Road Ride Report The things you see in Malibu

Well, at least I have a job. I've been with FedEx 26 years, (maybe 27,I donknow) and these are pretty tough times at the company.
Fred Smith has a no lay-off policy but that doesn't mean there aren't some serious cutting of hours!
I got in 2 hours today. 3 yesterday. I went part-time in 2000 after 17 years of 10 to 12 hour days so I kind of like the break. Except when I'm broke.
Anyway, as you all know, gorgeous day today!! Light winds!
I'm on the road bike by 9:30 heading into Malibu.
Up the bike path through Santa Monica. Hope I can get a pull up to Cross Creek by a cyclist or two and as usual I see absolutely nobody heading my direction. The wind is against me awhile and then behind me but it's not strong like it was earlier in the week.
Stale old music in the Ipod that I haven't changed in 2 years but at least it drowns out the roar of the cars and trucks passing me with 4 feet to spare.
I figure if a car is going to take me out from the rear at 60 mph, I won't be able to do anything about it whether I'm listening to tunes or not.
I'm in the mood for a steady climb today so I pass by Latigo and head off to Encinal. Averages about 5 to 6% for about 4 or 5 miles. I brought my camera in the hopes of seeing Hincapie or Team Saxo-Bank but as usual, I saw old guys on trick bikes wobbling all over the road.
I start off from home near Marina Del Rey down the Ballona Crk bike path. This area is a bird watcher's paradise for sure!


The grind up Encinal canyon road




At the top where Encinal turns to the right and Decker comes in there are great views of Yerba Buena road and the red rock of the Santa Monica's that run along next to it.


On road rides, try to know where the water faucets are located so you can top off! Make sure there are no dead lizards stuck inside the spout!

I could live out here! In Malibu, not the pasture!



I saw so much in bloom, it's hard to believe it's February.


By now I was on the main spine of the Santa Monica range, Mulholland Hwy. It runs from the 101 freeway in Hollywood all the way to PCH.
This is a hill that's part of the 3 bitch's. Maybe it's 4 bitch's. It seems like there are lots of rides that have a bunch of bitch's on them. Usually 3.


This road takes you to a secret happy double hump camel and a single hump but I didn't see him (or her) today. Just the double hump. And pal zebra!






Looks kind of like Andy(Sprockethead) at peace on the bike rolling boulders


Continued on Mulholland past wineries and an Alpaca farm. Easy climbs and fun downhills and then on to Kanan Dume, through the 3rd tunnel and past the Backbone trail. No mountain biker vehicles when I rolled past


8% grade going down. usually a head wind but you can FLY on this downhill! No brakes!! Then flew down PCH towards home with a great tailwind! 25 mph easy! As Lance would say, no chain!


I counted a total of 5 seals today




A nesting area


Home to reality! Which is not a bad thing!
We are lucky we live here in SoCal!!
May the wind always be at your back!!

 

Jeez was there any other human out there? Your words say so but the pictures say not

 

Week days in Malibu are great. Kind of like hitting San Juan on a weekday!

 

While you were enjoying yourself riding through all those gorgeous areas I was stuck in the $hithole office. rotest: Awesome pics. Thanks for sharing.

 

it's nice you're able to make the most of these times; if anything getting out on such a beautiful day clears the head and is good for the soul. I do enjoy that a lot about riding be it paved or dirt

 

Wow, nice pics and RR! Sucks about the hours though.#-o

 

Thanks for the pics. I must've just missed ya on PCH. We rode up to Trancas. Lots of dolphins!

 

That flower picture is awesome.

 

I keep saying to myself, it is good to be employed.

Awesome shots, looks like and amazing ride.

 

Thanks for the pics. Brings back memories...went to school in Malibu years ago but haven't been back since.

 

nice ass!......sorry couldn't resist.....great pictures.

 

Awesome pics, only place on there I've seen from the saddle of any of my bikes is the creek bike path though #-o

Seen a few of the others from the seat of a motorcycle though

I can't wait until I have my road bike built up so I can start getting out there properly

 

Great pics Liz! Thanks for the reminder of just how great it can be living here sometimes...

And the pic of the smiling camel is great!

 

one of the best rr i've read on this site and great pics also .

 

Liz that sounds like a wayyyyy cool ride! Sounds like a ride I'd like to do one of these days. Looks like a ride just for fun, to enjoy yourself and everything around you.

 

How do you check for dead lizards? Oh yea, nice pics, too

 

It helps to know where it's safe to stop on Encinal.

 

Lucky Liz! Man O man, even a road ride sounds really fun right now. I love this area for road riding during the day on weekdays it's very hard to beat and some of the climbs are the best in the west. Latigo, Mullholland and a few others have worked me over good over the years. Thanks for taking the time to shot a few shots for us. As soon as I get better I need to take you up on your offer to get over there for a road ride.
My company is down to 3 days right now but I still get my full week for now. I'm not complaining but all my other coworkers and employees come back with stories of what the did with their long weekends. I can't help but think how fun it'd be to ride during the week.

Hope it isn't to much of a strain on you Liz. Fed Ex has a good rep for taking care of their people.