I searched my memory and decided his name was Glenn, and that Dean must not be far away, and sure enough, two descending riders later, there came Dean. I have not seen them in a while; part way up the long grind of Burbank Canyon, I took it as a good sign.
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we don't usually get to splash through a stream here, so enjoy it while you can -
Claremont Hills Wilderness Park |
Let's hear it for the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park! How many cities set aside that much valuable land for preservation, so that residents and non-residents alike can enjoy those outdoor spaces? Not that many. How many people live close enough to take advantage of all that open space? Not as many as could (not that it is a bad thing mind you). How many people live close enough to ditch the motor and ride (or walk) to that open space? Not as many as should! But, whatever, those of us who do should simply count our good fortune; and make no mistake, we are fortunate.
Any time is a good time, and when that work day whistle sounded at noon I knew exactly where the good time was going to be. For the Finally a Friday afternoon ride, I considered nothing else - it was going to be the CHWP or naught. For years, if not from the very beginning nearly twenty ago, the go-to has been the loop plus Johnson's Pasture; sometimes along the Evey-Palmer, or sometimes maybe twice around, I never know until I start to feel the climb in my legs (or worse, back). And if i've gone over to Johnson's you may rest assured, I will have made my way up to the aerie of Dun Eire. Sitting a while beneath the oaks, with views of the nearby peaks and, this time of year, the more distant ones covered in snow, green hillsides falling away. Up there, the sounds of the city are easy to forget over the distance, though the noisy sprawl stretches out from the base of the mountains; it is easy to get lost in the silence. A plain brown bird croaks a warning at my intrusion, wheels, then feet crunching dry leaves and last seasons remaining acorns. A couple crows caw, caw, caw their encouragement, or maybe it was ra, ra, ra. With sis boom ba for good measure. The air may have been winter cool, but my rocky seat was nicely sun-warmed and welcome for a few moments of satisfying day-dreaming.
Some of you will heading up to Ojai tomorrow (or maybe are already there, camping perhaps) for some fast paced cyclocross action, or over to the Whittier Narrows for some high flying bmx racing. But you don't have to succumb to the lure of speed, just cruise it if you choose it, after all no-one wants the weekend to pass by quickly. It is going to be a most excellent weekend, so make the effort to bring out your bikes and see what there is to see from the vantage of a saddle and two spinning wheels.
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| see ya Out There - Claremont Hills Wilderness Park |
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