Southern California - Ride to the TOC. Anyone interested?

Wow! The Pope was there? Awesome!

What time would we be getting back to Irvine?

Great day on Balcom today. Was able to see a lot of people and even met Vertical Bob and Vireo. These guys both look like great cyclists. And Fixer is quite a climber taking on Balcom seemingly with ease. I rode up the backside at the same time as Vireo and Brandy and that little girl can take on the steep ones. The backside (south side) of Balcom is short but quite steep. Nice to see Big John again too!!

Adam, Eric, and I were at the top to see the KOM. By the time the riders got to us, they were going pretty good. It was somewhat comforting to see them struggling a little on the steeper parts. But, they sure are good. Quite impressive.

And Fixer is quite a climber taking on Balcom seemingly with ease.

Thanks Jim......but we met after the steep section. You must have missed seeing me walk that entire section...:lol:

Thanks Jim......but we met after the steep section. You must have missed seeing me walk that entire section...:lol:
You mean I wasn't alone? :)

I met Brandy, sigh.

Is that a good sigh or a bad sigh? :o It was nice to finally meet you, by the way! :)

You mean I wasn't alone? :)

Nope, I wasn't alone....:D

I rode up the backside at the same time as Vireo and Brandy and that little girl can take on the steep ones. The backside (south side) of Balcom is short but quite steep.

Awwww...thanks Jim! You were the one who rode up with ease though!

It was great to meet new faces today on Balcom and see old friends too! George and I rode back to where we parked down on Los Angeles and Bradley and then drove to Santa Clarita. We didn't make it to the finish, though we did see them pass while we were on the freeway! We went to the Road Magazine after party where we found Lee (scvroadie) and it was nice to spend some time with him, enjoying the Chipotle burritos and the free flowing wine, beer and my personal favorite...Red Bull and Vodka! :D :D :D :D

Is that a good sigh or a bad sigh? :o It was nice to finally meet you, by the way! :) That was a sigh of respect.

Nope, I wasn't alone....:D

In fairness to Fixer, I rode with him that day. His "walk" up Balcom wasn't intentional. Rather, an unfortunate flat just before the steeps (I might argue fortuitous) prevented him from powering up the climb in his 53/12.

Later, I "supervised" while he fixed his flat. He indeed had a big chunk of mica, or some such nasty shard of sharpness, imbedded in his tube.

Just thought I'd rescue him from his modesty.

Jim, sorry I missed seeing you out there. A little disappointed you took the "easy" way up Balcom. :) You musta been carrying a barcalounger in that bag of yours or something.

Bob , I have to congratulate you on your 3 times up and down Balcom. I may even have a picture of that.
By the way I can't figure out how to post my pics.

In fairness to Fixer, I rode with him that day. His "walk" up Balcom wasn't intentional. Rather, an unfortunate flat just before the steeps (I might argue fortuitous) prevented him from powering up the climb in his 53/12.

Later, I "supervised" while he fixed his flat. He indeed had a big chunk of mica, or some such nasty shard of sharpness, imbedded in his tube.

Just thought I'd rescue him from his modesty.

Jim, sorry I missed seeing you out there. A little disappointed you took the "easy" way up Balcom. :) You musta been carrying a barcalounger in that bag of yours or something.

Hey AkAk, long time no hear.
Anyway, I was quite a site yesterday, I was working and when time, just jumped on my bike and headed there. So, I was in jeans and a tee shirt with a ball cap, and yes I should have put a Baralounger in my bag (it fits, I checked<grin>) Right after the riders came by, I just jumped on and went back home. Not really a ride day for me.

This morning I did go up Balcom (just once, not like the 3-fer Vertical Bob). It is spectacular out there.

http://vmac.smugmug.com/photos/132030622-L.jpg

http://vmac.smugmug.com/photos/132030641-L.jpg

http://vmac.smugmug.com/photos/132030654-L.jpg

I have more to post later , I'm just having some trouble with my conputer now.

http://vmac.smugmug.com/photos/132030622-L.jpg

This shot was taken moments before the red-haired guy stumbled into George Hincapie.

Valleygirl asked me to post her remaining pics. Good times, good times!

http://vmac.smugmug.com/photos/132030674-L.jpg
http://vmac.smugmug.com/photos/132030698-L.jpg
http://vmac.smugmug.com/photos/132030732-L.jpg

I have more to post later , I'm just having some trouble with my conputer now.Those pictures came out nice. Did you end up on Photobucket?

Those pics turned out nice, Cathy! :)

No I enlisted the help of Vance, because I'm a big computer Klutz.

where are the shots of ovo?

where are the shots of ovo?

Good one. Although it was interesting to hear ovo stories from George. :p

No I enlisted the help of Vance, because I'm a big computer Klutz. Wow Cathy, those pic are great. You even made me look good. Great shot of Freddy Rodriguez. You are the second coming of Graham Watson.

Wow Cathy, those pic are great. You even made me look good. Great shot of Freddy Rodriguez. You are the second coming of Graham Watson.??? Which one are you? Are you in the Pope suit?

Back from stage 6. It was very exciting! Great ride with great people. The weather was cold overcast and sunny, with mild wind - perfect. Pico even embarrassed a group of pace lined riders that blasted by us at about 27mph!! While wearing a backpack full of camera gear and riding his fixer, he blasted right by them and added 100 yards. The kitted-up pacers couldn't respond. I jumped on their wheel and told them that I was sorry he was new and to forgive him for not knowing that he was supposed to shift to an easier gear when he is on the front. The riders on the front of the line thought that that was funny! What a great day! Thanks everyone.

hey paul, what's up w/dem pics?

Hey guys, sorry I couldn't stay and ride back with you guys - I had to catch the Ducks game at 5 (GO DUCKS! 5-3 over Colorado :) ) It was nice meeting you all. Hopefully we'll all get to ride again soon - and maybe next time I'll try that monkey juice sauce crap. lol

Hey guys, sorry I couldn't stay and ride back with you guys - I had to catch the Ducks game at 5 (GO DUCKS! 5-3 over Colorado :) ) It was nice meeting you all. Hopefully we'll all get to ride again soon - and maybe next time I'll try that monkey juice sauce crap. lol
Nice meeting you too, Danny. That view from the turnaround was sweet.

I saw a group of youze guys while I was down there... I know I saw Tiff and a few others. The BikeForums SoCal jersey gave it away. I was on the bleacher side about 200m shy of the finish line.

What a fun day!! Started out meeting up with the group riding up from Irvine in HB. My timing was perfect. Just as I was turning on to PCH the group was passing, so i just tucked in line and we continued on. It was great to meet a few new people and ride again with some familiar faces. :) It was just what i needed. We arrived at the race early and got a chance to walk the team trailer area and the expo area. I need a new bike. :) As the race started we parked it at Shoreline Village on the course, saw the first lap and then met up with Tiff, Brandy, and George at the 50M line where we stayed put throughout the race. I was able to get some amateur pictures which i will post tonight of our ride and the race. The ride back was nice. We got off to a quick pace on the way back. Love those tailwinds. :) and left the pack in HB the same way i entered it. Once again, thanks for letting me join up with you all. It was a great day for cycling!!!

hey paul, what's up w/dem pics?

I will post tonight. It was nice meeting/riding with you. We'll have to do it again soon. :)

Hey guys, sorry I couldn't stay and ride back with you guys - I had to catch the Ducks game at 5 (GO DUCKS! 5-3 over Colorado :) ) It was nice meeting you all. Hopefully we'll all get to ride again soon - and maybe next time I'll try that monkey juice sauce crap. lol

I look forward to it. :)

Hey guys, sorry I couldn't stay and ride back with you guys - I had to catch the Ducks game at 5 (GO DUCKS! 5-3 over Colorado :) ) It was nice meeting you all. Hopefully we'll all get to ride again soon - and maybe next time I'll try that monkey juice sauce crap. lol

Hey..It was fun hanging out with you and Billy at the race. We had the best spot. By the way, where's my Liquigas waterbottle?

hey paul, what's up w/dem pics?

Tiff was nice enough to post them in the "ToC Final Stage experiences/pics" thread. :D

Hey..It was fun hanging out with you and Billy at the race. We had the best spot. By the way, where's my Liquigas waterbottle?
haha you can have my Rock n Road one :) I told you to ask for the BMC one! Did you buy one later on?

Nice meeting you too, Danny. That view from the turnaround was sweet.

Yeah! everyone should have followed us there - THE best spot during the race

haha you can have my Rock n Road one :) I told you to ask for the BMC one! Did you buy one later on?


Uhhhh, yes, I begrudgingly bought a new crappy bottle for $3 bucks. Me and voltman thought of many ways to improve the marketing at the race. Besides selling GIANT hot dogs :D, they could have given away some water bottles....

Water bottles, lip balm, tire levers oh my..... did you try the African Monkey Nut Salsa???

Water bottles, lip balm, tire levers oh my..... did you try the African Monkey Nut Salsa???

Hey, I thought we made a pact never to speak of the AMNS again. I will say though that the salsa lived up to its name. I'll never be the same again.:D