Saturday's Upcoming Ride to Corona del Mar

Go here to view on Map My Ride. We will meet at Long Beach Marina parking lot just behind the Sea Port Marina Hotel off of Westminster Ave./2nd St. and PCH at 8am.

Free Cycling Log

Just tried out the free Internet Training Log - really cool.  User friendly, analyzes and graphs your progress, and did I mention, it's free. Link can be found on right under Cycling Links.

Lakewood to Corona del Mar State Beach Ride!

Left my house at 7:36 and reached Corona del Mar state beach (30 mi) a little bit before 10.  The ride back was windy and I got my first flat on the road.  Took me about 15 min to fix and then I was back on my Pinarello.  Reached home by 12 and finished 57.5 miles.

 

Homes in Corona del Mar  - great landscaping.

Corona del Mare State beach.

Overlooking Newport.

Incredible home under construction overlooking the ocean.

 

Could you imagine walking out your front porch and seeing this - breathtaking!

Corn Cheddar Chowder with Turkey

This is sooo flavorful & good.  It's slightly spicy, smooth, and filling at the same time.  I used left over turkey and only took less than 30ish minutes to make. Directions: render 1/4 cup pancetta (or two bacon slices) in pot until crisp; remove & save bacon.  Saute following in remaining fat: 1/2 onion, 1 red pepper, 1 carrot, 2 celery stalks all chopped with 2 cloves minced garlic.  Salt, pepper, and season with 1 tsp of Italian spices.  When onion translucent,   add 1.5 cups chopped red potatoes, 1 lb shredded turkey, and 5-6 cups of low-sodium chicken stock. bring to simmer until potatoes tender.  Stir in 2.25 cups of frozen corn.  In bowl mix 1 cup flour with 2 cups low fat milk with wisk and add to pot.  Bring to boil until thickened - about 10-15 min.  Add cup of cheddar cheese.  Ladle in bowls topped with green onion, crispy pancetta or other bacon, and corn chips if desired.

The soup was well complimented with a unique German beer I got at BevMo.

It's 50% Steigl-Beer and 50% Lemon soda - Light and easy to drink. Flavor enhanced with an orange slice.

SImone's Donuts

Beautiful day today! Skies blue with clouds hovering over the mountains.  I postponed my ride today based on the forcast for 40% chance of rain.  Instead, I grabbed a tall iced coffee from Starbucks and headed to my favorite donut place - Simone's Donuts in Long Beach.  These are my favorite donuts; and very popular with the locals.  The dough is light and has a slight crispy outside that is addicting.  I limit myself to one per visit (today I bought 2 for the foto) and usually dive out of my way, once or twice a week,  for these beauties.  If your in the area, you've got to try them - located  on the corner of Stearns & Palos Verdes in Long Beach.

Shoreline Cafe French Toast

This place is the best breakfast I've ever eaten.  Located on 2nd street in Belmont Shore.  My fav is the Breakfast Enchiladas.  You need to ask for them since they are not regularly on the menu..  They're made with egg & feta cheese wrapped in tortillas, topped with spicy red chili sauce, cheese, & accompanied with beans and rice. Fantastic!

After Thanksgiving Ride

Will be doing this 66 mi  course Saturday or Sunday - depending on the chance of rain. Click here to see it on Map My Ride.

Thanksgiving Ride!

Today, I went riding with co-workers and new friends.  Started at Heartwell Park in Long Beach at 8am, followed the San Gabriel River bed trail, rode past Golden West College, reached PCH, and followed it back to the river bed.  Total of about 36 miles and finished at 11:20.  The day was crisp in the morning and quickly warmed up by 9:30.

Enrique looking good after the nice hill on Gothard street.

Cheryl kept up a good pace on the hills with her clip-in pedals.  Her strategy of facing the skies and cursing the heavens seems to work well for her. Keep it up Cheryl!

Dawnelle, looking pretty in pink, makes it look too easy.

Edwin knows his stuff.  He kept alerting us to the best bikes and accessories on the rode.

Alfonzo helped me keep pace on PCH by alternating to the front on some good headwind. Thanks.

The crew resting after pushing through the wind up PCH.  Their cat-like reflexes kept their bikes from swerving into the marshlands when a pack of cyclists startled them by shouting, "On the left!"

Overall, it was a fantastic ride and got me in the mood for my mom's fantastic feast. Until next time.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Short Bib, Helmet, & Tail Light on It's Way!

Ordered Louis Garneau Bib Shorts Speed Matrix with Matrix 3 Gel chamois in medium.  I am 5'6"  with 40-41 inch hip, and according to LG sizing chart I should be wearing a med.  My first LG short I got in September was size XL.  At the time I thought it was the best fit.  But now that I have been riding alot and wearing Castelli and Pearl Izumi  bibs (both Italian sizes and form fiting) - my XL hangs in the closet - never to be worn, again.

Louis Garneau Exo-Nerve helmet.  This one has more vents and lighter than my Giro Ionos helmet.

Planet Bike's Superflash back light.  I saw this one during a race and it caught my attention - even during the day. Click here to see video comparing it to other lights.

Sovang's Finest Century - Partly Accomplished!

This ride was the best route I have ever done.  The course always changed and never did out-and-back routes that can sometimes get boring - like in the Solvang Prelude.  The morning was COLD.  My Mini registered 43 degrees at 6am.  I wore my sleeves on the rode but not my jacket - thinking it would warm up quickly.  I was wrong.  I didn't take my sleeves off until about 11o'clock.  To top it off, I wore a new bib and it started to get uncomfortable at mile 15.  However, the day was clear and crisp, the sun hit the vineyards and turned them gold and crimson red - it was breath taking.  We took Amour Ranch Rd that was fun to ride because of the up-and-down  hills - it made me feel like a kid, again.  It was in the middle of the prairie with a few oak trees and cows.  After the hills we turned right, around the mountain bend, and met an oasis of vineyards tucked in the valley - the descent and vista down the hill was exhilarating.  The next memorable stretch was around mile 50, where we followed a small valley of orchards and vineyards - Bellisimo!  But then the winds came.  Not fun.  By the time I reached the 61 mile rest stop - I decided I would cut the 20 miles through a canyon with two 4 to 5 graded hills to go over.  My reasoning was this - if I was barely making over the small 3-4 graded hills in the wind - surely the larger ones would undue me.  The nice thing about taking hwy 246 back was being able to coast for about two miles before going up another climb.  My 79 mile ride took me 5:20 hours to accomplish.  In the end, I was so happy to see my Mini.

Very cold morning.

Ostriches raised for yummy-in -the-tummy.

 

  Amour Ranch road leading to rolling vineyards. 

 

 

View at the end of the hills.  These pictures do no justice to the pure beauty of this place. 

 

 

 

Blue sky and rolling hills!

This steady climb is tough at around mile 24 - even the second time around.  I did this last week in the Solvang Prelude, but this time it was more stunning - the day was absolutely clear.

 

I took these snap shots to distract myself from the burning legs.

 

Long line for only 2 "port-a-potties" - ridiculous.

This years jersey sold out - too bad, it's pretty sharp looking. 

This road is the beginning of the last 50 mile loop for the century.

Solvang's Finest Century - Nov. 14, 2009

I'm going back this weekend to Solvang for a longer ride - 100 miles.  Proceeds will benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation.  Hopefully, I will complete this in less than 7 hours.  I am not looking forward to the 4 to 5% graded hill at mile 85.  It will hurt - but I will conquer the hill!

The jersey is pretty cool looking.

Moroccan Chicken Stew with Chipotle Cheese Panini

Trying to eat better for the century in Solvang this Saturday: onion,  1 tsp garam marsal, 6cp chicken stock, 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, 2x15oz chickpeas drained, 2 zuchini cubed, 3/4 cup couscous, 1 rousterie chicken shredded seasoned with 1tsp cumin, avocado diced for garnish.

Solvang Prelude - Metric Century - I did it!

I finished this ride in 4:22 hours riding time.  It was the most scenic and hilly ride done so far.  The  land reminded me of Little House on the Prarie.  I will definitely do it again. The course took us by vineyards, buffalo, horses, the back gate of Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch, and Los Olivos.

 

 

 

 In front of  Neverland Ranch (back gate)

 

Yes. That's a dog on his back.

 

The End.