Hi all,
This is loosely on our topic, and there are a couple technical issues ... but it's really a follow up on a local SoCal ride that Andrew and Brian told us about a couple weeks ago. I missed the group affaire, but had a fabulous 'winter' ride to the top this week - my last significant ride of the year. Pictures (mostly vistas) of this fantastic southern california venue are at:
I would sound extremely pollyan'ish if I were to complain about our SoCal weather - but I've lived all over the country, in areas that really HAVE weather - and ours here sometimes is very boring (nice, but boring !). So this week, with an impending rain front, I started this 40 mile ride (layers and windbreakers, as Ted recommended), when right off the batt, the rain drops began to get closer together on the road in front of me. As I pulled up on a guy on a fibre bike, we discussed the weather - he said his wife called him on his cell from Monrovia (an adjacent town), sayin it was 'raining like crazy' over there. The sky looked pretty nasty for sure !
A mile later he turned back, and I continued up ( he said he was impressed with my 8.5mph pace on the Miyata 1000 touring bike in the middle ring). I figured that after I was drenched, I could easily turn around, and coast back to the waiting jeep and a change of clothes.
After another mile or so, the skys began to clear, I ditched the leggings and all layers down to a short sleeve Capaline shirt. And the views became fantastic! Clouds and sun, and misty foggish views down in the canyons. And the lack of wind was an added bonus !
I brought the touring bike because its the only 'triple' I've got, and Andrew wisely suggested it'd come in handy. The climb is challenging for sure, but not as steep as I thought. I was turnin the half step middle ring (48/32) pretty steadily, but this was workin the heart up around 95%. I knew I could continue that pace for a couple hours - but I wasnt sure what was ahead on this long ride. So at some point I took breaks droppin down to the small ring. I made lots of mental notes for my restoration of the 72 Paramount. I've found a drilled Stronglight triple, and now think I'm confortable that a 13-24 in the rear will work fine. I hope it'll turn out to be a worthy ride for a future return to this fun climb!
It was an incredible ride, living up to everything I heard from so many of you Local Listers. One rider on the road was telling me that the forestry folks are planning to re'open Glendora Mountain Road this next summer. That would be a shame, as the car'free ride was indeed great. However riding mid'week, it turned out that I only saw a handful of cars, and maybe 3 motorcycles (none of those canyon racer variety that scare the heck out of me on windy roads !).
The top is something called Cow Canyon Saddle - at 4527'. From there it's a steep and way fast descent back to the city below.
Tire reflection: Chuck had mentioned that the descent down Baldy Road was full of 'cracks'. I'd recently re'read an article in Jan's VBQ about tire pressure, and how the lower pressure of the randonneur style bikes equates to more comfortable rides. So I was eager to see how the nasty asphalt cracks felt on the heavy Miyata, equipped with 80psi, fatish touring Marathon tires. Even though you couldnt miss em, hitting them at 35mph was no hassle at that pressure. Makes me REALLY curious about the feel of the wide, 650b tires (at pressures as low as 60psi) that the old touring French bikes used.
Bike Question: My 81 Miyata has an odd wire 'cage' on the drive side
chainstay, through which runs the derailleur cable. I've often wondered
about this bracket thing... but have no idea it's purpose. Again,
reading a VBQ magazine on early derailleurs, I noticed one model
actually attached to the chainstay. I totally doubt that this bracket
(on a Japanese bike, with an integrated derailleur hanger) could have
anything to do with an optional mount for a derailleur - but if anyone
knows what it does... I'd apprecaite it. [Here's a pic:
http://tinyurl.com/
So, 4.5 hours, and 40 miles after I started, I made it back to the car. It was a super fun 'winter' ride. And I had to chuckle -I guessed that the guy on the carbon fibre bike that turned back had LONG since arrived home, and was probably takin his christmas lights down under some fantastic the clear SoCal skys !
Thanks to everyone for a great year of cycling related fun.
Happy New Years all !!
Rich Pinder
Van Nuys, CA