Before I sought out the long hours and new technical trails to run I spent a lot of my free time cycling. It first began when I was a wee little cherub riding my own teeny tiny bike. In Junior high I would accompany my family and my dads friends in a bi-annual 50 mile bike race from Rosarito to Ensenada. At that time my dad and I would train and eventually ride the race on a tandem bicycle. Well, he would ride and I would pass out candy to all the kids that lined the streets of Rosarito. It wasn't till age 18 that I officially had my own bike. At the time my Dad had just completed his first century ride with Team In Training and I was the one who would tag along on his own training rides. I was in my first year of college and had a flexible schedule giving me free mornings a majority of the week.
We had a few favorite routes; Turbon Canyon, Fullerton Rd, The riverbed to the Santa Fe Dam. The Riverbed was mighty popular. I will forever have one particular ride engraved into my memory bank.
Thankfully I've had this computer since 2006 and all photos taken since are organized in a terrible fashion but still readily accessible. After 30 minutes of reminiscing of the year 2006 and all my adventures(parties) I was able to located a few photographs of the ride.
It was a windy August day and we had started around 6am. I remember this quite well seeing that I had stayed up late rendezvousing at a girlfriends party the night before and was in sheer pain but flake- I am not! Today was the day that we would go farther than the dam and climb up to some lake. At the time I never really paid attention to where we were going or the names of place, wait- that still sounds like me to this day. At some point on the riverbed we ran into a few of my dads friends under an over pass catching some shade. We spent a few minutes catching up with them and headed on our way. On our way out one of my dads friends said "I wish I had a son to ride bikes with too". I laughed out loud but in my head I was saying "WHAT DO YOU MEAN? I'M NOT A BOY". My confidence levels on being flat chested went to an all time low.
We continued on our way, passed the normal stopping point and continued up the highway to our final destination before turning around. We stopped at the side of the highway on a dirt overlook and snapped a few photos before I heard a screech that came from my dads voice as he started scratching my skin behind my hear. My stomach instantly dropped- he has located my first tattoo. He continued his attempt to scratch it off before I gave my confession. He reacted fairly well considering my sister broke the ice several years before and soon made my other tattoos I would get somewhat acceptable.
This ride was my first 50+ mile ride ever attempted. I believe it ended at 75 miles and with me in tears the last 10 miles due to heavy winds and my body completely obliterated. The climb along with the river bed was far too difficult for me. I told myself never again, I don't want to see that highway for a long time.
Fast forward 9 years.
I'm back on the very same bike on a highway that looked far too familiar for my comfort level.
As the ascent begins I instantly regret willingly choosing this ride as my first time back in a saddle since June 2014's Lake Tahoe Century Ride.
I am a bit overwhelmed with emotion and flooded with memories of riding with my dad. A pastime that I haven't been able to fully enjoy again since his MDS diagnosis.
So where am I? Where am I going?
It turns out my friend Vince and partner in 99% of my type 2 adventures lives a few miles from the San Gabriel Off Highway Staging Area and where HWY 39 begins.
CRYSTAL LAKE
Starting from the San Gabriel Off Highway Staging Area it is a 14.1 mile ride. The first several miles of this climb are slightly unimpressive, but once your approximately 7 miles from the start of the climb to the turn off to Crystal Lake at mile 12 are dramatic with views back to the south of the big switchbacks just navigated. The first section of the climb is at about 5.5% grade ascending to approximately 3,700 ft. At about mile 12 you turn right and climb the final 2.3 miles with 6% grade to the parking lot at the top. At that point the Crystal Lake Cafe is about 2 miles up the hill from the turn off at HWY39.
We are at the beginning of the climb and I'm huffing and puffing, only slightly annoyed that Vince is riding no hands talking up a storm while I'm obviously struggling to not fall from going too slow. The feeling of being out of shape and just plain out a wussy crossed my mind only a billion times during this ride. But I continue forward and only occasionally swerving right and left.
At about 10 miles into the ride we were riding through Augusts forest fire area dubbed the Cabin Fire that burned over 1800 acres during our triple digit heat wave. It was natures grave yard. Completely black and devastating to look at.
It wasn't till mile 18 where we hit 3,000 in elevation that I was ready to turn around. My legs were fatigued and my face was being attacked by gnats. My stoke level was at an all time low.
"This is the best part" I assured myself. (Paralleling the time when Kanye, Eminem or some intense music came blaring through my ear buds)
The pain.
The discomfort.
The fatigue.
The struggle.
It's all real, and yes it hurts- but this is why I continue to push myself not just in this ride nor in trail running but in life goals. Nothing worth having comes easy. This may not being something I can grasp, no singular object I can possess but rather an experience.
How does one overcome fear? Self doubt? Pain? Mental Blocks?
It's once that barrier of discomfort your brain has created been knocked down- that's when sweet sweet life begins.
And I remembered that during the ride and continued to push myself onward and upward- LITERALLY.
When I get in this moment, though, I silence myself. I am lost in thought and can get easily frustrated when that silence is broken. This is my own personal battle and apologized to Vince afterward for the lack of conversation or snappy remarks made. This climb was far from easy but I still felt as though I should have been performing better. I am my worst critic but it seemed as though it was a walk in the park for Vince, nonchalantly talking about peaks and cool adventures he's had in the surrounding mountains while I couldn't even imagine getting over this next climb little own carry a conversation.
And so we continued.
We were about 4 miles away from the Cafe and I was starting to worry about running out of water. Well the fact was I had just finished my water and with still a significant climb left before we reach the cafe I knew I was going to get myself in trouble. As those thoughts cross my mind I hear a motorcycle slowly approach me and I knew instantly it was my Dad or Papa as we all call him. This isint some weird coincidence where he decided to ride up to Crystal Lakes at 3pm in a full leather get up in 100 degree weather, no, rather I called him maybe an hour before our start and suggested him come meet us not thinking he'd actually make it.
Thankfully he did.
After chugging down what seemed like pure lemon pulp and took a couple silly photos we all hopped back onto our own bikes and continued our ascent to our final destination Crystal Lake Cafe where my dad was going to buy us some cokes and where we could get a much needed lunch. The idea of an iced cold Coke after riding through the inferno is all I was looking forward to. It was my drug and I was feening for it.
As we pulled into the cafe I was relieved. Extremely happy the climbing was done and we can enjoy ourselves for a little bit before we head back. My dad quickly said they were closed and I had brushed it off thinking with my luck they would be and that you don't joke about something so serious. To my surprise my dad wasn't kidding like he normally is and the Cafe was in fact close on Tuesdays.
OF
ALL
DAYS.
Tuesday?
Why?
It took every molecule of my being to not collapse in a uncontrollable sob. This was a far worse scene for me than watching Everest. My desire for the soda was real and the idea that I spent the last 3+ hours looking forward to something that was out of my control was beyond belief. As we refilled our bottles with less than stellar water cars came and gone as they too noticed the cafe was closed. I had every intention of approaching in car and asking for soda.
Feening.
Give it to me.
Anyone.
Please?
NOW!
Some campers who had just arrived walked over trying to pay there nights dues and we started small conversation with me. More my dad and Vince while I was over in the corner having a pity party. I expressed my hopes for a soda and sadness when we realized that the cafe was closed and they offered us a soda back at the camp ground.
I almost collapsed in sheer happiness.
Once that coke hit my lips the world was right again. The affects are instant and my body was thanking me.
We sat there for about 15 minutes talking about bikes, trails, camping and why we were all there. Needless to say we all have a passion for nature and all it's wonders.
We parted ways and as I passed by their campground I told myself to always remember their kindness and to somehow repay that. Not necessarily to them but perhaps thru hikers, trail runners, really anyone. That little act of kindness made a world of a difference.
The descent was incredible.
While we were climbing I was too focused on my body and it's motions to actually notice the beauty that surrounded me and as we hit 20, 30, 40 mph on the bike you are flying down natures gift. It was breath taking. Well breath taking in views and breath taking because I was holding my breath from being so scarred from the speed. Descending on a bike is not my forte.
It was a wonderful experience and it was well worth the mental and physical battle that almost consumed me during the climb. The idea that I got myself to this moment, not by car but by my own physical strength was well worth it.
We flew down in minutes what felt like centuries to climb and it was far more memorable with my dad on a motorcycle along for the ride.
He may not have the strength to cycle since his battle with Cancer but he enjoys life to the fullest with what he can and I truly appreciate that.
INCREDIBLE
difficult to believe; extraordinary.
"the noise from the crowd was incredible"
synonyms: magnificent, wonderful, marvelous, spectacular, remarkable, phenomenal, prodigious, breathtaking, extraordinary, unbelievable, amazing, stunning, astounding, astonishing, awe-inspiring, staggering, formidable, impressive, supreme, great, awesome, superhuman; informalfantastic, terrific, tremendous, stupendous, mind-boggling, mind-blowing, jaw-dropping, out of this world, far out; literarywondrous
"an incredible feat of engineering"
That's it folks.
My first ride in over a year and I chose that. Heck, I finished Lake Tahoes Most Beautiful bike ride 100 miles with not riding in a year either.
I've got to get back on the saddle more often and explore these great climbs that surround LA.
Want to be my riding buddy?
Just be warned... I take my time :)
The jist of the ride included 50.5 miles, 6,519 ft in elevation gain and it took 4:24 hours.
Definitely satisfied my itch to be outdoors.
This week has been dedicated to rest and recovery considering I have plantar fascitis in my left foot. Less running, more stretching, strength training and naps.
Lots of naps.
I am grateful for this day and hope their will be many more like this to come!
Till next time,
Peace, love and happiness
