CURRENT RIDE & EVENT SCHEDULE
(Newcomers welcome- helmets required!)
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MAY SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 3 - 8:00 a.m. MULHOLLAND MADNESS. (70 mi - 7400 feet.) Ride almost all of Mulholland Hwy. both directions in one ride? It’s madness I tell you – MADNESS!! But that’s what we do today. You mean we do the hill by the Rock Store both ways in one day. Yes – it’s madness! The good news is that there are very few turns, so you won't be getting lost. We simply stay on Mulholland all the way to the end at PCH. Then it's a short hop over the Neptune's Net for lunch. Then it's the long long climb up Yerba Buena after lunch (the non-Mulholland portion of the ride). That takes us back to Mulholland and it's Mulholland all the way home. The bad news is that there are quite a few hills (7400 feet worth) with the Yerba Buena climb being the feature of the day. At least there is a nice place to rest half way up. But it’s a classic ride on a classic mountain road. Don't miss it. START: CALABASAS HIGH SCHOOL. Go North on Ventura Frwy (101) to Calabasas, Exit & L on Valley Circle Blvd 0.5 mi., R on Valmar (Old Topanga) for 1.1 mi. to Mulholland Hwy, L on Mulholland and L into school lot.
Sunday, May 4 - 8:30 a.m. HARVEY HETLAND MEMORIAL RIDE (Long 48, Medium 43 & 2100 feet., Short 19) This is a memorial ride for club member Harvey Hetland who was killed in an accident riding down La Tuna Canyon earlier this year. We have chosen a favorite ride of his, from the Zoo lot up to Montrose. This is the short route. For those wishing to do a few more miles, the long and medium will go on to Sierra Madre and back with the long adding an extra loop. These routes are essentially the same as the “Sierra Donut Ride” we ran in February. Upon the return to the Zoo lot, there will be a gathering in the picnic area behind the Autry Museum where friends and members can reminisce about Harvey. Even if you didn’t know Harvey, come join us for a pleasant day of cycling and memories. START: Los Angeles Zoo parking lot across from Autry Museum. From Ventura (134) Frwy or Golden State Frwy (5), exit near Griffith Park at any exit marked by signs to the Zoo or to the Autry Museum. Follow signs into the park and to the Zoo lot. We will be meeting opposite the Autry Museum – not the North end as usual.
Saturday, May 10 - 8:00 a.m. UPPER BIG TUJUNGA (REVERSED) (63 mi. with options for more) We reversed this one a few years ago because you will have a chance to ride down Big Tujunga in a few weeks, so today we want to ride UP Big T. That’s the featured climb of the day and it comes in two parts. Lower Big T is long, but only the last few miles are noticeably steep. After a break at the Hidden Springs Café (they must be hidden – I’ve never seen them), we hit Upper Big T. This is 9 miles, but again, only the last mile is noticeably steep. At the top you have options. You can go left on Angeles Crest to Newcomb’s Ranch and back, or when you get down Angeles Crest to Red Box, you can go left up to Mount Wilson and back. (Or you can do both options, or neither) Without the options, the remainder of the ride is mostly downhill on Angeles Crest – actually following the last portion of the last day of the Tour of California. Maybe when you get back to the Rose Bowl you will be inspired to do a few laps just as they did. START: BROOKSIDE PARK - just south of the Rose Bowl. From Ventura Frwy (134) or Pasadena Frwy (110), off & north on Orange Grove, L - Rosemont, L - Seco and L- Arroyo to Park on left. Meet near the Aquatic Facility / tennis courts.
Sunday, May 11 - 8:30 a.m UPLAND UP AND DOWN (long 54, medium 51, short 26) We haven’t run these rides in 10 years. I’m really looking forward to it because it is one of the few Wheelmen routes I have never ridden. It just shows you that there is always something new out there. The long heads straight up (I mean up) to Baldy Village. It then takes Glendora Ridge to Glendora (the same as the return on the Baldy trainer a few weeks ago) and then returns to the start though the San Gabriel Valley. The medium doesn’t head up to Baldy, but travels west to along the foothills eventually getting to the Santa Fe Dam before returning. The short just tours the immediate area. If riding up Baldy Road is new to you as it is to me, how can you pass this up? And even if it isn’t, come out and you can tell us newbies what to expect. START: UPLAND MEMORIAL PARK - From San Bernardino Frwy, off north on Euclid in Upland, R - Foothill (Rte 66) one mile to park on Right.
Thursday, May 15, 7:30 p.m. - GOOSENECK & BUSINESS MEETING. For meeting night directions, call (310) 641-5038.
Saturday, May 17 - 8:00 a.m. LATIGO / STUNT TRAINER (Main route 65 mi & 5900 ft, Long return 80 mi) The title of this trainer says it all – The two featured climbs of the day are up Latigo Canyon and then up Stunt Road. The first is a long (7 miles or so) gradual climb with two peaks. After a break near the Rock Store, it’s on to Stunt which is only 4 miles, but climbs about the same amount as Latigo. That means it is somewhat steeper. After you conquer Stunt, you are done for the day – unless you want a little more and opt for the long return. Then it’s a trip across the Valley and a final climb over Sepulveda. We have move this one a little later in the season than last year, so I’m thinking maybe more of us will be up for tackling that long return. What do you say? Let’s go for it. START: BRENTWOOD ELEM. SCHOOL - San Vicente & Gretna Green. From San Diego Frwy (405), off & west on Wilshire, R - San Vicente, L Gretna Green (1 block past Bundy).
Sunday, May 18 - 8:30 a.m. VALLEY VENTURE (Long 51, Medium 47, Short 35) We are talking about the San Fernando Valley here. It’s right in our back yard, so why not venture into the Valley for today’s ride. All routes head west through the Valley to eat lunch but while the short heads directly there, the long and medium do some climbing in the Santa Monica Mountains first. Most notably, the long climbs Escalon/Encino Hills (a very difficult one mile climb). If you have never done it, well, it’s an experience. The medium does Dixie Canyon, but it hasn’t been maintained in so long, we may change that. Otherwise, you would probably have to walk part way. No matter which way you go, it would be a capital idea to join us today – a capital venture. So come on out. The Valley is just like the basin except the mountains are on your left instead of your right. START: Reseda Park - Reseda & Victory Blvds in the San Fernando Valley From Ventura Frwy (101), off and north on Reseda, right on Victory one block to park. We usually park on the Street.
Saturday, May 24 - 8:00 a.m. PCH THE HARD WAY (115 miles & 7700 feet of elevation gain) This is a long trainer and also the “Century-of-the-Month” for May. I’ve never quite understood the title. I guess it means we parallel PCH, but ride up in the mountains where, obviously, it’s a bit harder. Anyway, that’s sort of the plan for the first portion of the ride. We stay on PCH to Kanan and up to Mulholland Hwy. We follow that until it hits PCH again. We take PCH all the way North to Camarillo and then make our way back to the through Moorpark, Westlake, Thousand Oaks and Agoura before heading to the San Fernando Valley and over Sepulveda to the start. Kanan is probably the hardest climb and you hit it early. However, there are lots of other hills and they add up. Fortunately, they are spread out and you do get to rest in between. Unfortunately, the ride is over 100 miles long and that’s a lot even without the hills. But hey, the Grand Tour is only about a month away and it’s time to get serious if you haven’t already. START: BRENTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - San Vicente & Gretna Green. From San Diego Frwy (405), off & west on Wilshire, R - San Vicente, L Gretna Green (1 block past Bundy).
Sunday, May 25 - 9:00 a.m. WILL ROGERS PARK (medium 36 – 1900 ft, short 28) This is traditionally our post Grand Tour ride, but this year, the Manhattan Grand Prix is that day, and we always ride down to that. So, we are doing this one a month early. There was talk that budget cuts would force the closure of the park. It’s hard to believe the Polo people would ever let that happen, but you should ride today in case you can’t ever do it again. Both routes head to the polo grounds in Will Rogers State Park where you can usually pause to watch the horseys run up and down the field. The medium takes a slightly more circuitous route there and a little extra loop on the way back, but both routes meet up at the park and for lunch in Santa Monica. If the park is still open next year, we’ll probably move it back to the day after the Grand Tour since the Grand Prix keeps jumping around the calendar. START: THE "CORNER", Olympic Blvd, 1 block west of La Cienega in Beverly Hills. From the Santa Monica Frwy (10), off & north La Cienega 1½ miles, L - Olympic 1 block to R- Le Doux.
Saturday, May 31 - 8:00 a.m. TWO TERRIBLE TUJUNGAS TRAINER .(72 mi. and 6700 feet of elevation gain ) I’m looking forward to this one because the biggest climb of the day (Aliso Cyn. on up to Mill Creek Summit) was on the Tour of California and there may still be painted markings on the road leading up to the peak and the line for King of the Mountain points. But we have to get there first. We start with the two peaks of Little Tujunga. Then it’s out (and gently up) Soledad Cyn to Acton for lunch. After lunch, we hit Aliso (which is more “terrible” than either Tujunga). After collecting our climbing points, it is a (mostly) downhill run on Big Tujunga. It’s a fairly tough day, but just pretend the course is lined with spectators cheering you on and the miles will fly by.. START: Lakeview Terrace Rec Center (on Foothill Blvd just east of Osborne) (Not far from the intersection of the 118 and 210 Frwys) Take Foothill Frwy (210) west to Osborne/Foothill exit, off and East on Foothill 0.3 mi. to Center.
JUNE SCHEDULE
Sunday, June 1 - 8:30 a.m. SOUP TO KNOTTS (Long 72, Medium 57 and 2300 feet of gain., Short 32) I think I’ve said this before, but this is really “Knotts to Soup” We start within sight of the parachute ride at Knott’s Berry Farm. “Soup” is in Yorba Linda at the World’s Best Hamburger (they probably have soup). The long and the medium both head there, but the long takes 10 more miles to get to lunch (including going over Turnbull) while the medium takes a more direct and easier route. Both routes return together with some additional climbing in the Anaheim Hills. While this is going on, the short riders are touring northern Orange County on their own. By the time we get back, Knotts will be in full swing. If we weren’t so tired, we could go for a quick coaster ride and a chicken dinner before heading home. START: WILLIAM PEAK PARK in BUENA PARK. From Artesia Frwy (91), off & South Knott Ave ½ mi, L - El Dorado Dr. to Park.
Saturday, June 7 - 8:00 a.m. FULL BORE FOR FILLMORE (115 miles & 7000 ft of gain) This is another century + trainer to make sure you have the stamina for the Double in a few weeks. It also has a few hills to make sure you have the strength, although none of them are real killers. Let’s count them down. First it's over Sepulveda (not bad) and across the valley and over the hill to Valencia (no worse than Sepulveda). Then it's the long flat run to Fillmore for lunch (it may be flat, but is often into a headwind). After lunch, it’s over Grimes Canyon to Moorpark – toughest climb of the day but even it is not too steep. The one mile climb over Norwegian Grade gets you to Thousand Oaks where you pick up Mulholland Hwy (which has a few small hills) Then you have a choice of a Valley return (over Sepulveda again) or going over Old Topanga to the coast for a coastal return (one final climb either way). Just take them one hill at a time like you will on the Grand Tour and you will be just fine. Do this one, and you are probably ready for the Grand Tour. Ride the next two trainers and you’ll be doing it in style. START: BRENTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - San Vicente & Gretna Green. From San Diego Frwy (405), off & west on Wilshire, R - San Vicente, L Gretna Green (1 block past Bundy).
Sunday, June 8 - 8:30 a.m. ARCADIA & STUFF (Long 44, Medium 39, Short 32) Every winter we are always in danger of losing the route up to Chantry Flats to landslides, but it looks like we made it through this one without damage, so LET’S GO TO CHANTRY! All routes first head to the Rose Bowl area The longs and the medium then head over to Altadena where only the longs go up to Chantry Flats. If you've never been up there, you should give it a try and if you've been there before, you know you want to go back. The medium skips the climb and heads directly to lunch where it will be joined by the long riders when they come back down. The short lunches in Pasadena as well, after a shorter tour of the area. Lunch for the long and medium riders is at Tops, best known for such delicacies as pastrami and chili fries, where you can Arcadia & Stuff your face. START: ALHAMBRA PARK in ALHAMBRA. From the San Bernardino Frwy (I-10), off & north on Fremont 2 miles, R- Alhambra Rd to 4 blocks to Park. Park on Raymond on East side of the park.
Saturday, June 14 - 8:00 a.m. ANGELES CREST– SAN GABRIEL CANYON (87 mi - 8300 ft.) As far as I’m concerned, this is the crown jewel of the training season. A day spent almost entirely in the mountains climbing to just about the highest point on Angeles Crest. 30 miles of downhill to complete the day caps off a great ride. Make no mistake, it’s a difficult ride. Over 8000 feet of climbing and close to 90 miles That’s a lot. But, take it one section at a time and you’ll get there. I’ll describe it more fully next month. You really won’t want to miss this one. The scenery, the mountain air, the mountain goats, etc. You won’t believe it. START: Encanto Park in Duarte. Take 605 Frwy north to end, off and R (east) on Huntington / Foothill Blvd 0.6 mile, L Encanto Parkway (before crossing river) to park on Left.
Remainder of June Schedule, next month, but don’t forget the GRAND TOUR on June 28th.