Mark B
Zen MBB Master
We had nine riders show up for our May recumbent ride, but not the variety of bikes you might think. We had three Carbents, three Cruzbikes (myself and Jack on Silvios, my daughter Mariah on a conversion) A Challenge Fujin SL II, a RANS Rocket and a Bachetta Giro. I had three of my wedgie riding club member friends tag along to help mark turns and just ride herd. As it turned out, we didn't need a whole lot of help, but I appreciated having them along. Thanks to Don, Jake and Bill for giving an assist.
Here's a link to some pictures taken by Steve (on the Rocket)
http://www.pbase.com/salbano/may_recumbent_ride
We started with a tour of the downtown area of Redlands with a stop at the public library which was built in the late 1800's. We proceeded from there around some of the old neighborhoods and admired the many victorian era homes in Redlands, then climbed up onto Smiley Heights for a glimpse of some million dollar plus newer offerings, then dropped down onto Highland Avenue for some more blast from the past. From there, we headed out toward Mentone and got onto a local favorite route called "Greenspot". It starts with a ride through citrus groves, then climbing up through more rural parts of the area. After crossing highway 38, the road descends for a couple miles. In this section, the lowracer Fujin really showed his stuff, swooping past me. I was able to keep him within striking distance before the road started climbing up to the old steel bridge that crosses the Santa Ana river. We regrouped in the shadow of Seven Oaks Dam, then dropped down into East Highland Ranch, continuing into San Bernardino where we stopped to eat on what was the former Norton Air Force Base. We enjoyed a nice breakfast and more recumbent socializing, then headed back to the ride start.
All said and done, we got in a 35 mile ride with a mixture of terrain. There was nothing super steep; the worst being the little climb up onto Smiley Heights. The rest was just river grade.
It was a great day and a great ride. It was fun to be riding with eight other recumbents. We drew a fair number of stares!
Mark
Here's a link to some pictures taken by Steve (on the Rocket)
http://www.pbase.com/salbano/may_recumbent_ride
We started with a tour of the downtown area of Redlands with a stop at the public library which was built in the late 1800's. We proceeded from there around some of the old neighborhoods and admired the many victorian era homes in Redlands, then climbed up onto Smiley Heights for a glimpse of some million dollar plus newer offerings, then dropped down onto Highland Avenue for some more blast from the past. From there, we headed out toward Mentone and got onto a local favorite route called "Greenspot". It starts with a ride through citrus groves, then climbing up through more rural parts of the area. After crossing highway 38, the road descends for a couple miles. In this section, the lowracer Fujin really showed his stuff, swooping past me. I was able to keep him within striking distance before the road started climbing up to the old steel bridge that crosses the Santa Ana river. We regrouped in the shadow of Seven Oaks Dam, then dropped down into East Highland Ranch, continuing into San Bernardino where we stopped to eat on what was the former Norton Air Force Base. We enjoyed a nice breakfast and more recumbent socializing, then headed back to the ride start.
All said and done, we got in a 35 mile ride with a mixture of terrain. There was nothing super steep; the worst being the little climb up onto Smiley Heights. The rest was just river grade.
It was a great day and a great ride. It was fun to be riding with eight other recumbents. We drew a fair number of stares!
Mark
