I was slow all day. But everyone was very gracious in waiting for me. I guess I didn't eat enough at Westlake (1 powerbar), so about 3-miles up Latigo, I started bonking pretty bad. I kept pushing water and even a Gu, but nothing helped. My hand was shaking by the time we reached the first summit. I downed a chocolate-covered powerbar (triple threat) that had melted in my hot jersey, getting chocolate all over :rolleyes: I recovered a bit for the second ascent, but had used mostly leg power while bonking, so my sore legs cried out in pain. Finally, I started moving a bit again on the climb up Kanan.

Then, at lunch, the eatery (Chick's) didn't take debit/credit cards, so I went around to CVS, bought a gatorade and got cash back. Again slow, in getting lunch. You'd think I could do that quickly :rolleyes:

Thanks to all who waited. Hopefully next week I'll have more energy.

I was slow all day. But everyone was very gracious in waiting for me.

That's just wrong. The only place we waited for you was at the top of Latigo, and believe me, no one had a problem with taking a little break at the top of that climb. It's a grind.

It was a great day in the Santa Monicas. We had several takers -- if we agreed to reroute without Decker. :)

So nine of us ended up going over Los Virgenes to Malibu, up PCH to Latigo, then back down Kanan. About 68 miles and 5500 ft. Weather was perfect.

pfffff... Latigo. :rolleyes:

j/k. Sounds like an awesome ride. Latigo makes me all the more sad I missed it.

I thought about driving out there and waiting in the bushes with a camera.

Upon second thought that would be way too creepy :p

Saving Latigo for the second half is a challenge. You're getting stronger.

Saving Latigo for the second half is a challenge. You're getting stronger.

AND he only had a 25 cog in back. AND the first part of the ride (the normal Wed ride from Calabasas around Westlake) was even faster than usual. It was a relentless day.

AND he only had a 25 cog in back. AND the first part of the ride (the normal Wed ride from Calabasas around Westlake) was even faster than usual. It was a relentless day.

:eek:

:eek:

Yeah, the racers show up and crank it up. What's worse, is that a couple of them are particularly egregious with the running red lights, and not playing nice with cars. With all the progress happening at the Rose Bowl and Donut Rides, the Wed ride is going in the wrong direction. :(

Yeah, the racers show up and crank it up. What's worse, is that a couple of them are particularly egregious with the running red lights, and not playing nice with cars. With all the progress happening at the Rose Bowl and Donut Rides, the Wed ride is going in the wrong direction. :(

Ah, that's rude. For as tough as I found that ride, I really liked the friendly nature of the ride. I'm not big on running reds or flying through stop signs (slow roll is ok, I'm a hypocrite, and I'm ok with it). Maybe if you changed the start location and forgot to tell 'everyone' :)

Ah, that's rude. For as tough as I found that ride, I really liked the friendly nature of the ride. I'm not big on running reds or flying through stop signs (slow roll is ok, I'm a hypocrite, and I'm ok with it). Maybe if you changed the start location and forgot to tell 'everyone' :)

It's still pretty reasonable when a couple people in particular don't show up. In fact, just one of them, and the ride is still good. But when 2-3 of them show up, it just changes the dynamic. And it gives all cyclists a bad reputation.

Looks like you guys had a great ride. I will be doing something similar on Saturday...
What software did you use to create and annotate the graph?

Looks like you guys had a great ride. I will be doing something similar on Saturday...
What software did you use to create and annotate the graph?

I use Ascent for the Macintosh.

i drive these roads in my subaru at night. i can only wish to ride these on my bike. I'm pretty fit, just too much of a noob to hang with you guys, maybe after some practice and conditioning i can run with you guys?

There are plenty of members on the forum here that don't hammer up those hills. Even my uncle who rides double centuries all the time likes to cruise up them at a more leisurely pace.

i drive these roads in my subaru at night. i can only wish to ride these on my bike. I'm pretty fit, just too much of a noob to hang with you guys, maybe after some practice and conditioning i can run with you guys?

Just show up and try? Just be aware of how to get back if you can't hang and let people know you are dropping out. If I am there the pace is slower than with some of those guys. They are cool about it, though.

^ Good advice. I always print the route and keep it in my seat bag if I'm not sure I can hang on. I have multiple "escape routes" for the Montrose Ride since those guys haul. Although I've never gotten dropped for being too tired (save for the final hill) I have had to bail out twice for mechanicals!

Oh and most people on here don't mind waiting at the top of the hills for people. I think this thread is for slightly more serious rides than the other ones which are frequently scheduled on this board.

For next Wednesday (3/19), thinking of doing Westlake>Mulholland>Piuma. From there, down Las Flores over to Topanga/Old Topanga. How's that sound? (Bikely Route (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Wed-AM-Ride-Piuma-Extension))

Why do people climb up Topanga? Talk about things that piss drivers off.. There are other options to get back up with 0 traffic.

Please, name a few. Anything south of Topanga that gets you up onto Mulholland or thereabouts??

Why do people climb up Topanga? Talk about things that piss drivers off.. There are other options to get back up with 0 traffic.


Climbing up Topanga any morning is fine as there really isn't much traffic coming up the hill. Climbing up during busy traffic hours is just asking to get hit though. I can't imagine a worse ride than that, heavy traffic on a steep hill, ugh.

The next option coming from Santa Monica is Tuna Canyon, which is fine if you don't mind going against traffic on a one way street and can handle 18-20% grades.

After that is Las Flores, it's legal, but has the brutal mile of >15% grades.

Those are the only options on the Santa Monica side of things. There are many better options past Malibu canyon, but they're way out of the way for this ride, and unfortunately for my commute to work in Santa Monica from Topanga.