July 30 Ride Reports

[salsabike]

28 mile trail ride, in MUCH cooler weather and even some sprinkles. I love that! Very breezy in the RIGHT direction, which to me means headwind on the way out and tailwind on the way home. And, my, hills get easier quickly if you just keep doing them.

And one of these days I'm going to fall rubbernecking after the bald eagles on the trail. But it'll be worth it.

This was a single bike ride today, since now that the STP is done, Mr. Salsa is returning to doing some of his own hill rides to get ready for SOB (Summits of Bothell) in late August. Next big tandem ride August 13, the Tenino-Rainier-Yelm-Bucoda Rally: "Revel in the quiet countryside of Thurston and Lewis counties; enjoy views of the Skookumchuck and Seschutes Rivers, the llama farm, Mr. Rainier, and hawks soaring overhead along the Johnson Creek Road."

[bcipam]

Well yesterday did my longest ride this year - no reason for waiting so long other than laziness.

I joined the OC July 30th ride organized by Brandy. This was a combined TE and bikeforums.net group ride. It basically turned into a BF ride as that group was much, much larger and comprised almost entirely of 20 - 30 guys and some gals ( a few oldsters like me sprinkled in but not many). The TE riders included Brandy and Tiff and Caligirl, who basically stayed with the BF group and ACG, Greenmachine, Tprevost and myself who hung back as the TE riders and really enjoyed the ride.

I do alot of rides around Orange County and this ride was not only scenic but epic. It did most of the known hill climbs in OC and the entire ride, was a challenge. We started out at a park near Back Bay, Newport Beach. The group was so large and that it was hard to manage. Alittle confusion at first. Carligurl and her husband had been left at the park but the TE gals waited and got them back up to the BF group.

Everyone stayed together through the warm up period before the first big climb up Jamboree. All in all the group stayed close together into the first sag area. After the sag we entered Santiago Canyon. The Canyon is a beautiful area to climb and ride but not when it's hot. Thankfully, it was cloud covered and misty making the Canyon a joy to ride. I went through with Tpevost and my friend Wayne and who graciously was acting as one of the sweeps. Lots of tire flats and Wayne would stop and help. Tprevost and I kept riding. Although slower on hills than the others we were steady.

Next sag/lunch stop Wayne and several of the TE ladies were way back due to flats. They got in just as the BF group was ready to shove off. This really split the group. No matter, we now had a nice, manageable group of 7 riding together and the downhills were coming up. From the sea to the mountain and back to the sea again we rode. 2 more epic climbs (Shady Ridge and Newport Coast) but we all made it back to the park safe and sound. It turned out ot be a beautiful day, we did about 55 miles, lots of climbing (3500' ?), but we did it.

Have to say I really enjoy the company of Greenmachine (and her friend Sylvia who fits right in), ACG (who I fell in love with when she turned out to be just as smart alec as my friend Wayne - she dished it out to Wayne as much as he dished it out to us - good onya ACG!), and especially Tprevost who got through this long hard ride without complaint. All 3 gals drove a long way to do this ride and I hope they enjoy the best to see and ride in OC. Can't wait to do the next TE ride. If we can keep the weather cool, might have to try the ride down to San Juan Capistrano, have a nice lunch down by the Mission and ride back. That's a good one as well.

Anyway next ride with the group is the Cool Breeze Century August 19th. I think we are all ready!

[rheidis73]

Still it was a good ride KSH..As we talked, Texas heat and humidity(head winds) sure are not good elemets to be riding in. I did 50 yesterday morning, but it felt like a 100! It doesn't take long, when it is so hot, for the heat to really drain a person of energy. You made it 70...that is more then I can say!

[GLC1968]

I didn't have a chance to post about my ride yesterday, so I thought I'd update today anyway...

78.0 miles, 14.8 mph avg.

The first 50 or so miles were AWESOME! The temps were cool (about 88 or so) and a good part of the route was shady. The hills were tough...but they were always followed with a fun downhill...so totally worth it. We were averaging about 15.8 mph and having a great time!

Then the HEAT hit. The last 25 miles or so were pure torture. DH was on zero sleep and his temper was flaring. It was HOT...96 degrees and about 85% humidity. No shade...open farmland...lots of wind...dreadful.

I will say that having made it through the last 25, I'm 100% sure we'll be fine on our first century in two weeks!