March cycling: In like the Lion of Flanders, out like...?

[salsabike]

I was going to head out for a ride after work tonight. But I forgot my helmet, which doubles as my secondary light system (with blinky "hey notice me" lights to augment the brighter lights on the bike). And there's a gusty cold wind tonight. And I've been pretty sleep-deprived for the past few weeks for various reasons. I'm cranky and all I can think is "I am so tired I am so tired I am so tired." And I have to finish putting things away after the painters were here last week because my parents are coming tomorrow for a visit.

So never mind about the bike ride.

ny biker---seems like that was a good move, to stay home. Hope you get some good rest time tonight and a little down time before your visitors arrive.

[azfiddle]

Some flowers from my ride today at Saguaro National Park

[azfiddle]

More pictures from Saguaro National Park, including the first Gila Monster of the year, and he was a big 'un- maybe 14 inches or so.

[salsabike]

Handsome fellow--I like reptiles. And is that a calachortus--the single yellow flower? And blue flax? I've always wanted to see desert spring bloom--never have.

[Crankin]

Rare feeling of nostalgia for my former home....

[azfiddle]

Not a Calochortus. There is a Hibiscus in one picture, amidst a Fairy Duster (Calliandra) bush and also some Mexican Gold Poppies.
This is a great year for flowers! Much better than most.

[rebeccaC]

Spent last week traveling to a conference and then seeing family. Leaving again on work travel tomorrow night. The woman I work for asked if I wanted to spend today and tomorrow riding in the Los Olivos area and then working on the presentations that we are doing over the next two weeks. It took me a millisecond to smile and say sure! We left today around noon and got here in time for a good hard and fast 3 hour ride on Foxen Canyon road and a couple of hours of work. Tomorrow morning we are going to do a sunrise ride up Figueroa mountain.

Los Olivos and Foxen canyon rd

[rebeccaC]

Just a wonderful morning ride up Figueroa mountain…..a great way to welcome the day. Didn’t see a car the entire ride.

[salsabike]

They're all spectacular pictures, rebeccaC, but I have to say that the last one from the day before is AMAZING.

[rebeccaC]

They're all spectacular pictures, rebeccaC, but I have to say that the last one from the day before is AMAZING.

i like that one too

this is the kind of area that just exudes amazing.....one of my favorite areas for visually beautiful rides....you have to ride here cuz i really can't capture the beauty and feeling with a camera

leaving for home now and then flying away....safe and enjoyable rides for all of you

[Crankin]

Finally!!!
DH took the day off and we were going to do the group ride this morning. But it was 29 when we needed to leave, so we just hung out and went on our own ride after lunch. Just under 20 miles, one of my usual routes, except, we did the first part backwards. The roads were not as awful as I thought they would be, cars were polite, and we were out at a time when there's not tons of traffic, anyway. It was between 47 and 50 degrees, mostly sunny, although a bit of a headwind on the way back. Nothing hurting, except for what was already hurting before the ride, and a little reminder from my body that I need to put the Oura I bought for my Guru on that bike, too. We were even good and washed the bikes when we got back.
Speed was not even mentionable, but I am going to work hard to not hurt myself this year. Feeling good right now. Probably will ride Saturday and Sunday, with Sunday being the day I will take my Silque off of the trainer and ride it outside.

[khg]

I spent last week riding in the Santa Monica Mountains with Cycling Escapes

It was a nice trip--the rides were really well chosen, mixing up the challenges day-to-day (short brutal climbs vs long gradual climbs, for instance), and other well thought out details, such as finishing the long day with a climb we had done the day before, so we could be mentally prepared for what it would take. For the most part, the roads we were on were very lightly trafficked, and took full advantage of the scenery. Up in the hills, there's very little around, so the van support provided by Cycling Escapes was really welcome--I would have had to carry a lot of water and food to be able to stick exclusively to the backroads had I been trying this on my own. Between the support, and the route-finding, I felt I got more than my money's worth out of the tour cost.

It was a little bit of a shock to be cycling in warm weather--the first day got into the 90's (and I actually opted to skip the day's last climb--a steep 2.5 miles in full midday sun) and then it eventually dropped to the 80's and 70's, thank goodness. True Seattleite that I am, I felt great the morning we started out with clouds and fog--then the sun came out, and I started wilting By the end of the week, I had ridden about 270 miles, with about 31,000 feet of elevation--it was a great way to push myself, and I definitely gained strength on the trip, which is great. Even better is that this week has involved just a couple sedate bike commutes, and a lot of couch time!

I'm trying to get a little better about making myself stop and take pictures, but I only partially succeeded this trip. But here are a few photos:

From the top of the Latigo Canyon climb (I was so glad it was a slightly overcast day):



My bike at the top of Latigo



Emerging above the clouds on the Piuma climb :



The last bit of fog disappearing on Piuma:



Looking out from the top of Piuma:



Morning sky:

[rebeccaC]

I spent last week riding in the Santa Monica Mountains

I was hoping you were going to post They do think it though well!!

Those photos give an excellent feel of those routes! I’m soooo glad you had a good time. You had an unusual heat wave, a friend said it was hot. There’s now one person who will know the canyon roads I’m talking about. How would you compare it to your other away rides?

You get to know where the water is after some riding and talking with people….lots of outdoor faucets with good water.

[khg]

How would you compare it to your other away rides?

You get to know where the water is after some riding and talking with people….lots of outdoor faucets with good water.

It was a really nice way to have a spring challenge--the riding was definitely hard, but there were fewer feet of elevation/mile than my Dolomites trip last summer (I'm going back this summer!!!!! Yay!!!!) It was also nice that the climbs were relatively "short"--I think the most elevation gain at one go was 2200', and most climbs were more like 1500'-2000'. We have a couple training hills that locally that are 1200'-1500' (in just 2.5-5 miles) so it was nice mentally to be able to tell myself that the upcoming climb was barely more than I'm used to at home, and likely less steep. The terrain was a fabulous mix--some long steady climbs, some with really varying slope. I'd definitely like to ride there again--but winter might be my best time of year!

Having the local knowledge of water and such would be great--it would be really fun to be able to just head out and do these rides. But I will say that it was awfully nice to get to the top of a climb and be greeted with smiling faces, camp chairs, food, water, a van that I could throw stuff into or take stuff out of, etc This supported riding thing is kind of addictive...

And after these few days of rest, I'm ready for my next adventure--on Friday my husband and I bike up to Whidbey Island for a couple nights there, then back on Sunday. We've been wanting to do this for a while, and it just happened that the first weekend that worked with both of our schedules was also our anniversary. So by accident, we're actually doing something for our anniversary--this might be a first...

[azfiddle]

I love all the pictures- beautiful. How do you guys get the full size pics in your posts? Mine just come out as thumbnails.

I rode ALL the way up Mt. Lemmon last Saturday- 65 miles round trip, over 7000 feet of climbing. A little chilly up at 8000 feet! I was glad I brought an extra layer and knee warmers. I rode solo- and it took 4 1/2 hours of riding time going up (more because of various stops) to get to Summerhaven at the top (skipped the last 2 steep miles to the ski lift). A little over an hour to go back down. I shaved off 5 miles and met my husband by the base instead of riding home.