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

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MAY SCHEDULE

Saturday, May 4 - 8:00 a.m. MULHOLLAND MADNESS. (70 mi - 7400 feet.)  This trainer was first ridden in 2002 and I think was created by Steve Bowen (although it is very similar to a Sierra Club ride). The basic concept is simple enough – ride the entire length of Mulholland Hwy from Calabasas to the sea and back again. We have tinkered with that a bit. We do ride Mulholland all the way to the end at PCH near the Ventura County Line. We then hop over to Neptune’s Net for lunch. After lunch, instead of taking Mulholland all the way back, we climb Yerba Buena to where it joins Mulholland, and then take Mulholland  back from there. When you didn’t see “Yerba Buena” in the ride schedule, you probably thought you were going to get away without riding that long climb this year. No such luck. No doubt, Yerba Buena is the major climb of the day, but there’s plenty of other climbing along the way. It may just be enough to drive you mad although actually, there is no recorded case of Mulholland induced madness. You could be the first. START:  CALABASAS HIGH SCHOOL.  Go North on Ventura Frwy (101) to Calabasas, Exit & L on Valley Circle Blvd 0.5 mi., R on Valmar (Old Topanga) for 1.1 mi. to Mulholland Hwy, L on Mulholland and L into school lot. 

Sunday, May 5, 8:30 a.m. ACTION IN ACTON (Long 50 & 3700 feet, Medium 34, Short 18) Seems we often have ridden this one in winter when it’s very cold out Acton way. In fact, the name of the ride used to be “The Frozen Tush Ride.” So it should be a much more pleasant ride in early May.  A highlight of the ride (long only) is the trip past Tippi Hedron’s Shambala where you can sometimes get a peek at the lions and tigers through the fence. Since it is spring, a few of the lions may be looking for some “action” and we will hear them roaring. Most of them are probably too old to actually get any “action,” but they roar anyway. Today’s routes are simple. Only the long gets to Acton. It heads out Soledad Canyon to Acton and then returns by a parallel route with a stop at Vasquez Rocks if you wish. 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. Sometimes I think I’m getting too old for all this riding, but I “roar” anyway. Come on out and roar with us. 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.

Saturday, May 11 - 8:00 a.m. TWO TERRIBLE TUJUNGAS TRAINER .(72 mi. and 6700 feet of elevation gain )  We first rode this trainer in 1995. If memory serves, it was suggested by Bill Faulkner who based it on a similar ride run by the San Fernando Club. For some reason, we didn’t’ ride it again until 2000, but we have scheduled it every year since. That’s 13 years in a row, and that makes this one a training season regular. As the name implies, there are two major climbs today, but actually only one of them is up a Tujunga Canyon. That would be Little Tujunga and that’s how we start the day. Then it’s the long gradual upgrade out to Acton on Soledad Canyon. After lunch in Acton, our second big climb of the day is Aliso Canyon up to Angeles Forest Hwy which continues up all the way to Mill Creek Summit.  From there it is mostly downhill back to the start, including the downhill on Big Tujunga – the other Tujunga of the title NOTE: the water stop at Hidden Springs on the return remains unavailable, so come prepared to carry enough water to get you through the long stretch through Angeles Forest after lunch. As we have in the past, we will offer a century option for this one as well. It takes you down Angeles Crest instead of Big Tujunga and a longer return to the start mostly along Glenoaks.  START:  Lakeview Terrace Rec Center (on Foothill Blvd just east of Osborne) (Not far from the intersection of the 118 and 210 Frwys) Take Foothill Frwy (210) west to Osborne/Foothill exit, off and East on Foothill 0.3 mi. to Center.

Sunday, May 12 - 8:30 a.m. LONG BEACH BIKE PATH (Long 53 and 800 feet, Medium 39, Short 29) This is so confusing. There are a lot of bike paths in Long Beach, but today we are riding the one along the beach. The title should be “Long Beach Beach Bike Path.” It’s a fairly long path so maybe it should be the “Long Long Beach Beach Bike Path.”  Of course, if you are riding the long option today that would be the “Long Long Long Beach Beach Bike Path.” If that’s your choice today, the route makes a big loop almost entirely on bike trails by heading north on the San Gabriel to Whittier Narrows, south on the Rio Hondo/LA River trail, along the beach on the Long Beach trail and then back up the San Gabriel. Since it’s almost entirely on bike trails, you climb less than 1000 feet in the entire ride. The short and the medium both head to Seal Beach and then take the Long Beach bike path to the LA river and head up river before cutting across on streets back to start. The only difference between the two is that the medium takes a more roundabout way to Seal Beach. I always used to get lost in the Shoreline Village and Aquarium area of the Long Beach Bike Path, but I’ve done it enough times now that I know the way. So, if you are unsure, look for me. START:  EL DORADO PARK in Long Beach.  From San Diego Frwy (405), off & North/East on Studebaker 1 mi. to Park.  Park in Library lot on right just before Spring St.

Saturday, May18 - 8:00 a.m.  POTRERO (93 miles) This was one of the original training rides back in 1984 when the organized rides first started. We rode it every year until 1989 and then sporadically in the 90’s until our last time in 2002. I wanted to bring it back this year as part of the 30th anniversary of the training rides, but I went back and forth about including it in the schedule. Potrero is by far the hardest climb on the Highland Grand Tour course. On the one hand, I think some riders like to see what it is like before they tackle the Grand Tour. It might even help them decide between the Highland and Lowland routes. On the other hand, I think some riders don’t want to face the actual hill until the Grand Tour. They want to train for it, but let riding the hill on the actual Grand Tour be the capper to their training – not before. It sort of takes some of the drama out of the Grand Tour if you have already climbed the most difficult hill only a few weeks earlier. Anyway, I finally decided most would prefer a chance to preview Potrero, so here it is. The route is simple. We head up the coast to the Camarillo area and proceed directly to Potrero. Once that climb is out of the way, we lunch in Westlake Village and then head back via the San Fernando Valley and Sepulveda to the start. (The same return we used earlier on the Decker Canyon Trainer). There are a few hills besides the main event, but that's the only one you'll remember.  Come out and build some confidence.  Even if it makes you decide to stick with the lowland, you will be that much better prepared for that.  START:  BRENTWOOD ELEM. 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, May19 - 8:30 a.m.  WINDING ROADS OF ORANGE COUNTY   (Long 61 - 3000 ft, Medium 52, Short 32)  As the crow flies, it is about 14 miles from the start of the long route to lunch. By the route, however, it is 29 miles to lunch and about 31 back. That’s what we mean by winding roads. Today’s ride illustrates what is true of most of our rides – it’s not the destination that is important, but the journey. Well, enough Eastern philosophy for today. All three routes stay together for the first 17 miles, so you can see how you like the journey before deciding just how far you want to go today. 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 its own way back to the start. Actually, the roads in Orange County wind around so much, I don’t think riding “as the crow flies” is really an option. It sort of forces you to become philosophical about your journey whether you want to or not. START:  PINE TREE PARK in TUSTIN.  From Santa Ana Frwy (I-5) in Tustin, off & east on Redhill, L- Bryan one block to park.

Sunday, May 19 – 9:00 a.m. NEWCOMER RIDE This is our monthly Newcomer Ride. Next weekend is Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer. You will probably want to be getting out on your bike more often, but the beach bike path is so crowded in the summer. What can you do? Well, there is a whole wide city to ride in besides the beach if you know where to go. Don’t know where to go? That’s where club riding comes in. Clubs know the best places to ride and provide you with good friends to ride with. But what if you are not sure about the etiquette or protocol of group riding? This is the ride for you. Here’s a chance to learn the ropes. it’s a short ride with a patient leader who will introduce the fun of club riding and answer all your questions. Once you get the hang of it, you will be able get into regular group riding for the summer. You should have a basic understanding of the operation of your bicycle and you can expect a ride of about 20 miles. Additional details are on the club web site. Join us for this once-a-month event. START:  THE "CORNER", Olympic Blvd, 1 block west of La Cienega in Beverly Hills.  From the Santa Monica Frwy (10), off & north La Cienega 12 miles, L - Olympic 1 block to R- Le Doux.

Saturday, May 25  - 8:00 a.m. TWIN PEAKS AND FLYING PIGS (93 mi & 5700 ft) This is one of our newest trainers. Today is only the 3rd time we have run this century and only the 2nd time we have used it as a trainer. The name of the ride has nothing to do with the David Lynch TV series, although the little community up in Box Canyon seems like the kind of place the Log Lady might hang out. We won’t be searching for Laura Palmer’s killer, but you should keep an eye pealed for the flying pigs. I think there are two of them on the course. The “Twin Peaks” are the two tops of Topanga (Old and New) which this route rides over. We start the day by heading out to Malibu and taking Malibu Canyon inland to Mulholland Hwy. We then go up and over Old Topanga down to New Topanga and take that up and over back into the Valley. After lunch in the Valley, we climb Santa Susana, but near the top we hang a left up Box Canyon for our final major climb of the day. After that, it’s simply back across the Valley and a return over Sepulveda (really the last climb of the day).  Here’s a hint about the pigs – they are not on the ground. As you would expect of “flying” pigs, you have to look up. START: WESTWOOD PARK Sepulveda & Ohio.  From San Diego Frwy (405), off and east on Santa Monica Blvd, Left on Sepulveda and L on Ohio and R into Park.

Sunday, May 26 - 9:00 a.m.  VIVA SAN FERNANDO  (Long 61, Medium 56 - 2300 feet, Hilly Short 29, Flat Short 26) It’s Memorial Day Weekend and back when I was a co-chair of the Great Western Bicycle Rally, I would have written a harangue here about how you should be at the Rally and not on this ride. But I’ve been out of the Rally chairman business for quite a few years now, so what the Hell do I care what you do. I’ll be at the Rally, but you do what you want. I’ll be riding country roads dotted with vineyards and cattle ranches. Let’s see what you will be doing on this ride – oh yeah – riding to the Valley. How original. Both the long and medium head to the west Valley for lunch. The long returns via Topanga Canyon and the beach while the medium returns over Sepulveda. The short simply tours West LA  (like you have never done that before). I’ll be having fun with over a thousand other cyclists from around the state, but feel free to ride with the same dozen people you see every week. No, I just don’t care anymore what you do on Memorial Day weekend, but you should be at the Rally. 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.

JUNE SCHEDULE

Saturday, June 1 - 7:00 a.m. FULL BORE FOR FILLMORE (115 miles & 7000 ft of gain) NOTE EARLIER START TIME. This is a very old trainer, dating back into the  early70s well before we started the regular Saturday training rides. We quit running for a number of years because the conditions on Hwy 126 into Fillmore were not great. But then the highway got a complete makeover with new wide shoulders and we have run this trainer almost every year since 2000. It’s not only our longest  trainer of the season at well over 100 miles, but it has a lot of climbing. No single climb is a monster, but there are a lot of them. First it's over Sepulveda (not bad) and across the valley and over the hill to Valencia (no worse than Sepulveda). Then it's the long flat run to Fillmore for lunch (it may be flat, but is often into a headwind). After lunch, it’s over Grimes Canyon to Moorpark B toughest climb of the day but even it is not too steep. The one mile climb over Norwegian Grade gets you to Thousand Oaks where you pick up Mulholland Hwy (which has a few small hills)  Then you have a choice of a Valley return (over Sepulveda again) or going over Old Topanga to the coast for a coastal return (one final climb either way). Just take them one hill at a time like you will on the Grand Tour and you will be just fine. Finish this one and you are actually ready for the Grand Tour. The last two weeks will just be polishing.. 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, June 2 B 8:30 a.m. REVEL THE ROLLIES II. (Long 56 - 3300 feet, Medium 40 - 1800 feet, Short 36) Today the long route rides through Trabuco Canyon. Recently two hikers were lost for a couple of days in Trabuco Canyon. I don’t think that’s very likely to happen to us on this ride. Just stick to the road and you can’t go wrong. After Trabuco, the long rides through Live Oak Canyon and joins the medium route at Cooks’s Corner. (The medium riders take a more direct route to Cook’s Corner.) If you did get lost, I suppose we could recruit some of the hundreds of motorcyclists at Cook’s Corner to help look for you. Together the two routes ride through Santiago Canyon to Villa Park and then both routes return to the start by a fairly direct course. Meanwhile, the short makes an easier tour around southern Orange County. Some of our riders do get lost from time to time on our rides. Only a couple of months ago, I missed a turn and was lost for a while. But no one has ever been lost for a couple of days and we have never called out search teams to find a missing rider. But bring a cell phone just in case. START:  PINE TREE PARK in TUSTIN.  From Santa Ana Frwy (I-5) in Tustin, off & east on Redhill, L- Bryan one block to park.

Saturday, June 8 - 8:00 a.m. ANGELES CREST SAN GABRIEL CANYON (87 mi - 8300 ft.) This trainer was first ridden in 2000 and every year since except for a total of 3 years when Angeles Crest Highway was closed. Despite being one of the most difficult trainers, it quickly became the most popular. Many riders who are not even training for the Grand Tour often show up for this one. The reason is the scenery and perhaps the 30 mile (almost traffic free) downhill near the end. It’s a day spent almost entirely in the mountains climbing to just about the highest point on Angeles Crest (7000 feet above sea level). The 30 miles of downhill to complete the day caps off a great ride. Almost 9000 feet is a lot of climbing, but take it one step at a time and you will get there. Step 1: Duarte to the base of Angeles Crest - not bad. Step 2: up to Clear Creek - the biggest stretch of climbing on the ride. Step 3: up to Red Box - tough but only 5 miles. Step 4: to Lunch at Newcomb’s Ranch - Up and Down. Step 5: up to Cloud Burst Summit - the hardest 6 miles. Step 6: to Hwy 39 - Rollies. Step 7: To finish - 30 miles of mostly downhill. You really won’t want to miss this one. The scenery, the mountain air, the mountain goats, etc. You won’t believe it.  START: Encanto Park in Duarte.  Take 605 Frwy north to end, off and R (east) on Huntington / Foothill Blvd 0.6 mile, L Encanto Parkway (before crossing river) to park on Left.

Sunday, June 9 - 8:30 a.m. RING AROUND THE VALLEY (long 53, medium 47, shorter medium 35, short 19) These routes were put together  a few years ago by Richard Wedeen, our “Lord of the Rings Around the Valley.” We have four rings today, and all four ride past the mural in the Tujunga Wash. The short is a small Hobbit sized loop which simply takes you past the mural and then returns. The two mediums are slightly larger rings suitable for dwarves or maybe elves. They make counterclockwise loops around the Valley getting as far west as Balboa Blvd with the longer medium getting as far north as Sylmar. The long is the ring of power and makes a large loop as far north as Sylmar and west as far as Northridge before heading to the murals and completing the ring. These routes are fairly easy and the scenery pleasant for an urban route. Nothing as bad as Mordor, but not quite as nice as the Shire either. The mural tells the story of the lands we will be riding through which is a lot easier than reading 3 books. So come on out for a nice day in the Valley. Maybe Gandalf the Grey will lead the way. START:  Los Angeles Zoo parking lot at the north end.  From Ventura (134) Frwy or Golden State Frwy (5), exit near Griffith Park at any exit marked by signs to the Zoo or to the Autry Museum.  Follow signs into the park and to the Zoo lot.  We will be meeting at the NORTH end by the ACamel@ sign.  Don't confuse us with other groups which sometimes start here.

Saturday, June 15 - 8:00 a.m. BYWAYS OF PALOS VERDES (73 mi - 4000 ft)  This is the last trainer before the big day. By tradition, we end with a slightly easier route than the last few weeks. This route was put together a few years ago by Steve Bowen and was designed to take us by his Palos Verdes bike shop where he would provide a complimentary lunch. Alas, the bike shop remains closed following Steve’s sudden death, but his route is still a good one and  we thought it would make nice end to the series. Although easier than previous weeks, it is not a walk in the park. We do have to keep those muscles toned. We begin the day with a pleasant ride through the beach communities from Brentwood down to the Palos Verdes peninsula Once there, we make a circuit including three climbs up to the top and back down. None of these climbs is more than 1000 feet, so that should be a piece of cake for well trained riders like you. There are lunch sites available near the location of the former bike shop. Then it's back to Brentwood and a job well done. Congratulations, you are now fully trained. I say this every year, but I believe it’s true B if you have done all or most of the training rides, you will have no problem completing the Grand Tour. Enjoy! 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, June 16 - 8:30 a.m. JOHN’S RIVER RIDE (Long 64 - 1700 feet, Medium 53, Short 37) Just to be clear – John does not own this ride. The club doesn’t owe him a royalty every time we ride it. It was created by John Bauman, but out of his love of the club, he provided it to the club for free. So ride royalty free today, like every day with the club. All routes head down the river to Huntington Beach. The short simply goes down 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, but both work their way back toward the start, eventually hitting the river once again for the final portion of the return. Of course, the attorney in me wonders if John was an officer of the club when he created these routes, then wouldn’t it be considered work product and belong to the club even if he wanted to claim ownership. Well, probably not since he wasn’t really an employee. START:  BOYSEN PARK in Anaheim.  From Artesia/Riverside Frwy (91), off & south on State College Blvd, R - Vermont to Park

Saturday, June 22 THE GRAND TOUR This is it – the big event. Can you ride 200 or 300 or even 400 miles in a single day? Full details and registration information can be found on the club web site: www.lawheelmen.org  This is the event of the year in the club and if you aren’t up for riding it, you should join the staff and help make it another success.

Sunday, June 23  - 9:00 a.m. CORNER CAPER - PHASE II (Long 62, Medium50 - 2400 feet, Short 32) It’s the day after the Grand Tour and typically very few of our club regulars feel like riding. Either they rode the Grand Tour or they were on the staff. Last year only 3 riders showed up and two of them were visitors who were in town for the Grand Tour. So, I thought I would just schedule a ride from the Corner. That way, if only a few show up for the ride, you have the option of joining the regular Corner Group (few of which either ride or support the Grand Tour) on their usual Sunday ride If you show up and there are some riders willing to do these routes, here is what you can expect: The long and medium go out to the valley (over Benedict Cyn) and head east. They travel through Griffith Park to the Eagle Rock area and the long makes an extra loop up to the Rose Bowl area before rejoining the medium riders for the return along Mulholland and down Franklin Cyn. As is often the case, the short route doesn’t go to the valley. Instead it is half of an old route we used to run called Movie Star Madness. This route is so old, we’re pretty sure none of the stars listed on the route still live in the houses indicated (many aren’t even alive). But it’s an interesting ride anyway. One way or another, if you feel like riding today, there will be someone there to ride with. START:  THE ACORNER@, Olympic Blvd, 1 block west of La Cienega in Beverly Hills.  From the Santa Monica Frwy (10), off & north La Cienega 12 miles, L - Olympic 1 block to R - Le Doux.

Sunday, June 30 - 8:30 a.m.  SANTA ANITA CANYON (Long 70 - 2600, Medium 32 - 2400, Short 31) This is one of the few sets of routes where most of our riders will probably ride the medium instead of the long route. That’s because the medium makes the well liked, but challenging, climb up to Chantry Flats. If you are looking for miles, the long makes a run out the San Gabriel Valley to the Pomona area and back. The medium is much shorter, but has almost the same amount of climbing since it includes the climb up to Chantry. This is a solid climb, but if you are only riding 32 miles today, you can afford to take your time. The views are pretty. If that seems a bit strenuous, we do have the short which travels the San Marino and Pasadena area. It’s not much shorter than the medium but doesn’t have the climb. So, if you are not into the long miles like many of our members, here’s a day when you can show up and be fairly sure there will be a number of riders willing to ride the medium with you. START:  ALHAMBRA PARK in ALHAMBRA.  From the San Bernardino Frwy (I-10), off & north on Fremont 2 miles, R- Alhambra Rd  4 blocks to Park.  Park on Raymond on East side of the park.