Sunday ride

Glendora's rain on Saturday was a bit chillier than expected.

New Cassette and Chain

The old chain had been popping and my favorite gear looked a bit shark finned. Replaced both on Saturday at Incycle. It was easy to stay and watch the Mountain Bike US Cup Women's Race recorded from the previous weekend.
I have been setting personal bests this month. April 13th I improved 6 seconds over my top 2014 time. Wednesday April 15th I improved 12 seconds (18 seconds total). Tonight April 22nd with the new cassette and chain and deliciously cloudy cool weather, I improved another 33 seconds (51 seconds total). Smiling.

Saturday Ride

Kim and Mike trekked 60 miles to ride on Glendora Mountain Road on their way to Baldy Village. Kim zipped past us as Joan, Matt and I stopped by the Experimental Forest Sign on Glendora Ridge Road at mile marker 2.45. Matt and Joan headed back home, while I pursued my quest for miles and altitude. The Reward Climb challenged my determination as it always does. I would ride past Mike in his mini cooper stopped in the shade of the mountain. He would zoom to the next point then wait for Kim to ride by. As a veteran SAG Support, Mike knew the best turn outs. I was three minutes behind Kim. and Mike and I played a tag relay up the Reward Climb.

Last Sunday, Shane avoided the glass in the road on his second trip up past the ranger station on GMR.

Elliptigo rider on GMR. This guy is working towards riding to Baldy.

GMR - Road Closed

Glendora Mountain Road (GMR) and Glendora Ridge Road (GRR) are closed due to Red Flag Warnings. Expect the Road to Reopen 4/17/2015.

Off Road Parking

One enterprising or lucky mustang driver managed to stay close to the road without drifting down the canyon. Kudos.

Saturday Adventure

(Updated 4/12/2015 with photos). The ride time approached faster than the temperature. It was cooler than last week and the muscles said Really? A Ride now? Let's just sit and digest that delicious breakfast of oatbran, walnuts, apple and poached egg. Wait, did I just smell bacon simmering in someone else's kitchen? Joan set a fast cadence and held it constant. A brief photo opp of the SDSR Jerseys. And the ride was on. The spinning legs felt ok. Perhaps they had whined enough. Keeping up with Joan my number one goal. Mentally when my mind wandered and the legs slowed down, I picked it up a notch. Closing in on the small deltas before they became too big. Perhaps the lube on my cleaner chain helped keep resistance to a minimum. Time to the first saddle included the stop for the photo taking. No surprises there. The time to the shed was all right.

A quick stop at the shed. Joan raced home. and I enjoyed a leisurely pace along Glendora Ridge Road. The goal Fork plus Four or more.

A shout out to Mark, Rick, and Greg. They were headed down as I headed up. Decision time came as Fork plus Four loomed in front of me. I didn't pause. I wanted to descend to Peacock Saddle the only question was where should I turn around. It was determination to get to Fork plus six. Saw the k-rail blocking the turnout. Then it was a hunt for a spot of shade.

Found a bit of wall to help organize me for the descent when a smiling Ron stopped by.

A shout out to Donna and Doug. Good to see you. I thought the descent was a bit chilly and when I arrived at the climb from Peacock Saddle to mile marker 4. It was a perfect temperature. Warming me for the rest of the ride.

After the last climb to mile marker 7, shouted out to Shane who was headed up with Mike.

I was nearly off the mountain when I spied a cyclist, Robert visiting from DC who needed help with his rental bike. Are you ok? Well not really. It was the second flat of the ride with only one tube. I had a tube and tire pump. Steve also stopped by to help.

Quite the adventure. It was good to get home.

Monday Night Ride

The afternoon was breezy and clear. The long sleeves of my blue jersey were a welcome warmth. The clouds were fluffy clusters on the far east horizon. The hope of a Tuesday rain.

Heather and I set a comfortable pace. I chose a bigger gear for strength training with a slower cadence. Tonight's goal was conversation.

I brought the warm Gore jacket, head band and knee covers. All much appreciated on the ride down. The calorie rate did not include the shivering.

Plan to ride at 7:30

The cool morning temperature quickly warmed up to a perfect April day. Heather, Bill and I started out for the ride up Glendora Mountain Road. We waited at Matt's while Bill went back and fetched his helmet. Heather stretched her back and calves as Matt chatted of weather and news of the road. As Bill returned I turned on my Polar bike computer for data feedback.

It felt early, starting at 7:30 am. The body not quite ready for the physical endurance, and the mind still blissfully asleep in bed. The legs reluctantly remembered how to move in circles. My center back pocket hosted a third water bottle.

Heather and I started chatting and our tempo started to open a gap between us and the menfolk. The talk helps distract the cognitive portions of the body so the climb felt easier beneath the wheels. As vehicles passed by, we single filed it. Catching up with the lead took an extra bit of effort. How easy to fall back and fall behind. Its a mental game. Fixie John with his new pink and grey bike turned around and rode with us.

Both MapMyRide and the Polar CS600 were taking measurements of our progress. Rarely did I hear the one mile announcements. The Polar had a good time to the first saddle, but then I remembered to add back in the five minutes of non-covered time. Doh.

After Newman's point, Matt and Mark caught up with us. Always nice to have new conversations.

The oasis of cut oranges, apples, bananas, snacks, water and Heed were hosted the All State Insurance agents. Marketing tasted oh so sweet.

Heather, Matt and I cycled on to the Experimental Forest on Glendora Ridge Road. Matt raced back for his errands while Heather and I rode on to the Point of No Return. Or Fork Plus Four.

Rescue support for the over the side vehicle.

Glendora Mountain Road. Car over the side at mile marker 7.