Another solo ride. Seem to do a lot of those.
Los Angeles suburbs to above Crystal Lake in Azusa Canyon. 48 miles roundtrip, at least 5000' of gain, 2hr 11m up, average 10.2 mph or so.
Descents have started to scare me, as I get older. Maybe that's good. Above 40mph I reach for the levers and start squeezing hard. Also those tall frames I ride have always had a tendency to start that self reinforcing fork/headtube death wobble at high speed. Frightening.
Todays adventure started out good. Most of the ride is closed to vehicles, despite smooth, dry pavement. Felt strong here after 5 days straight of big climbs. Above 4000' the forecasted desert winds set in, with long hard gusts of 40-45 mph. Up high, on some favorably oriented stretches I coasted UP a 5% incline! That's a first. Won't mention how it felt when the wind was dead on the nose.
Looking down canyon about half way thru the descent.
The high point was here, right before a corner around which the wind howled
so strong that all further progress was impossible. Really, I tried.
Back down by the cryptic sign.