Sunday

(Steve and Rod have already posted a couple of excellent ride reports and photos for this past weekend.....please accept my late report on another Sunday RCY ride....)

Talk about Manly Men! Four of the manliest men of macho proportions (well, at least the 3 other than me) showed up for the "official" RCY Sunday Ride that began not far from the JPL parking area with the climb up Lower Sam Merrill Trail. Although a small group in number, we were more than up to the task of tackling the altitude, the elements, and the food.

The morning was cool as Dennis, Andy, Reuben and Robco began the climb up Sam Merrill. Another larger group of MTBers was also climbing the trail as we alternately passed each other until arriving at the top of Echo Mountain.

After our brief respite we then traversed the old Mt. Lowe railway bed to the Chaney Trail Road for the climb up to the "headwaters" of the Middle Sam Merrill Trail. The weather (although nowhere near as wet and cold as our trip a few weeks ago) was rather cool and a mist/drizzle began to descend on us. It was at about this time that I was declared an official jinx on this ride since both times I have done it recently it has been wet and cold. I think I have been banned hereafter from the mountain.

Refueling, changing into drier and warmer clothes, preparing for the downhill

Nevertheless we plunged down the Middle Merrill. It was here that a first-in-his-life event happened for Dennis. Usually near the front of the pack, Dennis had to take up the rear as Reuben passed him. Because of the mist Dennis could not see out of his needed prescription sunglasses and thus had to ride blind. And yet even as a blind man he was able to stay only a few pedal strokes behind us, apparently using a red tipped white spruce branch which he found on the trail. What a macho man!

In spite of the elements, it was a thrilling ride down the trail. Fortunately (at least from our perspective), none of us rode off the very exposed trail to our deaths. Instead, upon arriving at the bottom at Echo Mountain, we retraced our path back to the Chaney Trail Fireroad where we picked up the Sunset Ridge Trail.

Now this is the trail that most of us skipped last time because of the rainy, cold weather. But this time, the weather was clearing and we were gung ho to go, especially me, who had not done this trail for probably over 10 years.....this was my raison d'etre today. And I was not disappointed. It is a wonderful trail, full of switchbacks (some doable, some not for me) rock steps (I almost lost it a couple of times....walking proved sensible on occasion) and smooth fast sections. Andy was especially taken by the Sunset Trail, as he rushed off ahead of us and at one point tried to take-off from a rock step, instead endoing and landing on his head. We only saw the aftermath of his endo....but apparently he was okay because both he and the little birdies circling his head were still smiling.

The Sunset Ridge Trail eventually brought us back to paved Chaney Trail Road which we descended to our cars which were parked at the bottom of that street. It was here that I believe Reuben suggested we go to a restaurant on Lake Avenue in Pasadena called The Hat. In spite of the fact that their specialty is Pastrami sandwiches and I basically don't eat red meat, I was able to convince the ownership to dig up a tuna sandwich for me, which I enjoyed while watching the other 3 down gobs of flesh and fat.

We then departed, going our separate ways. As for me, I had a 40th birthday party to go to in Santa Clarita. I drove directly there, and without showering, I slathered on deodorant and changed my clothes and was greeted at the party.....although for some odd reason I was asked to sit in the corner by myself. Anyway, I did not get home until late and so it is only now, Monday evening, that I have had a chance to share yesterday's RCY adventure.

Have a great week....remember, next weekend is a 3-dayer....Memorial Day on Monday!