Edwin rides a bike

Distance: 30 miles
Route map: Original route I had planned (and I rode), but what some of the other guys ended up doing.

Recap:
So fucking horrible. This was the first ride I've ever been put in charge of. I really fucked it up. The ride was set up to hit every In-N-Out in the area. We did it, but I fucked it up at the Baldwin Park In-N-Out. The route I had set up had us turning left onto Vineland from Francisquito, heading to Valley. There were really two distinct groups in the ride: chill riders and hustlers. At this point on the route, I was right in between the two. When I got to Vineland, I immediately noticed there were ABSOLUTELY no street signs signifying that the street was Vineland. I rode a bit forward and saw the hustlers' blinkers going off into the distance and said "shit."

I headed to the In-N-Out on Gale and 7th, hoping that they'd eventually show up. Not a good time. Sweaty, waiting, cell phone battery dying. I got the number from one of the guys in the chill group and he was on his way back. The hustlers eventually showed up too. All of those guys ended up doing about 40 miles tonight. I felt so bad. Luckily, most of them seemed cool with it.

The ride didn't start off too awesome either. I had us hit Grand Avenue from Colima. IT SUCKED. Really steep uphill, with 2-6% gradient up. I walked most of the way up, taking a 15-minute and 7-minute break on the way. I wasn't the only one, but fuck. AND THEN DOWNHILL. I love downhill, but that was just terrifying. Dark, narrow, winding roads, 40 mph speeds, cold winds, eyes blinded...scary shit.

As far as the rest of the ride...after Grand, I was able to maintain a good speed. Not fast enough to hang with the hustlin' group, but holding my own. After 7th and Gale though, I sucked pretty hard. Very tired, out of shape, and completely disheartened after ruining my first route. Not good enough. I have to keep riding and work my way up. I have a lot of ground to cover.

Lessons learned:

• Never, EVER use unmarked residential streets.
• Fuck Grand Avenue.
• I need warmer riding clothes.
• I really, really need to get a new gear soon.
  

• Warmer clothes are a must. I need to figure out what I can buy that won't put me in the poorhouse or leave me rashed and miserable for days. Shop shop shopping til I drop.
• I'd like a cyclocomputer again. Just so I can keep track of statistics. I am, in my heart, a number whore.
• I need to get a water bottle cage on the bike too. I'll miss the clean look, but I gots to hydrate.