iamtim

I'm bored. I'm at work, too, so do I engross myself in PHP code? No, no, I turn to the Southern California forum on bikeforums.net where I ask the following question:

What, in all your cycling, has been your favorite personal cycling moment?

For me it was my first climb to the top of Turnbull Canyon Road. We'd just done a semi hilly route over East and West roads in La Habra Heights, over Colima and Hacienda, and up Turnbull. I granny geared the whole way and thought it would never end, but eventually I reached the top and was blown away by the view.

And then came the descent.

Yeah, baybee.

caligurl

the thing that IMMEDIATELY popped into my head... finishing breathless agony the first time.... i'm sure as i sit here contemplating.... i will come up with other answers... but that was the "head pop" answer!

roadfix

For me and I'm sure for many others as well, it was finishing my first century (100mi). I finished my first century in 1993 I think.....the Solvang Century.

voltman

Crossing the line (from the wrong direction) at Cool Breeze.

blue_nose

Ya, thinking about this, I would say finishing my first Century (Palm Springs) was my best memory.

Also, I think climbing my first real mountain pass was special for me as well. I climbed up the General Sherman hwy in the Sierras a few years ago for the first time and look back on that as my first really "epic" ride.

voltman

Tied for second is finishing the first day of the MS ride last year, and watching them roll out my just-built bike for the first time.

caligurl

hmmmmm... yes... that was a great moment too! my very first century! (seems like eons ago... yet it was really just about a year and a half ago!!!!) in addition... for me... finishing the "king of the mountains" series this year!

caligurl

oh crud! ya.... seeing ruby the first time! (SEE! i told you i'd think of more favorite moments!)

jsigone

my favorite moment was during my first XC race at Sagebrush in Lake Moreno, SD. I rode over 21 miles, 2300ft of climbing, DH was the best ever and won the race in my class by 7 minute lead. I finished the race just under 2 hours.

BigSean

Just happened last week, getting back on my bike after an injury that kept me off the bike for 3 months.

jschen

I have a top three list.

#1: Jan 22, 2006. Completed three climbs of Palomar (South Grade, East Grade, South Grade) on my final training ride leading up to the Pie ride. Despite Santa Ana winds whipping up some windy conditions, I set new records in distance (70 miles), vertical (11-12k feet), and ride time (7:40). It was more than double the vertical and two hours longer than my previous record ride. It's still the most vertical I've ever done in a day and the second longest ride time. Spent the day tapping out a relaxed endurance tempo that I felt I could keep up forever. This was my first "epic" ride. It will always hold a special place in my cycling memories. (ride report)

#2: Nov 26, 2005. First successful climb of Mt Baldy Rd. Took me 2:45--I reported 2:50, but my timing points were different--but I finally made it. I had to reconsider my goals since my main goal for 2006 was to climb Mt Baldy. Later that day, I set a goal of 2 hours for 2006. (In December, with my second climb clocking in at 2:13, I lowered the target to 1:45. My current best is 1:56.) Mt Baldy was a goal of mine from the day I got my bike because my parents live right at the bottom of the mountain. Being a couch potato, once I found out how long and high the climb is, I initially thought climbing Mt Baldy would be years away. I will never forget how it felt to stand atop a big climb for the first time a mere four months after I started cycling. (ride report)

#3: Jan 28, 2006. BikeForums Pie ride. My first century. Didn't finish the route, but reached the 100 mile mark. My first "event" ride. With about 9000 vertical feet climbed that day, I ended up with over 20k vertical feet for the week thanks to my other epic ride that week (see #1). Thanks to a great group of people, this is probably the most fun I've ever had on a bike. (ride report)

cyclezealot

This is a difficult question. So much of my cycling is good. I guess to categorize.
For endurance. When I completed that last difficult climb coming into Eureka, NV after riding 119 miles. For scenery. I guess that last beautiful descent exiting Big Sur, heading towards LA.

my58vw

Agreed - Recreation - Tour of Palm Springs last year 100 mile

Racing - First time placing in a sprint finish

cyclezealot

Cycling moments are particularily memorable , when just before your prized moment, you wonder if you can finish. That was my feelings entering Eureka, Nevada.
I guess a second runner up would be riding around the hills of Burgundy, looking down on my favorite Pouilly Fume grapes, thinking -I'll have one of those in a bottle, when I get back to the hotel.

saharvey2

On our honeymoon, my wife and I rode our tandem from Allegany State Park to Niagara Falls. The first day out was supposed to be a short 14 mile ride to Ellicottville. I made a wrong turn; we ended up heading south instead of north. After climbing a 1500 ft pass with an 80+ lbs trailer in tow, I got my bearing straightened out. The short ride ended up being 40 miles, 7 miles on a NY freeway. Into the final stretch, the sun had set, we didn't have lights. We were both tired. I was completely worn out, yet I was riding has hard as I could, trying to get us to our B&B. Then, my wife rubs my back and says, "don't worry babe, we'll get there when we get there." In that moment, I knew that everything was going to be OK for the rest of our lives.

Mr. Beanz

My best cycling moment would be the second year I did Ride Around the Bear. Previous year, I did and was happy to complete it without having to pull over and puke. Second year, my goal was to shed an hour off my time. I did take off 58 minutes. Would have been an hour but on one of the last turns, I made a bad shift and my chain popped of. Took a couple of minutes to get it back on!

Oh well I did it in 7:40 total time and 7:05 ride time. Was #123 out of the 400. Was great to be a 220lb clyde and beat a bunch of skinny people at their own game!

Second best is when I upgraded the components on my Cannondale to Dura Ace, built my own wheels and the bike has been perfect since! Nothing is better than gliding down the road, looking down between my legs at the sparkling spokes and thinking to myself,"Yeah, I built these MOFO's"!

merider1

Two most memorable because I can't decide which one brought tears to my eyes the most:

1. the second day of the MS 150 Bay to Bay last year around mile 30, riding next to one of my past favorite riders, feeling a sense of accomplishment - knowing that I was actually making a difference while experiencing the pure joy of riding along the coast watching the waves crash (how lucky was I?).

2. four miles from the finish line on my very first double century this past June, sitting cross legged in the parking lot of a fire station on PCH sobbing while changing my tire, too tired to not cry and too determined not to finish. Kermit (from the LA Wheelman) drove out to pump my tire since I just didn't have the energy to do it. He offered to drive me to the finish line since I was so close. I refused, of course, and then started crying all over again when a) I watched the taillights of his truck disappear and realized that I had just passed up a golden opportunity, and; b) when I actually crossed the finish line and my friends, Glo and Alex, were there to greet and congratulate me. OH, and Kermit bought me a beer since I remarked at the fire station that I really wanted one. I didn't drink it until the next day, but I toasted to him silently when I did!

Mr. Beanz

Wow, that sounds great.I'm doing an ez year this year, but plan to do the double century thing. Just enough for the Triple Crown! Depends on how long I can keep Gina (my wife ) riding. Might try some organized centuries with her if she wants. If not, I'll do the TC. She says even if she does do the centuries, I still should go for it! I'm in no rush, but I know that I'm doing it! Might even throw in the Polka Dot jersey figuring if I'm in shape enough to do the doubles, the KOTM should be a breeze!

Congrats opn the doubles. Did you do the Triple Crown?

merider1

Thank you. No, I've only completed one double thus far, but I would like to try for 3 crown next year. Definitely a goal, but really I just love to ride and am so easily convinced to do anything, it's likely I'll be foolish enough to try the triple century next year. I have a friend who is teasing me (to get me to do it) and my ego may just get the better of me!

Tiffanie

This was an emotional read. Thank you for sharing!!

merider1

Thank you, Tiffanie. It was an emotional ride for me, one I'll never forget.

dangerman

BF baldy ride two week ago. Awesome. I had an epic battle with dave, my riding partner from the village back to the car. He was stronger on the climbs, and I smoked him on the descents.

I'm just sorry we showed up late. We were last off the hill too since we got separated from our fast guy on a heavy, slow bike. He's finally upgrade his 35 year old 40 lb cross bike to a raliegh competition, and should be fast(er) now.

SDRider

Finishing my first Century last Saturday.

merider1

Congrats. Which Century?

Nachoman

#1 was my first century. #2 was my second century. #3 was my third century. I try to do one century ever summer.