Southern California - LA Wheelman 5 Counties Century - October 6th - I hope

So, this annual ride is still listed as on the LA Wheelman website as:

"Saturday, October 6 - FIVE COUNTY CENTURY We have tentatively scheduled this annual event for this date, but details need to be worked out. In fact, we are looking for someone to chair this event. If you are willing, contact Bobbi Fisher at BFisher901@aol.com or another club officer. (The previous chairman might be willing to provide information and guidance upon receipt of a sufficient amount of brownies.) Check back next month for full information on the event."

I really hope it takes place. I believe Vertical Bob, Big John, Laura and I will be doing it if it happens. I've heard great things about the ride from Bob (and he usually says it like it is - no BS with that guy ;))

So, anyone else interested? I'm going to keep checking for the next three weeks (obviously) and will report back with the link once the ride is posted as happening for sure.

I am up for it!

K

90% in (the other 10% is watching football).

Even if LAW doesn't do it, we can still do the ride unsupported. Water would be the only issue, and I think the Ozena Station has a faucet. There is a c-store on hwy 33 we can use. It's a great ride.

I'd be up for that John. I've ridden with you and Bob enough to know that we'd find water. ;) I really would like to do it.

Even if LAW doesn't do it, we can still do the ride unsupported. Water would be the only issue, and I think the Ozena Station has a faucet. There is a c-store on hwy 33 we can use. It's a great ride. We did Heartbreak unsupported and had better supplies than than those who paid the fee. Water at Ozuna is crucial, there has always been water there at the drinking fountain but this has been a record dry year so support would be better. Unsupported means the last water is at Ozuna, a long way.

I'm definitely out for this, if anyone has any legs left for the santa monica mountains on the 7th, I'll be out there. I'll post something when it gets closer.

Someone can get up at 5am and take a couple 5 gallon jugs and drop them off. I'd pay for that. (Keep in mind, I have no idea where this is, what the environment is like or if they'd be likely to be stolen/used)

Someone can get up at 5am and take a couple 5 gallon jugs and drop them off. I'd pay for that. (Keep in mind, I have no idea where this is, what the environment is like or if they'd be likely to be stolen/used)

Wow, that is so sweet of you to offer, Joel. I think it's great that you'd pay for the water and gas, not to mention your time, to drive those gallons up and stash them for us. :)

Wow, that is so sweet of you to offer, Joel. I think it's great that you'd pay for the water and gas, not to mention your time, to drive those gallons up and stash them for us. :)

Dont forget the donuts!!

If Ozena is the last water, it's 25 miles to the end of Lockwood Valley road. This is where a lot of the climbing is, but it's doable as long as it's not hot.

Dont forget the donuts!!

:lol: OMG, Herb! You are sooooo correct.

Joel, we'd also like a dozen Krispy Kremes stashed with that water, please. :D

I'd be up for that John. I've ridden with you and Bob enough to know that we'd find water. ;) I really would like to do it. Yeah, John can smell water 20 miles away and I've been watching "Survivorman". What we find might be a little dirty and have a little bacteria in it but it will keep you alive.:rolleyes:

If Ozena is the last water, it's 25 miles to the end of Lockwood Valley road. This is where a lot of the climbing is, but it's doable as long as it's not hot.

Haven't you seen Joel's offer, John? ;)

Seriously, can't we either wear camel backs or stash a third bottle in our jerseys like we did for Grassy Hollow? Also, I wonder how hot it will be. Apparently a cold storm and spell is about to hit us and perhaps it will stay through October?

Yeah, John can smell water 20 miles away and I've been watching "Survivorman". What we find might be a little dirty and have a little bacteria in it but it will keep you alive.:rolleyes:

That or I kill you and take your water. You're okay with that, right? :p:D

I don't think it's a problem to go the last 25 miles if you have a 3rd bottle, and I will wear my Camelbak if we do it unsupported.

I don't think it's a problem to go the last 25 miles if you have a 3rd bottle, and I will wear my Camelbak if we do it unsupported.

So, I'm to kill you and take your water? :p

Okay. I can wear a camelback too, if need be. But I suspect, if cool enough, a 3rd bottle will suffice.

HOWEVER, let's see if LAW does come through with organizing the ride...at which point all of this is moot. :)

I will try and speak to Richard Weeden of LAW and see what he says.

Thanks, John :) I forgot that you boys know the LAW fellows. You could also ask Kermit.

Thanks, John :) I forgot that you boys know the LAW fellows. You could also ask Kermit.

Kermit's been in the hospital for quite a while.

Kermit's been in the hospital for quite a while.

Why? PM me, please.

Richard says Kermit was to take over the ride,but when he got sick, nobody stepped in. I wrote to M.J. and I'm waiting for a response, but it doesn't look too good.

What happened to Kermit?

What happened to Kermit?Ron, he's pretty sick and has been in the hospital for some time. I really don't have any details I can give, but I'm certainly hoping he's going to be O.K.

It's official, LAW is not doing the ride this year. So, the question is, who would like to do it unsupported?

John,

I'm in.

im a possible....depends on work.

It's official, LAW is not doing the ride this year. So, the question is, who would like to do it unsupported?I'll do it if we get a group. I think we can park on a side street just up from the church that the Wheelmen use, we need permission to park there.

Scootcore with his Carradice bag.

Shoot, that's practically a supported ride right there.

thomsons is waaaaaaay bigger. genetics i guess....

It's official, LAW is not doing the ride this year. So, the question is, who would like to do it unsupported?

:D

Ron, he's pretty sick and has been in the hospital for some time. I really don't have any details I can give, but I'm certainly hoping he's going to be O.K.

I talked to Kermit last week. He is getting better but has a ways to go. He sounded just like he always does though - same dry sense of humor. Very sweet man whom I missed on Saturday - as did many.

We can park near the market at Lockwood Valley Road and Frazier Mountain Park Road. Exit the 5 at Frazier Park and go west 7.5 miles, or so. No bathrooms at the start, so stop near the fwy. If you insist, you could start at the Flying J and ride up to the start. I would like to roll at 8:00. The loop is 86 miles, unless you start at the fwy, which makes 100, for all you number-obsessed types. I'll try to recriut some of my clubmates, but some are doing the AC century and the Grizzly and the 508 are also that weekend.

I thought it was time to bump this and try to get an idea who is coming. So far I think it's M.E., AkAk2000, Vertical Bob, Laura, big john, and at least 2 SFVBC riders. I will try and let the LAW know we are doing it, as well.
I would like Thomson to come, has anyone heard from him? How about roadfix? scvroadie and Irene?

John,

I will have to get a rain check from you for this ride.

I will be doing the Grizz with Jane this Saturday & Irene is going to a friend's wedding.

Have fun on this ride you guys!
I got into the Angeles Crest Century so I will be doing that......YIKES!!!
Hope I am ready for it :)

We can park near the market at Lockwood Valley Road and Frazier Mountain Park Road. Exit the 5 at Frazier Park and go west 7.5 miles, or so. I rode with Bill F. who sponsored this ride every year that I have done it and he said that one of the problems they had was parking. The dirt lot next to the market produced some shouting match from some of the locals about blocking in the RV they were living in. :mad: That's why they started parking at the LDS Church, however, all attempts to contact the church this year failed. Not even an answering machine. There is plenty of roadside parking around there so I think I will find a spot on a side road. We parked just up from the church on a side street for Heartbreak this year with no problem. The local sheriff even stopped to tell us about his new Giant road bike. That is a good starting point though John. I'll see you there at 8am.

I'm still about 90% in.

Does anyone have a route slip? I looked at the LAW 5-counties page, and it mentions only a few turns, and no stoplights on the entire route. However, I'd like to have directions in case I need to catch up, etc.
Also, are there water refill spots anywhere?

I'm still about 90% in.

Does anyone have a route slip? I looked at the LAW 5-counties page, and it mentions only a few turns, and no stoplights on the entire route. However, I'd like to have directions in case I need to catch up, etc.
Also, are there water refill spots anywhere?I have an old route slip I could print out. It goes like this. Start West on Cuddy Valley Rd. R on Mil Potrero Hwy , becomes Cerro Norstre Rd. L Hwt 166/33 at T. L Hwy 33, L on Lockwood Valley rd. That's it. There is water at the store on Hwy 33 and hopefully water at the Fire Station at Ozuna where we turn toward Heartrbreak on Lockwood Valey Rd. This is not a ride where anyone should be dropped and left behind. It's too remote out there.

I'm still about 90% in.

Does anyone have a route slip? I looked at the LAW 5-counties page, and it mentions only a few turns, and no stoplights on the entire route. However, I'd like to have directions in case I need to catch up, etc.
Also, are there water refill spots anywhere?
I'll make something if I can't find the routeslip. It's not a hard route to remember, I'll brief you at the start.
There is water at a couple places on the route, and a store around half way, but no water for the last 25 miles. A third bottle or Camelbak would be a good idea.

Thanks Bob and John.

Yeah, that is a simple route. Bob, your description was more than good enough to get me through the route on Toporoute.

I'm sitting here wondering if I shouldn't pay some newbie dues by driving some water out there on my motorcycle on friday evening and then joining the ride. Is there still interest in doing it by more than a couple of people? I haven't ridden an 86 mile day in many years, but I'm riding 30 a day with some reasonable hills without difficulty, so I think I should be able to manage just fine. My bike's ready for it, at least. Can I get a headcount to see if its worthwhile?

--sam

ideasculptor, I think we have 8 riders and several fence sitters. The water thing is fine, we'll have plenty without any secret drops. It was a nice thought, though.
The things to remember about this ride are; it's 86 miles with 7000 feet of climbing, but it seems harder because of the location and length of the climbs and factors like wind, etc. I think it's harder than many centuries, and; it's very remote, so if you have trouble there is no sag or coasting back down or easy way out.
If you think you can handle a hilly century and are self-sufficient, by all means, come with us. It's tough, beautiful, and very rewarding.

Sorry gang, I'm out. Getting furniture that morning.

Two more weeks and I should be back in the saddle more regularly.

I'm out, guys. :cry: I have an appt. with my Primary doctor next week. She thinks my knee pain is just overuse (I described both the Grand Tour and Lighthouse rides and the amount of headwinds involved, and she thinks I likely overcompensated and was out of alignment as was suggested in my knee pain thread. :( She mentioned that I could cause it to become an injury if I push it without knowing exactly what is causing the pain.)

Regardless, she has suggested I lay off another ride that involves heavy climbing and/or headwinds and, um, I think this ride has both. So, you guys have fun out there. I'll be spinning flat miles close to home if I ride at all this weekend.

Sorry about that Mary. Take an easy week and you'll be back stronger than before!

Sorry about that Mary. Take an easy week and you'll be back stronger than before!

Well, and then I saw you and Jason talking about GMR/GRR. I can't even do that. :cry: I'm going to throw a temper tantrum! :mad:

But thanks, Joy, for your encouragement. :D

I'm out, guys. :cry: I have an appt. with my Primary doctor next week. She thinks my knee pain is just overuse (I described both the Grand Tour and Lighthouse rides and the amount of headwinds involved, and she thinks I likely overcompensated and was out of alignment as was suggested in my knee pain thread. :( She mentioned that I could cause it to become an injury if I push it without knowing exactly what is causing the pain.)

Regardless, she has suggested I lay off another ride that involves heavy climbing and/or headwinds and, um, I think this ride has both. So, you guys have fun out there. I'll be spinning flat miles close to home if I ride at all this weekend.

New Shooz! New Shooz!

Oh, definitely on the new shoes. I have a crack now in my right shoe (Shimanoes). I'm going to purchase SIDI, I think.

I have SIDI's for about a year and they're pretty good. Do check out Specialized too (I didn't), because some of the guys and gals here gave them great reviews. :)

SIDI dominator-level shoes go on sale once in a while; and PBK has them for cheap. But locally, I've seen the lady's version on clearance a few times that brings the $200 down to $100 or lower.