ride around the bear

[caligurl]

saturday i did ride around the bear again.... always a fun ride... well supported... but i HATE the traffic going up to big bear! the road is narrow.... no shoulders... steep drop offs! GASP!

i left later than i wanted (wanted to ON the road at 5:30!) didn't leave until 6:51.... it was a gorgeous day... but for me (used to desert temps) it was still a leg warmer and arm warmer day (although i wore my light sun screen arm warmers vice winter weight ones!)

i didn't spend hardly any time at the rest stops... (i never do.... i'd rather grab my food and eat it on the road!) i MUCH prefer the climb to onyx from this side vice the angeles oakes side... a much "easier" climb! not so steep and a lot shorter!

the descent from onyx is always fun! but they keep growing more and more climbs on that descent! lol!

it would have been a faster descent had there not been such a strong headwind!

we bought our pics from the photographer at the end (it's nice to get it right away and not have to send away... i always procrastinate! i still haven't bought last year's grand tour pic! but i digress!)



looking ahead



literally above the clouds!




big bear lake



onyx summit



my reaction when the computer said my time! (i had been shooting for ONE minute faster than last year! i was 16 minutes faster!)



and note to self (and others)..... the breathless agony jersey gets a lot of attention! i bought the jersey last year... but never wore it (i finally wore it by myself when i was riding locally!) but decided since i thought it was going to be cool enough for arm warmers (i hate the icky tan lines of short sleeve jerseys so rarely wear them!).... i'd wear it! i couldn't believe the people that commented on me having/wearing/having done the ride! do NOT wear this jersey if you are shy! (i'm not outgoing.... so ya... it's a little discomforting to me! lol!) the "worst" part was a guy at lunch wanting to talk about the ride... and i'm rushing around trying to get my sandwich... water... etc!! i did give him info.... but he hadta kinda follow me around to get it!

now i'm afraid to wear my king of the mountains jersey once i get it!