Fifty Plus (50+) - A short ride in the mountains

I was off again today and I wanted to go to Angeles Crest since I haven't been up there in a while. It was supposed to be windy but I went anyway, hoping for the best.
I drove up to 5000 feet and rode up to 7000. I think about 3 hours.
Early on:
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/001-2.jpg

You might be able to see the road up there.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/002-3.jpg

The bike at an overlook.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/003.jpg

Looking back.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/004-1.jpg

Around that corner is the 7000 foot mark and a lot of icy wind.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/007.jpg

At this point I am freezing and decided to turn back. I wanted to go to the 8000 foot peak but the road is starting to get sketchy and that wind is awful.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/005.jpg

I stopped for a shot looking toward the desert on the way down.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/008-1.jpg

And one more looking out in the direction I am headed. A beautiful day with a cold descent. Thanks for looking.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/006-1.jpg

Lovely pictures.

Beautiful even if it was cold. Congrats on getting in a good ride today. It was nice and warm here today and I had the day off, but spent most of it indoors at the LBS building up my son's new bike. Rode it once around the block when I finished to make sure it worked. It did. Details and pics in a couple of days.

6am here and just gone down the garden. Been thinking about a ride today but it is too cold and a bit icy. May have to force myself out though after seeing your ride in the white stuff. Will take a lot of effort as I have turned a bit wimpish this year. And there are all those Christmas jobs to do like testing the mince pies and the Xmas wine to so.

great pictures.

Very nice John. Is that the bike you went cross country on?

Very nice John. Is that the bike you went cross country on?

No, that Gunnar is only 5 years old. I went across the US on an old Nishiki Seral, a steel touring bike. I bought the frame N.O.S. for $50 and scrounged most of the parts from friends. I sold the frame after the trip and found a N.O.S. Cannondale touring frame which I put the parts on. Still have it.

John, I should send some pictures of where I ride and you would die laughing. I have some pretty nice areas, but the places around here a pretty flat. I get about 50 miles north of me and it's pretty hilly.
Anyhow have a nice Christmas and beautiful pictures.

John, those pictures are so stunning! Glad to read you got in such a scenic ride on Christmas Eve. Have a very Merry Christmas.

Bill

Wish I had mountains nearby... Nice ride!

John, those pictures are so stunning! Glad to read you got in such a scenic ride on Christmas Eve. Have a very Merry Christmas.

Bill

It was Christmas eve eve, actually. Christmas eve I rode with vertical bob, valleygirl, and two other ladies and we went on a lower elevation ride.

Older pics of that route.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/S2010008-4.jpg

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/S20100012-1.jpg

Awesome.

One day when I'm fit maybe I'll do the same with the climb out of the desert (Borrego valley area) and up the mountains to Julian (about 5000ft). OK, maybe starting half way up at least.

But first I'll be heading the other way I suspect ..... ;)