Southern California - Ominous Weather Ride

Here's a different view of So. Cal - bad weather! Today's ride wasn't much for distance at 26 miles, but it did include 2700 feet of climbing. I was so happy just to be out riding after 6 days of no riding at all. Part of the reason for that was my nursing a cold. The rest of it was because of rain! The no rain window of opportunity was 5 hours, and I used up nearly 3 of that. At 7pm it began raining again here in Topanga.

Roadside mud on Old Topanga Rd.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/OTCmud.jpg

Old T stream action.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/otcstream.jpg

Looking west atop Old T.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/oltrain-1.jpg

My final destination on the horizon - Saddle Peak via Stunt Rd.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/SddlPkhorizon.jpg

Views along Stunt Rd.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/stuntrain.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/stuntrain2.jpg

Looking west up top Saddle Peak, with splashes of sun.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/stuntrain3.jpg

Yes, it was great riding weather today: not too hot, not too cold, not too much sun either. Nice pics.

Nice pics... thanks fer sharin'

You were more adventurous than I was. I went about 6 miles south on PCH, worked hill repeats on Newport Coast Drive, and went home for 32 miles and 4600'. I took a run down towards Bonita Canyon but I had to stop, add another layer and wool glove liners, then a few drops of rain dropped and I was heading home, pronto. Junky looking day down here in OC.

Nice pics.:thumb:

The few times I've headed out in weather like that, I choose the time based on radar maps. As long as I don't see green or yellow anywhere near me, it's a go. Then I get out there and see those dark clouds and figure I'll get dumped on. Hasn't happened yet (knock wood). I don't plan long rides on these days, and home is never more than 30 or 40 minutes away if I turn back. Because of my location, I also have the benefit of being able to see distant oncoming storm systems from several peak locations. The first is at the top of Topanga Canyona as it overlooks the length of the valley. Any west to east storm pattern is clearly visible up there. You can tell if it's raining miles away. If I see that, I don't head westward along Mulholland. Instead, the ride is pretty much over and I fly back down into the canyon and call it an 8 mile ride.

The few times I've headed out in weather like that, I choose the time based on radar maps. .

Same here. I live on the coast and can often squeeze a ride in on days like yesterday by just sticking to PCH between Newport and Laguna Beach. It's a weather pocket here - we miss some of the heavy winds up in Huntington Beach and the heavy clouds/rain that roll up from the SW seem to turn in towards Irvine when they hit the headlands in Dana Pt. Case in point was yesterday - as soon as I headed a mile inland towards Irvine the drops started falling. Quick u-turn and back into drier conditions.

I check the radar a lot this time of the year for the same thing - those pockets of no rain and, the wind direction and any skewing. The wind tends to stay steady along the coast here - not a lot of directional change until you head over the hills and get inland. It can swing 30-45 degs. back/forth as soon as you get over Laguna Canyon and head on down.

The suns coming out along the coast here but, the wind is coming in with the clouds moving out. This may be a rollers/trainer day for me but, if the rain stays away I wouldn't mind a ride to check how things are - this weather reminds me of spring in Boston and, I kinda of like ducking about a bit outdoors in these conditions. To think that I commuted year-round in Boston and am actually fretting about a little bit of 'weather' is weak sauce...you guys out here have no idea what cold-weather riding really is.:D

Yeah, I decided to throw in the towel this weekend and make it a house-chores weekend. Cleaning; but the cleaning included the bike. I removed the cassette, flossed teeth, cleaned the chain, lubed. It's purdy now. Now I don't wanna go riding and get it all messed up. :D