Day 3

With the threat of rain for the next day or two, we decided to head south in hopes that we’d miss the rain coming from the north. We made our way south taking the same bike path we had the previous day to get to the Rodondo Beach stage of the Tour of California. Passing by the finish circuit we were hoping to catch a glimpse of some teams out for a post-race ride. All we saw were huge Clif Bar banners.

While out riding we ran into some dude who flew over here from the UK to catch all the stages of the tour, man…that’s dedication. Really makes me appreciate how lucky we were to catch some of the stages. Of course, the ESPN coverage was horrible so hopefully people don’t judge the racing simply by that.

It was a mellow ride down and back with an intense 3-4 mile switch back climb. Matt and I did pat ourselves on the back since THE moment we got home, the skies opened up and unleashed the fury of the the storm.

Of course, what post-ride relaxing would be complete without a trip to the GhettoCuzzi

File Single Ride

Just remember to File Single Ride

Day 2

Day 2 was the first real day in the hills of Santa Monica. Matt and I headed north via the PCH and hit up the first major climb of the day…Topenga Rd. We got off the busier Topenga Rd for the road less travelled, Old Topenga Rd. On our way up we took a breather to capture some of the sights:

Next up was a turn onto the Mulholland Hwy. While travelling on the Mulholland we were passed by a train of VW R32’s of which only like 500 or so were made in the US. THEN by a fleet of Ferarrii, Lamborginii, and a Lotus. Nutso!

The people around these parts certainly know how to eat, although I have to question their reasoning on throwing away a near full tub of wholesome goodness

After a little meeting with Mr Mechanical, we climbed some more to one of the highest points in these here parts. We headed up Piuma Rd where they must have had some race or hill climb since the road was nicely marked as to how far we had to go:

I would now like to present to you the play “Mr. Mechanical: A Tragedy in Three Parts”

Act I: The Culprit

Act II: The Damage

Act III: The Repair

After our trip through the mountains we took it easy and took a mellow trip to Stage 7 which was only about 13 miles from where we’re staying. We got lots of clif bars and saw guys go really fast

Day 1

Day one has ended and I sit with over 5.5H and just shy of 100 miles in my legs here waiting for Day 2 to start. The weather yesterday was good with a nice mixture of cool weather coming off the pacific coast and the sun shining down. It wasn’t super warm as I had to take my arm warmers on and off a couple of times. I was feeling out of step since my bike was in complete disarray. I had inadvertantly wrapped the tops of my bars wrong, and to top if off, I had a super stiff link in my chain that caused me to only be able to pedal every thrid rotation. I loosened the chain up with all my might be each time it eventuall became stiff yet again. A good hour of limping brought us to the 6th stage of the Tour of California.

After the last lap we headed in search of a bike shop. They fixed the stiff link only for it to act up a again a couple of times during the 2.5H ride home. Once home, we quickly changed and headed off the nearest bike shop for a new chain and cassette. There goes my quickly earned bike swap money.

Hopefully today will be a better day…

Maybe someday…

…when I have more time I’ll be cool enough to try this.

Wow…just wow…

The <descriptive noun> of some people:

A.M. riding has been great. I roll up to a red and sit patiently when I notice movement from my left. Hmmm, a large lady waving at me. I pull the soothing sounds of guttermouth from my ears and say hi. “Your setting a bad example for my kids by not wearing a helmet.” I calmly look at her and say, “your setting a bad example for your kids by being so over weight.”

On that note, I’m off to LA! For some fun, sun, and suffering. Hopefully catch the last two stages of the Tour of California and then ride myself silly for the next couple of days along the hills of California! .w.o.r.d.

Adelphia Gran Prix Bike

This has to be one of my favorite videos for a couple of reasons…first, it’s painful to watch…secondly b/c my buddy Todd won the race (green kit, white helmet). This was from a couple of years ago, I crashed out early and got to see everything first hand…

The 30 minute test

I didn’t think it was possible, but it is….30 minutes of climbing….with a nice kick in the pants towards the end! Welcome to my fitness assement route!

Commuters

Yes, three posts in one evening…you can tell I’m tired since I’m rambling…

The commuters around here crack me up. The moment they see another person on the bike they immediately kick it into high gear and try to prove they’re super-commuters or something. I guess it’s their way of kicking sand in your face.

So, a commuter and I were heading for the same bike path entrance after my workout today, but from opposite directions. He sees me and immediately kicks it up a notch. He goes zooming down the hill and onto a 2 mile flat section. I maintain my rate of speed (note: this is right before the climb in which I forget who I am and how to do simple arithmatic) and after about 1/2 mile of this herculean effort, the commuter realizes that he’s about the be passed. He doesn’t give up though, he immediately latches onto my wheel and says “Hey, I’m not going anywhere d00d”. I don’t really say anything to this…I was more amused by his choice words than anything..

Needless to say, I didn’t see him at the top of the hill on the other side of the bridge.

The bonk

Did you know you could bonk after only 1:45H? I certainly didn’t! I had just finished up my workout for the day and needed…nay…WANTED :-/ to get in some more hours. So, I hop off the Island across the 90 bridge and into Seattle. I was a little run down but man, when I had to start climbing the other side of the bridge I began to see spots and my vision was a little off.

But, fortunately, my sense of self-preservation had been shut off during the bonking episode so I continued merrily around the south end of the lake…for an additional 1:30H of suffering. It’s amazing how one little slip up with your diet (note to self: Licorice is not a good mid-afternoon power food to get you through your workout) can totally throw your evening off.