I had been thinking about doing this over the last 2 weeks. I've been into cycling for a while, getting serious about it six-months or so ago when I joined a group that rides on Saturdays. I had no other plans for the day; my wife and kids visiting our oldest daughter and her family in South Dakota, and with the holiday I figured traffic would be light. So today I rode round-trip from my house to Disneyland.
Sounds grandiose, but according to my cyclometer I completed 46.63 miles in 3:46. I had never gone that far in one shot before, so I wasn't sure how fast to push and when to pull back. Now that I've done it I have a better idea what to do next time. I didn't push for speed, so I know I could do it faster if I wanted to. Since it was on surface streets I did not bring any headphones or music, so I had a chance to make a few observations:
- I must have upset Mother Nature because I spent almost the entire trip riding into the wind. Seriously, the wet-finger test confirmed it several times. On the way back I was riding into it while crossing over the 710 (my last uphill stretch), and I could feel it moving to the north - and sure enough when I turned right I was going straight into it again.
- Cyclists can be some of the most friendly folks you'll ever meet. There isn't much time to talk when you are facing each other at 15+ mph, but you'll frequently get a word of greeting or encouragement as you pass by. Didn't see a lot of them today, but there were a few.
- It was interesting to see who was open and who was closed on Christmas day. Walmart was closed as were most other department and grocery stores, as well as most restaurants and fast-food places. Starbucks was open of course, as was Denny's, Sizzler, Albertsons, Jack in the Box... I wonder if Denny's even puts locks on their doors - they never close.
- The ice rink where I play hockey was closed. Usually they have tournaments over the holidays, maybe the parents didn't want any games scheduled on Christmas. Yet every soccer field I saw had players on it, several were clearly league games. I guess soccer players are like golfers (who I also saw a lot of) they will seize any chance to play.
- Sometimes it is the little things that keep you going. I was hitting a wall around the 30 mile mark and my legs were starting to feel it. Suddenly I looked up and realized that things were looking familiar, knowing I was getting closer to home pushed me on for a bit. Or seeing my favorite chain of Mexican food places and thinking I could go there after my ride. Or Sizzler? Can you tell I was getting hungry? LOL
- I rode through Long Beach, Lakewood, Hawaiian Gardens, Buena Park, Anaheim, ... and it is sad to say that by far the worst drivers were in Long Beach. I got cut off once and had a driver lay on the horn because I wasn't moving fast enough for him when crossing an on-ramp. No other issues with the ride.
And my biggest observance of all: It is more fun to ride with a group than it is to ride alone.
My Fuji road bike performed wonderfully. I don't think I could have made the same trip on my mountain bike, but that is why I bought the road bike.
Hopefully I'll have enough strength left for my regular club ride on Saturday!
