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

Many of you have met my friend and fellow cyclist, Francis, at the Fargo Hill Climb and on GMR and are familiar with his climbing obsession. Well, twice a year he hosts a ride for the Adobos group that is an epic adventure. He does not ride the rides, but has them sagged instead and he drives the course checking in on the riders. He is very kind to the riders and wonderfully supportive.

Last December, I joined on his Lake Hughes Tour de Francis and barely lived to tell the tale. I earned the Adobos kit for it (although that was just because I was the only woman out there) and respect (truthfully, I just foolishly believed Francis when he told me the ride was 100 miles and 7K ft of climbing. It turned out to be 10K ft! I wanted to kill him at the end but was too tired and excited that I had actually finished to muster any strength to strangle him).

Well, he’s back at it. On Saturday, July 14th, he is hosting another Tour de Francis (Stage II) and it will be an 80+ miler that starts in Redlands and climbs to Onyx Summit in Big Bear. It will be an extremely tough ride (on a scale of 1-10, you’re looking at least an 8-9) and I’m still trying to get the (truthful) amount of total climbing out of him. Normally, I wouldn’t post it here, but this ride will be benefiting a couple of the Adobos guys who are doing the 525 mile Arthritis ride. Francis is not mandating a fee of any kind (and in fact, he is way too generous as the SAG stops and the support are wonderful). But he is hoping that if you join, you will make a donation that will go 100% toward sponsoring his buddies for the Arthritis ride (yes, he really is that nice).

Therefore, if any of you would like to know more about this ride (details and directions), please PM me (I will only give details through PM as this is not a ride people can just show up at and I ask that if you do have details and want to invite others that you please ask me first). If you decide to join and tell me you are coming, Francis and I will expect you to be there! Since the SAG stops are on his dime, he needs an exact headcount for those who are attending.

So, if you want to suffer, PM me and I’ll sign you up! :D

Redlands in the middle of July! Sounds hot. Damnation alley wil live up to it's name.

You make it sound so attractive ... So, if you want to suffer, PM me and I’ll sign you up!

Many of you have met my friend and fellow cyclist, Francis, at the Fargo Hill Climb and on GMR and are familiar with his climbing obsession. Well, twice a year he hosts a ride for the Adobos group that is an epic adventure. He does not ride the rides, but has them sagged instead and he drives the course checking in on the riders. He is very kind to the riders and wonderfully supportive.

Last December, I joined on his Lake Hughes Tour de Francis and barely lived to tell the tale. I earned the Adobos kit for it (although that was just because I was the only woman out there) and respect (truthfully, I just foolishly believed Francis when he told me the ride was 100 miles and 7K ft of climbing. It turned out to be 10K ft! I wanted to kill him at the end but was too tired and excited that I had actually finished to muster any strength to strangle him).

Well, he’s back at it. On Saturday, July 14th, he is hosting another Tour de Francis (Stage II) and it will be an 80+ miler that starts in Redlands and climbs to Onyx Summit in Big Bear. It will be an extremely tough ride (on a scale of 1-10, you’re looking at least an 8-9) and I’m still trying to get the (truthful) amount of total climbing out of him. Normally, I wouldn’t post it here, but this ride will be benefiting a couple of the Adobos guys who are doing the 525 mile Arthritis ride. Francis is not mandating a fee of any kind (and in fact, he is way too generous as the SAG stops and the support are wonderful). But he is hoping that if you join, you will make a donation that will go 100% toward sponsoring his buddies for the Arthritis ride (yes, he really is that nice).

Therefore, if any of you would like to know more about this ride (details and directions), please PM me (I will only give details through PM as this is not a ride people can just show up at and I ask that if you do have details and want to invite others that you please ask me first). If you decide to join and tell me you are coming, Francis and I will expect you to be there! Since the SAG stops are on his dime, he needs an exact headcount for those who are attending.

So, if you want to suffer, PM me and I’ll sign you up! :D


In preperation for my goal of doing the Death Ride I am interested. What kind of temps are we talking about? Ive already done 111 mile 11,000 ft ride so Im sure I can handle the suffering. Shoot me some details ME and Ill talk it over with the war dept.:eek:

In preperation for my goal of doing the Death Ride I am interested. What kind of temps are we talking about? Ive already done 111 mile 11,000 ft ride so Im sure I can handle the suffering. Shoot me some details ME and Ill talk it over with the war dept.:eek:

Sean,

Are you doing the Death Ride this year or next. If your doing it this year, the date of this ride is the same as the Death Ride. On the 14th I'll be in the Tahoe area doing the Death Ride.

Sean,

Are you doing the Death Ride this year or next. If your doing it this year, the date of this ride is the same as the Death Ride. On the 14th I'll be in the Tahoe area doing the Death Ride.

It is next years goal. This year I am just working on big climbing rides. Hopefully next year I wont have the injury issues.:rolleyes:

It is next years goal. This year I am just working on big climbing rides. Hopefully next year I wont have the injury issues.:rolleyes:

Hey Sean.... if you wanna come ride Ebbetts Pass w/me this fall, its pretty close to me (I'm guessing they all are, but the signs near me only say Ebbetts ;) )

That's the route of Breathless Agony, maybe skips Jack Rabbit Pass but if I know Francis it doesn't skip Oak Glen.

Hey Sean.... if you wanna come ride Ebbetts Pass w/me this fall, its pretty close to me (I'm guessing they all are, but the signs near me only say Ebbetts ;) )


Ok, maybe Ill start early so I can get Carson Pass in too.:D

That's the route of Breathless Agony, maybe skips Jack Rabbit Pass but if I know Francis it doesn't skip Oak Glen.
You riding? :D. We can carpool.

Ok, maybe Ill start early so I can get Carson Pass in too.:D

there ya go :p I'll do Ebbetts and you can do both ;)

Am I the only one that thinks the ride description doesn't sound like fun ... but sheer and utter torture and pain? Alright say it ... I know ... everyone is thinking ... god what wuss!

Am I the only one that thinks the ride description doesn't sound like fun ... but sheer and utter torture and pain? Alright say it ... I know ... everyone is thinking ... god what wuss!
Sheer and utter torture? If you're lucky. Francis is known for his rides and they are tough...but rewarding. I'll be drooling and whistling dixie before it's over, but I'll get off on it too- which is why I'm signing up! :D

If it starts at Sylvan Park and goes directly to Onyx and back, that would be about 80 miles. Not a walk in the park, but not very difficult compared to some of the other rides you've done. Nothing very steep, unless you add the Oak Glen climb, but that would bring the mileage up. The hard part will be the heat.

If it starts at Sylvan Park and goes directly to Onyx and back, that would be about 80 miles. Not a walk in the park, but not very difficult compared to some of the other rides you've done. Nothing very steep, unless you add the Oak Glen climb, but that would bring the mileage up. The hard part will be the heat.
Does this mean you're riding? I mean, if it's not that difficult...:rolleyes: :p

Does this mean you're riding? I mean, if it's not that difficult...:rolleyes: :p
I said it wouldn't be difficult for you, I didn't say me. We'll talk.

I said it wouldn't be difficult for you, I didn't say me. We'll talk.
:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: You are too funny. By the way, he told me it's "about" 8k ft. I don't like this "about" business.

By the way, he told me it's "about" 8k ft. I don't like this "about" business.
He also didn't tell you at what mile you reach 8,000 feet!

Nor will he, Jon. I have to threaten it out of him and even then I won't know until I ride it. But that kind of makes it fun and I stress less. If you don't know what you are in store for, you don't worry. :D

hum...slackers century or ride up a mountain I havn't gone up yet.

I can't donate much, but I'd love to do this ride, just make sure there is some chicken or pork adobo in the SAG car:D

looks like I can't ahve any chicken adobe that day, maybe next time.

looks like I can't ahve any chicken adobe that day, maybe next time.
Sorry, Jeff. Yes, I should go ahead and tell anyone interested that the riders roll at 6:30am (sharp). :o

Hmmm. Do I detect a pattern here?

1. Indolent arranges a non-intense social ride for a Sunday
2. M.E. comes up with a mammoth sufferfest for the preceding Saturday.
3. M.E. is too fried to attend Indolent's social ride and bails.
4. M.E.'s claims to want to do more social rides are yet again proven to be grotesquely bogus outrageous fibs, no doubt part of some larger dark conspiracy masterminded by Freemasons.
5. Rinse and repeat.

Hmmm. Do I detect a pattern here?
...edited...


:roflmao:
hahaha, that's some funny @#$#.

Hmmm. Do I detect a pattern here?

1. Indolent arranges a non-intense social ride for a Sunday
2. M.E. comes up with a mammoth sufferfest for the preceding Saturday.
3. M.E. is too fried to attend Indolent's social ride and bails.
4. M.E.'s claims to want to do more social rides are yet again proven to be grotesquely bogus outrageous fibs, no doubt part of some larger dark conspiracy masterminded by Freemasons.
5. Rinse and repeat.
Oh...for... cry eye...I have no other comeback...but don't be so sure I won't be on the slacker ride. :p

Easy ride is not in ME's vocabulary.

Easy ride is not in ME's vocabulary.
Oh, that's silly. :rolleyes: I don't know why you have this idea that I ride so tough or hard. I don't. And personally, I'm thinking of taking up hiking again. There is none of this "hardcore" crap with hiking. You just go out and walk around in the bushes. No sandbagging either, just bagged sandwiches and trail mix!

Oh, that's silly. :rolleyes: I don't know why you have this idea that I ride so tough or hard. I don't. And personally, I'm thinking of taking up hiking again. There is none of this "hardcore" crap with hiking. You just go out and walk around in the bushes. No sandbagging either, just bagged sandwiches and trail mix!
Well, let's see ... Baldy, Baldy again, Frances ... Oh, and the warnings!!! "This is a difficult ride ..."

Yea, they aren't tough rides. Oh, and hiking ... hike up to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite ... nice easy hike :p

Oh, that's silly. :rolleyes: I don't know why you have this idea that I ride so tough or hard. I don't. And personally, I'm thinking of taking up hiking again. There is none of this "hardcore" crap with hiking. You just go out and walk around in the bushes. No sandbagging either, just bagged sandwiches and trail mix!

You want to take an take an easy walk around in the bushes up to the top of Mount Whitney?

hiking, ugh. That's just a fancy name for walking.

Well, let's see ... Baldy, Baldy again,
Frances ... Oh, and the warnings!!! "This is a difficult ride ..." yea, they aren't tough rides.

I never said I was riding Francis' ride on July 14th. :D

You want to take an take an easy walk around in the bushes up to the top of Mount Whitney?

Why funny you mention that, mister. Before I became a crazy cycling hag, I was in training for Mt. Whitney. I used to hike Chantry Flats up to Mt. Wilson Observatory and back to prepare. But I bought my first bike (Fred) in 2004 and the Whitney plans went up in smoke. :o And don't let me fool you (nor should you be fooled, Ronjon!), hiking is a kick-ass workout and can be just as challenging as cycling!:D

Oh, I know it's tough. I get tired just going for a 2 mile beach stroll. Forget actaully going uphill. There's just not enugh cool gear in hiking.

Oh, I know it's tough. I get tired just going for a 2 mile beach stroll. Forget actaully going uphill. There's just not enugh cool gear in hiking.
:eek: What??? Just take a look at these bad boys:

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/hikingpole.jpg
Leki Ultralite Carbon SLS Trekking Poles

:p :D

Leki Ultralite Carbon SLS Trekking Poles

:p :D


OOH! Carbon!, sweeeeeeeeet. That's something. Now then, if going downhill wasn't just as painful as going uphill, we'd be getting somewhere.

Oh, that's silly. :rolleyes: I don't know why you have this idea that I ride so tough or hard. I don't. And personally, I'm thinking of taking up hiking again. There is none of this "hardcore" crap with hiking. You just go out and walk around in the bushes. No sandbagging either, just bagged sandwiches and trail mix!I hike with some pretty hardcore 70 year olds from the Sierra Club that really give me a work out. The problem with hiking versus cycling is , there is no pay back on the decent. Ya still gotta walk back down that mountain.:p

The problem with hiking versus cycling is , there is no pay back on the decent. Ya still gotta walk back down that mountain.:p

Not necessarily. Just pack a Zorb.

http://www.futurehi.net/images/zorb.jpg

Not necessarily. Just pack a Zorb.

http://www.futurehi.net/images/zorb.jpg

:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

Sure. I'll get right on it. That's my next investment. A zorb. :p

:eek: What??? Just take a look at these bad boys:

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/hikingpole.jpg
Leki Ultralite Carbon SLS Trekking Poles

:p :D
just like mine...I do the long distance stuff and those are a godsend

What is the benefit to these poles. I love to hike but have never used one.... educate me. :p

What is the benefit to these poles. I love to hike but have never used one.... educate me. :p

I don't really know either but http://www.backpacking.net/walkstik.html#why this might help

What is the benefit to these poles. I love to hike but have never used one.... educate me. :p
+1 ... where do you clip in? :D

What is the benefit to these poles. I love to hike but have never used one.... educate me. :p Balance and shock absorbtion. Poles are really a help going down, kinda like a cane:o
I'm a one pole man. There are one pole hikers, two pole hikers, and no pole hikers. That's what makes the world go around.:)

What is the benefit to these poles. I love to hike but have never used one.... educate me. :p

marmot skewers.

marmot skewers.
:lol:

If you want more cool gear you got to do multi-day hikes/backpacking trips. Then you can get all weight weenie with your base pack weight. Like making a stove out of soda cans. Crazy light tents. Little pills to purify water. Sleeping bags that fit it your pocket! (well, not really)

Bumpited...

Who is coming for sure? I need a head count and I'll PM details to those who are coming. :D

Bumpited...

Who is coming for sure? I need a head count and I'll PM details to those who are coming. :D
Don't forget to include yourself in the head count ... :)

And another bump...

I PM'd some of you guys who PM'd me originally that you may be interested. If you did NOT get a PM from me but are interested, please let me know. :D

I'm interested, but can't commit yet... when does Francis need a final headcount?