Chantry Flats and Rose Bowl, FIXED

On Saturday Michael and I decided to ride from San Dimas to Chantry Flats via our fixed gear bikes.  Its been over a year since our last ascent up the mountain, so I was pretty excited about attempting it on my fixed gear.

We left San Dimas Ave. and Bonita at about 6:30 am and started heading to Chantry Flats.  The ride there was pretty straight forward except,  somewhere in Duarte, I was stung by a bee.  Once on Santa Anita things got interesting.  Heading up Santa Anita to the start of Chantry Flats was steep, very steep.  We rested at the base before making our way up the two plus mile trek to Chantry Flats.

The ride up to Chantry Flats was not easy.  I am not sure of the grade, but it's steeper than Glendora Mountain Road for sure.  Michael, riding fixed as well, powered up the mountain ahead of me.  When I met him at the top he said he was thinking "good thoughts" about me the whole way up.  I'm sure his thoughts included things like, "Wow, I really like the way Jason encourages me to ride hard," or, "I am SO thankful Jason invited me on this marvelous ride!"  RIGHT????? Somehow if you ask him, he may have something different to say.

Riding down wasn't bad, with all the twists and turns, I was able to keep my speed in check, and not to mention my ability to skid is getting much better.  Once at the bottom, we felt pretty good and refreshed. Mike asked if we wanted to add some more miles by heading to the Rose Bowl.  Being the team player, I said, "Sure, why not."

While riding to the Rose Bowl, hunger was starting to set in.  We stopped at a Farmers Market in Pasadena, and bought some peaches and figs.  We also helped ourselves to a few free samples of watermelon slices and fresh strawberries.

After the Farmers Market, it was off to the Rose Bowl for one lap and then back home.  I love the houses surrounding the Rose Bowl.  I'm going have to take Jamie there, she'll get a kick home watching.

We made it on fixed gear bikes no doubt!

Michael riding up Santa Anita.  It was steep and painful.

Farmer Market.  These tomatoes and peppers looked delicious.

Proof we actually rode to the Rose Bowl

Feeling good, thumbs up.