ShortStuff

Ok, NYGirl (aka Asia) is on my butt about not writing up a ride report from this past weekend, so here goes . . .

Once again, Asia the ultimate organizer set up a really great social ride with SAG support and everything. The rain the night before and in the early morning scared some people away, but we had 13 hearty souls willing to tackle the climb up towards Mt. Charleston (or Mt. Chucky as we were calling it). Even Gene (JustMe) made it from Cali to ride with us foolish folks in Vegas.

Early morning group photo


We gathered at 7:30am and parked our cars at the bottom of Kyle Canyon. After saying our hellos and making small talk we rolled out in a double paceline to the bottom of Lee Canyon. The rain had stopped, but the road was wet and covered everyone in lovely road splatter (sorry Stacy!).

Flat!!


We had one early flat tire that was quickly repaired and we were rolling again at a nice clip. 12 miles later we made the turn onto Lee Canyon road and began our ascent towards the top. For anyone who's never been up to the Mt. Charleston area, Lee Canyon road is a steady, consistent climb for about 12 miles up to roughly 7000' elevation. It's a challenge to say the least on a calm day, but the winds this morning were quick brisk . . . ok, for me they were down-right brutal. There were a few strong climbers in the group (you know who you are) who took off and left the rest of us in their dust. You guys and gal are awesome! Asia rode with Serriah to help her improve her riding skills and she did great. Woo-hoo! Hollywood was kind enough to not bring his bike (read "I don't want to get it wet") and instead offered to drive the SAG vehicle all day with Mama Sue riding shotgun. Thank you, thank you!! BTW, Mama Sue's homemade jerkey and wontons (?) were dee-lish! The clouds hung around until mile 9 or so and then gave way to sunny skies the rest of the day.

Hollywood the SAG-man


Doc, Stacy and George on the climb


After a brief rest stop we hit a small descent which brought us to the turn for Deer Creek. The climbing looked really tough, but it was actually fairly easy. Maybe that was because I had downed a handful of mini-Snickers bars at the rest stop. Stacy and Mike kept rolling over the top while Asia, myself and Marc stopped to see if Charina and Serriah were coming up behind us. After a brief wait the downhill beckoned and we rolled on - thankful to finally be going DOWN instead of up.

Regroup before descent from Deer Creek


At the top of Deer Creek pass we re-grouped one final time and Hollywood gave us his "safety speech" about being careful descending with the strong winds. What an understatement that was . . . the winds were absolutely fierce coming down from the top. Marc, of course, bombed down like a crazy-man while Asia, Stacy, Mike and myself literally were blowing all over the road. I will admit that by the time I got to the bottom of the pass my fingers were cramped up from holding the brake levers so tight and my legs were shaking from the cold and from pressing against my top tube to steady the bike.

On the homestretch down Kyle Canyon road Marc blew his tire from braking to allow the rest of us to catch up with him. A bit of a sacrifice since his spare tire was in the SAG vehicle still up on the mountain. Just at that time, Cyn and Doc showed up in their car. (yes, they were done that soon ahead of us) Being the ever-so-clever bicyclists that we were, we suggested Marc switch wheels with someone who was done riding. Stacy quickly volunteered as she had had enough of the cold and wind. What makes this little part funny is that Stacy has a custom-built Orbea that is completely decked out in pink components - right down to her pink wheels! Well, all vanity aside . . . the pink wheel goes on the bike and he's off down the road again.

A new bike is born


A few near-misses from stupid drivers, but we all made it back to the parking lot safe and sound. What a great ride! It was tough enough to make you feel good about the day, but not so hard that you wouldn't want to do it again. A huge thank you to Asia for organizing another terrific event, thank you to Hollywood for his great SAG support (I know you were dying to get out and ride!), and thanks to everyone who showed up to have fun!!

ShortStuff

Getting ready to begin the climb from Lee Canyon road


Happy Cyn!


Gene (JustMe) from SoCal


Gotta love that SAG


Doctor Doolittle in the house


Cyn and Hollywood


Hollywood and Mike admiring Stacy's pinkness


Stacy rolling out from the rest stop


Marc enjoying a few Nutter Butters

WhiteCarbonDude

I need to get out there and ride with that Vegas crew!

CYN... love those socks!

ShortStuff

Asia enjoying the downhill


Asia and Stacy heading towards Deer Creek pass


Mike with snow-covered peaks behind him


High elevation point


Nice ride!

merider1

Great pics, but Laura...where is a close up of your gorgeousness! You Vegas folks know how to do it right. Thanks for sharing!

jayala

Great photos! Too bad that I missed the ride. Not sure when I will ride with you guys again, but I will see some of you at the Tour de Tucson.

chimivee

Excellent photos!

Nachoman

Dude, don't bogart that joint.

JustMe

Thanks to Asia for the invite to ride with you guys, though I have to work on keeping up on the hills. Nice write up Laura and good photos. This was a great route. If the wind hadn't been blowing on top, there was real potential for record breaking descents. Thanks to Hollywood for driving SAG, and checking my progress on that 30 miles of unrelenting ascent, especially the 5-8% grade that took most of the day and made up more than half the climb to Deer Creek. Great day guys, enjoyed it.

Happytime

BF single guys need to take lessons from Marc and "assume the position" more often on our rides.

Preferably in remote, backwoods areas. Public arenas are acceptable if a jello pit is present.

merider1

+1

cynfulbod

Hola Homies!!

Shortstuff....couldn't have said it better myself! Thanks for taking all the pics. I'm buying a tiny camera so I can snap mad pics of you on the next ride...because you ARE the absolute CUTEST thing on a bike!!

Asia...you are the Bike Poet in my heart!

Shout out to Hollywood and Mama Sue for SAG (although I agree that Hollywood just didn't want to get his bike dirty...because that boy called me at 0-dark-thirty to see if we were riding!) Mama Sue's wontons were "Off the Hook"!! I had my hands in the bag first, and it took all my power to save some for the rest of you! I think Hollywood said something like 'Slow Down Girl'.

The climb was Da Bomb!! I think it's the socks that make me GO FASTER!! Seriously!!! The descent was hella scary with fierce winds. I could hear Hollywood, the voice of reason in my head, from the same climb we did a few weeks earlier....saying 'Slow Down Girl'!! Do you see a pattern here??

Can't wait for the next ride!

cynfulbod

Would love to have you come ride with us Las Vegans!

Dude, you are SCARY FAST on the downhill...you would love the Mt. Chuck descent!!

NDG

Legs of steel in a candy wrapper!
Impressive!

------------------------------------------------

Happy Cyn!

cynfulbod

NDG Says: Legs of steel in a candy wrapper!
Impressive!

------------------------------------------------

All for you, Louis! I can get away with saying that since you are hella far away! Look forward to you coming to Las Vegas to ride!! Canadian's get vacation time too, eh?

NDG

You gotta be careful with what you say Cyn!
Vegas is just a short flight away. If I were to show up you would have to live up to your promises...

No, Canadians never take hollidays. But French-Canadians get plenty cuz we have the "joie de vivre" !

bac

I'm glad you posted. Great pix - made my day for sure!

... Brad

cynfulbod

Oooh, talk dirty to me! When you do come to the City of Cyn...be sure to send me your flight itinerary so I don't leave your arse sitting at the airport!