jonathanf2

Just did a quick 17 miles today to test out my revamped gravel 2x drivetrain. I went back to 2x from 1x. I missed the closer gear ratio and the higher top end speed with the big chainring. I also immersive waxed my chain, and got the FD shifting near perfect!

malcala622

2 rides today to and from work. Felt good both times and quicker. Probably helps that I lost 35 pounds this year.





Had to rush home to try on these puppies. Torch 1.0 in teal and white.

SoSmellyAir

I was going to ride this morning but got caught up with work that took longer than expected. Thank goodness. One of the giant blimp hangars is burning down and there is asbestos in the air.

Home - Orchard Hills School 2022 (tustin.k12.ca.us)

No biking in my area for at least the rest of this week.

jonathanf2

Yikes! The air quality is already bad with the fall pollen, dust and other pollutants in the air. Everyone I know is on Claritin including myself!

Eric F 

25 fake miles yesterday. I hate the time change.

jonathanf2

Friday morning ride! I only had about an 1 hour of pedal time (kids have Friday off from school), so I stayed local and did 13 miles. I hit a nice 22% grade street in the area as well. Now that my gravel bike is back to 2x, I don't feel like taking my road bikes out, mainly because I can maintain some decent high gear speed. I also added some new gravel bike bar tape!

TakingMyTime

33 miles from the main lifeguard station at Bolsa Chica to the Shake Shack south of Crystal Cove. I finally got my NDS crankarm back from it's power meter repair and was able to ride the Canyon Endurace again. After riding my Trek FX for 3 weeks the Canyon felt like I was floating on air.

SoSmellyAir

Sweet-looking tape! Looks long enough for "aero" tops too, which I need for mine. Link?

jonathanf2

It's not the highest quality bar tape. It tears easy if you're not careful. Surprisingly though it has decent cushioning. I took it gravel riding today and it absorbed the small vibrations no problem. Stayed cleaning looking as well after being covered in dirt!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BCQ552FQ...t_details&th=1

jonathanf2

Saturday dirt climbing over by Glendale Sports Complex/Cherry Canyon. Sunday did 32 miles and 2800 feet of climbing over at Griffith Park. Seriously I don't know why I went 1x with my gravel bike? 2x is so much better for mixed surface riding in LA. If I was exclusively only climbing the trails I'd go 1x + big cassette, but at that point why not just own a MTB? Plus I feel like I'm just getting a better chain line, shift performance and I'm able to really hammer the pedal on the flats with 2x gravel.

TakingMyTime

44 mile loop
Started at El Dorado Park and rode South on the SGRT to PCH. PCH to the SART North and got off at Taft/Ball road. Then Ball road West to El Dorado Park. The last 45 minutes were the worst, it started getting really hot out near Disneyland.and it was taking it's toll. During a couple of rest stops I was having a problem getting my HR back down where it should have been. It wasn't bad enough to worry about, but enough to monitor for the ride home.

Eric F 

Saturday...The Hot Dog Ride. 6 of us headed up Angeles Crest Hwy from La Canada, with the goal being snacking on a tasty hot dog and/or chili from the Cosmic Cafe at the top of Mt. Wilson. The Cafe closes after next weekend, and doesn't re-open until spring. One guy in the group was battling a respiratory issue, and pulled the plug at Clear Creek. Two others decided to turn around at Red Box. For the three of us that completed the ride, the dogs were great, and the weather was spectacular. 2.5 hours of climbing, and 1 hour of descending. 47mi, 5400' total.


Sunday...16mi gravel bike ride with an old friend and ex-teammate in the La Canada area (Flint Canyon, Cherry Canyon, and Powerline). Great to reconnect with someone I haven't ridden with in 20-ish years. I'm not-so-gently trying to push him into the rabbit hole of gravel bikes. He was riding a 2015 CX bike with 30mm slicks and road gearing, and this bike's limitations were pretty vivid, even on our mild route.

TakingMyTime

Did 31 miles from Newport Back Bay, Portola Road, Great Park, Shady Canyon (I'd like to once ride that grade when it's not over 85 degrees outside), then through UCI Campus and back to the cars. We took a side trip and went over to see the burning blimp hanger. I have to tell you, seeing that thing halfway burned down was incredible. When it was all in 1 piece you would just go by it and not really pay attention. But with being able to see the inside... it added a whole other dimension to the structure.

diphthong

two, less than 30 miles rides both in the greater san diego area in the last few days. just trying to get out before the mid/end week rains.

temps were in the low 70's. tackled a few, stiff grades but no significantly sustained climbs of more than a half mile. better energy than last week tho.

obviously not noteworthy, nor too exciting. a handful of new streets/roads. hopefully, more significant rides ahead rest of november and till the end of the year.

SoSmellyAir

Shady Canyon Trail (the part south of after Sand Canyon Ave. becomes Shady Canyon Dr.) is tough to climb and scary to descend because it is steep and bumpy and often has quite a few hikers. Every time I try to climb the gravel side I chicken out halfway and move over onto the paved side.

The rain on Wednesday (11/15/2023) doused the flames.

jonathanf2

On Thursday, I helped my buddy install a new cassette, chain and bigger chainring on his road bike. We then did a 23 mile ride and 2100 feet of climbing. Afterwards we grabbed some beers at the local bar with perfect outdoor seating for cyclists!

skidder

No riding or any 'heavy exertion' today, I got the new COVID vax and the RSV vax yesterday. Same reaction as previous vaccinations - the day after the vaccinations I get to feeling a bit 'flush' like a fever is coming on, then tomorrow (hopefully) I'll get up in the morning and feel fine. On-and-off rain for a few hours this morning, too.

I've got to get up Mt. Wilson again, I've only ever hiked up it (three times IIRC). With the rains washing out the atmosphere the view will be impressive on Sunday/Monday.

diphthong

amtrak from san diego (old town station) with a friend to oceanside and rode back. 35-miler. stunningly beautiful, low-70’s degree day along the coast. we were in exactly zero rush. took almost three hours to ride back and very briefly tickled heart rate zone 3.

malcala622

I must've been good this year cuz santa came early. Did some shopping during my lunch break and came away with a few items that I had to improvise to get home. Gift for myself and my 4 legged children plus the wife.

cweb99

30 miler from the Rose Bowl. Saw all the Turkey Torrters

jonathanf2

I did 2 Rose Bowl laps on Wednesday and 4 last Monday, plus some extra credit climbing in the San Rafael Hills. I used to think the Rose Bowl was boring, but I find if I mash on the pedals on the slight downhill section and spin like a mad man on the slight uphill, it's actually quite challenging. Though I have a bad habit of trying to chase all the other cyclists ahead of me and then I realize if they're going at a fast pace, I still need to put distance if I plan on passing them!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

malcala622

Have a safe and belly filling Thanksgiving everyone.

CAT7RDR

Spent the morning in Turnbull Canyon. And, why not? Perfect postcard day, low traffic and a lot of clubs out today.
Had planned on an easy stroll up to Santa Fe Dam area but the tight jersey advised me I had to burn off some fat.

2seven0

Sat. morning took a new section of road through Villa Park- crossed Santiago on Meats, went up the hill and turned onto Summit Ridge. Passed Rock Ridge (heard the railroad was goin through there) to E Cerro Villa. Left on CV up & around until it turns into Mesa. At the "T" turned left onto Loma then down Cannon. Some nice pads up in them thar hills.
Made my way down through El Modena then past the remains of the north Blimp Hangar. So sad to see a piece of history gone.
Oh well it was an absolutely beautiful sunny & breezy mornings ride.
Happy belated Thanksgiving all!
West

jsigone

completed November's hundo, I'm 11 for 11 so far. We ran out of daylight 10 miles from home. Had to have Uber wife to pick my friend and I up. He didn't have a front light for the ride and there are some downhills home that would be dicey to share lights home. Overall good ride, nearly bonked in the head wind section from Fallbrook to Oceanside (beach), and saved by tail wind along coast heading south. I haven't been riding much so making this type of route was hard to ride as all the climbing was done in the front 55 miles. Course climbing highlights, Highland Valley Road, Jesmond Dean, Circle R, Couser and Rice Canyon.

https://www.strava.com/activities/10281899784