Spring Training March 3-10 - the Usual Suspects descend on SoCal
 

Early 2020, just before everything shut down 5 BFer's, tired of concrete skies, snow, sleet and rain decided to meet up in warm, sunny Arizona for a week of bike riding. It was supposed to be a great kick start to the cycling season. For some reason we thought renting an RV was the way to go, enabling us to move around Arizona for various rides. We wanted to make it an annual event, but COVID got in the way. By the spring of 2022 things were looking better, so, learning that an RV with 5 adults in it isn't the most comfortable way to go, we booked a Palazzo in Tucson and rented a BAT( Big A$$ Truck) that fit 6 in the cab and 6 bikes in the bed.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3916836f76.png

For some reason we didn't recidivate in 2023, but the Usual Suspects were contacted many months ago, and six agreed to add the first week of March 2024 to our dance cards. The next step was to determine where - the SF Bay Area was kicked around, Palm Springs, Tucson (again), but settled on SoCal as our target. @Andy_K, @SquireBlack and myself are flying down from Portland, Oregon. @rccardr, @Spaghetti Legs and @nlerner are flying in from the east coast. We decided that LAX was a good common denominator, with many flights at different times so we can coordinate our arrival.

We're hoping to coordinate with our SoCal brethren while we're in the area, meet for rides, dinner, and adding harbor pilots to enhance our riding experience. Here's our itinarary:

March 2 - we all fly into LAX, grab the BAT, and drive up to a AirBnB Palazzo in San Gabriel for two nights, where we'll be well positioned for...
March 3 - ...the monthly Rose Bowl ride. This was a natural, once we realized the dates would coincide with this ride, it was a no-brainer.
March 4 - ride the San Gabriel river trail to Sunset Beach. I was worried about having to come up with a route from near the foothills to the ocean, then remembered riding along one of the river trails several decades ago. We'll spend the night at a hotel there. Of course, we'll take turns matriculating the BAT downfield for the next 2 days.
March 5 - Ride from Sunset Beach to Carlsbad, where we've reserved another AirBnB Palazzo. We'll stay there through the following Monday, March 11 when we fly out. We'll have the BAT so we can drive an hour or so to ride starts. We've located a lot of good rides in the San Diego area online, but we're open for suggestions for anyone in the area who would like to join!
March 10 - Brian Bayliss vintage bike ride in San Diego.

I'm announcing this in advance so that our vintage bike brothers and sister in SoCal might have time to plan a meet-up, maybe lead a ride or two, and of course plan after ride calorie and hydration events. Post here or PM me if you're interesting in participating with the Usual Suspects for Spring Training 2024.

Might rain on our parade, but we're bringing Neal Lerner along for weather insurance.

That sounds awesome.

I highly recommend Baja-style fish tacos for after-ride calorie events. Outside of Baja (obviously!), LA and San Diego and the Inland Empire are the only place you can find proper examples.

Reads interesting, I rode to work today post a cold infection, four days off an I am knackered.

have to see next month if I can get the situation improved.

Don’t worry always on my list when I’m in SoCal, there’s a place in downtown Carlsbad, doesn’t even show up on the map - I hope it’s still there but we are staying nearby.

BTW Gugie Spring Break 2023 was the Touroica down to Paso Robles

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2c57d8a9d.jpeg

Even when it rains, it never rains on our parade.

I'll see you all at the Rose Bowl and Baylis rides, depending on schedule willing to meet and ride on other dates. I live in South OC on the coast.

The OC has our share of proper Baja style fish tacos as well! Happy to recommend a couple of spots.

I look forward to it! That Nor’easter really hammered us in Boston today. The scene in my backyard a couple of hours ago:

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9c3f93063.jpeg

Hopefully there nothing important out in the carriage house or, if so, you have snow shoes to get out there.

Btw, that would have caused a school cancellation here in Virginia

I'm in San Clemente. I'd like to ride with you a little as you make your way to Carlsbad.

Well, all schools and colleges WERE closed here today based on the forecast. Dang.

I'll catch you guys at the Rose Bowl ride .

The San Gabriel River Trail is my usual ride, I know that trail well . I'm sure I can tag along on that Monday ,I'll ride with you guys on the ride down to wherever you are staying . From the Foothills to Seal Beach is 38 miles .

Looks like Spring Training bypasses the bike lanes through South Central. I didn’t know San Gabriel was a city. I think I’ve had a great stack of pancakes in San Marino.
p.s. They close school for cloudy days?

I matriculated at Occidental College, Eagle Rock is a district of LA keeping Glendale and Pasadena separated. I had a part time job with San Gabriel's city and rec my freshman year, so I know my way around just a little bit.

This loop is part of a ride I used to do when I lived down in North county SD. It takes you by a number of nice places.

1. Board & Brew. Great sandwich shop. A location in 4S as well as Del Mar.
2. Rosinas. Wonderful Italian restaurant tucked into 4S known for their Lasagna. Get the Lasagna.
3. Some very ritzy areas in Rancho Santa Fe. Beautiful homes and gardens.
4. Del Mar the town and beach. Gorgeous.
5. Protected bike path that runs parallel to the 56 highway. The way back is admittedly not as nice as the way out in terms of views, however.
6. If you want to push yourself you can ride up onto the top of Torrey Pines State Park and enjoy an incredible view. Supposedly you're only allowed to bike up it, they're scared of tourists killing themselves on cruisers coming down the hill. I can't remember if I ever did bike up...if necessary it is possible to keep going and re-route to Sorrento Valley from the top.

Not too far away from 4S is a nice microbrewery called Urge in Rancho Bernardo. If you'd like I can re-route the google maps ride to include starting and stopping out of Rancho Bernardo. There is, of course, the RB Inn and Golf Course right there that you can eat at as well. Never been, so I can't tell you if it's worth the price.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/GCFphiTuumQumxsr9

I grew up there. (South Pasadena, actually,) The Rose Bowl guys may take you down Mission Street in South Pas so you’ll pass right by where my old bike shop used to be, right up the street from Fair Oaks Pharmacy (a soda fountain/tourist trap). I think they stop for coffee/lunch up the hill in Sierra Madre, another somewhat quaint historical town.

I have a zillion stories about South Pasadena, but I suspect you guys would only put up with more than a couple.

A bazillion years ago I’d ride down to Long Beach along the San Gabriel River bike path. (Back when the Spruce Goose was parked next to the Queen Mary.) That was a great ride- flat and the temperature moderates as you get closer to the ocean.

FWIW: I find that flying in & out of Burbank (aka Bob Hope) Airport is far easier than LAX. It’s much closer to San Gabriel too.

in san diego. have done the bayliss ride before and down to hit that flattie on 3.10. will drag out the ole '85 pinarello treviso. if y'all end up doing some san diego rides
in the am's before 3.10, interested in accompanying. cheers!

No doubt true, but the options for direct flights from points north and east are far more plentiful at LAX. sprawling PITA that it is.

Would be stoked to ride with ya'll.

The other rides on the continent all look great, but are sort of out of reach.

SoCal is very doable for me with a little planning.

Since we're renting a BAT, we'll get enjoy the LA freeway system.

Sorry; I should have mentioned y'all as well.
:)

Anywhere outside of the SD/LA/San Bernardino triangle has a hard time with fish tacos. Even Santa Barbara insist on grilled fish, which pales in comparison...

So, we're agreed on this being the pace of the rides then?

Depends on how much “matriculating” is going on.

I plan on an early season pace.

https://www.thatpizzaplacecarlsbad.com/
This was my go to place when I was stationed at Camp Pendleton in 79.