9/17/06 Ride Report - Upper San Gabriel River *PICS*
 

Nothing crazy exciting as I'm still somewhat a newbie and have yet to rack up the amazing climbing/century/pie/etc. stories you guys have.

I've been riding this trail for the past few days and thought I'd lug around my camera this morning on my ride and snap some pics. The San Gabriel River Trail starts at the base of the foothills in Azusa (Hwy 39) and runs all the way down to Seal Beach. I will refer to the section I ride as the "Upper" section, as I usually park my car at the Sante Fe Dam recreation area and ride up and back down (9 miles each way). Going up towards the mountains is obviously slower than descending, but there aren't any serious climbs except for the intermittent short hill/ramp/etc. The trail ends at a housing tract at the foot of Azusa Canyon, but there's usually a nice stream/river flowing through that makes for a relaxing break before turning back. I haven't ventured too far south yet into the mid-section as I've ridden it before with my mountain bike and there are some questionable areas (gang/transient activity).

Anyways, enough logistics. As I have to get out and back home before the commander and the lil munchkin awake from their beauty sleep, I arrived at just before 6 a.m. in time to catch daybreak. I commended myself over and over again for getting a pair of arm warmers the day prior as it was quite chilly out. Combined with the fact that due to a mysterious Asian gene, I have absolutely no hair on my arms. I appreciate that as a conversation starter and a way to get a female stranger to caress my arms in awe and wonder (during my single days), but on a chilly morning, I see it as minus a few points on the insulation scale.

On to the ride itself - a somewhat relaxing, unspectacular 36 miles (did the back/forth twice). There were a good number of riders out, some in their full-out race kits, but I felt no need to flex my competitive muscles due to self-awareness of my still-newbie/turtle status. Besides, they wouldn't see me as a threat with my running shorts hiding a pair of padded cycling boxers. (I have yet to be comfortable wearing the tighties - and no, it is not because of "packaging" issues) I did manage to drop a little boy on his Schwinn with tigers on it, as well as a good number of joggers and walkers, all of whom were unsuspecting. Call me the stealth dropper. Anyways, for those who are interested in numbers, 36.4 miles in 2h15m (not counting photo times) for a 16.2mph average.

Enough talk - let's see some pics.


The Santa Fe Dam loop -

http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/95884628-L.jpg



Entering the natural wilderness area -

http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/95884625-L.jpg


Thankfully there's a wide shoulder on each side of the road - or else if one were to fall, they'd be plucking these suckers out for awhile . . .

http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/95884626-L.jpg


Wilderness area continued . . . -

http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/95884633-L.jpg


Dirty pedal -

http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/95884627-L.jpg

The river towards the end of the trail -

http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/95884629-L.jpg


Some water shots -

http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/95884631-L.jpg

http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/95884632-L.jpg

http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/95884630-L.jpg



This was right before I jumped back on the bike and bunny-hopped over the rocks into the river for a quick wash/dip before heading back. Or not. :p Thanks for reading - happy riding!!


http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/95884636-L.jpg

That looks great, I love the first open road sho. Looks like an ideal road to cycle

Luwin. Thanks for pics. Just Seeing Calif. In spite of the gangs. While it's awesome here , just seeing Calif., makes a Californian a little homesick. Looks great. Rivers full of water tho in Sept.?
Question. Often we cyclists like a close up of the bike. Can't make out its make?

By the way, thats a pretty clean pedal ;)

nice pics. what camera?

Wow, those are really nicely done! I especially like the water shots, slow-ish shutter speed?

apart from the "hard" look - as if ;) - you've got some nice pics.

one question: do you actually ride your bike, or just use it as a prop in your pics?

:D

Nice Shots! Usually during my rides I seldom have the time to stop and compose pictures, else I get dropped :)

I suppose if I rode by myself...

So where do you turn around on your out and back? I rode from Seal Beach to Azusa just before New Years this year (mother-in-law in Seal Beach, sister-in-law in Azusa) and I clocked 36 miles for the ride. It was a great ride but my in-laws were timing me...if I hadn't arrived within my "window" they were going to figure that the gangs got me! Interestingly, I clocked 2:18...if I'm ever out there again (with my bike) I'll let you know since we appear to ride a similar pace! The trail was so smooth and the absolute worst part was riding along Foothill Blvd to Todd...all those big pine trees with their roots that have pushed up the street near the edge. Almost took a spill with I hit the first set of those washboard bumps!

One my purposes in riding alone, when I do, is to good some great shots. But, then gang worries is not a concern here.

Looks like an Spec Allez sport to me.

First they look at the bike.! thanks. FIrst impression an aluminum frame.

Thanks for the comments, guys. For clarification, this was the only time I've ever brought a camera with me on a ride (it's a bit on the bulky side), and as I had planned on this one being a more relaxed one and it looked to be a nice day, I figured I'd snap some shots.

The bike is a Specialized Allez Sport as JaredMcDonley had correctly observed.

The camera used is a Canon G5. The water shots are done with a slower shutter.

dstrong - I start at the Sante Fe Dam, ride up to Azusa, turn back to Santa Fe, and do that twice.

Very good with the camera, thanks for sharing.

No water bottles ?

Nice pics, what do you use to prop the bike up?

Water bottles temporarily set aside for the pics.

Alloy bottle cage used to support the pedal to hold the bike up. Little rock wedged under the front tire to prevent it from swiveling.

time to show us your tripod and camera ?

Wow, you take nice pics. :)

Excellent camera work -- beautiful shots. Hope you enjoyed the riding, too!

The bike looks sad as if it went on a ride w/o you!

Luwin-
You appear to be a very skilled photographer! Nice long exposure w/the classic running river pics, great exposures, etc etc. Nice report!