WELCOME - The 2006 Arthritis Foundation's 525 mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles was incredible and looks like has turned me into a roadie for good. Rides for 2013: Tour de Palm Springs, Cycling Escapes Santa Monica Mountains Camp, Mulholland Challenge, Breathless Agony, Heartbreak Hundred - Going for the King Of The Mountain!
Ryan's first organized ride-The Windmill 40. It started at Los Alamos Park. A little town about 14 miles north of Buellton in northern Santa Barbara County. It was an out-and-back along Hwy 135. After leaving the house at 5 AM and a three hour drive, they're ready to go. The forty mile "Windmill Ride" is mostly flat passing farm land but not one windmill was seen. The pace line going at 17 MPH.Taking a quick break. It was getting near 100 degrees. Check out Laurel's new Creamsicle rig with matching water bottle. Passing through the little town of Orcutt-an old stage coach stop. Twenty mile rest stop for the bikes while the riders get some food. Final hill climb. The race is on. Looks like Laurel has a slight edge. King Of the Mountain winner!Still smiling after that long hill climb.
I just happened to be in Fresno during the Climb to Kaiser so I did the shorter 70 mile Millerton Metric. I wasn't training for it so I struggled, but had a good time. Only 3,399 feet of climbing. I used my Garmin Edge 705 for the first time with its turn-by-turn capability. I only made one wrong turn the entire ride. Fires have been burning out of control. That's the sun glowing through a smoke-filled sky. The smoke, plus the elevation (up to 2000 ft), plus the 100 degree temperature, plus my lack of training made this a survival ride. Imagine the riders doing the Climb to Kaiser: 155 miles with a 13,500 total vertical climb. I wonder where he got this mailbox idea? This is farming country as is much of the Central Valley of California. Gotta have the windmill picture. Orange Trees? Almond Trees?
A huge farmhouse with acres of farmland. The sun burning through the smokey haze. The start of the ride was all uphill. The steepest part of the ride with more hills to come. Over the hill with rewards of picturesque Oaks. Heading home - After a nice series of downhills you hit a long straight flat-Copper Avenue-Fresno's drag strip. Why did I come to Fresno? . . . to Party! 'Till 2 am.
The Wildflower Century is a double loop around the foothills of San Luis Obispo County. It begins in the town of Creston, travels south to Santa Margarita and Pozo, then north to Shandon and back around to Creston. Start of the ride 6:55 AM. Temperature 46 degrees. It would climb to 108 during the course of the ride. Creston, CA 93432 The Longbranch Saloon-wonder what the food's like? The first hill climb of the day. Many more to come. Mile 27-the Pozo Rest Stop. I guess the morning cup of coffee is kicking in. The world famous Pozo Saloon established in 1858. The Wildflower is one of the most scenic rides I have done:
The Shell Creek water stop-56 miles down.
This could have been painted by Claude Monet. Downwind, downhill, no cars (just cows) and miles and miles of road-nice! Maybe I took a wrong turn-no one in sight.
Found a paceline to the lunch line.Lunch stop at Clark Memorial Park, Shandon 93461. Population 986 plus over a thousand cyclists. Shoes off, find shade, drink and eat. 35 miles to go!
Final hill climb. The pain sets in, temp in the 100's, I am almost out of gas.
Irvine mayor pro tem Sukhee Kang commemorates those remembered in this year's Ride of Silence. With full police support, the ride began at 6:30 PM at the Irvine City Hall and looped around the city on street bike lanes and the San Diego Creek bikeway.Every 3rd Wednesday in May since 2003 cyclists world wide, so far in 163 locations, join in a silent, slow-paced ride in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways. It also raises awareness of the increasing number of cyclists on roadways and that cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists.
Tonight we number many but ride as one
In honor of those not with us, friends, mothers, fathers, sisters, sons
With helmets on tight and heads down low,
We ride in silence, cautious and slow
The wheels start spinning in the lead pack
But tonight we ride and no one attacks
The dark sunglasses cover our tears
Remembering those we held so dear
Tonight's ride is to make others aware
The road is there for all to share
To those not with us or by our side,
May God be your partner on your final ride - Mike Murgas
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May to honor men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice while in military service to our country. Let us always remember why we live freely in the greatest country in the world.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your ballance you must keep moving." - Albert Einstein
"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever." -Lance Armstrong
"Nothing's better than the wind to your back, the sun in front of you, and your friends beside you." - Aaron Douglas Trimble
The forty mile "Windmill Ride" is mostly flat passing farm land but not one windmill was seen.
The pace line going at 17 MPH.
Taking a quick break. It was getting near 100 degrees. Check out Laurel's new Creamsicle rig with matching water bottle.
Passing through the little town of Orcutt-an old stage coach stop.
Twenty mile rest stop for the bikes while the riders get some food.
Final hill climb. The race is on.
Looks like Laurel has a slight edge.
King Of the Mountain winner!
Still smiling after that long hill climb.
Only 3,399 feet of climbing.
Lunch stop at Clark Memorial Park, Shandon 93461. Population 986 plus over a thousand cyclists. Shoes off, find shade, drink and eat. 35 miles to go!
