Yen

Two weeks ago on our regular Saturday group ride, I could hardly wait to get home and out of the heat. I've posted about my recent lack of motivation to ride and finally linked it to the hot weather which pulls the plug on my energy.

Today's forecast predicted highs in the upper 70s. When I left home at 7:30 to meet the group, it was cool enough to wear my jacket. I removed the sleeves around 9:00, then removed the vest around noon. But I never really broke a sweat.

At around the same point where I was begging for mercy 2 weeks ago, today I felt great and started planning how to get some extra mileage on the way home.

So, around noon I headed to the Thompson Creek Trail. Not many people there today, only a few walkers but mostly deserted...






At the end of the trail, I rode part of Mt. Baldy Rd. The Salvia leucantha (Mexican sage) also likes this cool fall weather....


After 48 miles, I turned up a street with a challenging climb even for stronger riders. Having not done hills for a while, I intended to ride part way and turn around. But the hill is curvy and it didn't seem safe to turn with a blind curve just ahead, so I forged on. Around the curve I stopped to rest for about 30 seconds; I was amazed how such a short rest could make me feel like new again, and I forged on. I stopped again to take a picture looking back... (the beginning of the climb is out of view)



then up...



I finished the hill. On the other side was a short plateau then another climb. The final reward was a 1-mile descent to home. As I turned the corner I glanced at my computer --- 52+ miles. Hey, I may as well ride my age!

So, I pressed on. I rode around the park, then home. In all, I rode 54+ miles -- my age +1.



I'm seriously considering doing the https://tourdefoothills.com/ metric next month, a route that passes within yards of our house. With only one exception (a very short but steep hill), I've already done all the climbs, and I can ride 62 miles --- I just haven't done both on the same ride. However, the toughest hill is around 40 miles, while the very comparable hill I did today was after 48 miles. I think this ride is within reach if only the weather cooperates!

stapfam

Go for the tourdefoohills. You have enough sense to pace yourself- as you have proved.

Short but steep hills are OK. 62 miles is OK. All you have to do is string them together and although you may not have ridden as much as you would have wanted this year, you will do it.

With the cooler weather arrived- hopefully I will be able to get a few more rides in. Hopefully without the wind that we have been having. Looks good for this morning with a westerly 10mph so going to head out west for the first 10 miles or so. Then see how I feel after 2,000ft of climbing. Might be able to get some miles in as my ride partner (Son-in-law) just called out. Not by his choice but young Ferne needs attention today (Thats his excuse and he is sticking to it)

cyclezealot

Know the feeling quite well. I am more tolerant of chilly weather than extremely hot weather.. I am pleased that August is over.. Photos of Calif. Thanks for posting. Great place to cycle.

RonH

I'm just the opposite. I can always ride when it's sunny and warm/hot.
Today I paced back and forth waiting for the temperature to warm up. Should I wear a base layer undershirt? Do I need arm warmers? I finally opted for neither and left the house shortly after 12 noon when the temperature was 66F (19C).
When the temps get colder I'll do even more pacing.

BTW: Nice pictures Yen.

George

It's finally starting to cool here a little bit. It's up and down, but those cool days sure feel good to me. We when up to Seattle a little while ago and I couldn't believe it. They were breaking records up there with a heat wave and people were falling over dead. I told my wife, I cant wait to get to Alaska. Guess what, the same thing. I sooner ride in the wind, than all this heat. I guess it's part of the game though.
You took some pretty pictures and looks like you did have a good ride.

Metric Man

Go for it Yen, the weather is perfect this time of year, you have been riding all summer and you will be thrilled when you finish. I discovered yesterday that if I don't push the envelope, so to speak, I will never know what I can really do.

bikegeek57

I'm with you Yen. love the cooler temperatures. nice pix. that alone would be motivation for me. what lovely views.

big john

Thanks for the pics, Yen. I hate the heat and I have been suffering in the 100+ temps at work and when Saturday comes, I'm feeling bad at the ride start. I lost 8 pounds on last Saturday's inferno ride.
What a difference this week and I had fun yesterday in the 80s. It just felt great!

soma5

Congratulations on a great ride and on figuring out the motivational issue.

Did you ride the Surly?

Yen

Wasn't yesterday a lovely day? My riding companions and I commented on that several times during our ride. I was amazed at the difference in temps and how good I felt.

Yen

Yes, I rode the Surly. In the lowest gear, I can spin up hills. However, it weighs about 10 lbs. more than the cf Roubaix, making the Roubaix the better choice for long organized rides. The Surly is my "regular" ride or the bike I take when time is not an issue, I'm not sure of the terrain, I ride around town, my all-arounder; when I feel like getting all dressed up, I ride the Roubaix.

alicestrong

What a beautiful route!

I'm with you. Fall is the best time in SoCal for riding!

garboplex

We're just starting to get temps in the low fiftys, and I find it hard to get fired up when it's cloudy...but, when I'm out there and warmed up, it sure is great not to get all soaked in sweat. I've got to remember to keep drinking though.

Yen

For me -- fall, winter, or spring. Fall may feel best because of the relief it brings from summer.

palookabutt

+1. I love -- LOVE -- riding when it's in the 70's, 80's or 90's. 60's are tolerable if I know it's going to warm up.

This isn't a case of HTFU -- I'll ride when it's in 30's and I lose feeling in my fingers and toes after a couple of hours. But I'd rather slather on the sunscreen than mess with arm warmers, balaclava, long tights, shoe covers, runny nose, etc., etc.

Still, one thing to be said for cold weather: it's mostly hard-core cyclists out there. When it's windy and 30F, mutual respect among cyclists (even "road nazis") seems to go up tenfold.

kr32

Yen, great pictures! Wish i could ride that route, looks so nice.
Glad you got the cool weather so your back to riding with happiness.

Louis

I wish we had that kind of scenery around here. Glad you found your "sea legs" again, Yen.

Yen

Thanks, all. I wish we had more of that kind of scenery without having to drive or ride a lot further to reach it. This is one of our favorite short rides. In fact, it was our pie ride. In winter, there will be snow on the hilltops.

Red Rider

What she said, with a minor fix.

Today felt like fall for the first time this year. Never got over 70, and lots of clouds. We took the day off to pack our bags, print route slips, and finalize for our big trip. We have 8 days of riding ahead of us and look forward to the cooler temps ourselves.

Oh, and Yen? Go for the tour. You'll have a blast!

will dehne

Nice report, pictures and weather.
You should come here Yen. We have nice cool weather for you in the 40's and raining.

Yen

RedRider: Today here was like yours there... below 70 and lots of clouds. Lovely! I must have missed the details about your big trip --- did you post about it somewhere?

Will: 40s and rain... sounds like a good day for the treadmill or trainer.

Mojo Slim

We rode 50 miles today and commented more than once what great cycling weather it was. A bit cool when we started (39 at my house), but eventually it must have been high 50s/low 60s. We never took off arm/leg warmers or windbreaker/vests. But just last week it was 100 degrees here.

Beverly

Beautiful pictures, Yen.

You'll do fine on the tour....go for it!

We've had quite a few days with temps in the 50's and relentless wind We plan to ride Wednesday and they're predicting winds around 20 mph with gusts up to 40! Hope we don't get blown off the trails.

billydonn

Great pics, Yen! I'm the same as you... I much prefer coolish weather to hot. Even gloomy and gray weather is good for me. Unfortunately right now around here cool is bringing her friend wind.