Los Angeles- breakfast and casual ride?

[aly]

No details set in stone yet, but Amy and I were talking/PMing and both thought it might be nice to actually meet up in person on October 7th for breakfast and some riding in Griffith Park. We also thought it would be nice to meet some more new friends. We're both somewhat new to cycling, but we figured that anyone who needs more or less of a challenge can feel free to take off on their own after breakfast. There are many places in the area to choose from, but I'm thinking maybe the Los Feliz Cafe (formerly know as Eatz) by the golf course entrance on Los Feliz Blvd. It has lots of parking and isn't pricey. Of course, as I said before, nothing is set in stone, so any ideas will be welcomed.

Anyone else interested? Please?

[Fredwina]

I had thought about doing something, but I'm a little far out (Rancho Cucamonga) (in more ways than one?:rolleyes: ) I was think about either going to Chino or Doing San Dimas Canyon followed by 42nd Street Bagels in Claremont.
Saturdays work better for me , but I can do a Sunday

[Ninabike]

I would love to join you, but, unfortunately, that Sunday doesn't work for me. Saturdays are generally better for me, but I will be riding the MS 150 with the AV ladies Sept. 29 and 30 in San Francisco. Assuming I live through that, I will probably need a month to recover!! Please let me know if you plan any other rides. I work in Glendale and live in Westwood.

[amy]

I'd love to see it be a regular thing. I work Saturdays, so that is why we said Sunday. And it is not happening for a few weeks because of scheduling conflicts. I'm certainly up for checking out other locations in the future, as long as it is on a Sunday. I have aspirations of starting at Upper San Gabriel bike path and going all the way to Long Beach and back (75 mile round trip), but I'm personally not there yet.

[Fredwina]

Remembering the words of Abe Lincoln "you can't please all the people all the time" could we alternate Saturdays and Sundays? I can get started for Like Nov or Jan.
I would feel comfortable doing the Santa Ana Trail - I never have done the San Gabriel below Santa Fe Dam - is it ok - safety wise? (I work in El Monte, so i'm familiar with that area)

[aly]

I'm thinking maybe we can push it back a week for the Griffith park ride, then maybe in Nov. or early Dec. we can head out to Chino or San Dimas. Does Oct 14th work better for you guys?

I, too, would love to do the ride to Long Beach, but am not there yet- but I'm getting close!! Maybe we can aim to do that one in the beginning of 2008...

[Ninabike]

Unfortunately, I have stuff going on Oct. 14th, but please keep me in mind for future rides.

[Fredwina]

I'm going to a brevet on 10/13 in San diego, but I think I could do a short ride on the 14th.
Nina et al, what do your calendars look like Nov -dec. I have another brevet(actually, it's a route I designed) on 11/24, and I'm going to be in Missouri the last week of dec and the first week of January.
Also, my club puts on the Tour De Foothills on 11/10, so I may be busy that weekend...

[aly]

Let's plan on 10/14 for an easy ride. After that, I'm generally able to work around everyone else's plans. I work crazy hours during the week, but I usually keep my weekends fancy free... and I just used up a couple of weeks of vacation last month, so it looks like I'll be around.

Fredwina- I would like to talk to you a little about the Tour De Foothills. I'm wondering if it might work for me. I'm up to 40 miles with 2000ft of climbing and intend to push more next week. However, I've never done any group rides. What do you think? I'm a little nervous, but I really want to start doing organized rides and charity events.

[Fredwina]

That depends on which route you're planning on doing and what routes are this year.
I think you'd be fine with the 1/2 metric. From Upland(last year, you went out Foothill/66 to Claremont and then up to baseline and East before looping back.
The Metric did a loop through Bonelli Park and one good climb in La Verne before going east on Basline into Fontana(don't worry, This portion is definetly not "Fontucky") My understanding is someone sabatoged the route markers for the metric last year. I was doing Sag on my Bike for the 30 last year.
I have no idea what the routes for this year are. in 2005 the metric did a part of Mt. baldy road and then up to Lytle Creek Rd. The only problem was that we had Santa Ana winds that day, so most people turned around when they got to the 15. I'll let TE know more when I find out...
Look foward to seeing you on the 14th

[ACG]

Chiming in on the Tour de Foothills last year. I rode with a friend, we are not super strong but can ride decent. We did the metric. We got turned around at several points (missing signs or signs pointed in the wrong direction) and wound up coming in after most everyone else and after the food too. But we enjoyed it and to me it is about the experience of the ride. I may try to do it again. I am in Pasadena and would love to join you ladies if you are organizing an L.A. ride.

[Fredwina]

bump!
Are we still on for next Sunday? and if so,when and where specifically are we meeting? I know where Griffith park is, but I've only driven by it on the freeway.
Tour De Foothills.
I spoke with the route planner this AM. The routes are basically the same, The only differences are that the metric is heading a bit further west (Covina instead of San Dimas) to avoid the possibility of Santa Ana winds, and both routes are heading back on different (Arrow instead of Baseline) street - less traffic. I'm supposed to be route Marshall.
The half will go through Bonelli Park and head over to Glendora ave, It then does the lower portion of San Dimas Canyon(with a Steep,but short climb at the end) before getting on baseline for a Gradaul climb into Claremont.
Then the fun starts :rolleyes: you do about a quarter of Mt Baldy road, with a about a mile - and - half of steady 8-9% grade. You get rewarded by a fast descent into San Antonio Heights and Upland to the rest stop. You then pedal east into "Rancho" before heading east to the park.
the half doesn't go to to Bonnelli, Covina, or Baldy Road

[aly]

Sorry it's taken so long to get details. It looks as though we'll be getting together this coming Sunday (Oct. 14) at Los Feliz Cafe (formerly known as Eatz). It's nothing fancy. We'll meet at 8:30 for eating and chatting, then we can relocate to the park for some cycling. It looks like we'll probably have varying skill levels, so people may want to ride a little as a group, then take off on their own. I guess we'll just figure it out over breakfast! I look forward to meeting some new friends on bikes- anyone who wants to come is very welcome!:)

hopefully this link works...
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/map/68668/los_angeles_ca/eatz_cafe.html

[Ninabike]

I would live to go riding with you ladies, but I am in charge of 8:00 o'clock music at my church and don't get finished until about 9:30 a.m. By the time I get home and change, get bike ready, water bottles, etc., I wouldn't get there until about 10:30. My Saturday is shot, as I am playing guitar for a fundraiser, and doing the same next Saturday and also Nov. 3rd. My DH also says he hasn't "seen me lately", as I spent 5 days up in the Bay Area for the MS 150 last weekend and then came home with a cold. Anyway, hope you ladies have a good ride!!

[roadfix]

I regularly ride up to the observatory and go down the other side, depending on which loop I'm taking, clockwise or counter-clockwise from my house in Echo Park. I do this on late Thursday afternoons. It's a very nice casual ride and when you hop the maintenance gates (depending on which way you're coming from) there is absolutely no traffic through the back canyon roads.
As far as having breakfast, we usually have breakfast or brunch after a ride, as eating a full meal before a ride can bog some people down. Have fun!

[aly]

We're still on, and I'm looking forward to seeing anyone who makes it out! Also, if anyone just wants to come for the eating and chatting part, feel free.

[Fredwina]

Great Breakfast and great ride, Aly!
I think that "little" hill was about 700 feet.
I left my camera at home , no Pics!
Can I bring my big wheel bike next time:o ?(I had my Bike Friday)
Have to tell a story,
I stopped by In Cycle in San Dimas on the way back. Normally, I ride my bike over. When I got out of the store I walked over to the bike rack. Then I remembered I had my bike in my car!

[aly]

Thanks! That was a blast.
I'm not sure if we're quite ready for you on the big wheel bike- considering you pretty much smoked us on your folding bike (and after doing a century the day before). I guess we might consider letting you bring it if you promise not to leave us too far behind;)! That's funny about the bike rack. It's strange how comfortable we get with our routines. I probably would've had a little moment of panic wondering what I had done with my bike.

As for the cycling, I have a feeling Amy will be giving you a run for your money before too long. She went after the hill on the second time around and rocked it, then she made me ride 40 miles! I almost feel as though I was hustled by sweet Amy and her claims of never having ridden more than 20 miles. She finished without breaking a sweat and with a big smile on her face. Hmmm. As I said before, it was a blast! :D

Thanks to both of you for meeting up with me. I enjoyed both the conversation and the ride. I have new cycling friends- I'm so happy. I can't wait to do it again...

[amy]

I almost feel as though I was hustled by sweet Amy and her claims of never having ridden more than 20 miles. She finished without breaking a sweat and with a big smile on her face. Hmmm.

Hey, now! I really hadn't gone more than 20 miles!! :) But it was amazing!! And I was feeling great until just a few minutes ago. We had to have dinner with family tonight and when we got home from Thousand Oaks, I climbed out of my husband's miata and my quads and knees were on fire! I think just too long for my tired legs to be folded up in the tiny car.

But it was absolutely wonderful! Thanks for a great day!