Merry Christmas 2021

 

Merry Christmas from the Windbreakers!
Ride On!

Fuel for the Ride

November 23, 2021.  The Windbreakers know that proper hydration while cycling long distances is an essential ingredient for success.  While adequate fluid intake before and during the ride is very important, we found other means for celebrating success while participating at El Tour de Tucson.  Ride On! 

The lineup for Friday evening's Happy Hour prior to the
El Tour de Tucson and at Saturday evening's post-ride 
celebration. Thanks Doc for the Manhattans and terrific wine from Easter Family Vineyards!

Rabbit and Hammer celebrate at 
Crooked Tooth Brewing Co. following
the finish at El Tour de Tucson.

Weekend Ride Report: El Tour de Tucson 2021

November 21, 2021.  Always eager to seek out new adventures, the Windbreakers traveled this past weekend to Arizona's "Sun Corridor" to participate in the annual El Tour de Tucson bicycle century www.eltourdetucson.org.  This trip had the added bonus of meeting up with longtime club member and now club Valley of the Sun bureau chief Steve (aka "Coach"), and his beautiful wife, Ces, who recently relocated to Chandler, AZ.  With a total of 6 Southern California-based Windbreaker riders joining the fun, the weekend promised to be a good one.

Before sunrise, the travel caravan met up for a 6:15 am start from Windbreaker country for the drive east to Arizona.  Light traffic on Interstate 10 allowed the lads to make good time, and before long we were in Tucson for lunch and a cold beverage at Barrio Brewing.  Following lunch we obtained our registration materials and met for a pre-ride dinner at Noble Hops restaurant for good food and fun. 

Sun beginning to rise at the start

The lads gather prior to the start in Downtown Tucson

Come Saturday morning, we met early on our bikes prior for the scheduled 7:00 am start in Downtown Tucson.  Before long we were on our way headed southeast toward the sun rising over the Rincon Mountains and Saguaro National Park.  The route then proceeded past the airplane boneyard at Davis-Monthan AFB, along the Old Spanish Trail up to Pistol Hill, then south and west through Corona de Tucson to Sahuarita Rd.  

Craig leads the Windbreaker pack heading out early on Aviation Hwy.

As temps started to rise we followed a rugged and desolate route through Green Valley along Mission Rd, before turning north toward the finish along Nogales Hwy to the finish at Armory Park in Downtown Tucson.  The Windbreaker flag flew tall with many participants commenting on our club kits and riding prowess.

But the fun wasn't over just yet.  Following the ride we met at hosts Steve/Ces' home for cold beers, cocktails, and a delicious dinner to round out the day.  We found that our very own "Doc" is quite the mixologist, sharing his skills to prepare some excellent cocktails and generous pours of his delicious wine made from grapes grown in Windbreaker country!

Gathered on the 18th Green at Whirlwind GC to conclude
the weekend festivities.

But wait, there's more!; with Rabbit and Hammer hitting the road back to Southern California early Sunday morning, the rest met at Whirlwind Golf Club at Wild Horse Pass for a round of golf!  With man hugs all around we said good-bye and Ride On to a great weekend!

Weekend Ride Report: "Special Edition" 70 for 70 Ride...Happy Birthday Tom!

November 6, 2021.  The Windbreakers gathered this past weekend for a tour of neighboring Orange County to celebrate the 70th birthday of our very own Tom!  

The lads gather at the finish of the ride. L to R: Mike, John
Jim, Joe, Tom, Rick, Craig

Starting at the Anaheim Transportation Center near Anaheim Stadium, our tour took us north on the Santa Ana River Trai before turning south through the Anaheim Hills.  Once over the hills we cycled through Tustin, Irvine, and Laguna Canyon, before turning north on Pacific Coast Highway and the Santa Ana River Trail to return. 

Celebrating at nearby Karl Strauss Brewing

A great ride and a great time.  Ride On!

Happy Halloween

 

Happy Halloween from the Windbreakers!

"Special Edition" Friday Afternoon Ride

October 29, 2021.  A few of the lads gathered on Friday afternoon for an impromptu craft brew tour to Monrovia and visits to Wingwalker Brewing and Hop Secret Brewing, before "hopping" (get it? hopping :)) on the eastbound Metrolink back to Windbreaker country.  

Stop #1 at Wingwalker Brewing

Stop #2 at Hop Secret before ride to El Monte Metrolink Station

A final stop at Vendetta Brewing Co. in Montclair then home.  Good times...Ride On!

Looking Ahead

September 10, 2021.  The Windbreakers are looking forward to participating in this year's El Tour de Tucson bicycle century ride.  The date is November 20, 2021, and our prep rides are getting underway.  We'll have a nice size group there to fly the Windbreaker flag.  Ride On!

Obey the Signs!

"Special Edition" 60 for 60 Ride; Happy Birthday Joe!

Happy Birthday Joe!

May 15, 2021. Several of our ranks gathered on a cool, overcast Saturday morning to wish club Co-Founder Joe a happy birthday and ride alongside on a 60 for 60 bicycle ride.  Our route took us on familiar roads west to Monrovia, Sierra Madre and East Pasadena, then a turnaround through Arcadia, Covina, and San Dimas to finish at Butter Cafe in Upland for breakfast burritos, coffee, and Windbreaker Wife Jenny's delicious carrot cake.  We finished with a celebratory hoisting of the glass for some cold beers at Roundin' Third sports bar, next door to Butter.

Happy Birthday Joe, and Ride On!

Cheers to 60 Years!

May The Fourth Be With You

 

Ride On!

Weekend Ride Report: Tour de Craft Breweries IX

March 28, 2021.  Under bright, sunny skies the lads gathered this past Saturday at the Upland Downtown Metrolink station for the latest edition of what has become a much anticipated Windbreaker tradition of visiting area craft breweries and sampling the brews of these fine establishments.  The Covid-19 pandemic has made it much more challenging for these businesses to carry on...definitely not business as usual.  But each is to be thanked for putting measures in place to welcome guests and stay in business.  

First stop: Mt. Lowe Brewing with our very own Jim "Hammer" Lowe

Second stop: Enjoying refreshments at Alosta Brewing

The Spring, 2021 edition of the Tour featured a route through the San Gabriel Valley, with stops at Mt. Lowe Brewing in Arcadia, and Alosta Brewing in Covina.  A great day...Ride On!

Our trusty steeds take a rest at Alosta

Following Hammer's very courteous run to the local liquor store for
one more beer while we waited for the train, the lads received an 
announcement that our train would be delayed.  So we added some
"bonus miles" to the day's adventure to get home before dark.

Ride Report: Windbreaker "Special Edition" Ride - Huntington Beach

February 27, 2021.  Early morning light clouds gave way to bright, sunny skies as Windbreakers and NextGen friends gathered at the Anaheim Transportation Center for the latest "Special Edition" Saturday morning ride.  Our route this day would take us south along the Santa Ana River Trail to the Slater Avenue cutoff, then west to Seal Beach for a coffee stop, then south battling a pretty stiff headwind along PCH past Bolsa Chica and Huntington Beaches, rejoining the Santa Ana River Trail north to our lunch stop at Brewery X in North Anaheim.  54 miles of good times and good fun!

Early into the ride, some laughs with the gang when
Craig flatted, and when he grabbed his replacement
tube in his saddle bag he discovered that the 
tube was just a tad too small.  A better fit for a 
wheelbarrow perhaps.  He took it in stride, as he
always does!

The lads gather at Brewery X following lunch and some
cold beverages

Weekend Ride Report

January 31, 2021.  Following a few days of cold and powerful rainstorms during the week, the lads took to the roads this weekend for a beautiful ride through the Chino Valley and Chino Hills State Park.  Ride On!

North entrance to Chino Hills State Park

Along Bane Canyon Road, with the snow-capped
San Bernardino Mountains in the background.

Ride Report: San Diego

January 23, 2021.  While visiting family (including new grandson Jackson) last weekend, yours truly squeezed in a few rides through Carlsbad, and south along the Coast Hwy through Encinitas and Solana Beach.  And a second ride south to Del Mar and Torrey Pines, through La Jolla to Point Loma.  Ride On!

Carlsbad State Beach

Coffee & a donut at 
Leucadia Donut Shoppe on Coast Hwy.

Happy New Year 2021

 

Happy New Year from the Windbreakers!