Tour de Francis

I did the Tour de Francis this weekend with Adobo Velo … one of the friendliest and largest cycling clubs in SoCal. They do three TdFs over the year, each with a different route. This one was the winter edition, and follows one of my favorite cycling routes hereabouts. The roads are virtually empty, with great climbs, descents, and scenery.

We started early in the AM. The course starts with a 450’ descent from the parking lot, then climbs a number of ups and downs. That’s really kind of nice, because it is often rather chilly in the morning, and it’s nice to warm up. Great weather last Saturday, though … here is a look at the parking lot.



And a look at the hilly ups and downs at the start.







After the ups and downs are over, there is a long, gentle ascent up to Lake Elizabeth, where our first rest stop was. Apparently, a woman in a red truck drove in there and gave everybody a hard time about how we don’t belong on “their roads,” and that she was going to report us to the Highway Patrol. She also opined that she felt that way only for our benefit, as there was going to be a wake later that day, and it wasn’t safe for us to be on the road.

One of my friends told me that it was a good thing I wasn’t there. I think he’s right. I’ve really lost patience for that kind of nonsense, and would likely have told her so in no uncertain terms. I’d likely have done this to her with the PBJ I was eating.



Anyway, from the rest stop, we headed west through Pine Canyon, where there are even fewer motorists. It’s a steady climb, but not steep at all. And there are some great descents through there. There is also a cool farmhouse with chickens and goats running about (giving you another idea about remote the road is). I’ve seen foxes, bobcats, and all kinds of wildlife through here. And some awesome oak trees. Gawd, I love trees.



The route goes past the Ridge Route (back in the ‘20s, that was the main thoroughfare out of Los Angeles to the North), and down to the Quail Lake in the Antelope Valley for lunch. Adobo is a Filipino delicacy, so as you can imagine, we were well fed. After a bike it was back up into the mountains.


From there, we retraced the route back to the start … along with all the ups and downs. That included a looong descent.



And unfortunately (after nearly 100 miles), climbing up those whoop-de-doos.




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Beautiful day, though. The sun peeking through the clouds made for some great shadows.








And at the end, great food. Here’s my bud Steve having his way with a pork roll.






I’ve been a member of the club for a while, but haven’t bought a jersey yet. They handed out some T-shirts, though … so I’m now representing.





It is impossible to show how fun the descents are on this ride with still pictures. So here is a video of the course (heavily weighted to the descents). The really fun stuff starts at about 2:25. Enjoy!

Looks like a great day of riding.

Thanks for posting. The lady in the red truck sounds like one of those, "In fact, I DO own the damn road" people.

What a cool looking ride!

Beautiful pictures and great report, Vic, well done, as usual for you.

Bill

great report and pics, as always, Biker395

Good ol' Dire Straits.

Great video!

I've always wanted to do this ride but it's by invitation only and I can't get an invite. Vertical Bob told me that now you have to be a member of Adobo Velo to do this ride (yes, they let non-Filipinos join!). So I may have to join!

Looks like great fun and wonderful photos as alwasy Vic!

Rick / OCRR

that would have been a waste of a good PBJ.

A favourite of mine as well. Good music always complements a good ride. Kind of like a good bottle wine - not with the ride though.

Rick, from what I have heard and read about Adobo Velo, and Filipino clubs and riders in general, that would be a big plus for you. Our area has a large population of people from the Philippines, thanks to our Naval bases, and their record of fantastic service to our country, and I have had the pleasure and honor of attending some of their gatherings. Fantastic time and so much great food you could easily blow any diet out the door. Lots of friends from there, loyal, great friends for life, too. RBA has done some articles about clubs in the PI, and around your area, I'd be all for joining that fantastic group.

Bill

You've got that right!

BTW, Rick ... I know someone you could have asked for an invite. :-)

Adobo Velo has riders at almost every double I rode last year (I dont recall if there were any at the Eastern Sierra or not). They had a huge group at the Grand Tour last June

Saw a report post about their ride on the RBA Facebook page last week. Looked like everyone had a fantastic time at the event.

Bill