RR: My Best Chino Hills Ride to Date

[BrewMaster]

After a rough day at work I set out to ride up the 2.5 mile Southridge climb in CHSP from the Chino Hills side. My motivation was to relax and catch the view at the top of Southride near Bovinian Delight.

I made this same climb on Sunday and it kicked my ass. I kept stopping and hiking my bike up this fire road. It was bad. I was all set to get beat again today, but I wanted to see that view again.

The sun was in my face the whole climb up. At first I thought this was a problem, but it turned out to be blessing. I cleaned the entire climb with only one stop. Unlike Sunday, I cleaned big hills (especially the last one of the climb) with relative ease because I wasn't intimidated. I was actually surprising myself as I kept climbing without stopping.

The constant spinning of a long climb gives me time to think, which I like. This is part of why I think solo riding is good for the soul. Here are some lessons I learned today while climbing and reflecting:

1. When climbing, I'm better off staring at the ground just in front of my bike, not looking at the big hills that await me. I get psyched out by looking too far ahead.

2. When climbing, I need to breathe, not drink. Air is a much more immediate need.

3. Climbing is all mental.

4. Riding is all mental.

5. Heck, life is all mental.

More than anything else, this was a great ride because it helped me get my head back on straight and helped me challenge myself. Total ride was about 13 miles in 90 minutes. It's cheaper than therapy!

Here are some pics I snapped at the top of Southridge and on the way down.

The view from Southridge looking down on OC










Sunset over 4 Corners

[foofighter]

i agree, riding can be very cathartic

[OMR]

Well said, Grasshopper.... there is certainly something to be said for riding alone before sunset...

[Pain Freak]

I was across the way in the Santa Ana's looking back at you.

[BrewMaster]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

I was across the way in the Santa Ana's looking back at you.

It's kind of hard to see you when you are hiding under the sage brush!

[MTBBill]

There is something about spending sometime at your maximum sustainable heart rate on long climbs by yourself that get you into a good thinking mode.

[spookydave]

nice photos, I've been riding out there after work myself. I've been parking at Vesuvius, riding over the dam and up North Ridge.

[Letyrides]

I love riding after a bad day! I don't know if its cheaper than therapy though, considering what we STR folks spend on bikes, bike parts, bike clothing, etc. But definately good for the soul!

[allroy71]

Up Southridge from the Ranger's Station, is one hell of a tiring ride!! You definitely have to zone out to do it.

[CC]

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

5. Heck, life is all mental

This pretty much sums it up. If you have a good mental attitude then the rest will seem easier. We all have our bad days, but if we can keep them to a minimum than we can look back and appreciate life a lot more.

Great RR and great pix, thanks for sharing!

[BrewMaster]

Originally Posted by Letyrides

I love riding after a bad day! I don't know if its cheaper than therapy though, considering what we STR folks spend on bikes, bike parts, bike clothing, etc. But definately good for the soul!

SHhhhhhh! My wife is a shrink in training. I need to make sure she believes that therapy is way more expensive than biking, or she'll have me committed!