really sucks or we would probably have some pretty good rides going up GMR again.

Well I found a group doing some rides during the week on facebook that seem pretty cool. They have a selection of rides that have been going on for years. I'll be doing the Thursday night ride again and happy that daylight savings time is finally here. So sad the forums are run by a bunch of idiots. Instead of attracting cyclists and bringing the community together, they are too busy thinking they're too special to allow the members who actually organize rides and post material that attract members. Too bad they are ghosts town now and we are having all the fun out here on facebook groups. Oh well, they get what they deserve, a ghost town!

But anyway, it was kind of fun thinking up some stuff to add onto the cover. Heck, never thought of it till I saw a mag cover in a facebook group. Then I figured I should make one myself just for kicks. I chose a couple of pics I thought might go together. One was a recent GMR ride and the other was a pic of Rick from a few years back on a night time GMR ride.

Just silly stuff but kept me entertained for about half an hour so maybe I'll make more as the rides progress ha ha!



                                                            Magazine cover. :-P

Made from these two pics.