thinktubes 

From Monday’s ride. Finally cooled off after a week of 90s. Did 57 miles after work. Light wind, 80s. Cicada thing has ramped down, thankfully.

Saw this snapper on the trail near the Skokie River. Status unknown.



They’re still working on Saunders road. Thankfully, only about 150 feet. Quite a mess.



Stopped for a pic at the green bridge.



I didn’t check the forecast before I went out. This rolled through about 20 minutes after I got home. Totally poured.

gaucho777 

I spent the day back in Santa Cruz. From the beach by the Boardwalk, I followed the coast and some trails north to Wilder Ranch State Park where I found some nice challenging trails with wonderful vistas.





I found this pond by surprise. I was blindly following a rails trail when I turned a corner and came across this picturesque pond.


Old construction in Wilder State Park. Once I got into the park I found a 7-mile loop up & around the ridge. With the out and back plus the loop it was a hard 20ish miles in total..


I mostly saw hikers and MTBs on this trail.Some parts got a bit technical too. On this uphill stretch I passed an older couple, maybe in their 70s. As I passed, I overheard the man say, “Oh, wow! A real bike.”


Overlook looking toward point Santa Cruz.


It was one of those legs feel good, weather’s great, head in a direction and lose track of time kind of rides.

1989Pre 

I did my first proper 60-miler of the season, today, on the Manufrance. 74F (23C) when I left and 81 (27C) when I got home. There was a 50% chance of rain, so I brought a hooded rain jacket, but didn't need it. Some cloud cover, some shade and some breeze made this another perfect ride. https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/8017784146

curbtender

One of the more popular roads in the bay area. Pinehurst with a stop at the Canyon post office.

gaucho777 

Today, I’m in Santa Barbara. I took my daughter and her friend on a little getaway for her 16th birthday.

I started by cruising around downtown to the bottom of State Street. I dropped into a few bike stores which I like to do when I’m in another city I went to Cuso bikes on State Street, Hazard Bikes on Anacapa, and Fastrack Bicycles on Can Perdido. I didn’t see any vintage bikes, but they were nice folks in all of these places.

From there, I stop by some historic mission buildings before heading toward the iconic Gibraltar climb.



Another building part of the Presidio complex.


View of the chapel inside the Presidio.


Mission Santa Barbara.


View from part way up the Gibraltar climb. This is a long climb of about nine or 10 miles and around 4000 feet of climbing. Even though I went to school in Santa Barbara (Go Gauchos!), I have never done the climb before. I only made it about 6.5 miles to Gibraltar rock before getting called back down the mountain by my daughter, but that was enough.


Selfie action shot. I did have a helmet, but it was hung from my handlebars during the climb. It was a warm day and I was feeling the heat.


This next photo is from near Gibraltar rock where I turned around. A long ways up, but still a few miles from the summit


The summit is up this way somewhere.


I got a front tire blowout around these curves on the way down. Fortunately, I was able to stay upright. However, my brakes were really heating up the rims. At times, the rims were too hot to touch and the glue was starting to soften. In addition to a front spare, the rear started to develop a bumpy bulge by the valve, so I played it safe, took it extra slow, and stopped a few times in the shade to let the rims cool down. And the Mafacs were Squealing! A bit treacherous, but I was glad to make it down the mountain safely.

rustystrings61 

Another slow 15-miler as I get back into shape. The routine takes shape - rise to walk the dog, feed him and his feline associates, have a cup of coffee, then out the door by 7:30 and wish I was starting earlier. Ride the Mercian fixed-gear because it has returned to its rightful place in the fleet, because it makes me work for everything, because no other bike makes me smile quite like this one. Spin like mad going down the big hill on the central boulevard - today I hit 32.5 mph spinning 70-in fixed and didn't feel wrecked and kept the momentum going up the following ascent while seated.

I stopped at the intersection of Clem and Deadfall for some pix of Julius with a backdrop of farm and sky, then almost immediately paused again to get snaps of the donkeys that live there, communing with my brother jackass before setting off again. The rest of the ride was pleasant, rolling over familiar roads, waving to polite motorists and generally enjoying myself.

LucasHartong

Really love that Trek! Beautiful!

LucasHartong

FINALLY! Another living being with a Viner. This is my steed!

nlerner

Celebrated Mercian’s likely rescue with a round-about ride on my Mercian:

EddyR

Saw these guys this morning so I tried to join them

rustystrings61 

Up early and out the door, eager to stretch things out some today. I wound up doing pretty much the same route I have been doing the last week or so, but adding in a run out to Hodges and back.

I stopped first to see if I could get both the sign and the watch tower in the photo ...



- then I pushed on to scenic downtown Hodges' bustling business district for a glamor photo -



- followed by a photo of Julius in front of the unrestored portion of town that includes "The People's Bank," which likely failed during the Great Depression. Oddly enough, the no-longer-in-Hodges Bank of Hodges survived the Depression, but not all the mergers of the last few decades.



For once, Hodges actually WAS bustling and busy - there was an auction planned, and many cars were already parked in an adjoining field. I decided I would roll on out before things got too busy, so I pointed Julius back down Dixie Drive and rolled back towards town.



Somewhere along here I encountered a trio of serious, unsmiling cyclists who did not wave, nod or otherwise acknowledge, a faux pas around here. Moments later I encountered another cyclist who actually waved and exchanged pleasantries (as one does) as we passed each other. Moments later I stopped and pulled into the skating rink parking lot to confer with a gentleman loading his bike onto a rear rack - his ride had ended a mile out when the batteries on his electronic shifting system had failed, and he was hoping he could find good YouTube videos to help him fix that. Otherwise, he would be taking his nice carbon fiber Trek to the Trek Store for repair. I stood astride my lugged steel fixed-gear and nodded sympathetically. I did not say anything along the lines of "I told you so," but I surely thought it. Anyway, I wished him success and bid him adieu and headed on to finish my ride and go home and drink some coffee.

Chuck M 

A tornado in May came through and changed the face of a MUP in our town that connects all the major city parks and high school. The city did a great job clearing it of dangers and making the path usable again. This was a shady little spot where I would ride to and rest and enjoy the birds and the peace for over 40 years.

Same bike, same spot 13 months apart.