Well, I finally found my way to Old La Honda and I had to go up! Feeling quite crappy having been off the bike for about two weeks. Lots of other things going on in my life that are more important.
Funny thing is, being on the bike let me make the right descision on those "important" matters. It's a great way to clear your head.
So OLH is this local climb that is semi-legendary. It's 1290 ft elevation in 3.3 miles. Local roadies all know their OLH time, and it's an indication of fitness/ability/climbing skillz etc. A local bike club uses it to organize thier group ride levels.
I didn't know the route, since it was my first time. I had gone down it once before, but that doesn't mean anything. It's a scary descent. When I went with two buddies, each one of us had a close encounter of the vehicular kind. Definitely an eye-opener when you round a corner and see a Chevy. The road is pretty much one lane, with some parts divided into "two lanes". That's in quotes because it's more like 1.5 lanes split into two.
Anyway, I drop into my 2nd to lowest gear right away. After about two or three switchbacks, I go up into my largest. Mind you this is only a 23, but I was able to keep up a good cadence. I think a 25 or 27 would have been faster, but I wasn't really pushing. Just wanted to finish and set a "base time" from which to improve.
A little bit into it, I see a biker ahead. I'm actually catching someone?! Woot!! I push a little harder on the pedals (just installed some Crank Bros Candy - sweet) and make up some ground quickly. As I get closer I see the long hair. Then as I pass, I see this sweet little lady. She looks to be in her 50's, but maybe older because she's a cyclist. I say my greetings and go around her. Pretty cool to see people like that out on their bikes.
About 3-5 minutes later I see another biker up. Less excited about this since the last time, so I just keep my pace and reel him in. This dude is about 65 or so. Say "good afternoon" and pass another person twice my age. Wheeeeee.
I keep climbing, see this funny road called "UpEnuf Road". Keep going and I see it again. Okay then. Keep climbing. If I knew the road I probably would have pushed a bit harder after the 2nd UpEnuf Road. I just keep spinning and taking it easy, and what is that? Mailboxes? Oh man, it's already over. I know I could have gone faster, but I'm pretty happy with my time.
30 minutes. Based on a check of my phone. Next time I'll have a stopwatch.
Edit: Check out my full route! I hope this LINK works in Yahoo Maps. It's a point to point map and it tells you mileage breakdowns. Pretty sweet.
-Hong
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Hello Beta!
I've switched to the new Blogger.
Hmm... doesn't look all that different. Oh, ok, there's this "Labels" thing at the bottom. And some shortcuts.
But my blog looks the same. And I still have the Google ads.
Ahh, ok. I've changed my template, moved a few things around. How do you like it? No more ads! (and I'm known at the "ad guy" at work)
Hmm... doesn't look all that different. Oh, ok, there's this "Labels" thing at the bottom. And some shortcuts.
But my blog looks the same. And I still have the Google ads.
Ahh, ok. I've changed my template, moved a few things around. How do you like it? No more ads! (and I'm known at the "ad guy" at work)
Monday, September 11, 2006
Finally finished - 1st time up Monte Bello climb
So my buddy Augi keeps telling me to ride this semi-famous climb in the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve.
I had read about it here. The paved road was part of this longer mountain bike ride. 2.5 - 3 hours sounds pretty "epic" for a New Yorker who only did loops around Central Park. I used to ride my mountain bike in Forest Hills, and I think it's about 15 acres with VERY limited trails. I thought 1 hour was a pretty long time for a ride, but of course I'm a City boy.
Check out this map. (click for larger view)
I was up until 2am on Friday reading about it. Pretty intimidating especially if you consider the fact that I've tried to climb it twice and never made it up to the School. It's about 1/3 of the way up. Would I really be able to finish?
Drove to Rancho San Antonio with my wife and her friend. They would be doing a 2 hour hike, which sounds about right for me to do the ~22 mile RT ride to the mountain (yeah, I'm calling it a mountain!) top and back. 22 miles is pretty short, but it's got a big climb. I was worried I didn't have a big enough rear cog. I've got a block of 11-23 with a 39 front. I wish I had a triple!
So I suffer through the lower 3rd. I mean suffer. Finish one large water bottle. Think about walking. I had told myself I would get to the top, by any means necessary. Came to almost a dead stop a few times, the gearing was just too high, and my legs were just too dead.
But I kept going. Here's where I stopped the first time. Keep going. This is where I turned back the second time. Keep going. There's the school! I finally made it up to the school. Augi always said it gets easier from there, but I thought he was joking. It really did. I even shifted down a few gears. Got my legs going again. Almost made circles instead of just stomping down on the pedals so I don't fall over.
Next third was very cool. The tree cover and rolling terrain allowed me to cool down and catch my breath. I was actually starting to feel good! Then some dude goes cruising by like I'm standing still. Great. I try to hang on a bit but he's going pretty good. At that pace I know I would have blown up in about 2 minutes. It's not a race, I'm just trying to finish.
I did have a time in mind as well. The mountain biker said he tries to do it in an hour. The best riders do it in 25 minutes! I definitely had to be under 1 hour, even though I'm in horrible shape.
Final third of the mountain was very cool. Some of the best riding I've done in my life. You're just on the top of the mountain and the air is so clean. Every so often you get a break in the trees and there is this amazing view of the valley down below. You can actually see clouds! Okay, maybe it was just fog, but I felt like I had climbed up to 10,000 feet! It was really breathtaking. Or is that exhaustion?
Keep climbing, I can feel it. I must be getting close. There isn't much elevation left, but the road still continues onward. Then I see a rider coming down. I started the same time as he did, so I can't be that far off. But I was. Keep climbing. At least the legs were feeling good. Drop a gear. Climb out of the saddle. I'm wearing my Festina jersey and for a brief moment, I am the King (of the Mountains). Pre-drug scandal of course.
A few more rises and I power through them, out of the saddle, good rhythm, feeling good. Then I see it, the Gate. I'm at the end, I'm done. I finally did it. Take a few pictures, eat a Luna bar and check out the time. 50 minutes. Not too bad for an old out of shape wanna-be cyclist.
I had read about it here. The paved road was part of this longer mountain bike ride. 2.5 - 3 hours sounds pretty "epic" for a New Yorker who only did loops around Central Park. I used to ride my mountain bike in Forest Hills, and I think it's about 15 acres with VERY limited trails. I thought 1 hour was a pretty long time for a ride, but of course I'm a City boy.
Check out this map. (click for larger view)
I was up until 2am on Friday reading about it. Pretty intimidating especially if you consider the fact that I've tried to climb it twice and never made it up to the School. It's about 1/3 of the way up. Would I really be able to finish?
Drove to Rancho San Antonio with my wife and her friend. They would be doing a 2 hour hike, which sounds about right for me to do the ~22 mile RT ride to the mountain (yeah, I'm calling it a mountain!) top and back. 22 miles is pretty short, but it's got a big climb. I was worried I didn't have a big enough rear cog. I've got a block of 11-23 with a 39 front. I wish I had a triple!
So I suffer through the lower 3rd. I mean suffer. Finish one large water bottle. Think about walking. I had told myself I would get to the top, by any means necessary. Came to almost a dead stop a few times, the gearing was just too high, and my legs were just too dead.
But I kept going. Here's where I stopped the first time. Keep going. This is where I turned back the second time. Keep going. There's the school! I finally made it up to the school. Augi always said it gets easier from there, but I thought he was joking. It really did. I even shifted down a few gears. Got my legs going again. Almost made circles instead of just stomping down on the pedals so I don't fall over.
Next third was very cool. The tree cover and rolling terrain allowed me to cool down and catch my breath. I was actually starting to feel good! Then some dude goes cruising by like I'm standing still. Great. I try to hang on a bit but he's going pretty good. At that pace I know I would have blown up in about 2 minutes. It's not a race, I'm just trying to finish.
I did have a time in mind as well. The mountain biker said he tries to do it in an hour. The best riders do it in 25 minutes! I definitely had to be under 1 hour, even though I'm in horrible shape.
Final third of the mountain was very cool. Some of the best riding I've done in my life. You're just on the top of the mountain and the air is so clean. Every so often you get a break in the trees and there is this amazing view of the valley down below. You can actually see clouds! Okay, maybe it was just fog, but I felt like I had climbed up to 10,000 feet! It was really breathtaking. Or is that exhaustion?
Keep climbing, I can feel it. I must be getting close. There isn't much elevation left, but the road still continues onward. Then I see a rider coming down. I started the same time as he did, so I can't be that far off. But I was. Keep climbing. At least the legs were feeling good. Drop a gear. Climb out of the saddle. I'm wearing my Festina jersey and for a brief moment, I am the King (of the Mountains). Pre-drug scandal of course.
A few more rises and I power through them, out of the saddle, good rhythm, feeling good. Then I see it, the Gate. I'm at the end, I'm done. I finally did it. Take a few pictures, eat a Luna bar and check out the time. 50 minutes. Not too bad for an old out of shape wanna-be cyclist.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Big Subaru Mt. Hamilton Meet.
Well, it was as big as advertised. I guess it helps when they sell a gazillon of these things versus 5000 Spyders a year. If we got 20 cars in the old Pelican Racing rally days, it was a huge success. I think there were well over 200 Subarus today at Mt. Hamilton.
Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your POV) no one was driving. People just meet up to eat and hang out, which is fine. I just need to drive.
I don't get to Mt. Hamilton much, so might as well make it worth the trip.
The wagon was surprisingly good up and down the mountain. Having power to get out of some tight corners is good. Having big brakes to get back down in control is better. I think overall, it was faster than I could have done in the Spyder. Not that I was timing it (Officer)!
-Hong
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
SNL is making a comeback
First the Chronic - les of Narnia rap, now this.
http://www.devilducky.com/media/41738
Funny enough that I would blog about it.
Me: I don't get it. It's so confusing. So, can I buy a house yet?
Jer: Clearly you don't have the money.
Me: So I can buy it right?
Jer: No. Only buy stuff you have the money for.
Me: Okay, I'll just take out a 110% loan. Then I can get a new car too!
-Hong
http://www.devilducky.com
Funny enough that I would blog about it.
Me: I don't get it. It's so confusing. So, can I buy a house yet?
Jer: Clearly you don't have the money.
Me: So I can buy it right?
Jer: No. Only buy stuff you have the money for.
Me: Okay, I'll just take out a 110% loan. Then I can get a new car too!
-Hong
Friday, February 24, 2006
Poor Elsie! Really gone this time. :(
My little Spyder, she has a new home. I raised her well, and now it's time for someone else to enjoy this amazing car. The new owner just drove off and I did the double-look-back...
Stanford Med student, so I know Elsie's going to be in good hands. Sent her off with a bunch of cleaning products too. Gotta keep her looking good!
I should go clean the WRX...
-Hong
Stanford Med student, so I know Elsie's going to be in good hands. Sent her off with a bunch of cleaning products too. Gotta keep her looking good!
I should go clean the WRX...
-Hong
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Where are the deals?
Ugh! I can't seem to find a decent used car.
I guess it doesn't help that my budget is $2000 to $20,000. Maybe I should narrow it down a bit.
Looking at everything from a Civic hatchback to a 540it (6spd?!). The Audi A6 looks nice, but my brother has a VAG car and he's always complaining about the quality (or lack thereof).
Why can't I be rich? I'd get an Evo 9 MR, a Porsche Cayman, and an E55 wagon to haul stuff (as well, as haul ass). That would be enough to fill out my 5 car garage.
G35 and track roadster (need to find another Spyder) would take up the last two spots.
-Hong
I guess it doesn't help that my budget is $2000 to $20,000. Maybe I should narrow it down a bit.
Looking at everything from a Civic hatchback to a 540it (6spd?!). The Audi A6 looks nice, but my brother has a VAG car and he's always complaining about the quality (or lack thereof).
Why can't I be rich? I'd get an Evo 9 MR, a Porsche Cayman, and an E55 wagon to haul stuff (as well, as haul ass). That would be enough to fill out my 5 car garage.
G35 and track roadster (need to find another Spyder) would take up the last two spots.
-Hong
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Poor Elsie! My baby is gone...
Well, not physically gone, but she is soon to go to a new home.
Today I sold my Spyder.
(weep, sob, cry, cry, wipe)
New owner won't pick her up for a few weeks, but I have to start getting used to the idea of not having the amazing little Spyder anymore.
At least until I get another one!
-Hong
Today I sold my Spyder.
(weep, sob, cry, cry, wipe)
New owner won't pick her up for a few weeks, but I have to start getting used to the idea of not having the amazing little Spyder anymore.
At least until I get another one!
-Hong
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Yeah, it's 2006!
I wonder how many weeks it's going to take me to adjust. You know, stop writing 2005 on checks and stuff. Not that anyone writes checks anymore. That's SO 1999!
Not much going on. Actually had a few days off from work. What a relief, but also I'm at a lost as to what to do. Spent about 5 hours on the ole PS2. Mostly GT4 (best game evar!) but also tried a few demo discs. Played MotoGP on Xbox. Very cool, but hard to get used to. I think I still prefer cars.
Maybe moto-engined cars, but four wheels nonetheless.
New favorite car (after seeing it in GT4) is the Suzuki GSX-R/4!
I wonder if I'll ever be able to build something like that. This dude up North is building his own car. He has just a bit more money than I do... Dman. Just checked the site as I like to do periodically. He's got an M5. Not the 400hp one I hope to own, but the new V-10 MONSTER.
-Hong
Not much going on. Actually had a few days off from work. What a relief, but also I'm at a lost as to what to do. Spent about 5 hours on the ole PS2. Mostly GT4 (best game evar!) but also tried a few demo discs. Played MotoGP on Xbox. Very cool, but hard to get used to. I think I still prefer cars.
Maybe moto-engined cars, but four wheels nonetheless.
New favorite car (after seeing it in GT4) is the Suzuki GSX-R/4!
I wonder if I'll ever be able to build something like that. This dude up North is building his own car. He has just a bit more money than I do... Dman. Just checked the site as I like to do periodically. He's got an M5. Not the 400hp one I hope to own, but the new V-10 MONSTER.
-Hong
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Even lower
Okay, so now GM is at a 23yr low after the markets digested the news from yesterday.
$19.05. What a bargain!
-Hong
$19.05. What a bargain!
-Hong
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Bye Bye GM! Buy Buy GM!
Man, this stock is a stinker. Like Buick LaCrosse bad. Like Chevy Impala ugly.
Kerkorian sells 12 million GM shares
Stock took a beating today on double the usual volume. Down $1.20 to $19.85. I believe that is an 18 year low.
Might be a good time to pick up some shares? Kind of like a Red Tag sale...
-Hong
Kerkorian sells 12 million GM shares
Stock took a beating today on double the usual volume. Down $1.20 to $19.85. I believe that is an 18 year low.
Might be a good time to pick up some shares? Kind of like a Red Tag sale...
-Hong
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Wow-wee Audi.
R10
Nice Diesel!
Saw the new M5 on the streets for the first time. Nice. Wouldn't mind driving one of those every day. White with no plates, but fresh aftermarket wheels. I think they were Breytons, but not sure.
-Hong
Nice Diesel!
Saw the new M5 on the streets for the first time. Nice. Wouldn't mind driving one of those every day. White with no plates, but fresh aftermarket wheels. I think they were Breytons, but not sure.
-Hong
Stupid Stocks!
Can you believe SUNW is at $4.42? POS stock. What the hell is that company doing?
And Ameritrade, now at $24.47. Dman. I wanted to pick up a few lots at under $10. Dman.
Interesting discussion on the Random Walk theory going on amongst some friends via e-mail. I would link to the site, where we played the game, but I'm lazy.
And my lunch hour's up!
-Hong
And Ameritrade, now at $24.47. Dman. I wanted to pick up a few lots at under $10. Dman.
Interesting discussion on the Random Walk theory going on amongst some friends via e-mail. I would link to the site, where we played the game, but I'm lazy.
And my lunch hour's up!
-Hong
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Long time no write 2.
Dman! It's been over 10 months with no updates? Yeah, I suck.
Work is kicking my arse. It's supposed to be getting better soon. It Better! Soon!
10:30pm and just finishing up. Broken ads suck.
Good night!
-Hong
Work is kicking my arse. It's supposed to be getting better soon. It Better! Soon!
10:30pm and just finishing up. Broken ads suck.
Good night!
-Hong
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Long time no write
Darn. Thought I'd write on (in?) this thing more. Too busy with other stuff. Well one of the stupid Hot 97 morning show "talent" got fired today. Along with the producer who wrote the ridiculously offensive Tsunami Song. Just waiting for Ms. Jones to get fired. And how come the higher ups in the boardroom never get touched? They must be laughing all the way to the bank. All this free publicity for the station and it didn't cost them a penny. Okay, maybe one million, but that's nothing in the grand scheme of things.
Was going to buy a hardtop for my Spyder today. Someone else got to it first. Oh well, I could do a LOT of things with $2000. And they're only $2400 new, so no big deal. Literally. I only buy things at bargain basement prices. Like stocks.
But I can't talk about that now...
Was going to buy a hardtop for my Spyder today. Someone else got to it first. Oh well, I could do a LOT of things with $2000. And they're only $2400 new, so no big deal. Literally. I only buy things at bargain basement prices. Like stocks.
But I can't talk about that now...
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Hello World!
Well, whaddya know, I've got my own blog. Aren't I cool? And more than a little late to the party. Thank goodness for Blogger. I wouldn' t know how to set this thing up myself.
Lots of stuff going on lately that makes me mad. Have you seen www.angryasianman.com ? He's pretty dedicated and writes updates daily. I don't know if I'll have that much time. I'll just stick to the few things I hear about that piss me off.
My wife says I'm an angry person. I don't think so. I'm just very easily ticked off. Like this whole Hot 97 "Tsunami Song" incident. I told her about it and she says, "That's just wrong." and that's it. I'm steaming about it! I can't believe these idiots have their own radio show! I can't believe the executives are sitting in their offices thinking that a contrite apology and one week's docked pay is enough. And "indefinitely suspended"? WTF? Why aren't these people fired already?!
Don't get me started on the Dis-Honorable Mayor Ron "Gonzo" Gonzales. If you looked up "scumbag politician", you'd probably see his face in Webster's. I had my two minutes in front of the City Council the other night and they sat there, stone faced while 60 people expressed their frustration over the Coyote Valley Specific Plan. What is it? Check out the website:
http://www.sanjoseca.gov/coyotevalley/
Basically, they want to build this huge city in the middle of Coyote Valley. Half of the area doesn't even belong to San Jose. WTF? That's like you making plans to put in an olympic sized pool. In your neighbor's backyard! It's Gonzo's pet project, so he can leave with a shiny star on his record, instead of the black eye that is the affair he had with a staffer half his age. Even though he called it a "serious mistake" at the time, I believe they are now married. My wife went to school with her. And Gonzo is older than my Father in law. Shameless.
And now he wants to appropriate lands from farmers and homeowners, paying them a handsome $10,000 an acre. WTF? Do you know how much land goes for in Silicon Valley?
Don't even get me started about housing prices. It's freaking crazy out here.
Okay, enough for today. I'm sure there will more things to rant about tomorrow.
Lots of stuff going on lately that makes me mad. Have you seen www.angryasianman.com ? He's pretty dedicated and writes updates daily. I don't know if I'll have that much time. I'll just stick to the few things I hear about that piss me off.
My wife says I'm an angry person. I don't think so. I'm just very easily ticked off. Like this whole Hot 97 "Tsunami Song" incident. I told her about it and she says, "That's just wrong." and that's it. I'm steaming about it! I can't believe these idiots have their own radio show! I can't believe the executives are sitting in their offices thinking that a contrite apology and one week's docked pay is enough. And "indefinitely suspended"? WTF? Why aren't these people fired already?!
Don't get me started on the Dis-Honorable Mayor Ron "Gonzo" Gonzales. If you looked up "scumbag politician", you'd probably see his face in Webster's. I had my two minutes in front of the City Council the other night and they sat there, stone faced while 60 people expressed their frustration over the Coyote Valley Specific Plan. What is it? Check out the website:
http://www.sanjoseca.gov/coyotevalley/
Basically, they want to build this huge city in the middle of Coyote Valley. Half of the area doesn't even belong to San Jose. WTF? That's like you making plans to put in an olympic sized pool. In your neighbor's backyard! It's Gonzo's pet project, so he can leave with a shiny star on his record, instead of the black eye that is the affair he had with a staffer half his age. Even though he called it a "serious mistake" at the time, I believe they are now married. My wife went to school with her. And Gonzo is older than my Father in law. Shameless.
And now he wants to appropriate lands from farmers and homeowners, paying them a handsome $10,000 an acre. WTF? Do you know how much land goes for in Silicon Valley?
Don't even get me started about housing prices. It's freaking crazy out here.
Okay, enough for today. I'm sure there will more things to rant about tomorrow.
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