The stunning beauty of an autumn ride...

Went on a ride with a couple buddies on Saturday in the Sierra Nevada’s Hope Valley, where the air was crisp, the sun was high, and the golden stands of aspens were out. This was where as a kid, I went camping, hiking and fishing, and like few things in life, it was just as it had been many years before, untouched by the encroachment of development.

We rode up to Carson Pass and Pat took the lead, hammering hard toward the top. For some reason, my hammer brains weren’t on board, and I was perfectly happy just pedaling, and soaking in the amazing high altitude beauty. That’s something I haven’t done enough of on long rides out of town: just pedal and not be anxious to push hard throughout the ride. Sometimes the energy level is lower, and I figure it’s an opportunity to slow down a bit and notice the big picture of riding in a beautiful setting. I definitely haven’t done that as much as I should. Because with the pushpushpush mentality on a ride, it really is impossible to take in the surroundings. You’re too busy trying to catch your breath, and gather your energy for the next push. So when I got to the top of Carson Pass, there was Pat, recovering from an all out effort. He had pushed hard, and this, being high altitude, can make it easier to red line. On the way back down, I pulled over to check out a group of classic cars, whose drivers had stopped in a widened part of the two lane road to check out the view.

Normally, I wouldn’t stop. But this time, I didn’t feel in a hurry. There was a black 57 Chevy, and some beautiful old Ford roadsters with immaculate paint jobs. One, with very cool real looking flames painted on its side, had a little dachshund peeking his head out of the passenger window. Had to take a photo of that, and the view.

We road back down to Hope Valley, then continued along the valley and climbed into the mountains another 12 miles to Blue Lakes. The pavement was like new, the scenery of mountains and meadows, amazing. Cars or trucks driving by in either direction were scarce. The air was crisp. No wind. Great conditions for a ride.

The main lake at Blue Lakes was almost drained of water, as the end of two years of light winters has taken its toll on most California lakes and reservoirs. There’s a dire need for the upcoming winter to be one with plenty of rain and snow, otherwise big time drought will hit California. We ate some snacks and shot the bull about the pros and cons of carbohydrate vs. protein  nutrition for cycling and running. I used to overdo carbs when I ran marathons. Now as cycling is my main thing, I lean toward more protein nutrition, and it seems to work better to generate energy than carbs. But everybody’s different and everybody has their own nutrition combinations for optimum performance.

Riding the descent from Blue Lakes back to Hope Valley was the best. Top speed was about 44 mph with big sweeping turns at the top. Then the road flattens out with enough of a pitch to keep you cruising along at an easy, semi-fast clip. Pedaling is only needed here and there to keep the wind rushing past your ears. 


We met up at the truck and decided to drive down the road so Pat and Brian could find a place to buy some lunch. I packed some eats in a cooler.

We were about to turn off the two-lane highway, but a road biker was riding slowly in the middle of driveway, effectively blocking us as we tried to pull off the high-speed highway. This guy, with hot bike, full kit on, helmet, was riding like an idiot. Had no idea there was a truck behind him, trying to get around him.

Roadies that make moves like this are why drivers hate cyclists. Major cluelessness, not bothering to follow simple rules of the road. We’re in the truck, all of us cyclists, and we couldn’t believe this guy’s stupidity. Anyway, it’s a good thing to keep in mind. There’s animosity between cyclists and drivers for a good reason. Both do bonehead moves that anger the other. It’s a tough problem that will probably never be completely solved. Only a huge education campaign for both cyclists and drivers on safe operation in the others’ presence might work to generally raise awareness. Meanwhile, the anger, arrogance and unawareness continues to result in driver/cyclists accidents.

We ate our lunches on a picnic table in the sun outside of the café, and it was a great way to end our 35-mile ride, with 3,000 feet of climbing. Basking in the sun, having some sandwiches, apples, corn chips, we were fully relaxed. All that was needed were some hammocks for a little snooze. But we drove back, feeling pretty lucky to have been able to do a ride in the middle of an absolutely stunning undisturbed setting, courtesy of Mother Nature.

Stretched chains need a changeout

Meanwhile, here’s some great general information on road bike chains, and their proper replacement. Good stuff to know, check it out..

I got a chain measuring tool and it’s worth it to give periodic checks of how much your chain has stretched. Having it reminds me to do the check. Before I had it, I tended to forget how much mileage I’d rack up on a chain and would wait too long before getting a new one. And that’ll wear out your gears a lot faster than necessary.

Until next time, remember to put on a helmet every time you get on the bike, and keep the rubber side down. Ride smart, have fun and be safe.

-- Mark Eric Larson

Mark Eric Larson has written two books of essays, "The NERVE...of Some People's Kids," and "Don't Force it, Get a Bigger Hammer. To read, visit: 
http://www.scribd.com/Mark%20Eric%20Larson/shelfHis blog of personal essays is at: http://marksmuzings.blogspot.com/