Seven O'clock came and went, and the phone did not ring. No call for work;Tuesday was mine. But, as always, I had a long list of stuff that needs done around the house, and a flat gray morning to start doing it on. Spring in Southern California is like that- cool and gray. I know that Southern California Spring evokes images of sunshine and wildflowers, but it is really our dullest season out here. Sometimes you can go weeks without seeing blue sky. And sometimes the sun pops up out of nowhere and surprises you. Anyway. I had the day to myself, and after a little indecision and a short lecture from my more responsible side, I decided to shine on the household stuff, and take the bike out. Besides, a little sun was peeking through here and there.
I headed up to the San Gabriel River trail, one of my favorite rides.
It isn't particularly scenic right here, but you can park for free.
But after you cross over the Pico Watergate, it gets much better-
It turned out to be an odd, moody sort of day- sometimes it seemed like the sun was coming out, and then it'd turn cold, and windy again- sort of like a girl who can't make up her mind if she's going to take you home or not. Just a little past the spill gate, the trail comes to a crossroads. Which way to go?
Left will take me to the Upper Rio Hondo trail- several miles through scrub land just like this, only next to the Rio Hondo-
And here's what I mean by a moody sort of day- here's the road to the right that will take me up the San Gabriel. I went for the San Gabriel path.
The wind is always a factor on the riverbed, but up here it blows across the trail so that it's never quite at your back, and never quite in your face. You're always thinking, "this is annoying, but when I turn around..." And then you turn around to find that the wind isn't doing you any favors in this direction either. It's just there, fickle as the clouds and sun.
This is my favorite section of the San Gabriel trail. There is standing water here all year round, which is rare in Southern California. Sometimes you see folks fishing out here.
The trail dives under several major streets, and two freeways. There are homeless camps in some of the scrub, and you often spot campsites under the freeway bridges as well. It's a little spooky sometimes.
When you get under there you can't see out the other side-
Obligatory bicycle portrait-
And the view at the end of the tunnel-
I cruised up the river a few more miles before turning around. I took my last break up here where the water has gone dry, and these trees grow up among the rocks.-
On the way back I spotted these guys at work. Don't complain about your job stress!
I'm always glad when I do this. I got back to the house with all those chores staring me in the face, but now, despite being tired I could look at all that work with a fresh set of eyes. It wasn't all that much stuff, after all. I'll get it done tomorrow...
JWM
I headed up to the San Gabriel River trail, one of my favorite rides.
It isn't particularly scenic right here, but you can park for free.
But after you cross over the Pico Watergate, it gets much better-
It turned out to be an odd, moody sort of day- sometimes it seemed like the sun was coming out, and then it'd turn cold, and windy again- sort of like a girl who can't make up her mind if she's going to take you home or not. Just a little past the spill gate, the trail comes to a crossroads. Which way to go?
Left will take me to the Upper Rio Hondo trail- several miles through scrub land just like this, only next to the Rio Hondo-
And here's what I mean by a moody sort of day- here's the road to the right that will take me up the San Gabriel. I went for the San Gabriel path.
The wind is always a factor on the riverbed, but up here it blows across the trail so that it's never quite at your back, and never quite in your face. You're always thinking, "this is annoying, but when I turn around..." And then you turn around to find that the wind isn't doing you any favors in this direction either. It's just there, fickle as the clouds and sun.
This is my favorite section of the San Gabriel trail. There is standing water here all year round, which is rare in Southern California. Sometimes you see folks fishing out here.
The trail dives under several major streets, and two freeways. There are homeless camps in some of the scrub, and you often spot campsites under the freeway bridges as well. It's a little spooky sometimes.
When you get under there you can't see out the other side-
Obligatory bicycle portrait-
And the view at the end of the tunnel-
I cruised up the river a few more miles before turning around. I took my last break up here where the water has gone dry, and these trees grow up among the rocks.-
On the way back I spotted these guys at work. Don't complain about your job stress!
I'm always glad when I do this. I got back to the house with all those chores staring me in the face, but now, despite being tired I could look at all that work with a fresh set of eyes. It wasn't all that much stuff, after all. I'll get it done tomorrow...
JWM
