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07-18-09, 06:12 PM
I was at Moonshadows along PCH in Malibu this morning around 10am to do some work on their septic system (side business). On the drive down Topanga Canyon to PCH, and west along PCH, I couldn't help but notice that roadies were out in force. While working outside of Moonshadows just along PCH, the whizz and whirr of cyclists passing in singles, pairs, and larger groups was constant. Is that normal for a Saturday morning? Was there a large club ride of some sort going on? Perhaps a confluence of several club rides I was seeing. Even though I live nearby, I rarely head out that early, so I have no frame of reference for that time of day.
Maybe 10:30 I spotted a roadie in the parking lot with his bike turned upside down and his rear wheel off. I walked over (wearing my Hincapie Sportswear cap) and asked if he had all the tools he needed because I had my toolbox with me. He was good to go, mock complaining that his team car was ignoring him. A little while later he waddled my way, and before he could say anything I said, "Don't even bother asking for CO2 cartridges or a pump. That stuff I don't have with me." He explained that the needle valve malfunctioned and all the CO2 he just put in leaked away. He said, "I've CO2 inflated my tires dozens of times with my MTB and road bike over the years, and never had a problem until today." I suggested he walk out to the side of the road with the wheel in his hand and wave down a passing cyclist. Within a minute, a pair of roadies stopped, and one of them had a pump, so he was back in business.
I talked with one of them who said the climbing was great this morning, but he had no idea which route he went up. He was from out of state, visiting a friend in Brentwood. Having brought his bike and riding gear with him, he just headed toward the ocean and joined up with a group heading into the Santa Monicas. I asked him "Was it short and steep or long and mellow?" "Long and mellow," was his response. "Must have been Latigo," I suggested.
I'm going to have to get up early and head to the beach one of these summer mornings.
Maybe 10:30 I spotted a roadie in the parking lot with his bike turned upside down and his rear wheel off. I walked over (wearing my Hincapie Sportswear cap) and asked if he had all the tools he needed because I had my toolbox with me. He was good to go, mock complaining that his team car was ignoring him. A little while later he waddled my way, and before he could say anything I said, "Don't even bother asking for CO2 cartridges or a pump. That stuff I don't have with me." He explained that the needle valve malfunctioned and all the CO2 he just put in leaked away. He said, "I've CO2 inflated my tires dozens of times with my MTB and road bike over the years, and never had a problem until today." I suggested he walk out to the side of the road with the wheel in his hand and wave down a passing cyclist. Within a minute, a pair of roadies stopped, and one of them had a pump, so he was back in business.
I talked with one of them who said the climbing was great this morning, but he had no idea which route he went up. He was from out of state, visiting a friend in Brentwood. Having brought his bike and riding gear with him, he just headed toward the ocean and joined up with a group heading into the Santa Monicas. I asked him "Was it short and steep or long and mellow?" "Long and mellow," was his response. "Must have been Latigo," I suggested.
I'm going to have to get up early and head to the beach one of these summer mornings.