Part one.
A good memory doesn't aid a cyclist. No, they are better off with a forgetful intuition. Repetition is their natural state, a constant turning of the pedals, pushing circle after circle wheels within wheels.
Memory of the last fifteen miles of an epic century ride would only detour the next days effort. We are much better off shutting out the hunger pains and dehydrated haze, the cramping body that can occur towards the end of these rides. Remembering how all I wanted to do the last time I rode this trail was to get off the bike and lay at the side of the road because I had zero strength left in my legs is to come face to face with the internal masochist.
Instead, the scars left are a badge. The moment you get off the bike, turn the key of your door and crawl through into sanctuary you have been reborn. Washing the caked salt off your face is essentially shedding skin. Putting nutrition back into your shaking body is holy, and warming cold numb hands a blessing.
The San Gabriel river trail runs from the sands of Seal Beach to the mouth of the canyon. In all around ninety miles round trip with the ability of riding deep into the canyon and potentially seven thousand feet up to the Angeles Crest near Islip Saddle, or better yet the infernal switch backs of Mount San Antonio better known as Baldy.
To ride the trail from the beach just past the reservoir at the fork and back is nearing the hundred mile mark. It's a sobering moment when the first sign of fatigue sets in on top of the Santa Fe flood control dam and a stout head wind pushes at you knowing there is forty some odd miles to go. You better have brought lots of energy bars, but eventually even they will cease to replenish strength. Take solace that there are ample places to stop for water.
The San Gabriel is quite a bit more entertaining then the mighty Santa Ana river trail. The river bed is refuge to many birds, a multitude of horse stables and countless bizarre tunnel like underpass's. The Whittier Narrows and El Monte ranchero stable are interesting sights. What is truly the high point though is the magnetic draw of the mountains and the ever closer view.
If memory has any benefit to the cyclist it would be the visual rewards and the urge to see these things again and again. Repetition. read more