Hi gang:
I just wanted to comment on a ride I went on this morning. I took out
the 1973 Colnago Super to see what she was like in the mountains. I was
concerned about only having two chainrings on the front, the inner being
42T, on account of the serious climbing involved on the traditional "JB
Ride" that leaves from Rancho San Diego Sunday mornings at 8am. The
route includes a ten mile warm-up of flat and slightly rolling terrain.
The climbing begins and continues steady for about 5 mi. Then it heads
towards the town of Alpine which involves some more climbing and
painfully rolling sections before we finally start down the mountain. We
stop for coffee in Alpine where one of the most beautiful coffee servers
in the world works on Sunday morning. If you weren't awake by the time
you get there, I promise your eyes will be open at the coffee shop.
>From there you had better have your eyes open, because the trip downhill
is long and fabulous. The hills are steep and sort of curvy in places,
but not enough to require touching the brakes at 45mph+. JB is a great
decender. We have a blast on the way down and there are normally 5 to 10
people in the group which keeps the pace high even trough the level
spots here and there. The rest of the ride is the same 10 mi flat and
slightly rolly finish. Nice warm down, unless "Fast Eddie" is on the
front. Then the pain is about equal to being put on the rack. Brutal!
This particular day I was the only person to make the green light as we rolled out of the parking lot at 8 o'clock. Since I'm the slowest person in the group I figured I'd just ride until the rest of the group catches me. Ahead I saw what I thought was more of out group up ahead so I bridged the gap only to find it was not. They were doddleing so I went on; figuring the group would be riding up on me any second. I kept going. I sort of began to "time trial" as I kept a steady pace at my maximum comfort level. I finally reached the first steep pre-climb test and I figured I'd wait there for everyone. I reached the summit and still no one in sight so I then decided to head on and get a headstart on the climb so they wouldn't have to wait for me too long at the turn towards town. I was 2/3 up the hard part of the acent before the first two speedsters rode past me. I was sucking up all of the air within a 10ft. radius of me as I struggled with the 42 x 26. The main group rolled past about a mile from the summit and continued further out into the boonies from there. Us mortals top the long hard part and then head more directly to the eyewash station. JB and I rode the rest of the climb together. I like his company; he's fun to ride with but doesn't talk much on the climbs. I'm too busy sucking in air to be able to talk myself, so it works out good. He babysits me on the climbs in case I die on the road. There have been many occassions where buzzards and vultures were circling me waiting to pick NR and SR parts off my bike as I was near death on a climb; and there would be JB there supporting my effort to remain conscious.
The way down was as good as ever. Probably hitting aouund 50mph as we blast thru Harbinson Canyon heading for the valley floor. This Colnago not only climbs well but it's a real DART to ride while coasting at high speed or decending at break-neck speeds down curvy and steep roads. Not bad at all for a 30 year old frame. I'd be quite surprized if this bike was subjected to the kind of balls-out riding I like to do in it's previous life. I have given this bike a new life, and it sure seems as if she is more than up to round 2. The ride on the flats was "brisk" thanks to Fast Eddie being in the group. I had to suck wheel in our group of 4 just to hang on. By the time we get back to the start area my legs are so dead even the speed bump in the parking lot is too much of a climb.
If anyone is curious about the weather here today, just watch your TV this afternoon. Superbowl Sunday is one of the finest days in a long time. Another Santa Ana wind condition and the temps are in the 70's or 80's. WOW! What do you think of this, Pergolozzi!? I'll bet you're sorry you have to put up with this crap for 3 months! How are you going to do it? Good timing also if you wanted to see what it's like when San Diego PARTIES! I'm far enough away from all of the Hoopla, but the town has been in party mode since about last Thurs. Good time to visit Insane Diego.
Brian Baylis La Mesa, CA I don't care who wins the football game; just as long as it's a good clean fight!