Southern California - Poppy ride 4/5

Our club, SFVBC, has a ride to the Poppy Reserve this Saturday starting at the Vons Market at Bouquet Cyn and Newhall Ranch Road, rolling at 8:30. This 90 mile ride features several tough climbs. I'm not sure of the total gain, but it's not a ride for beginners.
The poppies should be blooming so come on out and see them.

John;

I think total gain is right around 7000 feet.
Looks like the weather will be good.

John;

I think total gain is right around 7000 feet.
Looks like the weather will be good.

Does this mean you're doing it?

The poppies are blooming and they are quite beautiful. It should be a wonderful ride

A sneak preview, taken this week.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/poppies.jpg

Stan and I did this ride years ago and we still talk about it. Not about the poppies but the wind. We felt like pro's riding along on Pearblossom Hwy at 35 mph with little or no effort, but then we turned:eek: I might do this but I'm still scared of that place.:o

Aren't you going to Redlands?
The ride doesn't go near Pearblossom Hwy. Start in Santa Clarita, up San Francisquito, out Pine Canyon to the dez, then back Munz Canyon to Elizabeth Lake Road.

Aren't you going to Redlands?
The ride doesn't go near Pearblossom Hwy. Start in Santa Clarita, up San Francisquito, out Pine Canyon to the dez, then back Munz Canyon to Elizabeth Lake Road. OK Hwy 138 is called Lancaster Rd out there, my mistake.

So are you going to Redlands or coming with us?

Aren't you going to Redlands?
The ride doesn't go near Pearblossom Hwy. Start in Santa Clarita, up San Francisquito, out Pine Canyon to the dez, then back Munz Canyon to Elizabeth Lake Road.

You can't escape the wind. Pine Canyon sucks to ride into a 20 mph head wind.

I predict tailwinds only on this ride.

Have any of guys ever ridden deep rims through here? I'm talking 60mm or deeper rims. I'm debating right now between 68 mm and 38 mm rims.

So are you going to Redlands or coming with us? I'm going to Redlands. That was a great experience last year. That small town is full of racing teams riding around, eating, mechanics working till the wee hours. It's a great cycling atmosphere.

Have any of guys ever ridden deep rims through here? I'm talking 60mm or deeper rims. I'm debating right now between 68 mm and 38 mm rims.

Never ridden deep rims anywhere.

I'm going to Redlands. That was a great experience last year. That small town is full of racing teams riding around, eating, mechanics working till the wee hours. It's a great cycling atmosphere.

Sounds good, Bob. Have a great trip!

I'm up for the poppy's- see you at the ride start Big John... I think there are several others going- Sarah and Pete Ungar and others- it will be a great ride

Looking to be there! Although I'm working late Friday... might not hit the sack before 4AM. 3 1/2 hour is enough sleep, right?

I predict tailwinds only on this ride.


BWHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!

O.K., I lied about the wind. Some awful, cold headwinds on the Pine Canyon section that took a lot out of me. Some tailwinds going east that let us cruise at 35mph without pedaling. Some side winds that blew us all over the road at times. Sucky wind that took all the fun out of the Bouquet Canyon descent.
The flowers were beautiful, but I was so tired and worried about getting back to enjoy them much. Shai took some pics, maybe he'll post some here.
Good turn-out, but several riders turned back early. They were the smart ones. Of course, the animals I was chasing didn't have too much trouble. Did I mention the wind?

O.K., I lied about the wind. Some awful, cold headwinds on the Pine Canyon section that took a lot out of me. Some tailwinds going east that let us cruise at 35mph without pedaling. Some side winds that blew us all over the road at times. Sucky wind that took all the fun out of the Bouquet Canyon descent.
The flowers were beautiful, but I was so tired and worried about getting back to enjoy them much. Shai took some pics, maybe he'll post some here.
Good turn-out, but several riders turned back early. They were the smart ones. Of course, the animals I was chasing didn't have too much trouble. Did I mention the wind?

Wind?? Here?? That's crazy talk:p

Very windy day - you pridict it right. But even Bouquet Canyon, a down hill I did many time and never hard to work so hard goind down hill.
It made the ride hard and in some places complicated.
I will get 30mph gust and 15mph stady in your face blows for ever.
One short time in the ride the wind was in the back and we were goinf 40mph!

Took lots of photos and you can see then in the ride route page (http://shprung.com/sfvbc/index.php?ride=235#posts)
Here are few:
http://shprung.com/sfvbc/img/235-0405-109948.jpg
http://shprung.com/sfvbc/img/235-0405-1100516.jpg
and with people:
http://shprung.com/sfvbc/img/235-0405-1100314.jpg

Good pics, Shai!-

That was probably the toughest 89 miles I've ever done but it sure felt good when it was over and I'm pretty confident that everyone who completed it felt like they put in a good hard day that they will remember for some time- except Cassave who never looked like he was working :D

Good pics, Shai!-

That was probably the toughest 89 miles I've ever done but it sure felt good when it was over and I'm pretty confident that everyone who completed it felt like they put in a good hard day that they will remember for some time- except Cassave who never looked like he was working :D


If that's what you saw you need better glasses!
That was a very satisfying ride, actually felt like we accomplished something.

That paceline of 4 coming down Bouquet was worth it.

nice pics!!!!

If that's what you saw you need better glasses!
That was a very satisfying ride, actually felt like we accomplished something.

That paceline of 4 coming down Bouquet was worth it.

You bet! There's something about pulling until you're not sure you'll be able to latch onto the last wheel after you pull off and then sucking it up and waiting your turn to go out and do it again and again that makes a special ride.... I wore a tired smile on my drive home.

You bet! There's something about pulling until you're not sure you'll be able to latch onto the last wheel after you pull off and then sucking it up and waiting your turn to go out and do it again and again that makes a special ride.... I wore a tired smile on my drive home.

You guys should try doing the whole ride by yourself, or with people on your wheel, like I do.

The ride was challenging and the wind was brutal, but I agree that the paceline down Bouquet was awesome and the smile I wore all that night at the Bat Mitzvah was priceless!
Great thread on the steel bike building Steve.