Beachgrad05

Here is me last summer just after purchasing my Trek FX 7.2 WSD. This picture was taken in July 2011



Here I am this past March 3 2012 in Seal Beach CA with the FX



And here is me again in Seal Beach with my new baby (2012 Trek 3.1 Madone with SRAM Apex)



Yesterday I rode the furthest ever for me: 32.8 miles with my highest avg speed to date as well (13.9 mph).

TrojanHorse

Ooh, shiny bike! Congratulations on your 32 miler, looks like you're having a ball. Are you hitting one of the river trails? It looks like some of those are on the beach path.

Black wallnut 

Way to go! That's a respectable average for that distance imho. Your pics clearly show your progress.

Beachgrad05

The last two pics are taken at the end of the San Gabriel River Trail. They have a nice area there to take pictures, use the restroom, get water...there is even a restaurant (Rivers End Cafe)...

My ride yesterday was this:

https://connect.garmin.com/activity/170838740

I rode to the LBS in Huntington Beach to get a refund on the difference in price as they had my bike on sale this weekend for about $70 less than I paid. Nice excuse for a long ride.

Here are some pics from my ride yesterday:

jyossarian

Good job! Did you feel beat to hell or fresh as a daisy after 32 miles? Keep adding miles, but don't push too hard or you'll burn yourself out.

Yo Spiff

Nice going! That a touch faster than my own usual average.

Beachgrad05

I actually felt pretty good - not exhausted but not like I left a ton of gas in the tank. Doing a 31 mile ride on May 5 (Tour of Long Beach) and am planning on signing up for a Metric Century in June.

jyossarian

In that case, add around 5 miles a week to your long ride and keep riding a few miles every day or two during the week (10 a ride would be good). You're ready for the 31 mile ride, but you need to get some miles in your legs for the metric century so you can finish strong. You could probably finish it now, but you may not want to ever ride a bike again if you tried it now.

goldfinch

Nice job! It looks like you have beautiful areas to ride.

TrojanHorse

Thought I recognized it - I've been to that little water fountain a few times but never peeked over to see what the restaurant looked like. even though it's only 20 feet away .

That newly repaved section is niiiiiiiiiice. Here's my bike relaxing at that water fountain, with the shadow of my noggin:

Beachgrad05

They did a really nice job with redoing the area including the SGRT. I have yet to try the cafe (keep telling my husband to ride with me by telling him "there's beer at the end"...but it hasn't worked...yet).

Beachgrad05

Nice shot of your bike. Good spot for a pic too. May have to do one like it next time!

Beachgrad05

Thanks...I wasn't sure if I had made visible progress yet.

I just noticed you are from Ellensburg. I was just up that way visiting family in Selah/Yakima area. I graduated HS in Selah. Had a great visit with my dad. Every time I saw a bike lane on the street, I was wishing I had my bike.

bluegoatwoods

Your progress is easily seen in the photos. Though you don't look much different at a glance, closer inspection -Don't mention it; it was my pleasure- reveals far better muscle and skin tone.

You're looking great and doing great. We're happy for you. Keep it up.

Mr. Beanz

Nice job nice bike!

We ride the San Gabriel trail every once in a while but do Santa Ana trail most of the time. Give it a try, nicer, purtier.

Although the SGRT has been much improved over the last year.

Couple months ago on the SGRT to Seal Beach. Nice, 71 miles to Encanto Park (above the SF dam)

let me know when you are ready for your 1st music video

Beachgrad05

The video was awesome. What do you use to film? Would love to make one of those eventually with my cycling group. What pace were you guys riding? Seemed pretty fast to me.

Mr. Beanz

Thanks! I use a Flip video recorder. I actually have 2 (one still new in the box as back up). Works well, easy operation, good sound but doesnt' have a shock resistance system so it can be a little shakey since I do it without a mount (freehand).

Battery pack allows recharge while plugged into port. Internal edit program, also wmmoviemaker 2011 compatible. But they did discontinue production from what I understand. I paid about $140 but last I saw a few months back were on sale for $69.

Nice steady mage with a tripod but on the bike, not possible.




backflip by mrbeanz1, on Flickr

Pace on the ride 71 miles 17.0 average.

https://app.strava.com/rides/5547026

Flip in my right hand, digi-cam in my left. Small and easy to use

Mr. Beanz

Not a stupid question. I/we at times take it for granted that everybody knows our lingo.

GMR (Glendora Mountain Road). Ver popular ride in the cycling world. 210/57 fwy area Lone hill exit area of Glendora.

Mountain road that climbs the first 8 miles at a 6% grade. Many riders are happy with that. Some of the more determined riders go to the village (21 miles 5000 ft gain total over 42 miles).

I have pics of the road and a video. My wife has done the shack and 6 beyond about 20 times. Our Athena friend Alyce has done it aobut 15 times. She shocks me cause she does not talk the talk but walks the walk unlike many "serious" riders I know. Let me tell you, if anybody has a serious disadvantage over other riders, it's Gina and Alyce but they ride up there without excuses.

Gina and Alyce on GMR


Alyce


Gina

dave5339

Beachgrad,

Keep it up! It can be done, I'm living proof!

Semper Fi

sueb2b

Congrats on the rides. Looks like things are progressing well with the distance/experience. Definitely faster than I usually ride at this point.

Beachgrad05

I want to check the GMR out!

Beachgrad05

Another question....no cars?

Mr. Beanz

On a weekend GMR ride, you might see 10 motorcycles (usually together) and 5 cars. On the way down you might only see 2 motorcycles and 1 car as descending speeds are much higher than ascending speeds.

Duirng the week, even fewer vehicles. Some weekends are a bit more crowded but not much.

GMR is referred to "GMR". If one says "The GMR", other riders will not understand what you are talking about .

rdtompki

BG, great accomplishments. Which June metric are you aiming for?

Beachgrad05

The one I'm thinking of is this one.

https://bigringcentury.com/

Ths is the route

https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/64833248