Biker395 

A couple of weeks ago, I was finally released from my docs with "no restrictions" (my neck doc jokingly told me that kickboxing was out for a while). I was going to wait to go through a couple of weeks of PT before starting the cycling up in earnest, but the PT got delayed and I got impatient. I had enough atrophy for one year. I had done a few lunch rides of 15 miles and 1000 feet or so, and that felt OK.

So my friend and I went out for a ride Saturday. We were gonna visit my Mom afterwards, so we decided on a ride in the Santa Monicas. There was a small chance of rain, but the weather and temperatures looked pretty good (high 50s to low 60s).

OMG was it nice to finally get outside! The weather was a mix of clouds and sun, and it was super clear outside. Just beautiful.

My first mistake was not planning a route. Maybe it was the few beers I had with my bud the night before. I figured we would just go out and do what made sense. We went up and down Old Topanga and did the Fernwood Pacific/Saddle Peak climb. At the top, there is an absolutely awesome view where you can see the Santa Monica Bay, Palos Verdes, Downtown, an a lot of the San Fernando Valley.


Awesome views.

She's pointing towards downtown.

My friend got one of me too.






After that, we headed down Stunt and over Mulholland to the Rock Store climb. At the Rock Store itself, Indian Motorcycles was giving test rides. OMG, I was tempted. Their west coast representative was there, and she was a fun chat.


We wanted to do the Rock Store climb for two reasons. First, it is a beautiful and great climb. Second, it was closed to motor vehicle traffic. Bicycles and pedestrians only! Boy was that a treat. And the view from the top was awesome.


The iconic hairpin turn at the top of the Rock Store climb.

Now here is where I think I made my mistake. From here, there aren't a lot of choices. If you go down to Pacific Coast Highway, you have to climb back up, and it is a long climb. But at the same time, it seemed to me that the winds should be in our favor heading East, and it would be warmer down at the beach, so we went for it. We took the shortest route ... Encinal. And got rained on halfway down. It was a light rain, though. The view from Encinal is great.


Zuma beach, Pt. Dume and Palos Verdes in the distance. It was ridiculously clear!

I was hungry (again), so we stopped for slices of pizza and headed out for our climb back up. Latigo is one of my favorite climbs, and it didn't disappoint. But oy ... after 2 months off and a lot of atrophy, I was not used to that much climbing. I was able to climb up Latigo all right ... but it took longer and hurt more than usual. And it was getting late. Would we be finishing in the dark?


Beautiful Latigo Canyon

Biker395 

It was warm in the Sun and still beautiful, though. I love riding through this Canyon.



Stopping on Latigo

We got to the top of the Rock Store Climb just as the Sun was going behind us. What a view. Check out my friend doing the descent.


Awesome.

The rising full moon ...

Now all we had to do was get back to the car before it got dark. No major climbs, but a lot of smaller ones. One after the other. I still had power in my legs, but it was waning. Ugh. We got through Cornell and to Agoura Road. All we had were some short climbs and one longer one over the top of Malibu hill to get back to the car.

It was that climb up Malibu Hill that really got me. It was getting pretty dark, it was getting cold, and I was bonking. Oh yea ... now I remember what this is like. Ugh, ugh ugh. I was so tired that when we finally got to the top and it was all downhill to the car, I got confused. Let's see ... do we take Parkway Calabassas or Calabassas Road back to the car. If I made a mistake, I'd have to climb back up, and I was toast ... didn't know if I could do that. I stopped to check out a phone map. Turns out we were only a tenth of a mile from the car and all downhill.

I was so tired, it was hard loading the bike in the car. And I couldn't wait to eat. We went straight for the Corner Bakery and I had whatever looked good. In this case, a heated up cinnamon roll. Yum.

Oy, but it felt good to get outside. Felt good to spend the day with my friend. Felt good to ride. Hell, even kicking my ass felt good ... kinda. The hug from my Mom didn't hurt either.

Flip Flop Rider

great pics and a great day riding! The scenery there is wow

Wildwood 

Great pics. Super strong ride. You're back. be safe.

Biker395 

Thanks! I forgot to post a link to the route ...

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32085831

Iride01 

And yesterday I was feeling good about making my first ride since my accident last July. You sort of put my puny 25 miles to shame. <grin> And certainly I can't compete with the scenery in California. I've been north and south of the San Jose area along several hundred miles of hwy 1 and up to Lick Peak Observatory. With hills taller than the trees it makes for some excellent views. Here we have trees taller than the hills so all I could offer is pictures of pine bark!

locolobo13 

That looks awesome!

berner

I'm glad you found the ride rewarding after all is said and done. Let your ride serve as a reminder to all of us that experience wears out and must be refreshed from time to time. You will be wiser the remainder of this year.

BobbyG

I wish I made those kind of mistakes.

Mazel Tov on a successful recovery, on a successful ride and on all the beautiful people involved in all of it.

Just reading about your ride made ME smile.

jppe

That’s just crazy! And phenomenal!! Well done.

spjam

Wow! what a great story and what a beautiful scenic day. I live on a small island in New Jersey where it's flat flat flat. Congrats on getting back in the saddle again. And, thanks for sharing the pics.

JanMM

Excellent comeback ride!

woodcraft

Nice helmet.

Sore today?

Cyclist0100

Awesome! Those photos bring back memories, as I lived and rode in the LA area from 1999 to 2004. Glad to see you're back in the saddle again.

Biker395 

Thanks! I like it. I read some negative things about the clasp and it being too warm, but so far at least, it works great. I like the bright color.

Oddly enough, I wasn't that sore Sunday morning. The arms felt fine, and my neck actually felt better than when I started.

The best way to work the kinks out is to do a "recovery ride," so I went for a short 20 miler in the hood.

OldTryGuy

Reading a GREAT ride report always tires me out. I'm ready for a nap!!!

big john

77 miles with 9100 feet? A tough ride for most of us even "in shape".

diphthong

inspirational and double kudos. thinking that 9k+ of climbing had
more to do with the bonk than the mileage. you must have been feeling good to do fernwood cause that ain’t no easy pickins. rock store has it’s share of moments, mostly near the top. latigo is just long by sammo standards.

Maelochs

Great photos.

Biker395 

Thanks you guys!

Bad news yesterday. Looks like my friend got her bike stolen out of her garage. I've got backups I think will fit her if necessary.

Cougrrcj

Looking good Vic! I'd advise to not over-do it, but too late!!

Sorry to hear about the friend's bike theft. I'm sure you'll come up with some sort of work-around there...

Just keep plugging away!

Hondo Gravel

Cool pictures. Great motivator to get out and ride.

UKFan4Sure

Good to see you on that Schwinn. I saw the logo on the headbadge, and thought "Is he riding a SCHWINN???!!!!! No WONDER he's boinked!

But seriously, it's good to see the higher end Schwinn's now and then. I know now they are just a label, but still.... It's a reminder of what used to be.

I have a 2013 Paramount that is one of the stiffest and fastest bikes I have.

Carbonated

The speed of your recovery, especially considering the severity of the injuries you suffered, is nothing short of amazing!
Nice to see your pictures again - I lived in California for 10 years in my younger days and still have many fond memories.
Congratulations!