I've been working (more like persuading) The Prez to get into Mountain Biking the past few weeks.  Big talk considering I haven't set foot on dirt trails since a business trip to Portland, OR. a few years back.  So what is this idea of having an MMCC Dirt Division? 

Well, I figured MTN biking would be a great cross training alternative to running.  Also, prior to going full time roadie, I use to be a avid MTN biker back in the late 90s.  I still have the same MTN bike from that time...a now vintage Diamondback Apex.  However, that bike has been used soley for baby trailer duties the past couple of years.  So I unhitched the trailer and decided to utilize the local trails that are a mere 1-2 miles from my doorstep. 

Thanks to Scott, I got inspired to try out the Black Mountain trails first.  I wanted to get to the top where the communication arrays are located.  I wanted to take the same pictures he did to prove I made it up there.  Granted, he has a top end full suspension rig whereas I had a steel, hardtail classic!

For once, I didn't recon the trails as much as I would a new road ride.  I didn't really know where the trail head started but figured I'd start here:



I've seen this entrance countless times while on my roadie.  I never turned in there fearing the dirt portion is just around the corner (where is Jerry when you need him?).  This trail entrance is midway up the 4S Ranch side of Black Mtn / Carmel Valley road:



Notice you can see the communications array at the top of the picture.  That was where I wanted to get to.  So I begin my offroad excursion and noticed the 'trail' is actually paved for about 1/4 mile.  But its steep...maybe 12% (I couldn't toggle my GPS to see the actual as I was too busy holding the handlebars steady!).  Fortunately my MTN bike has a triple crankset and just 'cadenced' my way up.  Then I reach a parking lot that I never knew existed...check out the view from there:



I was thinking to myself...not bad, easier than I remember. :)  Then I see where the dirt trail begins.  What's the first thing I see?  Stuff like this:



Going uphill was actually EASIER than trying to descend.  Some sections were so damn steep that it was impossible to clip in.  I did more walking than riding.  I can also tell 'others' have been here as many rocks were strategically positioned so that you don't fall off some kind of hidden cliff:

In some places the brush was taller than you can see over.  So it gets sorta isolated and almost intimidating (who am I kidding...it was freakin' intimidating!).  Even when I use to MTN bike alot, I never road single track type trails on my own for safety reasons.  Also, its pretty darn lonely on the trails. 

During a rather technical section, I had to clip out immediately and hit my leg/thigh on the tip of my saddle.  It felt like I got stabbed.  So I sit there in the dirt staring at rocks and wondering if I'll ever make it back home (forget going all the way to the top). 



It took awhile for me to regain the ability to walk.  After about 20 mins, I limped back on the bike and kept following the trail down.  At this point, I was remembering how to MTN bike again as my technical skills kicked in.  I was able to ride most of the trail after the injury.  However, I noticed that most of the trail was downhill and ended up back at the base of the hill.  How the heck did that happen?

After that, I was a bit demoralized but still had some time left before I had to return to work.  So I got back on Black Mtn road and headed towards the Stargaze area where I should have started in the first place.  But after getting on the trail again, I actually turned back before I even reached Stargaze as I was already pretty cooked.  I think I only did less than 10 miles but was ready to go home.  Here's what / where I ended up riding (darker yellow trail):



Notice I never came close to where the array is at the top (near those 2 blue squares) on either of my ascent locations (You can see the other area where I tried to go up there).  Next time I will start at Stargaze and climb from there.  I knew I should have just asked Scott.

As of this writing, The Prez has acquired a MTN bike and we'll probably attempt this climb one of these days.  Scott - you're more than welcome to lead this ride.  Bottom line, I forgot how to MTN bike and more importantly forgot how HARD trail riding is.  As much as I 'enjoyed' it, I can't get back into this as much as I want to....because then I'd want a FS Santa Cruz Blur!!.  But I'm open to starting an official Orange Dirt division for MMCC.  Just don't get white SIDIs because it will be covered with dirt like my Nike's:



So if anybody is interested, feel free to go out on the dirt.  Happy Halloween everyone!

The Ride UP:

 

How tough was the last Tour de Francis – Mt. Baldy edition?   After having done the Three Lakes Ride (100 miles / 10,000 feet) and the Frazier Park Ride (100 miles / 8,000 feet), I would have to say the Mt. Baldy ride was its own “animal”.  It was brutal in its own way.  The first 29 or so miles weren’t all that excruciating, but as always the legs got more and more fatigued the longer and higher we climbed.  During those first 29 miles there was plenty of time to think about what lay around the next corner:  a few cars and motorcyclists, rifle-toting hunters, a little bit of road kill and other debris, but mostly miles of twisting, turning uphill.  My mind kept saying, “Stay with Tony and the rest of these guys and keep the pedals turning…breathe, relax, breathe…enjoy the scenery.”  My legs were yelling back at me the whole time, “Slow down!  Don’t be stupid!  Let ‘em go…there’s plenty of mountain ahead!”  Slowing down wasn’t an option, and for the most part I ignored the scenery because in the back of my mind I kept picturing the route profile on the web site that John posted which shows the last three miles of the ascent at over an 8% average gradient.  I also kept thinking about the comparison the site made to the feared Alpe d’Huez, and the words, “…one of the most difficult climbs in the LA area…”

 

The pace at the front was intense!  Of course, to make matters worse Raffy made it look like he was just playing around for those first 29 miles!  The first rest stop was a bit long – long enough that the legs got a bit stiff, but nevertheless a welcome respite from the initial hammerfest.  It would take the next few miles to re-establish the “comfort zone” that got me up the first couple thousand feet.  The next several miles were relatively uneventful.  There was the occasional squirrel shooting across the road as if to tempt fate, but mostly just more twisty, winding uphill road.  As we neared the infamous switchbacks of the last three miles I began wondering if I had saved enough juice in my legs to get to the summit, and after a quick break at the rest stop it was “game on”.  Manny had briefed us on what lay ahead, and it didn’t sound pretty.  By the tone of his voice we were in for some serious hurt.  There were only three miles of raggedy asphalt between us and the finish, and with only enough in the tank to muster single-digit speed, we battled the mountain to find out who was tougher. 

 

Everything seemed to move in slow motion.  I kept thinking, “I know I have a compact crank, but I’ve run out of easy gears and I am barely moving.”  It wasn’t long before I noticed Raffy and Reggie had disappeared in the distance leaving only Tony, Allan and me to share in the agony.  About half-way up Allan and Tony asked if I wanted to stop.  “No!” I said, fearing that if I stopped I wouldn’t be able to get my legs going again!  By then I was standing on my pedals, looking down at the road, not wanting to look up ahead.  A quick glance at my GPS only confirmed that we were definitely suffering.  It’s a good thing I never paid close attention to the end of the route profile that showed the final pitch to the top. 

 

Looking up and seeing the finish was a relief – that is, until I realized that the last ramp was steeper than anything we had done all day.   It seemed like a cruel joke – just like the finish of the Three Lakes Ride.  It was as if someone was saying, “That was the easy part…you’re not done yet!”  So like everyone who would eventually grind their way up the ramp, I dug deep and found just enough of whatever it was I needed to reach the top.  

 

More gratifying than my own accomplishment was seeing not only my fellow MMCC members conquer the mountain one by one, but seeing every rider who made that commitment that day come up and join us all at the finish.  It didn’t matter what kit they were wearing or how they got up the hill.  It mattered that they got that kit to the summit any way they could!  That’s guts.  That’s glory.

 

The Ride DOWN:

 

After enduring about an hour of Arctic conditions at the top, it was finally time to head down the hill to thaw our nearly-frozen bodies.  What’s funny is that it doesn’t matter how cool your new kit looks when you’re shivering uncontrollably.  Going downhill for me is always the reward.  I love to go fast – very fast!  After working so hard fighting gravity, it’s always a blast letting loose and letting gravity take over!  The cold going down the first three miles was crippling.  My bike wobbled and shimmied not because of mechanical issues, but because my shivering translated right down into the handlebar.  However, when I finally managed to shake the cold from my body I realized, “This is going to be amazing!”  And it was.  It was like riding a fast roller coaster for over an hour.  The descent back to the bottom would turn out to be the most fun I have ever had coming down a mountain.  Yeah, the short uphills in-between kept reminding me that I left 99% of my energy up on the mountain, but that I still had 1% - and a lot of gravity – to get back.

 

There is something incredible about zooming down a mountain on two skinny pieces of rubber, eyes fixed on every turn, hands tightly gripping the bar, the sound of the air rushing past your head.  It’s terrifying, but it’s thrilling.  It’s sensory overload that requires extreme focus…because your life depends on it.  The descent down from Mt. Baldy did not disappoint.  It became an invitation to return some day and suffer all over again so that we can once-again re-capture that downhill reward. 

 

So after surviving the furious descent off of the mountain we reached the quiet residential neighborhood where the climbing began hours earlier.  Tony and I circled the street to await the arrival of other riders.  It was then that I was reminded of a valuable lesson:  Always look in the direction that you are moving.  Circling the street at a mere 2 mph, I had turned my head to look for other riders, unaware that Tony had stopped in front of me.  My forward motion came to an abrupt halt, and gravity, which had been my friend for the last 30+ miles, once again took over.  Unable to unclip in time, I fell over, skinning my knee, bruising my hip, hand and shoulder.  I lay on the ground, still attached to my bike, looking like a complete idiot.  Then as I tried to unclip, my legs began to cramp, adding insult to injury.  Also, I noticed that the view from below one’s bike frame is a lot different than from the upright position.  After being helped back up by Tony, I realized that I had managed to fly down the mountain at break-neck speeds without incident, only to injure myself in the most ridiculous way because of my sudden lapse of attention.  Ironic, isn’t it?

 

The Finish Line

 

Tony, Ramon (of AdoboVelo) and I cruised our way back to the park satisfied with the day’s efforts, but without the company of the peloton.  I kept remarking what a nice area that was that we were riding through.  It was one of the only times during the entire ride that I actually looked around.  I do recall, however, descending the mountain and catching glimpses of the beautiful lake nestled in the valley below.  What a treat that was!   No longer was I fixated on the road itself – rather, it was time to relax and enjoy the scenery.  My stomach told me that I had just burned more calories in the last several hours than I probably burned in the two days leading up to the ride!  I couldn’t help but wonder what Francis’ crew would be serving at the post-ride feast.  However, based on the previous two rides I knew the food would be good, and there would be lots of it!  As before, we were treated to a tasty hot meal to put back those calories we left on the hill.  As we gorged ourselves on Adobo, rice and a delicious seafood pasta, we exchanged our stories of the day’s events – the ups, the downs, and whatever made the TdF Mt. Baldy ride what it was.  It was another one for the history books and another we’ll look back on with great memories and, no doubt, a lot of laughs!

 

Congratulations to Francis and AdoboVelo for another job well done, and to all of the hard-core riders who participated in the event! 

On October 11, 2008 a contingent of 13 MMCC riders drove to Duarte, California to ride the 3^rd stage of the Tour de Francis.  They consisted of Adam, Agt. Al, Alan R., Flint, Gerald, MannySanti, MangoMike, Ponce, Raffy, Reggie, Sam, Tony, and me Jerry. Unbeknownst to me John had driven there ahead of us; so that makes 14. We met at Agt Al’s house about 4:30 am and loaded up our bikes and gear. As soon as Gerald got there, he rushed to the bathroom to “jingle”.  As I understand it, his alarm didn’t wake him up and so he had to get to Agt Al’s pronto. Alan R only had a couple of hours of sleep but went anyway, what a trooper.

           
We left about quarter to five and as soon as we got on the 15 Tony and MangoMike started to hammer. Sam wanted to give chase and bridge to the breakaway but he was kind enough to rein in his horses and stayed at the front and let the others draft. The others sat in behind and reaped the benefits of his hard work. Fifteen minutes before reaching the start we stopped off at Macdonald’s for a bathroom break and some coffee.  Raffy related to us how Gerald performed some acrobatic moves in the car prior to getting to the restroom; shock and awe, the rest of the gang applauded in approval.

We arrived at the start in good spirits that was soon cooled by the biting cold. I was shivering as we got out of Sam’s SUV. My video was more shaky than usual because of the cold wind that permeated our midst. I was very susceptible to the cold weather that didn’t seem to have the same debilitating effect on the rest of the MMCC gang. Outside, Raffy took off his jacket and shirt and donned his new MMCC jersey. I think he was thinking, “the cold isn’t for wimps”, while I retreated to the warmth of the SUV. Good call by Agt Al on the shout box about the cold weather. I hurriedly put on my arm and leg warmers, my windbreaker, my balaclava, helmet and gloves. The temporary respite from the freeze was a welcome relief.  The veterans of TDF Castaic Mike, Reggie, Alan R, Gerald, and Agt Al, commented that it was much colder during the TDF Castaic December ride.

Rosalie looked dapper with the MMCC vest on top of her Adobo Velo kit. Francis and Mandy passed out route sheets. The familiar cowbells rang a few minutes later and after some instructions from Francis we followed the pacers to the foot of Glendora Mountain.  As we got closer I could see the collective MMCC start to inch their way to the front. Then we were off. Mike, Tony, Reggie, Alan R, Gerald and Raffy put the hammer down. I decided to let them get a head start and I put a check on my power :).  Flint looked happy with his compact as he seemingly passed me without effort.  I even let Adam get by :).  The rest of the gang actually passed me while I spun my way up on my compact coupled with a, as Raffy called “plato” 11-32 cassette. Hey I wanted to be prepared, it was my insurance. I didn’t want to cramp and walk up the mountain like I did on TDF Frazier Park. Pedaling semi-comfortably up the mountain I talked to Jess from AdoboVelo. He noticed a guy who earlier passed us, slow down as we powered up seated firmly in the saddle. 2/3 of the way to the first rest stop, I flagged our official Sag Director MannySanti and Ponce our pro cameraman for the event. I was getting too hot and gave them my gloves and my windbreaker. I got out of the saddle and chased the peloton. It was so much easier without the flapping restrictive jacket and gloves.  I reached the first rest stop ahead of the last 1/3 of the riders.  Of course the MMCC group was already eating and drinking and laughing and resting. After a brief relief in nature I joined our group and took videos and pictures. I ate a couple slices of bananas and took some more pictures and videos. I had one less than full bottle of accelerade and Flint said that there was another rest stop 3 miles from the top so I didn’t refill.

Once again Mandy from Adobo Velo gave the signal to get ready and told everyone to follow Rosalie who would lead and pace the pack to the final ascent to Mt. Baldy. I videotaped until the last cyclist took off and subsequently received advice from MannySanti to get going. Absentmindedly and foolishly, I forgot to retrieve my windbreaker and gloves, a decision I would soon regret. It was a bit of a downhill so I cruised comfortably. I reached a fork in the road where a group of motorcyclists were gathered. I turned to left and started looking for the group. The mountain was full of trees and the road twisted left and right. The shadows grew taller and the descent got steeper. I couldn’t see the riders so I pedaled faster to catch up but I still couldn’t see anyone; just around the bend, I thought. A couple of riders were struggling up the mountain the other way while I flew down as fast as I dared. I asked another rider going the other way if I was going to Mt. Baldy; he nodded.  Fast but cautious I kept chasing the group. I passed a vandalized Mustang on the left. I was getting nervous cause I saw hunters with rifles and no other rider in sight. I was cold and numb. Why aren’t those SAG cars passing me? After about 8-9 minutes I stopped. I took out my route sheet. What a big blunder! Damn, damn, damn. I was supposed to take a slight right at the fork.

After calming down, I turned around and slowly climbed the 3+ steep miles back up the road (little GMR I found out later). Having settled into a good rhythm I was climbing at around 8-9 mph a pretty fast pace for me; but I felt strong having saved my legs during the climb up GMR. I passed the same broken down Mustang and I made sure I steered clear. I didn’t need a flat, not now. I got to the fork about 25 minutes later. I asked a motorcyclist the way to Mt. Baldy and he pointed up the hill. I continued on my chase, faster than my comfort level. Soon I caught up to a rider. Tdf? I inquired. He nodded as his sweat dripped on his top tube. Then I passed another rider, who I saw earlier in the morning, waiting while his buddy was doing his business. I got close to a couple that knew nothing about the TDF. Embarrassed, I explained how I got lost and now had to scramble to catch up to the peloton before they came back down. I passed about 7 riders before I got to the top before the short downhill to the community before the ski lift.

I noticed from afar the familiar red Toyota Matrix parked at the junction with MannySanti and Ponce relaxing.  Where have you been? MannySanti exclaimed. I told them how I got lost. MannySanti said that Arden saw a rider take the left but MannySanti and Ponce had left before Arden did. Manny advised me just to stay and wait for the group. He said it was very steep. I decided to go anyway. I told him I could always turn around.  I got to the stop where Mandy and a few other volunteers were getting ready to clean up.  They offered some food and drinks. I just wanted to pee I said.  They told me to use the bathroom because a warden ticketed one rider earlier for doing his business in the bushes. After a couple minutes I took on my final ascent to Mt. Baldy. Arden drove by and said, “It’s only 3 miles to the top”.  What’s 3 miles I thought; piece of cake.  That’s the longest 3 miles I’ve ever climbed.  Reggie told me later in the parking lot that it was 15-16%. I passed a couple of riders, then another told me he was ok but just cramping as he stretched at the side of the road.  Boy my heavy 11-32 was paying in dividends.  I pegged that 32 and spun up, sometimes I’d up shift and climb out of the saddle straight up the mountain. I later found out that riders were zigzagging up to the summit. 

I could see the group now at the summit, but wait they’re getting on their bikes.  I was glad to see the orange train.  I don’t remember but it could have been Flint or Adam or Mike who told me to turn around and go back; I was only about 125 yards away from the summit but I decided to make a 180 and got on the train. It was a fast descent. Then the rollers came. I started to tire and saw Raffy and the rest of the MMCC pass me.  I kept pace only for about five minutes with the gang when I felt shaky, so I slowed down. Having missed lunch and not getting a good rest took their toll on me. I was hungry.  I searched and found my last fig Newton. I ate it ravenously but it was gone in an instant.  The goo stuck to my molars and more bad news; I was out of drinks.  I slowed down to a safe, manageable pace while descending at a respectable speed.  A sag vehicle passed me.  Damn, I should have flagged that one.  A few more riders and minutes passed by.  Then a sag vehicle slowed down as I frantically, called them out; to the top of the ridge shouted a familiar Adobo velo whose name escapes me.

Out come of all people Francis, and his buddy.  They willingly filled both my bottles, as a couple of riders stopped to ask about the TDF.  I recognized them as the couple that I had talked to earlier,  Francis told her to look up adobo velo.com.  The lady took pictures of Francis and me book ending the TDF sign on his SUV.  I went on my merry way as Alan R pulled up. He told me he was cramping and advised me to ride to the right; it was safer. After a few minutes, I told him to go ahead and cramping or not he pulled away.  Hydrated, I was able to follow Francis down the mountain. Then I decided to take some videos and pictures.  I took pictures of the dams or little lakes that I didn’t see earlier. On Glendora Road, I saw Jess of adobovelo who I climbed earlier in the morning drop off somebody.  He asked if I knew the way back, I shrugged. He said to just go straight.  I pressed on and saw a couple of riders about a quarter mile ahead. I lost them as they crested a hill.  Then Jess pulled up again and told me to follow the bike path just ahead.  There I was able to catch up to the couple both wearing matching Sonance jerseys and black shorts. Just after the little bridge I passed them as the lady watch her friend inspect his rear wheel; he might have broken a spoke. 

As I pulled up to the MMCC area I saw Mango and Tony enjoying adobo; they’re really fast on or off the bike. Reggie had his shoes off and the rest of the gang just kicking back. Again I explained how I got lost and Mike chimed in how Raffy also got lost during TDF Castaic. I told them I wanted to start from the very bottom cause there wasn’t enough climbing :).  After a needed relief at the bathroom, I got in line with the rest of the MMCC and got our share of adobo and other treats prepared by our outstanding hosts.  Satisfying TDF ride chats were enjoyed at the lunch table with our fellow adobo riders.  I heard an adobo rider say that they were going back the next day to conquer that mountain again, those adobos are hardcore. After giving our donation to Francis’ daughter I took last minute pictures of Rosalie with the MMCC riders.

Sam drove back while Reggie and I navigated again. It was backed up a little bit on the 91 but we got through.  We made a pit stop at Jack in the Box off the Cajalco exit.  Reggie generously treated us to 100% sirloin burger, fries and drinks.  About an hour away Agt Al calls and reports he was already home. He must have been speeding. When we got to Agt Al’s house, Raffy, Adam, and Flint were already enjoying the kare kare with bagoong.  Agt Al offered Flint more treats to make sure Flint didn’t get too light.  Overall it was a very challenging and enjoyable ride.  Reggie said he had 65 miles, I had 73 + miles.  Except for my wrong turn it was a great TDF Mt Baldy.  I was stronger, faster, and I didn’t cramp at all.  So, thanks to all of you guys pushing me and making me a better rider.  Riding with MMCC rocks! 

Since The Juice was not at the TdF, I'm collecting 'recollections' of the event from the MMCC participants.  Recap to follow soon.

In the meantime, many thanks goes to DS Manny for once again providing SAG support to the guys in Orange.  Big thanks goes to Ponce for making his MMCC debut as a photographer...awesome pictures!  Of course, the event would not be a success w/o the Adobovelo crew putting it all together.  Great job to all of them!

This year's Tour de Poway marked the season debut of our new kits.  Despite the major redesign, make no mistake, you still can't miss the Orange train.  It was easy to spot an MMCC rider in the huge TdP peloton.  Even with the threat of rain, the turnout was great.

Check out our Media Man...is he first or last??



A ride report is never complete w/o a picture of Jerry and Flint.    Flint once again decided that shortcuts are for wimps...he probabaly did 110 miles just in case.



Here's Neil in full Orange...check out those cool wheels:



Going up the famous Poway Grade...6% seemingly forever:



Here's a frequent site...MMCC and A-Velo...is this a warm up for the Tour de Francis?



After the Poway Grade, our group got separated.  There was a serious hammer fest from that point, then down to the beginning of HW78, then all the way until Mango's Michelins went flat right before Via Rancho Parkway at the end of HW78.  (man that was a long sentence!) That was a much needed break!!  That was where we 'regrouped' with the rest of MMCC. 

At the aid station in Rancho Bernardo, Scott took more pics of the group.  Here's Ironman Tony with his cousin:



Here's Adam showing his injured hand after suffering his first of TWO Michelin flats!




The motley crew takes a break to pose...The Chair, Your's Truly, and The Prez:




Back on the road...with Disco Allan and Agent Al leading the way:



Another break....Adam's SECOND Michelin flat!!  Not to worry as Admiral Andy and Joe Cool are there to help:



While the rest of the group tries to figure out which way to the picnic:



There's the picnic...the post ride festivities was just getting started:



No wonder Reggie was fast...he wanted to get the grill going quick!



Our guests from up North...Lucky Chan's group checking out the spread:



The rain stayed away, the ride was great, the food was awesome, and the company was certainly fun....the only thing that ruined the day was that the Chargers lost!  Oh well. :)



 

Enjoy the new kits!

Prez Mike