Labor Day Weekend

On Friday, Luke mentioned that he would've enjoyed sitting on a patio with some Spanish white wine, so when I stopped by the store on the way home, I picked some up! Sounded like a good idea.





Looking back, I probably should've added some non-vegetable, non-alcoholic carbs into that meal!

I'll be honest: this weekend didn't really turn out as planned. I had some weird delusions of hitting up some massive volume and good riding for the 3 days we had off.

For Saturday, Justin needed to pick up some parts at The Path, and also get his fork looked at, so we knew we had to head over to OC. We planned to do another dawn-ish ride on the road to start out the weekend right with 2.5 or so hours of riding on the flats.

NOT the breakfast of champions...



Right away my heart rate was skyrocketing with the smallest of efforts. Since we had another ride planned, I was trying to take it easy, but my body wasn't really cooperating. I just didn't feel that great.

Sky sure was awesome, though







We did manage to get in some mileage and a few short efforts, but turned around early. Got back home, and Justin cooked up some delish breakfast burritos!!



I felt a little better after eating, and eventually we headed out the door, with the plan to ride the Luge in some way shape or form once we had taken care of some errands.

View of the fire from THE 91



We got the bike shop stuff done, picked up some necessities, checked out the new Stumpy HT Comp (sweet bike, actually), and then headed south to Oakley. Justin wanted them to check out the cracks that are ever increasing on his Flak jacket prescription lenses (I just noticed a new crack in my left lens as well - sucky since it's around 7 BUSINESS days to be without sunglass vision). We also got some new "flair" - different Earsocks!





It was hot out over there, especially at 3~ pm. We suited up in the crazy heat anyway and headed out to do Whiting - Luge. We had planned on maybe doing an O'Neill - Whiting - Old Camp route, but that was a bit too much for me!

We saw four hikers and one other mountain biker on the entire route, and not much wildlife! Pretty much just hot and dry out there.



Mustard was hot and tough, but we hit it pretty hard anyway, and I was putting in some efforts, but the power was coming and going! I likened it to the waxing and waning of the moon. I'd charge a section and feel great, and then the next short rise have nothing left.



I was pretty stoked to be hitting up the Luge again, since it's been almost a year.







It had felt pretty good to get out on the mountain bike afterall, but I was definitely fatigued post-ride!

Since Justin was grilling up some carne asada for taco's, we decided to open our last beer.



Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous... the chronical







Dinner!



We weren't really sure if we should spin on Sunday or just kick back. I wanted to at least get out on the bike in some semblance of a ride. So, we left the house later in the morning and set out on about an hour regen ride. At the turn off street, we both agreed to get a little more volume and head around the lake. Sounded like a good idea at the time!



It doubled the ride time (as I knew it would), and we both wound up running out of energy on the way home. Luckily we had about a buck fifty, so once Justin scrounged together the extra change we were able to purchase a 12 fl oz Pepsi can (seriously, everything else was too much $$). That got us home!

We had some post-ride fuel, got prepped, and headed south to see Justin's sister and cousin, hit up REI, and stop by La Jolla to see the sea lions.

It was gorgeous down there at the coast!





We got home pretty late, so didn't get much done, but were both able to prep for Monday's planned ride: Idyllwild! I warned Luke that I wasn't sure I'd be physically up for 3-4 hours, but we were going to head up and see what we could do anyway.

Once in the lot, we realized that there were a ton of people out pre-riding for the 24 hour event in a few weeks, so we decided to cut out the first part of the course (climbing the 24 hour course descent) and just headed out on course. I was pushing, but feeling ok, and only fell off the pace of Luke and Justin a little on the early climb.





I was pretty stoked to *finally* clean the rock wall



We rode some singletrack, hit up some fire road climbing… and generally had a really good time. It was just what I needed; singletrack stoke and no masses!

























Since it was Labor Day, yet another American grilling holiday, I had picked up some ground sirloin and sweet potatoes from the store so Justin could grill up some good American cookin'!

For those of you that like to see Justin's meat, you'll have to check back later! I left the pics on the camera :)

All in all, the weekend worked out pretty good. It wasn't as fruitful as either of us hoped, but we got in some solid bike time, a little beach time, and tried to rest up. Taking the day off hoping we can get back to it tomorrow!

Riding by the sun: set and rise

This week has been interesting for training. It's one thing to do regen rides in 100* heat; it's another to do hill repeats at max effort in that temperature, in the middle of the day, with no shade and near-boiling water.

Monday night, after work, Justin suggested we get up early to get in a ride before work. This would require me to come in late. My schedule is pretty set, but I left a friendly message for the boss anyway. I was still going to get in my 8 hours at work, just needed to push them back by an hour!

The ride was awesome. Temperature wasn't as low as I expected, but even at 75~ at the start it was a lot better than at noon! The sunrise over the valley was superb; a great way to start out the day.

Tuesday night Justin grilled up one of the best tasting steaks I have ever had the pleasure of eating.



We were invited out on the weekday evening ride at the local mountain bike spot by a few people from work. Unfortunately everyone else cancelled, but four of us got to enjoy the waning light. With the odd thunderhead breaking up here and there around us, it made for some gorgeous scenery.











This morning we were back at it at sunrise...not quite the morning Tuesday had been, by all accounts (weather, traffic, sunrise, etc.), but it was good none-the-less to get in the work early before a full 9 hour desk "recovery" session!




Just you, me, and the open road...

Solid Weekend!

I know it's a little late, but work (life!) has been BUSY this week and it's only Tuesday!

Early last week Justin and I had a plan to hit up Noble Canyon with some friends, but by mid-week that plan was cancelled and our weekend was open. We wanted to get out to ride Jason's latest So Cal Fat Tire Epic course for his marathon race in early October, but what to do on Saturday? We thought, due to the extreme heat being forecast, that a coastal road ride was in order.

Late in the week Luke emailed to say that he was hitting up the Celo Pacific ride with Slater and James. Since the ride was essentially what I had been planning, but would include some fun roadie attacks off the front on the hills, we decided we'd make the trip down to Carlsbad and join the group! It was listed as a low to moderate intensity ride, but we were assured there would be some attacks, so to go get 'em.

We got down there a little early, got prepped, and as I headed over to use the Deli's facilities saw James and BETH roll in! Was stoked to finally meet her.



Shortly after the group rolled out through town, through the harbor, and onto the base.







After a short regroup on base I knew the pace would be lifted, so tried to position myself in the front half of the group so I could hang on and not be shot off the back. True to form, the pace went way up, and as soon as I saw the first rise coming up, I pushed to get as close to the front as possible. I hadn't done this route in awhile, but I knew there were 2-3 decent short hills, and positioned myself pretty good to stay in the pack. My HR was skyrocketing, so it was all good. I figure these road rides are better if you race road because there are attacks, and then it'll calm down for awhile, and then attacks, then it calms down. Generally through Pendleton we were flying, and the pace slowed and swelled and lifted and slowed on the way up to San Onofre state beach. I sort of was late to the sprint finish game, but had a blast pushing up through the ranks anyway, and turned it around with Slater and we chatted about our sprint numbers (his are way better than mine! - duh!).

Everyone regrouped a little and we cruised it back through San Onofre, getting yelled at by the lifeguard/ranger? the whole back through.







The pace was sure to lift again once back on the base, and sure enough it did. I put in an effort to stay with the group on one of the hills, and totally sprinted like crazy up to the top. Felt great, even with fatigued legs. I missed the split up to Luke and one of the younger kids, and was ahead of the rest of the crew…not a good place to be! I put in efforts, but was getting tired, and eventually the pack went by. I caught on to the tailend just a tad, but hanging by a thread. Eventually Luke and I were spit off the back and put in some solid TT efforts. The lights thwarted us from catching back on, but we had fun anyway.

The three of us (Justin, Luke, and I) cruised it south with Beth and James who were heading home. Justin and I even stopped at Pannikins!! Always a good time.







We did NOT get food :)

After the ride we grabbed some grub (Justin and I had our PB&J sandwiches), and headed back north with Slater and Luke for an afternoon at the beach. I don't go to the beach very often, but was quite surprised when we had to wait in line…for over an hour…and pay $15…to go to the beach. Only in California :)



Since we had an early wake-up call (Luke had mentioned riding at 6:30 am!) for the next day at Vail, we decided to head out just before sunset.



Luke was out for Sunday, but we hooked up with Zippy for a marathon loop around 7:30 am. I'll be honest… I was COLD where we parked. As soon as we got moving, though, temps were rapidly rising!

Early morning light









From the top of Dam climb



West side!





More pics…









Hiking



And then…



All in all, great weekend. Feeling really good on the bike and the efforts were solid. I was totally fatigued at the end of the both days! So tired I didn't even take any photos of food :)