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

The Birthday from Hell..

Today is my birthday.
I had sold one of my bikes. to another Team Estrogen Lady, Duck On Wheels. She lives in Trondhiem, Norway, which happens to be near the town of Hell. she had sent me post card from Hell with her check.
The day started out early, as I rode to It's a Grind. One there I waited for everyone else to gather. We usually do tow rides and Laura Armstrong had asked me which ride I was going to do, had thought about doing the long ride up Mt Baldy, but I usually get dropped(left behind) on that one, and I wanted to be social today. It turns out Laura had the same idea, but we found out too late.so we did the short ride (22 miles)with Mike Basica and Fred Roth. Laura's husband, Greg was sick with a cold, so he decided to take photo of us fro the website we were doing OK until we got to the top of Benson, where Mike had a flat. Tow Straggler joined use there . I dropped my chain going across Euclid, so I got in some sprint practice. Mike had yet another flat where we turned off Sapphire. Laura and I stayed with him, and Greg lent a hand(and a pump). We made it back ok, although I half jokingly asked Mike if he wanted to cut it short. Mike almost took me outelooking at some low flying jets. He offered to but me a coffee when we got back. We got back , and I enjoyed my mocha and chatted with the "gang" before running the check to the bank. I decided to got up to Neely's corners. I had a flat in the Rancho Cucamonaga Adult Sports park(I always want to look and see if they are filming any porno movies there).alothoug I noted that it has been renamed the Epicenter park, which is the name of the stadium the minor league baseball team plays in. I stopped to take some pics at the corner of Rochester and Jack Benny(I decided that Anaheim and Azusa were too far). going up I rode for little bit on the Pacfic Electric trail (and took a pic of what I refer to a "lake Pacific Electric"). I was bieng buzzed by p-38 lighting and several other vintage planes. Apparently there was an air show going on, but there nearest one i found was in Yuma, AZ I met Tom and Sue Tisler going the other way on Banyan, and Warren Hawkins on Lytle Creek Road.
I got a metric of the day and got home just when it started to rain. who could ask for anything more>

Meeting People on the internet

I had decide to do the Casa Grande 300K, but was feeling a little nervous about it. We had Santa Ana winds, and i felt like it was going to windy in Arizona, too.
I got the bike in the car and got on the road, It was windy through the San Gorognino pass and through the Cochella Valley. I was across a Sandstorm between Desert Center and Blythe. I had lunch in Blythe, and crossed the Colorado.
Once In Arizona, the Skies kept on getting darker. Finally, it started to rain. I had planned on driving in to Goodyear, but was debating on taking Arizona 85, which allows you to avoid Phoenix by going through Gila Bend. On the team Estrogen message board, RunningMommy had opened up a new bike shop.
I found Her shop, got some stuuf and introduced myself. We talk for a little while, and she gave me some luna moons to try. I had debated back tracking to 85, but pressed on through Phoenix. It rained even harder. I got to Casa Grande, and found where we were supposed to start. I then went to a restaurant next door and had supper. I was going to cross the street and get some snacks from a truck stop, but there was a long line of cars, so I skipped it.
I slept good, and woke Saturday morning, and drove into Downtown. I unpacked my car, and was talking to the RBA, Susan Plonksy. Someone came over and said "are you Fredwina?" . It was JulieB from another internet Hangout, bikejournal.com. At the appointed time, Susan used her truck as a pace vehicle to lead us through the street of Casa Grande. Before we knew it , we were in Coolidge. My brother had lived in the Florence/ Coolidge area for about 15 years, so I was familiar with where I was. We rode through some farm country , and eventually got on the Pinal Pioneer parkway (where the picture start). I was riding with Julieb and Lonnie Wolf from Utah
The first control was at the Tom Mix Monument. Susan had provided Breakfast. I had let Lonnie, Julie, and another rider go since I a =m a slow climber , and this was a 30 mile false flat to Oracle Junction. I caught up with Julie on the way into Tuscon, and rode with her through the city.
In the previous years, the rout had stopped at another "internauts" house, Bryan G from Bike journal. But, He has moved to Texas.
So, Instead, we did the rout of the famous Tour De Tuscon bicycle "race". Thankfully we skipped the section section where you walk your bike across the wash. I was hungry, so I asked Julie, if she would be willing to stop at a convenience store. I had a buirrito. We then climbed Rattlesnake pass, and roe down Silverbell road.
There were several large potholes on Silverbell (3feet wide by 3 feet across by 3 feet deep). hopefully these will be fix the time "el Tour" comes.
We then turned off the tour rout and started to climb up Gates Pass. Julie had told me to ride ahead, but she caught up to when I had stopped to remove some clothes. she waited for me at the summit in Tucson Mountain park. Susan was waiting for us again with supper. She also took a picture of me coming in to the rest stop
Julie and I had decided to ride at our own paces on the back to Casa Grande. I w=saw at a Circle k where I stooped to get some more water to make accelrade with.
I was doing fairly good despite the fact that it was dark. I was running about 17-18 mph (Yes, I actually get faster in the dark). The only problem, was that I develop Diarrhea. The route was on the service road of Interstate 10, and there was busy train track on the other side, which meant finding a "private place" was a challenge.
I made past the state Prison in Eloy without a problem. but had to make an additional stop at the final control to deal with my "runs". I managed to make it through Casa Grande without taking a break, but made a wrong turn ad found myself pedaling on the road to Yuma. I turned around and headed back into Town.
In the morning, I decide to drive through Yuma, and took a picture of the Glamis Sand Dunes before heading to the Spotlight 29 casino in Indio for an early birthday meal(My sister in law is from Twentynine Palms, so I have a soft spot for this casino.)
One thing that struck me doing this is if you mention Desert to most people, they would conjure up images like the ones from Glamis or on Pinal Pioneer. I was think about the driving out, I was noticing the Ocotillo plants on the side of the 10. if had driven 10 miles, they would have been replaced with Joshua Trees. In the US, The
Saguaro is only native to Arizona, It would take some one experienced to notice the variations. and like cacti, we come in all different shapes and purposes, be it people or cyclists