Wheels and News: Bicycle Diaries II

Oh “Deer,” Tour de San Gabriel Valley is HOT!

After a week of absent, I’m back on the road. 23 riders showed up for the Saturday’s Tour de San Gabriel Valley ride. Two weeks ago, there were 16 of us, now the group is growing bigger. There were some old faces, and more new faces in the group. Some have been training for months to get ready for ALC 6, some were having their first group ride.

The ride started with basic stretching lead by co-ride leader Pedro. It’s very important to stretch before, during and after the ride, especially for us whom will be riding 7 days, long distance. Injury is not an option for all. After the safety speech by co-ride leader Corry, we were off for the challenge.

As a ride leader, part of the responsibilities is to make sure everyone gets back safely. At our second stop in Sierra Madre, I waited for 2 riders whom were once “missing” from the group while everyone else left for the Rose Bowl and started their hill challenge. After 30 minutes, there were no sign of them showing up, so I decided to take off and call them once I get back to the car.

The funny part was, I ran into them at the parking lot! They took a wrong turn and end up riding back on a different route. I was glad that they made it back safely. At the same time, I realized it is really not an easy job to be a ride leader because I have to put everyone else in front of me. I end up doing the Lida and Chevy Chase double-hill by myself, which was okay, just like the way I trained last season.

What goes around comes around, on Saturday evening I went to rider/TRL Tommy’s fundraising party and I won a raffle prize – a $10 Starbucks gift certificate!! As Tommy said, I always won something. The last time I won a prize was during the ALC kick-off party in January.

Sunday morning I joined Virginia, Kathie, Brian and some 40 other riders on a ride that starts from Griffith Park. We went up Chevy Chase again, except this was a longer version. While we were almost getting to the top, I saw a deer in the woods! In fact this was my second time seeing a deer in the area. I stopped for a picture while catching my breath. The deer looked at me from a distance and luckily there were no ‘deer attack.’

We stopped at Montrose for water and food. There was a farmer’s market Sunday, part of the road was closed and we had to use the side walk. The second part of the ride went up La Tuna Canyon, the reverse side, which as shorter and less hilly.

Total mileage for the week: 80 miles. Way to go!

Next Saturday I will be doing Paul Hulse century ride in the Valencia area. Hopefully weather will be nice. 9 more weekends till ALC 6 and I am still looking forward to your sponsorship!