Southern California - Tour de Poway prep ride -- Sept 10

Sounds fun. I suggest you go early. And if you really hate the heat, perhaps just climb Mt Baldy Rd from Claremont instead. I went up Mt Baldy Rd on Monday (roughly 6:30-8:30) and was never in the sun until during the descent. The headwinds tend to be more annoying in the early morning, but on the other hand, the temperatures were perfect.

Yeah, I am not going to start too early so I hope the temperature will be manageable. I may take your suggestion starting from Claremont. How does it compare to GMR, grade wise?

I'd love to join you guys...I'm trying to decide if it would make me more sad about not riding. I went upstairs and sat on my bike tonight. It misses me. I can tell. :(

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v235/ptbryant/alright.gif

Will you join us if I buy you and Tiff sushi? :D

I'm up for sushi! You don't need to buy me lunch though, Jason. It should be the other way around! :)

I'm up for sushi! You don't need to buy me lunch though, Jason. It should be the other way around! :)

Lunch is supposed to buy you Jason?

Lunch is supposed to buy you Jason?

Exactly!!! :p

By the way, if you need a floor pump, what exactly are you and Melissa using now?

Our SUV has a built-in air compressor. But it's a pain, and isn't high pressure enough. I think we ride with chronically underinflated tires....

Just let someone know what you decide so we don't wait for you.

Hope you decide to come!


Hi guys, I am planning to go up GMR to Mt Baldy on Saturday, and if I could feel my legs afterwards I'd like to join yall for the Sunday ride.

I tried teflon between the valve and extender. My problem definitely is that my pump can't grab hold of the extender well enough. Maybe if I bought one of those fancy extenders with their own valves, I'd be okay. Or if I bought a pump that could handle the extender. But might as well just buy a pump that requires sufficiently little clearance that I don't need an extender in the first place. Might be a few dollars more, but far more convenient in the long run. (Or just use longer valves. But the short valves look so nice!)


I may take your suggestion starting from Claremont. How does it compare to GMR, grade wise?
If you decide to start in Claremont, there's a parking lot at the intersection of Mills Rd and Mt Baldy Rd, right at the bottom of the climb. It's tougher getting to the village. The stretch after the tunnels is pretty steep. But if you're aiming for the ski lifts, the last 4.6 miles are identical, so it actually ends up an easier climb in my opinion because you aren't as worn out by the time you reach the village. If you're just aiming for Baldy village, GMR/GRR definitely is easier.

Poor Brandy's bike. :( If I were Brandy's bike, I'd probably be sad, too. But not as sad as my Roubaix. It's been sitting on the floor upside down for a month since it doesn't have tires at the moment. I'll put a set on by Wednesday, though, since I'm taking it to the LBS to get a quick tune-up before giving it to my dad. And once with my dad, it will even get an upgraded wheelset (my Easton Circuits). But that's still a month away, and in the meantime, it's completely uncared for. Even my Allez gets far more love nowadays, sitting on a trainer in front of the TV.

Cool Jason. Thanks.

I just remembered that Avery has hula on Sundays...why do I always forget that??? She has to be at class in Costa Mesa by 2:00 p.m. so I'll have to play lunch by ear based on when you guys finish.

I just remembered that Avery has hula on Sundays...why do I always forget that??? She has to be at class in Costa Mesa by 2:00 p.m. so I'll have to play lunch by ear based on when you guys finish.

We're rolling at 8:00 sharp, so I'm hoping we're done by 12:00. Depends on what the hill repeat fanatics want I guess (assuming there are some in the mix).

Wait... I didn't sign up to do hill repeats! :eek: Bleh. I hate hill repeats. I'm out.


Just kidding. :p If we end up doing hill repeats (yuck), I'll tag along.

I'm with ya, Jason. We can sit on the curb and watch 'em go round-n-round.


Wait... I didn't sign up to do hill repeats! :eek: Bleh. I hate hill repeats. I'm out.


Just kidding. :p If we end up doing hill repeats (yuck), I'll tag along.

I'm with ya, Jason. We can sit on the curb and watch 'em go round-n-round.

Can you save a spot for me on that curb? :D

Of course!


Can you save a spot for me on that curb? :D

Depends on what the hill repeat fanatics want I guess (assuming there are some in the mix).

I only do hill repeats when I can get to the top, fly down to the bottom and then get to the top again all within the time that it takes everyone else to get to the top the first time... (reminds me of that song Helter Skelter by The Beatles, U2, and Motley Crue)

or if Ralph decides that he wants to take a different direction than the rest of the group :D and I have to go look for him... :roflmao:

Ok I'm out.

I had decided to blow off a baby shower but my conscience is getting the best of me. Many more BF rides, only one baby. :)

See you guys soon and have fun!

Ok I'm out.

I had decided to blow off a baby shower but my conscience is getting the best of me. Many more BF rides, only one baby. :)

See you guys soon and have fun!

That's too bad. :(

I'll take you off the list. See you next time!

I'm out for lunch too. Same baby shower. :p

Brandy, you live in Huntington Beach, right? You could always join us for our water/coffee/snack break in Huntington Beach.

Tiff, sorry to hear you're out. Just make sure to get hill practice in on your own, and you can still get prepared for Poway. I'm still in. Otherwise, with my sister around, if I don't go out for a group ride, I probably won't get any significant riding mileage in since I'll have to play host if I'm around.

What time do you think you'll be water/snack breaking? I need to be at the shower (downtown HB area) by 10:30 a.m. If it's before that, I may be able to swing a visit with you guys and girls!

Hmmmm, maybe by 10am. We're rolling at 8:00am, so I don't see why we can't be in HB by 10:00. Maybe earlier.


What time do you think you'll be water/snack breaking? I need to be at the shower (downtown HB area) by 10:30 a.m. If it's before that, I may be able to swing a visit with you guys and girls!

Hmmmm, maybe by 10am. We're rolling at 8:00am, so I don't see why we can't be in HB by 10:00. Maybe earlier.

I could do that! Where are you planning to stop?

Hasn't been decided, but main street seems to provide everything anyone could want....we usually stop at the starbucks down main street a bit (don't know the cross street).


I could do that! Where are you planning to stop?

I could do that!

Me too :D

Hasn't been decided, but main street seems to provide everything anyone could want....we usually stop at the starbucks down main street a bit (don't know the cross street).

Cool...I'm never opposed to planting my ass at Starbucks. Tiff and I will be there. I just called Grandma and told her I was dropping the kids off at 9:00 a.m. so I can be back to HB from Costa Mesa by 9:15ish! Just let me know if that's where you're stopping fo sho! :D
:

I can't wait to see everyone! I miss you. Even voltman. Kinda. Okay. Maybe not. :p

mateo, I have no clue how far to HB, but if you want to make more time to hang out in HB, we could always put off Ridge Park / Vista Ridge until the return stretch. (Or are we already doing it on the return stretch anyway? We could always do repeats there to make up for a lost climb earlier. * ducks as rotten food gets thrown at me *) Though a bit of tough climbing early in the ride would be better preparation for Poway seeing as the Poway grade is right at the beginning.

Hill climbs vs. visiting with Tiff and Brandy. Clearly there is no need for discussion. :D

mateo, I have no clue how far to HB, but if you want to make more time to hang out in HB, we could always put off Ridge Park / Vista Ridge until the return stretch. (Or are we already doing it on the return stretch anyway? We could always do repeats there to make up for a lost climb earlier. * ducks as rotten food gets thrown at me *) Though a bit of tough climbing early in the ride would be better preparation for Poway seeing as the Poway grade is right at the beginning.

I'm fine with that, Jason. I'm sure Melissa wants to do Ridge Park/Vista Ridge, but she can wait until the way back. Then, she can do it twice if she wants (I'll watch).

Main street in HB isn't far up PCH (about 10 miles), and it's totally flat once we descend from Newport Coast to PCH. We can probably make it by 9:30.

Brandy -- looks like a go. Starbuck's in HB on main street between 9:30 & 10:00am.

Sounds like we may have time for Ridge Park on the way to HB. Though whatever we end up doing is fine with me.

I generally hate hill repeats, but I could use a few climbs of Ridge Park and/or Vista Ridge. I have been climbing way too little. (That's what happens when you only ride six relatively flat miles all week.) So if anyone decides to do Ridge Park and/or Vista Ridge more than once, I'm happy to join you.

Sounds like we may have time for Ridge Park on the way to HB. Though whatever we end up doing is fine with me.

I generally hate hill repeats, but I could use a few climbs of Ridge Park and/or Vista Ridge. I have been climbing way too little. (That's what happens when you only ride six relatively flat miles all week.) So if anyone decides to do Ridge Park and/or Vista Ridge more than once, I'm happy to join you.

OK, sounds good. I'm up for anything....

It's a date! We'll see you then. :D

Brandy, you live in Huntington Beach, right? You could always join us for our water/coffee/snack break in Huntington Beach.

Tiff, sorry to hear you're out. Just make sure to get hill practice in on your own, and you can still get prepared for Poway. I'm still in. Otherwise, with my sister around, if I don't go out for a group ride, I probably won't get any significant riding mileage in since I'll have to play host if I'm around.

If I can get a ride in on Sunday, I think I'll start from home (HB) and head up NC. Basically, Sunday's route in reverse. :)

I'm hoping to be there... negotiating with the wife on her regularly scheduled Sunday morning run with friends, but this ride is in my back yard and sounds awesome - all except that Ridge Park part, which is the opposite of awesome. I've done repeats of that. I've also had salmonella poisoning. Tough call.:)

Argh... I'm in a don't feel like riding funk. Good thing for this ride tomorrow to ensure that I ride.

I'm hoping to be there... negotiating with the wife on her regularly scheduled Sunday morning run with friends, but this ride is in my back yard and sounds awesome - all except that Ridge Park part, which is the opposite of awesome. I've done repeats of that. I've also had salmonella poisoning. Tough call.:)

Great! We'll look for you tomorrow morning. Hope you can make it!

Argh... I'm in a don't feel like riding funk. Good thing for this ride tomorrow to ensure that I ride.

I had that the other day. Hit a nasty headwind and turned back early. Entire ride: 13 flat miles! I guess it's better than no ride, but just barely! Having someone riding with me would have helped immensely.

I think I know why I don't feel like riding today. It's cold enough I would want to use knee warmers and arm warmers for part of the ride. (And I have to work later, so riding later isn't an option.) After a nice warm summer, that seems like too much trouble for a short solo ride. I guess I should get used to it. The situation isn't going to change until April or so.

I had that the other day. Hit a nasty headwind and turned back early. Entire ride: 13 flat miles! I guess it's better than no ride, but just barely! Having someone riding with me would have helped immensely.
Yeah, having someone to ride with definitely helps. By the way, that's about double my post-Labor Day mileage. And just about as much climbing, to boot.

I find it strange that you have no one to ride with. What happened to Melissa? But then, caligurl often has no one to ride with, too.

Stop it, please! You guys are killing me with your complaints about the weather!
In Montreal, I ride until it is about 40 degrees (around 5 degrees celcius), so the present conditions, even if a little colder than earlier this summer are PERFECT for riding. You spoiled babies!



I think I know why I don't feel like riding today. It's cold enough I would want to use knee warmers and arm warmers for part of the ride. (And I have to work later, so riding later isn't an option.) After a nice warm summer, that seems like too much trouble for a short solo ride. I guess I should get used to it. The situation isn't going to change until April or so.

I find it strange that you have no one to ride with. What happened to Melissa? But then, caligurl often has no one to ride with, too.

It was a weekday afternoon, so she was at work.

Stop it, please! You guys are killing me with your complaints about the weather!
In Montreal, I ride until it is about 40 degrees (around 5 degrees celcius), so the present conditions, even if a little colder than earlier this summer are PERFECT for riding. You spoiled babies!

You've hit the nail on the head NDG. As southern Californian's, it's our birthright to complain about anything other than perfect weather. :D If you weren't born here, they hand that right out when you get your new driver's license.

NDG, once in the "winter", I'll be used to it. In January, a few of my rides saw freezing temperatures. (As in 0 Celcius or below.) I'm just putting off my first use of arm/knee warmers for a day.

I think that it's more of a psychological than a physiological adaptation process. In any case, when you are used to it, riding in the cold, if you are dressed appropriately, is actually kind a fun. I can remember a couple of rides last fall in the hills north of Montreal, just a little bit of frost on the ground, revigorating cold wind in the face, ahhh! Energizing! (but to be honest, riding conditions here in SoCal are really hard to beat and I don't look forward to the cold just yet!)


NDG, once in the "winter", I'll be used to it. In January, a few of my rides saw freezing temperatures. (As in 0 Celcius or below.) I'm just putting off my first use of arm/knee warmers for a day.

Was doing a short ride today and I broke a spoke on my rear wheel...
I replaced and trued the wheel. The same thing happened to me two weeks ago.
I will there tomorrow for the ride, but now I feel a little insecure. I hope that there is not something funky with my wheel and that it will not happen again. :(

Hey Jason, thanks for the heads up on that parking lot in Claremont. Perfect starting spot to Baldy. Made it to ski area and back. I saw four people on bikes total on the road, which surprised me. I thought being Saturday morning I thought I'd see more climbers. Perfect temps for climbing but it was a bit cool coming down. Gorgeous view of the hills. I had to head right to work afterwards and my legs were like noodles but I am feeling ok now, so see you all at the "Prep" ride. Dont wait for me, though, if I am not there in time.

Is it a stock wheel on a stock bike? Probably machine built and has low spoke tension. Tape an extra spoke or two to your seat/top/down tube. Add one of these to your tool kit. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/stein-mini-lock/ Best of all, when you get a chance, retension that wheel, or have a shop retension it.

Yes. It is indeed a stock wheel on a stock bike.
After the first spoke broke, I had the wheel checked at my LBS and they said the tension looked OK.
The portable locking removing tools looks great. However, I hope I won't need that too often!


Is it a stock wheel on a stock bike? Probably machine built and has low spoke tension. Tape an extra spoke or two to your seat/top/down tube. Add one of these to your tool kit. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/stein-mini-lock/ Best of all, when you get a chance, retension that wheel, or have a shop retension it.

I took two of my sisters to a nice dinner at George's tonight. I hope all that wine doesn't too adversely affect my riding tomorrow. I'll try to drink some more water before going to sleep.

See y'all soon. :)