Southern California - January 1st Ride

I'm out for this ride for sure on Tuesday. You guys be safe out there and hope someone takes pics. :)

NOAA has a high of 58 at Wilson at 11am with it dropping to 44 quickly, so get an early start, and bundle up. Should be fun.:)

NOAA has a high of 58 at Wilson at 11am with it dropping to 44 quickly, so get an early start, and bundle up. Should be fun.:)

That's it. I'm wearing a turtleneck.

That's it. I'm wearing a turtleneck.

And Uggs...don't forget the Uggs.

Can we get a run-down on who's starting when/where for the Wilson ride? Here's what I have so far:

8am -- CSUN, SFVBC Group
8:30am -- Glenoaks near Brand in Glendale, Vertical Bob Group, (up Angeles Crest instead of Big T)
9am -- Van Nuys (http://socalcycling.com/Group%20Rides/annual/MtWilson.htm), Main Group/racers
9am -- Oro Vista & Foothill, Big John's Group
10am -- Foothill Blvd. & Mt Gleason Rd. in Tujunga, Main Group/racers

Any changes/edits?

And Uggs...don't forget the Uggs.

You can wear Uggs on your solo anti-social ride through Griffith Park. I think you're just camera shy. You don't want me getting any video interview with you. Admit it.

You can wear Uggs on your solo anti-social ride through Griffith Park. I think you're just camera shy. You don't want me getting any video interview with you. Admit it.

Yeah. That's it. I'm shy. Actually, it's more like - I'd break the lens. :p

9am -- Oro Vista & Foothill, Big John's Group

Is this the one which begins by going up Big Tujunga?

Is this the one which begins by going up Big Tujunga?

Yep.

I'll be at the Oro Vista and Foothill start, if I go. Don't wait for me through, if it is real windy I probably won't show.

Who wants to take my place at work so I can ride tomorrow?
Have fun out there.

I will probably start near Foothill and Sunland aroudn 9:30. Unless I wake up early enough and motivated enough to meet up with the CSUN or Van Nuys caravans.

Parking for the Oro Vista & Foothill start is anywhere along Foothill?

Lots of street parking. But there's also a big parking lot in a shopping plaza on Sunland just east of Foothill (here (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Tujunga,+CA,+United+States+of+America&ie=UTF8&ll=34.260267,-118.325104&spn=0.00415,0.010922&t=h&z=17&om=1)).

I know some of you have already taken off, but I'm wishing you guys a safe go of it! Watch out for the gusts of winds, but likely, you'll have a good ride up to Wilson. :)

Well, I'm back. I had to cut it short, so I turned right at Clear Creek. Some of our group went up to Wilson and some went with me. It was warmer than any other time I've done this ride, (at least 7 other times). It was windy in spots, but nothing like last year. Beautiful up there, we could see Catalina from AC.
Kidsisko, Shprung told me that was you. I hope you had a great ride. I think Shprung took a few pics, too.

I met Herb, Markaj, Eddie & Andy in Burbank. We did a brief (23-mile) ride around Griffith Park. We took in some climbs. Nothing too long, but a couple steep ones familiar to anyone who has done the Hollywood Hype ride.

Here was our route:
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w309/mkadam68/BikeForums%20Pics/010108_map.gif

This is the profile:
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w309/mkadam68/BikeForums%20Pics/010108_profile.png

The stats:
Shannon Road
0.5 miles
257 ft elevation gain
9.5% avg gradient
12.4% max gradient

Observatory Climb (from park entrance on N. Vermont Ave)
1.2 miles
426 ft elevation gain
6.7% avg gradient
9.8% max gradient

Beachwood Drive
1.2 miles
281 ft elevation gain
4.2% avg gradient
6.9% max gradient

Ledgewood Drive
0.6 miles
336 ft elevation gain
10.5% avg gradient
14.5% max gradient

Lake Hollywood Drive
0.2 miles
155 ft elevation gain
12.9% avg gradient
16.8% max gradient

Nice ride. Enjoyed myself. Herb has made awesome progress. Keep up the good work, Herb!!

(Stats provided by Garmin Edge 305 & Ascent software (http://www.montebellosoftware.com/).)

Well, that was fun. I made it to Wilson by 11:45, that was the warmest New Years ride ever. On the way down I saw lots of friends , Pale Rider, Cassave, were on the Wilson Climb and the Bicycle John Girls , including Sarah, were on the Red Box climb. A good ride to start the year, now to watch the Trojans kick some tail.

I cut it short too but was surprised that I only saw less than 25 cyclist in the route we took (I was with the 'bigJohn' start group). Here are the few photos I took of our group (the SFVBC ). I took way to many cloth so my camera ended up deap inside the left back pocket (it was like 56-75 all the way) and I only took few shoots when we stopped:

at the 7-11 in Oro Vista & Foothill (about 20 miles from CSUN for most in the photo)
http://shai.impcash.com/08/1/DSCF2992.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/08/1/DSCF2993.jpg

At Clear Creek
http://shai.impcash.com/08/1/DSCF2994.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/08/1/DSCF2995.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/08/1/DSCF2996.jpg

Back at foot hills
http://shai.impcash.com/08/1/DSCF2998.jpg

Wow. Nice looking bunch. :D Thanks for the pics, Shai!

Big John sure looks warm ! I need to get some winter gear soon....

I met Herb, Markaj, Eddie & Andy in Burbank. We did a brief (23-mile) ride around Griffith Park. We took in some climbs. Nothing too long, but a couple steep ones familiar to anyone who has done the Hollywood Hype ride.

Here was our route:
http://lh6.google.com/mloftus68/R3qvts9xzqI/AAAAAAAAAXc/mu2A1-tsNJg/010108_map_route.gif

This is the profile:
http://lh4.google.com/mloftus68/R3qvvM9xzrI/AAAAAAAAAXk/aEW7awf9Sqg/010108_map_profile.gif?imgmax=912

The stats:
Shannon Road
0.5 miles
257 ft elevation gain
9.5% avg gradient
12.4% max gradient

Observatory Climb (from park entrance on N. Vermont Ave)
1.2 miles
426 ft elevation gain
6.7% avg gradient
9.8% max gradient

Beachwood Drive
1.2 miles
281 ft elevation gain
4.2% avg gradient
6.9% max gradient

Ledgewood Drive
0.6 miles
336 ft elevation gain
10.5% avg gradient
14.5% max gradient

Lake Hollywood Drive
0.2 miles
155 ft elevation gain
12.9% avg gradient
16.8% max gradient

Nice ride. Enjoyed myself. Herb has made awesome progress. Keep up the good work, Herb!!

(Stats provided by Garmin Edge 305 & Ascent software (http://www.montebellosoftware.com/).)

Thanks...
Wow..those last 2 were tough...I can see why now!! :eek: But glad I stuck with the group and didnt head back the other way...

The Mt Wilson ride was smaller than I expected (maybe 100?). Perhaps the threat of wind kept people away, but the weather was great all day. I was over-dressed for all but the first 10 miles of descent. And the views were fantastic (as you can tell by ME's thread). A few people had cameras... I'll try to track some photos down.

It was like summer up there today!
I took a jacket for the descent and didn't bother to wear it,
the grocery bag trick was all it took.

Plenty of wind (less than last year) and excellent views.
Started from Woodland Hills so my first century for '08 is in the bag.

Too bad more people didn't show but it was nice to see those that did.

Happy New Year.

Sisko, you weren't on a red Specialized by chance?

I didn't see you VM, but then I was among the last to arrive up top (around 1:30). That would make me a contender for Lantern Rouge of the day. I personally liked being over-dressed. This is day 7 of that virus thing for me, so the sweating felt good. The descent was balmy for me after mile 5, so I was happy. The one thing I should have brought with me was an electrolyte sports drink. Making it to the top was pretty much my all for the day, so I had next to no zip for the few hills on the descent.

The views were staggering for this first timer. My neck hurts from all the craning and swinging about. And for some reason my right arm completely gave up on me. Cramped up and everything. Good times!

Good job, Kidd. Any photos you willing to share? :D

KiddSisko, good job!
And to all the people that don't know: Kidd was with long black jogging pans and regual sports shows (well, it is the old style pedal that you need to lock your show in) with only 50 miles rides (no centuries) doing this hard climb. - again, good job!

Ah, make that Nike brand satin warm-up slacks and running shoes with toe clips. I did get a lot of riders commenting "good job" to me on their way down. Was it that obvious I didn't really belong? I didn't see anyone else with a video camera, so to me everyone else was out of place :p

Seriously Shai, you guys are amazing.

Doesn't mean you don't belong, Kidd. But if you hang out enough with these guys, you'll be in cleats in no time. It will improve your riding significantly, trust me (and by improve, I mean comfort as well as power output). Climbing on the pedals you are currently using is much harder, especially Angeles Crest. Put you in some cleats and you'll be flying! You should really feel a sense of accomplishment today as that is impressive.

Also, as much as we all joke on here about our spandex (little padded shorts), there is truly a purpose and function for them. You'll see. ;)

Pics?

Nice pictures Kidd. I really enjoy seeing Mt Baldy from there.

Nice pics, Kidd. :)

and now we all waiting for the video...

Grrr... More pics, more rides, more miles, and now video!!! Aren't you people ever satisfied? :p

No.

Now, go buy some Sidi's and clipless pedals, spandex shorts and any other cycling attire you are lacking. You might as well accept that you are in this for the long haul. Oh, and drink your Koolaid. :D