Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.Luwin1026
09-17-06, 12:26 PM
Nothing crazy exciting as I'm still somewhat a newbie and have yet to rack up the amazing climbing/century/pie/etc. stories you guys have.
I've been riding this trail for the past few days and thought I'd lug around my camera this morning on my ride and snap some pics. The San Gabriel River Trail starts at the base of the foothills in Azusa (Hwy 39) and runs all the way down to Seal Beach. I will refer to the section I ride as the "Upper" section, as I usually park my car at the Sante Fe Dam recreation area and ride up and back down (9 miles each way). Going up towards the mountains is obviously slower than descending, but there aren't any serious climbs except for the intermittent short hill/ramp/etc. The trail ends at a housing tract at the foot of Azusa Canyon, but there's usually a nice stream/river flowing through that makes for a relaxing break before turning back. I haven't ventured too far south yet into the mid-section as I've ridden it before with my mountain bike and there are some questionable areas (gang/transient activity).
Anyways, enough logistics. As I have to get out and back home before the commander and the lil munchkin awake from their beauty sleep, I arrived at just before 6 a.m. in time to catch daybreak. I commended myself over and over again for getting a pair of arm warmers the day prior as it was quite chilly out. Combined with the fact that due to a mysterious Asian gene, I have absolutely no hair on my arms. I appreciate that as a conversation starter and a way to get a female stranger to caress my arms in awe and wonder (during my single days), but on a chilly morning, I see it as minus a few points on the insulation scale.
On to the ride itself - a somewhat relaxing, unspectacular 36 miles (did the back/forth twice). There were a good number of riders out, some in their full-out race kits, but I felt no need to flex my competitive muscles due to self-awareness of my still-newbie/turtle status. Besides, they wouldn't see me as a threat with my running shorts hiding a pair of padded cycling boxers. (I have yet to be comfortable wearing the tighties - and no, it is not because of "packaging" issues) I did manage to drop a little boy on his Schwinn with tigers on it, as well as a good number of joggers and walkers, all of whom were unsuspecting. Call me the stealth dropper. Anyways, for those who are interested in numbers, 36.4 miles in 2h15m (not counting photo times) for a 16.2mph average.
Enough talk - let's see some pics.
The Santa Fe Dam loop -
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/95884628-L.jpg
Self-portrait with the "hard" look -
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/95884634-L.jpg
Entering the natural wilderness area -
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/95884625-L.jpg
Thankfully there's a wide shoulder on each side of the road - or else if one were to fall, they'd be plucking these suckers out for awhile . . .
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/95884626-L.jpg
Wilderness area continued . . . -
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/95884633-L.jpg
Dirty pedal -
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/95884627-L.jpg
I've been riding this trail for the past few days and thought I'd lug around my camera this morning on my ride and snap some pics. The San Gabriel River Trail starts at the base of the foothills in Azusa (Hwy 39) and runs all the way down to Seal Beach. I will refer to the section I ride as the "Upper" section, as I usually park my car at the Sante Fe Dam recreation area and ride up and back down (9 miles each way). Going up towards the mountains is obviously slower than descending, but there aren't any serious climbs except for the intermittent short hill/ramp/etc. The trail ends at a housing tract at the foot of Azusa Canyon, but there's usually a nice stream/river flowing through that makes for a relaxing break before turning back. I haven't ventured too far south yet into the mid-section as I've ridden it before with my mountain bike and there are some questionable areas (gang/transient activity).
Anyways, enough logistics. As I have to get out and back home before the commander and the lil munchkin awake from their beauty sleep, I arrived at just before 6 a.m. in time to catch daybreak. I commended myself over and over again for getting a pair of arm warmers the day prior as it was quite chilly out. Combined with the fact that due to a mysterious Asian gene, I have absolutely no hair on my arms. I appreciate that as a conversation starter and a way to get a female stranger to caress my arms in awe and wonder (during my single days), but on a chilly morning, I see it as minus a few points on the insulation scale.
On to the ride itself - a somewhat relaxing, unspectacular 36 miles (did the back/forth twice). There were a good number of riders out, some in their full-out race kits, but I felt no need to flex my competitive muscles due to self-awareness of my still-newbie/turtle status. Besides, they wouldn't see me as a threat with my running shorts hiding a pair of padded cycling boxers. (I have yet to be comfortable wearing the tighties - and no, it is not because of "packaging" issues) I did manage to drop a little boy on his Schwinn with tigers on it, as well as a good number of joggers and walkers, all of whom were unsuspecting. Call me the stealth dropper. Anyways, for those who are interested in numbers, 36.4 miles in 2h15m (not counting photo times) for a 16.2mph average.
Enough talk - let's see some pics.
The Santa Fe Dam loop -
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/95884628-L.jpg
Self-portrait with the "hard" look -
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/95884634-L.jpg
Entering the natural wilderness area -
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/95884625-L.jpg
Thankfully there's a wide shoulder on each side of the road - or else if one were to fall, they'd be plucking these suckers out for awhile . . .
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/95884626-L.jpg
Wilderness area continued . . . -
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/95884633-L.jpg
Dirty pedal -
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/95884627-L.jpg