Happy clouds tonight made a drier ride tonight. It was fast. I set a new personal best smashing my 2015 best by 36 seconds. Wow. Perhaps the new 25 cc tires helped. Or the bagel and cream cheese this morning. Yup. Happy clouds.

More controlled burns today

GLENDORAPD: Forestry is conducting another controlled burn at Johnstone peak in case you see smoke in the Foothills. www.nixle.us/8YKAQ

It was a dark and stormy night. Heather arrived at the beginning of spluttering droplets. The clouds were grey and ladened with moisture. We waited a few minutes and the droplets decreased. Look to the blue sky in the south. We rode. We rode up the mountain in spite of the wet. I didn't think of my camera in the bento bag. It got too wet near 11.39. Downhill was scary. The brakes were hydro planing. The droplets harder and faster. It was the slowest descent. Lightening flashed. Thunder cracked over head. Finally back at my house the clouds let loose the hardest rain. I wiped down my bike.

Panorama from Saturday

Perfect weather for a ride. Glendora Ridge Road mile marker 3.44.

Where was I?

Road to Crystal Lake opens today

GLENDORAPD: Forestry is doing a controlled burn at Johnstone Peak (northeast of Glendora) today. www.nixle.us/8YGKT

From Matt ... This guy went over the side last nite and told us a good Samaritan pulled him out! His car is hanging by a thread!

It was a "Helle" sunset tonight on a deliciously warm evening. I enjoyed the moment to relax and soak in the striation of the clouds. the wisps of moisture created nuances of color across the floating canvas.

A marvelous Danish athlete named Helle from Dubai stayed at our house for the San Dimas Stage Race. Her fascination of California skies combined with her desire to capture the moment of waning sun included her standing in the middle of Bennett Avenue for the perfect angle of sunset. Although she left over a week ago, it was her newness and delight that caught me tonight. It was a Helle Sunset. 

Heather on the Monday Night Ride. Lots of great stories. Horse camping. Santa Barbara wild flowers. The home projects. It feels like a month since I saw you.

Saturday's ride to Glendora Ridge Road mile marker 1. Warm pleasant day. The winds kicked up past the top of Monroe. "Baldy, you are my destiny. But not today."

 Road down to first saddle with the thought of doing a repeat. The mind was willing but the legs were not. Great ride. Plenty of people on the road. Relaxed the rest of the afternoon.

Friday was cool with clouds. The hillside was brilliant yellow of the non-native Spanish Bloom. I used a big gear like aerobic squats.

Big Dalton water release photo 3 from Matt Maher

Big Dalton water release picture 2 curtesy of Matt Maher

Big Dalton released water today

I am amazed at the courage of men and women who participate in bicycle races. While most envision crossing the finish line there are those who face a. Less successful outcome. One lady Lauren crashed within sight of the finish line and fighting the race of her life. Keep tabs on Lauren here: https://wolfpacklauren.wordpress.com/
Her bravery is worth tracking on a long road to recovery.

Wednesday Rides

Bill rode Wednesday in the morning to the first saddle. The hillsides are green this year.

The clouds grew and covered most of the sky by the evening time. Still the road was dry. The air moist and the legs were willing. I chose a bigger gear and pushed my way up the mountain. I was pleased as my final time was 2 seconds off my personal best from last year. Two seconds. I think back to where I could have pushed a bit harder. I am happy. My inspiration comes from Alice who works out six days a week. Her performance has motivated me to exercise almost daily. Another tip I received from Helle a pro cyclist from Dubai was to stretch after each ride.

San Dimas Stage Race - Criterium - Pro-Men

Turn 4. Janier Acevedo of Jamis in the yellow jersey.

Turn 5. Chris Horner in black/purple/green/white.

Turn 5. Janier Acevedo.

Bonita Avenue. Final laps. Chris Horner in the middle of Jamis team.

Sprint winner for stage 3. Alfredo Roderiguez of EP Cyclists.

San Dimas Stage Race

The Road Race of the San Dimas Stage Race is a very technical course. A moment of distraction can happen and suddenly one might be intimate with the pavement. "This is not about Last Place" about Taylor Phinney's struggle with his physical abilities during an Italian Road Race is apropos for today and for those who rode their hearts out on a lonely struggle to catch up.

My next bike. A cannondale with a booster

Bonelli

San Dias Stage Race Day

SDSR Time Trial Favorites

Here are a few favorite riders from today's race

Gibson Kinley - Who was that Pro-Women's rider flying past me?

Helle - Team SAS. 

GMR is the flat lands to Pro-Men's GMR TT Winner Janier  Acevedo.

Janier Acevedo whizzing by at speed of light.

 Kristen Armstrong rocking up GMR to Win the Pro-Women's GMR Time Trial.

 Lindsay Bayer of team Hagens Bergman on the road.

 Stephanie Team SAS Macogep Acquisio Presented by Mazada. She's the top of her class.

Chris Horner - Winner of SDSR 2004 - GMR Time Trial. This mountain road feels like old times to me.

SDSR GMR Time Trial 2016 Photos

San Dimas Stage Race GMR time trial. The valiant efforts by all those who rode their hearts and lungs out were captured on my camera. The photos can be requested by emailing bill@mccusker.org. I have approximately 3500 photos and will post some top picks in the next few hours if dinner doesn't catch me