Weekend Ride Report

May 30, 2022.  Two great rides this weekend on some of the best roads in Windbreaker Country.  Ride On!

The lads gather on a cool, wet morning at the base of GMR.

Memorial Day morning on Woodview Road in Chino Hills

Ride Report: Santa Barbara and Paso Robles

April 3, 2022.  On a recent trip with longtime friends to the Paso Robles Wine Country, I was able to squeeze in a couple beautiful rides.  Ride On!

Along the bike path north of Ventura toward Santa Barbara

At the Summerwood Winery & Inn

Sunrise ride along Vineyard Dr near Opolo Vineyards

Good Works!

 

Two members of the extended Windbreaker "family" have been hard at work bringing an important message of awareness to the world.  Cullen and Griffin Easter, respectfully referred to as our "Heads of State", have founded the OpiCure Foundation, which is committed to bringing awareness of opioid abuse, redefining best practices for addiction recovery and devoting resources to affect positive change in the Utah community and beyond.  Opicure is committed to utilizing the bicycle as a tool to assist those struggling with opioid addiction in their recovery process.

As the bicycling racing season approaches, look for Cullen and Griffin on the circuit and spreading the word on this very important topic.  Congratulations fellas, and Ride On!  More information at www.opicure.org

Happy New Year 2022

January 4, 2022. As we usher in the new year, we look forward to many miles and adventures ahead.  Over the holidays, I came across this image of Madonna del Ghisallo, patron saint of cyclists.  

The story and a little history from Wikipedia: "According to legend, the Medieval count Ghisallo was traveling by the hamlet of Magrelio when he was attacked by bandits. He saw an image of Virgin Mary at a shrine, ran to it, and was saved from the robbers.  The apparition became known as La Madonna del Ghisallo, and she became a patroness of local travelers.

In later times, the hill Madonna del Ghisallo was made part of the Giro di Lombardia bicycle race and has often featured in the Giro d'Italia as well.  The church sits atop a steep hill that climbs up from the shores of Lake Como.  It became a natural stopping point for cyclists.  For this reason a local priest, Father Ermelindo Vigano, proposed that La Madonna del Ghisallo be declared the patroness of cyclists.  This was confirmed by Pope Pius XII. Nowadays the shrine of Madonna del Ghisallo contains a small cycling museum with photos and artifacts from the sport.  There also burns a an eternal flame for cyclists who have died.  One particular notable artifact is the crumpled bicycle that Fabio Casartelli, a native of the region, rode on the day that he died in a crash in the Tour de France.  The church is home to many bikes and cycling jerseys used by cyclists in races".

Ride On!

 

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!