There’s nothing better than drinking from the Earth after a mean Cat 2 climb in 90+ degree weather. Last weekend, a big group of us did the Geyserville loop and after the initial descent, there was a water trough filled with ice cold spring water. I took my Hasselblad out of the videographer’s car and snapped a few shots of my Geekhouse resting on this oasis.
This is a great event and I dig the registration requirement for the Almanzo 100. Check out this video and if it proves anything, you can be sure that 100 miles of gravel is no easy feat. Thanks to Ty from GSC for sharing.
Look, believe it or not, I actually really love putting up posts to get you through the work day. That said, it’s hard for me to “play hooky” and go ride. While the site was silent for 24 hours, it was worth it… Yesterday, 5 of us headed out of Portland towards Mt. Hood. We took river paths, country roads, and fire roads, which eventually opened up to vistas like this. It was breathtaking. We totalled 111 miles and 7,700′. All this to visit a facility in Hood River where material for bikes are made.
More on this later. It’s gonna be good!
The 2012 Rapha NE Gentlemen’s Race was no joke. Over 120 miles and racking in over 13,000′ of elevation through the countryside of New Hampshire and Vermont. I don’t care, that shit looked fun.
From the day I flew into LA, all Kyle kept saying was “we’re gonna take you on the hardest ride of your life”. All I could think was “what? we’re going to Australia?”. Turns out, Cloud Burst, aka Cloud Bonk is a tough ride. Not the hardest ride ever, but a damn tough ride. So what qualifies as a tough ride? Well, for starters, you’re climbing for like 30 miles straight, from sea level to 7,000′. And there are no shops, no spigots, no nothing to get water. Just a crap shot of drinking from “the Earth”. Previous experiences with that cunt, Mother Nature has left me bed-ridden for days… So yeah, it’s not your every day, supported, group ride through the dainty countryside like a lot of centuries I’ve done are.
Cloud Burst does live up to its nickname and yes, it is a tough ride but how can you fixate on the negatives with such a rad crew? I had so much fun this day that the photos don’t even begin to capture it. Sure, it’s beautiful and yes, these roads are some of the finest California has to offer but to experience this ride with your true friends is something else.
That and the burgers are the top are the best! In the end, my Garmin was showing under 10k of climbing, so we hit Griffith to bring it to a nice and even 120 miles and about 10,300′ of climbing.
YEESH! I will say, this is the most fun I’ve ever had on a bicycle before and these photos are my absolute favorite 35mm ride photos. Ever.
Click on the above photo to launch the gallery, or here to open in a new tab.
The Angeles National Forest is a magical place. If you decide to take any of its roads up for the full ascent, you’re in for a great day of climbing. One of my favorite rides is Mt. Wilson. From the Shell Station at the bottom, to the top, it’s about 18 miles up. It was the first time I’ve done any HC climbs but the group I was with made it feel like a walk in the park. It’s extremely breathtaking. Since we rode out to the ride, we totalled 60 miles and over 6,000′ of climbing.
Click on the above photo to launch the gallery, or here to open in a new tab.
Beautiful Bicycle: Jesse’...
Afternoon Cup at Flat Track Co...
Beautiful Bicycle: Woody’...
Beautiful Bicycle: Raffy’...
Recent Roll: Austin Randomness...
Beautiful Bicycle: My Argonaut...
Beautiful Bicycle: My FBM Swor...
Beautiful Bicycle: My Geekhous...
2013 NAHBS: Head Shots and Hea...
Interbike 2012: Gallery 02...