Current Status

I had hoped to get an S240 in this February but Mother Nature had other plans for me. I've heard biblical proportions and I suppose here in the South land it feels that way. The National Weather Service issued a Hazardous weather warning with possible flash flooding and mud slides inland, nothing to laugh about and definitely not the kind of weather you should be camping in no matter how prepared you think you are.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

So I was forced to pause, relax and enjoy the soothing rain outside while...my steeds were dry.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

I called the Ojai  bike overnight camp trip off early Thursday. Ever since the gloomy weather forecast popped up some ten days ago I've been scheming . So my back up plan was to ride about five miles up Big Tujunga Canyon Road and make a stealth camp around Doske Road in or near the remnant foundation of an old homestead, which is on high ground. I figured I'd wait for a break in the deluge and hustle up Big T make camp and hunker down inside my two person tent with book, radio, letter writing materiel and sandwich. Unfortunately, the break never manifested and instead I puttered around the house waiting for my Atlantis frame to be delivered from the painter. Lots of interesting stuff there but for another post. 

So stuck indoors I got to thinking about what these hardy folk up North do in heavy rain...do they just say what ever, ride get wet and deal with the soggy discomfort? On heavy down pours do they sequester themselves indoors? Instead of riding their bikes walk on errands?  Do they meticulously wipe their bikes down or just do a quick wipe and walk away, living with the fact that the frame and parts will get some rust and pitting...what's amusing about all these questions running through my head is that in my youth I lived in a wet climate which I recall just trowing on a rain coat and going head long into the wet environment. I just didn't have a nice shinny Rivendell. My answer is that in time beausage will develop and perhaps I'll be a bit more caviler.

Back to the storm...still heavy biblical rain...

And now that the S240 a month club is officially done for 2014 I can honesty say I'm okay with that. I've got lots of responsibilities that need tending to, so if there was any pressure it has now evaporated. Now I'm looking with anticipation to March for the Redland Strada Rossa ride March 15th and the following weekend March 22nd and 23rd Andy Smitty Schmidt from PDX is visiting with a S240 in Joshua Tree planned. 

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

The unpacking
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Exactly the right color
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Just so you all know I love the rain...lots of green coming and the reservoirs are filling up a tad.

More photographs on Flickr here

Thanks for reading and keep the rubber side down.

Necessity is a Mother.

I live exactly twenty one miles from Down town Los Angeles or twenty one miles from work. Home is in the foothills of the Western San Gabriel's with plenty of great back country to explore. That twenty one miles seems an unreasonable distance for bike commuting so I haven't up to this point. Yep that's correct I employ a carbon emitter and I'm not always happy about that. Isn't change only possible when we take it upon our selves to make those individual changes to start the snow ball a rolling.  The past two New Years I've made a resolution to commute to work by bicycle at the least once per week and well you know how resolutions go they get swept under the rug hauled out a year later.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

My commute by bicycle resolution was ripped out from under that carpet and in a big way! But I'll get to that in a moment.

Our homes main waste line has been infiltrated by our lovely liquid amber tree roots...just so happens the six inch transition clay pipe to the cities sewer in the middle of the street has integrity issues and needs to be replaced and then the section under the street thermoform lined to prevent future root infiltration. The work is being done as I type and it's a boat load. Let me put it into perspective, it's a Rivendell Atlantis fully built by Riv buried beneath my front yard, no late night digging parties please; besides the ground squirrels have that job cornered these days.

My digging party
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Next up the wife's car won't start, our philosopher mechanic not physic mechanic two weeks ago couldn't figure out what the problem is? It started fine for him, he did fix a bunch of other stuff. So the wife asks about renting a car for a few days? I looked up rental rates and it wasn't too bad, but I had this pervading thought ride your bike to work! Come on you know you want to. It's doable.

Incidentally, I've been getting Homer prepared for the next S240 up in Ojai so he's been fully racked and bagged, essentially ready to commute. Oh and there's rain on the horizon...will my plans to make a February overnight happen or will Mother Nature impede my attempt on the S240 a month club? Stay tuned, I know I'm checking the weather forecast often.

I made contact with the plumber, line cleared and the rest of the work scheduled for tomorrow, so I readied myself, lunch, dinner, clothes, layers for the evening ride, Cygolight charged, rear lights all working blah, blah, blah...I rolled out and onward to a new experience. Climbing and thinking, thinking and climbing...I pedaled 600' out of my house and realized that the pork chop I was carrying might not be refrigerated for a while so the wife brought me a small soft cooler and blue icy thingy. Trudging ahead I stopped at Trader Joe's for some rice chips and then headed down and through Glendale via Vedugo Boulevard... time wise I was doing really well so there was time to stop and take some pictures and generally soak in the route.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Hollywood extends to Eagle Rock
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Los Angeles River
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Once I crossed the LA river I paused to take some more pictures and saw a cyclist passing by. later I caught up with him at a stop signal and asked about his commute. He said he was traveling from Orange County. I said your commuting from Orange County?  Smiling he informed me he was retired and could ride all day, the light changed, traveling in different directions leaving me with questions.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Retired
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

2nd Street tunnel entrance
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

I arrived at work nearly forty five minutes early and reflecting on the ride I was most pleased.

Trusty Homer at rest in the shop
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

The return ride was diametrically different. A short jaunt to Union Station a short ride on the Gold line light rail to Pasadena and I rode the sixteen miles home, climbing and chasing my shadow the whole way, owning the road.. There was a quietude to the ride that you can't achieve during the day. Arriving home at just after midnight, warm shower, pecked a few words and promptly slid into bed.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Waiting
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

February 25th 8:00am

This morning I feel the fatigue but feel surprisingly well. Necessity really is a Mother pushing me to make that resolution a reality. Commute day two ahead, rain looming I am determined to make this Ojai overnight happen.

And my neighbor across the street coincidentally has the same plumbing problem too!

Neighbors digging party
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

More Flickr pictures here.

Thanks for reading and remember keep the rubber side down.

Out my back door.

There are days when I don't mind sharing the roadways with automobiles and then...

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

there are days I just feel the need to go out in my back yard.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

If I take the short route I'm in the Angeles National Forest within three miles, the long way four or so miles.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Nine miles of climbing and mostly car free roads I'm exploring old homesteads. My favorite rides are those with a purpose a destination in mind.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Quite alone time is a cherished activity.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

And solo rides allow me the luxury to be leisurely and soak in the beauty.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

These days I prefer the roads out behind my house...

Flickr images here

Thanks for looking and keep the rubber side down

January Epic S240 in the Angeles National Forest

First bike overnight of the new year and it was...

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

an early spirited ride to the train and this adventure had me travelling North a relatively short distance toward  the Antelope Valley and the Vincent Grade/Acton Metrolink Station, along the way we picked up the Coconut.

The Coconut AKA Evan Spacht
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Deposited at a specious facsimile of a western town; it was time to ready our selves for a day of climbing. Strangely, it was brisk and completely different from the weather we'd experienced the past two weeks as Southern California had been having unseasonably warm days. Surprised by the morning chill I  immediately donned layers. With quick carbohydrate loading we were on the bikes and pedaling up the Angeles Forest Springs Hwy with a Northeast head/side wind buffeting us. We ascended through a high desert terrain littered with sage. There were moments we sought refuge in engineered alcoves cut into the sedimentary rock allowing us respite from the winds and a chance to survey our progress.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

 Last minute prep
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

After 2200' and 19 miles we reached Mill Creek Summit and  Fire Station #18  I checked in with Captain Linda Winkler a great source of information who assured us that the severe fire warning had been lifted and we were cleared to have a fire, she also informed me the two campgrounds Lighting Point and Messenger Flats were closed to motorized vehicles since 2009 (jackpot!) but no water! Captain Winkler thought there was water at North Fork, prepared for no water we were both carrying four liters each in addition to our three water bottles.

Mill Creek Fire Station 500' behind this sign and to the left
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Fire Station #18 is a brand new facility built after the original burned in the 2009 Station Fire there is potable water so we filled up our depleted bottles and took advantage of the picnic area and long stark views to brew coffee & tea. Nourished we departed the comfort of the Station and headed toward the summit of Mount Gleason and beyond to our camp for the evening Messenger Flats.

View looking North from Fire Station 18 picnic area.
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

We conveyed our selves up Mount Gleason Road a steep well worn seldom used since 2009 road winding it's way around and up the top part of Beartrap canyon with remnants, burnt pine tree husks a reminder of the fires swath. The further we climbed the more dramatic the vista's, waves of brown smooth peaks sprinkled with varying shades of green and hints of purple. Though initially brisk we welcomed the overcast skies with all the climbing we were doing. Geographically in the distance we could see Aliso Canyon and further yet in the distance Soledad Canyon.

On we climbed...

View from Mount Gleason Road above Beartrap Canyon.
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

A lively down hill section and once again greeted with another big climb. At twenty six miles in we arrived at Camp 16. The burned structure located on a ridge with 360 degree views was a Los Angeles County run men's low security fire camp... a memorial for the two fire fighters who perished in the arson set fire is near by. We lingered awhile soaking in the views amid the ghost town like structure then made our way on the last final climb of the day with a significant pitch happy to have a granny gear.

Camp 16 memorial
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

We arrived at Messenger Flats with enough daylight to make camp and have a roaring fire, dinner was eaten, stout drunk and good conversation around a roaring fire, later we retired me to my tent and the Coconut to his trusty hammock.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Evening Camp
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Morning Coffe & Tea
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Saturday morning brought brisk temperatures and sunshine...the fire was reconstituted the essentials tea & coffee brewed and we consumed enough carbohydrates for the ride to come.

Saturday morning
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

With camp broke and the bikes loaded (the second day pack job always seems better) we headed off on Santa Clara Divide Road a snaky back country road that offers mixed terrain with sweeping down hill sections and amazing vista's

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

SCDR
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

There were opportunities to soak in the vastness of this remote terrain and survey where we were headed. With an elevated vantage point we spotted our next stop North Fork Saddle home of Todd resident caretaker and Forest Service sign maker.

North Fork
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

View North from North Fork
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Todd a wealth of information and an amiable fellow made it easy to linger, the views and serenity helped too. We had noticed a sign at Camp 16 regarding asbestos and he told us that they used a paper sprayed product to encase the asbestos fibers. We replenished (Todd keeps a five gallon bottle of water out for the PCTers which parallels SCDR at certain intervals) our water and continued on Santa Clara Divide Rd pausing often to marvel at the arid desert vista's.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Camera battery died right after this image
A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Twenty two miles and unknown elevation gain loss we arrived at Bear Divide and Sand Canyon Road, with a short down hill distance we were climbing once again up to Dillion Divide and the beginning of Little Tujunga Canyon Road, another six miles down hill to Foothill Boulevard at dusk we arrived at the Ranch Side Cafe filling up on burgers & pie. After dinner we rode four miles back to my home concluding an epic bike overnight.
66 miles awesome fire roads and amazing scenery over two days made this an epic ride by all accounts.

Next up in February? Perhaps a little less epic and a bit more rambling.

More Socalpedalpusher Flickr images here and the Coconuts are here.

Thanks for reading and keep the rubber side down.

From Dawn to Dusk

This is my second attempt now to share some thoughts I've had recently believe it or not there are bicycles, beers, tea and Bullmoose Bosco bars revolving somewhere in this cathartic post with a whole bunch of other stuff. I'll spare you the inconsequential, well on second thought here's one. I had a cinnamon cake doughnut the other day and I enjoyed every cinnamony bite. Yep out of my system now where was I?

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

I confess I'm no F. Scott Fitzgerald or Hemingway nor even a translated Dostoevsky (who happens to be one of my favorite authors) well perhaps my writings resemble the rambling part of Dostoevsky...I've been lamenting over whether to post this one but here it is, mortality, why write a blog and how the bicycle fits into my world view. You may be wondering where the dawn to dusk part comes in...it's coming.

First why write a damn blog? I mean there are blogs a plenty out there, lots of folks enjoy the "Bike Snobs" pithy, sardonic insights. I know I do to a point; okay I don't read him all that often but when I do I'm in a snobby mood anyway. Point is there's lots to read out in the blogosphere. So why do I need to clog things up?

The short answer is because I want to! I'm passionate about bicycles and any thing revolving around these wonderful amazing machines, but we'll get to the bicycle in a bit. I write for my self and if there is a cherry on the proverbial cake maybe I add some value to this crazy blue marble.

I am an artist at my core...don't artist's do art for the sake of art because they have no other choice they/we let it develop in the ether. Allow the viewer/reader to process it all make their minds up about what the artist is communicating. The truth is that I've been inspired to write a blog by some blogger friends who I greatly admire, but another reason is maybe to leave a record a mark of my existence...

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Which brings me to the mortality part. It's pretty simple and really I don't want to get too philosophical about this as there are much smarter folks than my self who've made it a life career to consider such things. I'm nearly 53 and in that time I've developed my list of maladies hey it comes with the package. However, the most difficult part of life in my opinion are the accumulated losses of family, friends and pets at least for me they weigh on my psyche. And there are plenty of ways to view mortality but for me living in the moment  in the now works.

The most recent event for me was the loss of an RBW Owners Bunch member Seth Vidal who was involved in a hit and run while riding his bike this past Summer in Durham North Carolina. I didn't know him personally but in the wake of his hasty departure as well as reading others thoughts this sense of impermanence has once again percolated to the surface of my conscientiousness. I lost my best friend  my Uncle Larry December 27th 2009 who was like a brother to me and my Dog Porter passed January the 4th of 2013 a loyal good friend. So Seth's leaving has me revisiting the sense of  my life our lives...If Seth's life view could be summarized I suppose it would be the following:

"It isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." Seth Vidal

Words to live by.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

For me the bicycle represents one of mankind's finest achievements because it harnesses us as the power plant and it does so with relative efficiency. Not to mention when you look at a steel lugged bicycle in particular it's gorgeous rolling art.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

In my opinion there is is no better way to experience your surroundings then by bicycle. So on to to the now moment...

I made arraignments to meet fellow RBW Owners Bunch and honorary Rabble Rouser Evan Spacht otherwise known as the Coconut Saturday the 11th at Los Angeles Union Station. Up at dawn ( there's the dawn part) and out of the house I  rode the 8.5 miles to the Sun Valley Metrolink Station and boarded the train....called Evan to make sure he made the train and he happened to be in the next car.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

We arrived around 8:30 am and made our way out of Union Station but along the way we ran into a huge group of Los Angeles hipsters all decked out on Miyata's, LHT's and a host of other bicycles...I was in nirvana looking at all these bikes loaded for an S240 and they were going out to a ride "The Old Ridge Route " that I've wanted to do but haven't yet found the time. I had to pinch my self, was I in LA or was this San Francisco? So happens one of this group Mark on the LHT had recently moved from San Francisco. Things are happening in the City of Angels.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Our day revolved around, climbing up into Elysian Park making tea eating croissants and having spirited philosophical conversation about the state of all things in our tiny way station. And it seemed like a serendipitous spot as there was a coconut on the grass waiting for us.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Afterwards we climbed a bit more had a pinch flat explosion! Sounded like a gunshot and had the locals ducking for cover, repaired, remounted the saddle finished the climb with views of the Los Angeles skyline

then carved our way down a twisty potholed road en route to the hip enclave of Silver Lake to pick up some Bosco Bullmoose bars at GSC (Golden Saddle Cyclery) these folks are really nice people are passionate about bicycles in a low key way and honest...if your in town and have some time to spare I suggest a visit (no consideration has been proffered for this thumbs up just MHO) we stowed our bikes and walked back to the Silver Lake Farmers Market for people watching, strong coffee, tamales oh yeah and a huge cup of steaming hot black tea.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Later...

Bosco's mounted for transport it was time to hunt down a beer or two... the Coconut knew just the right place Angel City Brewery  a quick ride back through Echo Park and into the "Arts District" where they don't serve food unless you count the Vietnamese food truck parked out side serving up four delicious appetizers, the bonus is since they don't serve food Dogs are allowed inside a huge expansive old wire manufacturing plant which I think is darn cool sorry cat lovers no cats sighted this time.

We had some great beers and conversation with some nice people. It was getting late we looked at the time! It was dusk there was a rushed sprint back to Union Station to catch the 5:25 pm Metrolink train but that had been cancelled and the next train was 8:25 pm !! I didn't want to spend three more hours waiting on a train (Los Angeles is still working things out) and the wife was expecting me home so I grabbed the Gold line train up to Pasadena and rode the 15 miles home.

A photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

What I took away from this day was that our lives are over in a flash even if we live a full life span it's a Dawn to Dusk sort of thing over really fast (the ride was also Dawn to Dusk) and like Seth any moment could be our last so raise your own bar to make the world a better place, grab a bike see your surroundings at a good pace and surround your self with good people like the Coconut and Carpe diem...

If you want to look at other photographs from this and other adventures look here or the Coconuts here.

Thanks for taking the time to read a long post and keep the rubber side down.