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.

Rivendell San Diego mini bump ramble around the bay .

Marine flags a photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flckr

Our good friend Curtis McKenzie put this ride together as many of us have admired this particular ride, I know I was keen to go on a ramble especially when it means doing so around water features that can't be a bad idea.

It's the first Southern California Rivendell ramble of 2014, nothing official just a bunch of fellows on a mellow ride around San Diego Bay stopping and chatting about all manner of things. There was a ferry ride, a salt Mountain or two, a big historic naval ship and of course beers.

Bruce and David a Socalpedalpusher photograph on Flickr

We met at Liberty Station which used to be the San Diego Naval Training Center near the "Recruit" training ship.  The requisite bike geeking commenced...but then it was time to do some rambling.

David's J.P. Weigle fender and reflector a Socalpedalpusher photograph on Flickr

Curtis led us up over our first bump of the day Halsey Rd Bridge as we headed South toward Down Town San Diego via Spanish Landing passing the San Diego International Airport and stopping by the USS Midway and Star of India for photographs and conversation.

David, Curtis, Bruce and USS Midway a photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Continuing South we bought our ferry tickets for the return passage and continued past Seaport Village The"Kiss", and a tribute statue of Mr. Entertainer Bob Hope. We passed under the Coronado Bridge skirting the Sweet Water Marsh National Wildlife Refuge traveling along the the Southern boundary of the Bay through Imperial Beach and riding North up the Silver Strand Boulevard to Coronado Island.

Once on Coronado we made our way to the Coronado Brewing Company for quick refreshments there were at least two stupid stout's consumed and a stupid IPA (sorta makes sense doesn't it) and nacho's before catching the Ferry back to San Diego's Broadway Pier. There was talk of wishing another order of nachos had been ordered...hey we worked up an appetite!

The crew at Coronado Brewing Company a Socalpedalpusher photograph on Flickr

We had a short but wonderful ferry ride back which offered fantastic views of San Diego.

Starboard panorama a photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Although this was a ramble of 32 miles it seemed to go by way too fast and before we knew it we were parting ways but before doing so there was talk of other ramble locations and S240's. I enjoyed every moment of this ride and know we'll be doing it again in the near future. Thank you Curtis for organizing and being a great tour guide.

And here are the aforementioned Salt Mountains...

The Salt Mountains a photograph by Socalpedalpusher on Flickr

Did I mention that the weather was a fantastic balmy mid 50's at the start of our ride and probably in the mid 60's at the end...I say probably cause here in temperate Southern California you forget to check those statistics as accuracy doesn't really matter...yeah this is for you up there in the North you know who you are.

If you'd like to see other images from our ramble they can be found here and David's are here.

Thanks for reading and keep the rubber side down.