10.31.2011

2 Rivers Bike Paths, 2000 miles

Of course I didn't ride 2000 miles this weekend. When I finished the 42-mile ride today, my bike computer showed that I had log in 2000 miles so far, to be exact, this was not the first 2000 miles I've ridden since I bought Dragon in 2006, but 2000 miles since I changed the computer battery few years ago.

To kick off the training ride weekend, I rode with Chain Gang on Saturday. We met at the Griffith Park on a gorgeous morning, over 30 riders showed up. There's road work in the park, it was a little challenging to find the meeting place, especially for those we're not familiar with the park.

From Griffith Park we rode out to Burbank, went through some studious. Then we got on the LA River bike path. It has been awhile since I rode here. It went through some major changes, and the bike path south end has extended (we didn't go all the way).

After the ride, I rode to the neighboring Autry National Center for the Day of the Death event.

gorgeous weather, great time for a morning spin
TRL Augusto helping new rider
stretching is very important, before and after ride
TRL Dorren helping newbie fixed her bike
everyone is excited to ride with us
safety speech and route description before riding out
self-portrait, entertaining myself
riding on the LA River bike path
different kind of birds, the new life of the LA river
posing by the river bike path
another loop at Griffith Park
yay, done with 30mile ride

On Sunday, my alarm went off at 6.15AM, I was planning to ride with Different Spokes. I was struggling, should I get up and get read, or should I just go back to sleep. I told myself "it's still early in the training season, I'm allowed to skip training rides." Yet, the other side of my mind said "no, you've to go out and ride."

Well, the battle between the two last for about 30 minutes, I finally got up, rushed through everything, and got to the meeting point - San Gabriel River bike path restroom near the 210 freeway and Irwindale. I was late for 10 minutes, they were about to leave by the time I got there.

The ride was along the San Gabriel river, all the way from the mountain to the sea. It was over 70 miles long. I knew I wasn't ready for this distance. So I turn around at the half way point, and end up doing a 42 miles ride, where second half of the ride I was riding by myself.

Riding south towards the beach was a lot more easier, because it was downhill and we had tailwind. However, it was a bit harder when heading back to the starting point, not only it was "uphill" and  headwind, the temperate had gone up to upper 80s'F!

I kept reminding myself about the "one mile at a time" story, I even counted how many strokes it takes for me to travel every quarter mile, first it was 63, then I switched to bigger gear, and it became 57. I'm glad I finished the ride before the heat strike.

meeting place on Foothill Blvd, near 210/Irwindale
getting ready to ride out
from the rest-stop to the bike trail
at the Santa Fe dam loop
entering the river bike path
quick stop/turn around point - Wildness Park, Downey
Graffiti vs. bike path vs. train track
a long long way to go under super hot sun
killer turn, had to pedal up this "hill" to get to the top
now a better view of the bike path from the top
can stop by the nature center for some interesting information
displays introducing the surrounding area and its wild life
marker on the bike path showing how many miles you're awasy
check this out, 2000 miles!

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