Southern California - Whittier Narrows ride report and pic thread

Just wanted to start a new thread so's I don't gotta look thru page after page!:D

It's amazing! Everytime I meet new forum members, I'm really impressed. Great people. Nice and fun, and ez to get along with. Unless omeone has something to say, Say it now!:mad: ...kidding.

Thanx to ME. Another great ride organized by Sweet Mrs. Robinson. I was real happy that everyone stayed together the whole time. Had plenty of laughs on the ride and at breaks. Opened up the pace at one point and didn't realize TBrown had an air loss problem. Sorry dude, didn't mean to split the group. Sonny hung with him then flew up to to us to inform us. We stopped so that we could regroup. Then "Just Me" had a BLOW OUT near the end. We fixed it up then continued on our merry way. Cool when the group is pretty evenly matched so that everyone is no more than a few yards from eachother. Cool ride.:D

Lunch was great. Tasty and cheap:p Had plenty of laughs with the group. "Just Me" kinda scared me a bit. He's the quiet guy that sits in the corner observing eveyone. Never know what he's thinking. Just kidding man! Great group of people and as always ME was quite the hostess. Love that sense of humor, keep it up!:D

Have pix that I will post as soon....

Got alot so may takle a while. Photobucket is slooooooooooow!

First of all, the ride leader and Magicant dropping the rest of the sandbaggers!:D
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/mEandgroup.jpg
Rest of the group as they get a feel for one another!
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/group.jpg

The cool quiet dude, "Just Me"!:D
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/cooldudejm.jpg
Pretend you don't see the camera Mr. Brown!:p (TBrown)
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/tbrown.jpg

Dude with all the cash, Magicant
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/magicant.jpg
Man with a sense of humor, Luwin!:D
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/Luwin.jpg
Herb dropping the peloton
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/Herb.jpg

Thanking everyone so much for opportunity to enjoy riding with them. Had very much fun. Mr. Beanz has blown my cover now though.:D Thank you extremely very much Mr. Beanz for fine job fixing tire in super time.:) It obvious you have great exprience in such matters.:D

Thanking everyone so much for opportunity to enjoy riding with them. Had very much fun. Mr. Beanz has blown my cover now though.:D Thank you extremely very much Mr. Beanz for fine job fixing tire in super time.:) It obvious you have great exprience in such matters.:D

Riding with guys like Sonny, one of has to know how to fix a flat. AND it aint Sonny!:D

Dude with all the cash, Magicant

Sheesh. Now there's a rep I don't want and can't live up to.

Unless some of you guys wanna play a little poker. :D

Thanks to everyone for a great ride and thanks to m.e. once again for setting the whole thing up! She was also kind enough to demonstrate her snot rocket technique live and in person! I think REI should set up a whole new course with her as instructor.

Man with a name that makes good sense!:p..Ronjon
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/Ronjon.jpg
8 men and one woman, Mrs. Robinson flashing us some leg!:D..DDM!
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/ME.jpg

It was a great ride....thanks Mr B and Magicant for leading that pace line...it was fast but I was able to hang in there for quite a while...
Great see everyone as always...Luwin, RonJon, Magicant, Mr B, Sonny, Just Me, Tbrown (who is ready for his first century...but no pressure!!), hope I didnt miss anyone and of course ME for setting up an awesome ride!
Great pix Mr B...I still want to ride with those invisible friends of yours!!:D
I dont think I have ever seen anyone go up the Santa Fe Dam as fast as Magicant did...totally incredible! You were flying up that hill!

Sonny (Sunman) on the exhale and NO HELMET!:o
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/exhale.jpg
just some pix.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/riding.jpg

Mr. Beanz, you're such a sweetie (thanks for not calling me Mrs. Cunningham! :p ) Great Ride today! Weather turned out so nice and I had a group of handsome, strong riders for 50 miles! What more can a girl wish for. Seriously, you gentlemen helped me put in a solid 50 and I feel great. I really appreciated the company, jokes and conversation - and you made me move my butt! :D

Getting geared up:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/whittiernarrows/CIMG1909.jpg

And insulated:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/whittiernarrows/CIMG1908.jpg

The Mighty Warriors! (Herb, Mr. Beanz, Justme, Magicant, Luwin, Tbrown, Sonny, Ronjon)
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/whittiernarrows/CIMG1911.jpg

Heading out:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/whittiernarrows/CIMG1914.jpg

View from the rear:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/whittiernarrows/boysbehinds.jpg

And some more:

Tbrown:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/whittiernarrows/tbrown.jpg

Ronjon and Tbrown:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/whittiernarrows/ronjon.jpg

Magicant, Sonny and Mr. Beanz:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/whittiernarrows/Magicant.jpg

Luwin:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/whittiernarrows/Luwin.jpg

Justme:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/whittiernarrows/justme.jpg

Herb and Tbrown:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/whittiernarrows/herbtom.jpg

Luwin and Tbrown:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/whittiernarrows/Luwinatstop.jpg

She was also kind enough to demonstrate her snot rocket technique live and in person! I think REI should set up a whole new course with her as instructor.
:roflmao: I guess I've found my new profession! :p

New member in the clique:D
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/cliquish.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/riders.jpg

i'm sitting here at work sooo mad cuz i couldn't skip and ride with you guys! looks like it was a great time. *sighs* I've got to get out and ride with you guys more!

i'm sitting here at work sooo mad cuz i couldn't skip and ride with you guys! looks like it was a great time. *sighs* I've got to get out and ride with you guys more!
You will as there will be many more rides! And I'd love it if you'd join (woman, I need some female power out there with me! Not that I minded having the men all to myself). :D

stuck at work as well...looked like a good day all!!!! see everyone soon!!!

Nice ride and photos! I had to work today.
What part of the trail is that with the concrete pillars running alongside? I don't think I've ever been on that portion of the river trail.

Great ride, great pics. I can't believe I missed the entire thread for this ride! I anxiously await meeting you fellow Sherman Oaks folks... I can't believe our paths haven't crossed yet.

I had one good joke all day. I got proof, LaughingLuwin!:D
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/laughingluwin.jpg
Justme
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/justme.jpg

Here's a quick report -

Mapquested the distance from my house to Encanto Park (meeting point) the night before and it said 6.8 miles. So I figured I'd saunter out of my house around 8:25 or so and ride to meet the folks. Instead of taking surface streets up, it took me around 15 minutes to get to the base of the Sante Fe Dam Rec area where the steep climb is, and another 25 minutes or so to meet the group. Mileage was close to 11 miles. I guess the distance mapquest calculates is the direct distance on surface roads, not the roundabout bike way.

Met up with the group - some familiar faces (Beanz, Herb, M.E.), and some new ones (magicant, ronjon, Justme, Sonny, TBrown) - we get rolling, and it's a nice, pretty evenly matched group. Rolled down SGRT to the four corners split, and went straight. Crossed an intersection back onto the bike path, and continued on the Upper Rio Hondo trail. Weather was a little chilly at first, but warmed up a bit in the sun. Gorgeous day for riding.

Stopped at the park at the end of the Upper Rio Hondo trail, where lively discussion and laughs ensued. Finally got rolling again, took a nice little detour up and around a dam to get some more miles, and back up SGRT. I tucked in behind the broad shoulders of Mr. Beanz, and he was really opening it up at a nice pace of 18-20mph. I dropped back a little while later as I was starting to get a little hungry/tired, so it was nice that we regrouped ever so often. I felt a twinge in my left calf while we were up on the dam, and unclipped to stop to stretch out, when I heard a loud "BANG!!"

I ducked, for fear of getting in the crossfire of a local gang shootout . . . or worse yet - what if I was getting bikejacked? Luckily, I knew that Mr. Beanz was near me, and knew if any crap hit the fan he can go all loco on them while I backed him up with my Chinese kung-fu skillz. :D

But alas, it was Justme's tire that blew - and luckily he had great bike-handling skills to bring the crippled bike to a safe, secure stop and with the expert assistance of Mr. Beanz and his frame pump, not to mention the amazing moral support provided by me and Herbm as we watched and cheered them on, he was rolling shortly again.

The rest of the group decided to go past the bridge to Encanto Park to the end of the trail near the base of the 39 climb to get their 50 miles, but as I had ridden there in the morning, I was at 57, and decided to call it a day. Actually, I was pretty wiped, starving, and my wife was at the park already to give me a ride home.

All in all, you couldn't ask for a better ride - good weather, riders, and company. And I love riding the trail as you don't have to worry about traffic and clip/unclip at ever stoplight. Can't wait until the next one!! ;)

Nice ride and photos! I had to work today.
What part of the trail is that with the concrete pillars running alongside? I don't think I've ever been on that portion of the river trail.
That is the Rio Hondo portion. It's really nice over there!

Here's a quick report -

;)
:beer: Great report, Luwin! I missed the big "Bang," but glad it turned out okay and that you weren't "bikejacked." ;) :D

Herb pointing the way to lunch:P
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/whichwayherb.jpg
Magicman again
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/magica.jpg

Bwahahahaha, you're a crack up Luwin! Nice report. Can you repeat the part again about broad shoulders?:D

ME demonstrating her version of Michael Jackson's Moonwalk!:D
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/moonwalk.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/tlkingsonny.jpg

ME demonstrating her version of Michael Jackson's Moonwalk!:D

:lol: Hey! Don't you make fun of my moves. I was trying to impress the cute single men who were along today...;) ;)

Thanks for all the pics and ride reports!! I really have to practice my photo-taking-while-riding skills.

Thanx Herb but I don't think it was me pullig the group. Magic and ME most of the time. ME was out front a whooole lot! I'm amazed that she was so strong coming off the century and some GMR stuff. If it were me, I would have been hiding behind the dudes! Great job ME.:)

Thanks for all the pics and ride reports!! I really have to practice my photo-taking-while-riding skills.

+1

Once again, I had a great time meeting new people, seeing some 'long time' friends and putting the miles on the bike! I was also happy to do a flat ride so I could see what life is like at the front of the pack for a bit :p (Enough of that though, need more climbing miles)

Special thanks to ME, your organization makes these rides a breeze!

Thanx Herb but I don't think it was me pullig the group. Magic and ME most of the time. ME was out front a whooole lot! I'm amazed that she was so strong coming off the century and some GMR stuff. If it were me, I would have been hiding behind the dudes! Great job ME.:)
Aw, shucks...:o I was just trying to be one of the boys and put a little hair on my chest. So far, I think I have one strand right smack in the middle where most women actually have cleavage. :lol:

+1


I'm so glad you came, Ron! I was remarking to Herb at Budget after the lunch how great you look! You've lost pounds, dude. I should follow whatever you're doing, cause it's working. :)

Nah...all 3 of you did a great job pulling...kept me pushing myself to keep up...thats what I need....

I agree Ron..it was great to be able to hang with the group.....BTW, you are riding great!!

Great ride report Luwin...yeah..that bang was loud...Justme needs to slow down so he doesnt heat up those tires that much!

You do change flats fast Mr B....I was impressed!!

Great ride report Luwin...yeah..that bang was loud...Justme needs to slow down so he doesnt heat up those tires that much!

You do change flats fast Mr B....I was impressed!!
I didn't even hav my usual assistant today. But Justme was just as good. Yes there really is a Gina, I swear! When she assists me, it's like surgery.

Tire irons!..tire irons
Remove valve cap!...valve cap removed
Spare tube!...spare tube
and so on!:D

Yeah, Just me is too fast for his own tires!:p

+1

I was also happy to do a flat ride so I could see what life is like at the front of the pack for a bit :p



Yup, you did well. I think everybody pretty much had a turn up front. I had a good time sucking wheel today! :p

I'm so glad you came, Ron! I was remarking to Herb at Budget after the lunch how great you look! You've lost pounds, dude. I should follow whatever you're doing, cause it's working. :)


Aw, that's too nice. :)

I've dropped about 30 since I started all this exercise stuff last summer. I just got over another plateau and dropped about 5 pounds since the bloat ride (it'll level off, I average 5/month) Mainly, I ride a lot, and have cut WAY back on the booze. I started keeping a calorie count last week with some inspiration from Mo'Phat. I found my calorie intake on a normal, non cycling day is just about break even. However, on booze days which often coincides with going out for nice meal, well, I can't really count that high.

Thanks again, cya at the next ride!

Yup, you did well. I think everybody pretty much had a turn up front. I had a good time sucking wheel today! :p

You brought us home. The wind coming back from 39 on that little extension was out of hand! Glad to have you leading the charge on that one! :)

You brought us home. The wind coming back from 39 on that little extension was out of hand! Glad to have you leading the charge on that one! :)

I'm used to my imaginary friends throwing me out in front when it gets windy!:D

I still can't believe that Herb doesn't believe I have a crew. Someone said I made up a wife and supplied pix from picture frames I bought at Sav-Ons!:D

Great pics and report. I was stuck at work today and could not get out.......

I still can't believe that Herb doesn't believe I have a crew. Someone said I made up a wife and supplied pix from picture frames I bought at Sav-Ons!:D



You always say you'll bring Gina, and the gorgeous Ana . . . (I'd say your wife is gorgeous too, but I don't want you to do a piledriver on me next time we ride) :p . . . and yet every time I come out, you're flying solo, sometimes even having to bribe strangers you meet off the street like Sonny just to show up and pretend that they know you . . . :D

You always say you'll bring Gina, and the gorgeous Ana . . . (I'd say your wife is gorgeous too, but I don't want you to do a piledriver on me next time we ride) :p . . . and yet every time I come out, you're flying solo, sometimes even having to bribe strangers you meet off the street like Sonny just to show up and pretend that they know you . . . :D
:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

Thanks everyone for a great first ride with BF and keeping a slow pace for me.. I can't wait to join you guys on future rides hopefully one of those will be a century.

Mr. Beanz, Thanks for not posting a picture of my unclipping method..

Glad to be part of the clique now...

Thanks everyone for a great first ride with BF and keeping a slow pace for me.. I can't wait to join you guys on future rides hopefully one of those will be a century.

Mr. Beanz, Thanks for not posting a picture of my unclipping method..

Glad to be part of the clique now...
:eek: :rolleyes: Slow, my butt. You were hauling and dropped me (yet again like a badly microwaved potato...I see a patten forming...:p ). Yes, you are now part of the "so cal clique" which is the same as So Cal High or the Sigma So Cal Nu House. :D

"...Justme needs to slow down so he doesnt heat up those tires that much!"

Wishing story true but running out of gas like Luwin trying to keep pace with the magicant man and merider so flat tire good excuse to stop and rest. But story great so like herbm say, "That's my story and I'm sticking to it."

tbrown, you show much poise and grace while unclipping from peddle. Just need more lean to direction of available support.

Looking forward to doing again if OK.

:eek: :rolleyes: Slow, my butt. You were hauling and dropped me (yet again like a badly microwaved potato...I see a patten forming...:p ). Yes, you are now part of the "so cal clique" which is the same as So Cal High or the Sigma So Cal Nu House. :D


Yeah..no kidding...I saw him fly by me on that last leg before the park...you were flying TB!!
But it was great to meet you...and I hope you consider coming out to Palm Springs for your first century!!

You always say you'll bring Gina, and the gorgeous Ana . . . (I'd say your wife is gorgeous too, but I don't want you to do a piledriver on me next time we ride) :p . . . and yet every time I come out, you're flying solo, sometimes even having to bribe strangers you meet off the street like Sonny just to show up and pretend that they know you . . . :D


+100
:roflmao: :lol: :roflmao:

Mr. Beanz, Thanks for not posting a picture of my unclipping method..

Glad to be part of the clique now...
b
Ahhh man Mr. Brown! I feel like it was my fault cause I tried to stop you with a short notice right efore the gate!:( ..Hope you're not hurt in any way!

You crack me up Luwin! About the piledriver, only to those that don't say it!:p