By Rod Doty, VP- Rides
roddoty@earthlink.net

(Newcomers welcome- helmets required!)

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Click on "ROUTE SHEETS" in the drop-down menu under "Rides" above.
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FEBRUARY SCHEDULE

Sunday, February 7, 8:30 a.m. SANTA FE DAM (Long 53 - 2300 ft., Medium 45, Short 38) There are a number of dams in Southern California, but I think the Santa Fe Dam is the only one large enough to have a roadway running along the top (sort of like Hoover Dam). Fortunately for us, no cars are allowed on this roadway – it’s just for bikes. The crest of the dam is almost 2 miles long, so it makes for a nice ride, and that’s exactly what we do today. All routes head over to the San Gabriel River bike path and head up to the dam. There we ride the crest and then go through some of the wilderness area on the other side. The short splits off for a fairly direct return. The medium and long continue together over to Pasadena where you have a choice of lunch spots from Carl's to a Thai restaurant. After lunch, the mediums head straight back to the start while the longs zip up to the top of Lake Street before returning. That’s a pretty good extra climb for the long riders, but you don’t have to decide until lunch, so why not take both route slips. Riding the dam is impressive, and the area just inside the dam was the base camp for the firefighting crews during the Station and Morris forest fires last year. START:  BARNES PARK in MONTEREY PARK.  From San Bernardino Frwy (I-10), off & south on Garfield, R - Newmark, L - McPherrin to the Park.  Early arrival is suggested in order to find a parking space before park users take them all.

Saturday - Monday, February 13 - 15, PRESIDENT’S DAY WEEKEND IN SOLVANG This is our traditional 3-day weekend in Solvang. The plan is simple enough: Everyone  drives up to Solvang for a weekend of cycling in the area. No need for a luggage sag or worrying about being caught in the rain the way it used to be when we rode from Carpinteria. Routes in the Solvang area include a variety from relatively short flat rides to the challenging ride up Figueroa Mountain  or the popular ride out to Jalama Beach. Something for everyone. As always, there is plenty of shopping and eating to be done in Solvang for those not wishing to spend the day on the road. We can ride all day and gather for dinner in the evening. What could be better? This is also Valentine’s Day Weekend, so bring your special someone – What happens in Solvang, stays in Solvang. RIDE STARTS:  Rides will start at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday & Sunday (and maybe Monday) from the Solvang Inn & Cottages which is ride HQ.  Meet out front.

Make reservations for Sat. & Sun, Feb. 13-14 (and maybe Friday the 12th).  Solvang books up so call early (especially since this is Valentine’s Day Weekend).

Note: A lower cost option—stay in Buellton, a mere 3 miles away

Here is why you should come:

First, the riding. We don’t get to ride in the Solvang area much and even events like the Solvang Century won’t take you to some of the places we visit on this weekend. For example, there is Jalama Beach. One of the most popular rides we do on this weekend takes you to this remote beach. What about Figueroa Mountain? It’s a tough climb, but that’s why the likes of Lance Armstrong use it for training. Here’s your chance to ride where the big boys go. The cycling in the Solvang area is fantastic, no matter which of the 7 or 8 routes we offer you choose to ride.

But there are other attractions. There’s the Danish bakeries for post-ride goodies. There are the wineries to visit if you don’t feel like riding much. There is shopping to be done in Solvang. And if you really want to, there is the Indian casino on the edge of town. It’s a perfect weekend for couples where only one partner rides. There are lots of things the other can do during the day. And don’t forget “Sideways.” All the locations from the movie are there. The ostrich farm is there. There’s the Hitching Post restaurant – we can eat there (although it’s actually in Buellton).

But the real reason you should go is simply that it’s fun to ride with your friends, have bull sessions in a motel room with friends after the day’s ride and then go out to dinner with friends in the evening. You really should consider making reservations and joining us.

Thursday, February 18, 7:30 p.m. GOOSENECK & BUSINESS MEETING.  Meeting night directions: (310) 641-8785.

Saturday, February 20, 7:30 a.m. EAST ROAD, WEST ROAD CENTURY (CLOCKWISE) (96 mi - 2700 feet) This is the official century of the month for February. It’s essentially  the “East Road, West Road” Century we rode in 2008, except that we will be riding this one in the reverse direction. That means it’s a clockwise  circle starting in Culver City and first heading downtown to ride through the heart of the city in the early morning hours. Then it’s on to Alhambra before continuing east and south towards Industry before reaching the first of only two moderate climbs of the day – Brea Canyon Cutoff. After that and the short climb up Fullerton Rd, you reach the titled Roads of the day – East Road and West Road. After lunch in Whittier, you finish the circle by heading west and then north back to Culver City. I recently previewed this route with it’s creator, Gary Murphy, and despite being an “urban” route, I thought it was pretty good. The ride though downtown in the early morning was particularly interesting. More important, we had no difficulty finishing it in daylight, despite the short days. START: CARLSON PARK in Culver City. From San Diego Frwy, off and east on either Culver or Washington (careful--neither of those exits actually put you directly on those streets). Right on Overland and Left on Braddock a few blocks to park.  We will meet near the restrooms. (Check parking signs around park – if you drive, you may need to park a block away.)

Sunday, February 21 - 8:30 a.m. JOHN’S RIVER RIDE (Long 64 - 1700 feet, Medium 53, Short 37) I always think of “Proud Mary” when I see this ride title – Big wheel keeps on turning ...  We’re rolling, rolling, rolling on the river. Yes, today we’ll be riding river trails  – the Santa Ana River to be exact. The short heads down the river to Huntington Beach and back. Both the long and medium take the river all the way to the coast and then head over to Balboa Island followed by the Back Bay and a portion of the San Diego Creek trail. The long makes a few extra loops for added mileage (and added riding pleasure), but both work their way back toward the start, eventually hitting the river once again for the final portion of the return. Remember Tina Turner’s version of the song. They started out “nice and easy” but ended the song “rough.” That may be the way they did Proud Mary, but today, I think we’ll be doing the ride just “nice and easy.” Nothing “rough” about this ride, so come on out. START:  BOYSEN PARK in Anaheim.  From Artesia/Riverside Frwy (91), off & south on State College Blvd, R - Vermont to Park.

Sunday, February 28, 8:30 a.m. ACTION IN ACTON (Long 50 & 3700 feet, Medium 34, Short 18) It’s only the 28th, but it’s the last day of February. I always figured February was a rip-off because you paid the same rent, cable fees, phone fees etc. for 28 days of service as you paid for 31 days in March. Well, to take your mind off that, we have some really nice rides today. There are plenty of wide open spaces with plenty to see such as Tippi Hedren’s lions and Vasquez Rocks. Unfortunately, only the long gets to the lions and to Acton. The medium goes as far as Agua Dulce Rd where it cuts over to visit Vasquez Rocks and then picks up the long return. The short only goes as far as Sand Canyon where it picks up the final portion of the long and medium return. All routes are very pleasant, but you should especially try to do the long. BTW, I later got a salaried job where I was paid the same monthly salary for 28 days of work in February as I got for 31 days in March. February didn’t seem like such a rip-off then.  START:  PARK & RIDE LOT on San Fernando Rd near Sierra Hwy in Newhall.   From the I-5 north take the 14 Frwy east for 2 miles and exit at San Fernando Rd.  Park & Ride lot is at bottom of ramp to the left. Toilets available at nearby Carl's.

MARCH SCHEDULE

Sunday, March 7 – 9:00 a.m. INSTALLATION RIDE & MEETING   (Estimated: Flat 34 , Hilly 37 ) Today we install next year’s officers who may or may not bear a striking resemblance to last year’s officers. At the present time, we aren’t sure of the location, but we are looking into the clubhouse at Pam Leven’s condo in Culver City where we met last year. As usual, we will have a couple of short rides prior to the meeting. They will probably be our standard Installation  routes from the Corner to Westchester and back. You won’t want to miss this event. Remember last year when Pam appeared in her coronation (wedding) dress and everyone got cycling related fortune cookies. Who knows what will happen this year.  Besides a nice lunch and the installation of officers, we announce the recipient of the Jack Flynn award and other awards and then have CAKE!! There will probably be a small fee for lunch, but less than it costs – your club picks up the rest. You should really try to attend this (whether you ride or not) – it’s the year’s best chance to socialize with members we don’t often see. START: THE "CORNER", Olympic Blvd, 1 block west of La Cienega in Beverly Hills.  From the Santa Monica Frwy (10), off & north La Cienega 1½ miles, L - Olympic 1 block to R- Le Doux.

Saturday, March 13  - 7:30 a.m. CENTURY OF THE MONTH (approx. 100 miles) This will be another  new century put together by Gary Murphy as the March Century of the Month. The route has not been finalized yet, but I think I know some of the highlights.  Gary wanted to put together a ride that would hit the top of both Topangas (old and new) in one ride, so expect to do that. He was also interested in riding Box Canyon from the Santa Susana side (the reverse of the normal route), and I think that will make it into the final route. It should be an interesting day. Yes, it will have some climbing, but nothing that will kill you. We will have more details next month, but start getting psyched up now for another great new century. START: BRENTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - San Vicente & Gretna Green.  From San Diego Frwy (405), off & west on Wilshire, R - San Vicente, L  Gretna Green (1 block past Bundy).

Sunday, March 14 - 9:00 a.m. – FARGO STREET HILL CLIMB (Medium 24, Short 19) Once a year cyclists gather from all over to match their legs and skill against Fargo Street Hill, reputedly the steepest hill in Los Angeles. It's only a couple of blocks long, but at over 30% grade, it's quite a feat if you can climb it. Many just want to see if they can make it up the hill at all. Amazingly, others vie to see how many times they can make it up the hill in one day. The record is now at 90. Many will try the hill. Many won’t make it. Come out to cheer them on and maybe give the hill a try yourself. It’s a thrill either way. The club offers a few options to those who wish to ride to the event to either give the hill a try or simply watch others.  Two options  leave from the “Corner.”  Both go directly to Fargo, but the longer returns through downtown to join the traditional post-hillclimb celebration at Philippe's downtown near Olvera St. The shorter route goes straight back. Note: The Foothill Club usually has a slightly longer ride to the Fargo Hill Climb starting from Arcadia park in Arcadia. It also visits Philippe's after the climb. For information, see the Foothill web site at www.foothillcycle.org   START:   THE "CORNER", Olympic Blvd, 1 block west of La Cienega in Beverly Hills.  From the Santa Monica Frwy (10), off & north La Cienega 1½ miles, L - Olympic 1 block to R- Le Doux.

For those driving to Fargo Street, it's located near the south end of the Glendale (2) Freeway at Allesandro Street (Thomas Guide pg. 594 E5).

Thursday, March 18, 7:30 p.m. GOOSENECK & BUSINESS MEETING.  Meeting night directions: (310) 641-8785.

Sunday, March 21 - 8:30 a.m. MOUNT WILSON (Long 51, Extended Long 68, Medium 34, Short 25) This is rescheduled from last fall when Angeles Crest Hwy had literally burned up – at least many of the guard rail supports and even the painted lane lines. Angeles Crest is once again open, but every time it rains, it gets closed again for a short time until new slides can be cleared. Hopefully, things will be settled by now (late March) and we can get this ride in. It should be interesting to see first hand the Angeles Forest burn area. Only the two longs go all the way to the top. The standard long then returns back down the way you came while the extended long returns via Big Tujunga (NOTE: Hidden Springs Café, which used to be a rest stop on the extended long, was a victim of the fire and is no longer there. If you plan on doing the extended long, you will need to carry enough food and water.)  The medium makes it as far as Clear Creek Station before returning. The Short simply tours the Pasadena area. Except for the short, obviously, there is a lot of climbing today, but the mileage isn’t that much, so take your time and enjoy the scenery (or lack of scenery now that it has all burned up.) START:  BROOKSIDE PARK - just south of the Rose Bowl. From Ventura Frwy (134) or Pasadena Frwy (110), off & north on Orange Grove, L - Rosemont, L - Seco and L- Arroyo to Park on left.  Meet near the Aquatic Facility / tennis courts.

Sunday, March 28 - 8:30 a.m.  WINDING ROADS OF ORANGE COUNTY   (Long 61 - 3000 ft, Medium 52, Short 32)  Actually, these are the “Un-Winding Roads” of Orange County. The rat race got you down? Tired of dealing with all the little problems of everyday life? Feeling the pressures of a world gone mad? You just need to relax and “Un-Wind.” What better way than a pleasant bicycle cruise through the wide streets of Orange County. These streets curve and loop around – no sharp turns to jangle you nerves.  Everything is just smooth and easy. All three routes today stay together for the first 17 miles, so you can see how you are feeling before really deciding how you will finish your day. The long and medium are similar but the long adds a loop (and a hill) in the middle before rejoining the Medium.  The short makes it's own way back to the start. So come out and sooth away your tension. The world will be there tomorrow, but today, it’s just the un-winding roads of Orange County. START:  PINE TREE PARK in TUSTIN.  From Santa Ana Frwy (I-5) in Tustin, off & east on Redhill, L- Bryan one block to park.