October Issue 2010 Changing Gearscyclingconnection.org/uploads/Newsletter_Oct_2010.pdfOctober Issue...
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www.cyclingconnection.org From the President’s Pen October Issue 2010 Changing Gears I'd like to thank everyone who donated to our bike donation drive either entering our 50/50 drawing and/or direct donations. We have reached our goal and will be ordering the bikes at Inter Bike. There will be another bike building party when they arrive, so dust off your work stands and tools and get ready for an evening of fun assembling the bikes. Starting Oct. 3 rd we're going to join forces with the R.C. Fit Program by starting a beginner riders ride that we will host once a month. This ride will go down the Pacific Electric Trail and will be open to all level of riders and all types of bikes so spread the word and if you can come out and help mentor a new rider that would be great. Tom
Transcript of October Issue 2010 Changing Gearscyclingconnection.org/uploads/Newsletter_Oct_2010.pdfOctober Issue...
www.cyclingconnection.org
From the President’s Pen
October Issue 2010
Changing Gears
I'dliketothankeveryonewhodonatedtoourbikedonationdriveeitherenteringour50/50drawingand/ordirectdonations.WehavereachedourgoalandwillbeorderingthebikesatInterBike.Therewillbeanotherbikebuildingpartywhentheyarrive,sodustoffyourworkstandsandtoolsandgetreadyforaneveningoffunassemblingthebikes.
StartingOct.3rdwe'regoingtojoinforceswiththeR.C.FitProgrambystartingabeginnerridersridethatwewillhostonceamonth.ThisridewillgodownthePacificElectricTrailandwillbeopentoalllevelofridersandalltypesofbikessospreadthewordandifyoucancomeoutandhelpmentoranewriderthatwouldbegreat. Tom
What’s Happening?
3ClubRideRedlands(RWBTC)HostingOctober9th–Redlands8:00amto2:00pm,Stell’sCoffeeShop3differentrideoptionshttp://www.rwbtc.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=142CyclingConnectionFallCenturyOctober17th,StartfromIt’sAGrindMoredetailstofollow,watchthewebsiteandYahoogroup.http://www.cyclingconnection.orgTourdeFoothillsNovember13th–Uplandhttp://tourdefoothills.com/ElTourdeTusconNovember20thhttp://www.perimeterbicycling.com/!ETT/ETThome.html
DidyouknowthatCyclingConnectionanditsmembersareinseveralplacesontheWeb?Besuretocheckouttheselinksandseeforyourself!Ifyouhaven’tseenitlately,takealookatthenewClubHomePage:www.cyclingconnection.orgCyclingConnectionalsohasaYahooGroup!Youcangettherebyselectingthelinkfromtheclub’shomepageordirectlyhere:http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/cyclingconnectionIE/CyclingConnectionisalsoonFacebook!InadditiontoseveralclubmembersmaintainingactiveFacebookpages,andCyclingConnectionhasit’sownFacebookpage.Youcanjoinforfree,andit’seasytogetstarted.Here’sthelink:http://www.facebook.com/Don’tforgettopostyourmileshere,andmakeCyclingConnectionyourmainclub:http://www.bikejournal.com/IfthereareanyCyclingConnectionrelatedsitesI’vemissed,besuretomentionthemtomeandI’llincludetheminthenextnewsletter!Bytheway,checkoutYouTubeforcyclingrelatedvideos!There’severythingfromorganizedridestobikerepair.Thederailleuradjustmentvideoswereespeciallyhelpful!Checkitoutandseeforyourself!CyclingConnectiononYouTube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAyMeLUC6iI
Cycling Connection on the WWW
QuoteoftheMonth
Progress always involves risks. You can’t steal second base and keep your foot on first. ~ Frederick Wilcox
BikeGiveAway–byHeatherHoward,FontanaPoliceDepartment
TheFontanaPoliceDepartmentisexcitedaboutitsupcomingChristmasBicycleGiveawayonThursday,December9th!Thiseventbegan23yearsagoandwhenitfirstbegan,volunteersofthePoliceDepartmentrefurbishedasmanyusedbicyclestogivetoneedychildrenwhomayhaveneverhadabicycleorwhoseparentshadnomeansoftransportationtotakethemtoandfromschool.TheBicycleGiveaWayhasgrownsomuch,itnowinvolvesproviding50deservingchildrenfromlowincomefamilieswithbrandnewbicycles,helmetsandlocks.Webelievethateverychildshouldexperiencethethrilloflearningtorideabike!Withthegenerosityofindividualsandorganizationslikeyours,weareabletocontinuethiseventintothe24thyear!Thatmakesforalotofhappychildrenovertheyears!So,onbehalfoftheFontanaPoliceDepartment,thankyousomuchforyourcommitmenttosupportthisprogramthisyearandforpastyears.Wetrulycouldnotdoitwithoutyoursupport!PleasejoinusonThursday,December9thtoexperiencethejoythiseventbringstothechildrenitserves!!!
Are You Ready to Ride? Newbie,Commuter,orweekendClubRider–everyoneneedstobereadytoride.But,whatexactlydoesthatmean?Herearesomeguidelines:
• Showupontime• Alwayswearyourhelmet• Don’tforgetyourflatfixers:
o Sparetubeo PumporCO2o TireLevers
• IDCard(RoadIDisagoodidea)http://www.roadid.com
• Bikeingoodworkingcondition Ifyougetaflatononeofourrides,butdon’tknowhowtochangeit,don’tworry.Thisisoneofthebenefitsofridingwithabikeclub.Thereisalwayssomeone(usuallyseveralsomeones)thatishappytohelp!
Cycling Etiquette
Forsafetysake(yoursandthoseridingaroundyou),hereareafewsuggestionsforanenjoyable(andsafe)ride:
• Stayinthebikelane(whenthereisone)• Don’tmakeunexpectedmoveswhileriding
withthegroup.Letothersknowyourintentions.
• Don’trunlightsorstopsigns!• Whenpassingslowerriders,callout“OnYour
Left”or“OnYourRight”.• Alwaysexpecttheunexpectedfromcars,and
you’llneverbedisappointed(orcaughtoffguard).
It’sbeensaidbeforethestartofourSaturdayridesthatweareall“ridingwithfriends”.Thatmeanswhileit’sfuntoridestrong,gofastontheflats,climbwell,andscreamdownhill,weneedtobemindfulofotherridersaroundus.Wewanteveryonetoenjoythemselves,andcomebackforanotherride.
The Rides The Grind Saturdays 23, 30, & 33-mile options The Grind Sundays Always something different be sure to see the ride calendar! Women’s Ride Every Sunday at 2:30pm Meeting at Grapeland Elementary School 7171 Etiwanda Ave Etiwanda CA 15 miles
Bikesafety,youhearitallthetimeonourclubrides.Inpastissuesofthenewsletterthereweresomearticlesondifferentcyclingvs.carsituations.Someofustakeallofthisforgranted,thinkingperhapsthatitwon’thappentome,orI’msafesinceI’mridingwiththeclub.Unfortunately,ITcanhappentoanyone,anywhere.Accidentscananddohappen,eventothebestofus.So,doweall“tucktail”andhide?No,that’snofun.Whatwecandoisbeawareofoursurroundingsandrecognizesomeofthesepotentialsituationsbeforetheyoccur.InanefforttoprovideinformationofBikeSafety,Icameacrossawebsitedevotedsolelytothistopic.Thelinkbelowwilltakeyouthere.Pleasetakeafewminutesandlookitover.Someofthismayberepeatinfo,buttheremaystillbesomethingofbenefithere.Besuretosharethissitewithanyofyourothercyclingfriendsorfamily(especiallykidsandnewriders).http://BicycleSafe.com/
Attention Club Members If you don’t already have one, be sure to get yourself a RoadID. And, so the Club gets credit, select the link from the Club’s website. Each RoadID is made to order with your important information. Don’t ride without it!
Board Members • Tom Tisler, President • Greg Armstrong, Vice President • Laura Armstrong, Social Director • Paula Gutierrez, Secretary • Bill Day, Equipment • Cyndi Brown, Membership • Steve Albano, Newsletter • Billy Corn, Webmaster • Mike Basica, Ride Coordinator • Debbie Zwerner, Treasurer • Pete Figueredo, Communications
NewMembersVinnie Beltran
Derek Butterfield Joseph & Ben Manalastas
Enrico De Jesus Dave Griffin Kyle Roberts
Cynthia and Ron Windell Tawny & Michael Strange
RenewalsBrad & Theresa Schneider
Sam & Bill Day Richard Guerrero
John Harchut Bennett McAllister
Brent, Brandon & Stacy Feler Julio CalicdanBirthdays
John Harchut Oct 4 Pepper Oberdiear Oct 4 Elizabeth Franklin Oct 4
Samantha Day Oct 8 Laura Meier Oct 10 Greg Diodati Oct 10
Shannon Edgmon Oct 14 John Rippel Oc 16
Thomas Logsdon Oct 16 Todd Frost oCT 16 Leon Ramos Oct 17 Ron Meier Oct 19
Marani Suon Oct 20 Dawn Girod Oct 20
Scott Weinzapfel Oct 21 Jacob Saurenman Oct 21
Cindy Meier Oct 24 Bob Tanji Oct 25
Andy Lieberman Oct 28 Vicki Rippel Oct 31
Bike Journal – Club’s Top 10 (As of September 30th, 2010) 1. Socalspeedsk8r – 7560 2. CKC2008 – 6464 3. Superfly – 6255 4. Gregjg5 – 5868 5. Sambill – 5363 6. Alexsuchey - 5294 7. Fredwina – 5233 8. Fastguy72 – 5015 9. Rantingdave – 5000 10. PThammer - 4818
CyclingConnectionisstillTHENumber1Californiabikeclubintotalmilestraveledin2010.Herearethenumbers–CyclingConnectionmiles160,450andtheSacramentoBikeHikersmiles107,186. If you haven’t heard, logging your miles on Bike Journal is free! Here’s the link: www.bikejournal.com
TourdeTahoe byRolfPherigo RolfPherigoandsonNathan(age14)completedtheTourdeTahoeon9/19.Abitchilly,36degreesatthestart,butitwarmedtoasunny73byfinishtime,4hours12minutes‐72miles,3500ofclimbingatelevationsbetween6300and7100'.Beautifulday,noflats,noinjuriesandthebestpartwassharingtheexperiencewithmysonNathan.
For Sa le For Sale: Track wheelset. 700c, 30mm Velocity Deep V's in electric blue, 32-hole. The front wheel has a machined brake surface. Laced radial in front and 3 Cross in the rear to Origin 8 high flange track hubs. Sealed bearings, hollow axles. Includes a Dura Ace lock ring and Bontrager 25mm Select tires. $200. You can see how they look on my Cinelli Vigorelli in one of the photos, but the bike is getting some new Dura Ace high flange hubs laced to black H-Plus-Son 42mm rims. Call Mike at 909-635-7525 or email at [email protected]
3 Speed Tricycle $ 350.00
Contact: Tom (909) 463-0075
I bike PRO Cycling Computer/Power
Meter New and never used!
$ 200.00 Contact: Tom (909) 463-0075
Shimano XT Shifter Brake Lever pods.
Brake Calipers & Rotors/Front and Rear
Derailleur’s. All New
in the boxes. $ 300.00
Contact: Tom (909) 463-0075
ZIPP Wheelset 404/808 $1,500 Only ridden 3 times. 404 front and 808 rear Team Felt ZIPPS - can be run on any bike. 700cc. Shimano/SRAM. Clinchers. For a phone number, you could list my cell number - 909-229-3119 or my email address. Sharon
PostyourcyclingpicturesontheCyclingConnectionphotosite.SendmeanemailifyouareinterestedandIwillsetupausernameandpasswordsoyoucanstartuploadingyourpictures.BillyCorn‐[email protected]'salinktothesite:http://cyclingconnection.myphotoalbum.com/albums.php
BikeBuildingPartyIt’sthattimeofyearagain,timetoputthebikesfortheBikeGiveAwaytogether.TomTislerpurchasedthebikesandwearegettingclosetotheGiveAway!(seethephotototheright)PleasesavethedayofOctober20thforputtingthebikestogether.ThelocationwillbeTomTisler’shouse.Ifyouhaveabikestand,pump,andsometoolsgoaheadandbringthemalong.Ifnot,itsok,thereshouldbeplentytogoaround.Moreinformationwillfollow,sowatchforannouncementsontheYahoogroup,Website,andemail.
RidingtheCenturyofHisLifeBySueTisler
IhaveavividmemoryoftalkingtoTom'sOrthopedicSurgeonpriortohissurgerytoputhisarmbacktogetheronApril25th,2009.Iwastoldhewouldhavefullmovementofhisarmexceptforoverheadreaching.ForsomereasonIquestioned,“butwhatdoItellhimifhedoesn'tgetuseofhisarm‐cyclingwashislife?”Hisdoctortoldmetoalwayspointoutpeopleworseoffthenhim.LittledidIknowTomwouldbetheinspirationforallofus.Healwayswouldsaywhenhesawhandicappeoplebeforehisaccident,“don'tletmelivelikethat”.Ishouldhaveknowhewasn'tseriousaftercoachingmebackfromtwoterribleaccidents(1brokenpelvisand1skullfracturewhichleftmewithapermanenthearingloss)torideagain,thathewasareallystrongperson.HisperformanceonourrecentAm‐trackCenturywasproofofhisdetermination.Afterbothofusfollowedhiscoachingplanhehadset‐upforusthepriortwomonthswesetouttorideourfirstcenturysincetheaccident.WefollowedourpastpracticeofsupplyingourownnutritionandquickreststopsbutstoppingatallfourstopsforTomtoeatanddrinkashecan'tdosoonthebikewithonearm.Herodestrongworkingthroughneck,shoulderandlowerbackpaintocontinueatagreatpacetotheendoutclimbingmostridersontheride.I'msureriderswhodidn'tknowTomwerenotawareofhisdisability.Hewasjustoneofthepack.WestartedthemorningwithseveralCyclingConnectionridersbutdecidedtorideourownrideasplannedandendedtheridepickingupAndyLibermanafterlunch.Itwasagreatday,beautifulweather,wonderfulcompanyandaccidentfree.TotopitoffwhenTomreviewedourpreviousridetimesonoursinglebikesweactuallyrodeamuchfastertimethisyearprovingthateventhoughwecan'trideTandemanylongerwestillmakeaGREATTEAM.SotoallofyouwhohavesupportedTomthispastyearandahalfIsaythankyou,youhavegivenhimreasontobetheinspirationheistoallofus.
Cycling Connection Fitness Fun Ride
The ride will be held the 1st Sunday of the month starting with Sunday, Oct. 3rd at 1:00 PM from It's-A-Grind coffee shop.
This ride is expected to bring new riders to our club. Allridersmusthaveahelmetandclosedtoedshoes.Awaterbottleforhydrationisrecommended.
WewillrideupDayCreekonthesidewalktothePacificElectricTrail,thenridethetrailforaslongasitseemsreasonablefortheridersandweatherconditions.
Wehavereceivedafewmentorsinterestedinsupportingthisevent,butwillneedmorementorsovertime.Also,getthewordouttothenoviceridersinyourarea.
Last Saturday we had a person from Rancho Cucamonga interviewing the club Vice President, Greg Armstrong. They will be showing the interview on the local channel 3. We also anticipate the city to promote the Cycling Connection Fitness Fun Ride on their website.
36thAnnualAmtrakCenturyTripReport submitted by Pete the Hammer Agroupofabout20CyclingConnectionmembersdidtheAmtrakCenturyonSaturday,9‐11.Thiswasaveryspecialdayformultiplereasons:
1) Itwastheanniversaryofthe9‐11‐01disasters,socarriedtheAmericanFlagwiththeNeverForget9‐11memorialfor101miles.
2) OurclubpresidentTomTislerwasdoinghis1stCenturyafterhisinjury3) Wehadnewclubmembersridingtheir1stCentury
ThegroupofCyclingConnectionridersrangedfromoldtimerslikeMiketo1sttimeCenturyriderslikeMike(BigMike).The1stgroupledbyold‐timerMikeandnewbeesstartedat6:15amtomakesuretheydidnotmissthetrainrideback.Eventhoughthisislistedasoneoftheeasiestcenturyattracting1sttimeriders,youmustbeabletogettoSanDiegointimetogetonthetrain.Otherwise,youhavetopedalbackorfindothermeansoftransportation.The2ndgroupstartedat6:40amandbythe20thmile,theymanagedtogetlostandaddbonusmilestotheirroute.Afterthe1ststopthe6:40groupbrokeupintosmallerbutmoremanageableteams:TomandSue,TheHammerTandem(Fellerboys),GregandLaura,andtheremainingconsistingofJohn,Eric,Dawn,Jen(ThePink's)andPete.AllgroupstryingdifferenttechniquestoconquertheTorreyPinesHillfirst.Thereisabitofhistoryhere;forthreedecadestherehadalwaysbeenrivalrybetweenriderstoseewhomadeitfirstupTorreyPines.TomandSueusedthetechniquetominimizeoveralltimebydoingquickstopstoputtyandloadthenpockets,andtheneatalongtheway.Thisturnouttobeaveryeffectivetechnique.TheHammerTandemwithBrentstrokingneededlongerbreakstofeedBrent’sbigbellyandgiveJamesabreakfromlisteningtoBrentscreamHammer,Hammer,Hammer.IfyouhaveeverriddenwithBrentyou’llknowwhatImean.The3rdgroupusedtherotatetheleadriderevery½miletomaximizeefficiencywithapaceline.Butevenwithfiveridersaveraging~20MPH,thestopswerelongandcatchingTomandSueorTheHammerTandemwasaneverendingbattle.Priortothesecondstop,PetedroppedhisIDandwassuddenlydroppedfromthepaceline.Jenwaitedforhimtopullhimbackuptothepaceline.Unfortunately,PeteunderestimatedhismomentumtryingtocatchthegroupandJenthenspentthewholetimetryingtocatchhimbeforereachingDawnandEric.Afterthe2ndstop,thepacelinetriedtoreachhighwayspeedsbytakingthe5freewaytogainsometime.But,anearcrashcouldhaveturnedthisrideugly.EricdidanicemaneuvertoavoidacrashwithJen.TheFellerboysjoinedusatlunchtime.Youknowwherethereisfoodyou’llfindBrent.TomandSueontheotherhandwerelikeghostriders.Oneminutetheyweretheirandthenextgone.BrentandJohncompetedtoseehowmanysandwichestheycouldeatin20minutes.Buttoomuchfoodsloweddownthepaceline,exceptforDawnthatcouldonlythinkaboutgoingupTorreyPines.Welltherestweren'tgoingtoletDawngetawayandcrankedupthepaceagain.Thepacelinearrivedtogethertothestartofthemonsterhill.Wellalmosttogether,Jenwasnowherenearanyofus.Shehadalreadylostusonthepreviouslesssevereclimbsacoupleofmilesbefore.TorreyPinesisoneoftheprettiestsitesonthisride.JustimagineridingonthePacificCoastHwywiththeoceanbreezeinyourface,thenoutofnowhereappearsthishillthatlooksasifithasnoending.Westartedtheascentupthemonsterhillandthepacelinebrokeupquickly,exceptforDawnandJohnbattlingitoff.TomysurpriseIseeEricgettinghissecondwindandpassingme,butitwastoolateDawnhadpickedupherPopsiclewithtriumphantsmile.WhenweaskedifanyonehadseenTomandSue,theysaid,“TomwasintheouthouseandSuewasinline”.SowethinkmaybeTomwasfirstupthehill.BrentwouldhavebeatenJamesupthehillduetohissprintthelastthousandyards,butJameswouldnotgetoutofhisway.
Wewerewayaheadoflastyear’stimeasweleftTorreyPines.Buttooursurprise,trafficwassobadthatweweremerledoing10MPHtheselast19miles.Also,theroutehadbeenchangedtoneighborhoodstreetsthathadStop‐after‐Stop.But,whenwehitHarborDr,wenewwecouldstillbeatlastyear’stime.Sowecrankedthepacelinebackto~30MPHandcompletedtheridewithanewrecordoff5hrs16min.WhenwearrivedthefinishlineTom,SueandtheFellerboysgreetedus.Theyhadchangedintoclothesandhadeaten;wellTomandSueweresatisfiedwiththefestivefood.But,BrentneededsomeHotdogsorFishTacostosatisfyhisappetite.IquicklychangedandjoinedtheFellerboystosomegoodMexicanfoodinoneofthelocalcantinas.Afterweate,LauraandGregjoinedus.Wesatbythecurveandcheeredatridersthatwerestillrollingin.Theylookedexhaustedbutsatisfiedtohaveriddenall100miles.Oftenridetimeisnotasimportantastotaltimewhenlookingatfitness.TomandSueclearlybeatusallintotaltimeusingtheirtechnique.TheFellerboys’techniquewasalsoeffectiveandtheycamein2nd.All20riderscompletedtheridesafeandsound.IcommendMikeforworkingwiththe1sttimeCenturyriderstoasafeandenjoyableexperience.NottomentionLaurabeatingGreguptheHillwithherfancycompressionsox.KudostoTomforcompletinghisfirstpostaccidentcentury.Youareanamazingandatrueinspirationtoallofus.AndcongratstotheSaltersforfinishingtheirfirstcentury!Herearesomecommentsfromtheriders:TombeatusuptheHillandshouldbereprimanded,asheisnotagoodrolemodelforusyoungerriders.JustkiddingTomgoodjob.‐‐BrentFellerForsomereasonIthinkwewouldhavebrokenthe5hourridetimeifBrentwerenotsotalkative–JamesFellerGregandIbothlovedtheAmtrakCentury.Ihadagreatride.‐‐LauraArmstrongIhaveneverbeatenanyoneIridewithupTorreyPines.Thegoalissimplytofinishit,hopefullyfasterthanIhavepreviouslydoneit.Idid,however,beatmylastyear'stimeupTorrey,soIwashappywiththat.ThatwholestretchbetweenSAG3and4wasmymostdifficult.Iwasdoingprettygoodafterthat,though,untilthetrafficchaosatMissionBayandtheridiculousrouteafterthatstoppedmedeadinmytracks.IparticularlyenjoyedthebanterbetweenBrentandJamesastheyrodethetandemforthesecondtimeever.AswestartedoffIheardmanyofthesameremarksAlexandImadewhenwerodethatverysametandem.Thingslike,"Iwantbrakes!"...Fromtheriderintheback."HowcomeIdon'tgetbrakes!"And,"Liftyourleftfootbeforewetakeoff",whenataredlight.IdidmyfirstcenturyatAmtrakwithAlexonthatbikefouryearsago,soitwaskindofamusingwatchingyouguysandbroughtbacksomegoodmemories.Gladyouguysdidsowellandhadagoodtime.‐‐JenSucheyIamimpressedeverytimeweridebehindJamesandBrent.JamesisagreatcaptainverysafeandIwouldknowafterridingwiththebestfor4years.Brentkeepsthingsfun!!!JennIagreeItoohavegreatmemoriesofridingtandemonAmtrak.WishIcouldridetandemagainsomedaywithTombutsomethingtellsmethatwillneverhappen.Goodrideeveryone.–SueTislerI'veriddenthiscentury10ofthelast11yearsandit'sstillmyfavorite.Thisyearwassomethinglikeafewfromyearspastwherewehadacouplefirsttimersalongfortheride.They'realsonewclubmembersMike&AmandaSalter.Westartedtrainingforthisawhilebackbutsomehowgotsidetrackedanddidn'tgetthemilesin,weshouldhave.Theweekbeforethoughwedidmanagetogetinan80milersoIwasconfidentwewouldallfinishbutIwasalittleconcernedwiththetimefactor.Ourridestartedalittlelate,45minutestobeexact.Ourgoalwastoleaveat5:30ambutwhenVinoisinvolvedyoucanalmostguaranteeyou'llberunninglate.Wecallit"Vinotime".Sowegotoutat6:15orslightlylater.IhadbeentrainingthenewcomersalittleandrealizedthatIneededtokeepthecadencedownsotheydidn'tgetburnedout.Anditworkedfairlywell.
WhenwehitthelittleclimbatBakeParkwayIknewwewouldbeslowgoingherebutIwantedtoclimbitattemposoIwentupfast.(Ididn'tgetpassedgoingup)Igottothetopandwaitedandhere'swhereIseentheCyclingConnectionbiggergroupgoby.About10minuteslatertherestofmysmallgroupgotup.Mikeourbiggerrider(350poundsplus)wasarealtrooperandsaidhedidn'tneedarest.Sowestarteddownfromhere.Mike'sabigguyanddoesreallygoodonthedownhill,soitwasn'tlongbeforehecaughtmethenmanagedtopassme.WHAT!Ilaughedandwentafterhim.Igotto44milesanhourbutwasn'tgainingmuchonhimatall.Iknewbythentherestofourgroupwouldbequiteabitfurtherbacksowetookitdownanotch.IcaughtuptotheTom&Suegroup.IwasbehindthemandIasked,"What'sthisCyclingConnectionthing?Isitlikeadatingserviceforbicyclists?"Thatgotagoodlaugh.AndwhenwepulledintotherollersIwatchedthemallrideaway.Iwaitedatthefirstreststopfortherestofmygrouptopullinandsaidhellototheothersfromourclub.ItwaskindoftoughwatchingthemallleavewhileIhadtostaybutIknewwhatIwasgettingintowhenIinvitedmynewbiefriends.MikepulledinsoonafterandwasalreadyhavingsomesaddleissuesandItoldhimwewereonlyaquarterofthewaythrough.Everyoneelsecameintogetherandafterwaytolongofastopwewereoffagain.ImadearealefforttostaytogetheragainandmanageduntilwegottotherollersonthesouthsideofCapistranowhenJoseaskedtoraceupthehill.Well,IpulledawayandfiguredI'dsoftpedaluntiltheycaughtup.Ididthisforabout40minutesandIwasstillridingalone.Icalledbackandtheytoldmetogoaheadandjustwaitatthenextstop.Great!Ifoundagroupthatwasputtingthehammerdown(fixieguys)andIwentwiththem.Wetookturnspullingandmaintainedabouta25mphpace.WegottotheSanOnofreareaandIfoundafriendofminesoIpeeledoffandrodewithherintotheSAG.Thegroupcameinabout20minuteslaterandafterashorttimewehitthefreeway.Man,Ilovethissection.Itappearstobegoinguphillbutwithverylittleeffortyoucanmaintain25to27mphandifyougetapaceline30mphismorelikeit.AgoodsizegroupwentbyandJosetoldmetojumpon,soIdid.Wow,wasthisfun!Weflewthroughthecarrestareaandneverevensloweddown.Wegotintothoselittlerollersandthegroupdisintegrated.Ifoundmyselfoutfrontwithafewotherguyswhowerenotsureoftheroute.TheyaskedmeifIknewtheway,andItoldthemthatIwasforbiddenbyfederallawtoeverleadthewayasIcangetlostgoingtothebathroom.Butwhattheheck,theyfollowedmeanywaysandafter10yearsofridingitIalmostgotthewholethingright.Ionlymissedthelunchstopbyamileorso.Weturnedaroundandrodeback.Isatwiththemforawhileandwaitedformygroupagain.Theyshowedupsoonafterandwehadaloooonglunch.Iwantedthemrestedfortherestoftherideasmostcenturyridersknowthatthelast30areharderthenthefirst70.Weleftlunchafterabout45minutesandalmostimmediatelygotseparated.Ididn'tknowtheywerestoppingatStarbucksforcoffee.SoIcalledthemtofindoutwheretheywerebutgotnoanswer.AgainIsoftpedaledforawhilebutsoonbecameboredwiththis(thinkspinningonatrainer).IcalledandleftamessageI'dseethematthetopofTorreyPines.Oneofthecoolthingsaboutthisrideisallthefriendlypeopleyoumeet.Mostareouttojusthaveacasualtypeofrideandareverytalkative.IgotintoagroupfromCedarCity,UTandlovedtheirpacealongwithsomegreatconversationabouttheentiremountainbikingintheirarea.IevengotaninviteforOctobertogetaguidethroughsomenewclassiccross‐countrystuffthatIdidn'tknowabout.SoIrodewiththemtothefamousicecreamstoponthetopofTorreyPines.Here'swhereIknewthewaitmighttakesometimeasweare80milesintotherideandnewpeoplehitthewallhereaftertheclimb.IendedupwaitinganhourbutIdidget4icecreams!AfterthisstopIknewweweregoingtobepushedfortimeaswehad20milestogoin1hour15minutesandIgotalittleworriedbutwepushedthroughandwemadeitwithacoupleminutestospare.Surewasniceofourclubtobesittingonthesidelinescheeringusonaswecamethroughthefinish.MademynewbiesveryhappyandIhavetosay,I'mveryproudofthemtoday.‐‐MikeMillerMyhusbandandIwerethefirsttimersridingwithMikeonSaturday.Ourfirstcenturyandmysecondrideonmynewbike.Ithinkwewereexpectingtheworstandhopingforthebest.HoweverwithMikeleadingthewayattheveryleastweknewwewouldhaveagoodtime.Iwasn'tsurewhattoexpectontheride,thiswasbyfarourlongestridebreakingourpreviousrecordof77milesdonejusttheweekbefore.Thebeginningwasgreat,theshortburstsofclimbingrewardedwithfastdownhillwasablast.Itwasverydifficulttostaytogether,especiallywithMikeallhoppeduponsugarandpreservativeslikealways.I'llcatchyouonedayMike!Anyhow,whentheridestartedtoevenoutabitIgrabbedontoCyndi'swheelandneverletgo.HerandJosekeptagreatpaceandneverletmefalltoofarbehind.IstartedtofeelabitfatiguedthroughLucadiabutseemed
torecoveroncewemovedontomorevariedterrain.IendedupalonefortheclimbupTorreyPines,whichwasprobablyforthebest.Ilaboredupatapainful6mphbutneverdidhavetogetoffthebike.Probablymybiggestaccomplishmentoftheride.IwasgreetedatthetopbyMike'shappyface.Hewasalready5Popsiclesin.....Therestoftheridewasablur,thetrafficwasterribleandIdidn'tcareforridingthroughtheresidentialareaatall.Ihadagreattime,andIfeelahugesenseofaccomplishment.Icouldn'thavedoneitwithoutMike,Cyndi,JoseandmyHusband(whowillhopefullysharehisexperienceaswell).AlsothesupportofCyclingConnection.Thankseveryone,I'mnowlookingforwardtotheTourdeFoothills.‐‐MandySalterIhopeyou’veenjoyedourstories,eventhoughittooklongertowritethantheridingthisCenturywithsomeawesomeCyclingConnectionClubmembers!PeteTheHammer
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