Twilight view of the San Fernando Valley from yesterday’s run near Castle Peak.
Related post: Castle Peak
Category Archives: running
Simi Valley Open Space
The view is northwest from Rocky Peak road in Rocky Peak Park. In the distance is Marr Ranch Open Space, Tapo Canyon Regional Park, and Whiteface Open Space. The Ventura Mountains are shrouded in clouds.
From today’s out and back run from Chatsworth Oaks Park, near Chatsworth Reservoir, to “fossil point” on Rocky Peak road.
Racing the Sun, Catching the Moon
For an eighty degree day, it had been surprisingly cold in Las Virgenes Canyon. The canyon’s east-facing slopes had been in shadow for much of the afternoon, and had lost any residual warmth to a crystal clear sky. The refrigerated air had spilled from the hillsides, collected in low points, and flowed in a frigid stream down the canyon.
In running shorts and a t-shirt, the cold air had been invigorating, but in the fading light I was glad to be out of the canyon, and running up the Beast toward Lasky Mesa.
The sun had set about 30 minutes before. Unmarked by clouds or contrails, the colors of the western sky were remarkably pure, ranging from the warm yellow-orange of a fleeting day to the cold steel blue of approaching night.
The sweet licorice scent of fennel swept past on a warm current of air. Along the trail crickets called, buoyant and hopeful; and a covey of quail chattered anxiously, debating flight. Above, the moon and Jupiter shone brightly, already beginning to illuminate the landscape.
On a hill to my right a solitary coyote yipped, and a nearby hillside answered in an excited sing-song of yips, yaps and yowls. Moments later another band answered the first, and then faraway a third.
Early in the run I had pushed the pace hoping to beat the sun back to car. Somewhere on the north boundary ridge it had become clear that I would lose the race with the sun. But I also realized it would not be a problem. There was no rush. I could catch the moon.
Oaks Along the Blue Canyon Trail
Sprawling oaks along the Blue Canyon Trail.
From this morning’s run of a variation of the XTERRA Boney Mountain Trail Run course.
Waiting for the Sun
The temperature was in the low fifties, but with a 20 mph wind it was cold. I had just run up the Chumash trail, and was on my way down. The sun was nearing the horizon and hidden by a band of clouds. It had been like that since I topped out at Rocky Peak road. I hoped by the time I reached a vantage point of Chumash Rocks the setting sun would break underneath the clouds and illuminate the formation.
Nope. When I reached the viewpoint, the rocks were still in shadow. And the wind was even stronger. Squeezed between two hills, it rushed through the little col in cold, turbulent gusts. Buffeted by the wind, and chilled to the bone, I waited for the sun.
And waited. It was too cold to just stand there. I took a few photos, but the sun and clouds were not cooperating. At some point, minutes away, the sun would set, and that would be that. The photo just wasn’t going to happen. I returned to the trail and began to run down the hill.
In the lee of the hills the wind lessened, and it was not so cold. It was still a few minutes before sunset, and as I rounded a corner I could see a bright glow at the edge of the clouds.
I was several hundred yards down the trail when the first hint of sunlight appeared on a distant hill. It was veiled and muted, but it was sun. Maybe there was time. I turned and hurried back up the trail.
Titanio Touring
On their way from points north, to points south, Kevin and Janet stopped by for a visit today. Kevin was hoping to get in a ride before dinner, and I wanted to get in a run. Where could Kevin ride his Hampsten Strada Bianca Titanio, and I could run, and we might talk from time to time?
The Hampsten web site describes the Strada Bianca as, “Fast on smooth pavement but relaxed-yet-tough when the road turns to trail, cobbles, gravel, or dirt.” Hmmm, this is the bike Kevin rode from Seattle to San Diego — it has skinny tires and fenders. Do they really mean trails? Kevin was game, so we headed out to Ahmanson.
Even with 29mm tires, the bike (and the rider) handled the varying terrain and surfaces well. We did a mix of dirt road and single track, some of it fairly steep. All but a few feet were ridable.
Here’s some photos from the ride and run.
Kevin’s bike is setup with a road triple crankset, 50-39-26, and 27-12 cassette. The tires are Challenge Parigi-Robaix 700c clinchers, nominally 27mm, but more like 29mm as mounted. For wet weather riding it has hammered Honjo fenders.