Beachgrad05

Decided to move my posts from the other thread to better report my journey to reach this milestone/challenge.


https://app.strava.com/activities/34098505

Rode 12-26-12 and determined that I needed to get 46 miles per ride in each day from 12-26-12 thru Monday. Very doable....So I geared up and knowing it was cold, I layered...Left the house and it was COLD (yes, I know cold to us in So Cal is rather balmy to some of you)...but it was windy too...not helpful. I get out of the neighborhood and my hands are cold...I'm not feeling comfortable....so I start to tell myself...I will just go a short ride and make up for the miles in a later ride. But thankfully the SUN chose that time to shine some warmth on me and I decided to HTFU and DO IT.

I had told TH my planned route just in case we run into each other (he was starting in the OC). I got a later start than planned because I just didn't want to ride in the cold and it had POURED RAIN early this morning which didn't exactly make wanting to ride any better.

Heading south on SGRT you can see the water level is higher than normal due to the rain;


Some birds enjoying the water and sunshine....this is where the "river" gets to be more like a real river...with dirt and rocks etc.


Heading south toward Sunset Beach on PCH:


Huntington Beach is beautiful today:


So I reach SART (rode by the restroom building near the entrance and not a SOUL was about....**no Mr. Beans**) and headed up SART to reach my mileage point of 23 miles before I turn around and head back home.


So am nearing 22.5 miles and I see a rider coming toward me...and the closer he gets...I think..."hey he looks like TH but can't be him as he was getting an early start"...and as I passed him and he passed me...we both realized "Hey! It IS you!"...I stopped and turned around and ended up with a ride partner for the ride back. It was WINDY and the ride back up PCH sucked...but at least I wasn't suffering alone.

We parted ways at Del Amo and SGRT. Hope the rest of TH's ride was good.

Beachgrad05

12-27-12
Got another 50 miles in today.

https://app.strava.com/activities/34266703

Knee was bothersome for most of ride and the wind and cold was not helpful either.

My turnaround spot was The Unlikely Cyclist in Costa Mesa. I chatted with Vntgdrms and made a small purchase. She kindly gave me some water to refill my bottles with and I headed home.

Some photos:

Beachgrad05

12-28-12
Holy Smokes my legs are TIRED and SORE.

https://app.strava.com/activities/34419261

Today figured I would head north on SGRT and try to get to the 10 Fwy and see if it is still flooded. Alas, was not happening...my legs are very tired considering I have ridden 130 miles between Mon and Thur (with 96 coming on Wed and Thur). It has been chilly and windy. Made it 38.5 miles instead of my planned 45.

So heading North:


Tried to draft off this kid:


Energy bar wrappers decorating the sign post at top of Whittier Narrows Dam:


View of Mt. Baldy from top of Whittier Narrows Dam:


This challenge is not as easy as I thought it might be...if I was not in forced vacation I would not have even tried to do this. Now I am committed to DOING it no matter what...

Beachgrad05

12-29-12

Ok...after reading Magohn's ride report I decided to HTFU and get out there.

I got a new knee support at CVS today so wore that. Got leg warmers, toe booties and long finger cold weather gloves today. It was raining pretty well when I left the LBS to come home after my massage. I was going to shine riding as I don't really care to ride in the rain...but it started to clear up about noon, so I decided to gear up and go ride.

https://app.strava.com/activities/34652241
I am now at the 2/3 point (I have 336 KM's and 2/3 is 333 according to the badge I earned). So I have two days to get the final bit.

Me at Seal Beach (rivers end) in my cold gear:


Pretty birdie:


Another pretty birdie:


Looking north...the "river" to the left is San Gabriel...and the "creek" to the right is Coyote Creek:


Waves breaking off HB:


Water levels returning to "normal"


Ghost Rider Requesting a Fly By:

magohn

Im not worthy You are the inspiration - you really are cranking out the miles. In one of your pics, is that people in a rubber dinghy in the washway?

Im not sure if 'washway' is the correct term but its the thing from 'Grease' and 'Terminator 2'

Penny4

Beachgrad, what is the temp there? You are very lucky to have such beautiful scenery and paths! Is the pink tape on your bars new? Love it.

Beachgrad05

Around here those are called rivers but yes exactly like in Grease and Terminator...tho some are flood control

And yes those people are floating in that nasty water on rafts. Something I have not seen before.

Beachgrad05

It's been in the 40's and 50's for rides. My Garmin doesn't factor wind chill tho.

Yes the pink bar tape is new. I love it too. My blue tape was worn out.

Mr. Beanz

This is interesting, can't back down now!

Beachgrad05

Ok...today I decided to ride before breakfast. We usually go to a local sports bar for breakfast every sunday. They only have breakfast during football season so getting down to when they won't have it anymore. So I did a quick ride and met my husband there.

Ride 1:
https://app.strava.com/activities/34819211

There was a seal in the "river" outlet to ocean so snapped some pictures of it and of a duck.

Beachgrad05

Ride 2....

Get home from breakfast...uploaded my Garmin data, swapped out battery on camera, refilled water bottles and took off.

https://app.strava.com/activities/34860811

I started by going north on SGRT to the blocked underpass at 183rd. You might not be able to read it but the sign indicates this was to be FINISHED by 12/14/12....Note the menacing clouds...


Get to Seal Beach and that sky is downright threatening but I NEEDED to get my miles in so I didn't turn tail and head home...I headed south on PCH after these shots taken in Seal Beach at Rivers End looking inland:





Went south as far as Seapoint and turn around...I've been meaning to take a pic of this sign each time I pass it so today I was ready:


I'm getting RAINED on hard here:


And love this waterfall from the 405 to 605 fwy transition overhead:


I am now at 83% of the 500...(419km / 260.1 miles). Just need 51 miles tomorrow to reach the needed 311. DOABLE.

BamaBulldawg

You got this, great report!

bigbones73

+1

goldfinch

Impressed!

jeepseahawk

Great job Beach, you are going to do it. Wish I had your motivation this month.

Cyclist0084

Awesome!! Great ride reports and great pics. Sounds like you'll be super motivated for that final 51 miles tomorrow.

Dad 2 3

It's in the bag! I've been following along on Strava as well.

It's very cool that you are taking time to take pics along the way.

Beachgrad05

I wonder how many of the women who do this and actually accomplish it are over 200 lbs like I am. I am currently ranked 210/733 women.

TrojanHorse

Dang, nice work! Go get 'em tomorrow! Should be dry at least.

magohn

Excellent!

Beachgrad05

Was dry (thank goodness) but still very cold. Brrrr.....But I managed to get the needed miles to meet the challenge!

https://app.strava.com/activities/35017993



So I headed south on SGRT...to PCH and then south...

Beautiful day out tho was cold-view of downtown LB as I headed south on PCH


View of Palos Verdes:


Surfers just before Seapoint / PCH:


The pigeons were VERY friendly at the rest area at the end of SART at Beach...


There was even a Mr. Beanz appearance! I took a picture but didn't get a good angle and won't post it as it is not a flattering shot. Beanz was kind enough tho to take MY picture for me:


Beautiful canal in Sunset Beach:


And this guy I see nearly EVERY time I ride on PCH...he is always wearing these same clothes (may not be exactly same but always jeans, white t shirt and hat)...and he jogs. Cannot imagine jogging so much in JEANS

jeepseahawk

I believe this is Forrest Gump.

goldfinch

Congratulations beach!

Mr. Beanz

Congrats Beach! GREAT JOB!

I am quite the photographer, nice picture if I may say so myself!

Fangowolf

Good Job Beach