on the hills above the city

No mountain biking for me tonight, no dirt trail, no strenuous hill to spin out on. That meant both cursing and elated squeals were kept to a minimum, but that does not mean that I didn't ride nor does it mean I didn't enjoy it. Oddly enough, I think I may have gotten a better or, at least, equal workout. Hard to tell, and since I couldn't mountain bike due to bike brake issues, it really doesn't matter.



The ride I was on included me and two other riders, Herb and Jason. Now, mind you, Herb is faster than me even though he'll sandbag and pretend he's not. Tonight, however, I think he truly was having the kind of evening I've had too many times to count, one where you're happy to be on a bike but not happy to have to ride. Make sense? Basically, he was just really tired. I've been there myself and understand that feeling, so I kept my teasing to a minimum (mostly). I was a little mellow, too, but on parts of the ride, I performed beyond my usual. One of those times was when climbing up Trash Truck Hill (I hate that f'n hill!). I damn near lost a lung due to the smog-sh*t air we got out here at present but through hacking and snot-rocketing, I finally made it up it, and in pretty good time, actually.



As we headed up Mt. Hollywood, I spun up more than I pushed. I was too busy enjoying the beautiful, yet hazy skies around us. The air was cooler than I expected and I sweated less too. But that gawddim smog. Ugh...I need to move to Montana or wear a gas mask when riding, one of the two. I just kept clearing my throat (and nostrils) and focused on the climb.





At one point, Herb told me there was a snake in the road and, of course, I had to go back to photograph it. It had found a rather large mouse for dinner. I felt so badly for the mouse, but, hey, snake's got to eat. I don't think it was a rattler, but it did make an odd noise at me (hiss, maybe?) the closer to it I got (which was not more than five feet away!). It's rare that we see a snake up there and even in killer mode, it was a pretty one.



After that it was just climb to the top (I hate that last steep section), descend and then...descend again down Ferndale only to turn around and climb again...bonus hill! Herb opted out (can't blame him), and Jason dropped me like a badly microwaved potato (always does), but I dug it.



My legs began fatiguing here but not my spirit or enjoyment of the ride...and talk about endorphins!! By the time I'd crested Observatory hill and found the men in the crowd of folks out tonight (what was going on?), I was feeling the endorphin rush. This just inspired me, so I rode over to the ledge by the observatory to take a pic of the shadowy hills in the distance.






We then headed back on our usual route, past the Greek Theatre and up into the Los Feliz neighborhoods, again quiet this week. Stupid 14% grade hill (Parva?) wasn't so bad tonight. I was slow, though, so luckily the guys waited. We took the park route back and skipped the bike path (missed those annoying gnats!) and here is where I tried (unsuccessfully) to stay on Jason's wheel. Jason is freakishly fast and without effort, it seems. I hung for awhile but finally just let him go. The sprint was worth it even if I'm knackered now. I guess you could say I kinda pushed it tonight. Our final stretch home was uneventful but enjoyable, and I'm so glad I joined those two men for our usual (but always a little different) night ride.



Now...I think putting my head to a pillow is a wise idea. I love my night rides! I never sleep better than when after pedaling out all of my frustrations and leaving them on the hills above the city.