Revel the Rollies & Grand Tour

Good day all I can remember, what little I can, an advertised easy ride would be scheduled the day after the Grand Tour as a recovery ride. Those I've attended never have anyone doing both. The Sunday participants was low, those that volunteered didn't show. As a contrarian, without the promotion would do both since I drove all the way up there got to get my bicycling worth. As we know I'm retired thus can ride the bike during the week. Slow but doable. My first Rando event could not finish in generous time limit. Each event after did get in under the clock be it the last one. Rejoined my old club riding with the slower shorter rides twice a week. Have not had any unfortunate incidents on the bike, heck for fun sign up for the Grand Tour. Get 24 hours to complete ought to be more than enough time. Besides riding the bike in my golden years have tons of projects so I need not have to look for employment to keep occupied. Needed sprinkler heads go to Lowe's, an excuse to ride the bike to Temecula. If you know Fallbrook you have to climb if you go anywhere. Got my supplies, decide would visit a buffet in Murrieta. I'm into over stuffing my face with food. Pretty good and cheap at 11.99 for being old. Over ate again, digest while using the bike trail. So I'm daydreaming till the back wheel gets congested. Instinctively shifted and my ride stops almost throwing me. My derailleur is pointed up bent out of position. Recall a similar situation as a riding volunteer for the LA River Ride which with a chain tool turned a participant bike into a fixie, if I did that I'd have to walk a lot of the way home. There's a JAX couple miles away. They look at it, can't repair for couple weeks. Now I'm thinking rental for the Grand Tour, maybe one of those Metro bikes with a front basket. Called the wife, says buy a new bike. Told the dealer what I wanted. The shop only carries Trek. Told him the bike had stolen was Giant Defy to give example. Sold me a Domane. Don't know bikes, sure go for it and rode home with a shiny bicycle. First thing I notice it has more friendly climbing gear. On a couple Rando events I had to walk, in past I'd be embarrassed now not so, getting older has advantages. Another problem found the next day on a longer ride, my butt does not fit the seat. What's an added discomfort on the ride. Left home 1 AM for the opening of registration and an early start at 4. Riders are already out on the road. My game plan to take it easy and conserve, so all these pace lines are blowing by me. Back when would be upset, not anymore. This will be the norm. I'm well into it, knowing the roads just not the route, coming up to a rider. It is our current Jack Flynn award recipient. He would be the oldest rider. I could use company. Perhaps I'm not the best riding partner. As Tom is another rider who doesn't use GPS, does have a computer. I have a route slip which I should have studied but thought to myself ridden these roads hundreds times. This be my first GT with Hueneme start with new roads. Another age thing can not read the cue, not only being illiterate also an eye sight thing. Ask Tom the turn can make out Ponderosa I know that road from the Whale of a Century. He mistaken 0.6 for 6 miles so we're rolling along seeing riders going the opposite direction waving at them and they are wondering if we were lost. Me thinking it's like an out and back. So I'm yapping about the area and rides I've ridden around till I'm thinking we're not on route as we've entered new development then the street ends. Know my way around could get back home but like a good Randonneur you go back where you went wrong and correct it. Go the length of Ponderosa and find our mistake. While discussing the correction who'd come along, it's Ira. ' No chit-chat while blocking the bike path' if we can keep up with him, we should be fine. And he was much obliged to guide us along. Prior to Ira catching up to us, Tom would be talking praises of Ira. He's influenced Tom into riding the Grand Tour and he trained and prepared for doing the ride. What a great mentor and friend. And I'm not writing this because he bought us donuts and coffee. Pictured are the two Jack Flynn Award winners.

As I've never really met Tom, only saw him at the Bubbling Springs, the last stop in the wee hours as he manned the station till the final riders goes through. Chatting with Tom before Ira joined us, talked about he and his family volunteering for the Grand Tour. He felt bad not helping this year as he enjoyed helping the riders. Anyone who goes and helps out must love bicycling. His family that day wearing red shirt with Tom White Crew on the front are SAG following meeting him at every stop. Now as this is on my mind, on the Grand Tour got to see many people I've not seen in years, Are you still riding? More people did not know which obviously since I've been gone from the Double scene. Yet the help is just as enthusiastic as before. And they should all be recognized. I know all the riders appreciate them being there. I'm not sure, has they been acknowledged in the VP report or something written. I apologize if it has and just missing it. It would be nice to not only list the name but where they were stationed as there were a lot of help did not know. that I apologize for too. Back to my report... Ira leads us back to Holiday Inn. Now had a question can not recall how Ira responded. It is a 40 miles loop, well with our mistake made it 60 but then it is only 189 miles Double, we can't call it 200 unless we put in the numbers. My inquiry How do you know if the riders actually did the loop as there is not control. Talking with Tom about it earlier, why would you not do it. Answer, there are going to be people who will shorten a route just to get credit. As for us, we can care less about any credit, his philosophy like mine is just go out not worry about things and enjoy the ride. That's my intent. One problem riding with Tom is he takes forever at the stop. Well he's over 80, he needs to. I normally would just check in and go. Theresa (Tiger) made banana bread. Century challenge champ Mike asks why I have not put in any Centuries especially if I'm doing the Grand Tour. Maybe I haven't done any, Ok that would be an obvious lie. Just for him, I'll start with the ones I did this month. Those Amazon gifts come handy. OK we are ready to head out. We are the last riders on the lowland. I know how to get to the next stop at Peach Hill Park, could do it blindfolded if cars were not on the road. But it starts by going the opposite direction, we make this unnecessary loop pass the VFW. But I go with the route. Then we go pass the old Bubbling Springs rest stop which I point out to Tom that he must know well and miss. Wonder if they are going to have soup on the ride. Didn't, so sad for me. The route uses Bard which is safer over Pleasant Valley, then on to the named road we shall stay on for some distance. I've ridden this maybe not a thousand times but seems like with Randonneuring. Able to point out stuff, though the metal strawberry is gone and the fake rock on the hill are getting hidden by avocado trees. And the nursery at the top of the first hill is gone. Another problem as would be expected, I kind of climb faster and would wait. It's OK, got 24 hours. At the left on the Moorpark hill, Ira who's kind of working the office and sweeping catch up to us and joins us to the next stop. Photo is that rest stop.

Apologize for not taking pics, was going to do every stop. When we arrive all the Highland people have come and gone. And I'm sorry to say was a grueling long stop. One thing good, can eat a lot. And there is a lot to eat, most being things my wife disapprove. Have not had Hostess cupcake in ages, on the ride swallowed three. Haven't tasted Fritos in decades, stuffed a bag down my throat. followed by cherries. Must have taken half a basket of cherries, standing by the trash spitting the pits. Was happy. With seedless grapes, peeled cantaloupe, plums, I like fruit. And did I care if they were washed or not, I'm a bicyclist back when who even washed their hands as they dig into a bag of chips. I ate Lays and Rice Krispies snack. My wife would be appalled. Here I feed you healthy, naw, she knows what I eat behind her back. Ira takes off before as he asks do I know how to get to the next stop. Yes I do. Till I looked, it's a new location. Oh well. There is one rider waiting for us to join. It is 11. If it were the old route, would be concerned, as we don't have to go to Malibu, it's OK. Without those hill on PCH, me thinking this new route is easier. Next section follows old route pretty much, just a few new sections which I'm familiar with. Our new friend who is faster waits at each turn to stay with us. Especially with the first turn and corrected him. How does this guy know every store and feature on route. Well when you don't use a computer, you tend to notice your surrounding and landmarks. Once I've been there, got it stored for future reference. The wind was picking up and tell Tom I would be his pull, just tell me to slow down. At first both are left behind, then our friend was able to keep up. Told him have to wait for Tom, gave instructions, take the road to the end where there is a shoe store then to the end where a gravel place then a left when you see golf course netting. How does this guy know this stuff. Tom informs me the stop closes at 3. We arrive within. Then had to tell him that I may be leaving him as I've been up early, don't want to be out long through the night, going to need sleep Ira is still here, joins us. Must of heard what I said as I'm leaving Tom behind on a climb, waiting he waves me to go. Released I'm gone. Catch up to our friend, ride with him a bit till the upturn before Creek Rd, he's dropped. Have not ridden this ages as I normally do the Highland route and on other times, take the bike trail to Ojai. Into the lunch stop, stuff my face with bean burrito and I'm out of there telling David and Paul got to make up time. Mike is there, asks if I'm going to switch to the easier Highland route. No I'm going to the beach and across, fighting the wind. And it is a headwind going west. I'm on the drops, even with the downhill, have to pedal for forward progression. I envy all those Adobe Velo groups in their pace line. Me believe half the riders were from that club. Along the coast seems easier, I've caught some of the riders and I'm passing them. Well I have all that conserved energy. Rest stop at the same spot. But instead of heading south, got more north to travel. Make up distance. The route sheet reads turnaround at a construction sign on Ortega Hill. OK, not that far away. Go up the hill and down to the end, did not see a sign or anybody to make sure we went this far. Took a time photo.

In fact I did not see anyone go up and over like I did. So would ask, how they know riders went this far. OK, you sleep with what you did. Now comes the big reward, the expected tailwind. A final stop at Rincon, more feed for speed. And I'm off. And I'm passing riders. Probably finished faster than I did at the start. Saw Tom heading north at the beach, he's going to finish late. Got in just before 9. Kermit is there, has a plate with pizza crust. Asked if there is any left. I left this for you, no you can go inside and check. I ate enough on the ride, did not need to eat, so thank him, to my truck and gone like the ending of my ride. Motel 6 in Camarillo, one that I use in the area. In fact the guy recognize me, asked how many miles, Did you ride here?. Left Camarillo at 5. Stopped in Hawthorne Costco gas, 3.89. 30 cents cheaper than what I get at the nearest Costco here. Breakfast at Snooze in Tustin, photo.

Realize got 15 minutes to start. Saw Bill and parked near him. He and Rod went short will assume. Phil, Rafal, Edwin and I went long, Stayed together at the start till Rafal and Edwin pulled away. They have ridden together to get there from Long Beach, going to put in a Century, The route is hilly than preferred. Phil kept me company. I have to use the restroom and needed fluids as it is warmer than I like. Stop at Del Taco, as someone using the toilet was not moving fast as I really needed to go, could been my breakfast, ask Phil to keep watch as I use the ladies room. A burrito and fluids, I'm ready to go. As we come out, there is Rafal and Edwin. We are back together, though the route has been tough, we are yet to get to the steeper section. Have not ridden Live Oak in ages, felt familiar. Like the shade of the oaks but dreaded the end to the summit. Having problem with sweat in my eyes, as I'm not coordinated enough to use my glove to wipe needed both hands on the bar to stay straight. Now Santiago Canyon, whew, ridden this more times than I can remember, actually do know my first being the Shamrock Century put on by Irvine Bicycle Club. In the rain. Phil had to do some more mileage to get in his Metric, Assume Rafal and Edwin made it back To Eldora Park upright. Was going to get a Icee but decided head on home, 2 hour drive with traffic. Wife makes me burritos. Won't make the 4th of July ride as I'm registered for the Scripps Ranch Old Pro annual ride, one I've ridden on and off through the years depending where I am. Then Sat, the NCCC has a 5th of July ride and picnic, have to show since I'm an old newbie. Then that night is a Rando ride up to Baldy in the dark. So far 4 is registered, could not resist. Then I'll nap in the truck, show up in Anaheim for the flat easy John's ride. Hoping a lot of members there to keep me awake. So have a happy Fourth and see all on Sunday. David Attention Phil, don't forget the info on Chris's Bday ride