merider1

Pics uploading and report too....

Scootcore

faster!!!! faster!!!!!!!

vertical bob

Well, I don't quite know why but everyone seemed convinced that the wind was too much of an impediment and they turned back. I just kept going and other than a few corners where the wind was strong it was a very nice ride. I made it to Red Box ok and after a short rest went on up to Wilson. The climb to Wilson was completely calm and it was great up there.I could see the snow covered mtns. of Baldy and even the San Bernardino mtns. as well. Sorry the rest of the group quit before the miracle but the story of "Chicken Little" came to mind. The wind is blowing, the wind is blowing.

merider1

No, you just are so much of a billy goat that you don't even feel the wind anymore. Sigh. Glad you're okay, but you missed a lot of other fun...

merider1

Wow. That’s all I have to say is Wow.

I thought I was going to Red Box and then up to Mt. Wilson with a little lunch following, but today became a whole different day…not that I’m complaining. I was up early (stupid daylight savings!) and out the door, looking forward to the ride with some of my favorite gentlemen. I was hoping Joy would surprise me and show up to ride (even though she isn’t supposed to do hills – I’m selfish), but she wasn’t at the ride start (not that she didn’t surprise me, but more on that later). I was greeted to DaveSANYYZ’s wonderful smile this morning as I pulled in front of Descanso Gardens. Already, the weather was nice albeit a bit chilly. Then, Vertical Bob pulled up. I was pleased to see him as I haven’t climbed with him for a long time and he’s one of my favorite climbing buddies for sure.

Then, up pulls Thomson, looking great! His face has healed so nicely. Of course, he’s tough, so I imagine he just told himself to heal! Then Groupetto shows up followed by Doppelg. Both strong riders, looking excited to ride. Last but not least, Weekend Warrior was on the scene and we were off to the Shell Station on Foothill where Vance and Jpconrad were waiting. Without much ado, we began climbing Angeles Crest.

As you all have heard ad naseum, I’m still a bit injured and not in the shape I was last year at this time when a climb on Angeles Crest would have been a standard outing. I put on 20 pounds (have since lost 8), but as much as I joke about being fat – really, I’m just pudgy, but boy what a few pounds can do to a girl’s climbing! I was, yet again, humbled. I can never stay on these fast men’s wheels anyway, but when I’m on top of my game, I at least don’t embarrass myself. But this morning, I was dropped like a badly microwaved week old potato! (Note: I told those men to take off, so not a one of them were expected to stay with me) By myself on that road, feeling the lead in my legs, I started laughing. What else can you do when your “fitness” isn’t up to snuff? But I climbed that mountain (some of it anyway) and was hit by some pretty strong winds, which only made my snail pace worse.

I rounded a curve and there was Vertical Bob, futzing with his vest. He didn’t fool me for one minute. I said, “Bob, you didn’t have to wait on me!” He lied, which he isn’t good at, “I’m not waiting. I’m tired today.” Right. We took off together and I will admit that I was happy he waited (again, he nor any of those men needed to!). He was much stronger than me, of course, so I just tailed him and we made it almost to Clear Creek when here comes Thomson (doing repeats!) I was happy to see him too (okay, I’ll admit it, I’m female and I’m social and I like these men…) So, the three of us made our way to Clear Creek, caught up to Dave and Weekend Warrior, who had waited as well. Illy shows up at this point (damn! He’s fast as he took off at least 20 minutes after the rest of us) and we now have six.

The six little Indians began the climb to Red Box. I was now really excited. Even though I was slow, slow climbing, I was steady and my goal was to simply get up to the Mt. Wilson observatory even if I had to tack all the way up it. But, sigh, it wasn’t to be. About two miles up and here comes the fast pack flying down. John and Vance immediately reported that the winds were so strong farther up that he and John deemed it too dangerous to go on. If John and Vance think it too dangerous, I’m not arguing. The only one who went on was Vertical Bob. Bob, you worry me when you do that. I know you are a grown man, but I hope you are okay and we missed you at lunch! (update, he's fine...stubborn, but fine)

So, all of us but Bob took that sweet descent back down Angeles Crest (the winds were really blowing all the way down). We got back to Descanso Gardens and took off on an ad hoc route that Doppelg knew of. I was pleasantly surprised to be introduced to some new, and might I add steep, roads. Thanks, Doppelg! We looped up and around by the Glendale College and ended up across from La Cabanita. We lost a few riders at that point (Doppelg and Groupetto had to go), but the rest of us headed off to lunch. That’s where the real fun began, but more on that in a few.


Photos of the ride coming…

jpconrad

With the number of days of good weather we have I don't feel the need for me to risk another injury just to make it someplace I've been before.

merider1

VB, Jim and the guys about to take off


And I'm dropped like a BMP.


Stunning up on that mountain


My view for awhile







And Jim comes down to catch us


Clear Creek





Dave

Scootcore

lord......vance was right about the helmet....

merider1

On our way to Red Box


Dave in action


Vance taking off to tell Bob and Jim that we're turning around


Doppelg and Groupetto, part of the fast crowd


Dave, still smiling even with the news of no more climbing


John, saying, "Let Vance catch Bob..."


what we climbed


Groupetto, Weekend Warrior and Illy ready to descend


Back down to earth on Doppelg's steep route!


And the ride comes to an end.

Scootcore

whered the hat go???!!!!???

merider1

Okay, so you thought the ride was it, huh? Nope. You see, I’m having a birthday (waaaaa!!!!!) tomorrow and as much as I don’t want to turn 28 years old, the alternative isn’t so attractive. Well, little did I know that my favorite Panda had planned a surprise for me! When John, Vance, Illy, Dave, Gary, Jim and I arrived at La Cabanita, John tricked me into thinking he had called Sonia to join us, so we got a table for 10 and began noshing on chips. Suddenly, I noticed Joy coming into the restaurant (looking gorgeous, might I add. Damn, she cleans up nice). That little sneaky hot-pants brought me cake and the most amazing helmet I have ever seen or worn, certainly. It’s a work of art (she is an artist, after all), and with all laughing aside, it is truly amazing what she did!!! So, surprise birthday party. Even Magicant drove over to join. I was very touched and had to act up and get gushy. But I do appreciate it and it made my birthday for sure! I wish Indolent had driven up from San Diego though….after all, he brought the cake last year. Seriously thank you guys!!!!

See? Jim is healing up well!


Happy arrives


As does Joel


Smiles all around


And, oh my...the helmet...


...to beat all helmets...


...really

merider1

And the cake! Best part...

Before


After (those slices were for eveyone esle at the table...I ate the rest)


(I'm not kidding...getting high on sugar)


Oops, how did that get in there....never mind....

vertical bob

Call it local knowledge but even on days like today Angeles Crest is for the most part sheltered from the wind. A few corners are bad but I didn't feel today was anything like the day up on GMR when you went down Jon. Some of the windy stretches were like what M.E. and I rode in all day on s2s last year. Without my local knowledge and having your recent experience on GMR, I would have done the same thing.

merider1

Bob, come on! I don't agree one bit. It was very windy up there and unpleasant. If you are okay riding in that, fine, but to suggest that local knowledge was the key to continuing, no way. Not to mention that it just isn't fun. It's called comfort level. Of course, you ride alone up there all the time. Something I and others might not do. So to each their own.

Terror_in_pink

WHAT?!?!?! It was your birthday and i didn't even know!??!?!?!?!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Groupetto

Thank you all for the tour. You have a great backyard to play in . Sorry to bail but I am headed back to LA tonight. Those hills can be pretty humbling (and that hat) and I have some work to do.

Too bad that the wind died just after we turned around...but then you never know it could always get worse. Didnt seem worth the risk for an endurance ride.

Happytime

I told the baker to write, "Happy Birthday M.E." Instead, he must have thought I was planning a party for myself


Some of my favorite BFers!

Dave and Gary are fascinated by Joel's food


Vance and Illy:


JP with Rene Russo looking over his shoulder


Jim, Joel and the old bag


The birthday girl with Ovo's love child


Off she goes

merider1

I guess I need to take off a few more pounds. And no, Ovo hasn't embedded seed in me...he's still just learning about the birds and the bees...and women.

merider1

Technically, it's tomorrow, TIP. I'm still holding on to 27 with my toenails.

Terror_in_pink

I don't know the gentleman wearing it, but whoever you are...I LOVE that dia de los muertos jersey!

Terror_in_pink

Ha, I know the feeling, I just turned 30!

merider1

I have at least two years before the big...um....3-0.

(shut up, everyone...)

jpconrad

It's mine, it's one of my favorites.

I also like their Calendario one, too.

BikeWNC

WOW! Happy Bday M.E.! I'm almost twice your age.

Marrock

No, it's not 30, it's 27C.