This Says it All...

Our very own "Man of Letters", on this year's California
Coast Tour

November 20, 2012.  We Windbreakers are most fortunate to count among our own and have in our midst a master of the written word, a "laureate" as it were, who is able to capture the essence of what it is to be a cyclist, and as a Windbreaker. 

Stratton Easter, our "guest correspondent" who joined us this past summer on the tour of the California Coast and more recently on the Tour de Foothills, penned the following which I am honored to share.  

"In a world dominated by carbon fiber cage bolts, high viscosity lanolin based chamois creams and laser guided titanium fit machines there stood a shadow.  A visage cut from years of experience coaching kids soccer, dolling out household chores, imposing weekend curfews and greasing the pockets of the spawn of their virility.  In the face of ever-advancing fads and technological strides this collection of characters stood; blocking out not just wayward social conventions but also the gall of gales that have fallen inferior men.  I speak of the type of old man strength that can loosen even the tightest of jam jars laid beneath their feet.  The crows feet in the corner of their eyes serve only to drive home the fact that experience trumps aerodynamics any day.  They are a cognizant collective celebrating the finer things that life has to offer astride the pedal powered velocipede.  Where others snarl and lash for a county line sprint these select few stride by ablaze with a look upon their experienced faces that says "Why sprint when I can roll".  There is no mountain too looming, no descent too winding and no route too daunting for the men that wear the colors of black and blue upon their shoulders.  For there are those who turn the pedals in anger and not far behind them, with wider smiles and fuller bellies are the Windbreakers.  Leading the charge for those who see the bike not as a tool, but as a partner in the quest for all that life has to offer".

More at ilchatdelgiorno.wordpress.com Ride On!

California Roll 2012: Tour de Inland Craft Breweries

The day starts at Chino Valley Brewery with a
Butterfield Blonde Ale

Good advice at Claremont Craft Ales

We close out the day at Dale Bros. in Upland,
"Fresh Beer from Nearby"

November 17, 2012.  Comic Dave Barry is famously quoted as saying: "without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer.  Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza".  

It was with this celebration of great inventions in mind that the Windbreakers with good friend Vince took to our bikes on a cloudy, cool Saturday afternoon to celebrate 3 local craft breweries right in our own backyard.  When the morning's light rain finally let up, we hit the streets for a 40 mile circuit including stops at Chino Valley Brewery in Ontario, Claremont Craft Ales, and Dale Bros. in Upland.  Ride On!

Tour de Foothills 2012

Gathered at the start, L to R, Doc, Stratton,
Rabbit, MapBoy, Mike S., Coach, and Stealth

November 11, 2012.  A few of our ranks gathered on a cool, crisp Saturday morning to participate in the 2012 Tour de Foothills.  With a 7 am start in Downtown Upland, we followed familiar roads through Claremont, La Verne, and San Dimas, then a timed climb up Glendora Mountain Road (GMR), back out San Gabriel Canyon and returning along the foothills through Rancho Cucamonga to the finish in Downtown Upland.  Rabbit took Windbreaker club King of the Mountain honors (and 32nd overall) on the timed GMR climb, with Stealth not far behind (also inside the top 50 times for the climb).    And Stratton (that's right, of the famed Easter Cycling family), took 6th overall on the climb. Great Windbreaker representation...Ride On!