7/3 Ride Report - Banh Mi & Ca Phe Sua Da

Banh mi is the Vietnamese sandwich serve on a French baguette. Ca phe sua da is the popular Vietnamese iced coffee serve with condense milk. These were the food that powered the VeloViets today at the Lee's Sandwich ride.

A small VeloViet group gathered today for the first time in the Inland Empire to support a friend who is the co-owner/manager of the new Lee's Sandwich in Chino, California. Personally, I am excited about this new store as it is in my neighborhood, and that it is the third Vietnamese food place in this town. The next nearest Vietnamese restaurant is probably at least 15 miles from here.

Photo #1 - VeloViets showed up to support Lee's Sandwich in Chino, California

The ride is suppose to be a casual and slow ride. Little did I know that the caffeine in the ca phe sua da would make this ride a high explosive ride, with casualties litter along the road. Here is how it went...

Five VeloViets arrived at the store: Cap't, Duc, Long, Anh Minh, and I. We were joined by five Velo Avanti riders: Sang, Greg, Don, Jimmy, and Viet. As usual, Jimmy brough along Mathew, Phillip, and Phillip's father. These 13 riders would ventured on the roads of Chino and Chino Hills.

The start was casual enough, with lots of talking and an average speed of 18 mph. Cap't and Sang were at the front when we slowly kick the pace up to 22 mph. Things were still okay and no problem as we cruise along Shaefer.

Photo #2 - The 13-strong pack on a nice roll

A quick right on Euclid and immediately Don went to the front, kicking the pace up to 26 mph. Don, Duc, and Cap't took turn pulling the pack at this speed. After a recent double, Cap't was in great shape, and even was talking with no problem at this high speed giving me some on-the-bike advice. I even took a turn at the front to try out his technique.

As we rode into Chino Hills, the community that I lived in, things changed for me. There is a reason why they have the word "hills" in the city's name, and into the hills we went.

The caffeine must have suddenly blasted into the front riders' bloodstream at this point of the ride. Like a rabid pack of dogs, the front group howled and collectively charge up the first hill of Chino Hills. The only problem with this attack was that I was the carnage that was spit out in the back!

I made what could be either viewed as a veteran's move, sacrificing myself for others, or a rookie's mistake, by being the last guy that pulled the pack to the bottom of the hill. To be honest it was the latter as I had burned my energy on the flats right before the hill. The pack had slightly split and I was with Don, Duc, and Cap't when we approached the hill. These guys attacked hard up the hill and initially I had an answer. After a minute, I could no longer sustain the high pace and dropped off. I was hurting big time and seriously gasping for air.

First Greg passed me, then it seemed like almost everyone else did too. Sang was sagging in the back and went to the front to pull myself and a few others as we had no more energy left. Long then went to the front and helped out too. I slowly recuperated.

Making the right on Soquel Canyon, Sang came up and asked me if I knew the way back. I said I did and he asked that I lead Long and Anh Minh back to the store. He and the others went chasing the front pack as they took another loop around. The three of us rode back to the store, having a nice chat along the way.

Although short, this ride was intense and with huge aerobic effort expended in the hills of Chino. The rabid pack quenced their thirst for speed, issuing much blood and carnage in their trail. At the end of the Lee's Sandwich ride, we sat in front of the store and enjoyed banh mi and ca phe sua da, while we joyfully recount the day's event. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed this ride, and we all promised that we would try to make this a regular route.

Photo #3 - The group posing in front of the new store

If you happen to drive by the Chino and Chino Hills area, come and check out the Lee's Sandwich store. They serve a good sandwich and the cold iced coffee will quence your thirst on a hot day. Watch out for those rabid bike riders in the area though!

Until the next ride,
Phong