Fifty Plus (50+) - 50+ SoCal bikeforums.net Ride Mar.22, 2009

I started out by sending PM's to all of the known (to me) 50+ SoCal bikeforumites, but then I thought, "Whoa, what if there are lurkers, or riders I've missed?" They should be invited too!

Where: San Gabriel River Trail (that's a MUP) aka: SGRT
Yeah, but exactly where? Oh, the bridge at the intersection of the SGRT and the Coyote Creek MUP, about four miles inland from Seal Beach. The bridge spans the river, you can't miss it.

When: Sun. March 22nd at 9:00 AM meet, greet and depart about 9:15 AM.

So far, we have:

alicestrong
Mr. Beanz (not quite 50, but close enough)
Condorita
big john (maybe)
Pamestique (probably, I sure hope so!)
Yen (maybe w/Mister Yen)

Sent PM's but have had no reply from:
roadfix (George)
Robert Foster

Fixed Gear bikes: Ride 'em if yah Got 'em,
50+ kit, wear it if you got it!

Condorita is looking for a good place for a pie stop :thumb:. Will advise.

Will ride inland on the SGRT until we get tired and decide to turn back, but I'm thinking about 20 miles max. I've never been that way, so it will be a new experience for me.

Any other SoCal 50+ forumites like to join us? You are welcome to!

Rick / OCRR

Oooo. I'm sorry I will miss this one. I'd almost come down from NorCal to do it, if I could. I have ridden this MUP and it goes on forever. It's interesting if you haven't ridden it every day for a year. Whe I rode it, my wife dropped me off at the beginning, I rode inland, then returned all the way down to Newport Coast. Be sure to post pictures. Here's me in 2007 on the Seal Beach Pier.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k87/tomfrady/CIMG0194.jpg

Sorry folks, I work Sundays all day so I can't join you all for this ride. That's the downside of running a family business. I miss a lot of fun weekend rides....:(

Condorita is looking for a good place for a pie stopI'm here at work with the map program, and there just isn't a lot along the SGRT. So much of it is industrial, especially when you get up around the dam and your options really fall off then, right into the quarries! :lol

Denny's at Slauson; Subway around Washington and Norwalk; a few options, mostly fast food, at Telegraph. But I'll keep looking.

Thanks for looking Condi, and I think they do have pie at Denny's . . . or whatever, but you're right, it's hard to find a good pie cafe in a quarry!

Rick / OCRR

Rick, thanks for the invite. But it's the wrong way for me after doing Solvang the day before.

OK, so like I don't know the area very well so like, where do we park? I've been to Seal Beach from the top of the trail but never started from that end. Is there a convenient parking place near the start?:D

There is a park in Cerritos, that you can get to off of Bloomfield, that is just a few miles inland from the start bridge. Lots of parking there. It's on the Coyote Creek MUP, so you would take the Coyote Creek south (towards the ocean) to the start bridge from that park.

I'll check on Google Earth and get you the coordinates for the park, but the park boarders on the Coyote Creek MUP.

Rick / OCRR

Edit to add: The park has Bloomfield on the East, Coyote Creek MUP on the West, 195th Street to the North and Del Amo / La Palma on the South.

coordinates for Google Earth: 33 Deg. 50' 35" North, 118 Deg. 03' 26.31" West

Rick, thanks for the invite. But it's the wrong way for me after doing Solvang the day before.

But wait, Dante . . . The Solvang Double is March 28th, so that would give you plenty of time for this ride which is the 22nd.

Rick / OCRR

But wait, Dante . . . The Solvang Double is March 28th, so that would give you plenty of time for this ride which is the 22nd.

Rick / OCRR

I woke at 2 this morning and realized I had the wrong date, oh do I hope I have the right date for my hotel room in Buellton. I was looking at driving time to the start :eek: 2.5-3 hours. So let's see, that means leaving home by 6AM to just make the parking lot, better leave by 5-5:30. Wake time 4AM, :eek::eek::eek:. Thanks for the invite, but........Hope everyone has fun, keep me in the loop.

Cerritos Regional Park at 195th and Bloomfield, right off of Del Amo (just north of the Target at Del Amo and Bloomfield). Access Coyote Creek from Del Amo or the gate where Shoemaker and 195th curve into each other, on the east side of the park. Free.

Liberty Park, on Studebaker between South St and Del Amo, right up against SGRT. This is the park with the bathrooms and drinking fountain just inside the south gate, near the track. Free. This is my base for any rides I take on SGRT.

Rynerson Park, also on Studebaker, south of Del Amo, also right up against SGRT. Access to the trail is via a wooden bridge over the horse trail. Free.

Pay parking at El Dorado Regional Park. The Nature Center is just north of the Coyote Creek/SGRT junction.

Wow, thanks Condorita!

You know the area lots better than I do, so now Mr. Beanz has lots of places to park!

Rick / OCRR

Well sadly I'm out!:(..........The daughter is coming in from AZ with the Grandkids this weekend. We'll be doing breakfast before she leaves Sunday morning. If I miss it, I will be disowned!:p

Sorry guys!:(

It doesn't look like I'll be recovered enough to ride by this weekend, either.

Sorry to hear of all the bail-outs (lot of that going around!), but I'll be there regardless!

Rick / OCRR

The five-day on my Google homepage is showing rain in the forecast. But it'll have to be raining to keep me from riding. Threats don't count.

Well sadly I'm out!:(..........The daughter is coming in from AZ with the Grandkids this weekend. We'll be doing breakfast before she leaves Sunday morning. If I miss it, I will be disowned!:p

Sorry guys!:(

Where does your daughter live in AZ, Mr. Beanz? You can certainly answer in PM if you dont wish to in the open forum.

I will be in the LA area on Mar 28, but wont have my bike.

Sorry to hear of all the bail-outs (lot of that going around!), but I'll be there regardless!

Rick / OCRR


I definitely would like a "rain check", Rick...

I definitely would like a "rain check", Rick...

Sure Alice,

No problem. And speaking of rain, I heard a prediction for rain on Sunday, but I have a rain jacket, so whatever!

Rick / OCRR

Where does your daughter live in AZ, Mr. Beanz? You can certainly answer in PM if you dont wish to in the open forum.

I will be in the LA area on Mar 28, but wont have my bike.

She's now in Chandler after a couple of years in Levine. My parents moved out to Tucson in 95'ish(?). There was NUTHIN' out there. Last time I was there maybe a year ago, there were houses and buildings everywhere before hitting Phoenix (Goodyear area). It's grown a bunch!:eek:

Parent are now back in Cali. I guess they missed me too much!:p

She's now in Chandler after a couple of years in Levine. My parents moved out to Tucson in 95'ish(?). There was NUTHIN' out there. Last time I was there maybe a year ago, there were houses and buildings everywhere before hitting Phoenix (Goodyear area). It's grown a bunch!:eek:

Parent are now back in Cali. I guess they missed me too much!:p

She does not live too close to us then. I am in north Phoenix.. only 10 miles south of Carefree Highway.

I had originally planned to crash the ride. Had my wife convinced that a 190 mile R/T drive was reasonable for a 20 mile ride and she was getting close to coming along. Then, POP! I was wrapping my wife's B-day present (tomorrow is her 49th) and twisted wrong. Haven't thrown my back out for over a decade and had forgotten how debilitating it is. Anyway, I've been alternating between the chiropractor and flat on my back since Tuesday. Decided to try riding today but only managed 5 miles (when I admitted this to my wife she said it confirmed her worst fears about my dedication to riding). Mounting the bike was the worst part. Actually, DISmounting was he worst part. Had to kind of lay the bike down as I couldn't swing my leg over. Hopefully you'll put another ride together in the future that I can crash. Have a great ride and know that I really wish I was with you all.

Hey...keep me on the list....cant do it this time...but next time!!

I had originally planned to crash the ride. Had my wife convinced that a 190 mile R/T drive was reasonable for a 20 mile ride and she was getting close to coming along.

Hi CACycling,

Sorry about your back! It's been maybe 15 years since I did that, and I hope its a lot longer before I do it again! And yes, feel free to crash the ride (Note: Different from crashing ON the ride :D) next time. Not sure where / where exactly next time will be yet, but watch this forum!

Rick / OCRR

Hey...keep me on the list....cant do it this time...but next time!!

Hi Herb,

Yes, will do! And be sure to join us if your plans change / allow.

Rick / OCRR

Hi Rick,

If it was Saturday I'd DEFINITELY be there. If it doesn't rain on Sunday I'll be doing 70 miles with my club. I'll keep on the lookout for the next one.

I'm working all day Sunday :( but if someone is keeping a list of 50+ So Cal BF'ers I sure want to be on it!

Hi Cleave and Nerdanel,

I scheduled it for Sunday because I know the hard core riders could use a recovery ride from a Saturday Hammerfest, and that would put us a about the right speed for the other less-hard core riders.

I'm planning on a major Sufferfest in the Santa Monica mountains on Sat. courtesy of David Wu and friends. Probably 75 miles and 8,000 feet of climbing, so a recovery ride on the fixed gear on Sunday works!

Rick / OCRR

Hi All,

I survived my ride in the Santa Monica Mountains today, Saturday (though we did get rained on and I had three flats!), and am looking forward to the Socal 50+ bikeforums.net ride tomorrow!

Took a nap when I got home, but I'm signing off for the night to get a good recovery sleep . . .

See you there at 9:00 AM approx!

Rick / OCRR

GaaaaaacK! Now there may be some family stuff happening tomorrow morning!!

Plus, I'm really pissed that the new wheel's new spokes are already loose!

Well here it is, Sun. morning and it's raining here in South Whittier. I'll put on my rain gear and ride down to the start, just in case anyone shows up.

Don't know about San Gabe MUP, but they do close Coyote Creek if there's a lot of rain. Hopefully no one will get up eary on a Sun. morn. and do that, but you never know.

If I don't see anyone else there by 9:20 or so, I'll ride home and we can re-schedule for a day with better weather!

Rick / OCRR

Hi Rick. I guess the ride is a wash? If you reschedule please post it again.
I rode in the Santa Monicas yesterday, too. Our group started in Northridge and took Mulholland from Calabasas and up Piuma, down Stunt, up Rock Store hill, down Westlake, over to Simi and back via Santa Susana pass. We saw Vertical Bob, scvroadie (Lee), Laura and Irene at the Sierra Creek store.

Okay, well, I admit it . . . my first try at organizing a SoCal Bikeforums.net 50+ ride was a total flop. I wouldn't call it a disaster because no one got hurt (thankfully!), but neither did anyone show up . . . well, except me.

Here we are at the start, my bike anyway:
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/bikephoto1/Onebikeatthestart.jpg

Here is my bike, all wet, waiting patiently for another 50+ Forumite to show up:
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/bikephoto1/Photoofonewetbike.jpg

Here is my breakfast at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Main Street and PCH in Seal Beach:
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/bikephoto1/Notexactlypie.jpg

Yes, it was raining at the start. Yes, it was cold. Other than that though, it was pretty nice :).

When the weather gets better, we'll try again . . .

Rick / OCRR

Hi Rick. I guess the ride is a wash? If you reschedule please post it again.
I rode in the Santa Monicas yesterday, too. Our group started in Northridge and took Mulholland from Calabasas and up Piuma, down Stunt, up Rock Store hill, down Westlake, over to Simi and back via Santa Susana pass. We saw Vertical Bob, scvroadie (Lee), Laura and Irene at the Sierra Creek store.

Hi John,
We started with V.Bob, Laura and Irene, but then we dropped them and apparently they took a different course through the mountains. Here's our route sheet:

West Bnd Mulholland 14.3 14.3
R Little Sycamore 1.9 16.2
L Yerba Buena 5.7 21.9
R Cotharin 2.1 24.0
R Pacific View/Deer Creek 4.0
L PCH 5.6 33.6
L Decker Canyon 4.6 38.2
R Mulholland (14 to Car) 17.0
R Cold Canyon 2.0 57.2
L Piuma 5.7 62.9
L Schueren 1.8 64.7
L Stunt Road 4.0 68.7
L Mulholland 3.9 72.6

So yeah, we got rained on. Plus I had three flats, all on the front tire, a defective Maxxis that had the bead separate from the tire (tire boots saved the day, thanks Chuck Chen and David Slaton). Blowouts on fast descents in the rain are not fun!

Therefore, I abandoned when we got back to the cars (see above) with 6,553 feet of climbing in 51.6 miles. Will put a Conti on the front and never use Maxxis again!

We had a huge group at the start (including Lee), riders noted above, plus Colin, Julie, David Wu, Frank, Eric the Chef, Chuck Chen, Obie, Chuck W., Jose, Arthur and Linda from the Rebels, plus Tony the defacto leader on the road.

Decker is really not that bad with 35 miles on my legs. The same climb is brutal with 150 miles on my legs.
Don't ask me how I know.

Yes, I will try a 50+ Forumite ride again sometime. Have to see where I can fit it into the schedule.

Rick / OCRR

Ah, Rick.... I'm sorry your first attempt didn't turn out as you hoped. Don't give up on us -- the poor turnout probably was due to a combination of rain and other stuff... mostly rain. Thanks for the nice pics. That's a yummy-looking breakfast.


Okay, well, I admit it . . . my first try at organizing a SoCal Bikeforums.net 50+ ride was a total flop. I wouldn't call it a disaster because no one got hurt (thankfully!), but neither did anyone show up . . . well, except me.


Here is my breakfast at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Main Street and PCH in Seal Beach:
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/bikephoto1/Notexactlypie.jpg

Yes, it was raining at the start. Yes, it was cold. Other than that though, it was pretty nice :).

When the weather gets better, we'll try again . . .

Rick / OCRR

Okay, well, I admit it . . . my first try at organizing a SoCal Bikeforums.net 50+ ride was a total flop. I wouldn't call it a disaster because no one got hurt (thankfully!), but neither did anyone show up . . . well, except me.

Here is my bike, all wet, waiting patiently for another 50+ Forumite to show up:
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/bikephoto1/Photoofonewetbike.jpg

Rick / OCRR

Your bike looks so lonely!!! Too bad about the rain. We're getting down here too on Pitcairn Island. Sigh.

Rick, Bob and company turned around at the summit of Little Sycamore, opting to stay off the coast.
I was surprised by the dirt on the top of Stunt road. After we made it through some motorcycles decided they could do it, too.
How old is that Masi? Is it a California made bike?

Hi John,

Yes, Carlsbad CA made, '75. My main road bike all through the 80's and early 90's, i.e. until GT (where I worked at the time) started making road bikes, converted to fixed gear in '06.

Don't know why V.Bob wanted to stay off the coast. That was the warmest and most dry section of our ride!

Rick / OCRR

Hey promise I'll make it up to you...

Hey promise I'll make it up to you...

Thanks Alice,

I haven't given up on the idea, but I'm thinking the MUP idea didn't fly with many people. I'm thinking the next SoCal 50+ ride should be up GMR/GRR (Glendora Mountain Road / Glendora Ridge Road) with lunch at the Cafe in Mt. Baldy Village.

I know Herb and bigjohn have enjoyed this route, and Yen said she wanted to try it someday. Will wait until you've recovered from your crash first.

Rick / OCRR

Hey, put me on your list for future rides, please. I would come down for an interesting ride.
Neil

MUP rides, yes. GMR rides, no. Thank you.

MUP rides, yes. GMR rides, no. Thank you.

Okay Condi, No GMR for you . . . I get it :thumb:.

So, my challenge becomes, how to design the "Perfect" SoCal 50+ bikeforums.net ride. That is, one that would be easy enough for the MUP riders among us, plus challenging and "interesting" enough for the strong mountain goats among us.

I’ll look at San Gabe MUP maps in case there is some way we could meet further inland on the San Gabe MUP, and ride maybe 10 miles, eat pie . . . then the riders who wanted to could ride on to GMR or something similar and the MUP-sters (for lack of a better term) could turn around and go back?

Maybe I’ll design a Poll and post it regarding ride length / difficulty and location, location, location (i.e. 3 options). Any ideas?

Rick / OCRR

Add me to the list of SoCal riders.

Thanks

Makeitso[/B];8597336]Add me to the list of SoCal riders.Thanks

Okay Jack,

You're on the list (I actually did start a list!). There are 17 of us so far, and I will PM all of you (approx. 5 at a time, since that's all I'm allowed at one time) when another ride is scheduled.

Of those 17 (not including me), I've met seven of you, so not bad, really :).

Rick / OCRR