LAW Christmas rides
Los Angeles Wheelmen VP Report - December 26, 2023
Hello All:
It was Christmas yesterday so I suppose I should use a Christmas song for our theme music tonight. On yesterday's ride at
the break in Chinatown, there was a man playing music and sometimes singing. He played this song, which has become a
Christmas classic now, and he sang along with it. My thought at the time was that Mariah would prefer to keep it as a solo, so
here it is without the man singing along:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXQViqx6GMY
I have two rides to report on this week.
Sunday: The ride was "North Orange County Trek" which started in Fullerton and headed east. It was Christmas Eve and I
wouldn't have been surprised if no one had shown up, but, what do you know, we had 5 riders. I took this photo at the start
.jfif) |
That's Kit Gray, David Nakai, Bob Bacin and Gloria Nafel. David, Bob and Gloria did the medium route while Kit and I rode
the short.
The medium is more scenic. It goes through the former dairy area near Corona and I had meant to tell David to be sure and
take a photo of the cows if there are any left. I forgot to tell him, but he did it anyway
Actually, I don't see any udders and they look a bit young, so I think they are more correctly called heifers. These are mostly
Holsteins, but there appears to be one Brown Swiss who somehow snuck into the herd. It was a beautiful day after a week
of rain, and Christmas Eve or not, the rest of you missed a nice ride.
Yesterday: Of Course yesterday was Christmas and we were riding our annual Christmas Day ride from the corner. We had
9 riders, which is up from last year. I took this photo
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From the left: A rider whose name I did not get, David Nakai, Sandy Weiner, Ann Trank, another rider whose name I didn't
get (sorry), Lora Chen, Russ Brynes, and Tony Broughman (a former member who lives in Santa Barbara and actually
drove down just for this ride).
The rest of the riders started off on the standard route. Lora sent me this
photo of the group riding along Mulholland Drive
.jfif)
However, there was considerable attrition as the ride went along. I waited for the group at our usual bathroom break in
Elysian Park and when the group got there it was down to 2. We went on to Carroll St. where we usually take a group shot,
but with only 2 other riders left, here it is
.jfif)
That's Tony and David. We then proceeded to Chinatown for our break. At that point we lost David who went off to look for a
lunch location and it was only Tony and I returning to the start. All in all, a nice day and next year when the shorter/easier
version is offered, maybe even more riders will show up.
Happy New Year's Eve, Eve, Eve, Eve, Eve
Good evening all
Year's numbering down, just one weekend left for '23 It was just about 12 month ago, looked forward to the new year.
Just a few items from the VP report
Left out the club's meeting report. Well if I need to know, should have attended
January schedule
Though there are two Sunday Rando rides and a New Year's Day Brevet, there are two days open.. Last year did the New Year's Brevet and the Rose Parade ride. Unfortunately will not be able to attend.
Might appear for the New Year's Eve ride. Noticed it does the same Benedict Canyon to Mulholland as the Christmas ride. As my New Year's ride is in Moorpark and I have a train ride to Motel 6 in Camarillo, wake up early to ride to the start, Sunday has to be a short one so I might join Rod and take a train from Santa Monica. Don't want to wear myself out as the route goes over Balcom which is no fluff climb.
The two riders who's name is missing. I apologize as the one I've ridden with before, and he was outfitted in club wear, told me his name and be it age or the knock in the head, got a name but probably incorrect. The other guy who is probably not a club member name is Cisco. Why I remember. He was a real out going guy, singing and talking the whole time. So I ask if people ask if he knows the 'War' song which he did. As he rode a kind of mountain bike, he'd lay low which came to mind another 'war' song. He says he's from Compton. well those two left the group down Woodrow Wilson probably to take Nichol's down. Laura was first to leave as she went left on Mulholland to take Sepulveda down. Sandy and Ann came down Mulholland to Cahuenga only to go back up and come down Franklin. Russ stayed with us to Stadium and decided not to go up. thus left were Tony and I. Of course I didn't know who he was at first till I mentioned Santa Barbara. Which I replied I rode your mountain bike, the first time I've ever ridden one. It was Malibu Vista, back in the days when someone had to bring route slips to hand out to riders. Kermit was to, but he was finishing up the Grand Tour staff ride. I rode out and met them in Ventura and rode with them back. Kermit gave me the slips and went home. In the meantime I did some riding around, and not far up Malibu Canyon, my frame snaps apart right at the down tube shifter, my titanium Miyata my wife bought me after I bought her first bike, a Miyata hybrid. It was the bike I rode my first century on. Also the first bike I rode with cleated pedals. So my bike is useless. Tony who I've ridden before with on LAW ride happen to have brought two bikes. So I got to ride up Latigo with a fat tire and I'm sure due to thicker tires, came down Mulholland faster. He remembers.
Lastly, the song.
The version played in Chinatown had Bieber in it though he sounds like a girl. Swear the guy singing had a bit of Willy Nelson. Maybe it's my hearing.
Anywhat, got me to work on the poem I left stranded, inspired to give it life.
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
Don't care for socks, gloves,
or jacket underneath the Christmas tree
I just want one thing that's worthy
A very special kind of jersey
To make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is wool
I don't want any cheap elastic
Anything with plastic I will not try on
Golly mister don't give me polyester
I won't like Lycra, rayon or nylon
If that wear bares a cotton tag
It'd soon become a forgotten rag
Spandex makes me panic synthetics won't do
As all I want for Christmas is wool
I won't ask for much this Christmas
Won't even wish a new helmet or floor pump
A Strava account or a cell phone mount
Would not make my heart rate jump
No leather saddle or feather weight shoes
Have no time for Fargo Hill climb with Huell
Only one material that'd make me cheerful
All I want for Christmas is wool
I want something that absorbent and soft
When I spill my drink I can suck it back off
I need something that appeals and strong as well
Something that can conceal my body odor smell
The sheep in the field will give a pleased nodAnd wish me a safe ride and Fleece Navidad
I'll look chic and all so cool
Like I came from an ivy league school
The clothing has to come from sheep, no bull
Not a plant or animal that drools
You know it has to come from ewe
All I want for Christmas is wool
If not Sunday, let me wish all a Happy New Year.
David
before I leave, the other day gave Christmas gift to the neighbor. Asked why he was gone, went up north as a friend had a stroke. He asks why I'm still riding knowing that I do and my accidents. I have to. For my physical and mental health. Because of riding I keep in good health, rarely get sick, I eat well and a lot, New Year's goal, lose weight, gosh I hate seeing my picture, I'm so fat, maybe everyone is so thin. I sleep good. I got a good attitude toward life and he people around me. And I have to look good as the trophy husband.
To a healthy, and successful life.
Los Angeles Wheelmen VP Report - December 27, 2022
Happy New Year Everyone (since this will be my last report of the year)
Tue, Dec 27, 2022 at 11:00 PM
Our only ride last week was the annual Christmas Day ride, so I guess I have to use a Christmas song for the theme music tonight. I've selected one
from my childhood which I think a lot of you will know, but haven't heard in a while. I've picked a video with lyrics included since I was never quite sure
what some of them were.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ2rzHqGeaI
Sunday: I had hoped that with Christmas being on Sunday and with great weather predicted, we might have a good turn-out for the ride. I was
wrong. There were only 3 of us. I took this shot at the start:
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That's David Nakai (with antlers) and Russ Brynes. There might have been a 4th because we saw an unknown rider with an LA Wheelmen jersey
ride past the start a little before 8:30, but they did not stop and we never saw anyone again. We were behind the toilet building and maybe the person
thought no one else was there. The three of us stuck together and therefore the usual group shot up on Carroll Ave is the same two riders. By then it
was getting pretty warm and we had removed our jackets
David said one of the houses on Carroll Ave had been used in Michal Jackson's Thriller video, but we weren't sure which one. There are several of the
old Victorian houses that haven't been restored and could easily pass for an old haunted house. Chinatown was as busy as usual. Russ and I had a
snack there, but David planned to have a full Chinese lunch and then go his own way back. He later sent me this photo which I assume is his lunch
I'm always amazed at how much David can eat.
Quick few from Christmas Ride.
Bendict Canyon where Rod stopped to take photo of year display. That was once residence of Eddie Murphy who purchased from Cher
Could not find why Carrol Avenue and the Angelena Heights area did not have any Christmas displays. None, nada, void.. Have not check to see the new Mayor's religious belief.
Couple TV shows have used houses.
My Chinese food was my third restaurant option, the first two had wait list. Food was OK, had their Specialty and their special chow mein. And no I did not eat it all in one sitting, I finished it when I got home.
Los Angeles Wheelmen VP Report - December 26, 2017
Hello All:Christmas: We also rode our annual Christmas Ride yesterday. We had a better turn out for this. There were 10 riders after Rick Gordon finally caught the group. I took a few photos at the start, but they didn't turn out very well. Here's the only one that was halfway decent.
From left to right that's Jacques Stern, Ed Fuller, David Nakai and Mel Cutler. I wanted to include this photo because it shows David's Santa cap on top of his helmet. I got a better shot of the entire group when we stopped up on Carrol Ave where all the nicely restored Victorian Houses are located. This year we decided to take the photo in front of one of the houses that still needs a lot of work.
As usual, we stopped for our break in Chinatown. Ann Trank took this photo of most of the group
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