California Day One:
As Neven and I pulled up to the airport I saw the luggage check clerk at the curb. 'Sweet,' I thought, 'I'll just check my luggage slip this guy a 20 and my bike will be on it's way. Well, it appears that America west doesn't do curb side check and the two ladies at the front desk were hardly going to sympathize with my situation. 80 bucks later I was headed down terminal C bound for Las Vegas. The flight was peaceful enough, but there's nothing like the sound of slot machines as walk into an airport terminal.
My layover in Vegas soon grew from one hour to two to two and half hours. 'Poor Steve' I thought, 'he's going to have to wait for me in the airport'. But all of this, I would soon find out, happened for a reason. See Wentz had gone to see quite possibly one of the best super-cross races to date in Anaheim. After which, he was going to pick me up at LAX. I'm not sure when Steve became aware of the fact that he didn't have his keys, but he would soon realize as he peered through the window of Big Green, that the ignition was the key-thief culprit.
Well to make a boring story short, right as I got my luggage and was heading out of the airport at 2:30 am Steve pulled up. The timing worked out quite well. The drive down to Santa Ana was quick and the bed couldn't have been more comfy; I passed out intstantly.
The next morning I awoke to the wonderful smell of eggs and bacon. I spent the morning talking with Mimi and Le (Steve’s parents) over a cup of coffee. Breakfast was an awesome compilation of mushroom omelets, poppy-seed muffins, and fruit. Oh yah! Nothing beats home cooking more than . . .um . . .more home cooking.
After my belly was full I got the full tour of the Wentz's newly renovated home. It is absolutely beautiful. Shortly after that I assembled my bike and Steve and I headed down to Laguna Beach to pick up Johnny C. We rallied the trails for 2 1/2 hours. Imagine this, a costal breeze gently blowing in 70 degree air with sun just hot enough to make your skin tingle. And I know all of you in Colorado may have to dig deep into your memory banks, but imagine green ivy, palm trees, and the smell of fresh cut grass. Yep, I was in heaven. I don't think I broke a sweat for but 10 minutes during the whole ride; the weather was so perfect.
We first rode the Meadow Trail up to the top of a ridge that overlooked the Laguna Beach area. Meadow Trail is a full entourage of loose off-camber corners, berms, blue-grooved brake bumps, and sweeping fast sections. It was absolutely brutal to climb especially with a 38 ring up front and a road cluster in the back. But just to get to the top of the ridge and look down onto the ocean was amazing.
Within a week my hand has become so much stronger. Although it practically bounced off in every brake-bump section, it was a trooper and never stopped me from going into every corner way to darn fast;-) Yep, some new brake pads are in order. On the way to our next climb we practiced cutties. Cutties soon turned into a game of who-can-flick-a-rock(or sand)-at the-rider-next-to-them. A truly classic game that is unavoidable. Well, Wentz chalked up another win.
By the time we made it up to the water tower (5 Oaks Trail) my legs had that familiar burn of being spent; it was great. Of course Steve didn't let me know this, but the trail was more downhil oriented then most. It was absolutely awesome; I had to concentrate more on the trail then my hand and autopilot took over. Although it wasn't fast or pretty, it was another gift from God that I'll treasure.
From there I watched the most amazing sunset over Laguna Beach with Steve and Johnny. The oranges, blues, and purples, reflecting off the ocean took my breath away. After the sun set, we were off to a tiny Mexican restaurant on the beach front for a pitcher of Margaritas and steak nachos. Johnny and I proceeded to get buzzed while Steve claimed his first surf board from a trash can. Despite a missing fin and several huge cracks, I'm sure it will serve Steve well as a first board.
The nights not done yet. . . After margs, Steve and I met Mimi and Le at the Yard House Brewery for an awesome dinner and end to a perfect day.
As Neven and I pulled up to the airport I saw the luggage check clerk at the curb. 'Sweet,' I thought, 'I'll just check my luggage slip this guy a 20 and my bike will be on it's way. Well, it appears that America west doesn't do curb side check and the two ladies at the front desk were hardly going to sympathize with my situation. 80 bucks later I was headed down terminal C bound for Las Vegas. The flight was peaceful enough, but there's nothing like the sound of slot machines as walk into an airport terminal.
My layover in Vegas soon grew from one hour to two to two and half hours. 'Poor Steve' I thought, 'he's going to have to wait for me in the airport'. But all of this, I would soon find out, happened for a reason. See Wentz had gone to see quite possibly one of the best super-cross races to date in Anaheim. After which, he was going to pick me up at LAX. I'm not sure when Steve became aware of the fact that he didn't have his keys, but he would soon realize as he peered through the window of Big Green, that the ignition was the key-thief culprit.
Well to make a boring story short, right as I got my luggage and was heading out of the airport at 2:30 am Steve pulled up. The timing worked out quite well. The drive down to Santa Ana was quick and the bed couldn't have been more comfy; I passed out intstantly.
The next morning I awoke to the wonderful smell of eggs and bacon. I spent the morning talking with Mimi and Le (Steve’s parents) over a cup of coffee. Breakfast was an awesome compilation of mushroom omelets, poppy-seed muffins, and fruit. Oh yah! Nothing beats home cooking more than . . .um . . .more home cooking.
After my belly was full I got the full tour of the Wentz's newly renovated home. It is absolutely beautiful. Shortly after that I assembled my bike and Steve and I headed down to Laguna Beach to pick up Johnny C. We rallied the trails for 2 1/2 hours. Imagine this, a costal breeze gently blowing in 70 degree air with sun just hot enough to make your skin tingle. And I know all of you in Colorado may have to dig deep into your memory banks, but imagine green ivy, palm trees, and the smell of fresh cut grass. Yep, I was in heaven. I don't think I broke a sweat for but 10 minutes during the whole ride; the weather was so perfect.
We first rode the Meadow Trail up to the top of a ridge that overlooked the Laguna Beach area. Meadow Trail is a full entourage of loose off-camber corners, berms, blue-grooved brake bumps, and sweeping fast sections. It was absolutely brutal to climb especially with a 38 ring up front and a road cluster in the back. But just to get to the top of the ridge and look down onto the ocean was amazing.
Within a week my hand has become so much stronger. Although it practically bounced off in every brake-bump section, it was a trooper and never stopped me from going into every corner way to darn fast;-) Yep, some new brake pads are in order. On the way to our next climb we practiced cutties. Cutties soon turned into a game of who-can-flick-a-rock(or sand)-at the-rider-next-to-them. A truly classic game that is unavoidable. Well, Wentz chalked up another win.
By the time we made it up to the water tower (5 Oaks Trail) my legs had that familiar burn of being spent; it was great. Of course Steve didn't let me know this, but the trail was more downhil oriented then most. It was absolutely awesome; I had to concentrate more on the trail then my hand and autopilot took over. Although it wasn't fast or pretty, it was another gift from God that I'll treasure.
From there I watched the most amazing sunset over Laguna Beach with Steve and Johnny. The oranges, blues, and purples, reflecting off the ocean took my breath away. After the sun set, we were off to a tiny Mexican restaurant on the beach front for a pitcher of Margaritas and steak nachos. Johnny and I proceeded to get buzzed while Steve claimed his first surf board from a trash can. Despite a missing fin and several huge cracks, I'm sure it will serve Steve well as a first board.
The nights not done yet. . . After margs, Steve and I met Mimi and Le at the Yard House Brewery for an awesome dinner and end to a perfect day.
posted by ::LCM at 24.1.06
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