Tour de Santa Barbara Ride Report and Pix...How was Thunderdome?

[merider1]

I'm starting this thread for any pics or word from the guys. I saw them this morning, and am uploading the few pics I have and will post as soon as I have them copied. Can't wait to hear how the ride went. :)

[merider1]

Okay, so I snuck out this morning, got some donuts and "surprised" the men (oh, joy for them :p). But I just couldn't stand the thought of them going off without at least seeing them, wishing them a safe ride, and...um...oh yeah...taking some pics. :D

So, here are a few:

sugar fat-bombs to sweeten and fatten 'em up:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/donuts.jpg

Manly, manly, manly, manly, manly, manly, men! Hey!
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/IMG_0168.jpg

Scootcore arriving literally one minute to take off!
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/IMG_0167.jpg

From the left: ?? (friend of endoverendo), Hollywould, Toronto-rider, Shprung, Magicant
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/IMG_0165.jpg

From the left: Magicant, Danteb, endoverendo
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/IMG_0163.jpg

The men listening to Magicant "sandbag"...and did he ever!
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/IMG_0162.jpg

Um...is that a banana in your pocket. Some good fueling for the ride:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/IMG_0166.jpg

[merider1]

Entropy906 and Magicant
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/IMG_0160.jpg

Shai arriving
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/IMG_0158.jpg

Endoverendo
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/IMG_0154.jpg

Well, at least one donut got eaten. :p
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/IMG_0150.jpg

Entrophy906 modeling the unattached kit...and it did look mighty good on him :D
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/IMG_0149.jpg

Maddog toughing it out in the cold - the man wore shorts!!!!
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/IMG_0148.jpg

[thomson]

You guys are looking good. Did you ever get rolling?

[Entropy906]

Thanks ME for meeting us at the start this morning. We're on the train now but should have some pictures when I get home.

[merider1]

Awesome!!! Have some beers and I'm glad you all arrived safe and sound. :beer:

[thomson]

Hey, that's great you made the early train guys.

[merider1]

Hey, that's great you made the early train guys.

Well, of couse they did...I wasn't along. :rolleyes: :p

[thomson]

Well, of couse they did...I wasn't along. :rolleyes: :p

That just means they didn't have as much fun so they might as well try to finish as soon as they can.

[magicant]

You guys are looking good. Did you ever get rolling?

yes, rolling and done. On the train back now. We made it with no mishaps and plenty of time to spare.

Even though we discovered Thomson's "optional loops" were still on the route sheet. *******. I wish I had had time to check it more thoroughly.

More to come. Shai took photos on the part of the ride he was along on. I'm sure there will be a few more.

More to come when I get to a computer.

Oleg, you missed the volleyball players!

[merider1]

That just means they didn't have as much fun so they might as well try to finish as soon as they can.

:love: You're a doll, Mad Max. ;)

[merider1]

Glad you guys had no mishaps, Joel! You did do great time....and after all that silly sandbagging. :rolleyes:

[thomson]

yes, rolling and done. On the train back now. We made it with no mishaps and plenty of time to spare.

Even though we discovered Thomson's "optional loops" were still on the route sheet. *******. I wish I had had time to check it more thoroughly.

More to come. Shai took photos on the part of the ride he was along on. I'm sure there will be a few more.

More to come when I get to a computer.

Oleg, you missed the volleyball players!

Joel, sounds like a great ride. Those optional loops are GREAT!! (are you talking about the ones through Ojai? I think it is more scenic.

[VanceMac]

What a studly crew... that must have made quite a sight as you were cruising down the road. Looking forward to details and more photos.

I miss donuts.

[Shprung]

Photo from the pre-ride (With a blonde chick...)
http://shai.impcash.com/08/2/DSCF3329.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/08/2/DSCF3335.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/08/2/DSCF3331.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/08/2/DSCF3332.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/08/2/DSCF3334.jpg

This is what left as we start the ride. It look like 2 or 3 only missing
http://shai.impcash.com/08/2/DSCF3330.jpg

First short regroup
http://shai.impcash.com/08/2/DSCF3336.jpg

Climbing. I tried to do the 'usual': ride fast, stop and take pictures
http://shai.impcash.com/08/2/DSCF3338.jpg

[Shprung]

http://shai.impcash.com/08/2/DSCF3339.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/08/2/DSCF3340.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/08/2/DSCF3341.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/08/2/DSCF3342.1.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/08/2/DSCF3342.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/08/2/DSCF3343.jpg

[Shprung]

2nd regroup, at the top of santa sue pass
http://shai.impcash.com/08/2/DSCF3344.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/08/2/DSCF3345.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/08/2/DSCF3346.jpg

I was in front for some time letting the group suck my wheel; so I snag some photo.
http://shai.impcash.com/08/2/DSCF3348.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/08/2/DSCF3349.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/08/2/DSCF3350.jpg

After about 30 miles in, I had to U turn and go back... sucks!
I really want to do this LA to SB. Looking forward for the next one.

[roadfix]

So far so good!

[merider1]

Kidd, men don't have juicy details when out riding together...at least not on the rides we report on here. :rolleyes:

Ride Report - They rode, they finished and now they are drinking beer.

I'm willing to bet you money that the above is the exact ride report you're going to get from any one of them.

Sigh...men. :p

[merider1]

Alright then, you ask them for the details. They can't deny your request afterall, because:
A. It was supposed to be your ride
B. You brought donuts
C. You're recently injured (the sympathy factor)
D. You must have looked to them like an angel at 7am.
E. You can say bad things about them to the women in the other forum if they snub you

Won't work and here is why:

A. Yeah, but Joel took it and ran with it (or in this case, rode with it - including...gasp...changing MY route slip to suit his whims)
b. Donuts that went to waste. What is wrong with you thin men?!!!! For God's sake, try for one minute, please, to be an "up on her weight" woman, okay? I was DROOLING for one of those fucN donuts but, noooooooo, I couldn't have one, and you men just wasted them.
c. Men are only sympathetic if you cry and I've passed crying at this point...I'm merely whining these days.
d. :roflmao: Dude, I looked like a woman who rolled out of bed and threw the clothes she wore yesterday on...better yet, I smelled like it.
e. Too late...I've already said "size doesn't matter" in various posts on here...what else I got?


Trust me, they can deny it...

[jschen]

Looks like a fun ride. And M.E. looks awfully cute in that first pic Shprung posted.

[merider1]

Looks like a fun ride. And M.E. looks awfully cute in that first pic Shprung posted.

Hey J. (I'll pay you later for that compliment ;)) You should have rode today!!! Are you riding or just busy working?

[jschen]

It's just the truth. You're a cutie and a sweetie. I've been kind of busy and slacking on riding as a result. I'll get back into shape soon enough, though.

[merider1]

It's just the truth. You're a cutie and a sweetie. I've been kind of busy and slacking on riding as a result. I'll get back into shape soon enough, though.

Well, I'll be back on Patsy soon (I'm going for a spin tomorrow), so when you have time, come ride with me. :)

[jschen]

You're riding even though it's going to rain? We can go for a spin tomorrow if you want. I haven't been on a bike for as long as you.

[jschen]

Just checked the forecast. I think we'd be better off just catching up and having a beer than riding through cold rain, but if you want to ride, I'm game for it.

[merider1]

You're riding even though it's going to rain? We can go for a spin tomorrow if you want. I haven't been on a bike for as long as you.

Yes, if it rains, I will not go near the bike. I'm too afraid to fall at present (because I'm not totally healed). Otherwise, I'd plan with you, but given distance, I'd better not. I'll be riding solo on the fly. But soon! :)

[endoverendo]

Speaking of beer... I'm sorry I spilled mine all over Hollywould on the train. I'm cooked and buzzed and need a bath.

[jschen]

Yes, if it rains, I will not go near the bike. I'm too afraid to fall at present (because I'm not totally healed). Otherwise, I'd plan with you, but given distance, I'd better not. I'll be riding solo on the fly. But soon! :)

Too bad... with all that rain in the forecast, I could have finally had a chance to give you another nice long back rub. :D

[Scootcore]

so smoked right now. great ride guys, nice to meet all of you. i have some serious work ahead of me!!!!!

[Entropy906]

My day started when I woke up at 3:30 AM. I wanted to be sure to get a decent breakfast so I wouldn't bonk like every other century/hard ride I do. Maybe not every one but at least 5 or 6 a times a year and every organized century thus far. ME was a welcome and unexpected sight at the start. She brightened up my morning when she thought I was only 22 and still in school :).I didn't have any doughnuts because I too am trying to shed some weight. My teeth were literally chattering at the start and I just couldn't wait to get started so I could warm up.

High level discussion prior to the ride
http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/1896/bftdsb002kr5.jpg

We got rolling around 7 and a few miles down the road I noticed that my wallet was not in the pocket it should normally be. I panicked a little and told magicant that I had to backtrack for it and I would catch them later. It wasn't before I got back to Sepulveda BLVD that I checked again and found that I hadn't lost it but my wallet had shifted. By this time I was 3.5 miles from where I turned around and had to work my ass off to catch back up to the group. I didn't catch back up until Simi Valley which is why I'm not in Shai's pictures.
After that it was fairly uneventful except for someone's cramping legs. After Ojai I somehow found myself with the fast five and we rode briskly up to Santa Barbara.


The fast five overlooking Lake Cassitas (endoverendo, torontorider, Ilya the cramp king, A very nice guy whose name escapes me, and me)
http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/3621/bftdsb024kf9.jpg

We bought our tickets and had some food and beer at some brewhouse near the station. The dubbel that they make I would not recommend. It's much too hoppy for the style.

The payoff
http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/1833/bftdsb028wg2.jpg

I'll have to make up for that cheeseburger and fries tomorrow.

[spingineer]

Great pics everyone. Sorry I couldn't make it down there. Too many things I had to take care of here locally. Sure looked like it was warmer there than it was up here. I still managed to get in a 38 miler today ... but it was freakingly cold. I don't think it got above 44 degrees today. Had my thicker, wind-resistant gloves on today, and never had any urge to switch to my lighter gloves.

[efficiency]

I'd like to do this ride, eventually. Great pics guys.

You look good in civies, Mary.

[DanteB]

Home finally, 10:15. Thanks everyone for a great ride, ME for brightening up the morning-donuts nice touch. I had a good time meeting everyone, you guys made an old guy work hard today. Great pictures everyone! Hope to see everyone on future rides.

[Hollywould]

Speaking of beer... I'm sorry I spilled mine all over Hollywould on the train.

was that after you spilled the wine? Jerk. Beer makes my head feel funny.

[Hollywould]

its after midnight and I'm just now able to function. Here's some random thoughts in between sips of tea:

ME's glazed donut hit the spot. I inhaled it under the guise of "calories".
Nice group of guys!
I was NOT one of the Fast Five. Y'all held a rockin' pace.
My buddy Ruben joined us in Simi, just before Shai dropped off. We played a nice game of "lets pretend we're going to catch the Fast Five". Games are fun! :rolleyes:
Bacon makes stuff taste better.

and kudos to the train station employee who, upon selling me my ticket remarked "Oh you're the guys who couldn't keep up with the rest of the group." Thanks for rubbing it in :D

nice day on the bike :beer:

[toronto-rider]

Thanks guys for a great ride. I was part of the "fast 5." I must say that Entropy906 can climb hills spinning that campact for such a big guy. I tried to stay on his wheel for part of the climbs.
Endoverendo was also hard to stay on his wheel for most of the climbs. SOme super strong climbers.
THe "Russian" kept up the chatter and still pushed it even though he was cramping.
THe big gear masher kept us at high speeds on the flats.
Me, I tried pulling when I could, but mostly sucked wheel. How I survived on 3 water bottles and just Powerbars and gels still beats me.

Per my cycling computer.
Distance 161km
Riding time 6hr 8min
Avg 26.5 kph
Burned just over 5000 calories

[merider1]

Well, I'll be darned. You manly men delivered the goods. :D

Love the reports and extra pics.

[roadfix]

Great reporting guys! I think I would have made it time for the later train....:p

[spingineer]

Great reporting guys! I think I would have made it time for the later train....:p

I probably would have missed the last train :eek: ... :lol:

[magicant]

Well, let's see. First off some thanks. Thanks to m.e. for putting the whole thing together. It was her ride, even if she couldn't join us. And thanks for the donuts. When all was done, there were 8 donuts left. 4 glazed, 2 sugared, 1 powdered sugar and 1 white frosting with sprinkles.

Also thanks to Thomson for the assist on the route ("scenic" my ***** ;) ) And thanks to Danno for some advice on the route once we got to Carpinteria and beyond. Any problems with the distances on the route sheet were entirely mine - I updated the route but didn't have the time to update the distances, so we were a few miles off from the sheet.

Beyond that, it was a great ride. A bit chilly the entire time on the descents, but perfect on the climbs.

It became apparent that we were going to break into a couple groups after the start. I got a bit behind when we had to slow down for Entropy to find out he had "lost" his wallet. We caught up to the main group again.

Climbing Santa Susanna was a bit of a challenge since I hadn't warmed up quite yet. The rest of the climbing that day went just fine, which was good considering I've barely been on the bike in the past few months.

The route was really beautiful - Grimes is a great climb and fantastic descent. Some of the mountains out there were topped with snow, which made for some incredible views, especially around Casitas.

After Santa Paula, the lead group kept going while a few of us stopped to re-fill our water and empty the "used" water. We made the climb up to the summit and Dante, Scoot and I had a brief lunch up there.

Then, back on the road. We had a challenge with a road that wasn't marked and we thought it was where we needed to turn, but we got back on track pretty quickly.

The rest of the ride was pretty uneventful, although we got caught by that little "f*** you" climb that comes AFTER Casitas. Not a big climb, but it always nails me with "sorry, you ain't done yet."

We took the 192 after the descent, which was a nice change to the route that we hadn't done before. It was free of traffic, and a nice street.

Got to the train station with an hour to spare. The train station staff was nice enough to tell us the rest of the group went to a bar/restaurant up the way but weren't really clear on where it was. We figured it was too far away to be able to make it there, order food and get the food, so we hung out at the station until the rest of the guys made it back.

A beer on the train, a woman I fell in love with (who unfortunately escaped to another car, probably to get away from the noisy, stinky cyclists) and then a 15 minute nap while we "waited" in Moorpark for 25 minutes because the train was ahead of schedule.

Good ride, good company and a nice way to get back on the bike for a real ride.

[magicant]

Just a couple pics:

Scootcore at the lunch break (hiding behind a privacy screen)

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/4c7e11ea.jpg

Two views at the top of Casitas:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/c852c538.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/ca56013a.jpg

[DanteB]

I was fine with the “Fast Five” until we hit the hills (you know when I climb hills I like to see the scenery:)). Being 56, I think I was the oldest by far (hell most of them were young enough to be my kids) and 225# makes it hard to stay up with them. I think next time we should have a weigh in and all the light guys get sandbags on their bikes so we all weigh the same, juuuuuust a thought.:rolleyes: Now you say I’m use to pull this load, remember you have youth on your side. I had a great time, I was thinking maybe ME would have been at the station with pizza and beer (some of us already had too much beer:beer:) when we got back, or maybe leftover donuts:p. Joel and ME, thanks for putting in the time to make this a great ride (need to clean up the route directions, let’s see forgotten roads, extra scenic hills in Ojai, mileage, oh hell that's what made it and adventure) I had fun.:D Count me in for the next one.

[VanceMac]

Being 56, I think I was the oldest by far (hell most of them were young enough to be my kids)

I think you have a typo there... surely you meant 46, right?

I think next time we should have a weigh in and all the light guys get sandbags on their bikes so we all weigh the same, juuuuuust a thought.:rolleyes:

Yeah, I'm leaning toward a "no" vote on that one. ;)

[DanteB]

I think you have a typo there... surely you meant 46, right?

Let me look at that date again,,,,, nope 56 is correct.

Yeah, I'm leaning toward a "no" vote on that one. ;)

A “no” veto from one of the light guys.

[scvroadie]

"although we got caught by that little "f*** you" climb that comes AFTER Casitas....

Ah yes, the second summit on Casitas, if you notice on the right hand side of the road there is a Pigeon Farm, and they usually have a sign out offering free bird manure. We have nickname that little hill "Bird ***t hill"

[scvroadie]

My intent was to start from Santa Paula, and meet somewhere around Moorpark, and then ride on together. Thanks, ME & Joel for the routeslips. Had it all figured out.

I started from Santa Paula, with some friends from Santa Clarita, we took South Mountain Rd. over to Grimes and climbed Grimes. Once we reached the top of Grimes, we stopped. Just as we started off the top, I noticed what I assumed was the BFgang coming up Grimes from the Moorpark side. Once I saw Joel and Bill, I knew it was them, but a couple of my friends had kept descending all the way to Broadway. When I saw Joel I told him we would try to hook up in Santa Paula.

We took Broadway & stockton Road over to Balcolm and climbed the backside of Balcolm. Coming down Balcom one of our riders who is real skiddish about steep descents, decided to get off and walk a portion. Once everyone hooked back up and South Mtn. Rd. we heading back to Santa Paula and took on some water. We then took off up 150 toward Ojai, the group stopped at the Fire Station at the summit. Judging from Joel's pictures. As they were finishing up their fast lunch. We may have been at the other side of trees at the fire station. Three of our group decided to turn around and head back to Santa Paula.

Myself and LA Baby decided we wanted some additional miles and climbing so we headed off to Ojai. We figured we would have lunch in Ojai. Just as we finished descending Dennison grade, I noticed that the little restaurant there had Pasta & Pizza. Pizza sounded really good, so John and I stopped and had pizza with a couple of beers. After that we decided to reclimb Dennison grade and then head back to Santa Paula. Outside of the coldness of the day, the weather was perfect. Here are a few photos from the ride.

On the way up to the summit on 150

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p201/scvroadie/February%20Cycling%20Pics/IMG_0003.jpg

A view of the snow above Ojai, and the descent down Dennison.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p201/scvroadie/February%20Cycling%20Pics/IMG_0005.jpg

And just for ME, a scenery shot, the snow on the mountain, the green grass, and a backside.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p201/scvroadie/February%20Cycling%20Pics/IMG_0014.jpg

[awiner]

It was nice seeing you at the top of Balcolm Lee.... I had ridden with a friend of mine up there to show him the North side of Balcolm when I looked over and recognized you.

[merider1]

See Mary? Guys can talk about all sorts of things like bird sh*t, cramps, women on trains, donuts, and beer!

Oh, I know. Really, men are actually women with excessive body hair. I know that. :D

[scvroadie]

It was nice seeing you at the top of Balcolm Lee.... I had ridden with a friend of mine up there to show him the North side of Balcolm when I looked over and recognized you.

Same here Adam, it is really great to go out riding and run into others from the BF gang.