Where's Waldo

On Stage 7 of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California Bill and I had our spots staked out. Our easy up was set up at the shed and the shade was much appreciated by folks. It was a long hot day and spending every minute in the shade was key to survival. I had a few queries from family members where we were. The official cameras caught us on Glendora Mountain Road just below the shed on the way to the second King of the Mountain. Can you find us now?

Yahooie!

Rare event. Rode my bike to the shed. Met Ray, Ron, Edge and Gary. Gosh so good to ride far and see your buddies. Yes, Ray there is a MIA.

Thursday Ride

My last words to Bill were, I don't expect to see anyone, so I will be back early. Wrong! What a laugh. Eric breezed down the mountain and shouted hello. Then two others blew by me as I stood and received the hiking low down from Matt by Big Dalton Canyon.

I caught up with Wayne and decided to enjoy the chat with the pedalling. We saw three CHP officers two on motorcycles standing and chatting at the inside bend at mile marker 10.49. I piped up and asked if everything was ok. They said they were handing out tickets to cyclists breaking the speed limit climbing up the mountain. I laughed and stated I wanted one!

Rode with Wayne to Newman's. The miles passed quickly with someone else to talk with. I was pressed for time. I did the calculation if I averaged 24 mph I could get home in 20 minutes 30 at the latest. I screamed down the mountain. But as I approached the Feedzone, I thought about the bears I encountered on Monday. I slowed down half hoping to see a lumbering black furry body scampering across the road, When suddenly a tawny long legged dear hopped across the road. I am glad I had slowed down. I was moving to quick to get a picture. Wow! Wildlife twice in the same week. I made it home safely.

Just when you think

Busted my lungs, beat up my heart and pounded my legs tonight. Big need to relieve a whole of Monday stress. Finished my time trial with a decent time. Cooled down and pedaled farther than I normally go. Went just past the wall to the point where I call it the "Feed Zone". I had turned around standing near the stone wall. A small white Mazda backed up and the female driver said, "You know there are twp bears behind you." I turned and was floored. They weren't there a moment ago. The one bear headed over the side and down the hill. The other walked about.

Bill in Baldy

The big news on Saturday was Bill riding triumphantly into Baldy Village. Sitting on the steps of the store by the Lodge I waved him in for a sit down in the cool shade of the overhang. We had our individual adventures getting there. Bill asked about the couple he had launched me with at the shed. I laughed. They were professional riders. I lasted 30 seconds max. He cooled his heels then a stop by the fire station sign before heading out of town. We stayed fairly close on the way back. I enjoyed the sights, sounds and smells of the rolling alpine section. It is the less traveled part of the road for me. I needed to drink it in. Remember the green and shade as the ride back has hot stretches of sun and no wind to cool. Parts of me complained about the lack of riding during the week. Those parts got a out tonight, the first Monday night ride in a long time. For Ray this was a Yahooie night.

Baldy Back to Back

Two weekends of rides to Baldy. Yipee. Here is a tiny snake barely the width of the white line road marker Bill and I saw on the way back.

GMR Road closed on July 4th

GMR Road closed on July 3rd morning. Closed all day on July 4th. Reopens by 10:00 am on July 5th.