SoCal TE Ride - Memorial Day (long)

[laughlaugh18]

I guess it's only fair for me to start this ride report, since I was the first one done (by hours!).

So, I get up at 6:00am and am in my car by 6:30. I drive forever (okay, 50minutes). BCIPam's directions are impeccable, and I turn into a pretty little park in Tustin Ranch (inland orange county). I sort of notice that it's on the side of a foothill, but that can't be too important, can it? I park in the parking lot, use what has to be the cleanest park bathroom I've ever seen, and pull my bike out of my car. My plan is to ride around a bit before everyone else gets there so that if they all look too scary to ride with, I can just say I'm done riding and skeedaddle (hey, it's the first time meeting internet people, so you never know )

I ride up a trail for a little bit and come back to the parking lot, riding right past a woman who's calling my name! It's Tracy. She got there early, too. We chat, and wait for the others. Eventually, Brandy, Pam, Nina and her husband, Judy and some other friends of Pam's show up too (sorry if I forgot anyone). I start looking at their kit - everyone has really nice bikes and really nice clipless pedals and really nice . . . well you get the idea from this newbie's perspective.

Still, everyone's really nice and encouraging, so I decide to go for it. They're planning on riding out to the ocean, and I figure if I can hang on for a few miles, it'll be enough for me. We start out, at a very sedate pace. We're going for a while and I'm thinking "hey, this isn't too bad". Then I realize I've only had to pedal about once every 5 minutes - we're going downhill.

And suddenly it dawns on me why going downhill is bad - my car's parked back up the hill !!! See, hills scare the bejeepers out of me. About 20 minutes into the ride, Pam kindly tells me that we're at a good turnaround point for me. I bid everyone goodbye, and figure I'll be lucky to make it back to my car before they finish their ride!

Someone else will have to describe the rest of their adventure, but I took a deep breath, turned around and started to slog my way back to my car. And, much to my surprise and delight, it only took me about 25 minutes to get back to my car, and I never even had to go out of my middle chainring!!! (okay, it was more of an incline than hill, but still . . . ) I even rode up a bit more past the parking lot, just cuz I could!

I had a great time meeting everyone, and I really appreciate all the encouragement. I'm definitely looking forward to another SoCal TE adventure.

Cathy

[tprevost]

I'm so glad to see you made it back safe and sound Cathy! Here's a link to my photobucket album




http://s70.photobucket.com/albums/i104/tprevost/

This was a fabulous ride, thank you to Pam who chose the most wonderful perfect route imaginable! I'm going to let someone who is more versed in writing ride reports do the honors (see, I still can't figure out how to get the pictures from photobucket into this message!) but we did about 42 miles mostly on bike paths with perfect weather and wonderful company!!!

This was probably up there amongst my favorite rides of all time! Thank you again to everyone who came to ride, I had a blast!

Tracy

ps. Hey! I did it, I got a picture in here!!!!

[tprevost]

okay, I'm going to try to get one that you can actually see... what a concept!





Me (tprevost), Brandy, Nina, Judy, Connie, Nina's Husband, Wayne, & Pam

and here's one w/Cathy at the start!


Pam, Cathy, Nina, and Brandy

T~

[Veronica]

Looks like you had a lovely day.

V.

[Brandy]

I had a great time today. Thanks to our fearless leader Pam, you put together a great ride and I feel like my riding options here near home have been totally expanded! No more skeery Santa Ana River Trail for me...I'm aiming for Back Bay and the San Diego Creek Trail from now on.

It was so nice to finally meet everyone. I am really looking forward to riding with all of you again and again and again!

Thanks for posting the pictures Tracy! Cathy, I'm so glad that you were able to join us, even if it was for a short while.

[bcipam]

Cool pictures (although I hate to see how uh, "fluffy" I am!!!).

Cathy next time, you do the whole ride. You would love it. So glad you let us know if you made it back OK. I hated to have you turn around so soon. Keep riding, in no time 40 miles will be nothing!

[tprevost]

Pam, you are a wonderful ride leader (I know you are probably tired of hearing this, but you are!)!

I'd like to make plans to come over one evening and do that mtn bike ride behind the park you told me about today. I'll figure out my schedule and PM you to see what is convenient!

Thanks again!

Trac'

[laughlaugh18]

Trac' - fun pictures. The trails you were on looked great (and mostly flat!)

Pam - I was very happy with my ride, however short. Next time a bit more, and a bit more, etc.

[Trekhawk]

My plan is to ride around a bit before everyone else gets there so that if they all look too scary to ride with, I can just say I'm done riding and skeedaddle (hey, it's the first time meeting internet people, so you never know )

LOL - thats so funny.

Glad to hear you all had such a great ride.