Fredwina looses her camera!
Since, I 'm trying to get my R-2000 medal in addition to an R-12, I've been doing some different perms in addition to my own.
I decided to do the Moorpark to Mugu and Malibu perm. I had a little problem getting the card, but then...
I was watching the news on Friday, or should I was going to watch the news on friday, when word came in of the Metrolink train accident in Chatsworth. You know it's bad when the anchor advises that if you're squeamish, you might want to change channels (yes, looking at a blood smeared locomotive will do that you...
The organizer advised me to get an early start. I put down 6am. when I rolled by the accident site at 5am, there were still helicopters and floodlights everywhere.
I got to the start point and found that shopping center had signs posted "Car will be towed". There was a high school and park next door, but their gates were blocked. and I couldn't find any place to park on the streets, so I decided to risk it (although I did park in front of vacant store). I went inside of Vons, got a Red Bull, and started the ride. Of course, when I went by the park, it was open. go figure!
I rode through Moorpark, crossed the railroad tracks, and began climbing up Grimes Canyon. Grimes is on The Tour of California, and is used to get back to the right valley after doing Balcom Canyon. The climb is not bad, in that I didn't have to use my granny gear. I thought I would see "Fabain" or "Levi" scrawled on the road, but, alas, It was not to be.
when I got to the top, there was a large sign advising semitrailers to turn around. which was strange, since there were two semi coming up behind me. The descent is a lot steeper and very corkscrewy. I held off the semis until the road straightened out.
I then stopped at the first Control. This was what is called and informational control, as you are supposed to observe something and write it down. In this case, it was the name of a church. I was going to be real nifty, and take a photo, but discovered that my camera had fallen out of my bag! so imagine pedal among orange groves interrupted occasionally by oil field for the next 30 miles. I did pass through Santa Paula.
I stopped at the second Control, a Starbucks in Ventura, and got something to drink. It was about another 15 miles down the coast to Port Hueneme and the Seabee base. Here I was supposed to find out the name of the theater by the gate. I rode by the main gate , and didn't see anything that looked a marquee. I thought it was another gate, so I pressed on. no luck!. I doubled back and asked. I then got two different answers! So finally I asked some one to point it out. It was cleverly disguised as an office building. Maybe I should have brought my nephew, who's in the [URL="http://www.sealchallenge.navy.mil/"]Navy Special Warfare Command [/URLLNK]along ("Give me the correct answer or my nephew will beat you up!" )
It was back to smooth sailing to Point mugu and down PCH. I noticed that they had part of PCH blocked off. I rode in the blocked off portions, since they had nice signs saying Bike one lane ,and cars the other lane. Turns out they were having the Malibu Triathlon that day. I got there after the race had occurred, but before the had cleaned up the course.
I had lunch in Malibu, and started back up the coast. part of the reason for the early start was to avoid the heavy afternoon winds. no luck, and I had 25 miles of pretty good rollers. The only upside was that I got to see the Pepperdine wave of flags for 9/11
after about 2 hours, I finally got off PCH and had the wind the at my back. I had another informational control at Cal State - Channel Islands. I was supposed to write down what on the sign at the Southwest side of the entrance. I remember being glad that 4PM, as if I been there when I planned too, I could not have used the sun to figure which was the Southwest side.
most of the rest of the ride was on the same route as the La Wheelmen's Grand Tour and Cruisin the Conejo. At 6:00, I rolled back into the shopping and relieved to see my car was still there! I also found a park across the street that was not gated.
I was going to Baja Fresh for dinner, but decided on a local Chinese place. The food was good, if too much (my fault, as usual) and fortune cookie said "three month from now will be an auspicious date for you"
so, what will happen on December 13? stay tuned!
