Fifty Plus (50+) - 2 rides in 1

Started off the day with this group and did a climb over Little Tujunga.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/S2010004.jpg
The first summit is up there.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/S2010001.jpg
Then a nice descent. You can see the second summit up there.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/S2010003.jpg

A view before the second downhill.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/S2010006.jpg
At the bottom I saw these guys and decided to go with them. No more pics because the pace was too high. A fun day.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/S2010007.jpg

That looks like a great place to ride.

What are the grades on those hills?

That looks like a great place to ride.

What are the grades on those hills?

I think most of it is 6-7%, but there is some 10% in places. This was the first time I took the camera on the road bike, just figuring it out. Up in that canyon is the Wildlife Waystation, a refuge for old circus animals and any animal in trouble. It's being threatened again by politics. Down the other side is Tippy Hedron's Lions, a refuge for big cats, and the place where a handler was mauled a couple weeks ago.

Looks like a great place to ride. Nice pix and great views! But what's this with the short-sleeve jerseys and regular bike shorts?! It's winter! That ain't fair!:p

It was 45 degrees at the start, but got into the (gasp) high 70s later, (sorry).

It was 45 degrees at the start, but got into the (gasp) high 70s later, (sorry).
We got lucky today & the high for the day was 45. :eek:

Nice pictures, it is nice to be able to ride in such beautiful country. Nice pictures.

Reminder to self, take my camera with me when I go for a bike ride. ;)

Hi John,

Is that Pete in your last shot?

Rode with my club today and got a whole 500 ft of climbing in 42 miles. :rolleyes:

Will have to figure out when we can ride together again.

BTW, a bunch of us "old guys" (including Reggie) are racing in the 45+ race in Brea tomorrow. If all goes well I'll also do the 50+ race after that.

Hi Cleave. Yes, that's Pete on one of his three gorgeous Colnagos, and our club president Keith in orange.
I'm thinking of doing Magicant's ride next Saturday in the Santa Monicas.

This was taken last summer-right? No arm warmers, leg warmers, etc. And did all the trees get blown away?? Just kidding of course.

Seriously-looks like a great group and a terrific area to ride. I wish we had some hills like that closer to home.

Thanks for the pics!

That looks like a great place to ride.

What are the grades on those hills?

Have you ever noticed how much flatter the hills look in pictures than they do from the saddle?

Have you ever noticed how much flatter the hills look in pictures than they do from the saddle?

It's tough to get a real feel for the grades from pictures but I was thinking 5-7% from the second picture in the first post.

I wonder if getting closer to the ground with the camera would give a better representation of the grade? Any photographers out there know? I don't want to be run over by a car trying this if it's not going to give me a better picture:rolleyes:

I try to keep the camera level, so as the road rises or falls away that angle will take care of itself and show the proper grade.

Anyway, nice pix! You kept the horizon line level and natural looking as well.

beautiful!

Great pictures, especially appreciated here in Illinois with morning will chills -20 to 29 F and memories of good riding weather beginning to fade.