ill.clyde

Forgot to mention ... after I posted my miles today.

Had my first encounter with a dog (dogs) today in years. Was tooling down some backroad I hadn't been on before, doing a little exploring and a lot of climbing as it turned out, was coming down this hill freewheeling (my freewheel is super loud) and these dogs just started going nuts. Saw a big black one come off the front porch area and figured I'd be ok, because there was like a small hedgerow in between me and the dog ...

Nope, dog came charging through a small open spot and was really just giving me the business, barking, circling me ... so I slowed down, and kept the dog in my sights ... kept slowing down and the dog kept barking ... when he finally appeared to be questioning what he was doing I summoned my best loud voice and shouted "GO!" and pointed away ... and he shut up and was confused ... so I did it again ... and he finally backed off and went back toward his home. I slowly coasted away, keeping an eye out behind me.

Owner never came out ... I'd been thinking about getting some dog spray or even bear spray but had put it off. I hadn't had any dog issues this year, and this one wasn't even that bad. Gave me goosebumps on my leg though as I rode away ... might be ordering that spray after all

jsigone

Good to be in SoCal again!! Today was Los Osos to Santa Barbara, 122miles n 5k vertical

Hopefully another solid performance tomorrow

jsigone

I'm officially done with my tour. I've used up the time I allotted to myself. I miss my family dear. I came up about 85 miles short of my goal to Oceanside. I'm at peace with this and it's not worth riding in the dark beyond LBC or even on Camp Pend.

My legs and body can go more but I'll cap it off at 558 miles, 23,816ft of climbing, pedaling for 38 hours, on the road likely a 1/3 more from gas stations to food spots. It's been a very fun solo adventure, I meet some cool and crazier people and really nice family that opened up their home to me on my rest day. I gave what I could to others in need, I gave to myself all I could in these 6 day. I feel blessed, truly. Thanks for the support �������� Today's leg was only 113 miles

tunavic

I followed your entire ride my friend. Major kudos!!

jimincalif

Congrats, well done!

PhotoJoe 

I'm sure there is so much you are taking away from this journey. I envy anyone who has a dream like this, and goes out and conquers it. Way to go!

jsigone

It was truely an amazing adventure and re-defining even my own doubts and fear about doing something like this. It was a hell of a rookie's first tour. 4 of 6 days were centuries or more. My body is a freak but my mind was strong and it helped me through the tougher times. Riding thru farms r us was awesome then scary as I ran out of light and literally in the middle of now where for 2.5 hrs. Area so dark that he milkyway popped out of the sky. So pretty!!! Then getting a flat tire under the dark and still 15miles of rolling hills on 2 lane roads. that was a crazy day.

Everyday was unique, everyday had its own challenges and its own highs. In the end I averaged a bit above 15mph on my fully loaded bikes, average 7-9hours of pedaling. Tent sleeping bag, air pad, air pillow. 1 pound cable lock, 4 tubes 1 spare tire. And all the other lil things u might need. Power was provided by the 15w solar panel and 10000mah battery. 2 bike kits, 2 socks pairs, 2 different gloves, casual clothes, flip flops and my cow bell. I didn't use my gorilla tri pod and my camera sling strap was only good for first day. It was irritating my bad shoulder after day 2.

Like what is stitched on my Rapha bags "pack light, go farther"

ill.clyde

I followed along as well ... loved it. Might consider doing something like that myself next season here in Wisconsin.

Smaller hills, fewer oceans

indyfabz

550 miles across PA (Erie to Philly) completed yesterday. Came face to face (~ 20') with what I estimate was a 350+ lb. black bear while leaving camp on morning 3. Saw a smaller one from a safe distance a few days later. Will post a link to pics once I get them sorted out.

Erwin8r

Once again, kudos Jsig! It's awesome living vicariously through you!

jsigone

Thank you!!

Check out my thread for pics. I'll post some more tonight

jsigone

Dang!! No bears for me, I did have a cow give me a mean look while it was next to the cattle grate

Can't wait to see the pics! I've my gone through some of what I took.

ill.clyde

That was weird ... out for a ride this morning, and I live in a rural area. I mean, some of you guys have 30+ segments on your rides, I peak at three or maybe four.

It's rare I run into other cyclists. Came upon one today, on one of my loops. He rode through the intersection as I approached and then I turned right and ended up following him. I knew the road was going to tip up so I didn't bother passing him, but on our way down he ended up pulling off to the side at the next intersection and said, "Have a good one" as I turned and headed toward town. I believe he was in cargo shorts and a t-shirt with the sleeves cut off.

ill.clyde

Fall has definitely returned ... mid to low 50s this morning ... still in shorts and short sleeves, but those days are numbered. The temp is supposed to yo yo a bit over the next week or so. We'll see

jsigone

Meh we still have another month before I have to break out the arm warmers

My tan lines are still getting worked on

DrIsotope

Hey, I wore arm warmers this past Friday. But at 6,700ft, it was 50º at noon. And the wind was even colder.

But yeah, this is SoCal. My bib tights get worn less than 20 times a year.

RubeRad

I've been wearing my quarterzip pullover this week, and even light gloves. Lovin the 'cold' weather; very unusually fall-like for San Diego in September.

In the deep of 'winter' I add a merino sweater midlayer to that ensemble (always shorts), and I'm good to go

jsigone

which ridge line did you go up to?

Jarrett2

Damn Joe, very sorry to hear this. Prayers sent.

DrIsotope

Took my poor wife around the figure-8 of Baldwin Lake and Big Bear Lake. Garmin showed a minimum elevation of 6,710ft and a max of 6,915ft. So the total climbing was small, but I didn't stop to think about the effects of the elevation-- cold, and less oxygen-- she was wiped out for a full day, and I think I weakened her to where she got a head cold. I'm a terrible person.

jimincalif

That's some thanks she gets for buying you a new bike!

jimincalif

A member of our club crashed and died yesterday while participating in a club ride. Apparently ran into the back of a maintenance vehicle parked on the side of the road. It is not known if he simply didn't see it or if he was experiencing a medical issue that caused this, he was 78 years old but a pretty strong rider. I didn't know him real well, we chatted a couple of times during coffee stops.

This sucks. Be safe out there!

ill.clyde

That's awful

dagray

Crud..... $560.00 bill for home electric repair (it is still less expensive than a fire), and because of the electrical problem i have a bill to fix my computer (adding an SSD for the operating system, and reloading the data, with a service call to the house).

Looks like i get to save up again as a 61cm Bianchi is calling my name as is a Garmin Virb

jsigone

SSD are getting cheap. I got a Samsung EVO 500gb at frys a few weeks ago for around 130.