Fifty Plus (50+) - Post-A-Pic II: The New Year

We seemed to enjoy this a few weeks ago, so let's try again. Post one or two pictures from your first rides of the New Year. Minimal narrative, just good pics.

OK I will give it a shot. The ride started at 9am and was a casual ride to the 2009 foot level heading towards Idyllwild CA (http://www.idyllwild.com/).

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff346/Boaz47/Janride1.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff346/Boaz47/Janride2.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff346/Boaz47/Janride3.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff346/Boaz47/Janride4.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff346/Boaz47/Janride5.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff346/Boaz47/janride6.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff346/Boaz47/janride62.jpg

Ended with coffee and some people had pie.

I already posted this on Yen's Southern California weather thread.

This isn't Southern California weather...

http://i41.tinypic.com/if3imo.jpg

I already posted this on Yen's Southern California weather thread.

This isn't Southern California weather...

http://i41.tinypic.com/if3imo.jpg

Benge, that's one of the biggest myths about SoCal (right up there with "every one drives a convertible and has a hot tub" -- not!) :) There are some parts of Southern CA that have as much snow as in your pic and even in Cranky's pic in my weather thread. We're an hour from the snow in one direction, and and hour from the beach in the other.

I went Druid hunting. I snapped this picture of Foamhenge, a lifesize styrofoam replica of Stonehenge in the middle of Virginia farmland. The guy who constructed it is a real character.
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/9209

The Perfect Ride of The Year. 55 miles Temps 58* to 68*

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/Perfect%20ride%201-1-09/Beanz.jpg

Here is a young friend crossing a fallen tree on our easy MTB trail ride this morning. I had ridden over it just before this. Only three of our group of ten tried it. A log like this is not that hard to cross if you know what you are doing. If you don't, it can slam you to the ground quickly.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3212/3158060738_160ddd7113_o.jpg

Benge, that's one of the biggest myths about SoCal... There are some parts of Southern CA that have as much snow as in your pic and even in Cranky's pic in my weather thread. We're an hour from the snow in one direction, and and hour from the beach in the other.

First time I ever went (snow) skiing was at Big Bear Lake, just up the hill from San Bernadino...when I lived in SoCal I remember reading every winter about the folks who would drive up into the mountains every weekend "just to see snow for the first time" who would end up crashing, getting lost, freezing to death, etc.

I'll have to get back to you tomorrow. My tire exploded at 6 am this morning to bring the New Year in with a bang.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/09Marathon/100_3306a.jpg

Quiet ride down the local MUP (Coyote Creek) to the San Gabriel MUP, to Seal Beach and back. Here are a few shots on the way to the ocean.

This is the entrance to the MUP via the small opening (can you find it?) on the right.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/bikephoto1/2EntrancetoCoyoteCreekMUP.jpg

Here is the view from the bike 2.5 miles from home. Bike is my '77 MASI fixed gear.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/bikephoto1/6Viewfrombike25milesfromhome.jpg

Some riders going back towards Whittier, passing a park (in Cerritos) on their left, my right.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/bikephoto1/16Cyclistspassthepark.jpg[/URL]

This is the transition from totally paved "creek" to something resembling nature. It continues in this more natural environment from here all the way to the ocean. Approx. 10 mi. mark.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/bikephoto1/41Wherethecreekpavementends.jpg

Turning around and looking from whence I'd come. Note snow on the mountains in the far background.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/bikephoto1/30Lookingbackwardsatsnowonthemounta.jpg (http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/bikephoto1/16Cyclistspassthepark.jpg)

Here is the turn-around point, the Seal Beach Pier.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/bikephoto1/52LookingoutalongSealBeachPier.jpg[URL="http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/bikephoto1/52LookingoutalongSealBeachPier.jpg"]

Rick / OCRR

Why do they pave the creek beds in California?

Why do they pave the creek beds in California?

We are told it is because of flood control. We don't get much water in those river beds except when it rains. If it is a heavy rain the water will destroy a traditional earth riverbank. The cement allows for more water run off than dirt does. Two or three weeks after a heavy rain it will be nothing more than a small trickle. Right after a rain storm it will be a raging river.

Weather permitting -and it's not looking good right now (well, it is... we really need the rain but, you know...)- I'll be back with something even better tomorrow :D

Why do they pave the creek beds in California?

So they can film car race scenes for movies.

http://i42.tinypic.com/141ld94.jpg

No PIE so had coffee cake instead. Only a 20 miler to say I had been out. Now got to defrost myself.

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x40/TWLBA/IMG_2314.jpg

I got my new year off by looking for greener pastures and finding Coach Troy instead.

Why do they pave the creek beds in California?

I think it's to allow people without any sense to walk on them during heavy rains so they can be rescued by helicopter (thereby putting more lives in danger) when they are helplessly drowning in the raging current of a flash flood. :innocent:

Given our CA drought-ridden condition, I'd call it "California Dreamin'".

We took the tandem and some club-mates (and another BF friend from the NorCal sub-forum) and did a Lake Loop -- 39-42*, wet, foggy -- I believe I posted that ride in another thread here. Now for the pictures:

Climbing Cardiac Hill, part of the Tour of California
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w76/cgallagh/AndtheretheygoLakeLoopNYD09.jpg

We rode in and out of the fog throughout the ride
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w76/cgallagh/LowfogLakeLoopNYD09.jpg

Despite the drab weather, nature was often surprisingly bright
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w76/cgallagh/FestiveshrubsLakeLoopNYD09.jpg

On the outskirts of town, we pass this small barnyard and occupant
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w76/cgallagh/LittlePiggyLakeLoopNYD09.jpg

Now that I have my own real (that is, non-cell-phone) camera, I hope to have pictures with many of my posts.

Great Photos!

For New Years... got up at 4:30 drove to Pasadena... walked around the Rose Parade Floats (best time to see the floats, crowds are small and you can walk right up and study the floats) and was home by 10am. Right out later that day (around 2p) and did an easy MTB ride with a buddy. The temperature was perfect - around 69, bright and sunny. We did a fairly easy (with a few small hills) ride, around 8 miles. Here's an example:

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/bcipam/NewYearsDayRide.jpg

By the way this is my photo from last weekend, I think Friday after Christmas:
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/bcipam/Christmasweekend.jpg

First century of the year today. Rode the loop at Pea Ridge Military Park and counted 24 deer. Nice weather today.

http://http://blanchje.smugmug.com/photos/446421132_JtzJu-M.jpg

First ride of 2009? Uh, I'll get back to you:notamused:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/3158080928_f101c6e5f7.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3129/3159189658_2128550e5b.jpg

Mt. Diablo, New Years Day, up through the fog and clouds into a sunny day

Raoad costal area of Cebu - Tuledo were they build ships, and then back across the mountains to Cebu, BTW- tried to drop a local - he stayed with me for 20 kilo's.

The usual great pics!

I finally got out for my first ride. Just 32 easy miles with my friend, who doesn't ride much. I call this picture "A Good Sign".

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k87/tomfrady/Agoodsign.jpg

My first real ride of 2009. I did a quick jaunt to the store and a check-ride around the neighborhood on a bike I was servicing, but those don't count. My bike club did their Saturday breakfast ride this morning.

Self-portrait on the way in.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/09BreakfastRide/100_3325.jpg

Other people arriving and getting ready.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/09BreakfastRide/100_3329.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/09BreakfastRide/100_3331.jpg

The ride.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/09BreakfastRide/100_3335.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/09BreakfastRide/100_3336.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/09BreakfastRide/100_3337.jpg

Another self portrait.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/09BreakfastRide/100_3338.jpg

Back to the ride.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/09BreakfastRide/100_3339.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/09BreakfastRide/100_3348.jpg

The reward for climbing a steep hill.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/09BreakfastRide/100_3358.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/09BreakfastRide/100_3362.jpg

Breakfast time!

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/09BreakfastRide/100_3365.jpg

That's a lot of money right there, boy!

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/09BreakfastRide/100_3368.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/09BreakfastRide/100_3369.jpg

Breakfast starts coming.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/09BreakfastRide/100_3370.jpg

The ride back.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/09BreakfastRide/100_3372.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/09BreakfastRide/100_3374.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/09BreakfastRide/100_3376.jpg

Including to and from my house to the rally point, I think it was about 30-35 miles.

Looks like a nice little ride! One of these days maybe I can get a little bike club going around here. Just gotta find a gew more riders. 1 person is kind of a small club.

Post one or two pictures...

we kind of lost track of that instruction ;)

Here is one taken by KidSisko on the Jan 1 ride. That snow capped peak is Mt Baldy. In the summer, we ride from the base of this road to the other side of Baldy and back for about 80 miles and 9000 feet of gain.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/baldyview3.jpg

My bike club did their Saturday breakfast ride this morning.

Do you always make a stop at the hearing aid center?

I hope a Christmas ride 08 is allowed.

UW-Stout. Seems a bit deserted on this day.

I hope a Christmas ride 08 is allowed.

UW-Stout. Seems a bit deserted on this day.

Here's a highlight from my Jan. 3rd ride. It went well I thought.

Hiking on a mtn bike trail.

Today my wife and I went hiking on a trail which I also mtn bike, at Chatfield State Park, on the SW metro area of Denver. Also one of my favorite road biking venues.

Two weeks ago they had mtn bike races on this same trail system.

BOTH TAKEN WITH MY NEW CELL PHONE CAMERA. I AM IMPRESSED.

My wife along the S Platte River

http://www.ourwebs.info/chatfield1.jpg

Ice fishing on one of the small lakes (ponds?) along the trail.

http://www.ourwebs.info/chatfield2.jpg

Here's a highlight from my Jan. 3rd ride. It went well I thought.

I am pleased to know your ride went well. Ahhhhh, please don't post any pictures of rides you feel did NOT go well. :)

PS - Glad to know you are well.

I am pleased to know your ride went well. Ahhhhh, please don't post any pictures of rides you feel did NOT go well. :)

PS - Glad to know you are well.

I'm confused. Is this even possible?

Here's a highlight from my Jan. 3rd ride. It went well I thought.

It looks like you blew a toe cover.

From my commutes Friday and Saturday. Conditions weren't such that I could ride and click, or pull over and click. So they're not really exciting shots. Well, my commute itself isn't all that exciting.

http://www.brucew.com/images/bikeforums/2009/01/portland-icy-fire-escape.jpg
Left the bike on fire escape (2nd floor) while I took the garbage around to the dumpster. Note the ice on the fire escape and stairs.


http://www.brucew.com/images/bikeforums/2009/01/portland-zero-start.jpg
Cyclometer zeroed, ready to go.


http://www.brucew.com/images/bikeforums/2009/01/roads-not-bad.jpg
The main roads weren't too bad. I avoided side streets. Note the snow piles across the street in the Memorial Art Gallery's parking lot.


http://www.brucew.com/images/bikeforums/2009/01/portland-coffee-mobil.jpg
A quick stop at the Mobil station for a coffee to fill the second bottle cage. I skipped the cigs.


http://www.brucew.com/images/bikeforums/2009/01/allens-creek-rd.jpg
Sun came out on Saturday, so I took my "winter loop" home.

All pictures of January biking look depressing, unless they're from Costa Rica or Ozzieland or somewhere.