Southern California - Tour de Francis Stage II, Saturday, July 14th

I'm interested, but can't commit yet... when does Francis need a final headcount?
Yesterday. :o I HAVE to call him tomorrow, so if anyone is on the fence, bail out! I'm sorry, but it's his nickel and he's my friend. With that said, I hope you can come, Vance! :D

I'm in for this ride, on to "Damnation Alley":eek:

Have fun, Bob. Francis hasn't emailed me back. He's probably miffed with me. :cry: But I'm not making excuses...for once (no, I'm not cleaning my apartment!).

Are you going to be the designated cheerleader, and root everybody on the ride?

:rolleyes: Sure...if rooting for them while still in my jammies sipping a mimosa counts.

:rolleyes: Sure...if rooting for them while still in my jammies sipping a mimosa counts.
Sure, it counts ... but don't forget your pom poms :D

Sure, it counts ... but don't forget your pom poms :D
I won't be playing with those that early in the morning. That's an evening activity.

I won't be playing with those that early in the morning. That's an evening activity.You're not going to Redlands? Because of the heat? You could come with us, meet at the Commons, roll at 8:00.

You're not going to Redlands? Because of the heat? You could come with us, meet at the Commons, roll at 8:00.

Actually, John, I just got home from work (as in, 10 minutes ago.) The reason I'm not riding is I'm fried and tired. Like last week on Sunday when you saw me, I'm in a crappy mood and fear I'll be lagging on my ride. Stupid, I know. Anyway, I'm flattered that you'd invite me to be part of your harem! :D Invite me again, please. I'll be the slowest up against your wimmin folk (hello? Cathy? Sarah?), but I'd love to join. tomorrow, I'm sleeping in until 9am and probably riding a solo 50 to work some of my bad mood and 12 hour days out of me. Francis still hasn't emailed me back. :(

Great ride, great people, Francis rocks! Thanks, M.E. for the invite, you should have been there. Ride report to follow.

Told you so. Francis is well known for his rides being some of the best stocked, organized and put on (and he's a trickster, but always there to make sure all riders are doing well). I've told him he should become an organization like Planet Ultra and organize double centuries. I'd do them. I'm so bummed I missed this ride, but I couldn't have made it. I barely could climb in Griffith Park today and I would have dnf-ed for sure. Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed. :)

Oh, Vertical Bobbypoo. I KNOW you took tons of pics. Now post! :p Or, at very least, give us a report. :D

Are you going to be the designated cheerleader, and root everybody on the ride?

:eek:

In the UK, that statement takes on a whole 'nother meaning. :lol:

Well, this was a charmed day. Up at 3:30 and started the ride at 6:30 sharp, at least Laura and I did. There was a cloud cover left over from some T-storms in the mountains that kept things quite cool for most of the 38 mile climb. By the time the sun came out we were too high for it to be hot. What can you say about a climb of that length, it feels great to be able to do that.
Francis put on his trademark feast at the end and the support from Al and the guys was great. It was nice to see friends like Al, Alex, Gloria, Jon, and to meet JJ from BF and Adobo. Even the traffic coopperated. Non stop both ways. That was what I feared most about going out there, the drive back. Hell, I wouldn't get scared by a measly 38 mile climb.;) Next week it's Horseshoe Meadows in the Sierra's. Only a 25 mile climb but supposed to be 12%. Now that has me scared.

VB, you ain't right, but I luv ya anyway. ;) I talked to Francis. He's not the least bit mad at me, but I feel like a ***** for bailing. :o

Actually, John, I just got home from work (as in, 10 minutes ago.) The reason I'm not riding is I'm fried and tired. Like last week on Sunday when you saw me, I'm in a crappy mood and fear I'll be lagging on my ride. Stupid, I know. Anyway, I'm flattered that you'd invite me to be part of your harem! :D Invite me again, please. I'll be the slowest up against your wimmin folk (hello? Cathy? Sarah?), but I'd love to join. tomorrow, I'm sleeping in until 9am and probably riding a solo 50 to work some of my bad mood and 12 hour days out of me. Francis still hasn't emailed me back. :(
I understand being fried and not wanting to ride a hard group ride.
You are always welcome on any of our rides and don't underestimate your strength, you always do great. I think they would enjoy having you along as much as I would, but the one to watch out for is Laura. I swear she doesn't feel pain and near the end when she smells the barn, she always finds another gear and flys to the finish, giggling all the way.
I'm waiting to hear about the Death Ride from Cathy and Sarah,(and Keith), and then maybe I'll bring up Angeles Crest again.

Well here's my ride report,
I got there right on time and was hoping to leave by 6:30 as planned but some people were late and Francis wanted everybody to leave together but I left early with Vertical bob and a mile down the road I discovered I forgot my glasses so I turned around and went back. I ended up leaving with the group at 6:53am. I was riding with Travis (husband of NYgirl), we were in front of the pack and riding very slow so the rest could catch up but they never did so I took off solo, I don't like riding slow up hill, too painful.

I got to the ranger station and Francis was there with great support so I took advantage and filled up my bottles and waited for the first group with Travis pacing. I soon got on their wheels and headed up "damnation alley":eek: Once the road widened I got into my usual tempo and found myself alone again. It felt good that Francis and crew were always close by leapfrogging the group. At the top of the "alley" I stopped again to top off my bottles and wait for the front group.

I started to pace the group after the turn and noticed that Malcom (14 year old, 1st time up this mountain) was falling off the back and he took off his helmet. I turned around to help him pace himself and put his helmet back on. Malcom's a good kid that just started racing and I wanted to help him get up that mountain so I coached him on his breathing, fueling and tempo. We got to Angeles Oaks and I told him that I would wait for him. We left together and stayed together to the 8000 foot mark and I wanted to stretch the legs out and push hard the final 443 feet up.

It was nice at the top with fruit and ice water. It almost felt like a professional organized ride. I definitely made some friends that day and hope to ride with the Adobo group again. Francis took pictures throughout the day but I don't know where or if he posts them.

Here's my stats for the day.. If I get pictures I will post them..
http://home.earthlink.net/~shellenbargers/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/july142007.jpg

http://picasaweb.google.com/normgen/TdFJuly2007

http://lh6.google.com/normgen/Rpm8iWhHHyI/AAAAAAAAGSI/ITJWeD7qWBg/DSC_0621.jpg?imgmax=512

http://picasaweb.google.com/normgen/TdFJuly2007

Thanks for posting the link!

Thanks for posting the link!
They got your name right in the captions, Your Highness.

They got your name right in the captions, Your Highness.
What! "Polkadot King-of-the-Mountain" They just couldn't remember my name. :) I like that jersey! It makes me look fast. I'm just a poser, when I saw the camera I started to sprint.:)
http://home.earthlink.net/~shellenbargers/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/dsc_0621web.jpg
Photo by: Francis of Adobo Velo

like that jersey! It makes me look fast. I'm just a poser, when I saw the camera I started to sprint.:)

You even have the Lance-look-of-determination! The mark of true royalty.