The View from Kilometer 100

I wants really sure what ride i was going to do today. The tri club was going to do Glendora Mountain Road and Glendora Ridge Road to baldy village, but based on experience last week, I decided that would be riding solo by time I got Upland. Plus the bike is doing that next Sunday. The women were doing part of the Santa Ana River Trail , but I had done that last week,,but they were starring late, and It's supposed to be 100 degrees today. I was getting pretty burnt out doing the ride every Saturday.
So I started out at 6am and went to Duncan Canyon and and the 15 (first two pics) before heading to to the coffee shop. I was not sure which ride to to do. I eventually wound up doing the middle option which do the long ride until you get to Mills and Padua, and then go down Padua and follow the short route. it's still 30 miles, but that way you avoid going up mt Baldy road.
I got busy talking and generally having a grand old time. We got back coffee shop last, but who cares(as long as I can have a Funky Monkey)?
The only problem was that I already had 50 miles at that point, and I wanted to go check the bike parking at the Claremont station and get home by noon.
So I compromised. I started out by trying a different route out of the coffee shop to Church st . I got lost by actually found a better route> I then rode out Baseline (again) to San Antonio, before heading down to 9th and pedaling back through Downtown Upland.
I did start at the junction of the PE Trail and Arrow Rte, which so happened to be mile 62.14 and took a pic of the mountains(Hence my title)
So sometimes you do you have to look at tired things in a new prespective

What! more than one post a week?

Yes, it's true.
I've been to do this for a while now, but haven't gotten around (actaully
at 9:07 PM, I just barley got around to it).
since I seem to talk a lot about bikes and God, I decided to my Saturday post on bikes a, and Sunday on God.
If you stumbled through my past post, you may have noticed that I was think about I can use my computer skills for ministry. Well, I've begin sketching out my ideas in UML. at first, I was working on my idea of coming up with a prayer tracker> I even tried journal my prayers to get a better idea on what I wanted to do.
The I started to reread my Tom Sine. And I remembered my old mission statement. I started hearing that Still, small voice.
So I'm looking more at a community bible reading tool. Hopefully this will keep on the narrow path. And I had to laugh at providence. Since I've working on presentation/ web skills, and our computer group needed a new web host, I got an offer for free web hosting. So at ties having faith means thing will fall into place when the time is right.

The Curse of Orange County.

If you're a regular reader, you know that every time I got to Orange County on my bike, some thing bad happens.
Well I did the Santa Ana River Trail with some friends today. I started just by realizing I had left at my Camelbak in the fridge when I went past the Juvenile Prison(If you aren't familiar with this part of Socal, Chino has State Prisons for Adult Men, Adult Women, and Juvenile Males. I have idea where California keeps its "bad Girls".
It was a little too late to turn around, so I kept on going till I get to the green River exit of the 91. The e-mails had the start at 7 or 7:30 I got there at 7 and sure enough, the ride start was 7:30. It turned out for the best since,since another rider had gotten his chain twisted up and I help him get it untangled.
It start as usual for me, since I got dropped by the time we got onto the trail. I was debating catching back on, but I decided that since I was doing about 18-19, to kick back and enjoy myself. Besides , this trail can get Dangerous with the mix of "Racers", walker, and Beach cruisers.
Before I knew I was at Katella avenue. I stopped to chew on some Luna Moons, and took a pic of the Big "A" at angels Stadium.
I kept on riding through/under the "Orange Crush" interchange(intersection of the 5, 57 ,a nd 22 freeway). This place does have some significance, as two years ago, I broke my arm there.
I ran into the Gang right before Pacific Coast Highway. So I wasn't doing as bad As I thought. I stopped to take another break. Tony Trocolli, had circled to ask me if the should wait. I told him that I expected the same thing to happen. he told me where they were planning to have lunch, and we went our separate ways.
The trip was pretty uneventful. I took some pics of the gold course that's in the middle of River bottom and the site of my accident. I also stopped and took some pics of the Honda Center.
I was going to take some more at the very end of the trail. It was always interesting as you have a Golf Course and the Santa Ana River on one side(Nice peaceful scenery) and on the other side is the 91 freeway ( the trail is pretty much on the Shoulder of the Freeway). But when stopped, my sunglasses feel off and broke. Not fun, especially if you wear Bifocals> I made up the hill to the 91 interchange and back to shopping center. I so concerned about the glasses, that I forgot that my hands were still filthy form the chain (Sinta reminded me). I washed my hands, had a good Barbecue sandwich at Backwoods and some good conversation. Tony is also a triathlon coach, so I may be able to get a pair of Rudy Project sunglasses to replace the broken pair.
So, despite the curse striking again, I enjoyed the day. sometimes you just have to learn to relax and enjoy life

Maybe I should stop doing brevets with Bruce...

After all the rain we has here on Friday, I wasn't quite sure if should doing the brevet that's based on one of my permanent routes yesterday.
I started out thinking I would just do "the Grind", the club's normal Saturday ride (called because it starts at It's A Grind Coffee Shop). But then that still , small voice told me to bring along that second jug of Hammer Gel.
Things didn't start out well, as the first thing I saw was the snow on Ontario Peak.
I got to the coffee shop ,and relaxed. I started talking with Mike Berry, our RBA, and Bruce, how had another accident
So Instead of heading out Baseline Road, I went down Eitwanda Ave, The Riders were Bruce, a couple from Pomona, and a Gentleman from San Diego.
The sky started to clear as we headed into Fontana. The Gentleman(sorry, didn't get his name) had a problem with his saddle in the bumpy section near the 10 freeway. I really didn't think he need any help so I pedaled on(he passed me in Riverside. Bruce was already out on in from as usual.
SO I was a bit surprised when Bruce passed me at UCR! He couldn't get His co2 cartridge to and had wait for a slower ride to help him out.
And Mr. San Diego? we ran into him at Canyon Crest. We had a seat bag that attached the attached the eyelets on Seat Stays, and on of these had come loose and wrapped around his cassette. I thought maybe he was going to have to wait for the bike shop in shopping center to open to crack his cassette, but we got it untangled.
The couple from Pomona passed on the climb up Sycamore Canyon, and I got to see a C-17 taking off from March AFB. I helped th couple out with the light to get on Alessandro Blvd. I left at the first control, an AM/PM. I thought that they would catch me pretty quick, but I made to the end of Alessandro, down Gilman Springs, past the Scientology compound(see pic from afar),and onto the road to the Soboba Indian Reservation before the caught me.
I was feeling pretty good when turn of the reservation road to go into Hemet. When I made the turn, I felt my bike start handle strangely(almost went down). I recognized that I had a flat. I fixed it once, or so I thought. Them I noticed that the bead had not seated correctly. so Bent down to fix it, and you guessed it, PLOW! So I dug out my second tube , and got it down correctly. The original had a slow enough leak that left me with no spare tubes 60 miles from home. I went to 7-eleven and had lunch.
I could remember that there was a bike shop in Hemet, but didn't know where it was. I saw a Gentleman riding a Raleigh along the side walk, so I doubled back and asked him. It was across the street.
I went down Warren, and past the Sod Farms on Romona expressway.
One of the big ride in Randonnuering is Called Paris-Brest-Paris, so I had take picture of a "City of Perris" sign. the pic didn;t come too good, but there was a Cargo plane landing at March AFB over my head.
I was going to stop and Ralphs to use the bath rooms, but decided I could make it to the Circle K in Corona. I stopped to take a Pic of a Jacandra tree in blossom along Victoria street.
when I pulled into Circle K., there was two Police cars in the parking lot. My first thought was that they had been robbed, and I would have to find some place to get a receipt. It turns out the officers were discussing another call. The clerk noticed that she had seen a lot cyclist and gave me a receipt without asking.Unfortunately, the bath room was out of order, so I went to a Vons across the freeway.
The rest of the ride was uneventful. Unlike last month, I didn't have to deal with 25mph headwinds going up Hamner and Milliken. and there were cyclist waiting at the coffee shop! Bruce had gone home, but the other three were still there. I sat down and talked with them before heading for home.
So, sometimes You have stop worrying and listen for that still,small voice, I was think about this at church,as the Gospel lesson was Matthew 6:24-26("Aren't you worth more than Birds? ..."

Same week different results

I knew it was going to be really, hot so I started out at 6am.
Id did my usual week day ride up to the Pacific Electric Trail, I noticed that there was sign up, so I took a picture(what a difference and hour makes(I usually go by the sign before the sun is up).
The trail was quiet. I took victore to east (saw Jenn Dorgan going down Etiwanda) and stopped at the new park off banyan to take a photo of the contrails. then went up duncan canyon road. I thought I could make it to Sierra Ave, but only made to the Lytle Creek road turn off. I was an tandem, but wasn't close enough to identify the riders. i saw sliver helmets, so I thought it was Fred and Sylvia(it was actually Tom and Sue, and they saw me, but though I was someone else, too). I started to head back to the coffee shop. I rode with Karen Miranda back to It's A Grind. I poked fun at her husband , Hank, for driving.
I was debating which version of the ride to do. I usually alternate, depending on how I want to talk to. But I took a neat photo of the Angeles National forest sign when we had the May Gray, and I wanted to show what it looked like under "normal" conditions.
Well, my friend(will John McCain sue me for libel?), I picked the wrong day!
In addition to the temps, there's nice wildfire going on Mt Blady("Big Horn Fire")so Ihad to put with asj , in addtion to the heat. I had to take a couple of breaks(I can usually do that section of Baldy road in one sitting). I took some photos of the firefighting equipemnt, and of the sign.
Since no one as was the regroup(except for the highway patrol officer telling they couldn't go to Baldy Village). I wen back 19th Street and Victoria Park Lane. I had a Funky Monkey iced coffee(Yes, I need to find decaf beverages), and joined in the bull session.
You may have noticed that I had two bags on my bike. That beacauseI want to pick my new paier of glasses form my Boss' wife shop in Victoria Gardens, and I need to get some stuff from REI.
while I was at REI, I too a drink from the water fountain. I almost filled my Camelbak and I probably should have(forgot to listen to that Still,small voice), since I ran out of water at Rochester and 6th. I remebered that there is a Mobil at the 10 Freeway and Haven ave. I got some water and a Gatorade.
While I filling my Camelbak, I was thinking what to do with the bottles. I try and reclycle ALL my bottles, but I didn't know how to get them home. Espically henious, since I wound being my church's recycling guru! Talk about being present with a sin!
As if on cue, a man appeared and start rummaging through the trash for bottles. Ha cated surprized when I chased my to give him my Gatorade bottles. I was alos think about how, at REI, I alomst bought some more Accelrade. I had switched to the from Perpetuem since it tended to turn rancid in high temps, and everything said on long ride, you should have protien. Well, guess what, Accelrade has the same problem. So maybe not being able to tote that accelrade back of part of the plan after all.
I mad it bakc, and took a glance the temp reading on my bike. Only 109 (yes I know, they're wildy inaccurate, my home one has 106.7, and the offical weather at the airport is "only 100").
So God does look for us when bit off more than we can chew...

Gentle breezes, my foot!

I decide today I would do my brevet of the month.
It started out fine.
I went down Etiwanda, and across mission. I stopped to take some pics of the Mission Inn. I then had the experience of getting halfway across some railroad tracks when the gates went down . Hence the The train pic.
Did the climb up to Alessandro blvd with no problem. The only issue was a construction project On Alessandro from the 215 to Mission Grove I zoomed down to Victoria and took a couple of pics of the street and a citrus grove .
I then Tired a new route to avoid a bottleneck and the 91 and McKinley. Which worked out great!
The problem start when I turned on Hamner to go North to Rancho. The weather forecast was gentle breezes. What we had was a full fledged Santa Ana! 20 mph sustained winds! To top it it off, Hamner/ Millken is actually a false flat - you gain about 600 feet in 15 miles. Instead of my usual 14 on that stretch, i was down around 8-10.
By The time I got to Rancho, I was pretty pooped! I decided to see if went west (which the route did), I would have better luck. But I thought about the fact the route climaxes(quite literally!) with climb up Lytle Creek Road - prime Santa Ana territory.
so I packed it in. I'm really glad I did, even if it means giving up on some things/
PS. Dale Wright went to meet the Lord on Monday. He was declared brain dead

Listening.....

I imagine some of you are waiting for my 400K ride report. Well, I didn't do it!
I did something to my back on Saturday, plus I've busy with Java stuff. So I decided to do Permanent instead.
Only I didn't do that, either. Friday was an insanely crazy day at work. I ready to collapse when I got home at 8 after a walmart and Albertson's run.
so I talked over, and listened for that still small voice (remember 1 Kings 19?) and id the club ride.
Things were going swimmingly well. I talked briefly with a gentleman visiting from Redding before the climb up Mt baldy started. I actually made to the regroup at Shinn Road(a quarter of the way up Mt Baldy) before everyone left. (which for me is a minor miracle). I lost the group coming down Shinn, Mountain, and Euclid.
When I got to split in Euclid(near the San Antonio Heights fire station), a fireman was waving for me to stop. For those reading who aren't familiar with the area, Euclid at this point is 12-15% descent for about a half mile. you can do 50-60mph without too much of any effort. My friend from Redding apparently had a speed wobble, and reacted by locking his front brake. He was laying out cold in the middle of the street.
Thankfully, not only was the fire station next door, but several search and rescue teams were practicing in an old supermarket across the street. I don't deal well with blood, so I decided that the best thing was to ride back and tell everyone else, so we could make sure everything was in order.
We found from the liability waiver that his name is Dale Wright. He was airlifted to Loma Linda University Medical center.
Needless to say this put a damper on the day. I was some problems with the saddles on the new Roubiax, I had one that hurt in the front, and one that hurt in the rear. The one that hurt in the rear is a Specialized Avatar, which come in Multiple widths. I was going to ride to InCycle in San Dimas, since they are the pretty much the biggest bike store in the area and a Specialized dealer. But since i was going to bring in the bike for the 30 day tuneup, I decided to see if Don's had one in stock. which it turns out that they did!
So listening? I think that is what we are called to do. and like the passage says, God often speaks in a small voice, and it hard to hear in the world.
I was think about that in light of my pics for today. The first is a view of the San Antonio dam. The bus is the second - the URL is repobustours.com I guess what brought it to mind was that we got lost in materialism(louder voice). you must have the best.(I must be loser for riding a 105 equipped bike, right?)
I'll leave you with an image to ponder. when I lived in Dallas in the 80's , I read the Dallas Times Herald. One Sunday, the had an article about the car of the rich famous. Among them was at the time the Richest person in the United states - H Ross Perot - His car? a Chevy Impala.

Tenbrooks made me do it

One guy at Bikejournal has kept on asking me how it is like to ride CA 39 - The San Gabriel canyon - on a weekday. Today I took him up on his challenge.
one of the reason why I've been putting it off was that fact going out to Azusa on a weekday would involve mega traffic, and since gas is close to $4.00 a gallon here, I was doubly challenge.
Then I realized that I have a Metrolink pass. So decided to use Metrolink to get to Covina or Baldwin Park and then ride up.
I woke up early and got to the Station in Upland just as the 7:00. I had just bought a detours hightailer bag. ,so I brought along the Daily Bulletin to read.
Before I knew I as in Covina I was not sure about which station to get off at. I finally decided to go ahead and get off in Covina. I was started pedaling my way north on Citrus and west on Arrow.
I soon came to the Santa Fe Dam and a beautiful vista(second pic)
For the next 10 miles or so I was on the San Gabriel Bikeway. I went under the 210 Freeway, and Foothill blvd. I stopped to to some pics of a Rock Conveyor of the San Gabriel for a Quarry.
I soon started to climb. I went by the Morris Reservoir and took a pic of the old Navy base. I'm still trying to figure out that ramp was used for. I also took a pic of the lake. If you look at the top right, you can just barely make out Glendora Mountain Road. I then went by the San Gabriel Reservoir(sorry no neat pics or fun articles. I went by the Off road area. Did I mention the road was nice and quiet?
I passed the West Fork bridge. here the road steepens a lot - like 10% sustained. I did about two miles before I felt I should give up - probably should ate more for breakfast , or brought some thing other than Hammer Gel and Accelrade along with me.
Plus, I wanted to do the bike path/ access road that winds along the west fork to Cogswell Dam. while I didn't make it to the really steep section, I enjoyed it.
I stopped to take photo of Mt baldy on the way home. One thing to remember is that you have to climb from the turn off for the East Fork back to the San Gabriel Dam. I stopped to take another pic in the park above Santa Fe Dam. I rode along the top of the dam before starting back.
I also forgot to bring along a train schedule. But I knew that a train left El Monte heading east at 12:40, so I knew I should be able to meet it at the Baldwin Park station just in time. I had a little time. so I took some pics.I was going to buy a copy of the LA times, but it was all sold out. The only problem was that both slots for bike were taken in the car I boarded. I settled down, only tho have the conductor come by. he said there room on another car , but I would have to take my chances on moving my bike at the stops. I had decided to get off in Claremont any way since i need some extra mileage to do a metric century.
I tried to take a photo of the train leaving, but it wound up a video
So a great day. 62 miles, less cars than on weekend, and hassle free commutes!

Keepin up with the Challege

I've been trying to get an r-12 medal from RUSA.
After DNF'ing at Casa Grande, I need to do another brevet, Thankfully, I'm a permanent route owner, so I could do another brevet with too much turn around time. The only problem was which rout to do.
I had decided to go to Hemet, and had printed my card and cue sheets, but then I watched the weather forecast. They were talking about severe winds, and Hemet is infamous for winds. I had then thought about doing my other route.
After talking it over and sleeping on it, I decided to go ahead and do Hemet. I decided to start fairly early(6am). One thing I did differently was I actually drove to the ride start- that cut 12 miles off of a long day.
I got the bike out of the car, and went to the ATM to get a receipt(the coffee shop was not open yet). I took off, bouncing my way down Etiwanda ave. I had a Riverside County Sheriffs car keep am eye an eye on me through Jurapa - it's a rough area. I made it through there and Rubidox, and paused to take a picture of Mt Rubidox. I Then pedaled into downtown riverside on Mission Inn Avenue. Almost took a picture of a filling station that had been converted to restaurant called the Taco station. The pumps were labeled for Pemex, which is the Mexican oil company. I then went by UC Riverside and started the climb that brought me in to Moreno Valley. It rained very briefly on me here I stopped at the first control,and then continued on till I got to Gilman Springs Road. I stopped to take some pictures at intersection of Gilman Springs and highway 79. I thought about stopping and taking some pics at the Scientology compound, but decided against it.
I got to hemet fine, and stopped at the second control a 7-eleven. Normally,I like to have burrito for lunch when I'm doing these rides, but their microwave was busted. So I wound up with a hero sandwich. The next portion of the ride is primarily on the Ramona Expressway. despite its name, it's mainly a 2 lane road with a nice wide shoulder. I stopped and took a pic of the Bernasconi Hills. I rode by what I refer to as the David Nakai Memorial tree. David is a Fellow Randoneurr who did this route at night. The Tree is quite large, and is growing at the edge of the pavement. it's quite low hanging, pretty much covers the shoulder. I think you can figure out what Dave did.
I then pedaled through Mead Valley and Stopped at the next control, a Ralphs Supermarket. then 5 miles were downhill and soon I was at one of my favorite places. Victoria Street in Riverside. There was fight jet that was making low passes - I assume it was from March Air Force Base I stopped at the Next Control -a Circle K in Corona. Alas, my two most excellent Friends, Bill and Ted, were nowhere to be found.
I then stated the long climb back home. I almost stopped to take picture of the CSC building in Norco. It designed to look like an old west saloon, which I find anachronistic for building housing Computer Sciences Corporation(I assume there as part of a contract with the navy base there. One of the benefits of the housing boom is that Hamner / Milliken ave is greatly improved, with a nice wide shoulder. I saw some more fighter planes, this time vintage ones from the air museum in Chino.
To conclude the aviation theme, I rode by Ontario Airport and on to the penultimate control .
I wound up with this 3 miles from the end. I kept on coming up short when I designed the route, so i did a little jog. The hard is deciding what to but to prove I made it there. I wound up buying my favorite candy Reese's pieces, for later.
I made back to the coffee shop a little past 5. Not a bad way to spend the day!
In the end I did pick the right route. I had a nice crosswind most of the day, until i started the climb up Hamner, it was still a crosswind, but it was a lot stronger. My other woudl had my head on in to those winds for 30 miles!

The Casa Grande distater

Well I was going to do the 400K at Casa Grande, AZ this weekend. I was doing very good until I got to the hotel. They could not find reservation, and the locking system wasn't working . I then discovered that I left my shoes and gloves at home. not good. Thankfully, I had spare pair of shoes in my car. You see, I had done the same thing a couple of years back at the Las Vegas century and went by the bike shop at the first rest stop. I figured I would try them and see how far I got. I went in to Casa Grande and found the bike stop.The only gloves they had were "Desined(sic) in the USA and made in Pakistan". Not very confidence inspiring. Maybe I should have bought some from Wal-mart. I stopped and had dinner at Golden Corral, which was also wrong. The food was very bad quality, Plus I lost my sunglasses. I stopped at Wal mart and got some stuff before heading back to the hotel.
I woke bright and early Saturday for the 5am start. I was tail end Charlene by the time I got to interstate 10. but found it was easier. I rode the town of Eloy. To get from my workplace to the train station , I take a shuttle bus. The driver in the afternoon is named Eloy. He always asks when I'm going to ride through his town". I go to the first rest stop at Pichaco peak, with over an hour to spare, and my feet and hands weren't doing too bad. I realized than I had left my camera in the car. The next 15 miles were riding on the service road of interstate 10. My feet started to hurt when I turned off the service road in Marana. I pressed on the the next Control near Old Tuscon Studios. I though I was going to get a blister and I was only a quarter of the way in to the ride. The Arizona RBA, Susan Plonsky, was staff the control, and after talked , we decided that I should turn around and head back. We talked for while. One thing about Tucson in the winter is that of cyclists plan vacation there. while we were talking , a gentleman pulled in wearing a Paris-Brest-Paris jersey. he thought we were with The desert Camp . I put what I could from my drop bag in my jersey pockets, and headed for the car. I had to stop a couple of times to massage my feet, But I got back about 3:00P. I did get a blister , but it was on my thumb. Susan came by my hotel and gave me my drop bag about 10PM.
and I actually enjoyed it!. Susan and I were talking that there's no point in riding , if you're able to enjoy it and it leaves you debilitated the next day. Plus I actually got to see Eloy in the daylight(If I had stuck to my plan, I would gone back through Eloy at about Midnight).I also admit I was worried about he lock at the hotel being on the fritz and having to spend the night in my car
So took a disaster, had a pleasant day, and got in 135 miles to boot!

Riding with the girls is such a blast!

Most Sundays, I try and ride with a Womens group that's associated with the Cycling Connection, It's more geared to beginners, so I usually ride over and back to get a good workout in. Today, my Cycle computer malfunctioned staring out:( The further east I rode the windier it got. Around the baseball stadium I got into a sandstorm. good thing I was wearing a matte finish helmet. Had some more dust storms going up Rochester, and I almost got blown over on Banyan. I finally got to the park(Banyan and Day Creek) where the women's ride meets. Tina Corn, Carolyn Pichardo, and Mary (?)were there. We decided it was too windy, so we canceled the ride. The only good thing about the wind wa that It blew my bike over, and we found out what was wrong with the computer. So I rode west to escape the wind. Rode through Alta Loma and the Colonies section of Upland. Of course I then found the afternoon breeze coming in from the ocean. I turned around and came , but not before getting a flat right before I turned off Baseline
24 miles