[2021-08-06]

Another (3) three day weekend away from home to be spent in the mountains. I had my items packed the night before with a rough timeline of when my friends wanted to depart. As I was loading up the bicycle I received a courtesy call from said friends requesting breakfast preference from Norms. Traffic was light and as I was arriving my friend was leaving to pickup our sustenance. The expectations were not that high for our food; however, we were all a bit disappointed with our servings. Oh well. We loaded up the vehicle with all the bicycles and we were on our way. Traffic was not unbearable and we made it to Big Bear around 1230 PT and my friend queued up for registration.

There was a variety of bicycles from budget friendly, enthusiast, and high-end all over the place with persons travelling from who knows where. Probably not the best place to be with a variant strain of a virus, but it is outdoors? The line slowly moved along and it was certainly a different sight being in Big Bear without snow. After the registration was complete we walked up to the expo and walked around. We made sure to make it over to a booth to sign up for the Poker Ride event later in the day. My friend picked up their jersey from one of the other booths. Overall it was a small expo so not too much to wander through.

We still had some time to kill until our Airbnb would be available so drinks were ordered and we sat around for a bit. We left the venue as check-in was near and it was only a few minutes away. Housekeeping was still in the driveway, but as soon as we found a suitable spot to turn around it was empty. Our other friends had not yet arrived so we took our tour of the cabin and I called dibs on the loft. We unpacked our items and rested for our afternoon ride. Our other friends arrived just a little bit later and introductions were made...we were not really friends yet. Friends of friend situation.

It was time for the poker ride. I hoped I would be ready for riding around the lake at elevation. We kitted up and descended down the steep hill on our bicycles, back to the registration location. Our other friends went to the registration queue that was now longer than earlier. One friend rented an e-bike for the ride and due to time constraints for the event we went on while the others registered. We followed the map and some signs to our first stop. We continued on following signs until we reached a park to wait up for our friends. It was a beautiful day with good company loitering at the park. Once our friends registered they met up with us at the park and as we were leaving we saw the poker ride signs being picked up. It was now a race against time and the truck so we could hopefully collect the required "cards" for the event. Our friend on the e-bike had to turn back early as the rental had to be returned by 1800 PT.

The rest of us, a total (5) five riders continued following the route and available signs. When we finally made it to the next stop or what we thought was the second stop, we were told it was the third stop and we missed one. That was a bust. The truck collecting the signs showed up though and Harold said he would fill out the remaining spots of our poker forms since they were out collecting the signs. We thanked the volunteers and continued our ride around the lake. As the truck passed us and I think it was more than once, they cheered us on. Some of the group was comfortable with the descents, but one other friend was fine taking it slower with me in the back. Eventually as the road added some elevation gain and descents it became a solo ride. However, for a short period I could keep track of their jerseys in the distance until they were gone. I am nowhere near the physical fitness level of my friends. I was worried about how far behind I was and if I would miss a fork in the road leading me off course. I passed by the volunteers hanging out at the last poker stop and they cheered me on. Fortunately, I found my friends waiting for me taking a short break and we were on our way again until the gap widened, again. I caught up again and we were on our way towards the start of our trip. I need to earn my breaks and get good.

As we neared the registration area section there was a bit of a hill. I was dreading it and struggling. At one particular section my friends were discussing options, but I just asked if I should keep going straight. I had no intention of stopping what little speed I had. Onward we went and through all my gears. All of them. I finally made it to the top, out of breath, tired, and 22 miles later...what happened to 16?! It was still fun and I was prepared to ride back to our lodging or another (3) three miles to round it off. Instead we opted for vehicle pickup, after all some of the people on the ride had a race in the morning.

Once we made it to the Airbnb my friends prepared dinner, pasta type things for carbs. I love carbs. We ate dinner and talked about stuff and things. At one point I thought I heard a knock that nobody acknowledged so I must be hearing things, but it was followed up by a phone call. Another friend had arrived and the last of the group. We discussed our Saturday plans and eventually turned in for the night after preparing for bed. It was expected to be a long Saturday.

[2021-08-07]

Today was the big day, Tour De Big Bear. My friends had been training for this day for months. A couple even did a pre-ride session a couple weeks prior to get an idea and feel for the ride. I woke up with the pleasure of knowing my day would be easier than the athletes. I could hear the announcers not too far away as the other races started at their respective times: 100, 70, and 50 miles. I am here to cheer them on and offer support. They have a race to win, podium. As the morning was progressing people woke up and prepared their respective meals, stretched, dressed, and prepared. The ride was not until 1000 so they left a little prior to get a warm up ride in for the 25 mile timed race. The few of us that remained had some time to prepare and collect some items we would need for the day. Initially we planned on riding our bicycles to a location; however, it was decided we would use automotive vehicles instead (good call).

We loaded up the vehicles and headed out. We had a race map in hand and at least one of us had familiarity with the area. We parked in an unmarked area and waited. Cowbells in hand and one with a sign. This is not my first time cheering on (competitive) athletes, I was ready. A motorcycle approached with a slew of cyclists tailing for a rolling start. They needed more cowbell. There was a lot more cyclists than I anticipated as more just kept rolling through. Fortunately our friends all had a matching and very visible jersey so they were easy to spot so could be even louder. The hi-vis jersey was also a good indicator to take action shots. One friend used their cowbell and broke skin from the intense cheering. Once all the cyclists had finally past we were done...for now.

We got back in the vehicles and selected our next stop to surprise our friends. A section near the bridge was selected as our next step and we were on our way. As we drove towards the next stop we pulled into a parking lot to walk the rest of the way. The decision to walk was yet another good call as the traffic congestion on the bridge was too much. This of course was due to the cyclists having priority over cagers vehicles. It was a bit of a walk, but not too bad with good weather. We had a few chairs and waved over by the law enforcement officer directing traffic to cross. We found a spot in the shade and waited, while one friend periodically checked the Strava Beacon. Across from us was a rest station as well for riders. As our friends approached we crossed the street to cheer them on again. After they passed we packed up our chairs and walked back.

As we were walking back my friend noticed our athletes making good time so we had to do a light jog. The light jog was awful, I prefer sitting down on two wheels. We made it back to the vehicles with no time for donuts since we needed to make it to another spot on the route. Would we make it in time? Spoilers, we did not. One of our friends was far enough ahead that we pulled up beside them in the car (remember no road closures) and obnoxiously cheered them on from the vehicle. We found parking up ahead, picked a side, and cheered on cyclists again waiting for our hi-vis cyclists. They made great time and some other cyclists appeared to also enjoy our cheering. Unfortunately we did not have anything else to offer other than cowbell and wooo.

We started our Trek up to the finish line once our friends rode by and I did not envy the ascent they had to make. The age and time completion for some of the earlier cyclists is impressive. Should I survive that long, I hope to be able to participate in similar rides if possible. We found our friends all waiting around a table and we brought celebratory drinks for everyone. They put their bicycles in valet while we discussed our next steps for the day. After decisions were made we grabbed a bite to eat at the event and listen to instrumental (string) covers played on the nearby stage. After our lunch we did another walk through the expo. One tent had cycling caps for the low price of signing up for their event, Tour de Foothills. I am a sucker and signed up with my friends for the free cap. I am now expected to participate 2021-11-13 in the half-metric century. I only hope my body will be ready and that I will also be able to participate in Joshua Tree 55 Bike Ride. After some a short time in the expo the group decided to find a shaded area. We went downstairs and decided to head back to the Airbnb since we still had hours before any ticket drawing or announcements. More importantly though a member of the team was tracking for 10th overall and 1st in their division. I also used this time to buy a Big Bear Cycling Association jersey, after all I did at least ride around the lake. Only large was available though and it mostly fit well. Maybe I will eventually grow into it? Age will probably do that.

We made it back to the Airbnb for everyone to either decompress, nap, cleanup, or all of the above. I lazily sat on the couch and waited until we headed back to the venue. We finally headed back around 1530 for announcements around 1600. We made it back to the expo area and found a decent spot next to cornhole. Our friends played while another couple of people played on the other set near us. As our friends rotated, I got dragged in at one point. I will say even after having the rules and points explained that I do not understand it still. I just know sack on board or in hole good? I am not even completely sure on that. We even had a guest star kid that joined in and played with us for a bit. We were having a good time almost as if things were normal (2020 context). The group next to us a little too serious for allegedly a beer. Otherwise I think everyone else was having a good time.

Finally, the moment we had been waiting for, prize drawings. They announced the winners of the various races and had them on the podium for placing overall 1, 2, and 3. It was ticket drawing time after all the winners had been called up. There was an assortment of prizes from gift cards, cash, e-bike, and other items or time for services. One friend insisted they were due for a raffle win as if it was owed. Well they were not wrong because they did indeed win...(2) two tickets to Tour de Big Bear 2022, a stay at a local lodging, and a photo with Ms. Big Bear. In my opinion they are now committed to the ride in 2022. A small child ended up winning the e-bike and an adult that was not paying attention tried to claim it post-announcement. The adult was too slow though and no longer a valid win due to their tardiness or something else. The day was finally over after the ticket drawings and it was time go back to the Airbnb.

We dropped off the athletes and a couple of us went into town to order pizza from Saucy Mama's in person since their telephone was out. The main street was quite busy and not what appeared to be cyclists. We went into the pizza place which seemed busy and also just in time to place a to go order that would take approximately 45 minutes. I decided to get Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream with our time. I got a large of marshmallow sky and ate it outside with my friend. While I was eating there was an interesting person a few tables over walking their bearded dragon outside sans leash. It was okay though because they said they only have (3) three feet now so they were no longer as agile. Not okay, but I guess?

Enough time had passed so we finally walked back over to pickup our order. As we headed back to the Airbnb, we passed an empty parking lot. Everyone had cleared out after the race and the parking was eerily empty consider it was packed only a few hours ago. We may have been slightly lost for a second because I was without cellular service and not paying attention. However, it only delayed us a few seconds and we made it back successfully.

We brought dinner inside and we all ate at the table. Along with the pizza I also ordered a meatball sandwich on the side. The sandwich was a bit difficult to eat as a sandwich and I may have also struggled after the meal. I finished it and moved slowly while I recovered. The rest of the evening was spent hanging out until it was time for sleep.

[2021-08-08]

Time to pack up and checkout to unfortunately head home. Eventually everyone started to wake up and we tidied up. Thankfully one of our friends has a truck because trash needed to be disposed off at an off-site location. We headed down the mountain and followed the line of cars, shook the cowbell at cyclists on their recovery rides, and made plans for brunch. The first brunch spot looked busy so we kept driving and settled on a location at the bottom of the mountain, Kay's Cafe.

We slowly went down the mountain as people held up a queue of cars instead of letting people pass. People using the passing lane without passing. We finally made it to our brunch destination and found parking where the cars with bicycles would be visible. We ordered our food, discussed future rides, ate our food, and went our separate ways. Until the next trip.