LA River century June 8th 2008 post ride report

First of all, a big Thank You to our (hawt) Anchor Woman Profette for Her updates on parts of the ride.

It’s always a long Day

My Day began at 5am, which is the worst part of doing one of these rides, we had a pretty long drive up to Griffith Park in LA but were there an hour before the 7am roll out, there must have been 500+ or maybe a lot more Riders signed up for the Century. We sign in, get our numbers, stuff energy Bars and GU into our Jersey Pockets and wait for the start.
This is the point one normally realizes that something is left at Home, maybe your Helmet, Shoes, or whatever. Luckily I had everything.

The start

In my experience, the start is always pretty hazardous, you have hundreds of Riders trying to clip into their Pedals, wobbling about and generally getting in the way, in fact, as soon as the Horn sounded to roll out a Guy in front of me fell over. But in any case, after making sure he was OK I was able to weave through a few Riders and join the group.
It’s also a good idea to start as close to the front as possible without being first if you don’t know the route…

So we were off, I knew it was going to be a fast ride but I wasn’t prepared for the unusualy fast tempo, we had a few streets to negotiate but once on the LA River Trail we were cruising along at 28-30 mph.  It’s not that hard really because the Peleton pulls you along, the only problem is, my front tire is only 2” away from the rear Tire in front of me, plus, you can’t see where you’re going. It takes a lot of concentration.

The first SAG didn’t go so well.

SAG means “Supplies and Gear”, on longer rides there are normally 6 or 8 of them, they supply water, energy bars, Peanut Butter sandwiches etc. We arrived at the first one just as they were setting up, I don’t think they were expecting us so early. I leaned my Bike on a Tree, walked away and the Sprinklers went off, I ran over to get my Bike and got soaked in the process to everyone’s amusement…so as we re-started it was still pretty chilly, it was made worse by the fact that I was soaking wet.

Everything was going well until…

I got a flat Tire….under normal circumstances this isn’t good, when you’re in a fast paceline is very bad, you get dropped and every second counts. I guess it took me 3 minutes to change the Tube etc. but the group, by this time, was probably over a mile away, you just can’t make up that amount of time on your own, anyway, my Friend stopped with me and we joined another Group to the next SAG, we had a quick stop and re-joined the first Group we were with PHEW!! That was a close one!

We eventually left the Trail and rode through Downtown LA and some BAD areas, there were some really bad road surfaces, Traffic, Buses and Traffic Lights, this wasn’t good.

But after a few miles we re-joined the Bike Trail and….

We arrive in Long Beach

It was lovely down there this morning, we rode past a Group of People waiting for the Boat to Catalina, they must have wondered where all the Riders were coming from.
We stopped at the SAG for around 15 minutes then set off back to Griffith Park, we decided that due to the heat and poor road surfaces we would cut the ride from 100 to 70 miles, I was glad, on the way back it started to get hot, smoggy plus there was a LOT of traffic this time going back through Downtown LA, this really hit our average time but once we were back on the Trail to Griffith we hit it again.

We were done by around noonish as far as I remember.

Summary

All in all, I wouldn’t really recommend this ride, it flat, but I don’t like riding through downtown LA and ‘hoods, apparently, dangerous ones at that from what I heard. The LA Rivver is anything but scenic, lots of broken Glass and strange looking People. The fast Paceline was fun but dangerous, the Trail is narrow and there’s no escape routes to avoid problems if the Peleton goes down. I don’t think I’d do it again next year.

The best rides of the year have been:

1. Cruisin’ the Canajo which starts in 1000 Oaks and has 6500 feet of scenic climbing over the Malibu Maountains, it’s a cat 5 Century (extremely difficult) but a nice ride.

2. Tour-de Sewer metric Century (62 miles) a lot of climbing but mostly a nice route.

3. Tour-de-Palm Springs. Rolling Hills for the first 50 miles, a nice ride and probably the best first-century in California.

I think I have 5 more centuries coming up before the end of the year.

PeterUK - 08 June 2008 10:38 PM

All in all, I wouldn’t really recommend this ride, it flat, but I don’t like riding through downtown LA and ‘hoods, apparently, dangerous ones at that from what I heard. The LA Rivver is anything but scenic, lots of broken Glass and strange looking People. The fast Paceline was fun but dangerous, the Trail is narrow and there’s no escape routes to avoid problems if the Peleton goes down. I don’t think I’d do it again next year.

What? You just need to change up your ride, and slide into something more native like the G-Ride…

Quit being such a wanker, most of the hood you went through is nothing for those who know how to truly roll.

PeterUK - 08 June 2008 10:38 PM

The best rides of the year have been:

1. Cruisin’ the Canajo which starts in 1000 Oaks and has 6500 feet of scenic climbing over the Malibu Maountains, it’s a cat 5 Century (extremely difficult) but a nice ride.

2. Tour-de Sewer metric Century (62 miles) a lot of climbing but mostly a nice route.

3. Tour-de-Palm Springs. Rolling Hills for the first 50 miles, a nice ride and probably the best first-century in California.

I think I have 5 more centuries coming up before the end of the year.

great report…

if anyone is into doubles… i did the Eastern Sierra Double Century this weekend… one of the most scenic ones i’ve ever done… fairly intense climbing the first 70 miles or so, cutting it close to the cut-off time for the second CP… i certainly paid the price of living 50ft above sea level… climbing as high as 8400ft… only bummer was some 20 or so miles is on horrible bad and cracked roads going downhill… wondering if your spokes, butt and hands will survive…. well they did and beeing blown back into town was a nice way to finish… a ride i can highly recommend despite the poor road conditions in parts of the ride.

Graph, you’re absolutely right Mate, can I borrow it next time?

How much practice and how much in Hospital Bills would it take to do this ?

flmgrip - 09 June 2008 08:25 AM

PeterUK - 08 June 2008 10:38 PM

if anyone is into doubles… i did the Eastern Sierra Double Century this weekend… one of the most scenic ones i’ve ever done… fairly intense climbing the first 70 miles or so, cutting it close to the cut-off time for the second CP… i certainly paid the price of living 50ft above sea level… climbing as high as 8400ft… only bummer was some 20 or so miles is on horrible bad and cracked roads going downhill… wondering if your spokes, butt and hands will survive…. well they did and beeing blown back into town was a nice way to finish… a ride i can highly recommend despite the poor road conditions in parts of the ride.

Funny you should mention it, a Friend and I were “talking” about doing a double earlier in the year, I think it was after Cruisin’ the Conejo, we were just done and I said “well, could you get back on the Bike and do that again”?  I think the thought of that scared us both!!

I know exactly what you mean about bad road surfaces going downhill, I always imagine my front Forks snapping off…

One thing I have always found also is that a really bad road surface can be really annoying after 80+ miles, I blame the Organizers for torturing us on purpose even though I know they don’t….

How long did the double take you?

PeterUK - 09 June 2008 08:42 AM

How much practice and how much in Hospital Bills would it take to do this ?

Have you watched this rad 80s movie? Rad

This is the one that got me into cycling….“American Flyers”

profette - 08 June 2008 07:46 PM

It looks like Obama rides a Trek.

Nice find Prof….

I found this at quickrelease.tv, read on…..

It turns out that Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee, rides a Trek. So does President Bush.

Trek gifted bikes to the Bush camp, has it also pushed bike’s Barack’s way?

The man who could be president later this year joined family and neighbours for a bicycle ride along the shores of Lake Michigan on Sunday. Story and pix carried on the Associated Press website.

Riding a bicycle is one of the first things you must be seen to be keen on, if you wish to be a leader of the free world. There are a disproportionate amount of real cyclists among world leaders.

In March, President Bush took the prime minister of Denmark on an MTB tour of his Texan ranch. And, of course, one of the key problems with UK prime minister Gordon Brown is that he doesn’t ride a bike, unlike the increasingly popular David Cameron who rides to Parliament at least once a week.

His ‘helmet-hair’ recently made headline news in the UK:

“All that happened is I got on my bicycle, put on a cycle helmet for once, because I’m always being told to… and something went a bit wrong.”

Cameron’s biking credentials will likely win him the next election. In the US, president’s used to have to worry about the ‘Jewish vote’, in the UK politicians have to fret over the ‘pedalling plebiscite’, such is the newfound popularity of the bicycle.

Barak Obama tried to reach out to the cycling vote at an amazingly early age. And, of course, who can forget the meme that whizzed around the world earlier this year

Saturday June 14th @ 9:00am - Tour-de-Backbay

Meet at San Marco Park which is on Harvard between Alton and Main.

This is a nice easy ride, everyone is welcome, please let me know if you have any questions.

See you there!!

Saturday June 20th @ 9:00am - Tour-de-Backbay

Meet at San Marco Park which is on Harvard between Alton and Main.

This is a nice easy ride with Coffee/Tea at the end, everyone is welcome, please let me know if you have any questions.

See you there!!

The 7 C’s just completed the Sunday Sunset Beach ride. It’s about 50 miles, mostly along the coast. The weather was spectacular and there were many cyclists out and few cars; the conditions were ideal. One member of the club was sporting a fancy new cannondale. The rest of us were hard pressed to keep up with her (and I was rather distracted by all the lycra-clad eye candy spinning by). But, I digress. After a quick coffee, we were back on our bikes and speeding towards Irvine. The number of ocean view condos for sale in HB would be shocking to anyone, expect IHB’ers of course. Somewhere along the route home, PeterUK felt it was appropriate to douse me with water from his bottle. Note to Peter: as our friend Fatty would say, “My revenge will be as thorough as it is calculated.“

Towards the end of my ride, the naproxyn wore off and my knee began to hurt. Some might say I bonked, but that’s a little harsh. Luckily, nobody is dropped on our rides, so I finished with some encouragement from my friends. Thanks, you guys. You’re the best! Check out PM’s new ride, below left. Sweeet!

Profette, thanks for the nice post-ride report (as usual)....

It was a great ride, we rolled out at around 7:15 am, weather wise it kind of reminded me of riding in Maui and the heat seemed to stay away somewhat untill we hit the Backbay for our return up to Irvine…. then it got pretty hot

The Pocketmoney took Her new Bike on it’s maiden voyage and unfortunately for us made Her swifter than usual…

I’m thinking one Sunday we can turn left on the PCH after the Backbay and ride from Irvine to Dana Point Harbor….

I missed Vicstah but we all knew it was probably too early to get His Arse out of Bed, I had to take all the abuse myself from the Female Members of the 7C’s….

Sorry about the water Prof

“Sorry” and a smiley will not save you, PeterUK.

Is there an easy ride planned for this sat?

Seriously, 7:00am start time for a ride… And on a Sunday?

We rode out to Sunet Beach on Sunday as well, starting at about 11am though. Gorgeous day out, and we had a great time.

Peter, sorry about catching crap from certain member (ahem, Prof!). I usually catch most of it (until I offer to buy coffee), but I’m glad that you were able to pick up the slack. Anyhow, see y’all on the next ride.

halfnote19 - 23 June 2008 10:28 AM

Is there an easy ride planned for this sat?

We normally post rides on Thursdays and don’t worry, just show up, nobody is ever dropped, there’s never any pressure only a lot of fun….and Coffee…plus, if you feel you’ve had enough someone will ride back with you…..

It’s actually a great introduction to Newbies on how to ride in a Group and not force others to crash or hit hit Pedestrians and Joggers etc.

There’s also this ride at Sand Canyon Cyclery in Irvine which starts at 6pm, Thursday June 26th. There are 3 seperate rides ranging from those who can just about balance on two wheels to the Elite Cyclist.

This is a Women’s only ride and looks like it will be a lot of fun…

profette - 23 June 2008 09:15 AM

“Sorry” and a smiley will not save you, PeterUK.

Saturday June 28th @ 9:00am - Tour-de-Backbay

Meet at San Marco Park which is on Harvard between Alton and Main.

This is a nice easy ride, everyone is welcome, please let me know if you have any questions.

See you there!!

JULY 4th ~ Tour-de-Backbay

Time: 9am

Location: San Carlo Park which is located on Harvard (opposite the School) between Main and Alton.

This is actually my anniversary event, I started riding again on this Day in ‘03 on an old borrowed Hybrid which was too big for me, myself and two other Limeys decided to ride the Boardwalk from Newport to HB and back in 92* heat. It was only 12 miles but it killed me, we also got badly burned and de-hydrated, the pre-ride Pizza and Beer didn’t help

If you want to join us, please PM me so we can expect you….

HAPPY JULY 4th EVERYONE!!

PeterUK - 03 July 2008 08:55 AM

JULY 4th ~ Tour-de-Backbay

Time: 9am

Location: San Carlo Park which is located on Harvard (opposite the School) between Main and Alton.

This is actually my anniversary event, I started riding again on this Day in ‘03 on an old borrowed Hybrid which was too big for me, myself and two other Limeys decided to ride the Boardwalk from Newport to HB and back in 92* heat. It was only 12 miles but it killed me, we also got badly burned and de-hydrated, the pre-ride Pizza and Beer didn’t help

If you want to join us, please PM me so we can expect you….

HAPPY JULY 4th EVERYONE!!

Does the Tour-De-Back Bay stop by Fletcher Jones?

I just rode along the beach for the first time ever.  It was along Newport down the Balboa peninsula.  What are the options for actually going somewhere on these beachfront paths?  Are any of them long enough for an adventure or are they all broken-up between cities?

Does the Tour-De-Back Bay stop by Fletcher Jones?

Well, kinda, we normally re-group on the Bridge by FJ…

effenheimer - 06 July 2008 06:30 PM

I just rode along the beach for the first time ever.  It was along Newport down the Balboa peninsula.  What are the options for actually going somewhere on these beachfront paths?  Are any of them long enough for an adventure or are they all broken-up between cities?

Eff, this time of year it’s a really nice early morning ride…any other time there are too many Peds…

Drive/Ride down Balboa Blvd to around 15th St or even further, you can then get onto the Boardwalk and ride all the way to the end, make a forced right then immediate left and follow the Bike Lane up the street which runs parallel with PCH (against Traffic but Bikes can go both ways) then turn right at the rest rooms hook a left onto the sidewalk (PCH), ride over the bridge that borders NB and HB and you’ll see the Bike Path that follows the Beach all the way up to sunset..

Balboa to Sunset

Beware, there’s a whopping 72’ of climbing