DM and SB Training Ride: Sunrise on South Mountain

No CHUPACABRA today... But we were on the lookout for that massive coyote from last week.

Scotty and I drove over to South Mountain this morning for another Friday morning ride to the summit. There were a handful of other cyclists, hikers, and joggers out on the road. Not a lot of wildlife today... I saw some quail, chipmunks and ground squirrels, and rock pigeons. Nothing too exciting.

There was some awful stench riding up the first and second climbs... It smelled like dumpster, which is strange since there are no dumpsters or garbage trucks on the mountain. As foul as it was, I had a good laugh about it. Some of my friends out in LA go out for Thursday morning rides - and often weekend rides, too - on Garbage Truck Hill in Griffith Park. On a few occasions, I've given them a hard time about that wimpy little hill, posting something like, "Out to climb South Mountain... No GARBAGE TRUCKS HERE!"

I'm kind of concerned this might be some sort of karmic revenge for picking on them. We never determined the source of that horrible smell. Weird.

When we hit the last segment of road to the summit, I decided to have us split off to the Buena Vista overlook before climbing the final mile. The spur road was only about a half mile long, but I must say... Truth in advertising! That was one BUENA VISTA! Beautiful views of the central valley! I think I found a good spot to take my ALC 10 fundraising photos, too!

After hanging back, we hit the final stretch to the summit.

Scotty climbing the final half mile of South Mountain

We made it up to the top, took a quick break and sped back down to the bottom!

Scotty took this photo of me. I didn't have the energy or foresight to match my jersey and socks... But gave a little shout out to my Anglo heritage with the Union Jacks!

Goofing off atop South Mountain... And showing off my tattoo.

Finally, a little shout out to the Garbage Truck Hill folks, in hopes that I can bring peace and balance to our little universe. Track 8 from the soundtrack for Scott Pilgrim vs. The World has some lyrics that are almost appropriate for it to be the theme song for Garbage Truck Hill rides... And it's called Garbage Truck! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txEkMAreDuc