Mark B
Zen MBB Master
Yesterday (Saturday) was the first time I had attempted to ride my conversion bike with the faster group. I definitely missed my Silvio. While the conversion kit is a great thing, simply upgrading components, wheels and installing a Cruzbike kit on a cheap frame does not make a superbike. Fun, yes, but super, no.
The morning started out great, we had a huge group that rolled out from the ride start location. A huge group means a diverse group and this was no exception. We had some really strong riders, some moderate strength riders and some slower riders.. So, as you might imagine, the huge group broke down to about four distinct groups as we trekked from Redlands up to Cal State San Bernardino. Surprisingly, though, everybody was real good about regrouping, so we ended up at our destination pretty much in tact. From there, though, the group splintered. Some riders continued to Glen Helen Regional Park, which involves more climbing up into the foothills of the San Bernardino mountains. I would have tagged along with my Silvio, but I struggle with inclines on the conversion. I could scarcely keep up with riders I ordinarily ride right along with. It really brought to mind what a marvel the Silvio really is.
I couldn't convince anybody to stop and eat breakfast at the turnaround. There was a bunch of crying and gnashing of teeth about riding after eating. What a bunch of sissies. Heck, it's downhill all the way! I swear.... So, begrudgingly, I mounted up and headed back with the returning pack. I was in kind of a hurry, because we were having the bike club picnic in the afternoon and yours truly was the chief cook and bottle washer. The return ride was pretty uneventful except for the stupid lady that nearly killed us with her Escalade. Not once, but three times, mind you, in a fifty yard span of street. She got a pretty good tongue lashing the third time and she pulled it over to the curb. I watched in my mirror, half expecting her to crawl out of her car with a tec-9. Yes, we were in "that part of town".
That evening was the bbq. It was held at one of the club member's home up on snob hills, so there was swimming and lots of conversation in a beautiful park-like setting. I cooked enough burgers to feed a batallion. We had all the sides to go with and more than enough deserts to kill even the most stringent of diet. The weather cooperated and we had a great time.
This morning's breakfast ride was really nice. We had a group of 15, including three new riders that joined in on the fun. My conversion shines on this ride, because it's fairly leisurely paced with lots of regroups. I don't miss the Silvio near as much on this ride, except it is much prettier than my conversion. The people at the restaurant we frequent are always happy to see us. We're there almost every week with a pretty decent contingent of hungry riders, so they really should like us.
It was a great weekend of riding. Not so hot, a little humid for SoCal, but the respite from the 100+ temps was nice. There probably won't be many more.
Mark
The morning started out great, we had a huge group that rolled out from the ride start location. A huge group means a diverse group and this was no exception. We had some really strong riders, some moderate strength riders and some slower riders.. So, as you might imagine, the huge group broke down to about four distinct groups as we trekked from Redlands up to Cal State San Bernardino. Surprisingly, though, everybody was real good about regrouping, so we ended up at our destination pretty much in tact. From there, though, the group splintered. Some riders continued to Glen Helen Regional Park, which involves more climbing up into the foothills of the San Bernardino mountains. I would have tagged along with my Silvio, but I struggle with inclines on the conversion. I could scarcely keep up with riders I ordinarily ride right along with. It really brought to mind what a marvel the Silvio really is.
I couldn't convince anybody to stop and eat breakfast at the turnaround. There was a bunch of crying and gnashing of teeth about riding after eating. What a bunch of sissies. Heck, it's downhill all the way! I swear.... So, begrudgingly, I mounted up and headed back with the returning pack. I was in kind of a hurry, because we were having the bike club picnic in the afternoon and yours truly was the chief cook and bottle washer. The return ride was pretty uneventful except for the stupid lady that nearly killed us with her Escalade. Not once, but three times, mind you, in a fifty yard span of street. She got a pretty good tongue lashing the third time and she pulled it over to the curb. I watched in my mirror, half expecting her to crawl out of her car with a tec-9. Yes, we were in "that part of town".
That evening was the bbq. It was held at one of the club member's home up on snob hills, so there was swimming and lots of conversation in a beautiful park-like setting. I cooked enough burgers to feed a batallion. We had all the sides to go with and more than enough deserts to kill even the most stringent of diet. The weather cooperated and we had a great time.
This morning's breakfast ride was really nice. We had a group of 15, including three new riders that joined in on the fun. My conversion shines on this ride, because it's fairly leisurely paced with lots of regroups. I don't miss the Silvio near as much on this ride, except it is much prettier than my conversion. The people at the restaurant we frequent are always happy to see us. We're there almost every week with a pretty decent contingent of hungry riders, so they really should like us.
It was a great weekend of riding. Not so hot, a little humid for SoCal, but the respite from the 100+ temps was nice. There probably won't be many more.
Mark
