Riding With a Visiting Forum Buddy from AZ
 

Ugly Bob is from Bicyclingdotcom forums. We met back in 05 or 06 when I did the Casa Grande metric century. Very cool guy back then and still is today. His bud Brian is also a forum member (BConnerAz). Bob is the visitor from out of town doing his b day ride and Brian used to live in AZ but now hanging in the OC. We met briefly on the Palm Springs century back in 06 maybe?

I got a message from Ugly a few days ago asking if we wanted to hang with them on his birthday ride (thanks for the hook up Tude! ;-). Pretty cool, he'd riding a 59 (his birth year) Schwinn Traveler. Brian is on an 80's Schwinn, oh darn I forgot but it was a top of the line roadie with Campy back in the 80's. Both guys very friendly and cool.

So we start out at Yorba Park then head to the coast. Bob and Brian looking for the 53 while we're just doing our usual ride. Once we get to the coast the guys figure they will tour PCH for a few extra miles while we plan to hang around with the usual crowd. The guys ask us to go for a bite to eat but we eat breakfast before a ride and really have a hard time eating on rides.

The ride was pretty cool. Started out kind of easy but once we hit the wind, one can't help but give some push. Poor Bob was in he upright position, no hiding from the wind on that bike ha ha! So Brian and I take turns at the front breaking wind for the others. I know the course and the wind so I do what I can for a decent pace and a good time. Brian's doing his thing and looking like a roadie should. But every time I look back to see how the others are doing I see Bob in his upright position. Wow, that has got to hurt! But Bob hangs tough on his beast of a bike. Nice 3 speed but once I got a chance to lift the thing? That's why I 'm calling it a beast! Bob says 40 lbs but feels more like 50 to me. He explains his tools etc and yeah, I can see the extra 10. But it was a cool ride and all did well. Heck, once we got to the coast Bob was feeling and looking pretty good. Makes me want to get one of them old steel bikes. We have a habit of staying a long time at the coast visiting with friends so we figured we'd let Bob and Brain head back on their own. That would give Brian time to show Bob what the OC life is all about ha ha! I bet they enjoyed the tailwind!

After our initial messaging, Bob says Mrs. Bob wanted to hook up later in the evening for dinner. Says she wanted to treat everyone as a bday present to Bob. Wow, that sounds good but would be lots of traveling so I graciously refuse the offer. Bob is one dude that speaks highly of his wife so too bad we had to miss it. but really, if I were to attend the dinner, I'm not so sure they'd be able to afford the gas back to AZ ha ha!

Thanks Bob and Brian, it was nice seeing you guys again! Along on the ride I saw forumdotnet's "Yen" with her 50+ jersey. Threw me off cause I was looking for the pink outfit. Good thing that 50+ is easy to spot from a mile away. At the coast, a rider rolled by just after we got there. He said "you guys are here early", I wonder who that was? Another due rolled by with a group somewhere near Warner and shouted Beanz. I think I know who that was but not for sure, c'mon, fess up ha ha! Plus a dude in all black rolled the opposite direction as we were leaving the coast. He shouted Beanz as we rolled by. I had my recorder on but barely caught a glimps of him, just enough for a still to make out the image. I see form the still he had a GoPro on the front of his bike. Lots of them going around these days!

At the coast there were like too many friends to mention but I will try. Mark & Gail, Jed19, Mike, Jordan, Alex2, Vince, Jose, caught a brief viewing of Garfield Cat, MTBLrkr (in a pose down), Henry, Ron & Dixie, Herb & Alyce hope I didn't forget anyone. Oh Eric Anderson on his upright with some recumbent dealer suggestions for Alex2 who seems to be showing interest in the recumbent life.

All and all just another sweet ride, sweet day, and a sweet life!




these are the UB pics, more in my blog but other riders if interested.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...e/IMG_1908.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...e/IMG_1909.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...e/IMG_1911.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...e/IMG_1912.jpg

Nice write up.

Gina said you are putting on weight. Is that true? :)

Thanks but I don't get it, putting on weight?

gaining weight.

I know that but what do you mean "Gina said"? Did she mention it in the video, did I miss something?

forget it.