CURRENT RIDE & EVENT SCHEDULE
|
MAY-JUNE, 2012
By Rod Doty, VP- Rides (Newcomers welcome- helmets required!)
NOTE: Be sure to download route slips before coming to the ride start. Non-members, please click here to download, print and sign our waiver,
MAY SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 5 - 8:00 a.m. SAND CANYON TRAINER (70 miles - 5700 feet) Mission 6, if you decided to accept it, is one of our classic trainers dating back to the 80s when the training rides started. Today we keep the climbs coming with 3 or 4 major climbs, depending upon how you count them. We start with the ride from Brentwood out to Newhall (a couple of hills there - Sepulveda and over the hump to Newhall) and then it’s up Placerita Cyn to Sand Canyon. This is the big climb of the day with its double peaks. You then get the long downhill on Little Tujunga. Note this well, because we will be climbing Little Tujunga in a few weeks. A quick trip across the Valley and the final climb over Sepulveda and we are done. Be sure to bring some snacks to eat up at Bear Divide, because it’s a long way to lunch on this route. Bear Divide, with it’s picnic tables, is always a pleasant place to re-group after the climb and, despite certain sightings in past years, it is not “bare divide.” So keep your shorts on. 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, May 6 - 8:30 a.m. REVEL THE ROLLIES III (Long 64, Medium 49 - 2600 feet, Short 34) If you can crawl out of bed after your Cinco de Mayo celebration yesterday, you might consider coming down to Orange County for today’s ride. If your head is pounding from too much tequila yesterday, we promise nice quiet streets and soothing undulating hills. Today’s rides (long and medium) take us to Capistrano where the sweet twitter of swallows may calm your nerves. These rides were designed to take advantage of some of the relatively newer roads in Orange County. In this case long and medium riders take the somewhat new extension of Antonio Parkway which now goes all the way to Ortega Hwy, just a hop, skip and a jump from Capistrano where we stop for lunch. Then it’s north along the coast. The medium heads inland on Laguna Canyon while the long goes north to Newport Coast Drive (a good climb) before heading back. The short riders do their own thing, heading to the back bay. Truth be told, I don’t think many of our members suffer hangovers very often, even after a holiday known for revelry. All the more reason for joining us today. The ride will be even nicer without the fuzzy tongue and bloodshot eyes. START: OLD TOWN IRVINE. From San Diego Fry (I-5), off at west on Sand Canyon in Irvine. L - Burt St (1st left) to end and park in Lot 3.
Saturday, May 12 - 8:00 a.m. YERBA BUENA (77 or optional 92) It’s mission 7 (the first trainer of the 2nd half of the training season) and we have another long featured climb for you today – Yerba Buena. This is a favorite climb of the training season since it goes over one of the highest paved climbs from PCH. We start by heading out PCH to Neptune’s Net and the base of Yerba Buena. It’s a long climb before it finally comes down to Mulholland Hwy. We then follow Mulholland to Malibu Cyn (some hills along the way), back to PCH and home. For those who want more, there is an optional longer return through the valley (which is long enough to qualify as a century and adds a couple more climbs. This trainer probably is no more difficult than last week, but you should be getting used to this level of climbing now because we will be turning it up a notch in the coming weeks. 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, May 13 - 8:30 a.m. VALLEY RALLY (Long 49, Medium with hill, 41 & 1600 feet, Medium without hill, 38, Short 32.) It’s Mother’s Day – a holiday the Wheelmen don’t really celebrate much. In my case I haven’t had an honoree for 40 years, so I tend to forget. With the aging of the club, I suspect many of our members are in the same situation. Some of you may be spending the day with mom or your children, but here is a ride for us motherless cyclists. The 3 routes ride the same area today, but don’t stick together much. All routes head east from Whittier The Long makes it all the way to Pomona and then returns via Diamond Bar Blvd and Brea Cutoff to Industry for lunch. After lunch it's a quick hop over Turnbull back to the start. The two mediums head to Industry to join the Longs for lunch (probably beating them there) either by going over Turnbull or around it. They both make an easy return. The Short doesn't go quite as far east as the mediums before returning to Whittier. Of course, I suppose even motherless cyclists had a mother at one time – it wouldn’t be out of line to give a few thoughts to her as we ride along today. START: Sorensen Park in Whittier From 605 Frwy, off and east on Washington 0.5 mi. to left on Broadway to Park on right.
Thursday, May 17 - 7:30 p.m. GOOSENECK & BUSINESS MEETING. Meeting night directions, call (310) 410-9614
Saturday, May 19 - 8:00 a.m. TWO TERRIBLE TUJUNGAS TRAINER .(72 mi. and 6700 feet of elevation gain ) Mission 8 and we up the ante a little today. No more miles than previous weeks, but more climbing with two very significant climbs. We start with the long long climb up Little Tujunga (remember riding down it two weeks ago). Then it’s the long gradual grade out to Acton on Soledad Cyn. – It’s not steep, but you still gain about 2000 feet on this portion. After lunch, it’s up Aliso Canyon – a tough last mile on this one. But the climbing continues on Angeles Forest Hwy all the way to Mill Creek Summit. This is the high point of the ride and we pretty much head down hill back to the start except for that pesky short climb up to the turnoff to Big Tujunga Cyn. NOTE: the water stop at Hidden Springs on the return may no longer be available, so come prepared to carry enough water to get you through the long stretch through Angeles Forest after lunch. Now that Angeles Crest is once again open, we will offer a century option for this one as well. 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 20, 8:30 a.m. BROOKSIDE PARK (without Brookside) (Long 41 - 2200 ft., Medium 37, Short 32 - 600 ft.) These routes have a tortured history. At one time the long started from the “Corner” while the shorter routes started closer to Pasadena. They converged on Brookside Park where they would take a break to toss around a Frisbee. Even when Frisbee tossing became passe, we would buy food elsewhere and picnic in the park for lunch. Somewhere the start locations got consolidated. Then, due to weather, we quit picnicking in the park and getting lunch elsewhere. That left no reason to even go to the park, so last year I removed that from the route. Now we have much shortened routes that don’t even go to the park they are named for. Perhaps while we ride this year we can discuss some way to add a few miles back or even go to the park again. In the meantime, here’s today’s plan: The three routes start at the zoo and head up to Pasadena and all return together. The long heads up Chevy Chase and throws in some hills (including famed Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena). The short and medium take slightly easier and shorter routes up. The common return is through Eagle Rock. Actually, it’s not a bad set of routes and with the training rides on Saturday, maybe nobody is looking for a longer ride today. 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. Don't confuse us with other groups which also start here.
Sunday, May 20, 9:00 a.m. NEWCOMER RIDE This is our monthly newcomer ride for May. Since Los Angeles Magazine recently mentioned that our ride program included a monthly newcomer ride, maybe we’ll have a few more takers than usual this month.. It’s a chance for a rider to find out what club riding is all about. Plenty of people ride the beach bike path and maybe around their own neighborhood, but once you are tired of that, where do you go? Club riding is the answer. A club will take you places and on rides you may never attempt on your own. This ride is designed to get you started in club or group riding. Maybe you don’t know where to ride or what group riding protocol is – this ride has the answers. It’s a short ride (expect about 20 miles) with a patient leader which will introduce the fun of club riding and answer all your questions. 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 1½ miles, L - Olympic 1 block to R- Le Doux.
Saturday, May 26 - 8:00 a.m. FLATS & HILLS TRAINER (92 - 6200 feet) Mission number 9 is one of a trilogy of trainers which were the only 3 trainers offered back in the 70's. It’s another long one with plenty of climbing to boot. No really big hills like the mountain climbs last week, but plenty of mid-range and smaller climbs. Actually, this is more like what you will find on the Grand Tour lowland route. We start with Benedict Cyn. Then it’s across the valley (more hills than you would think) to Mulholland Hwy (a couple of medium hills and the big hill by the Rock Store. We continue Mulholland all the way to the coast for lunch at Neptune’s Net. We then take the coast back to Santa Monica which I suppose could be called the flats portion of the ride, but most of us know better than that. I count only 2 long climbs (over 2 miles) but neither one climbs more than 1000 feet. With 6200 feet of total gain, you see that there will be plenty of small hills. Only 3 more missions to go before the big day, so you need to be doing this type of ride at this point. NOTE: this is the “Century-of-the-Month for May (although other trainers this month could easily be extended to a century). 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.
Sunday, May 27 - 9:00 a.m. IVAN’S RIDE (Long 45, Medium 40, Short 29) I used to think Ivan Gazdik, a member back in the 70's, originated these routes. But I’ve been reading in the old Goosenecks and Ivan was associated with riding in Palos Verdes where he led a weekly ride – not the Valley were today’s rides go. Ivan died suddenly in an accident and it’s possible this was put together as a memorial ride or simply named in his memory. But why a ride in the Valley? More research is necessary. In any case, we have the rides named for him today. The purpose of these routes is to visit the mural painted in the Tujunga Wash along Coldwater in the valley. All routes head over Sepulveda to the valley (although the long makes a death defying plunge down Encino Hills Dr.) After riding along the mural, the routes meet for lunch in the East Valley. The short makes a relatively easy return over Cahuenga while the long and medium return up Mulholland and down Deep Canyon / Benedict back to the start. Maybe by the next time we run these routes I will have gotten to the bottom of their history. In the meantime, enjoy! 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 2 - 8:00 a.m. FULL BORE FOR FILLMORE (115 miles & 7000 ft of gain) It’s Mission X and the end is near. This week we put it all together – It’s a trainer that is both long (our longest of the season at well over 100 miles) and 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 – 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 3 - 8:30 a.m. NORTH ORANGE COUNTY TREK (Long 69, Medium 53, Short 39) We scheduled this on in March, but it got rained out, so here it is again. As I mentioned in my March description, I haven’t ridden this ride for at least 8 years. I know we have scheduled it, but somehow I’ve missed those rides. So, I’m looking forward to it. Here’s a repeat of my March description: Although we start in Orange County, these rides head to Riverside County. We don’t get a chance to ride there very often, so this should be a treat Both the long and medium head east through Santa Ana Canyon to Corona (which is in Riverside County) The long continues east all the way to the edge of Riverside (where, coincidentally, we actually ride along the “river side.”) The long then makes an interesting loop back through places such as Norco to rejoin the medium route for lunch in Chino Hills (still Riverside County). The two routes return together through Carbon Canyon, finally re-entering Orange County on the downhill side of that canyon. The short actually does stay in Orange County as it heads to Yorba Linda and the Santa Ana Canyon area before returning. I think the chances of getting rained out this time are fairly low and hopefully early June won’t be too hot. After 8 years it should be almost like a new ride for me. START: CHAPMAN PARK in Fullerton. From the Orange Frwy (57) off and west on Chapman, L - Commonwealth, L - San Carols to Park.
Saturday, June 9 - 8:00 a.m. ANGELES CREST– SAN GABRIEL CANYON (87 mi - 8300 ft.) Mission XI is the crown jewel of the training season and, due to road closures, this is the first time we have been able to run it since 2009. A difficult trainer, but the scenery makes it a “can’t miss” ride. Many riders who are not even training for the Grand Tour often show up for this one. It’s a day spent almost entirely in the mountains climbing to just about the highest point on Angeles Crest. 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’ll 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 10 - 8:30 a.m. BIKE TRAILS GALORE (long 58 -1000 feet, Medium 50, Short 37) There are a lot of bike trails around Southern California and today we manage to hit four of them. That’s a pretty good trick. Let’s look at how we do it. We start off with the San Gabriel up to the Santa Fe Dam, then it’s the Rio Hondo south to the LA River Trail and then the Long Beach Bike Path over to the San Gabriel again. That’s the long, but the medium is much the same, except it doesn’t go all the way to the Santa Fe Dam. The short is similar to the medium except that it doesn’t go all the way south to Long Beach. There is good and bad about rides almost entirely on river trails. The good: almost no hills, no traffic, no stop lights and fairly good pavement. The bad: no fun downhills, no short rests at stop lights and not such great scenery. So, weigh the pluses and minuses – I think the pluses win out – but come out and see for yourself. START: WILDERNESS PARK in Downey. From the Santa Ana Frwy (I-5) South bound, take the Florence Exit (which is actually off the transition lanes between the 5 and the 605), cross Florence and then go R on Little Lake Rd to park. Park in lot or on the street.
Saturday, June 16 - 8:00 a.m. BYWAYS OF PALOS VERDES (73 mi - 4000 ft) It’s Mission XII and the last before the big day. After today, you are fully trained and the only lesson left is to believe in yourself and you’ll finish that double century. By tradition, we go for something a little easier for our last day. If you rode the last two trainers, you are already trained. Consider this a maintenance ride. Of course, it’s not just 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. We take a break at Steve Bowen’s bike shop (where maybe he will have snacks waiting for us - and if not, there are plenty of good lunch spots nearby) and then it's back to Brentwood and a job well done. I say this every year, but I believe it’s true – 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 17 - 8:30 a.m. OAK RIDGE RIDES (long 105 - 3900 feet, medium 57, short 32) I debated about scheduling these routes today. What Grand Tour rider would want to do a century a week before the Grand Tour? But here’s my thinking. There are riders who aren’t planning on doing the Grand Tour next week and they might want a century. There may even be riders who have put off their Grand Tour training and now want one last big ride to make sure they are ready. So, maybe someone will show up for the long ride. But even if the long is too much for someone doing the Grand Tour next week, they might consider the half century medium or even the short. Why not. Well anyway, I felt I couldn’t schedule the Sunday rides with just Grand Tour riders in mind. All routes head west from Northridge and return. It’s just a question of how far West you go before turning around. The short turns back in Simi Valley. The medium makes it to Moorpark before turning back and the long goes all the way to Oxnard. Other than Santa Susana both directions, these aren't very hilly rides, although there are some rolling hills on the long as you actually do ride Oak Ridge. So come on You never know who will show up or why. START: West side (near Darby) of CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE Parking lot at Nordhoff & Darby. From San Diego Frwy North, off and west on Nordhoff 3.5 miles to Darby. To avoid parking fees, park outside lot and meet at lot. NOTE: Don't be confused by San Fernando riders starting from the same location a half hour earlier.
Wednesday, June 20 – 7:30 p.m. GOOSENECK & BUSINESS MEETING & GRAND TOUR PACKET STUFFING. [NOTE CHANGE OF USUAL DATE TO WEDNESDAY] Meeting night directions: call: 310‑391‑3978.
Saturday, June 23 THE GRAND TOUR. This is it!! The big event of the year. 24 hours to complete a double century, or a triple century, or even a quadruple century. There is also a double metric century. Full information, including registration, location, fees etc. can be found on the club’s web site: www.lawheelmen.org
Sunday, June 24 - 8:30 a.m. SAN PEDRO CRUISE (Long 54, Medium 30, Short 20) Traditionally, the day after the Grand Tour we go for a leisurely route so staff and maybe even a few weary riders might show up to brag about their Grand Tour day. In the past, the easy ride down to Manhattan Beach to watch the Manhattan Beach Grand Prix bike races was just right. Unfortunately, the races got moved to July this year. So, today we’ll take a leisurely trip from Playa del Rey south along the coast through the beach communities. For those who are really tired, the short only goes as far Redondo and turns back. Those who have a little more pep left over can take the medium which goes as far as Malaga Cove in Palos Verdes. And if that’s not enough, the long goes all the way to San Pedro – probably not too many Grand Tour riders will be up for that one, but you never know. These are relatively easy rides in familiar territory – just right to sooth those aching legs. Despite going to Palos Verdes, they don’t climb to the top. So come on out for an easy post-Grand Tour day. START: DEL REY LAGOON in Playa Del Rey. From San Diego Frwy off and west on Culver Blvd (or off and west on Jefferson, which runs into Culver) to end (approx 4 mi). R - Pacific Ave to park.
|