tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52334480956112355412024-03-13T09:24:43.350-07:00SmorgcycleUrban cyclist pedaling the less traveled roads of San Diego, Southern California, and sometimes beyond.Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-63794349938995150912022-09-10T08:51:00.000-07:002022-09-10T08:51:22.410-07:00San Diego County's Ten Everest-Friendly Steep Climbs<p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span>In recent years many cycling challenges have caught avid cyclists' imagination. From setting a goal to ride a metric century (100 km or miles), a proper century, completing one or many of the strenuous organized rides like the Belgian Waffle Ride or Unbound Gravel or even the Race Across America (RAAM), but perhaps none seem as doable as well as undoable at the same time as completing an everest. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobgOqeAZfKY207kEUSVvUuPNJik6A-XkovWWHuQ1SveQ7RcdkW5-K6TnP7Ni49yBHPWhOPH910qhmWwtH-CJuf0IhNsrwxmp-L_n1spWl-94IFeHotRTc9NTPN2-q0zmfFCioOswQXmZmhtVkujtAC3vOf28es6xeS_6RnOrrbXS3Pra3KDw0xJka/s1500/George%20Vargas%20&%20Heather%20Bruemmer%20at%20REV.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1187" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobgOqeAZfKY207kEUSVvUuPNJik6A-XkovWWHuQ1SveQ7RcdkW5-K6TnP7Ni49yBHPWhOPH910qhmWwtH-CJuf0IhNsrwxmp-L_n1spWl-94IFeHotRTc9NTPN2-q0zmfFCioOswQXmZmhtVkujtAC3vOf28es6xeS_6RnOrrbXS3Pra3KDw0xJka/s320/George%20Vargas%20&%20Heather%20Bruemmer%20at%20REV.JPG" width="253" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://epictrain.me/">George Vargas</a> and Lori Hoechlin (in pink REV kits) are San Diego County's everest king and queen.</span><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://everesting.cc/the-rules/">Everesting</a>, of course, refers to the practice of repeatedly climbing the same hill until one has reached the elevation gain equal to the height of Mt Everest (8,848 m or 29,029ft) on a single ride. It is a fantastic feat of endurance and stamina, and typically takes the upward of 8 hrs to complete.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">For a stretch of a road to be everesting-friendly, for me, it should be steep enough to enable significant elevation gain per repeat, but not so steep that you can't repeat it enough times to complete the ride. It should also be relatively safe traffic-wise and not very technical on the descent (so you wouldn't end up killing yourself riding down in a zombic state), and, unless you have a SAG support car with toilet facility, has easy access to a restroom and drinking water/food. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">If you are looking for a suitable climb to everest on in San Diego County, here are ten good candidates to consider. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibL7Sg6K0L3btJFep1cSrXOLtJ6mpyZYG5j1HBaIR3U38BUjFVP3z4h8pZ-2yyJdLmon8fSvEmgh8Ee1wLWOWNU6w0_XcmCHmuzn_X_UmIBNvRK-t_me2MF2K8i6stEkiEaS9N3bREi89c2ym8qC-2IaBtO1LYjy1KXNxAHtsaLmgc7nkdpNPULDXC/s1700/Cabrillo%20tidepool%20hill%20(31mar2013).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1285" data-original-width="1700" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibL7Sg6K0L3btJFep1cSrXOLtJ6mpyZYG5j1HBaIR3U38BUjFVP3z4h8pZ-2yyJdLmon8fSvEmgh8Ee1wLWOWNU6w0_XcmCHmuzn_X_UmIBNvRK-t_me2MF2K8i6stEkiEaS9N3bREi89c2ym8qC-2IaBtO1LYjy1KXNxAHtsaLmgc7nkdpNPULDXC/s320/Cabrillo%20tidepool%20hill%20(31mar2013).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Cabrillo Rd (Tidepool Hill)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>1. Cabrillo Rd (Tidepool) in Cabrillo National Park</b><span> (</span><a href="https://www.nps.gov/cabr/planyourvisit/fees.htm">entry fee/park pass required</a><span> to use): </span><i>[1.6 miles/ 302ft: 97 repeats] </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Restrooms & water available at the visitor center, and also at the first tidepool parking at the bottom of the hill. This spot stays nice and cool even during the summer months, being right next to the ocean. Automobile traffic is very light and generally slow moving. It is, however, short, and requires almost a hundred repeats to get to the requisite 29029 ft of elevation gain for everesting. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Oh, there is a handful of days each year when entry fee is waived at all national parks including Cabrillo. Find them at <a href="https://www.nps.gov/cabr/planyourvisit/fee-free-days.htm">Cabrillo National Park website</a>.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>2. N Torrey Pines Rd (Outside) from Torrey Pines State Beach entrance to NU System Driveway traffic light</b>: <i>[3.2 miles/415 ft: 70 repeats]</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Restrooms & water available at Torrey Pines State Beach parking lot (no fee for bikes to enter). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Before northbound (downhill) cycling on Torrey Pines Park Service Road (Inside) was banned in 2014, I would have suggested Torrey Pines Inside instead as the steeper average gradient there wouldn't require so many repeats (and the climb would be quite less boring and hot, being more exposed to the ocean breeze). But since we can't ride down inside the park anymore, the outside road is the better option for your quads. Do be careful crossing the road at the bottom of the descent, as there is no traffic light and there are many distracted drivers there looking more for a parking spot than for bicycle traffic!</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVE5OF2-2eNPYIRXnQ8JFaofTbrWTRVwlmgkH6xhe02zEpxTQvYr7ntTyEfvUHmAwz2yxzA7izaQvzfHm_H2c9v648iglvmWFT3qGbs5IqlK1kk6LM2sz1Pvb-ah8DDcO8jrAguQyHOqEvDxpUCJ-8FgoHNKQkyYFAGc2bmE9cBLm9EwCgDKHOCmJ2/s1620/IMG_4900.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="1620" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVE5OF2-2eNPYIRXnQ8JFaofTbrWTRVwlmgkH6xhe02zEpxTQvYr7ntTyEfvUHmAwz2yxzA7izaQvzfHm_H2c9v648iglvmWFT3qGbs5IqlK1kk6LM2sz1Pvb-ah8DDcO8jrAguQyHOqEvDxpUCJ-8FgoHNKQkyYFAGc2bmE9cBLm9EwCgDKHOCmJ2/s320/IMG_4900.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtOzOADTxBScHSqKNGsaQ9pVTrYw816x1oY5LDTn2bF-klZfx-ySHrbH_VFlBFIReTpTmD11nXv3KRQewTa8mHVvGLiyjFqR07HZxtJwcITz3uBYTQSK1c2P8xIwQj9No5LJyvYy4XEO8OcsR3jqlSQ8RVqVn6fxEsOUSmAHJnRFDfcHP9BgsBVnJ/s1600/southbound%20N%20Torrey%20Pines%20Rd%20at%20state%20beach.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtOzOADTxBScHSqKNGsaQ9pVTrYw816x1oY5LDTn2bF-klZfx-ySHrbH_VFlBFIReTpTmD11nXv3KRQewTa8mHVvGLiyjFqR07HZxtJwcITz3uBYTQSK1c2P8xIwQj9No5LJyvYy4XEO8OcsR3jqlSQ8RVqVn6fxEsOUSmAHJnRFDfcHP9BgsBVnJ/s320/southbound%20N%20Torrey%20Pines%20Rd%20at%20state%20beach.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">N Torrey Pines Rd at Torrey Pines State Beach.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>3. Fanuel/Cardeno Dr from Tourmaline St to Via Cabrera in Pacific Beach:</b> <i>[3.6 miles/521 ft: 56 repeats]</i> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Restrooms & water available at Fanuel Park on the south end of Fanuel (at Mission Bay Boardwalk). You could do the whole length of Fanuel/Cardeno Dr and start at Fanuel Park, of course, but that adds many more traffic lights (and not much more climbing). The Mormon church parking lot at Tourmaline would make a good turn around point. I would also turn around at Via Cabrera instead of going all the way to the top at La Jolla Scenic Dr intersection for ease of turning (traffic is generally light on Cardeno Dr but more robust on La Jolla Scenic Dr).</span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPdQe1OTlnZKQ_p4XFe-8wl9CCtkvjsGfjBe1Mx6TgFFDXAusg6he24Nqln69NbuSHBOOVtPqkyeGCNlhxKWGmaFCSk81Js83nGixvUBFYZJ7BWeBIZAgF-73-KBpdWdUsbNp03p5E2Yb4JIb6779h8GFg7tH5t8kmw2syHZ-g2XFgIUd2wxD_hEP/s2200/Cardeno%20St%201.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="2200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPdQe1OTlnZKQ_p4XFe-8wl9CCtkvjsGfjBe1Mx6TgFFDXAusg6he24Nqln69NbuSHBOOVtPqkyeGCNlhxKWGmaFCSk81Js83nGixvUBFYZJ7BWeBIZAgF-73-KBpdWdUsbNp03p5E2Yb4JIb6779h8GFg7tH5t8kmw2syHZ-g2XFgIUd2wxD_hEP/s320/Cardeno%20St%201.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Cardeno Dr</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SS4WKsjWJEQAap5e2FCydgQm7akihS9wIr__SZ09F1yMIs8ZfNd7-ByFjFrgycqIJoZSFdKzbTtDETQdV1qxz0GB3Ki2tpAlNRosyKgNXC5m4xkL5ko8pm9dLuZsvzP7ikKCfII37uEQAcyNaNBDMuHaDM00ggU8358Dk-2Ft8k4OiOOi34f8q-8/s1650/Team%20Fun%20climbing%20Nautilus%20St%20on%20Mt%20Soledad.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="1650" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SS4WKsjWJEQAap5e2FCydgQm7akihS9wIr__SZ09F1yMIs8ZfNd7-ByFjFrgycqIJoZSFdKzbTtDETQdV1qxz0GB3Ki2tpAlNRosyKgNXC5m4xkL5ko8pm9dLuZsvzP7ikKCfII37uEQAcyNaNBDMuHaDM00ggU8358Dk-2Ft8k4OiOOi34f8q-8/s320/Team%20Fun%20climbing%20Nautilus%20St%20on%20Mt%20Soledad.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Nautilus St climb.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>4. Nautilus St from Fay Ave to La Jolla Scenic Dr in La Jolla</b>: <i>[3.1 miles/ 465ft: 63 repeats]</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Restrooms & water available at Coggan Family Aquatic Complex on the NW corner of Fay Ave at Nautilus. On the descent I would take the right at W Muirlands Dr to Fay Ave instead of staying on Nautilus for an easier turn-around back up the hill. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>5. Alto Dr from Lemon Ave to Mt Helix Nature Theater in La Mesa</b>: <i>[3.6 miles/ 715 ft: 41 repeats</i></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i>]</i> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Port-a-toilet and water available at Mt Helix Nature Theater. Park at the Nature Theater on top and descend down. There is a temptation to take a left turn right after the bridge over Mt Helix Dr's uphill lane and go against traffic for a short stretch to get to Alto Dr on the descent, but I would really caution against it. That sort of riding there gets more hazardous as you tire, and any accident there would really set back bikes - local residents relation. Please descend carefully on Alto Dr as it is very narrow and has many blind driveways, and the local folks like to come out and walk their hill. Expect people behind blind turns and stuff and don't rip down Alto Dr (don't be that person to convince the locals to get speed bumps installed on that lovely lane). </span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdGOQgKTrca1v7x9kKfGhl_5X5jXLIHy_Ad6_RiaZLFT3md2eBdoNyXmUY_36_zlxXtzry-lEoyU1Q98k1CElgXuhbqHBQZuAXKgxe2SLB2zMYkQ-CKKqTvEP8BQ43hOXL6WxAM8ooPM9T8iDKHZJLK3I5P8O8l-cbEUoGfkvayhsoIJ8Di8lR7fK/s805/Everesting%20Alto%20Dr%20Mt%20Helix.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="805" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdGOQgKTrca1v7x9kKfGhl_5X5jXLIHy_Ad6_RiaZLFT3md2eBdoNyXmUY_36_zlxXtzry-lEoyU1Q98k1CElgXuhbqHBQZuAXKgxe2SLB2zMYkQ-CKKqTvEP8BQ43hOXL6WxAM8ooPM9T8iDKHZJLK3I5P8O8l-cbEUoGfkvayhsoIJ8Di8lR7fK/s320/Everesting%20Alto%20Dr%20Mt%20Helix.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Alto Dr climb and descent on Mt Helix.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLjQ5sLyMy8d7CeZxmggytLlsFwb1ZdrouK0lPtg7uS2W-L8kggmmS6QRszIEsuC7CPqHZhBHKr5wReGLc6sdN7yT6GHJOKqr901_FkSbWzAUmL1ypv0DZ6OVsNjAE0TxjlARKU5AGv3uwWeH0E4T8UNeXrETIuKoQPjt34wI-pFBeTCMNr2ze--j/s1600/Tim%20climbing%20Alto%20Dr%204.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1223" data-original-width="1600" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLjQ5sLyMy8d7CeZxmggytLlsFwb1ZdrouK0lPtg7uS2W-L8kggmmS6QRszIEsuC7CPqHZhBHKr5wReGLc6sdN7yT6GHJOKqr901_FkSbWzAUmL1ypv0DZ6OVsNjAE0TxjlARKU5AGv3uwWeH0E4T8UNeXrETIuKoQPjt34wI-pFBeTCMNr2ze--j/s320/Tim%20climbing%20Alto%20Dr%204.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Alto Dr on Mt Helix</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>6. Mission Gorge Rd - Golfcrest in San Carlos</b>: <i>[3.6 miles/433 ft: 67 repeat + continue to Ruane St]</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Restrooms & water available at Cowles Mountain Trailhead at the top of the climb. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I would do this in a clockwise loop rather than out-and-back, to descend down Jackson Dr and just keep on turning right without having to cross any road. Traffic is generally pretty light, though it does get quite hot in this neighborhood during the summer months.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKWBgMP3LTyvsxgY3rewRSqZnaUSQK0iotyC9ruIwD_IK0bTGDU4wphRMmM9kxCfWzKwsMaTia03NTH5qNKexJEqWXLRQkcqx-SFFZv9v0uQKAoxKz1cwIARVcc2lkdSF9kbK2DnEOcovsqDYJPR3S9dPNNQT47DzqvLDl1R_mDs7J-tklBfUYX6l/s753/Everesting%20Mission%20Gorge%20-%20Golfcrest.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="753" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKWBgMP3LTyvsxgY3rewRSqZnaUSQK0iotyC9ruIwD_IK0bTGDU4wphRMmM9kxCfWzKwsMaTia03NTH5qNKexJEqWXLRQkcqx-SFFZv9v0uQKAoxKz1cwIARVcc2lkdSF9kbK2DnEOcovsqDYJPR3S9dPNNQT47DzqvLDl1R_mDs7J-tklBfUYX6l/s320/Everesting%20Mission%20Gorge%20-%20Golfcrest.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEWs_IzfGlnN3P0wCVpBbRbkG_SiXPdviC77mjV8gAEG7yA0a9uBHZcV9eLSBwj-ltahqFMRcdII-AbTbMD7kfr67J01nxUTK-nPz-xKSLoFBtXxB5ElOzDOXuKQBF7mCzsy96apjEfyc4LHEitJVZy1GV94B89zqLus16LWAzojypLjf2GaKMcHQ/s1600/IMG_1394.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="1600" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEWs_IzfGlnN3P0wCVpBbRbkG_SiXPdviC77mjV8gAEG7yA0a9uBHZcV9eLSBwj-ltahqFMRcdII-AbTbMD7kfr67J01nxUTK-nPz-xKSLoFBtXxB5ElOzDOXuKQBF7mCzsy96apjEfyc4LHEitJVZy1GV94B89zqLus16LWAzojypLjf2GaKMcHQ/s320/IMG_1394.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Mission Gorge Rd climbing to Golfcrest Dr.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>7. Honey Springs Rd from Hollenbeck Canyon Trailhead to Barber Mountain Rd in Jamul</b>:<i> [6.8 miles/ 1856ft: 16 repeats] </i> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">There is a port-a-toilet at Hollenbeck Canyon Trailhead staging area at the bottom of the climb, and a potable water spigot on the uphill side of the building (close to the stone bench) of Deerhorn Valley CDF fire station just past Jacob's red barn after Deerhorn Valley Rd turn off. </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtaziIBIlItFGTYURYw709UR7zdxch8XVIATzo67i-XR4iPsXJV4UNNIL8Sx93bz8PP8HlQlIzXMPvRgt3j8SArQvmPfcplXYVQE0DaZbyFtyBGqcQR8u09kcmSS2JKVotJLPwCwnoqowA24fS8jOoWWezGCUtmKXFEGJ5vQSe9gO4oinggqdqq6M/s1600/up%20Honey%20Springs%20Rd%20to%20Deerhorn%20Valley.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtaziIBIlItFGTYURYw709UR7zdxch8XVIATzo67i-XR4iPsXJV4UNNIL8Sx93bz8PP8HlQlIzXMPvRgt3j8SArQvmPfcplXYVQE0DaZbyFtyBGqcQR8u09kcmSS2JKVotJLPwCwnoqowA24fS8jOoWWezGCUtmKXFEGJ5vQSe9gO4oinggqdqq6M/s320/up%20Honey%20Springs%20Rd%20to%20Deerhorn%20Valley.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Honey Springs Rd</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdY1iiv8Mw4IdZDxqG0C7gu_691hjN4jEyUUUCb4I7agSq--rLkpRtK_2Y4H3ncuQGC6PmONcUvVUdJa-d4LlV3yKZKWK_xzSehZlLwGCvQNHulo64-X-OGUcFIX5-ekG-hJk7nGZu5WsOuiF3EXEtjae05zvuyfrjBNxOToPx_W1JKKnQ3LZKS5mX/s1600/CDF%20Fire%20Sta%20Deerhorn%20water%20tap%20&%20bench.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdY1iiv8Mw4IdZDxqG0C7gu_691hjN4jEyUUUCb4I7agSq--rLkpRtK_2Y4H3ncuQGC6PmONcUvVUdJa-d4LlV3yKZKWK_xzSehZlLwGCvQNHulo64-X-OGUcFIX5-ekG-hJk7nGZu5WsOuiF3EXEtjae05zvuyfrjBNxOToPx_W1JKKnQ3LZKS5mX/s320/CDF%20Fire%20Sta%20Deerhorn%20water%20tap%20&%20bench.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Deerhorn Valley CDF Fire Station water tap.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Honey Springs Rd is not recommended during the summer and early fall months due to excessive heat and when there is a wildfire closer than 10 miles from it (it being the lone paved escape route for Deerhorn Valley, Bratton Valley, and Mother Grundy communities). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>8. S Twin Oaks Valley Rd from Village Dr to Ledge St traffic light just past the fire station in San Marcos</b>: <i>[3.6 miles/ 683ft: 43 repeats]</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Restrooms & water available at Lakeview Trailhead Staging Area at Double Peak School traffic light.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I would make the bottom of this something of a loop, so that you would start from the roundabout where Village Dr meets Santa Barbara Dr and head east, turning right with the hill onto Sunstone, and then right up the hill on S Twin Oaks Valley Rd and climb to Ledge St, using the traffic light there to turn back down the hill on S Twin Oaks Valley Rd, turning right on S Village near the bottom of the descent and follow the road around the block to cross S Twin Oaks Valley Rd again. There you could either the left-turn back up the hill (or you could even go straight on Village across the intersection and then turn left at the Santa Barbara Dr roundabout and recommence the loop. </span></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_PHZseMoBZi9RO-ys1F4gcf4phPFlWdFAdZq5c1Zx3mVaE0yH8wN9G68PYdME1LewkWyV4X-TEVWjGvQpGiSXi__LM792HPGSW8Q4nZjvrij3OQLYix5f7HfqZ3SpjWuEzCbDmVeAZgut_2XuswSmfFXhMRkRB5uxJ9etDb4WQsOFdBLDB0XkNG7/s821/Everesting%20S%20Twin%20Oaks%20Valley%20Rd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="821" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_PHZseMoBZi9RO-ys1F4gcf4phPFlWdFAdZq5c1Zx3mVaE0yH8wN9G68PYdME1LewkWyV4X-TEVWjGvQpGiSXi__LM792HPGSW8Q4nZjvrij3OQLYix5f7HfqZ3SpjWuEzCbDmVeAZgut_2XuswSmfFXhMRkRB5uxJ9etDb4WQsOFdBLDB0XkNG7/s320/Everesting%20S%20Twin%20Oaks%20Valley%20Rd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxcQhVh9hpuIkIG57kbOWVX9ZkBMDjcoaBSiCrAbGMFnyV2sDLrmsKcZX7xbz_IVu9AonWC7J316SpUbd1Bm_zkHTGFZWLXn5CDam_LCcMgOX-EES_gKv2A98IsTiDT3s1r5bCB2jbii76qo9SE06m_PGvYIBAqk_YZP3QjwEZMsXFwJdksA6ED4l/s1600/Double%20Peak%20Ridgeline%20Trail%20staging%20area%201.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1182" data-original-width="1600" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxcQhVh9hpuIkIG57kbOWVX9ZkBMDjcoaBSiCrAbGMFnyV2sDLrmsKcZX7xbz_IVu9AonWC7J316SpUbd1Bm_zkHTGFZWLXn5CDam_LCcMgOX-EES_gKv2A98IsTiDT3s1r5bCB2jbii76qo9SE06m_PGvYIBAqk_YZP3QjwEZMsXFwJdksA6ED4l/s320/Double%20Peak%20Ridgeline%20Trail%20staging%20area%201.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Lakeview Trailhead Staging Area restrooms & water.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>9. San Elijo Rd from S Melrose Dr to Ledge St traffic light (fire station) in San Marcos</b>: <i>[3 miles/ 884 ft: 33 repeats]</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Restrooms & water available at San Elijo Park (just down the hill from Schoolhouse Way). Like S Twin Oaks Valley Rd, this is a busy thoroughfare although with a consistent bike lane. When school is in expect heavy traffic at school rush hours... along with the usual rush hours. Both S Twin Oaks Valley Rd and San Elijo Rd are better for riding on weekends.</span></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfSOB12YjuHGuFEsp-nMwQsrqMQgZDNmHUZ5ZmaBH613FpX68Pm6IK1pqCAHdemSlt7fg2RcWb_C8zDjQh7Gd-66dVcBd7G1qW0KC_Glje90rBIlGZfVhJ-QjXz3To9VXP9l7b24c6A_9QUWZK8LFbt3optF5LfUpe5aGS3448CacQ2nLP1UerQBG/s1400/IMG_2199.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="1400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfSOB12YjuHGuFEsp-nMwQsrqMQgZDNmHUZ5ZmaBH613FpX68Pm6IK1pqCAHdemSlt7fg2RcWb_C8zDjQh7Gd-66dVcBd7G1qW0KC_Glje90rBIlGZfVhJ-QjXz3To9VXP9l7b24c6A_9QUWZK8LFbt3optF5LfUpe5aGS3448CacQ2nLP1UerQBG/s320/IMG_2199.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">San Elijo Rd climbing through San Elijo Hills.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>10. Palomar South Grade Rd (S6) from Oak Knolls Campground driveway to the intersection with Palomar East Grade Rd (S7) on Palomar Mountain</b>: <i>[13.1 miles/2493 ft: 12 repeats or 11 repeats and continue to around mile marker 46.6]</i>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Restrooms and water available at Oak Knolls Campground and at Mother's Kitchen Restaurant at the top of the climb. </span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3sSrpYbnqGLpenhHD-4sKGiwQa1dB7c_iWp19bnCR5Jjz-31_xG2PIGtDZvSuSzhPDm9tnd_xDKQjnugxtlDweso_29knz-ce7Io6rbPeSAGHZYyBwJc9EqPk0mRQp6Q277H2uUUUl4WYwOOSz1WqaE4dz-EkP3xJxd35VA7qmyFQS1_tdnVztjt/s2100/16%20Jerry%20&%20Ashle%20on%20S%20Grade%20Rd%20with%20motocycle.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1508" data-original-width="2100" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3sSrpYbnqGLpenhHD-4sKGiwQa1dB7c_iWp19bnCR5Jjz-31_xG2PIGtDZvSuSzhPDm9tnd_xDKQjnugxtlDweso_29knz-ce7Io6rbPeSAGHZYyBwJc9EqPk0mRQp6Q277H2uUUUl4WYwOOSz1WqaE4dz-EkP3xJxd35VA7qmyFQS1_tdnVztjt/s320/16%20Jerry%20&%20Ashle%20on%20S%20Grade%20Rd%20with%20motocycle.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Palomar South Grade (S6) Rd.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Palomar South Grade Rd is not recommended on weekends and holidays due to sport-motorcycles and boaters traffic. It is also not recommended during the summer and early fall months due to excessive heat (and persistent and super pesky horse flies between 2000 and 5000 ft elevation markers). </span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydz3SCwW2gUkmiDKsjK9ei4b4mqgpahuppGX4E3Z8V9-AtfLfTpPkZVQTiUenZxfj8F-OxbmwSGFjQDfcUUzh_oSunBTvb8kfI63SCIveterVU5ktgT98t1sFfJQlhaxzxujuBwI5tsTJJU3DrqjLzjrKxe_eZ-Lt6kMK8gD7XDEK5vdtD2VoIc2y/s1800/IMG_6197.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydz3SCwW2gUkmiDKsjK9ei4b4mqgpahuppGX4E3Z8V9-AtfLfTpPkZVQTiUenZxfj8F-OxbmwSGFjQDfcUUzh_oSunBTvb8kfI63SCIveterVU5ktgT98t1sFfJQlhaxzxujuBwI5tsTJJU3DrqjLzjrKxe_eZ-Lt6kMK8gD7XDEK5vdtD2VoIc2y/s320/IMG_6197.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There are 3 cattle grates on Palomar South Grade Rd.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">This is the longest and most consistent climbing road on the list. From the first curve after Oak Knolls Campground all the way to the top the road constantly climbs at 6-9% grade in a series of wiggly curves. That makes it a favorite for local riders aiming to achieve an everest within San Diego County. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Of course, you could extend this to include Hwy 76 from Jilberto's Taco Shop where Hwy 76 meets Valley Center Rd and only have to do 7 repeats to attain the everest, but Hwy 76 is not all that safe to ride that many times on (especially when fatigued) in a day. You'd be running east-west on it's iffy shoulder (rumble-stripped when there is one) with both sunrise and sunset (blind drivers hours)... That is just not healthy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><u>San Diego Steepies Series</u>:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Hardest Climbs in San Diego's North County </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://smorgcycle.blogspot.com/2013/01/san-diegos-rite-of-passage-road-cycling.html">San Diego's Rite of Passage Climbs</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="Other steepy-related posts: San Diego's Steepest Sub-Mile Climbs San Diego City's Rite of Passage Climbs San Diego North County's Rite of Passage Climbs San Diego North County's Steepest Sub-Mile Climbs">San Diego's Steepest Sub-Miler Short Climbs</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://smorgcycle.blogspot.com/2019/08/your-truly-is-swimming-in-middle-age.html">North County's Rite of Passage Climbs</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">North County's Steep Climbs </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">North County's Steepest Paved Climbs</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-12345167816164242062022-08-30T11:29:00.007-07:002022-09-02T10:21:27.848-07:00Are bicycles allowed on the freeways?<ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Did I just see someone bicycling on the freeway shoulder? Is that even allowed?? </span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Well, if you were driving on specific stretches of some freeways, you probably did! </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Generally, bicycles and pedestrians are <i>not</i> allowed on the freeway, except for specific one-exit stretches where there is no reasonable surface street connecting point A to point B that a road bike can safely use.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">These bike-legal stretches of the freeways are always only one-exit in length, and bikes are required to exit onto any rest area and to re-enter the freeway on the far side, so as to not cross any freeway access ramp. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">How do you know which stretches of freeway are bike-legal?</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">If you are already driving on the freeway, you likely won't notice the bike-legal bits until it's almost over (there would be a little white sign on the right side of the freeway telling bicycles to exit, like the one in the last photo on this post). If you are entering the freeway at the start of a bike-legal stretch, the little white sign an the entrance of the on-ramp will not have 'bicycles' on its prohibited list. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSA4hUCgcMVKEq-82yvOMwI1-2A8B15HUBuJiE4v9fJGY5wk4SEn9ymivnAGYhnumLfRdCvma0lrxnIY218ITb_pOIJlnRA8IP5UGFd3cJucKz7byOL6gFgRBMrdXPEHY03VndWbFNYqOI5fe4mFRFLRuCeKnJjpLQ-7zvWVucgXfQoqzX5B9XlAye/s1200/no%20bicycle%20on%20freeway%20sign%20I-15%20at%20SR56.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="934" data-original-width="1200" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSA4hUCgcMVKEq-82yvOMwI1-2A8B15HUBuJiE4v9fJGY5wk4SEn9ymivnAGYhnumLfRdCvma0lrxnIY218ITb_pOIJlnRA8IP5UGFd3cJucKz7byOL6gFgRBMrdXPEHY03VndWbFNYqOI5fe4mFRFLRuCeKnJjpLQ-7zvWVucgXfQoqzX5B9XlAye/s320/no%20bicycle%20on%20freeway%20sign%20I-15%20at%20SR56.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Above is the usual sign you see entering a freeway on-ramp.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpchAI2EJAeyBBD384-IwgDI8ietWQuFrd2p6nozLNziVKe54_IeJrV16GWYQOV4cIGoki-zEZPvHP0WBk9K_o6SVjWrh1thYv_q-GhKbmysb_UY1KXfLN7200GKAmkQLvSmUbrL62d1RpZOr-tW6ilyrkOEVTKM3n-8lj5U3QqLnZO-1yxaeH_7uy/s1320/I15%20biking%202.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1320" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpchAI2EJAeyBBD384-IwgDI8ietWQuFrd2p6nozLNziVKe54_IeJrV16GWYQOV4cIGoki-zEZPvHP0WBk9K_o6SVjWrh1thYv_q-GhKbmysb_UY1KXfLN7200GKAmkQLvSmUbrL62d1RpZOr-tW6ilyrkOEVTKM3n-8lj5U3QqLnZO-1yxaeH_7uy/s320/I15%20biking%202.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This is the sign you see entering a bike-legal stretch of a freeway. Note the absence of 'bicycles' on the prohibited list.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Just to clarify, class I and class II E-bikes are also allowed where regular pedal bikes are. </span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">In San Diego County, the designated bikeable stretches of the freeways are:</span></li></ul></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>1. I-5 shoulder between Las Pulgas Rd (Camp Pendleton) and Oceanside Harbor Dr (and sometimes, between Basilone Dr and Las Pulgas Rd).</b> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">This is due to USMC Camp Pendleton being an active military base. There is a designated bike route thru Camp P, but it requires a base access pass that is only available to US Citizens and Residents (<a href="https://www.pendleton.marines.mil/Base-Access/Recreational-Bicycling/">how to apply for a Camp Pendleton base bike pass</a>). And, even with the base pass, base access may also be suspended with little or no notice due to military activities. The I-5 shoulder between Las Pulgas Rd and Harbor Dr in Oceanside is therefore always bike-legal (except during construction/maintenance work on the freeway, in which case Caltrans will usually provide a shuttle service). </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>2. I-15 shoulder between Via Rancho/Bear Valley Pkwy in Escondido and W Bernardo/Pomerado Rd in Rancho Bernardo</b> (across San Dieguito River). There is a pedestrian/bicycle bridge running parallel to the west of I-15 accessible from Sunset Dr in Escondido and W Bernardo Dr in Rancho Bernardo, but it lies in the San Dieguito River Preserve, the north side of the bridge is a dirt trail and is closed at night between sunset and sunrise.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvVy0UJGUIPESbuxV3lxNi5N-1AwZymLpRir2gl5IvKvAUKiiwsE0GQhAFaNnlFl_uIRAS9i8ePhiZB3-3xxW6RijldorZGMV-RbAGNkJ3s2Wx_KjEezL332KbugZOlCiAu0SDUiY8pRyCHNEJbKrOsviF-H_5Um0o2qv1jLIgJdmpYWaFH3lbz5B/s1600/I15%20biking%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="1600" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvVy0UJGUIPESbuxV3lxNi5N-1AwZymLpRir2gl5IvKvAUKiiwsE0GQhAFaNnlFl_uIRAS9i8ePhiZB3-3xxW6RijldorZGMV-RbAGNkJ3s2Wx_KjEezL332KbugZOlCiAu0SDUiY8pRyCHNEJbKrOsviF-H_5Um0o2qv1jLIgJdmpYWaFH3lbz5B/s320/I15%20biking%201.JPG" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9u9XkY0cJ05eMHTDkXyAt2FpXw9JdvuqYxIIAkmYLpFmF5018UokInBmINZ8xa5sqPBlC8I9WsA8SG2jioemzXHIsIyujGSyzYWgtESnXZMso9D5a1LJP7CRv4tB32JOCMMUYTcva5KfVTHsVV4sysfBw-46BU-So2MDlwjANR3-2-8OIbAdHKYEK/s2000/I15%20biking%203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1297" data-original-width="2000" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9u9XkY0cJ05eMHTDkXyAt2FpXw9JdvuqYxIIAkmYLpFmF5018UokInBmINZ8xa5sqPBlC8I9WsA8SG2jioemzXHIsIyujGSyzYWgtESnXZMso9D5a1LJP7CRv4tB32JOCMMUYTcva5KfVTHsVV4sysfBw-46BU-So2MDlwjANR3-2-8OIbAdHKYEK/s320/I15%20biking%203.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>3. I-8 shoulder between E Willow Rd in Alpine/Viejas and Hwy 79/Japatul Valley Rd in Descanso. </b>The only other ways to travel between Alpine and Descanso are the dirt Viejas Grade Rd and Tavern - Japatul Rd - Japatul Valley Rd. Both of which add significantly more climbing and/or distance. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Please note that Caltrans is working on I-8 from the Vista Point rest area just east of E Willow Rd exit and on east for 10 miles starting in August 2022. This reduces eastbound lane to one travel lane, and <u>no bicycles are allowed</u> (a shuttle service for bikes needing to travel between E Willow and Hwy 79/Japatul Valley Rd, but you have to call, with likely significant wait time). <a href="https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-11/news/2022-d11news/20220721-d11news-i8vistapointclosure?fbclid=IwAR0CgZto8o1B3MhGhmgQtPFjC6DeDLIhstVXPej_quKD_Ql3B_t88V1HbMw">More info at Caltrans</a>. This only affects eastbound travel.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>4. I-805 between Main St/Auto Park Dr and Palm Ave</b> (Otay Valley). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>5. I-125 (South Bay Expressway) between Birch Rd (Otay Ranch) and Otay Mesa Rd</b> (Otay Mesa). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The I-5 shoulder between Sorrento Valley Rd and Genessee Rd used to be bike-legal until a few years ago when the separated bikeway (a segment of the North Coast Corridor Bikeway) opened. Now bicycles are no longer allowed on that stretch of the freeway. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> </span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><i><u>In Imperial County to our east:</u></i> </span></li><li class="yiv9480822305MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><i>I-8 between In-Ko-Pah Rd. (Imperial County Line) and Junction with SR-98.</i></span></li><li class="yiv9480822305MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><i>I-8 between Imperial Hwy and Dunaway Rd.</i></span></li><li class="yiv9480822305MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><i>I-8 between Gordon’s Well Rd. and Ogilby Rd.</i></span></li><li class="yiv9480822305MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><i>I-8 between Sidewinder Rd. and SR-188/Araz Rd.</i></span></li></ul></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xHlWX0o1ZeXxb2zrtJXR2Jg7WjbXmRtNeiwbd8mnkm1-Ru7Vsw7HR_WsatUpz9kYesfWFmrxVFW7SGF-E8cy14nyU8rOmk0mY8dqFu_YAvAWPupkbbM65jLcJ9fNStAUQxFynk_8WkPlOauwizhVDe__ZKfjcLVuLTEDwZE693aoMc8vzpJqd-5M/s1000/I-8%20descent%201.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xHlWX0o1ZeXxb2zrtJXR2Jg7WjbXmRtNeiwbd8mnkm1-Ru7Vsw7HR_WsatUpz9kYesfWFmrxVFW7SGF-E8cy14nyU8rOmk0mY8dqFu_YAvAWPupkbbM65jLcJ9fNStAUQxFynk_8WkPlOauwizhVDe__ZKfjcLVuLTEDwZE693aoMc8vzpJqd-5M/s320/I-8%20descent%201.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Heading west on I-8 from Japatul Rd to E Willow Rd.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88qQ7jw7UWzreF9lJs-uSdEVFpk-cTW10hvn7tYSHLhmlM96u61WQBULvMTUGJNluuMXy_MyHXkm7EIxuvBzqBeIPtSyQd6IRI9Nth2no6pZfFT15Y80dDzFIwXjRK6-5hwV1UQdJsuXp66NL-ZEleDrV5NKZgrq5kcioINH0xubtqQnDIqG4bMir/s1600/I15%20biking%204.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="1600" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88qQ7jw7UWzreF9lJs-uSdEVFpk-cTW10hvn7tYSHLhmlM96u61WQBULvMTUGJNluuMXy_MyHXkm7EIxuvBzqBeIPtSyQd6IRI9Nth2no6pZfFT15Y80dDzFIwXjRK6-5hwV1UQdJsuXp66NL-ZEleDrV5NKZgrq5kcioINH0xubtqQnDIqG4bMir/s320/I15%20biking%204.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Bikes must exit the freeway at any rest area (and re-enter on the far side), and off-ramp. No crossing of freeway access ramp allowed.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Most cyclists are really not keen on riding on these freeway shoulders at all. Sure, the shoulders are usually roomy and relatively clean, but the discomfort of having cars zoom by at 60+ mph just a few feet away quite offsets for it. A few of these freeway shoulders are also not good for riding during wind events (the bridge over the Sweetwater River on I-8 and the long bridge over the Otay River Valley on I-805 and Hwy 125 come to mind). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">If you see someone riding a bicycle on these stretches of freeway, they're doing it mostly out of necessity. Please be kind. They'll be taking the next exit off the freeway anyhow. </span></div>Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-11156723168196649562022-07-22T13:55:00.001-07:002022-07-22T13:55:36.915-07:00San Marcos Mountain Tower<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">There are a few distinctive local hills in San Diego's North County between the Pacific Coast and I-15, and north of the San Dieguito River (Lake Hodges and on west to San Dieguito Lagoon) that are dead useful for orientation purpose whenever you get turned around on a bike ride and can no longer tell where you are and where you are headed. One of these striking looking hills that look different from different angles is San Marcos Mountain, particularly if seen from Vista proper (from WSW looking ENE at the mountain), with the steep zigzag of the very private Catalina Ave etched to its western face. </span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNLyyFhnA6DmQfzfhvhphawXS4FDBrpLhqR_EUj3Kkekm66PkGdmkcP9HVtLb1NRpYdk4ADSmqTZt2WHPCy4IaljX76K-sDSCcBgbgQXVRXLlISq1n2FND1VSU-FpvnyTiUM0yMpT0-V5IIlf7hMJmY8Vskzt5R2vIhl_JcCbChpaxuHA3_l__MEl/s4896/San%20Marcos%20Mtn%20and%20Catalina%20Ave%20from%20Vista.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNLyyFhnA6DmQfzfhvhphawXS4FDBrpLhqR_EUj3Kkekm66PkGdmkcP9HVtLb1NRpYdk4ADSmqTZt2WHPCy4IaljX76K-sDSCcBgbgQXVRXLlISq1n2FND1VSU-FpvnyTiUM0yMpT0-V5IIlf7hMJmY8Vskzt5R2vIhl_JcCbChpaxuHA3_l__MEl/s320/San%20Marcos%20Mtn%20and%20Catalina%20Ave%20from%20Vista.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The tantalizing Catalina Ave is, however, private and tripple-gated so tightly that even an amoeba would find it hard to squeeze through. The only viable route up to the San Marcos Mtn tower is the southern assault up Hardell Ln from Buena Creek Rd. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1600" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflm5v1j4dJYt3dV1rQZj6YW6cTKqW1vG6wAJbYvFGK6GfveTs3nqukR83i9Lhyz6BC0pV7Z7ZBAPJx-rNdTqa-k4kpfyHAfavv_T5muOwdpeHQrL6Rz5lRfB5Fkd6knKILjFeoD_IS-I/w320-h230/DSC00941.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Hardell Ln branches into three after the last house. Take the middle branch.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflm5v1j4dJYt3dV1rQZj6YW6cTKqW1vG6wAJbYvFGK6GfveTs3nqukR83i9Lhyz6BC0pV7Z7ZBAPJx-rNdTqa-k4kpfyHAfavv_T5muOwdpeHQrL6Rz5lRfB5Fkd6knKILjFeoD_IS-I/s1600/DSC00941.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbgTfiGJYMSoA85C2bYu8CZYitB9tYG42d-0_TUej5e9mAeEYOMGVqqxMmBj5s4DodSS13MAxdrL2LS019HhpqZortlHMWaUKruNw9rkAK-2H_QLZP2u_Laq28ZO6rXwR78wU3dR5PD-dokzdve5FdSwECDHYufV5OfGiOiaaFBDAQQJ0tASRoym2/s1600/DSC00942.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbgTfiGJYMSoA85C2bYu8CZYitB9tYG42d-0_TUej5e9mAeEYOMGVqqxMmBj5s4DodSS13MAxdrL2LS019HhpqZortlHMWaUKruNw9rkAK-2H_QLZP2u_Laq28ZO6rXwR78wU3dR5PD-dokzdve5FdSwECDHYufV5OfGiOiaaFBDAQQJ0tASRoym2/s320/DSC00942.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Past the gate, be sure to stay either on the road or on the trail to the right of it. </td></tr></tbody></table><br />I used to range into the Hollyberry neighborhood via a dirt trail approach from the south, over the Santa Fe Hills (from Borden Rd & Las Posas Rd) for a car-less gravel-bike-friendly ride with good deer and coyote sighting opportunities. A new subdivision is being constructed there, however, and the trail is currently fenced off.... hopefully just temporarily. (I have hope.. since this is in the City of San Marcos, and San Marcos has been pretty consistently awesome about putting in hike/bike-able trails whenever they build a new subdivision. If only I could convince the mayor of San Marcos to come and mayor next door Vista as well). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT06G6-t6Y1111rriNvKGLVEQH4FAHQ2LIkE3gMh4z7mwdcfxxEhE46fTLQa_yoU1c2rat6TkuZOzLpV-tqqd0NEtepmrM9ZzqS8RAeK92JhwUmp5du3hBM4fmZTWE-GN_GsPKPMSXjfRt3CGt3Bl6bVzRXq7LsodcekCQ8My45M-gVfExJW2AKAS2/s1600/Hollyberry%20little%20library.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1212" data-original-width="1600" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT06G6-t6Y1111rriNvKGLVEQH4FAHQ2LIkE3gMh4z7mwdcfxxEhE46fTLQa_yoU1c2rat6TkuZOzLpV-tqqd0NEtepmrM9ZzqS8RAeK92JhwUmp5du3hBM4fmZTWE-GN_GsPKPMSXjfRt3CGt3Bl6bVzRXq7LsodcekCQ8My45M-gVfExJW2AKAS2/s320/Hollyberry%20little%20library.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGAL9LqYINlMYLILs8jz_IOayw5GsaXBf13nNIdqqvwrMfe18hrm2OVU5Dw5Eze9pIrp3HU02Y30uMAWvseuC2JFbGroslUNvc-u2rpzGlpxK0Xr5xMt-lC-UGt2gYZxLzcBsLW88zPL8thr7ginhXagTKGjqTeKJxYlwRh2vMYimFHlURXQM0XTl/s1500/DSC03589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="1500" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGAL9LqYINlMYLILs8jz_IOayw5GsaXBf13nNIdqqvwrMfe18hrm2OVU5Dw5Eze9pIrp3HU02Y30uMAWvseuC2JFbGroslUNvc-u2rpzGlpxK0Xr5xMt-lC-UGt2gYZxLzcBsLW88zPL8thr7ginhXagTKGjqTeKJxYlwRh2vMYimFHlURXQM0XTl/s320/DSC03589.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">There are almost always a few locals out walking the lanes in the Hollyberry neighborhood, and they are always a joy to stop and fraternize with. People are so much friendlier on foot and on bike than they are in a car. We are all going to get somewhere, and we are going to actually enjoy the process of getting somewhere... together!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> </span><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYULolUUkekuhxFHdmoiL-PkqchPJQPO8XwjKJgvzPcLOgO2vm5XjNAaECDEzqZvQUN9yfRp_GaYjLDqCFUQYcRPjUwHvS0dPV7tp-P1upxRNmqXpkXegwLlxvvqjHQCwiNxPqc-FceN4Si4paS6OSqvVNNYHBKvRxx_ZQg75scyGY4UFEUG1xQL1g/s1600/DSC00946.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1600" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYULolUUkekuhxFHdmoiL-PkqchPJQPO8XwjKJgvzPcLOgO2vm5XjNAaECDEzqZvQUN9yfRp_GaYjLDqCFUQYcRPjUwHvS0dPV7tp-P1upxRNmqXpkXegwLlxvvqjHQCwiNxPqc-FceN4Si4paS6OSqvVNNYHBKvRxx_ZQg75scyGY4UFEUG1xQL1g/s320/DSC00946.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Stay right at the Y-junction and head up the mountain.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">Anyhow, going on past the car gate, there is a short firm dirt section before the tarmac returns as the lane meanders up to the saddle of the San Marcos Mountain. The area to the left of the road is strictly private. To the right a single-track trail runs along with the road for a while before veering off to take a more bushy way up to the radio tower complex (hiking boots- and full-suspension mountain bikes- friendly. Gravel bike... not so much). </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzXQ30XPS8Rl_MPQ32M3BT9jGo8NIAOaFAgi3X-u8guIVy7LpnkYJD3t6fhoekjXn4MYI94Z1QNoNdGM6OoemSbxtJmI76dkRmSOyy3OkIfmlZILxzVx2d4o9rXWvWclxX21bHQX63RP1-4V72D1DZdxjUNKYBCfW3nk_qQw9JIVzp7cK7Lbo89_N/s1500/San%20Marcos%20Mtn%20tower%20gate%20on%20Hardell%20Rd.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzXQ30XPS8Rl_MPQ32M3BT9jGo8NIAOaFAgi3X-u8guIVy7LpnkYJD3t6fhoekjXn4MYI94Z1QNoNdGM6OoemSbxtJmI76dkRmSOyy3OkIfmlZILxzVx2d4o9rXWvWclxX21bHQX63RP1-4V72D1DZdxjUNKYBCfW3nk_qQw9JIVzp7cK7Lbo89_N/s1500/San%20Marcos%20Mtn%20tower%20gate%20on%20Hardell%20Rd.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fEvf96POB4sfvs9HIrk-VfGsFpwcRBETo7yTu49QHN5w9e0uAJy5ZUZ7i4Y0HjL9ug8PAFObQE0Qy7TI6uMSMcVuOxQNazozX6zzKsZoTmtTLMKn9F8CrpQHLsJqzowmvbzASBWjzb36Pz3RbraDRAD_9rh46LcgEZ6aJKJLcWi79GAu4HIphzTr/s1500/DSC00948.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fEvf96POB4sfvs9HIrk-VfGsFpwcRBETo7yTu49QHN5w9e0uAJy5ZUZ7i4Y0HjL9ug8PAFObQE0Qy7TI6uMSMcVuOxQNazozX6zzKsZoTmtTLMKn9F8CrpQHLsJqzowmvbzASBWjzb36Pz3RbraDRAD_9rh46LcgEZ6aJKJLcWi79GAu4HIphzTr/s320/DSC00948.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzXQ30XPS8Rl_MPQ32M3BT9jGo8NIAOaFAgi3X-u8guIVy7LpnkYJD3t6fhoekjXn4MYI94Z1QNoNdGM6OoemSbxtJmI76dkRmSOyy3OkIfmlZILxzVx2d4o9rXWvWclxX21bHQX63RP1-4V72D1DZdxjUNKYBCfW3nk_qQw9JIVzp7cK7Lbo89_N/s320/San%20Marcos%20Mtn%20tower%20gate%20on%20Hardell%20Rd.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The big gate at the saddle with a narrow opening on the right side.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">At the saddle, the fence gate to the tower complex is usually closed, but there is a narrow opening on the right for hikers to squeeze thru. If the gate is open when you head up, be sure to assume that it had closed when you head back down... and ride at a speed that would allow you to safely stop! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">This is an out-and-back ride, so be sure to scout the downhill conditions while you're going up. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK40Ep_8LWP5NoOqjXaQ0LZg_PtGnmy9XyoR9Qs6OaLcxpnl5qR3dCXhSsWDVBxQrX8ptFRUaP1XCdr0z_EoCbWPJXLvfS4U07Ni-0aoHKQLp5JnDQpr2Do7DXL8C8aDGJCJDDC47S_RumzXRMpbXmRrzxH6hMjx6lVn4Dm1QVpft-mh4SKHpVM1Rf/s1900/DSC00954.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1376" data-original-width="1900" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK40Ep_8LWP5NoOqjXaQ0LZg_PtGnmy9XyoR9Qs6OaLcxpnl5qR3dCXhSsWDVBxQrX8ptFRUaP1XCdr0z_EoCbWPJXLvfS4U07Ni-0aoHKQLp5JnDQpr2Do7DXL8C8aDGJCJDDC47S_RumzXRMpbXmRrzxH6hMjx6lVn4Dm1QVpft-mh4SKHpVM1Rf/s320/DSC00954.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jboHOoWelKkzvXiQYQHJ9DSn_BD5elMbLHFtWp3HG2GRKMhJJuAyng7XU_EHOGVIAVpQgOz61aEOUnZYU8CS68jnPtoFbemQ--ApSk1AXCVKaYiHvpka8o1Z4xWcEkZwhd2l2RxyOORR3f8FJi5UKDbsNNYyChhY_CwKCCvBjLK8h6TnrwWl6ewW/s1800/DSC00955.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jboHOoWelKkzvXiQYQHJ9DSn_BD5elMbLHFtWp3HG2GRKMhJJuAyng7XU_EHOGVIAVpQgOz61aEOUnZYU8CS68jnPtoFbemQ--ApSk1AXCVKaYiHvpka8o1Z4xWcEkZwhd2l2RxyOORR3f8FJi5UKDbsNNYyChhY_CwKCCvBjLK8h6TnrwWl6ewW/s320/DSC00955.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">After the gate, the road climbs at around 6% toward the tower and then makes a sharp left with a gradient hike to around 8-12% and doesn't let up until after the next right curve. The view is pretty fantastic. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3g1RcumKHopQ2RRWQFowQVyPHqu6CY2izOFqQvwP7oAV6Hfuig83sRRStks5sk6N1wev4lVFqjz0g5Xp7Ba5-QYMfMXs8-ERawNdjgmtyk-I9j5NTBcaIiWzxeLEoHedCdLHlrYvPr8y-W1V1TIwcl1TPTuB3ZTI6rbIlKH5BtrNqwnaYU_XjXkR/s1500/DSC00984.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3g1RcumKHopQ2RRWQFowQVyPHqu6CY2izOFqQvwP7oAV6Hfuig83sRRStks5sk6N1wev4lVFqjz0g5Xp7Ba5-QYMfMXs8-ERawNdjgmtyk-I9j5NTBcaIiWzxeLEoHedCdLHlrYvPr8y-W1V1TIwcl1TPTuB3ZTI6rbIlKH5BtrNqwnaYU_XjXkR/s320/DSC00984.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKkhEnq4e_Lf-A4FtiuBlfkHbs4Jvd-3Yd49aVbccgnXegl9YAWGouTBKZtTCb63stZfF5TshQ-ZXGgzEuoW99Qkwa5cEUccdIvlNRHX5cdw7w1BJca1Lj7egFF_PwyOvQm-tTFoJNOpr96qp5hEf4yr0XFShdnAcMVacX0JroLHiPaz35-xw7wnX/s1700/DSC00975.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKkhEnq4e_Lf-A4FtiuBlfkHbs4Jvd-3Yd49aVbccgnXegl9YAWGouTBKZtTCb63stZfF5TshQ-ZXGgzEuoW99Qkwa5cEUccdIvlNRHX5cdw7w1BJca1Lj7egFF_PwyOvQm-tTFoJNOpr96qp5hEf4yr0XFShdnAcMVacX0JroLHiPaz35-xw7wnX/s320/DSC00975.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Approaching the KGMG-FM Oceanside radio towers, with 360 view of San Diego's North County. It is amazing how analgesic the wide open vista is. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCbG3QUyo1N9DO9galFAQ3OEDHAQBOzlYNOqSStWBGOfJ1khPLwxn2Rr9nlBpfnwCsveeiFJ83BuLNT0CX4wAlciMdq2RxIXZDmJ7DqwFshUVK4M4BTTRUr1n1ocmqMf7ckO0i0HiHC_pW7tHJv5wL3opYJTBiaQwTNz-N7Bt1kSYSovv22HX2AzJ/s1500/DSC00971.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCbG3QUyo1N9DO9galFAQ3OEDHAQBOzlYNOqSStWBGOfJ1khPLwxn2Rr9nlBpfnwCsveeiFJ83BuLNT0CX4wAlciMdq2RxIXZDmJ7DqwFshUVK4M4BTTRUr1n1ocmqMf7ckO0i0HiHC_pW7tHJv5wL3opYJTBiaQwTNz-N7Bt1kSYSovv22HX2AzJ/s320/DSC00971.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihrnk-DP8yoc0fqpCaDtgLfjOecuZVk7zTyPkOHHTLDHO95_Grc_XROeTrBc8v0uKGCq3Kv6RBNape8X6hDHXl-6oscAF9smLGicm9H9-dzBXw2wXrO9DFMNvNz9IG71sbxJYeFRIWHTqMIDc7HgRmUIjKPvFcRHIhRqGE4nft1Pa7Z9hjZ3lZkZo/s1500/DSC00963.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="1500" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihrnk-DP8yoc0fqpCaDtgLfjOecuZVk7zTyPkOHHTLDHO95_Grc_XROeTrBc8v0uKGCq3Kv6RBNape8X6hDHXl-6oscAF9smLGicm9H9-dzBXw2wXrO9DFMNvNz9IG71sbxJYeFRIWHTqMIDc7HgRmUIjKPvFcRHIhRqGE4nft1Pa7Z9hjZ3lZkZo/s320/DSC00963.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">There is a use trail to the proper summit block where the American flag is, but the actual benchmark is on the top of the rock cropping, and you'd have to do some bouldering to acquire the actual summit. It's worth hiking a bit onto the narrow ridge to have a look around. For all the energy you spent and all the suffering you endured to get up to the hard earned view, you might as well take the time to enjoy the reward. That... is my excuse for loitering, and I'm sticking with it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdwQ904fbBEqdYbxYusLJaQlfSdHsfQJVRWvn-CeInWh6rcEVGtNQl71sHyoXNyXp8qzWEWS9K7aKh_jLf_-88ZJ7c8uNya2CwSd1xzbTCtHKLM2KEfLtiE-UTKQWHHUYlF99CUeHx6rnPw2nSuxi1KxPw89YIjf_E77knfyhjpJobLJ1PlNVdyl0/s1700/DSC00987.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdwQ904fbBEqdYbxYusLJaQlfSdHsfQJVRWvn-CeInWh6rcEVGtNQl71sHyoXNyXp8qzWEWS9K7aKh_jLf_-88ZJ7c8uNya2CwSd1xzbTCtHKLM2KEfLtiE-UTKQWHHUYlF99CUeHx6rnPw2nSuxi1KxPw89YIjf_E77knfyhjpJobLJ1PlNVdyl0/s320/DSC00987.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Here are some views from the various side streets around the southern shoulder of San Marcos Mountain.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgI2D5rwimQM84iplfqY3OS7jT1djR27MJgNhsyrwIZ7JOL2uCfyqJ-gi5Q0vY2obpPoQiJPvbKMspHxB2A_jA5HtAXhvyzTHHv_vPSkIA_qO2YkYGsQaiNcUmfkqd58Q3nSL4q_AHzxBgeWsKLu-7haDt8j-w7yzRr45AbkPHUQFDWoXAJbIWUYb/s1700/Cam%20de%20las%20Lomas%20final%20ramp.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1222" data-original-width="1700" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgI2D5rwimQM84iplfqY3OS7jT1djR27MJgNhsyrwIZ7JOL2uCfyqJ-gi5Q0vY2obpPoQiJPvbKMspHxB2A_jA5HtAXhvyzTHHv_vPSkIA_qO2YkYGsQaiNcUmfkqd58Q3nSL4q_AHzxBgeWsKLu-7haDt8j-w7yzRr45AbkPHUQFDWoXAJbIWUYb/s320/Cam%20de%20las%20Lomas%20final%20ramp.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcWT9lYLHxyxUFO2MGUyKN3rTRV2NCSx5qBt6t72xXLb9SC2q_todIJ7u33rsmhJgR2iR5-lh6Y8pD5aEkkE_wNCgc-yc8dewgVfH1ukrTBCrOC9Q6iwAGt8w15i0sj_pxU3DSeJBX13uj6IbECyrJTC3RUQxlkP5lWer59nZMUgecmutXVnUQ3Zp/s1700/Deeb%20temple%20of%20doom.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="1700" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcWT9lYLHxyxUFO2MGUyKN3rTRV2NCSx5qBt6t72xXLb9SC2q_todIJ7u33rsmhJgR2iR5-lh6Y8pD5aEkkE_wNCgc-yc8dewgVfH1ukrTBCrOC9Q6iwAGt8w15i0sj_pxU3DSeJBX13uj6IbECyrJTC3RUQxlkP5lWer59nZMUgecmutXVnUQ3Zp/s320/Deeb%20temple%20of%20doom.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzmS7x_TEi0ZrpXXheyQQDGFBTbqspdfAveVcZ8flx7Js_v1FBjOGJR7RclBZZkxqlxBRfS2s2duSgN3WqRtUZpafiV08wO36VJajZlrQ8qTaqhqXhVLt7ApIh4A0lVp9QTVnTmNpZMJ3Ose5HvhfZR4T0jMzyHTaoyyMVCa4Bvu_yy0jLUBr0tGk/s2000/DSC03609.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzmS7x_TEi0ZrpXXheyQQDGFBTbqspdfAveVcZ8flx7Js_v1FBjOGJR7RclBZZkxqlxBRfS2s2duSgN3WqRtUZpafiV08wO36VJajZlrQ8qTaqhqXhVLt7ApIh4A0lVp9QTVnTmNpZMJ3Ose5HvhfZR4T0jMzyHTaoyyMVCa4Bvu_yy0jLUBr0tGk/s320/DSC03609.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">And a few video from the steepie-rich neighborhood. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Camino de las Lomas.</span></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4UXcz3iHI2I" title="YouTube video player" width="510"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">El Paso Alto down to Hardell Ln. </span></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="305" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-Vy_NW4xVko" title="YouTube video player" width="510"></iframe><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Hardell Ln to the radio tower complex.</span></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mzOOQ0Ly1RY" title="YouTube video player" width="510"></iframe><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">This is San Diego's North County, my friends. No climb, no view! </span></div></div></div>Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-22151273614418839892022-06-27T18:36:00.004-07:002022-06-30T11:52:40.789-07:00Belgian Wafer Ride 2022<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> The Belgian Waffle Ride AKA The UnRoad Race that I had sworn a few times to never do again. Just to clarify, though, I've survived 2 previous editions of the Wafer (the shorter ride) rather than the full Waffle. I had signed up to do the full Waffle in 2020, but then COVID-19 came to town and all mass events were swiftly shelved. The stars didn't align for me to for the 2021 ride, and they weren't much in agreement for this year's either. But then a few things changed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">My good buddy Suzanne had signed up to ride her first Wafer this year, but her riding buddies all dropped out, and rumors were abound that Mike Marckx had been out scouting changes to the route (the 2018, 2019, and 2021 routes were essentially the same) that would alleviate the bottlenecking problem entering the first dirt sector at Del Dios Gorge Trailhead (AKA Lemontwistenberg). So, the prospect of actually having a riding buddy this year, along with a significant change to the route that I had done twice before gave me the much needed excuse to actually ride... but to downgrade to the Wafer rather than the full Waffle. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShkeU_UbDBAa9-zWLvoXWJrXFpDAulFAbdLw3QNElsDJiwv_usQzwCbY4BnOSsSq2UFGFIHHRuqJnOw3Cg5xogEnJXPnPu05A9yG_FPknitPv0e1ivCNNrdwCpX399JFhToOTXTR-qs7j0r50gsJJ2hrBvITyv8RJ_ujCFSZyYcMp1zrn3aSRhDvA/s1700/IMG_7160.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1257" data-original-width="1700" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShkeU_UbDBAa9-zWLvoXWJrXFpDAulFAbdLw3QNElsDJiwv_usQzwCbY4BnOSsSq2UFGFIHHRuqJnOw3Cg5xogEnJXPnPu05A9yG_FPknitPv0e1ivCNNrdwCpX399JFhToOTXTR-qs7j0r50gsJJ2hrBvITyv8RJ_ujCFSZyYcMp1zrn3aSRhDvA/s320/IMG_7160.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4hLw3UyaL8yelrcR_8g8-8tbUERYMVtrljta9ZKLBv1ZSiD0E5o-besMGqHc0yggyO05AqFWSoRwx_WMyXB2nDOg-70-WfqhxN2eGp7CvgvCr_SSl6WmxSDnXYgGi3yGhVWsteVBlRLaxaYV5em8YpT15CyGNIuOM6nAq-vJsJ8btgzjsGJi67HU/s1700/IMG_7164.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="1700" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4hLw3UyaL8yelrcR_8g8-8tbUERYMVtrljta9ZKLBv1ZSiD0E5o-besMGqHc0yggyO05AqFWSoRwx_WMyXB2nDOg-70-WfqhxN2eGp7CvgvCr_SSl6WmxSDnXYgGi3yGhVWsteVBlRLaxaYV5em8YpT15CyGNIuOM6nAq-vJsJ8btgzjsGJi67HU/s320/IMG_7164.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">To be honest, I wouldn't have survived the 135 miler this year anyhow. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">As per BWR tradition, we didn't have a confirm official route until just a few days before the ride, even though most of us that have done this thing before in the last few years had a good idea of what it'd look like, thanks to Michael Marckx (BWR's godfather, so to speak)'s frequent email teases. I wasn't jumping for joy at the prospect of starting the day off climbing most of Double Peak from the north (and dirty) side, and still having to scale the whole of it again from bottom of Questhaven Dr in the final 8 miles. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But the real unknown on the Wafer route was really Raptor Ridge, the mountain bike trail connecting Mule Hill and San Pasqual Valley. In its usual firm dirt condition, the singletrack west of the summit of Raptor Ridge is rideable if not easily so (there is a couple of very steep narrow ramps you could punch up them if you know where they are and have good traction approaching them... and low enough climbing gear, of course). </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3huG87IHF1iYLotnm58jr-_zx7CxgV_pwlryBpAmwEF1tGHA4QsxwwTgCPUpSe3VZKIKg0tw3XaGFW4BUND6uBaf2aDswj-bHs24u1ORqrq4dN_BdaAG4g7pvR0GAOYUPVnMV1To74pUO2VdTWki4179KKM7Nylq06-HiYiZzxAzuAUIyxaWPLZJ/s1600/DSC09986.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1187" data-original-width="1600" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3huG87IHF1iYLotnm58jr-_zx7CxgV_pwlryBpAmwEF1tGHA4QsxwwTgCPUpSe3VZKIKg0tw3XaGFW4BUND6uBaf2aDswj-bHs24u1ORqrq4dN_BdaAG4g7pvR0GAOYUPVnMV1To74pUO2VdTWki4179KKM7Nylq06-HiYiZzxAzuAUIyxaWPLZJ/s320/DSC09986.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Alas, a not so thin layer of soil was dumped on Raptor the week before the ride, which obliterated any traction to be had, and the singletrack turned into a hike-a-bike sufferfest for the fit and the pudgy (like me) alike. It also made the wider descent to the east more hairy than usual of the 'let your bike run and you might fly right off the cliff at the next curve' variety. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Raptor Ridge proved to be my kryptonite for the ride, thanks muchly to the hike-a-bike festival that happened to coincide with the first day of Aunt Flo's monthly visit. By the time I crested the ridge I had a persistent cramp going where the sun doesn't shine, that soon spread to both quads. The rest of the climbing on the route was done in endless zigzags that would put any paperboy to shame... My awesome riding buddy Suzanne N waited for ages for me all the way to the top of Double Peak, the day's last substantial climb, and her equally awesome brother even popped up on Harmony Grove Rd to revive us with ice-cold cans of V8 to keep our muscles firing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It took us a long while, but we finished the ride and even remembered to shift down for the post-finish-line-concrete ramp. It wasn't a pretty performance from yours truly, but with a lot of help from my friends, it was still a finish... and quite a motivation to return for a rematch (or perhaps even a full Waffle... if I can manage to stick to a training regimen to be in good enough shape next year!). </span></p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pN8Gyfi93Wg" title="YouTube video player" width="520"></iframe> <span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">It took a long while before I managed to put the recap video together, I'm afraid. Much of it had to do with the shock of losing <a href="https://moriahwilson.substack.com/">Mo Wilson</a> less than two weeks after the ride. Mo had obliterated the field with the ridiculously large winning margin of 25 minutes ahead of Flavia Oliviera, the runner up. We expected to be following Mo's rising stardom for years to come, and then just two Wednesdays after BWR the news broke of her having been murdered in Austin, TX, just a few days before her next race. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzKV-BrgzB7PjISrwzcvsKX5wmvMGr_T-Ye-CC05hcjNV6pdNnIRIxH6E5g9QZLz_adqt-JMuzOTN2wBRrRgbi7kbX_qlvSSpReuOFzzbgYF8hgKVmnWBza6MHa5_h5XrI4bHKvrcg629dYDXSDh9XHnPGgE_7FShi0PH8wG9ItTAE_NOdeKwhENf/s545/Mo%20Wilson%20post%20rain.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="545" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzKV-BrgzB7PjISrwzcvsKX5wmvMGr_T-Ye-CC05hcjNV6pdNnIRIxH6E5g9QZLz_adqt-JMuzOTN2wBRrRgbi7kbX_qlvSSpReuOFzzbgYF8hgKVmnWBza6MHa5_h5XrI4bHKvrcg629dYDXSDh9XHnPGgE_7FShi0PH8wG9ItTAE_NOdeKwhENf/s320/Mo%20Wilson%20post%20rain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Murdered. It wasn't a plane crash or a car crash or a bike crash, but a murder. And I don't know anyone nicer and kinder than Mo... </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Her family is <a href="https://gofund.me/e2d151de">raising money to fund community organizations</a> to help youth find self-confidence, strength, and joy through biking, skiing, and other activities that Mo was passionate about. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Kaitlin Marie Armstrong is a fugitive wanted for Mo's murder. She may be going under her sister's name, Christine Armstrong. She was last spotted in New York and may have crossed the Canadian border. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Here is <a href="https://www.usmarshals.gov/news/chron/2022/kaitlin-armstrong.pdf">her wanted poster</a> by the US Marshal Service.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9PpZQ3UObWWNbRPb55v5gLQfR7g8aYAdyRCiWiRoaX4dkhRZ3LAG8U1NM0upNa5CRuu_EwGZq0cg5u_hhOtKOxRPrHq52gBmkZe7i55WkFEME26V_YyqURxVBAfXeMwlIlWMdj_5BOYs4nXpbmAjeRFVuN_sz9jPDOjvC32DvPXvLs1vSaUhzHvM/s3300/kaitlin-armstrong.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3300" data-original-width="2550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9PpZQ3UObWWNbRPb55v5gLQfR7g8aYAdyRCiWiRoaX4dkhRZ3LAG8U1NM0upNa5CRuu_EwGZq0cg5u_hhOtKOxRPrHq52gBmkZe7i55WkFEME26V_YyqURxVBAfXeMwlIlWMdj_5BOYs4nXpbmAjeRFVuN_sz9jPDOjvC32DvPXvLs1vSaUhzHvM/s320/kaitlin-armstrong.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">If you see this woman anywhere, please contact the US Marshal and help get her caught! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>Edit (06.30.2022):</b> Kaitlin Armstrong was finally captured by the police in Costa Rica today. She will be extradited back to the states to answer for her crimes!</span></p>Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-15567525267741493252022-05-21T09:26:00.004-07:002022-05-21T09:26:33.097-07:00Happy Bike to Work Day 2022<p><span>This past Thurs</span><span style="font-size: medium;">day was the annual Bike to Work Day, the first one since the COVID-19 pandemic canceled just about all mass events in all the cities. Yours truly has been working from home more or less ever since, and really enjoyed the luxury of making up my own 'bike to work' route. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqvhv04lwai5n8Cg_y5Hi6dbwJyHkqcZSUET6LC9PzukJpKPtOr1Y-EYOoouWoHAAeUHn0rsK5cmEYThl8Lra_FBymFHJ3LeF8TNd8GfHQv0HTSVgj8S_gppof8_hoimwKl2bNFaa-scGvg8N60LDe0hbldRqHugGBFLUR_f0s2eS6pdm2QEP48lR/s1700/2022.05.19%20bike%20to%20work%20day%20corner%20mirror%20selfie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1245" data-original-width="1700" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqvhv04lwai5n8Cg_y5Hi6dbwJyHkqcZSUET6LC9PzukJpKPtOr1Y-EYOoouWoHAAeUHn0rsK5cmEYThl8Lra_FBymFHJ3LeF8TNd8GfHQv0HTSVgj8S_gppof8_hoimwKl2bNFaa-scGvg8N60LDe0hbldRqHugGBFLUR_f0s2eS6pdm2QEP48lR/s320/2022.05.19%20bike%20to%20work%20day%20corner%20mirror%20selfie.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Predictably, the route involved some gratuitous hills along with the inevitable ones. It isn't so much that I like to climb as there is something psychologically less defeating in electing to ride up a hill I know I'll have to suffer through than having to go up one because it's on the only possible way home. </span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-MdmaoahagdECEyZLFwFHqeZTw1NZhv4CfKYTrTjHdua_DgKZiu5QoF3bnYxaHasZ0_ZbuME4ulVs7K6BhuiLa7yDk_XisdnqloKURhH2kY5H7mh677jJSrZ6Edt0z1yVxRiYd8PkV8UDcmy8pWADsdpvbmAZ5lEYh3rq6RaH9QNdA1-Vkp-Krs7/s1300/IMG_7733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="957" data-original-width="1300" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-MdmaoahagdECEyZLFwFHqeZTw1NZhv4CfKYTrTjHdua_DgKZiu5QoF3bnYxaHasZ0_ZbuME4ulVs7K6BhuiLa7yDk_XisdnqloKURhH2kY5H7mh677jJSrZ6Edt0z1yVxRiYd8PkV8UDcmy8pWADsdpvbmAZ5lEYh3rq6RaH9QNdA1-Vkp-Krs7/s320/IMG_7733.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYzjYHL5SzV7sQwBApLN6sy0ugTihbJntafixg1APUaEZsbxxQijIlY_p8kMNvovVxp99iNLwXzTDdPGcNZvG2a-jjD2mFdWEHBZ0kQ2pvdgDr5M4jv2M3U8xScXnsDw0d08Q66Skieh1Oyp4ivzoytHeqhqTwihL7Vk9xw7TyUr_t3c7yQ3C1Ki2/s1500/Atterbury%20pond%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="1500" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYzjYHL5SzV7sQwBApLN6sy0ugTihbJntafixg1APUaEZsbxxQijIlY_p8kMNvovVxp99iNLwXzTDdPGcNZvG2a-jjD2mFdWEHBZ0kQ2pvdgDr5M4jv2M3U8xScXnsDw0d08Q66Skieh1Oyp4ivzoytHeqhqTwihL7Vk9xw7TyUr_t3c7yQ3C1Ki2/s320/Atterbury%20pond%201.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some analgesic views along the bike commute from my front door to the rear one.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">And, since my neck of the woods seems to consist of hills that only range from ouchy to murderously ouchy... I'd just as well opt for the latter to get more bang for the ouch. If you weren't a masochist before taking up cycling, taking up cycling seems a sure way of making a masochist out of you. </span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12JWqnu33iWgQ2ks5f31IlyCZUmz4xn5LnGRYaI89qBtMyWYFr46Ki6W9tPXxAPuS5oKmhaThzWV0DQIuqkcrtPSnK2JdgSjupqn8By1XBAhtYy_AUv11rnLD1VEG8svdN9BMYCoCyTnO-KfB2BVe4UnznfUcbnD5KYL0Lkz0PcwOwbdWURIEusw3/s1700/bike%20touring%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="1700" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12JWqnu33iWgQ2ks5f31IlyCZUmz4xn5LnGRYaI89qBtMyWYFr46Ki6W9tPXxAPuS5oKmhaThzWV0DQIuqkcrtPSnK2JdgSjupqn8By1XBAhtYy_AUv11rnLD1VEG8svdN9BMYCoCyTnO-KfB2BVe4UnznfUcbnD5KYL0Lkz0PcwOwbdWURIEusw3/s320/bike%20touring%202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwOfM85A0qReMB9a1jGApVvW-DYM3plX6QfOHfS8-JilbGFGNmJutxpuBMys59HvY-SSOA5qiml-wO0_AdAibztITaG-G_s_IEuNaEWWCvUe4rqpPigsh_7n71fNIz72kz0pICDDvjfxle5MbmcT2USiSKGwdWdmA0KZvidx_0gfJllV705cGv2XO/s1700/City%20of%20San%20Marcos%20bike%20to%20work%20day%20pit%20stop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="1700" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwOfM85A0qReMB9a1jGApVvW-DYM3plX6QfOHfS8-JilbGFGNmJutxpuBMys59HvY-SSOA5qiml-wO0_AdAibztITaG-G_s_IEuNaEWWCvUe4rqpPigsh_7n71fNIz72kz0pICDDvjfxle5MbmcT2USiSKGwdWdmA0KZvidx_0gfJllV705cGv2XO/s320/City%20of%20San%20Marcos%20bike%20to%20work%20day%20pit%20stop.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Marcos Civic Center pit stop on Bike To Work Day 2022.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">Tho, on Bike to Work Day, the masochistic pain is more bearable than usual since there are many more people out on bike to commiserate with. And, there are bike-commuting-oriented pit stops all around town manned with cheerful people who can't wait to feed and ply you with nice (and very useful) swags. My pit stop this year was at the San Marcos Civic Center, manned by the lovely folks of the city's Park and Recreation Department. Thank you so much! </span><p></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbixycJJm6IYg0579rvGmFGNJKJ45ztL8C_qOS57gyJc-YmTEPkJRAABoZnk60d1C6bapgJEVmLYM9iZ2dW-cLuuyAODDfS2wGu_5VSXKuCQSvsWrcElKtaqWeEnDg1OtPjuGafMzBxkXf6X_-uuwmWDYWjXz1KVdpZT4Y6reU6IeMCaUAjdU0qWU/s1600/free%20biking%20girl%20at%20Vista%20Civic%20Ctr%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="1600" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbixycJJm6IYg0579rvGmFGNJKJ45ztL8C_qOS57gyJc-YmTEPkJRAABoZnk60d1C6bapgJEVmLYM9iZ2dW-cLuuyAODDfS2wGu_5VSXKuCQSvsWrcElKtaqWeEnDg1OtPjuGafMzBxkXf6X_-uuwmWDYWjXz1KVdpZT4Y6reU6IeMCaUAjdU0qWU/s320/free%20biking%20girl%20at%20Vista%20Civic%20Ctr%202.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheeee!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">If you rode your bike to work last Thursday and found it enjoyable, why not do more of it through out the year? It's so nice to spend more time outside and away from the computer screen, getting to know the town a little better (so many little nice things are missed when you speed by in an automobile), and save quite a bit of gas money and your area's air quality in the process. </span></p>Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-87422737207681338592021-12-25T09:13:00.007-08:002022-02-03T15:57:37.304-08:00Happy Holidays 2021<p> Well, folks, we survived year two of the COVID 19 pandemic! Here is wishing you all good health and a lot of good adventures and memories on and off the bike thru the holidays and 2022! </p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KQWWwNE0pVw" title="YouTube video player" width="500"></iframe> <div><br /></div><div>May the bike be with you! </div>Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-83251189918593184662021-12-01T09:30:00.000-08:002021-12-01T09:30:17.784-08:00Veterans Day Arms Service Memorials Ride<p> <span style="font-size: medium;">This year's Veterans Day fell on the first day of a really hot Santa Ana Wind event. I was hoping that the heat wouldn't arrive until closer to noon, but the mercury was already in the 80s when I descended into Mission Bay to meet up with a couple of friends at 8:30am. The messenger of the gods obeys no cosmic speed limit when carrying a big load of hot dry air!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsIt-02aMA_TbXsSdtnf0yy45idLzFXC_-KcaxSBDpy3dZElpQLJ0AtkZNWRcljHyd_NP-o67RRUvXkXtspPjL52CvDl6uIRfmYXsuC717g_7LOk4e1_UVFBYo-TiegyJ33xLqx81hmA/s1600/IMG_2286.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsIt-02aMA_TbXsSdtnf0yy45idLzFXC_-KcaxSBDpy3dZElpQLJ0AtkZNWRcljHyd_NP-o67RRUvXkXtspPjL52CvDl6uIRfmYXsuC717g_7LOk4e1_UVFBYo-TiegyJ33xLqx81hmA/s320/IMG_2286.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.missionbaybeachclub.com/" target="_blank">Mission Bay Beach Club</a> meet up spot. A huge improvement to the old MB Visitor Center!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;">My friend Bill R was the day's ride master, and he had plotted us to visit the many military memorials scattered around town. First on the list, especially on a hot day like this, of course, is to get the Veterans Memorial Cross on Mt Soledad out of the way as soon as possible. </span><br /><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOC2L2_ttoaR_AQl2n3_gnu1prgDRtTEedAhALIu1UnTkMNCX3NN4LaSrOXFbopxhwaNpvKgh3PAzpqZ3leafQPipXu9PUoDzpjWJY40962_0PFV1p8JktVXA2OcYzMqBvnX1jwrgDMJg/s1600/IMG_2318.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1600" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOC2L2_ttoaR_AQl2n3_gnu1prgDRtTEedAhALIu1UnTkMNCX3NN4LaSrOXFbopxhwaNpvKgh3PAzpqZ3leafQPipXu9PUoDzpjWJY40962_0PFV1p8JktVXA2OcYzMqBvnX1jwrgDMJg/s320/IMG_2318.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing thru the Muirlands.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;">We took Fanuel St thru Pacific Beach and scooted clockwise around the mountain via La Jolla Hermosa and La Jolla Bike Path to start up the hill on Nautilus and then Muirland Vista into the Muirlands and then La Jolla Scenic Dr for a more scenic (and less trafficky) ascent. </span><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAozKQ6IetcOUjoBz8DK19A09Cs-7CQgF-1nlQq3XOs1vWmosiR5isYr8l8SJ3EbKi9vX_e9xbDqlZdc1V9E8jjZ1y5gW9mkPRK2-YmrKvBEz-Pc7pKMETGaAH4q4A_agdi77G_Jj5OJQ/s1700/IMG_2331.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="1700" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAozKQ6IetcOUjoBz8DK19A09Cs-7CQgF-1nlQq3XOs1vWmosiR5isYr8l8SJ3EbKi9vX_e9xbDqlZdc1V9E8jjZ1y5gW9mkPRK2-YmrKvBEz-Pc7pKMETGaAH4q4A_agdi77G_Jj5OJQ/s320/IMG_2331.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Veterans Memorial Cross on Mt Soledad.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7h5QRHzW7hzdcPIchL1tXF28qRhR9FQViCO6ZsA5he4_8zKwRy7bv35Zr82QDYziWyeNWjEvud8mMwvVKxC4H7lvDfB76Mn93OZHtDv2tW2PezzmDSfEYH9Bv__n6S-LdZKw56Wg3tI/s2048/mtns+of+Poway+%2526+east.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="2048" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7h5QRHzW7hzdcPIchL1tXF28qRhR9FQViCO6ZsA5he4_8zKwRy7bv35Zr82QDYziWyeNWjEvud8mMwvVKxC4H7lvDfB76Mn93OZHtDv2tW2PezzmDSfEYH9Bv__n6S-LdZKw56Wg3tI/s320/mtns+of+Poway+%2526+east.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a clear day you can see almost forever!</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The Mt Soledad cross was giving good visibility payback to its visitors. It was so clear across the county that you could see tens of miles away and identify most of the mountains in the distance. We didn't linger for long, mind you. It was to be a 50 miles ride and there are more hills to scale in the ever-warming weather, so we took the fast descent down Cardeno Dr and traverse Mission Bay on Ingraham Dr (pretty safe to bike on between Crown Point and Dana Landings), making our way to Ocean Beach on the posted bike route before climbing to <a href="https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ftrosecrans.asp" target="_blank">Ft Rosecrans National Cemetery</a> via Catalina Blvd. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IGGxfodZMuxWdmP7goIIZ_3FwK4N3-DQ9ysPtvIV76tL8HMVLEN2CACSpVzSsP2kS5-pIyAORflzSlqLnPoKPDijsJ_iQowvssXMt4MHzkRfnMbyb7izNwlx5Kl7F5BwTINtiEvNPd0/s1600/IMG_2370.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="1600" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IGGxfodZMuxWdmP7goIIZ_3FwK4N3-DQ9ysPtvIV76tL8HMVLEN2CACSpVzSsP2kS5-pIyAORflzSlqLnPoKPDijsJ_iQowvssXMt4MHzkRfnMbyb7izNwlx5Kl7F5BwTINtiEvNPd0/s320/IMG_2370.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83_aDuNhpK8FJhshyphenhyphenqtyjKtpE5NPZhCw779oLxWwAipnWEeBLmWvujZKzEaFyhUgNmEeo3We7PguaROMkWKH64vlQVx0TYeNfvh5ROElVbJ-p-R0QsBNLetRvxPP48QkZLjtxLETfTPs/s1600/IMG_2380.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="1600" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83_aDuNhpK8FJhshyphenhyphenqtyjKtpE5NPZhCw779oLxWwAipnWEeBLmWvujZKzEaFyhUgNmEeo3We7PguaROMkWKH64vlQVx0TYeNfvh5ROElVbJ-p-R0QsBNLetRvxPP48QkZLjtxLETfTPs/s320/IMG_2380.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ft Rosecrans National Cemetery.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Most of us know or are related to someone interned at that green lawn overlooking the Pacific Ocean, so we lingered a bit longer before heading back down the hill via Canon Dr... and into the Naval Base for our third stop, <a href="https://www.californiahistoricallandmarks.com/landmarks/chl-50" target="_blank">Ballast Point</a> - the actual historical whaling station rather than the popular local brewery! </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIruEKxKan2uajciiZ_jHLUwGNzQ4dCO2iphwP5-kpuxOzbJN9D-QfN1dVTOL9C7JM7S45sHsHbzzTmrxyupP6DiTXJsYMBmWh1pYWQohGk5HmM7RkCckZCif6mzrSr-wfVYRtpcF3es/s1600/IMG_2388.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1600" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIruEKxKan2uajciiZ_jHLUwGNzQ4dCO2iphwP5-kpuxOzbJN9D-QfN1dVTOL9C7JM7S45sHsHbzzTmrxyupP6DiTXJsYMBmWh1pYWQohGk5HmM7RkCckZCif6mzrSr-wfVYRtpcF3es/s320/IMG_2388.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbb4Pro3Dec9vSW5UaCJi-x9paiNiyeW8BQiNjT-bl2I5tsmcZ6rTFEmh6vSYHA5ixtB-Kzk9L09LezlO-Eqa9QGUe6SwB3ZVn17NWoQRV0rQfyWJp-Od3ZaifBORPMyN1Wwny-5DKpE/s1600/IMG_2393.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1600" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbb4Pro3Dec9vSW5UaCJi-x9paiNiyeW8BQiNjT-bl2I5tsmcZ6rTFEmh6vSYHA5ixtB-Kzk9L09LezlO-Eqa9QGUe6SwB3ZVn17NWoQRV0rQfyWJp-Od3ZaifBORPMyN1Wwny-5DKpE/s320/IMG_2393.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnQFetSCbuosLb185ns-mGyVEKRqmkb5sawCwNCeutecqof2wsodrX9TPURxIhCHw_fqm_HtN-ymZmsOBf5DH_Ww6FmNe1rotAvEazCS2zo-BYSjkeVkcggiHS_c8MAp0cjg3Qmtfg8U/s1600/IMG_2399.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnQFetSCbuosLb185ns-mGyVEKRqmkb5sawCwNCeutecqof2wsodrX9TPURxIhCHw_fqm_HtN-ymZmsOBf5DH_Ww6FmNe1rotAvEazCS2zo-BYSjkeVkcggiHS_c8MAp0cjg3Qmtfg8U/s320/IMG_2399.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Along with the Ballast Pt marker, the same site also holds 3 military memorial markers... and quite a fantastic view of the San Diego Bay, North Island, and Downtown. There is also a convenient store nearby to refill our water bottles. The warm dry wind was starting to pick up, and I was going the way of the over-sunned beef jerky.<br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We were mostly done with the hills for the ride, though, and spun through the scenic and flat Harbor Dr into the Marina District to the USS Midway Museum and the <a href="https://www.tourofhonor.com/pages/2012ca_sandiego.html" target="_blank">USS San Diego</a> memorial just north of Seaport Village. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxBUs6fEWajfiAk-BRKhFagxqScU380WnyFaQ-FRaesBWHAP4LpdiwLLnBE4j3qCE4pYqCy57c2kRF_MXe-DiUc5S3EJEBH5yhM-Q6FiI5_f24MNBQrt0vUfOEOZSQKsNDd3m1TH-gh8/s1600/11+Unconditional+Surrender+Memorial.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1030" data-original-width="1600" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxBUs6fEWajfiAk-BRKhFagxqScU380WnyFaQ-FRaesBWHAP4LpdiwLLnBE4j3qCE4pYqCy57c2kRF_MXe-DiUc5S3EJEBH5yhM-Q6FiI5_f24MNBQrt0vUfOEOZSQKsNDd3m1TH-gh8/s320/11+Unconditional+Surrender+Memorial.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USS San Diego Memorial by Fisherman's Warf</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">After a quick swing through Balboa Park and Mission Hills, we stopped at the top of Presidio Park to pay a visit to the <a href="https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/RelEd/id/7418/" target="_blank">Mormon Battalion Memorial</a> and <a href="https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=81720" target="_blank">Fort Stockton</a>'s Historical Marker in the peaceful hilltop clearing overlooking Mission Bay. </span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fort Stockton (1828-1848) changed hands many times during the Mexican War, was last occupied by the Mormon Battalion that had walked here from the Midwest and got here a bit too late to join in any fight. They have a museum just down the hill now, across the lane from the Old Heritage Row of well preserved Victorian Era houses in Old Town San Diego.<br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwzAN-eT-VEL8BitJSGlCNRLegmx9qNinD8qvK35R_1Viw1L-tK5-oonP8CJ-Cxwp02D6zhn_rYNeDqA_M36KtB56pHYks2ulUXky7Ye9-xxp73-til2JNzs4k8XftyUZTstCNL_QUOc/s1500/IMG_2438.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1058" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwzAN-eT-VEL8BitJSGlCNRLegmx9qNinD8qvK35R_1Viw1L-tK5-oonP8CJ-Cxwp02D6zhn_rYNeDqA_M36KtB56pHYks2ulUXky7Ye9-xxp73-til2JNzs4k8XftyUZTstCNL_QUOc/s320/IMG_2438.JPG" width="226" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZLX52wXKwv0HcX8cGe7PL4v7vSq_Ol2GBh6I6EmwRYdWL68L3BN82xkFaGkE4ZWyvxy8geBmEkDLn1j2l6WVJ-9f27gCli3hHOH7BX1PpSszCc-5hjS-kO7SvkXOFfZP_ABgougsj0E/s1700/IMG_2437.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="1700" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZLX52wXKwv0HcX8cGe7PL4v7vSq_Ol2GBh6I6EmwRYdWL68L3BN82xkFaGkE4ZWyvxy8geBmEkDLn1j2l6WVJ-9f27gCli3hHOH7BX1PpSszCc-5hjS-kO7SvkXOFfZP_ABgougsj0E/s320/IMG_2437.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJgPCfR4RTZ8VyQ5_7URaNrVYMKM-UoV5es7pf1aKphZdRe4yUrfepRMjvF6wPPixqZPRv9pJShnITNtz1lqQO4vEtM5g-oufMvu8gGinewV6Z6U4OU_BWYETDhKi8XYi6E84SL8FgIE/s1700/IMG_2441.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1234" data-original-width="1700" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJgPCfR4RTZ8VyQ5_7URaNrVYMKM-UoV5es7pf1aKphZdRe4yUrfepRMjvF6wPPixqZPRv9pJShnITNtz1lqQO4vEtM5g-oufMvu8gGinewV6Z6U4OU_BWYETDhKi8XYi6E84SL8FgIE/s320/IMG_2441.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">One of my dream bucket list items is to mountain bike the Oregon Trail from Independence, MO to Waiilatpu, OR (Honore Morrow's <a href="https://www.librarything.com/work/270499">On To Oregon</a> being one of my favorite childhood books. Of course, I've since read <a href="http://www.oregonpioneers.com/The%20Sager%20Family.htm">Catherine Sager'</a>s Across the Plains in 1844, so my perception of the trek is now a bit less romantic). I could hardly imagine doing a 2000 miles trek on foot and pushing or pulling at a hand cart full of belongings and supplies, though. <br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Incidentally, once we are done with our late fall bouts of Santa Ana wind, it should be cool enough again to go roam the eastern side of the county, and visit the slot canyon spot that still bears the groove that the Mormons had carved in the process of pulling the handcarts up to the Old Stagecoach route out east of Julian. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">But, that's for another ride... For the day, we finished our 50 miles loop back at Mission Bay Beach Club in the early afternoon feeling thankful both for the friends we get to ride with and the far too many military personnel who had perished in the process of providing us with the peace time we enjoy. Thanks on many fronts, Bill! </span></p></div>Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-11270014015058178392021-11-09T12:25:00.001-08:002022-02-03T15:58:44.014-08:00De Luz and the Painful Plateau<p><span style="font-size: medium;">The many surges of the COVID19 pandemic had taken the shine out of group riding since the first major shut down in spring of 2020. So, I have been getting back into the old solo riding out in the wild mode. It's one of the perks of living in San Diego's North County (rather than the old dig in Uptown) that it doesn't take much riding from home before 'the wild' starts. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">A favorite car-less riding ground for yours truly is, of course, the magical low hills of De Luz and the lovely big sky country that is the Santa Rosa Plateau. Both less-accessible by heat-phobic me during the summer months. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfML1pLVFs4h7kMDr8ukzeLnZno7eQxN_fUN-nO4riFn-ymQQW3cQ6jGThdHGn1kLjOtU7DviV577rO4m1Xk2WxWWFXutLdpviqZlVU18_GMqO00nZzCSAnxV-NvRRpJhyphenhyphenSW10ONQziAA/s1700/bike+at+Santa+Margarita+Preserve.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="1700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfML1pLVFs4h7kMDr8ukzeLnZno7eQxN_fUN-nO4riFn-ymQQW3cQ6jGThdHGn1kLjOtU7DviV577rO4m1Xk2WxWWFXutLdpviqZlVU18_GMqO00nZzCSAnxV-NvRRpJhyphenhyphenSW10ONQziAA/s320/bike+at+Santa+Margarita+Preserve.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Margarita Preserve lot has nice port-a-toilets, water spigot, and picnic tables.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;">After the ride in on the main motorways of E Vista Way, Hwy 76, and S Mission Rd (so early in the morning that the drivers hadn't made it into their car, yet), the awesomeness began with the wiggly drop off down De Luz Rd from Fallbrook's quint Downtown district. I opted left at the Y-intersection this time to take the meandering De Luz Rd climb instead of the more abrupt Sandia Creek Rd (besides, the former was repaved earlier this year and was nice and smooth for a change). </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Oh, on the right just after the intersection with Sandia Creek Rd is the Santa Margarita Preserve with a set of nice port-a-toilets, water spigot, and picnic tables. This is the last restroom opportunity for the next 20 miles. So, whether you need to go or not, it's always a good idea to stop and do the loo business before heading up the hills.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuMBMZ2ehPZO-HaCiNuiEN8-V7aCc9Stm7Up1y9dFJEF5o2Qg5qh7AkFLA1Q5_MXs6ATDwUR8HeEnX4xEcXW2VY8-6f5YKTBm68dtpq347Nq0ztHk8PFWff_T4XIho4nGbJ80ti_fRoA/s1700/IMG_4777.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="1700" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuMBMZ2ehPZO-HaCiNuiEN8-V7aCc9Stm7Up1y9dFJEF5o2Qg5qh7AkFLA1Q5_MXs6ATDwUR8HeEnX4xEcXW2VY8-6f5YKTBm68dtpq347Nq0ztHk8PFWff_T4XIho4nGbJ80ti_fRoA/s320/IMG_4777.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The repaved first couple of miles on De Luz Rd, climbing NW from the creek bed.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMkRVfsfy9G9qj-iCyALAtH7r6VmAU1mAfNbfjd8xrgMv2NPd664x36ayYKbNpvBLKp-DfvUt3CuoB2fdB7__tPQd7oaAXGQ1nzfyDzN_EUF4PdfWx_C7Eb347xtMVUHzCoxKSWY1dA0/s1600/IMG_4792.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMkRVfsfy9G9qj-iCyALAtH7r6VmAU1mAfNbfjd8xrgMv2NPd664x36ayYKbNpvBLKp-DfvUt3CuoB2fdB7__tPQd7oaAXGQ1nzfyDzN_EUF4PdfWx_C7Eb347xtMVUHzCoxKSWY1dA0/s320/IMG_4792.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">De Luz Rd is a chain of curvy rolling hills.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;">After the first long-ish climb to Harris Rd, De Luz Rd becomes a series of curvy rolling hills through lush valleys and lovely little glens. A welcoming widespread ruralness away from the cities. Needless to say, being self-sufficient is the name of the game when out riding in places like this. Carry more than enough water, food, medical and repair supplies with you, and a printed out map (cellphone reception is spotty at best), especially if you are riding solo. </span><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCLHXTFxdxQ8RWWw9F1wGgqMyzOALieMWo4bHnJWQH6RHy9W7I9CjoxXcIG5j2vYcqllyXxzNaxx69R8k4a74j-ikBGOYBJwVikGu4XKIku4JSqksbNsG7E5w9T-2-555Iuy1r56WFOc/s1700/IMG_4796.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1294" data-original-width="1700" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCLHXTFxdxQ8RWWw9F1wGgqMyzOALieMWo4bHnJWQH6RHy9W7I9CjoxXcIG5j2vYcqllyXxzNaxx69R8k4a74j-ikBGOYBJwVikGu4XKIku4JSqksbNsG7E5w9T-2-555Iuy1r56WFOc/s320/IMG_4796.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYo871yEmxJKqKQtex4xXOY3z4tGYnVJ1d2PpnS9f9OzKijeIF7xYOImfRTaT3U8Ft_K9IM6v45-ZacdXXexg30Ozft5GGGkhrEZi5d7M_xnWhg2qJn4fH1DV1tqoWOEs6MpWfIlMOKjs/s1600/IMG_4801.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1600" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYo871yEmxJKqKQtex4xXOY3z4tGYnVJ1d2PpnS9f9OzKijeIF7xYOImfRTaT3U8Ft_K9IM6v45-ZacdXXexg30Ozft5GGGkhrEZi5d7M_xnWhg2qJn4fH1DV1tqoWOEs6MpWfIlMOKjs/s320/IMG_4801.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">A bit after the CDF Fire Station (water spigot available) the road split again at a Y-intersection. I veered left for a side excursion to inspect the base of Tenaja Truck Trail for future rides and found it quite sandy (both for my pudginess and for the 28mm road tires). Will have to wait for a good rain to firm it up a bit before attempting that scenic dirt route up to Fisherman Camp. </span><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtSmPQpTUthqzryI0mQIPoTd9UAA-vp6RVpyjPrOV4SEjiAfKCI3qFFADmYNUqT57R8EVsJkp15dDAzOx-W3zVcFMMhLRdzCucr_t7UMAcUlDf_3kXqL5e0VCK8R-yef4sFngRtV6ZS0/s1700/IMG_4806.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1299" data-original-width="1700" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtSmPQpTUthqzryI0mQIPoTd9UAA-vp6RVpyjPrOV4SEjiAfKCI3qFFADmYNUqT57R8EVsJkp15dDAzOx-W3zVcFMMhLRdzCucr_t7UMAcUlDf_3kXqL5e0VCK8R-yef4sFngRtV6ZS0/s320/IMG_4806.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSg9htLqZGiMs7LkZ0E7zok2TSjrW9DLjik4Y1aGaRHkpqbU7jrKsrDrKWZIpehlyJFjg4Na2AeeVle4T02b-rXVhpmqOfhyW9-Uv5UiaNAjIBpuO13WqexO8VXcXs187ihG1f6qPeCo/s1500/bike+at+Gourd+Farm+De+Luz.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1500" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSg9htLqZGiMs7LkZ0E7zok2TSjrW9DLjik4Y1aGaRHkpqbU7jrKsrDrKWZIpehlyJFjg4Na2AeeVle4T02b-rXVhpmqOfhyW9-Uv5UiaNAjIBpuO13WqexO8VXcXs187ihG1f6qPeCo/s320/bike+at+Gourd+Farm+De+Luz.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzj6W4hmaV-bqUc-nQpq6r7tyAeTEdfxFkVBGnQ0xxOGTYnAVQZw6JF4XZVsYj3BTmH_m4G9afqz4esp5G_bCY4ACijzii_uPg7CsbJoe0hOf3HPOigTsBpB4mT1BHBRhV01BYPNr1I94/s1600/IMG_4813.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="1600" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzj6W4hmaV-bqUc-nQpq6r7tyAeTEdfxFkVBGnQ0xxOGTYnAVQZw6JF4XZVsYj3BTmH_m4G9afqz4esp5G_bCY4ACijzii_uPg7CsbJoe0hOf3HPOigTsBpB4mT1BHBRhV01BYPNr1I94/s320/IMG_4813.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So, I retraced back out to the Y-intersection and took De Luz - Murrieta Rd up to the oaky country from the dry creek bed, stopping by at the Old De Luz School and Post Office for a snack break while perusing the hiking map of the nearby trails. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDo9d655mdeN0fZKJxLeu_zjkhsor2mIJrl2t_vKlO2KbStZJRyk6myfOnOYugVixvLgj_BKNh0PefeX6gulJc4hzjUViodDzZkUT9Rh2EPjXbg1L67qA7zfOswWYvfqD4QLQFg7TMPY/s1600/IMG_4824.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDo9d655mdeN0fZKJxLeu_zjkhsor2mIJrl2t_vKlO2KbStZJRyk6myfOnOYugVixvLgj_BKNh0PefeX6gulJc4hzjUViodDzZkUT9Rh2EPjXbg1L67qA7zfOswWYvfqD4QLQFg7TMPY/s320/IMG_4824.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4NSVnTNoOPB_7sWFFvK5YoX5FQymgehPdXzjN_rUrW7CA9zF51tIe_18GsLsggdBd5WvMZEe9TgEa2UQ-jtoEw6Z2yFJTdYPcmgxHnACWN2ZTsgD84RV1PFnMIXl9ak8G4PfXu401D8/s1600/IMG_4829.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4NSVnTNoOPB_7sWFFvK5YoX5FQymgehPdXzjN_rUrW7CA9zF51tIe_18GsLsggdBd5WvMZEe9TgEa2UQ-jtoEw6Z2yFJTdYPcmgxHnACWN2ZTsgD84RV1PFnMIXl9ak8G4PfXu401D8/s320/IMG_4829.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After De Luz School the road gently climbs back toward Camaron Rd in series of oaked-in curves. It's a lovely place, though the tree shade makes the many little dimples and groves on the pavement very difficult to see.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyig4iLJePEqfN_j0lt9xUkJBJBESwZPBfOyurUxCTx83rnpAC4l8jjo0sqLuMIb5DIEF2wfQXW6LHNFOlQEgSXKK_3HpE3QcwfML0TnBNO7qWegbTPqsOXb9v58ulGfXYWuSlTHpiQ4/s1600/IMG_4848.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1171" data-original-width="1600" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyig4iLJePEqfN_j0lt9xUkJBJBESwZPBfOyurUxCTx83rnpAC4l8jjo0sqLuMIb5DIEF2wfQXW6LHNFOlQEgSXKK_3HpE3QcwfML0TnBNO7qWegbTPqsOXb9v58ulGfXYWuSlTHpiQ4/s320/IMG_4848.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0OscMuw7a6UcN-XPA3r3eBJRHNGdA8e4_R_7yy1DYiYEkicojUER1y8kol0rV5OA05NVzp6VIf8maVlmqgtCfAz6gGE2F0E4f8IiC2yUEcmIve-kcHEbIqU9OMexnZMoNgD4R3Xsf24/s1500/IMG_4852.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0OscMuw7a6UcN-XPA3r3eBJRHNGdA8e4_R_7yy1DYiYEkicojUER1y8kol0rV5OA05NVzp6VIf8maVlmqgtCfAz6gGE2F0E4f8IiC2yUEcmIve-kcHEbIqU9OMexnZMoNgD4R3Xsf24/s320/IMG_4852.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><span style="font-size: medium;">The fastest way back to civilization (and if you don't feel like much more steep climbing) is, of course, to continue on De Luz - Murrieta Rd into Murrieta (it becomes a nice curvy firm dirt downhill in the last couple of miles and runs into the Murrieta flat land as Guava St), or to endure the boring shadeless climb up the west side of Rancho California Rd before dropping into Temecula just north of Old Town. But the day was still young for me, and the air cool enough to entertain the thought... so I veered left up the steep climb on Camaron Rd, then veered left down and up and down the rarely level Carancho Rd instead. </span><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ySTnBnHKw3jSAvGCjMp4f42N78T844K_VcQGtT3li6USYSKwf06nt_Ppha8HF2npT8U4s9k9dv1eltv1BmB2SKO7Cnvi2YMwQ_5oO4qkWhQweVQc9_zcwgWlfDkbNsgohVDo4SXdlIU/s1700/IMG_4867.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ySTnBnHKw3jSAvGCjMp4f42N78T844K_VcQGtT3li6USYSKwf06nt_Ppha8HF2npT8U4s9k9dv1eltv1BmB2SKO7Cnvi2YMwQ_5oO4qkWhQweVQc9_zcwgWlfDkbNsgohVDo4SXdlIU/s320/IMG_4867.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIpulkefHEAiQm-wGC6z2tdYB4duQ_RJfvR7hnTk48dYi96ZVKBbW5ktGTfI23CXHNqEbjLuQqENQtU6eW-vFkUfoZo8YIBN2gGYxiqNOQUT-JY8zZzQItw3cpchdsWU875JkEbQadQY/s1600/IMG_4889.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1187" data-original-width="1600" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIpulkefHEAiQm-wGC6z2tdYB4duQ_RJfvR7hnTk48dYi96ZVKBbW5ktGTfI23CXHNqEbjLuQqENQtU6eW-vFkUfoZo8YIBN2gGYxiqNOQUT-JY8zZzQItw3cpchdsWU875JkEbQadQY/s320/IMG_4889.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Of the many hideously steep monsters hiding in this part of the hills, Los Gatos between Carancho and Avocado Mesa is the only one that gets all the attention. In a way, it should... the gradient there is just ungodly... for a long long long time. Though, if you are a cycling hillbilly, the whole of Los Gatos (from Vista Del Mar and not just that one section that starts at Carancho) is like one of those irresistible Greek tragedies one has to try and cry on (if any breath can be spared for the latter). </span><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I did much slow-grind hiking on mtb shoes on that death march than I'd like, and had much less breath to cry than to reoxygenate all the screaming muscle and lung tissues. But... I survived and got to see a lot of view to boot. I don't ever want to do it again... but I probably will. Hills like that are something like a very addictive form of mental illness. It is a lucky thing that once you've made it to Via Volcano, then you can come down the Plateau via Clinton Keith Rd without having to climb any more hill for a long while. Gosh knows you legs won't even like a pedal push to clear a speed bump for a few miles after that ordeal. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4M6zuNd2h8Bo3iBelbevNXz84KyzvQF__z8EZe8zjYq2AyVvRrK8UVB7toI-cg12Cho5IWuib48KgtzuxuYbUAsBbPBs6ot1kztprVGzsY0oDaVWuaH-j3rGOFrgPJpItX55Geb6GmI/s1500/IMG_4899.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4M6zuNd2h8Bo3iBelbevNXz84KyzvQF__z8EZe8zjYq2AyVvRrK8UVB7toI-cg12Cho5IWuib48KgtzuxuYbUAsBbPBs6ot1kztprVGzsY0oDaVWuaH-j3rGOFrgPJpItX55Geb6GmI/s320/IMG_4899.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSIVz-MNKkU5Vp7ALm3mopBUtRjN64HOvVbMybmLYavksLGZTHVnLKw0rcQ3nb2mtJ4a8GttI3yY3lnRIkeC_4yfnwNWMGxrxM0tlZqQ5ZZqR-1i3cXO6JlRRsSz1Ps5XpoKGM8_CS2s/s1600/bike+at+Via+Volcano+at+Avocado+Mesa.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSIVz-MNKkU5Vp7ALm3mopBUtRjN64HOvVbMybmLYavksLGZTHVnLKw0rcQ3nb2mtJ4a8GttI3yY3lnRIkeC_4yfnwNWMGxrxM0tlZqQ5ZZqR-1i3cXO6JlRRsSz1Ps5XpoKGM8_CS2s/s320/bike+at+Via+Volcano+at+Avocado+Mesa.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cfGANUgn8CTKa4F6GsfKQXnTDW-uSRbeHiB_aC0tDGxUYCHEmY621z955jokDgynm5DdaoteXoWBmcZvAl5BWY8NERBx5qhGaPAF8HD0IpddVee9KHMY-j7-T-uz0E-MZGSEeAzCsYo/s1500/IMG_4921.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1500" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cfGANUgn8CTKa4F6GsfKQXnTDW-uSRbeHiB_aC0tDGxUYCHEmY621z955jokDgynm5DdaoteXoWBmcZvAl5BWY8NERBx5qhGaPAF8HD0IpddVee9KHMY-j7-T-uz0E-MZGSEeAzCsYo/s320/IMG_4921.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">There aren't many 'big sky' space left in this part of Southern California, and the Santa Rosa Plateau is one worth lingering in after having earned your way up it. Traffic is next to nothing during the work week. It's a fabulous place to pedal very softly, bird watch, and drink in the view without rushing back into any of the towns below.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzv1v6sJMI_7H6IpoPTwWDyOj8-LmDOpJoKDmDh08C6TmmbG3T_lmjDny57nZkdQXZmCDiZ5fvj_yV_qrEZZktMdem2W-iE9n5lCrPtX1Hgd8moa5uICutGaDYocbX7XEijS8ynAkfTU/s1800/IMG_4948.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="1800" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzv1v6sJMI_7H6IpoPTwWDyOj8-LmDOpJoKDmDh08C6TmmbG3T_lmjDny57nZkdQXZmCDiZ5fvj_yV_qrEZZktMdem2W-iE9n5lCrPtX1Hgd8moa5uICutGaDYocbX7XEijS8ynAkfTU/s320/IMG_4948.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_c_EXytKt20xRRYZ-DR2hiBRiO0QxWHSs3i92rmu_FvtVQVywb1fKRZAsQ-Nc7Mb1mbbaWJzICPvxOPkazcKPaF0LBYjdKPQVkWvl1Owy3zfMxk7g3Xf69zDKpS15ikmqZSvevoDjdxc/s1600/IMG_4957.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="1600" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_c_EXytKt20xRRYZ-DR2hiBRiO0QxWHSs3i92rmu_FvtVQVywb1fKRZAsQ-Nc7Mb1mbbaWJzICPvxOPkazcKPaF0LBYjdKPQVkWvl1Owy3zfMxk7g3Xf69zDKpS15ikmqZSvevoDjdxc/s320/IMG_4957.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rolling down the hill on Clinton Keith Rd is a blast with the caveat that much of the 'bike lane'/shoulder is actually not usable. It's steeply canted from the fog line to the pavement edge... so, avoid it and stay in the lane at least until the fire station. It's too fast a downhill to risk a stupid crash on. </span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXZzR7MpZ1VwSskqzqWFarPKp53l_0AavEiKhC2U6PJ1xChsStlUw_UiYnDWJji3UPEFxanIkHUrFTZ-CJj8JfY4TrVuWtAXD1JLswxanRZyaYrP9YqWKwVzoN688RjVTCXwLF4pT2eg/s1500/bike+in+Downtown+Murrieta.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1500" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXZzR7MpZ1VwSskqzqWFarPKp53l_0AavEiKhC2U6PJ1xChsStlUw_UiYnDWJji3UPEFxanIkHUrFTZ-CJj8JfY4TrVuWtAXD1JLswxanRZyaYrP9YqWKwVzoN688RjVTCXwLF4pT2eg/s320/bike+in+Downtown+Murrieta.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndqCCmpysitkUPF0HkfC0qKbcyiEKc3AtHjIO-Ayreesrv9yutWKxys0YUDvMKWMw_uJ_c7me70h3M7ElZnxsLQSCGnMmRUBWFFjJeAiZ_NX-dpIKBOPWIICSX6BwhaX6O9Ax6LRThn0/s1700/IMG_5964.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1257" data-original-width="1700" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndqCCmpysitkUPF0HkfC0qKbcyiEKc3AtHjIO-Ayreesrv9yutWKxys0YUDvMKWMw_uJ_c7me70h3M7ElZnxsLQSCGnMmRUBWFFjJeAiZ_NX-dpIKBOPWIICSX6BwhaX6O9Ax6LRThn0/s320/IMG_5964.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZnwQ7MzE4iIrP7trOppOnme7GjoSSKmMae0fIrWyUHCQrEr6-gFYyEvEpUSEx10AH0nNzPvrQITDCPj1PDR5OA3jtGV05esp7qTPEJ6vaup9uj9EsN9gJdvHjlR_FSl8t4kXaQXuYZg/s1700/IMG_5965.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="1700" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZnwQ7MzE4iIrP7trOppOnme7GjoSSKmMae0fIrWyUHCQrEr6-gFYyEvEpUSEx10AH0nNzPvrQITDCPj1PDR5OA3jtGV05esp7qTPEJ6vaup9uj9EsN9gJdvHjlR_FSl8t4kXaQXuYZg/s320/IMG_5965.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">A quick pit stop at the Albertson's on Washington St, and then a quick bypass of Murrieta via Adams St (the most pleasant north-south road to ride on, really, all the way to Temecula, as it dead end for cars in two different spots) before merging my way thru Temecula traffic (I crossed I-15 via the 1st St bridge rather than staying on Jefferson in order to avoid the freeway interchange craziness). </span><p></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A2M6vgHTpNg" title="YouTube video player" width="500"></iframe><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Then the curvy climb up Rainbow Valley Blvd earned me another long downhill/flat stretch back to Vista via Old Hwy 395 and Hwy 76 (busy fast road, but pretty flat with a wide shoulder to ride on). It's a long day on the bike (but it doesn't have to be that long if you have a car and just start/finish in Fallbrook)... just the way I like it, even if the quads doeth protest too much. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37975573 </span></p>Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-49311116495746353092020-12-31T12:47:00.005-08:002020-12-31T12:47:53.136-08:002020 On The Bike<p> Thanks to COVID19 pandemic, which hit San Diego in March, 2020 has been a rather bust year for venturing out for exotic adventure rides in the country. I did sneak a few good ones in before going into shut down (just riding solo locally) mode, and even made some new cycling friends... though we probably wouldn't recognize each other without the mask and the helmet on!</p><p><br /></p><p>I'm grateful that my riding groups (Swami Cycling and Girlz Gone Riding - San Diego) are made of responsible people who value the good of the community over short-term gratification and haven't organized any group ride since the first stay-at-home order in March. It's a matter of perspectives. This pandemic, like many other national/global crises before it, will pass. It won't kill anyone to just ride solo for a while and to not take the risk of needing medical care just when our medical infrastructure is on the brink of breaking. </p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="305" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HQygLgQt_60" width="540"></iframe>
<p>The vaccines are rolling out, and there's summer on the other side of winter. Hang in there, and we'll all be out adventuring and cheering each other up and down the hills again soon! </p>Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-18003611160394176562020-10-19T15:02:00.003-07:002022-09-10T09:46:49.701-07:00San Diego North County Rites of Passage Paved Climbs<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">It's been a long while, but yours truly haven't retired from the wearing habit of steep hills hunting. I have moved to the northern bit of the county, though, and it takes a while getting to know all the monsters in one's new environs. </span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Without further ado, here is a list of 10 famous road cycling climbs in San Diego's North County (that is, north of Hwy 56, and west of Valley Center Rd/Bear Valley Pkwy or Hwy 67) that local riders tend to allude to when comparing how painful their last series of undulated suffering was. To be sure, there are gorier ascents than those on this list. I'm just listing the ones with the best combination of well known/ridden and toughness in different areas of North County. The list of the true hardest climbs will come later. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>10. <a href="https://www.strava.com/segments/903504">Three Witches </a> (San Dieguito Rd from El Apajo to just before Camino del Sur): </b>To escape from the old money neighborhood of Rancho Santa Fe via San Dieguito Rd to the neuvo riches along Camino del Sur (Santa Luz, 4S Ranch, etc), you must dispatch Three wicked Witches guarding the way: As far as tough climbs go, this triple-steps two-miler is rather tame both in gradient and in length. It is; however, a featured climbs on many trans-coastal rides including the San Diego Century. One must climb little hills before graduating to the truly nasty ones. Three Witches is a great hill to train on for more nastiness to come. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UuugjleCA6Li-bXfFAMUyCwrCq5xtFP8LNEHmue2Dq08QfDaUMzU6tXD_2JxhuaiFx3rH_bubx6pNotJphCjMHD7B5OmdFC4sMiin4QoH_TfgYFe7zPtO3ZZKii-bh8A3GzB5x9aTzU/s1800/Scripps+Poway+Pkwy+4.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="1800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UuugjleCA6Li-bXfFAMUyCwrCq5xtFP8LNEHmue2Dq08QfDaUMzU6tXD_2JxhuaiFx3rH_bubx6pNotJphCjMHD7B5OmdFC4sMiin4QoH_TfgYFe7zPtO3ZZKii-bh8A3GzB5x9aTzU/s320/Scripps+Poway+Pkwy+4.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Scripps Poway Pkwy climb toward Hwy 67.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">9. <b><a href="https://www.strava.com/segments/580898">Purple Monster </a></b>(Scripps Poway Parkway from Pomerado to Hwy 67): Yet another featured climb from the famed San Diego Century ride! The 1.8 mile stretch of Scripps Poway Parkway to Hwy 67 on the Purple Course of the SDC is quite jacaranda purple in the cool of springtime, which is also the best time of year to tackle this ascent (or, really, any ascent east of I-15). The Strava segment has the climb starts a bit later than it should, really, as Purple Monster really stops being friendly to eastbound riders as far west as the intersection with Community Rd.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">As a side note, although we call Scripps Poway Pkwy a monster, it is actually the nicest way to bike commute between Poway proper and Hwy 67. It is the mellowest climb - gradientwise - and the least traffically stressful compared with the likes of Highland Valley Rd and Poway Rd. There is ample shoulder on both ascent and descent to stay well away from the all too fast cars in the traffic lane. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmYArOOH2G5dAl8cQQaAgsaiTJCJLsBzlx--DSBinXIaj8kTzcnhpnBo6XJ0SY4FxAmbY_DpnzXwHCotoev6j-uQTR2aG5_dtKrsi6nztzk5hXNK--VKtnN2-DVjj4P0sBVNr8OjCAYnz6fUnY0MPsz9JzvIXMbaynr2oxNSN_70xbAJIHrK-2eU2/s1800/Scripps%20Poway%20Pkwy%20climbing%20to%20Hwy%2067.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1800" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmYArOOH2G5dAl8cQQaAgsaiTJCJLsBzlx--DSBinXIaj8kTzcnhpnBo6XJ0SY4FxAmbY_DpnzXwHCotoev6j-uQTR2aG5_dtKrsi6nztzk5hXNK--VKtnN2-DVjj4P0sBVNr8OjCAYnz6fUnY0MPsz9JzvIXMbaynr2oxNSN_70xbAJIHrK-2eU2/s320/Scripps%20Poway%20Pkwy%20climbing%20to%20Hwy%2067.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scripps Poway Parkway climbing toward Hwy 67.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>8. El Fuerte/Alicante (Carlsbad):</b> This is probably my least favorite local hill repeat loop. It hurts multiple times in both directions, and a lot of it is the sort of hill that doesn't look like it should be that painful (or long) a hill, but it keeps kicking where it shouldn't. Then you get to a downhill, and it's all over with so soon... only to be followed by more climbing. Basically a lot of pain and not quite enough immediate rewards (but, keep coming back to it, and you'll likely get quite a lot stronger as a climber in the long run). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The whole El Fuerte/Alicant is 7.6 miles long, with multiple nasty uphill stretches no matter which direction you ride it. The worst bit of the CW direction is probably the mile long climb <a href="https://www.strava.com/segments/2340031">from Poisettia to Alga</a>. (<a href="https://www.strava.com/segments/639054">Alga Rd</a> climb from Alicante to El Fuerte is its own popular reference hill in North County, by the way) From the CCW direction, the stretch <a href="https://www.strava.com/segments/2415961">from Altiva to Corinthia</a> is just awful. I personally prefer the CCW direction mostly due to traffic on Alicante north of Alga Rd. </span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEV8CDXXIf8KWke3BcusrhmB8E4dnVW1t3eTyjil7sbIBq8Mr4IFcOoatD0m7GrqcXRy9Io0VLash6qismy7HnuTgW-cilUZg4xSsAhwvKbBhw6pbZGJkoO9a--ETL4Al6uFZ1VgbYDRH6AKmaU8rOngoZmngK-BjuhB_uKn1wFEhdbcXXRwlGvyJ/s1600/Gibralta%20crossing%202.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1234" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEV8CDXXIf8KWke3BcusrhmB8E4dnVW1t3eTyjil7sbIBq8Mr4IFcOoatD0m7GrqcXRy9Io0VLash6qismy7HnuTgW-cilUZg4xSsAhwvKbBhw6pbZGJkoO9a--ETL4Al6uFZ1VgbYDRH6AKmaU8rOngoZmngK-BjuhB_uKn1wFEhdbcXXRwlGvyJ/s320/Gibralta%20crossing%202.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gnarly strait of Gibralta dip...</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>Note:</b> Th<i>ere is a much steeper way of climbing Alga Hill (the hill that Alga Rd, El Fuerte/Alicante live on), but it isn't very well known, and so doesn't have an entry of its own on this list. It involves approaching from Gibralta Dr north of La Costa Ave, traversing a terrible concrete dip that is not recommended at all during or right after rain, and turning right onto Bolero Dr all the way to the top.</i> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>7. <a href="https://www.strava.com/segments/273715">Lake Wohlford Rd</a></b> (Valley Center): A featured climb on the annual Giro di San Diego Gran Fondo, this curvy 2 miler from Valley Center Rd to the lake is best tackled during the week when traffic is less bustling with boat-towing SUVs and trailers. The first mile is the steepest, then it modulates quite a bit on the way to the bridge which marks the top of the climb. Being a mostly east-west climb before veering due north at the lake, timing the climb so that the sun is not in the eyes of the drivers coming up behind you is quite important. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXyW1dZldjrwLeE6H9D6N7UEIj56tpRLjF79Qc64MwPyuWMarljdCc-CiUVaZsJgw7v82MVBW9FirKMo69crHicgXAGxplhkX38yhVYSJEwxyzWFoAL6WtWBKJsCAMw4_fSQIYn2lnEQ/s1900/6+eastbound+HVR.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1425" data-original-width="1900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXyW1dZldjrwLeE6H9D6N7UEIj56tpRLjF79Qc64MwPyuWMarljdCc-CiUVaZsJgw7v82MVBW9FirKMo69crHicgXAGxplhkX38yhVYSJEwxyzWFoAL6WtWBKJsCAMw4_fSQIYn2lnEQ/s320/6+eastbound+HVR.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The gnarly 1st uphill mile on HVR.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>6. <a href="https://www.strava.com/segments/673875">Highland Valley Rd</a></b> from Sycamore Creek Rd to Ramona (Escondido): Highland Valley Rd is not one I would recommend to anyone new to cycling... mostly due to traffic. To be sure, HVR doesn't carry as much traffic as does the 78 to the north or even Poway Rd to the south, but the first mile of climbing is not only very steep, but also has no shoulder to speak of, and is so curvy and narrow that one can't count on motorized traffic to stay on the right side of the road. It is east of the 15, so tend to be very hot in the summer - fall months... but if you head out there early, you run the risk of having the sun rising right into the eyes of the drivers driving up the curvy road behind you. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N48_RhsHEso" width="320" youtube-src-id="N48_RhsHEso"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">For seasoned cyclists, the HVR descent is one of the best in town, but one must always be careful to not count on the road being clear of rock fall debris on the other side of the blind curve (and that the oncoming cars will stay on their side of the yellow line). There are a couple of right turns on the descent that keeps turning longer than they should. It is a fun but quite unforgiving descent.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>5. San Elijo Rd/Double Peak Dr</b> (San Marcos): Known simply as 'Double Peak' climb. The 3 miles climb starts off quite gently at the intersection of San Elijo Rd at S Melrose Dr and continue straight thru San Elijo Hills community. It gets steeper (6-8%) after passing Elfin Forest Rd. San Elijo Rd keeps climbing for another 1/3 mile or so past Double Peak Rd traffic light, but we'll turn left on Double Peak Rd for a very punishing last mile up to Double Peak Park parking lot (those inclined could indulge in another short but steep dirt ramp to the proper top of the hill for extra credit). This is the fearsome last (and featured) climb on the local annual sufferfest <a href="https://smorgcycle.blogspot.com/2019/06/belgian-wafer-ride-2019.html">Belgian Waffle/Wafer Ride</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YmggTnEleOI" width="320" youtube-src-id="YmggTnEleOI"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Double Peak and its sister <a href="http://smorgcycle.blogspot.com/2020/08/san-marcos-little-mt-whitney.html">Mt Whitney</a> require a post of their own, when it comes to horrible chain-stretching climbs. Stay tuned!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0lxo5XM9pvdJATuZ_B_RKfJwGahLiRhy0numCjIKTyUzox-CpA7y2bLeNNporlg4inq9aLRWWB8iwr9G8CFcarZQr9z9LYOuz_hG039QjMIwncedkDYOTzriL653nWxDzWXGQxxZjAM/s2000/Couser+Canyon+Rd+descent+%2528upper%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0lxo5XM9pvdJATuZ_B_RKfJwGahLiRhy0numCjIKTyUzox-CpA7y2bLeNNporlg4inq9aLRWWB8iwr9G8CFcarZQr9z9LYOuz_hG039QjMIwncedkDYOTzriL653nWxDzWXGQxxZjAM/s320/Couser+Canyon+Rd+descent+%2528upper%2529.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Descending Couser Canyon in the late morning shade.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>4. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pzI_jZ6NTE">Couser Canyon Rd</a></b> (Lilac): </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Couser Canyon Rd runs north-south along the east side of Lancaster Mountain, and is exposed to the east, so it's best cycling it in the morning hours for optimum visibility (the afternoon sun can cast very dark shadow on the road and hide you from motorized traffic... and also hide road cracks and debris from you). This is an awesome cycling road connecting Escondido to Rainbow and on to Temecula via Rice Canyon and Rainbow Valley Blvd. It is a relatively mellow, quite scenic, curvy and constant 3.8 mile climb. Fairly low traffic, tho best avoid on weekends and holidays as it is a favorite of local sport motorcyclists. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_p1bbzgR3lStJbSZu6nG7GVzE1CEF4FNMFmL64a06e2TIMon7JVSaUdPerWFUaT5DH2e-JLk-j2KqaQiuXprTMy1uMz9atiKLXAx3C2FoI7rh-Up6tPbxoZOqQH-fGbxUdgOgEiIOjfg/s1700/Coronado+Hills+Rd+1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_p1bbzgR3lStJbSZu6nG7GVzE1CEF4FNMFmL64a06e2TIMon7JVSaUdPerWFUaT5DH2e-JLk-j2KqaQiuXprTMy1uMz9atiKLXAx3C2FoI7rh-Up6tPbxoZOqQH-fGbxUdgOgEiIOjfg/s320/Coronado+Hills+Rd+1.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Coronado Hills Dr from La Moree.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>3. <a href="https://www.strava.com/segments/695834">Coronado Hills Dr</a></b> (San Marcos): This is the lone legit route up to the top of little Mt Whitney, the tallest peak on the Cerro de las Posas mountain range that dominates the skyline of San Marcos. It starts out mellow enough heading south from La Moree, but when it starts kicking as you approach the only house on the east side of the road, it kicks with a vicious glee... and doesn't really let up until you earn the saddle at the intersection with Washingtonia. To get to Mt Whitney you would turn right there and climb more rolling bumps of various degrees of savagery until you get to the radio tower. Or, if you are looking for a morning of horrid hill workout, you could <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT9XtXhi7rw&t=2m19s">continue down the other side</a> of the saddle to the SE end of the road and ride back up... and just keep going back and forth from one end of Coronado Hills to another until your legs fall off. It's a distinct possibility. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5Zzrn-N3VhAN8dIFIKc4nMCsUGue-HiezhBMs105qfK92QbBKcogdYGdA_rCVhUxCD_zGoV1ZeH8KGlZvQ_jxCUMK87cAzkEOBhPUUIVm-ppIQIR0VA4WTwPRSJLuM23kxor34PLD5g/s1700/Cole+Grade+preview.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5Zzrn-N3VhAN8dIFIKc4nMCsUGue-HiezhBMs105qfK92QbBKcogdYGdA_rCVhUxCD_zGoV1ZeH8KGlZvQ_jxCUMK87cAzkEOBhPUUIVm-ppIQIR0VA4WTwPRSJLuM23kxor34PLD5g/s320/Cole+Grade+preview.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The flat bottom just before Cole Grade Rd kicks up the hill for 3 miles of pain.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>2. <a href="https://www.strava.com/segments/983851">Cole Grade Rd from Hwy 76</a></b> to McNally (Pauma Valley): The 2.5 mile bicycling escape route from Rincon to Valley Center is one hot climb. Even when it's cold out, it's always hot climbing up Cole Grade Rd. Newcomers may roll their eyes at the number of times old spinners claim that they hurt so much more climbing up Cole Grade after Palomar Mtn than they did on Palomar itself... but it is oh-so-true! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I think much of it is due to the physical and psychological drain Palomar usually has on you before you get to Cole Grade, and also because of the latter's more severe gradient... and the general lack of wind carving up that side of the hill. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Nevertheless, Cole Grade remains the safest way to ride back up to Escondido from the SW side of Palomar Mtn (I, for one, would happily go downhill on Valley Center Rd from N Lake Wohlford to Harrah's casino, but not the reverse, which I had to do when I rode the first Giro di San Diego Gran Fondo in 2012. Happy to have survived it, and would rather not do it again... ever). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XlFQQqdzURM" width="320" youtube-src-id="XlFQQqdzURM"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Besides, whenever the Tour of California cycling race comes to town, the pros are usually made to ride up Cole Grade Rd after going over Palomar Mtn, and its steep S curve section is usually where the decisive break of the day gets away from the main peloton.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>1. <a href="https://www.strava.com/segments/24481470">Palomar Mtn by Hwy 76 and South Grade Rd</a></b> (S6): San Diego's very own Highway to the Stars, South Grade Rd was built in 19 to transport the Hale Telescope to Palomar Observatory. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMJgUcjnLTDKgU1JttVZ191Tt59zc5Lzrp-UhCKd2Jhs9wsqKGtybK5HMky0pwnk0dY3yEaIWDQQnDqJz2EGq27JZp6eSmfSfUdJi1pmxNDut7ziN_FgTMCqga-vJ05JIhuZZeagp1G4/s2000/25+Ashley+topping+out+Palomar+S+Grade+Rd.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1519" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMJgUcjnLTDKgU1JttVZ191Tt59zc5Lzrp-UhCKd2Jhs9wsqKGtybK5HMky0pwnk0dY3yEaIWDQQnDqJz2EGq27JZp6eSmfSfUdJi1pmxNDut7ziN_FgTMCqga-vJ05JIhuZZeagp1G4/s320/25+Ashley+topping+out+Palomar+S+Grade+Rd.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">To the local cyclists, this 12 miler with 21 hairpin turns is our version of the Tour de France's famed L'Alpe d'Huez, with similar distance, gradient, and curvature. It is probably the most consistent long climb in the county. Aside from the lone 1/5 mile long false flat just before the left turn onto South Grade Rd, the climbing gradient is a near constant 7% (the last mile is the hardest one). With no chain-stretching gradient anywhere on the route, cycling up Palomar Mt from the south is more a test of will than anything else... especially during the hot summer months when the long middle stretch of the climb is infested by horse flies and gnats.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGN7TgTQytuyO4PBIY33wNFyzuAAQyKqjhnWYJzBRrfJaUb-WOVKfnG8SqoLUWYaZ1fv2SgQ2cwFJm5PyVxjfzfNR4VsPo0rmNDkdfwgjN-k9_8H5HB0ec2ZaVBREBk-ztRo0e3jAG400/s1500/Dad%252C+son%252C+mom+memorial+on+Palomar+South+Grade+Rd.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGN7TgTQytuyO4PBIY33wNFyzuAAQyKqjhnWYJzBRrfJaUb-WOVKfnG8SqoLUWYaZ1fv2SgQ2cwFJm5PyVxjfzfNR4VsPo0rmNDkdfwgjN-k9_8H5HB0ec2ZaVBREBk-ztRo0e3jAG400/s320/Dad%252C+son%252C+mom+memorial+on+Palomar+South+Grade+Rd.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Avoid this ride on weekends and holidays when wiggly South Grade Rd is the hot spot for local sport motorcyclists, and the narrow lanes of Hwy 76 is busy with boat-towing trailers and semi trucks. Also, bring plenty of water with you if you attempt this in the hot season. The only watering spot on the climb is the little convenient store on Oak Knolls campground on the first mile of South Grade Rd, then there is nothing until <a href="https://www.palomarmountainstore.com/">Palomar Mountain General Store</a> and <a href="https://www.motherskitchenpalomar.com/">Mother's Kitchen</a> at the top.<br /></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QO7mIJmc2X8" width="320" youtube-src-id="QO7mIJmc2X8"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">As awesome a climb as Palomar South Grade Rd is, it is an even better descent... albeit one best taken with plenty of caution. If you are just doing out-and-back up Palomar, look at the opposite lane on the way up and make a mental note of any potentially hazardous debris field or pot holes/road cracks that might catch you on the way down. Also, beware of the 3 cow grates on the road (you never know if there could be anything stuck in them), and the blind curves. I've been lucky and only seen deer on the road twice in the many years I've ridden there. Some others have seen more. Don't go bombing down that road faster than you could safely control your bike.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Related posts:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://smorgcycle.blogspot.com/2013/01/san-diegos-rite-of-passage-road-cycling.html">San Diego (city)'s Rite of Passage Climbs</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://smorgcycle.blogspot.com/2014/10/san-diegos-toughest-road-climbs-little.html">San Diego (city)'s Steepest Short Climbs</a> (1-2 city blocks)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">S<a href="https://smorgcycle.blogspot.com/2015/06/san-diegos-steepest-road-climbs.html">an Diego's Steep Sub-Mile Climbs</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">San Diego North County's Steepest Sub-Mile Climbs </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://smorgcycle.blogspot.com/search?q=camino+del+aguila">Camino del Aguila</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://smorgcycle.blogspot.com/2022/09/san-diego-countys-ten-everest-friendly.html">Everest-Friendly Climbs in San Diego County</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-33194583635879435712020-09-13T13:14:00.001-07:002020-09-13T13:15:12.434-07:00What is in your bike's saddlebag?<p> All seasoned cyclists have an equipment pouch with them when they ride. Most often it's hanging below the saddle (saddlebag), sometimes it's attached to the stem and the top tube (bento bag), or in a triangular pouch between the top tube and the down tube, or in the second water bottle (usually the one on the seat tube), or in the Camelbak backpack. However we are carrying the equipment/tools, we are carrying them. They are the safety net that allows us to ride far away from home knowing that we will probably be able to cope with any roadside mechanical and ride back home (or at least to the working bus stop or within Uber/Lyft/Taxi range). </p><p>The most common mechanical problem you will get on the road/trail, of course, is the flat tire. Being able to change flats properly on your own is a necessary skills for any cyclist. Check with your local bike shops or cycling clubs to see if there is any flat clinic available (they are usually free). If not, there are several good 'how to' videos on Youtube. I recommend the Park Tool videos. They are really excellent and thorough. </p><p><br />
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</p><p>So, what is in the bag?</p><p>At the minimum, your saddlebag should contain:</p><p>A spare inner tube that fits your tires and wheels, a patch kit, CO2 nozzle and a couple of canisters unless you are carrying a frame pump, tire levers/irons, a multi-tool with a chain-tool and spoke key(s) that fits your spoke nipples. </p><p>If you ride your bike enough, you WILL have a mechanical issue on the road sometimes. Even if you don't know how to repair whatever it is, it's best to have the tools with you. Chances are a good Samaritan will stop to check on you (cyclists are pretty good that way), but he/she won't be able to fix it for you if there is no tool available. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xilynEOYofpkQ5PZOEOL_zlCLH2AvFrJfE1-uP9jGZnK_M09-_WTGFvLy0fBqOK2MlnDNZCl6GSRUnYPzz8M6dYLHAYfC1SV8jT2-JgAfzSSQLBU9_jJG413XOiIldB5SzVkgyW8nrg/s1600/DSC02760.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1235" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xilynEOYofpkQ5PZOEOL_zlCLH2AvFrJfE1-uP9jGZnK_M09-_WTGFvLy0fBqOK2MlnDNZCl6GSRUnYPzz8M6dYLHAYfC1SV8jT2-JgAfzSSQLBU9_jJG413XOiIldB5SzVkgyW8nrg/w320-h247/DSC02760.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My saddlebag's contents.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I ride solo in lonely places far away from help a lot, so my saddlebag isn't quite 'minimalistic'. There are:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Powdered spare inner tube.</b> My tubes come unpowdered in a paperbox. I take them out of the box, powder them, and wrap them each in a plastic bag with a 16 or 20 g canister of CO2, and write the tube's spec on the bag (since I switch between 28mm and 30mm tires quite a bit, depending on what sort of terrain I was heading into).</li><li><b>CO2 nozzle and at least 2 CO2 canisters of 16 or 20g</b>. I use the super easy to use basic green Genuine Innovations G20315 nozzle. They're very hardy and small. </li><li><b>Two tire levers</b> (plus one more attached to the multi-tool). </li><li>A preglued <b>patch kit</b> (with 5 patches in it). </li><li>A Park Tool IB-3 <b>multi-tool with chain tool, spoke keys</b>, and the extra tire lever. It's a heavier multi-tool, but it is super sturdy and has nearly all the tools you'd need. </li><li><b>A missing link</b>. Well, usually 2 of those, one standard one, and one Wipperman Connex. The Wipperman is missing in the photo, since I used it the day before to connect a riding buddy's broken chain on the road. Unlike the standard missing link, the Wipperman Connex link can be used multiple times, and does not require any tool to install or remove. It is quite a bit more expensive than the standard missing link, but it's worth every penny.</li><li>A mini <b>lube</b> pouch.</li><li><b>Alcohol pads</b> (for cleaning disc brake rotors or the braking surface on wheel rim).</li><li>A <b>Schrader/Presta valve adapter</b>, so I can make use of gas station air pump. Gas station air pumps generally max out at 80 psi, which is not ideal for many. But I'm light enough and running bigger tires, so 80 psi will easily enable me to ride home.</li><li>A <b>nitrile glove and wet wipe</b>. I look scary enough on my own without the involuntary post-repair black face paint.</li><li>A tablet of <b>Diphenhydramine</b> antihistamine (aka Benadryl)... you never know when you're gonna run into an angry bee or rattler. </li><li>A <b>sock</b> (you know how they get unpaired in the laudry and all of the sudden you have a closet full of unmatched socks?) and a spare rubber band. I also wrap a length of electrical tape around my handlebar stem, just in case. Just about everything but the tire levers go into the sock, and then into the saddlebag. It helps to not loose the little bitty stuff on the ground. Besides, it's a handy chain-wipe when needed. </li><li>An <b>extra strap.</b> Or a <b>zip tie</b>. </li><li>A piece of candy... Of course, I also carry gels and stuff in my jersey pocket. It's a just-in-case candy. Sometimes you get sort of frustrated wrestling with Murphy's Law's Revenge Days, and just need a pleasant sweet things to cheer you up a bit. I'm not called Smorg for nothing!</li></ul><p></p>Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-56750143180952255812020-08-25T15:07:00.004-07:002020-08-25T15:07:50.667-07:00Go for a ride!Don't get too hung up over your equipment, new riders. All you really need to explore and ride to places are a reliable bicycle - hopefully one with hills-friendly gear - as there isn't much flat riding to be had in San Diego County, a pair of comfortable cycling short or bib (because chafing down there really sucks), a little repair supplies/kit (and the know how to use it), water bottle and some food, the law doesn't require it for adults, but it's generally a good idea to wear a helmet, definitely some good research of the area you'll be exploring/riding in (escape/alternate plan B included), and a 'can do and will do' attitude.
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kAmLveqAiqmD8kKwfhqYpgjkVIQsoHTIX1lCSgR2Wx2r19DoYRKWvO0gNT6JcS1mC-cmzumqyHbGW12QL8IdavbWLBClsuWTR8yY1iVRnMs0vF7XqeA08bx3OvmIQQRZegbEs7ke3rM/s1500/IMG_4174.JPG" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kAmLveqAiqmD8kKwfhqYpgjkVIQsoHTIX1lCSgR2Wx2r19DoYRKWvO0gNT6JcS1mC-cmzumqyHbGW12QL8IdavbWLBClsuWTR8yY1iVRnMs0vF7XqeA08bx3OvmIQQRZegbEs7ke3rM/w240-h320/IMG_4174.JPG" title="The original Smorgmobile was an all aluminum Giant Defy 5" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original Smorgmobile was an all aluminum Giant Defy 5 with triple crank and 11-26 cassette.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gSNqeRSAj-vMwu-ITo6Oce_oJjQygoyW1F43zaA2pxT8d0SvPBp57FkDzSciiX97PhIHgLfd__gtg1MJ82wSNHqweUTG3GcaWpoojz02-SM7bQ2bUa9IuhKNnMxzViR80qAPjsXO3Vs/s1700/IMG_1907.JPG" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1109" data-original-width="1700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gSNqeRSAj-vMwu-ITo6Oce_oJjQygoyW1F43zaA2pxT8d0SvPBp57FkDzSciiX97PhIHgLfd__gtg1MJ82wSNHqweUTG3GcaWpoojz02-SM7bQ2bUa9IuhKNnMxzViR80qAPjsXO3Vs/s320/IMG_1907.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Style is nice, but substance is what counts. Go out and ride!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>
You don't need the lightest of bikes or fancy stuff, unless you are planning on racing with the elites. People go out and tour on their bike in all sorts of gear. Some of my local cycling heroes go out everyday riding their 30+ yrs old steel bike with downtube shifters, some ride in sandals, etc. Don't sit around thinking you can't ride this or that way because you don't have the $$ to shell out for proper road cycling shoes (that really won't allow you to do anything in them except for cycling on good pavement) or lightest clipless pedals or aero helmet or aero wheels or whatever. Plot out the places you want to go, check out the conditions (weather okay? any road construction along the way? any wild fire in the area? where would you be able to stop to resupply? if this road or that road turns out impassable, how would you detour?), grab the necessary supplies... and go!</div><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="305" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y91ADBq82Xo" width="530"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div> I'm serious... I rode an all aluminum (fork included) bike with platform pedals carrying a backpack and wearing loafer shoes for years before I 'upgraded'. And in those lo-tech years, I rode up and down all the vertical streets of Dictionary Hills, out to Borrego Springs and back, and to the top and back down the likes of Cuyamaca Peak, Mt Woodson, Mt Laguna, Monument Peak, Los Pinos, the three main roads to Palomar Mountain, San Miguel Mountain, Starvation Mountain, Double Peak, Mt Israel, (little) Mt Whitney, and all the possible ways up and down Mt Soledad, Mt Helix, and Grossmont. Would it have been a tad easier on a lighter bike, a pair of stiffer shoes, being attached to the pedals, etc? Perhaps... but not having those things is really no obstacle at all.</div><div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="305" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P4jwdUL9p8I" width="530"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div> When I was still golfing professionally back in 1995 I was doing my putting practice routine on the practice green during a tournament in Tucson, AZ when this old local bloke came up to me to challenge me to a putt out. You could tell he didn't have any money. He was putting with his one short iron (probably a pitching wedge) and a very very used golf ball that wasn't even round anymore. The thing had so many bulges on it it wobbles every which way on the thin grass.
And he gave me a very good game for it.
Of course I won... with my proper putter and a perfectly round ball (I do miss the 90's awesome balata wounded golf balls). But I ended up buying his dinner simply because he was the one teaching me a very good lesson. </div><div><br /></div><div> If you love it. There is no excuse for not doing it. Just go and do... and live!</div>Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-13939461507386183842020-08-19T08:29:00.000-07:002020-08-19T08:29:21.106-07:00Riding the rural roads during wild fire season<p>California's wild fires season has extended a lot over the last decade or so. It used to be just a few months long from mid-summer to late fall (generally from September to early November). Now, it's almost all year long. </p><p><br /></p><p>As much as I love riding my bike on lonely rural roads out in the mountains east of town, I generally avoid it during the worst of the fire season (the old August - November time frame) even when there is no fire burning in the area. The summer heat and the mountain horse flies have both proven themselves more persistent than me. </p><p><br /></p><p>Even on rare days when I'm both off work and feeling strangely heat-resistant, though, there are things to consider and check on before I head east away from town this time of year:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWAeh61QDWjPzMbnh0yi_4ChoYtfwm2oOdiYWwx_OQSIgXw8R5OgrJTOJzyMJgNyyvQ1QBblQEBiJSKJg7u4uhce21tWdwxEHnUCEjZoRLk6P93y40q0gaQ3qP9aqqtc4oq1pSUULjVI/s1700/Lilac+Fire+from+Vista+Village.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1255" data-original-width="1700" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWAeh61QDWjPzMbnh0yi_4ChoYtfwm2oOdiYWwx_OQSIgXw8R5OgrJTOJzyMJgNyyvQ1QBblQEBiJSKJg7u4uhce21tWdwxEHnUCEjZoRLk6P93y40q0gaQ3qP9aqqtc4oq1pSUULjVI/w512-h378/Lilac+Fire+from+Vista+Village.JPG" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoke plume from the Lilac Fire as seen from central Vista in 2018. </td></tr></tbody></table><p>1. Santa Ana Wind Event: If there is one going on, I stay in town and away from the mountain roads. Period. I made the mistake of heading out to Warner Springs during an early Santa Ana event once, early in my cycling career and will never forget how murderous having that hideous gale as the crosswind on the narrow shoulder-less Hwy 79 could be. I was blown completely off the pavement 5 times between the intersections of San Felipe Rd and Hwy 76. Rare are the days when I love riding the 76 with all its casino and boat trailers and hay and horse trailers traffic... but it runs east-west rather than north-south, so the crosswind became a tailwind then, and I wasn't about to get killed every time I was passed by a big truck. </p><p><br /></p><p>2. Check wild fire status before heading out (and if it is possible to re-check during the ride, do). Generally the fires around here burn west... though sometimes they regress a bit back east with the morning onshore wind. Make sure you have secondary escape route if your main route gets (or is in danger of getting) cut off by a fire or its smoke... And, you definitely don't want to be riding on the roads the locals will be using to evacuate for a live fire. </p><p><br /></p><p>3. Really... if the Santa Ana Wind is in town, and there's a fire burning within 15 miles of your route, go a different way or just stay in town or on the coast. </p><p><br /></p><p>4. If you are one of those stubborn mules on wheels that will go no matter what (shame on you, and doubly so if you end up having to call for help and thereby endangering your rescuers), make sure your cellphone is all charged up (tho... out in the county you may not have cell reception), carry more than plenty of water with you, and have a print out map of the area you will be in. No cell service usually also means no internet... and the Garmin will only be able tell you the uploaded route, but maybe not the possible escape routes. Definitely also be sure someone knows your exact route and when to expect you back. </p><p><br /></p><p>5. But, really... don't be an idiot. When the Santa Ana Wind is in town... whether there is a fire burning nearby or not, stay in town or on the coast. Don't head east of town!</p>Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-67079536839457205522020-08-16T13:14:00.004-07:002020-08-21T11:48:34.041-07:00Valentine's Visit with the Ranchiti<p> It has obviously been a few months since Valentine's Day... What can I say? I'm a champion procrastinator! February 2020 was a month before COVID19 really caught ground here in the States, of course, so we were still free to roam well out of our immediate neighborhood. As I somehow got lucky and was not scheduled to work on Valentine's Day, I decided to go hop on the bike and go pay a long lost roadside friend a visit (and to be well out of town should the boss decided he needed me to come in after all). </p><p>The ride: <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/3100603539">https://www.strava.com/activities/3100603539</a> (Alas, I forgot to turn the Garmin back on to record the final 11 miles)</p><p>'Go east while the weather is cooperative,' is one of my cycling mantra. I chanted it in my head as I caught the well chilled pre-dawn train and bus out to Harrah's Casino in Rincon, and took off up Valley Center Rd in the frigid air. It was such a cold morning that I was 2 miles up the Hwy 76 climb before I was warm enough to stop to pack away my winter mitten and jacket. (Mind, catching a front flat from a piece of broken glass as I entered the Valley Center Rd and Hwy 76 roundabout didn't help. The easy job of flat repair becomes rather much less than easy in the 38F cold dark air. I could hardly tell my thumbs from my elbows). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQY6RKsZRqu9wpxJwGo_P0UADEyA-vKh0lpLSbKranLYPN8UpU-f4sgx-PsClTPuDT-L2cXUw4oC8AKIZKEvy0eWHqam0ZcUoJG9J99IvTR7A9Z7q_Q8B5i16RUFMKx1JqrdFM66GfN8Y/s2048/DSC00181.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1416" data-original-width="2048" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQY6RKsZRqu9wpxJwGo_P0UADEyA-vKh0lpLSbKranLYPN8UpU-f4sgx-PsClTPuDT-L2cXUw4oC8AKIZKEvy0eWHqam0ZcUoJG9J99IvTR7A9Z7q_Q8B5i16RUFMKx1JqrdFM66GfN8Y/w512-h354/DSC00181.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><p>But, all aggravations were forgotten 12 miles up the road when I turned off at a favorite spot just past Lake Henshaw to visit with my favorite view of the lake, fronted by the lonely branchy tree and with Hot Springs Mtn hovering in the background. It is one of my many private happy places around the county.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTd0vsdejgbQJSwLGgIUjLilbL2fR35v7xJub1_BScaruwkEwC6qTmRABqrWISwIHTmUK8C9hUEi9uQ9X6oRRHyR0mClw7m3N293Cih9v5zGF8ElV2ePf1s7MxaCJrvcHtnG6ovtM-HuQ/s1600/DSC00194.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1106" data-original-width="1600" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTd0vsdejgbQJSwLGgIUjLilbL2fR35v7xJub1_BScaruwkEwC6qTmRABqrWISwIHTmUK8C9hUEi9uQ9X6oRRHyR0mClw7m3N293Cih9v5zGF8ElV2ePf1s7MxaCJrvcHtnG6ovtM-HuQ/w512-h354/DSC00194.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><p>Traffic was light heading north on Hwy 79 through Mataguay, though there were many RVs and boat trailers caravaning east on San Felipe Rd. They were obviously traveling together as a few would end up turning out to wait for the others to catch up as they traveled east... with me inevitably playing leapfrog with the giants-with-many-blind-spots as we headed east toward the desert. It seems a bit amusing looking back on it now, but as that was going on I really did not enjoy it at all. Luckily all the leap-frogging giants continued on east on San Felipe Rd toward Salton Sea rather than turning onto Montezuma Valley Rd (S22) with me toward Ranchita. I looked back at them, took a deep breath of relief and immediately felt 10 lbs lighter. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitFGTbxWSEMqAqNidCcbjxWHQBupt__d2pRuz0r70I0hrf4PyDZiIA2qWVfPUaQg8SWis-pae1nLQF0RH2pL0IW4ECJeC0hRj-ZTxAzfp2lR1Xe3_JfHM9wT9FfxjgFZ_-bN-W1Z-Koo/s1200/DSC00196.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1200" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitFGTbxWSEMqAqNidCcbjxWHQBupt__d2pRuz0r70I0hrf4PyDZiIA2qWVfPUaQg8SWis-pae1nLQF0RH2pL0IW4ECJeC0hRj-ZTxAzfp2lR1Xe3_JfHM9wT9FfxjgFZ_-bN-W1Z-Koo/w512-h387/DSC00196.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, there was an unwelcome sight along San Felipe Rd just before the S22 turn off, though. As much as I dislike seeing all the road side trash that evidently came out of cars, I absolutely hate running into the few of them that came out of bicycles. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW20JGRubr3MvvI-GktLI9keczMdFGAc8uF80MpnQOvwASESS2EC0HW-Xl1-OY7ae62Q3QPo6Xj_r0lxS3yYx2nBdkwccsoUddBP-WkFt3ya_fqYiK2xwEnqboe2HAnR9P12vw2tCXDpA/s1000/DSC00197.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW20JGRubr3MvvI-GktLI9keczMdFGAc8uF80MpnQOvwASESS2EC0HW-Xl1-OY7ae62Q3QPo6Xj_r0lxS3yYx2nBdkwccsoUddBP-WkFt3ya_fqYiK2xwEnqboe2HAnR9P12vw2tCXDpA/w512-h384/DSC00197.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><p>Pick up after yourself, folks! (Naturally I put the trash into my backpack and didn't leave it around to further spread ill will toward people on bike. It's one of the perks of riding with a backpack, aside from being able to buy some locally made things along the road that I can't find at stores in the city. More on that later).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHKFiG9O3lntmBm1vgBKSZCV4oSG2C0_bdYQH56Y0h3_ddTtv3uXU1RxAtc6Efn7sUDl8q5Sarjr0_oS3M9mcg2wrbY5BW5m5HTZcv81WReFNCVreS0NyZMOtWpeAZcjuIbUguF-7nkY/s1500/DSC00201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="1500" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHKFiG9O3lntmBm1vgBKSZCV4oSG2C0_bdYQH56Y0h3_ddTtv3uXU1RxAtc6Efn7sUDl8q5Sarjr0_oS3M9mcg2wrbY5BW5m5HTZcv81WReFNCVreS0NyZMOtWpeAZcjuIbUguF-7nkY/w512-h385/DSC00201.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Stopping to check out Gravevine Canyon Rd's exit at Hwy S22. Might do a gravel ride thru there next winter.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYMEKLQc848Z3xM9gz2IngexlZpFdpg-XI7_7QNrKjsUjmXuzK3zSuyXHtKj5jkqHFN4P24v79Mrs9FwiGSX3jZ6KBOu8_np04Jsy3eWmuWEhq6gwmekIiLuKmHGI_0qGTC32iHHqElc/s1400/DSC00205.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYMEKLQc848Z3xM9gz2IngexlZpFdpg-XI7_7QNrKjsUjmXuzK3zSuyXHtKj5jkqHFN4P24v79Mrs9FwiGSX3jZ6KBOu8_np04Jsy3eWmuWEhq6gwmekIiLuKmHGI_0qGTC32iHHqElc/w512-h384/DSC00205.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/montezumavalleymarket/">The Montezuma Valley Market</a>, the only general store with cold drinks, snacks, and a big port-a-toilet for miles, had a lot of beautiful handmade wooden chairs out for sale in front of the store. The friendly shopkeeper told me they get a lot of business from passing cyclists, and so they stock surprising things like the Stroopwafel and varieties of LUNA bars among the jars of local honey and avocado. There is even a well stocked mini-neighborhood library on the front porch with anything from children's books to the classics. The shopkeeper was exceedingly nice and welcoming. Make no mistake, though, this place is well guarded by a very large and hairy bouncer...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5H5NF15jIZLDcMqwz5cteVreuqGhVMKCJAcFvHbL0e8u2AsANAx4bhQnCFGr65xqRhDVHXQmsr5owXHmu5XSwgYWpLt8CwUGqLirgv7PuVpBJ-NsOEuaiotIKvdYmtmSx1zq9eHj3zIE/s1500/DSC00207.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="1500" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5H5NF15jIZLDcMqwz5cteVreuqGhVMKCJAcFvHbL0e8u2AsANAx4bhQnCFGr65xqRhDVHXQmsr5owXHmu5XSwgYWpLt8CwUGqLirgv7PuVpBJ-NsOEuaiotIKvdYmtmSx1zq9eHj3zIE/w512-h392/DSC00207.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Ranchiti (Ranchita Yeti) is the epitome of a strong and silent Valentine's Day date!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtE06o0uQjOaaaBj81HBElHiCMM54Ih7SsdeL2bvBR76ByUEnHfRpKGCtrGbbaqtzfk2OtdJUGBWWL44k2JeA_rRhybCjBLd5wdflt5gNg5tnomwIwaklKSuOSZ79vav18Bt0wG16Xn4g/s1000/DSC00208.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtE06o0uQjOaaaBj81HBElHiCMM54Ih7SsdeL2bvBR76ByUEnHfRpKGCtrGbbaqtzfk2OtdJUGBWWL44k2JeA_rRhybCjBLd5wdflt5gNg5tnomwIwaklKSuOSZ79vav18Bt0wG16Xn4g/w512-h384/DSC00208.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>The only public restroom for miles in any direction. It's 11 miles from here to Borrego Springs Park HQ down in the desert, 10 or so to the nearest gas station in Warner Springs, and about 12 miles from Lake Henshaw Resort. So... weather your bladder is threatening to explode or not when you get here, go use the loo while you can or you'll regret it later up or down the road. </p><p>Montezuma Valley Rd (S-22) from the crest a mile east of the Rancheti down to Borrego Springs is one of the most gorgeous paved descents in San Diego County. On a clear day you can see all the way to the Salton Sea, and all the nothingness in between. If you aren't in a hurry, though, there are many bucolic spots on the side of the road (and many trailheads) to stop and enjoy the view. If you are lucky you might even spot a bighorn sheep or two. I wish I had packed a binocular! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikynNWQ_HD4lA7Wk4IWE900TJIq7DxRhiuE1mAiqhEC73HuqDNJ1Kh-6yhnM-rc5CvBIntdbmmW8aP_SWzv-YrnjJO-tufCv8HpOsXfVS-SF9Xg5HCbzDExl29zN21MlKmw3UvGltsexw/s1600/DSC00228.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1600" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikynNWQ_HD4lA7Wk4IWE900TJIq7DxRhiuE1mAiqhEC73HuqDNJ1Kh-6yhnM-rc5CvBIntdbmmW8aP_SWzv-YrnjJO-tufCv8HpOsXfVS-SF9Xg5HCbzDExl29zN21MlKmw3UvGltsexw/w512-h382/DSC00228.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZuJ44010-vJ_TAckFSHS1onwS6Qfny278qg7wOa562d0ROsLOvOTbZ-5jLgZbijAFu4JknQ_Z8StE2rBnkFMjK5LfpxzJIEtwO3jUTyV82IkEgOaMX64U2KHz-BNwblb2BsXoxGlttQ/s2000/Montezuma+Grade+Rd+1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZuJ44010-vJ_TAckFSHS1onwS6Qfny278qg7wOa562d0ROsLOvOTbZ-5jLgZbijAFu4JknQ_Z8StE2rBnkFMjK5LfpxzJIEtwO3jUTyV82IkEgOaMX64U2KHz-BNwblb2BsXoxGlttQ/w512-h384/Montezuma+Grade+Rd+1.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UNxvwayExKCGV3-jINkUFkqpIIyHCxq9fNwiUPbkhjpSfRgKZE25h8HVmNAQF6n5yx0yao18uz8LXXzrZcrg4qITwgQsH4TKsUn2Bp_mCX9HxCAW1R_J6STzkNSITGjr7FpDrR1mGUQ/s1700/DSC00251.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1700" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UNxvwayExKCGV3-jINkUFkqpIIyHCxq9fNwiUPbkhjpSfRgKZE25h8HVmNAQF6n5yx0yao18uz8LXXzrZcrg4qITwgQsH4TKsUn2Bp_mCX9HxCAW1R_J6STzkNSITGjr7FpDrR1mGUQ/w512-h384/DSC00251.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><p>Alas, I caught my second and third flats from, of all things, goat head thorns on the descent. Goat head punctures in February! Those things aren't usually around until late summer! </p><p>Needless to say that changed my day's plan a bit. With only one spare tube and 2 1/2 CO2 cartridges left in my backpack, I cut off the descent at the Desert View lookout and headed back up earlier than I wanted. It's been years since I last had more than 1 flat tire on a single ride. The flat tire gods were obviously displeased with me, and I had better try to get back to town quick. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholU785iMXZclvx-A4J-sk-23Wsf0PX9dc7cry77uX3-UHwh20E9OXqVXEmH-2qWZD6L0cbVRbJ3ssubj0T8kS-lVBkn4zloy47Jm9UCWkUt4a-47FrTQVBn7NTDUcKDMGN-2XNx_VCEg/s1200/DSC00293.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholU785iMXZclvx-A4J-sk-23Wsf0PX9dc7cry77uX3-UHwh20E9OXqVXEmH-2qWZD6L0cbVRbJ3ssubj0T8kS-lVBkn4zloy47Jm9UCWkUt4a-47FrTQVBn7NTDUcKDMGN-2XNx_VCEg/w384-h512/DSC00293.JPG" width="384" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI80UxipXjNPF7bj2EgkWHlsGIYO0fF8j2w7sVMWHU13CC8kVt0sabN_IkcTYpRQ6W37lin2qozn689XpNqSg_6CBFqYYyXtq-A9vGn0R4kuicvIwpv2UrAGa34F2wTIKFXT_C97xusCQ/s1400/DSC00218.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1400" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI80UxipXjNPF7bj2EgkWHlsGIYO0fF8j2w7sVMWHU13CC8kVt0sabN_IkcTYpRQ6W37lin2qozn689XpNqSg_6CBFqYYyXtq-A9vGn0R4kuicvIwpv2UrAGa34F2wTIKFXT_C97xusCQ/w512-h394/DSC00218.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><p>Tho, not so quick as to not grab a few of these yummy local honey at the Montezuma Market on my 2nd pass of Ranchita. Hey, I'm not called Smorg for nothing!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWG7IrCjtMVfSwaEDdcDWHII0scQ-nrTYZeFzf0ZlHimZ9EsSJnV20rs-IjVO7bnRF62QgmDV-GMbZuSFI905XJvEc8IkD8pJjXPiFcypGaSfGlO8_MxrD1gdLz3tA8TVpM5iSomyC7NM/s1264/DSC00301.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1264" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWG7IrCjtMVfSwaEDdcDWHII0scQ-nrTYZeFzf0ZlHimZ9EsSJnV20rs-IjVO7bnRF62QgmDV-GMbZuSFI905XJvEc8IkD8pJjXPiFcypGaSfGlO8_MxrD1gdLz3tA8TVpM5iSomyC7NM/w512-h454/DSC00301.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zeNlnrnrtTioNCwIqMvU6_8TmkpoElGMSatOLGynTsSPbQCaSAdte0ydonhv4BOeUN2v6YHY3J6wX4W5TrkZRdEpvfNOMiBlEraLo-P0qEnyWyrVBzNF371Lw2uZJgha50mtoCOLgaQ/s1600/DSC00305.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zeNlnrnrtTioNCwIqMvU6_8TmkpoElGMSatOLGynTsSPbQCaSAdte0ydonhv4BOeUN2v6YHY3J6wX4W5TrkZRdEpvfNOMiBlEraLo-P0qEnyWyrVBzNF371Lw2uZJgha50mtoCOLgaQ/w513-h384/DSC00305.JPG" width="513" /></a></div><p>A mile or so before the Hwy 79 turn off from San Felipe Rd I veered off the pavement again to pay the Warner Springs Ranch a visit. The keeper isn't around this time, so I didn't hang around for long. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSBspL0qEhKQ4XLNN8JUpbklDYhfrRNWO1AyTMP0rULxTnTqMxPu7Zz36YT7QvtS-t1_Su32S3s_n2WHaN-wAsieGaSNGHVHQvevZ0PKJ6AhfphXAwU9VuInnNgwMbPNmb-DEcmGCAbo/s1500/DSC00299.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSBspL0qEhKQ4XLNN8JUpbklDYhfrRNWO1AyTMP0rULxTnTqMxPu7Zz36YT7QvtS-t1_Su32S3s_n2WHaN-wAsieGaSNGHVHQvevZ0PKJ6AhfphXAwU9VuInnNgwMbPNmb-DEcmGCAbo/w512-h384/DSC00299.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86aKtEB7UkwjMMRTsM73zUgt3RohDIxbT8LgWUE9VzSO1ELFdkRgpzGfASP4iJjHAhtnt716b7F8lZYFIZTpVUf-P7tjuPlgGY5ZnKt3YqREFUklWO95CZa_IvbVYBlGHMvmJcH7dNBg/s1520/DSC00308.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1520" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86aKtEB7UkwjMMRTsM73zUgt3RohDIxbT8LgWUE9VzSO1ELFdkRgpzGfASP4iJjHAhtnt716b7F8lZYFIZTpVUf-P7tjuPlgGY5ZnKt3YqREFUklWO95CZa_IvbVYBlGHMvmJcH7dNBg/w512-h386/DSC00308.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><p>A couple of miles back on Hwy 79 I espied a pair of coyotes trotting along side the road not far from the curiously uncurious herd of cows, though, so I made the mistake of pulling off for a photo shoot. </p><p>As soon as the tires hit the dirt shoulder they let off a low moan... A rear puncture, and a slow leak on the front! I put the last fresh spare tube on the rear tire. Alas, the patch kit had gone bad after years of remaining unused in the saddlebag. All the glue had dried out and it was completely useless. I had a canister and a half of 16g CO2 cartridge left. The half immediately went into the front tire, after which I time-trialed back to Lake Henshaw Resort where I attempted to call for a cab rescue. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKjRhJyGGI4Iseam9pIm2lwVYYXPJwvH8gjH68tzsL3IfZE_OD34XCQuc9OcXi1VG3mQJG_QWQjwV4WnBNSpYN3bYGg1nGkgPPqH1mqZK8REGnEK9034bumvut9UWPvlFirVeJTUfDZ0/s1200/DSC00310.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKjRhJyGGI4Iseam9pIm2lwVYYXPJwvH8gjH68tzsL3IfZE_OD34XCQuc9OcXi1VG3mQJG_QWQjwV4WnBNSpYN3bYGg1nGkgPPqH1mqZK8REGnEK9034bumvut9UWPvlFirVeJTUfDZ0/w512-h384/DSC00310.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(Lake Henshaw Resort Restaurant was manned by a very friendly waitress who made some really good filly sandwich). </div><div><br /></div><div>A big booboo to the Yellow Cab operator who told me she'd have a cab out my way in 40 minutes and never called back again after an hour had past. I had to call again to find out that no cab was actually headed my way as I was out of service area! That was fairly aggravating in and of itself even without adding on the fact that the front tire was now completely flat, I had no spare tube or functioning patch kit left, and only a 16g cannister of CO2 left in my saddlebag. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBC5phBRaqohSbbvz7_8go7fd554B9sfQJx9m9P2d3WuKUfyNtzwBxfSIuxciVDgIYaZOjOGchkZ_N6D0w7DTs9g2Sk203HMrwTISMDcM4GLhYrywvXbCQff-BaVE0HFo6NjeK191pWA/s1200/DSC00317.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="1200" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBC5phBRaqohSbbvz7_8go7fd554B9sfQJx9m9P2d3WuKUfyNtzwBxfSIuxciVDgIYaZOjOGchkZ_N6D0w7DTs9g2Sk203HMrwTISMDcM4GLhYrywvXbCQff-BaVE0HFo6NjeK191pWA/w512-h368/DSC00317.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><p>I had about 12 miles of wiggly country highways left between me and the nearest functioning bus station (for bus 388 to Escondido from Harrah's Casino). The final 7 miles on Hwy 76 and Valley Center Rd are all downhill. Before I get to the downhill, tho, I had a false flat thru La Jolla Reservation and a 2 miles climb to the Palomar shoulder where South Grade Rd branches off. I made sure both tires were clear of any debris, squeeze half a canister of CO2 into the front, and raced west like a bat out of hell. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNQiTuZUhmF1EsTl_PA2X_wtSKJ0MqV481SIHwQJQUiLY3Mi2LaZAY64wQpzDLAbZ_iwBgcTETzYxaH2z8w2p46MiKjHN3FcRokHE6OnkJ_OyeKvVCkAH1py5F6kH7CzyjsVsrIDE6XI/s1600/DSC00319.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNQiTuZUhmF1EsTl_PA2X_wtSKJ0MqV481SIHwQJQUiLY3Mi2LaZAY64wQpzDLAbZ_iwBgcTETzYxaH2z8w2p46MiKjHN3FcRokHE6OnkJ_OyeKvVCkAH1py5F6kH7CzyjsVsrIDE6XI/w512-h384/DSC00319.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><p>(A forlorn last look at Lake Henshaw before my escape run to Rincon)</p><p>Naturally, there was no time to take any more photo after that. I made it to the South Grade Rd turn off with the front tire still inflated enough for the downhill run into Rincon Valley and caught the next bus back to Escondido and then the train home. </p><p>A highlight video: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT_FWttrtXY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT_FWttrtXY</a> </p><p>It was a much closer shave than I'd have liked... Five flat tires on a single ride! Much of that, I'm afraid, had to do with the tires being on the thin and old side of healthy. But it still proves the old saying that one can never be overly prepared. I thought it was overkill to have 4 spare tubes, 6 canisters of CO2, and a patch kit with me as I started the day of. In the end, I used them all and could have done with more! I put on a new set of 28mm Gatorskins after the ride, of course, and haven't had any more puncture since. </p></div>Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-42868071459231010162020-08-02T12:07:00.000-07:002020-08-02T12:45:43.228-07:00San Marcos' Little Mt WhitneyThe skyline of San Marcos, CA is dominated by the Cerro de las Posas mountain range of which Mt Whitney (1729 ft) is its tallest prominence. Unlike many other prominent hills around town, there are several paved ways to the top of Mt Whitney, though some are less accessible than others. Choosing your way up, however, is an exercise in poison picking. Mt Whitney charges high metabolic price for the view she gives from the top.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcKSYXiVvKUPrXZNduzfoRWyQUnJMEeZA7ROUZa7XN1UIQmIgF-BdP1xCWFPYLHMG9jPftN35wmMJ9GyzkJsafPoWpsckZuNaCEojDVDYZAkBFUmKyf24ZVxvWDZzSxnEozYOB95m_yw/s1600/Cerro+de+las+Posas+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="1043" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcKSYXiVvKUPrXZNduzfoRWyQUnJMEeZA7ROUZa7XN1UIQmIgF-BdP1xCWFPYLHMG9jPftN35wmMJ9GyzkJsafPoWpsckZuNaCEojDVDYZAkBFUmKyf24ZVxvWDZzSxnEozYOB95m_yw/s320/Cerro+de+las+Posas+map.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Starting from the NE end of the range,<a href="https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33620489"> the major route up Mt Whitney</a> is on the back side of California State University - San Marcos (CSSM) via La Moree, Coronado Hills Dr, and Washingtonia Dr. The climbing begins a block or so south Coronado Hills Rd at the junction with Via del Campo. From bottom to top is 2 miles long at 8.3% average grade. The first 0.6 mile on Coronado Hills Dr is the most brutal, however, with an opening kick at 17% grade before dropping off to a near constant 15% for half a mile to the Washingtonia Dr turn off. Washingtonia is a bit of a roller until the private drive car gate (hikers and bicycles can go around), after which it only goes up and up all the way to the top. Don't begrudge the car gate at the last level off (Vallecitos Water District overlook) that you have to dismount and hike a bike thru. It's the only 'resting' spot before the sustained 14% grade for 1/4 mile to the tower. Also, remember this gate on your descent... and make sure you can stop the bike without crashing onto it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coronado Hills Dr</td></tr>
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If you don't mind roughing it for a hard dirt stretch, <a href="https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33622600">another legit way</a> up little Mt Whitney is to go up either San Elijo Rd or S Twin Oaks Valley Rd to the Ridgeline Trailhead staging area traffic light at Double Peak Elementary School. Go thru the school parking lot to pick up the dirt bit of Attebury Rd and continue on it to Washingtonia Dr. I prefer coming at it from San Elijo Rd rather than S Twin Oaks because you get more elevation gain from the south side, and you don't have to beg for green light to cross the road to get to Double Peak School. This is the first climb on this video:<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="305" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aT9XtXhi7rw" width="530"></iframe>
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(Video is of the Mt Whitney bit on my usual Friday morning assaults on Mt Whitney and her next door neighbor, Double Peak).<br />
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Aside from these two fairly open-access routes, there are a couple more private and steep ones whose accessibility can vary a bit from time to time (sometimes bikes and hikers are quite welcome on them, sometimes not so much). <a href="https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33621884">The Bela Vita Way route</a> to connect to Attebury Rd to Washingtonia is listed on the City of San Marcos trails project map, though currently it is still strictly private. At 1.8 miles and 9.3% average grade, this is the hardest way to the top on paper (though in practice I don't think it is).<br />
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Bela Vita Way is guarded by two gates; the bottom one at S Village Dr was recently extended to cut off the dirt trail access, and the top one in the middle of a 15% grade ramp was fortified a bit, so this way may not stay bike/hike-able for long. With all the gates and the lack of other houses except for the manor overlooking the winery, there is literally no car traffic on this lonely paved lane... except for the winery owner and his couple of neighbors. Here is a video I took a while back (before the gates were extended and fortified), descending from Mt Whitney tower to S Village Dr via Attebury Dr and Bela Vita Way.<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="305" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3ykkWCdV3Mc" width="530"></iframe>
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<a href="http://smorgcycle.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-gorgeously-gory-side-of-san-marcos.html">The goriest route up to Mt Whitney</a>, however, is from the even less accessible Crestwind Dr on the SE side by Harmony Grove Village. It is about 2.8 miles long at a deceptively mellow 8.3% average gradient. Make no mistake, though, the single digit average grade is due to the little downhill bits in the lower part of the climb. The long uphill bits from Bresa de Lomas on up are all in the teens, with maximum grade in the 20s on the concrete and paved portion of Crestwind Dr (how deep into the 20s depends a bit on how you take the curves, and whether you go up it in a straight line or not).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3IFVyukw6Cjv8GecM2hrEGEF-CZSjbz4N8FlQ0gsIp4A-j2LdCKwWR2s_UO7wwEkW5DqU1pzjyOmI5NR75egRjU8CR8HYuPPogkkYiJkM9sGhGEAanUA6WqVHt-HvcVnmHSOJ6kEQOY/s1600/20507511_10212858355761144_8511918360426765673_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3IFVyukw6Cjv8GecM2hrEGEF-CZSjbz4N8FlQ0gsIp4A-j2LdCKwWR2s_UO7wwEkW5DqU1pzjyOmI5NR75egRjU8CR8HYuPPogkkYiJkM9sGhGEAanUA6WqVHt-HvcVnmHSOJ6kEQOY/s320/20507511_10212858355761144_8511918360426765673_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bresa de Lomas opening ramp.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="1600" height="70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiY6AUeAK_uXSKp12zpJXuiQNrIcibTmxGeKAxUxSkoK0wI1gstR5UxQWCHTmSG8tXF0BagiBGayrwv35SN9kFp3XbjICgxVp0V3_pnkzSLqoxjz2bD8mx0EK7V4bPLggYvGUyNQv_jxQ/s320/Banner+-+Bresa+de+Loma+-+Crestview+route.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The steepie switchback at the bottom of Crestwind Dr.</td></tr>
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This route requires strong bike handling skills as well as strong legs and lungs (and at least a 30 cog in your cassette). After the two-houses saddle atop the gory switchback bottom of Crestwind Dr, the road turns into a rutty and pebbly dirt lane with a little dip followed by a sustained 15% grade ramp that gets even steeper once it turns the corner and becomes a concrete wall. Get across that wall to the tarmac, and you still have two long curves of steepness with spots that ventures north of the 20% grade mark to cope with before you get to the houses and false flat where you can breathe a bit before turning steeply up again onto Washingtonia Dr.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DfRiLBgBuiLrJZX9fxBhrfoi_L4JMRwE5I2HuERD33KpFOG0OOWb95bpfSgzIhQTUI6fLOjIOip7Xb7pdHbfjntD9uV-WU18fEijOb-m-9ZlIWSz53GsjZL5cWzBHzLbkNvfzBDgBEk/s1600/20507156_10212858365201380_3378597923373576395_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DfRiLBgBuiLrJZX9fxBhrfoi_L4JMRwE5I2HuERD33KpFOG0OOWb95bpfSgzIhQTUI6fLOjIOip7Xb7pdHbfjntD9uV-WU18fEijOb-m-9ZlIWSz53GsjZL5cWzBHzLbkNvfzBDgBEk/s320/20507156_10212858365201380_3378597923373576395_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuKIBTppyasEkbeIewq0LVhI4rQbv4K1Z0455FD1q5WMrRId73NdkjsLVJyxQZHfObRRQly-Ai1N5WGxpJuvAiF6pHYzNNbfvUfS05Bv6jCFRZIj6C-58lOYEorp4-_Uz1JsAUTi4Ask/s1600/Bike+atop+Mt+Whitney.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="1600" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuKIBTppyasEkbeIewq0LVhI4rQbv4K1Z0455FD1q5WMrRId73NdkjsLVJyxQZHfObRRQly-Ai1N5WGxpJuvAiF6pHYzNNbfvUfS05Bv6jCFRZIj6C-58lOYEorp4-_Uz1JsAUTi4Ask/s320/Bike+atop+Mt+Whitney.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Whitney radio tower</td></tr>
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No matter which way you choose, though, San Marcos' little Mt Whitney is a gem with its rustic rural and car-less neighborhoods compared to the more well known Double Peak on the other side of S Twin Oaks Valley/San Elijo Rd. Do beware of cracks and potholes, aside from suicidal squirrels and rabbits on your descent... and, please, pack out what you pack in. Be nice to everyone, ride carefully around blind curves, and leave no trace of you behind! </div>
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Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-56240247573089019192020-07-21T08:35:00.000-07:002020-07-21T08:37:08.817-07:00For New Riders: Essential Bike AccessoriesAn interesting side-effect to the ongoing COVID19 pandemic is the increased interest in cycling for exercise and for transport (a lot of people are working from home or working reduced hours... or are out of work altogether, and have surplus spare time which they would like to spend outdoor at a distance from other people). Bike shops all around town are selling bikes and accessories like hot cakes, and there are weeks long waiting list to get any repair done.<br />
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But, what else, aside from a bicycle and a helmet, do you need to have on your bike before hopping on and pushing off for a ride?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhEeIuLwNSGuUTlmqOif78sgAfbkaqyQ0YpgBoCpN7lLRidg2NSrn_61PVF25m5COdsc8SVrwUhvM8UnepuEnY2tBpd-AjyYuFVcTaw2ySqXDG7vV2uCFiiuzKhIhDlyg1Rm6_OyucvY/s1600/Bike+Accessories.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="973" data-original-width="1359" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhEeIuLwNSGuUTlmqOif78sgAfbkaqyQ0YpgBoCpN7lLRidg2NSrn_61PVF25m5COdsc8SVrwUhvM8UnepuEnY2tBpd-AjyYuFVcTaw2ySqXDG7vV2uCFiiuzKhIhDlyg1Rm6_OyucvY/s320/Bike+Accessories.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Short answer: head and rear lights, water bottle, and a saddle bag full of roadside repair gear.<br />
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<b>Water bottle or Camelbak backpack.</b><br />
Most bikes (aside from many full suspension mountain bikes) come with at least one set of screws on the downtube and/or seattube for water bottle cage attachment. Be sure to get at least a bottle cage attached to your bike before leaving the bike shop with your new ride! Even if you aren't going long distance, it's better to have some water handy than not.<br />
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Full suspension mountain bikes these days tend to not have any bottle cage attachment simply because most mountain bikers ride with a Camelbak backpack that holds their water as well as trail-side repair tools.<br />
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<b>Head and tail lights.</b><br />
Even on short rides during the day when you expect to be back home well before dark, it is always handy to have lights on your bike. Here in sunny California, the bright and sunny days tend to make us bicyclists very invisible when passing through tree shades and dark underpasses. The brighter the sun, the darker the shades (and the longer time it takes for drivers' eyes to adjust when moving from one to the other).<br />
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Go for good quality lights that are very bright, with good batteries life and sturdiness (especially when wet). They are worth the extra cost. I've been through many lights since my first ride in 2012. Nowadays I'll swear by the Cygolite headlight (have had the Metro 500 on my bike for 4 yrs now, and it's still going strong). I like to turn the headlight on flashing mode during the day when approaching places where I think a driver waiting (or approaching) on the right might not see me very well before pulling out, and when I have to ride closer to parallel parked cars than I'd like. I'm always far enough away from the doors to not be hit should they suddenly open, but I might instinctively swerve left if one does, and that might be the last move I ever get to make... depending on traffic condition. So, anything to improve my chances of those doors staying nice and shut until I've passed, I'll do.<br />
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Unless I'm riding in the desert in the light of day, I almost always keep my rear light on in flashing mode to ensure that I am visible to drivers when riding in shaded area or thru an underpass.<br />
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<b>A saddle bag and road-side repair gear.</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqmvica8Y4SrI8879fkKB_SZn4Zj4QgwKXbZ3e8nAblJMLGCH52au3HFUrzLc7XwV9Nxi4mDNpuiHZg50CGFbGwcO3wVBe4q6elw18cxCz5blOTuMtWh0LUoWzpTeyhimM4Qw7VEoREw/s1600/DSC05343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1145" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqmvica8Y4SrI8879fkKB_SZn4Zj4QgwKXbZ3e8nAblJMLGCH52au3HFUrzLc7XwV9Nxi4mDNpuiHZg50CGFbGwcO3wVBe4q6elw18cxCz5blOTuMtWh0LUoWzpTeyhimM4Qw7VEoREw/s320/DSC05343.JPG" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My adventure trip saddlebag is almost a mini-bike-shop.</td></tr>
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Even tubeless tires aren't immune to flatting! It's always good to have the tools handy just in case. Since I go out on solo adventure rides out in the mountains a lot, my saddlebag is almost a mini-bike shop (and even backed up by a little backpack containing more spare tubes, food, and first-aid kit).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrDQGxJ4D1AqSVe_gxeNY-scXm2bt089fp7Cq5qb6oH_zM_fJkJ8EcY5S9a1JqtAK87KUBoCXylxnHj5ismJI5YWv2yCVA42nqutfq6tFWomLzwCQaGH1laEddzzGBADfJg0FohVevZaA/s1600/DSC09320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="1500" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrDQGxJ4D1AqSVe_gxeNY-scXm2bt089fp7Cq5qb6oH_zM_fJkJ8EcY5S9a1JqtAK87KUBoCXylxnHj5ismJI5YWv2yCVA42nqutfq6tFWomLzwCQaGH1laEddzzGBADfJg0FohVevZaA/s320/DSC09320.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My commuter saddlebag.</td></tr>
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My commuting saddlebag for riding in the city, on the other hand, is more to the point. What you really must have with you are:<br />
- <a href="https://smorgcycle.blogspot.com/2015/10/which-spare-tubes-to-get-for-road-bike.html">Spare inner tube that fits your tires</a> (even if you are running tubeless tires, if those get flat and won't reseal itself, you'll still need to put a tube in to get home).<br />
- A pair of tire irons/levers.<br />
- A way of inflating the tire (a frame pump or a CO2 system). I use CO2 for roadside inflation, that constitutes the little green valve/nozzle and the 16g CO2 cannisters. If you use CO2, remember that the gas is lighter than air and will leak out faster so you tire will go flat again within a day or two. So, after inflating with CO2, remember to let the gas out of your tire when you get home, and re-inflate again with proper air pump.<br />
- A multi-tool that is equipped with a chain tool (even if you don't know how to use it to break and reattach the chain, someone else may come riding along who does, and they would still need the tool).<br />
- Throw a patch kit in there, while you're at it. They come the size of a nickle these days, and they are dead useful when you get more than one flat on a ride.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-cceAqssO3lznyQ2amWJ1HFRKFp2yn1R-m0R2Hn0SbLJ_UGxMknPF3wRUrI1hqOxwl-emSnXDQWHB6iOI-iRXjZ-A4dOxt2kYwm0A9TacqccvYCRBV7alyN349-JpEwdgOyRoljzoj0/s1600/Diego%2527s+lock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1600" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-cceAqssO3lznyQ2amWJ1HFRKFp2yn1R-m0R2Hn0SbLJ_UGxMknPF3wRUrI1hqOxwl-emSnXDQWHB6iOI-iRXjZ-A4dOxt2kYwm0A9TacqccvYCRBV7alyN349-JpEwdgOyRoljzoj0/s320/Diego%2527s+lock.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you ride in the city, and plan on stopping at shops or restaurants, a good bike lock is a must.</td></tr>
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I'm a big believer in riding with a rear-view mirror, preferably attached to either the helmet or your glasses (so you only have to turn your head a little to see the entire road behind you.. without having to move the handlebar or to take the eyes completely off the road ahead). Not only are they great for letting you know what speedy drivers are approaching from the back, they also detect those stealthy and silent fellow cyclists who would pass within inches of you without ever saying a word (don't be that guy. Give a warning!).<br />
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Also, if you are in the city, get a really sturdy lock that is long enough to lock both the frame and the wheels of your bike to a sturdy pole/bike rack. Shell out the buck for it. It's worth not having to buy another bike and all the accessories all over again!Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-13684194394242753202019-10-04T10:05:00.000-07:002019-10-04T16:44:36.135-07:00Taakwish Pu'ShappilaIn the old days, the Luiseno indians of San Diego's north county would look up at the high point of Palomar during rain storms and marvel at all the lightning sparks that <a href="http://www.peterbrueggeman.com/palomarhistory/taakwish.pdf">Taakwish</a> (<a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-sep-15-me-then15-story.html">Tahquitz</a>), the fallen shaman of wondrous power, created as he pounded the bones of his victims on his favorite rocks atop the mountain range. Taakwish is notoriously man-hating and can't wait to beat up on people venturing up his mountain (Lily Rock on Tahquitz Peak), canyon, and his bone pounding places like the highest prominence of the Palomar range.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii76cksQKiHXc5bM60ALboGyA1eRtryW26O9qO4t2hHNj7OrDWKAxYacIZAFzLHbos4mhOtGDDZ0csKT2eOAXNkGg_yUDU0jwQ-J5EP6ybyi0s5x320xjwOK3mMaIokjZM6gmmZQp7Gb8/s1600/DSC03497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii76cksQKiHXc5bM60ALboGyA1eRtryW26O9qO4t2hHNj7OrDWKAxYacIZAFzLHbos4mhOtGDDZ0csKT2eOAXNkGg_yUDU0jwQ-J5EP6ybyi0s5x320xjwOK3mMaIokjZM6gmmZQp7Gb8/s320/DSC03497.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The base of High Point TT (8SO5) is quite sandy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5ocfVuq20Dm_0JTmf38j87QHw3k9gyP2GHnMCtiOBhvGVqbHvtekD9rKCw2d7J6Oc-Uz0o56MVAJ-Va-GjyY-78eBoTI0OQyFWOAxswhBVslZrnEIpnRwdpdKGHg_1nSLBwJul3LMGM/s1600/DSC03502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5ocfVuq20Dm_0JTmf38j87QHw3k9gyP2GHnMCtiOBhvGVqbHvtekD9rKCw2d7J6Oc-Uz0o56MVAJ-Va-GjyY-78eBoTI0OQyFWOAxswhBVslZrnEIpnRwdpdKGHg_1nSLBwJul3LMGM/s320/DSC03502.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting to the first steep bit on High Point TT. </td></tr>
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It wasn't the legend of Tahquitz that deterred me for so long before attempting to reach the high point of Palomar Mountain by bike, however, but the prospect of actually destroying my road bike on a rough people-less trail with nary a chance of being in cellphone reception range for a mayday call in mountain lion country. Having picked up a sturdier Fuji Finest with clearance for bigger tires and a good pair of disc brakes, and scoring a willing riding partner changed things, and one morning in April I cycled up to Aguanga where my partner, Mike, was waiting, and together we set off up High Point Truck Trail (8SO5) to pick a fight with the devil. <br />
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Route: https://www.strava.com/activities/2270458456<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrXgYTohtGPbmKZzdsYu1zd6pzoj2mc_WGEFggcXjNdpxk9nwTuB7-AG_xv0FT_HcKIG8E54u0Wae-eYtnhgZVM930f7jbPfdkKJ5eJqvtm_IiFFHdWPNpJ4HLCqRfH4hnLxbq_nxddY/s1600/DSC03518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrXgYTohtGPbmKZzdsYu1zd6pzoj2mc_WGEFggcXjNdpxk9nwTuB7-AG_xv0FT_HcKIG8E54u0Wae-eYtnhgZVM930f7jbPfdkKJ5eJqvtm_IiFFHdWPNpJ4HLCqRfH4hnLxbq_nxddY/s320/DSC03518.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hike-a-bike stretch where High Point TT runs into Oak Grove TT.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75CBMORTAUau7eIzFZcJyM2eIn9AfQYF1NUcneaa0yOjek7DVOd21S3YdLstj-JLhMgFtGydurSxrTzhkelbMPsxv80WLOj5byr8k1NSOcYJW6ppT8ld4MSv6pBlE6XdtmecNaA1WK44/s1600/DSC03520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1185" data-original-width="1600" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75CBMORTAUau7eIzFZcJyM2eIn9AfQYF1NUcneaa0yOjek7DVOd21S3YdLstj-JLhMgFtGydurSxrTzhkelbMPsxv80WLOj5byr8k1NSOcYJW6ppT8ld4MSv6pBlE6XdtmecNaA1WK44/s320/DSC03520.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gate at the top of Oak Grove TT.</td></tr>
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High Point Truck Trail, I must say, doesn't have much of a soft spot for rigid road bike running any tire smaller than 30mm. I was running a pair of moderately threaded 28mm, and had quite a bike handling work out on the many really soft sandy stretches at the bottom of the climb, and then again when the road gets rocky, rutty, and quite extremely pitchy as we stopped half-way up to have a look at Oak Grove TT to see if it would make a good alternative escape route from the top. For the record, it doesn't! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38VfsURqyfbwVqU9nfVnS9cu6nfTXc1tUg-aiEMiv1A7R1ZA4g1zLp5RImXApZMYXqbwNYZF2r3WkIi7Py1DLJma7jz_PPuGo2W3muTp8RWuK0oXBOuu3VIHb8rL9eFThR0OXknzZ5w0/s1600/DSC03522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38VfsURqyfbwVqU9nfVnS9cu6nfTXc1tUg-aiEMiv1A7R1ZA4g1zLp5RImXApZMYXqbwNYZF2r3WkIi7Py1DLJma7jz_PPuGo2W3muTp8RWuK0oXBOuu3VIHb8rL9eFThR0OXknzZ5w0/s320/DSC03522.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rather than burning off as the day wore on, the cloud just sat on the road, wetting down the dirt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonO-nvUIR0dHomZkKOXsqnao8ufiWS5S_JX37Wb6DG_KaXpZAl31dfa98v3EQqkYJFezYMoz96nMWpTnbCdB92gv4g6ZeQfXmHgwFxtMNG0W2zdBFihycZNgnBi6JDG6D8BGUiGqsSoI/s1600/DSC03527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1600" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonO-nvUIR0dHomZkKOXsqnao8ufiWS5S_JX37Wb6DG_KaXpZAl31dfa98v3EQqkYJFezYMoz96nMWpTnbCdB92gv4g6ZeQfXmHgwFxtMNG0W2zdBFihycZNgnBi6JDG6D8BGUiGqsSoI/s320/DSC03527.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A peek at Palomar High Point Lookout Tower. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We hiked the bike as much as we rode the last mile to the intersection with Palomar Divide TT (9SO7). My partner had road cycling cleats on, and the wet dirt was wreaking havoc on his ability to clip on and off his pedals. It was quite a lesson to me, as I had never used road clipless system (I went from riding flat pedals to mtb spd system). This proved to be quite problematic since his feet weren't secure on the pedals, and made riding pretty hazardous. With the lateness of our arrival to the Palomar HP saddle, we opted out of going up another mile and a bit to tag the actual top in order to start our descent as soon as possible. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHp7vHSPYmzHJRPCyvylWvG_F4_e77oSJgiTHQhejox-DxnDXmXX5GtcGuxDsNS2fOna0nclB6x5eOojU6YIrsVt6I56yTTIGsEWxMuT4TPou0tY2LNIt9hMxMM01XdRfKAhe9ftvSK4/s1600/DSC03529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHp7vHSPYmzHJRPCyvylWvG_F4_e77oSJgiTHQhejox-DxnDXmXX5GtcGuxDsNS2fOna0nclB6x5eOojU6YIrsVt6I56yTTIGsEWxMuT4TPou0tY2LNIt9hMxMM01XdRfKAhe9ftvSK4/s320/DSC03529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The junction of Palomar Divide TT (9SO7) and High Point TT (8SO5).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Palomar Divide TT put up a lot of fight to slow our escape from Tahquitz's favorite bone grinder. The top part of the road is really rough and full of pebbles that made it almost impossible to stay on a good descending line. The decline is also interrupted by more than a few sudden uphill spikes that are both too loose and steep to ride up. Heck, there are even sandy stretches that preserve quite a few wild spoors - some more concerning than others. For a good couple of miles we found ourselves reverse-tracing footprints of a mountain lion and two cubs... It was enough to grow eyes out the back of our heads and almost hallucinating big cats peeking out from every boulder and bush along the road. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1M3AFoHvKuh8HLQ78eGCREXRkXjDBm5aXQqnvPdJh5pn20gaeKCi8r6nQK9gsIxH9USUeDnTlGQOdHsjhXPI7GGLtlEUEi4MRhyphenhyphen3v8ke53nldwBX3S57lxBmnE3z8aIyHhn-my18ut6g/s1600/DSC03537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1M3AFoHvKuh8HLQ78eGCREXRkXjDBm5aXQqnvPdJh5pn20gaeKCi8r6nQK9gsIxH9USUeDnTlGQOdHsjhXPI7GGLtlEUEi4MRhyphenhyphen3v8ke53nldwBX3S57lxBmnE3z8aIyHhn-my18ut6g/s320/DSC03537.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mommy mountain lion and two cubs went uphill on this road not long ago.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_HUI1yCu4XzzrmDNLPfW8l73jWqPaN4G9a7d0l2ddOl2FMs9yXLrM_nR01U0_-LexKqQMpZdHUh4zRjiO2cTPAk3W0YGQP_X8L2bL0tSs7Yo2ZNmpA-HBIwvFVII__9YUZVeenQ2YG0/s1600/DSC03539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="1600" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_HUI1yCu4XzzrmDNLPfW8l73jWqPaN4G9a7d0l2ddOl2FMs9yXLrM_nR01U0_-LexKqQMpZdHUh4zRjiO2cTPAk3W0YGQP_X8L2bL0tSs7Yo2ZNmpA-HBIwvFVII__9YUZVeenQ2YG0/s320/DSC03539.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back at the white domes of Palomar Observatory.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We caught some fantastic views of Mendenhall Valley, San Jose del Valle, and Lake Henshaw on the descent (especially once we made it to the old pavement bit below the old Ware Mine. I'm afraid I had accidentally knocked the GoPro downward during the climb up Highpoint TT, and am left with pretty useless footage of a lot of dirt and rut and not much else. As I was counting on getting some good stills from the video, I didn't stop to take many photograph with my camera on our way down the rough road. I guess this calls for a redo ride on the other side of summer!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnGRI8EII9tLoJpvuoPqKOfvCTGrLymMz-iy0_fAWvD5D5NrnTH06iAvyLul7Jj7RtBF7INHsCaJ4j8MPY4fXn5Musr5wzoUXsBvMDAfVodWz1H9EYQpU1FQblMG7TzLy8Ppvdtl88sY/s1600/DSC03540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnGRI8EII9tLoJpvuoPqKOfvCTGrLymMz-iy0_fAWvD5D5NrnTH06iAvyLul7Jj7RtBF7INHsCaJ4j8MPY4fXn5Musr5wzoUXsBvMDAfVodWz1H9EYQpU1FQblMG7TzLy8Ppvdtl88sY/s320/DSC03540.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking over the ridge to Valle de San Jose and Lake Henshaw.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I must say, the old pavement on the lower 6 miles or so of Palomar Divide TT is really no picnic to ride as it isn't maintained and is quite chopped up in places and full of debris in others. It's still a big relief from the deep sand and rough pebbles of the upper section, however. I don't know if my road bike would have survived much more of the latter.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2sTF2WLuN3LVnMCSZNLN-qHz5oIkhTrRz3ZgDiBi_XnBDxdNW2QE_RwOLm9QMdCqGabdLKXp0RDBO8QItJNQxZ7ae_-i0bJuMntPwJFD45GrfCHmYDPl4AISJVfHtVA5LQbNatOujjA/s1600/DSC03542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2sTF2WLuN3LVnMCSZNLN-qHz5oIkhTrRz3ZgDiBi_XnBDxdNW2QE_RwOLm9QMdCqGabdLKXp0RDBO8QItJNQxZ7ae_-i0bJuMntPwJFD45GrfCHmYDPl4AISJVfHtVA5LQbNatOujjA/s320/DSC03542.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The oldly paved lower slope of Palomar Divide Truck Trail.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbn2lwig5yDGgFYc0RLPCtPTw8DkVPeisg8TC_10Z-aWLAxRuRjZBGP4ffZOzI37tGVZt-qBbIvH2RK0WrBbgas0zgbT-IpGnR6lzI_ZdqMlp1Inm0mx0CIArmbRV3Cy8Ge9t8M0nes0/s1600/DSC03544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="1600" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbn2lwig5yDGgFYc0RLPCtPTw8DkVPeisg8TC_10Z-aWLAxRuRjZBGP4ffZOzI37tGVZt-qBbIvH2RK0WrBbgas0zgbT-IpGnR6lzI_ZdqMlp1Inm0mx0CIArmbRV3Cy8Ge9t8M0nes0/s320/DSC03544.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We somehow made it down to Hwy 79 in one piece (with one minor crash each, sort of as sacrifice to Tahquitz for having invaded his territory on such unsuitable manpowered machines. It was quite a long morning of rough-road riding in quite wetter weather than anticipated (no rain perse, but riding into a cloud that just sat still was still quite a soaking experience). Hopefully I'll get to challenge Tahquitz for a rematch soon... on a bit bigger tires and maybe a slightly bigger cassette, too.<br />
<br />
Thanks very much to my riding pal Spinmotion for hanging in there with me both on and off the bike!<br />
<br />Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-67322665912514636532019-06-27T20:18:00.001-07:002019-06-28T17:07:39.368-07:00Belgian Wafer Ride 2019It was a bit reassuring in a rather twisted way, that despite a serious bout with food poisoning in March, and two full weeks of the flu in April, I still arrived at the start of this year's Wafer ride, the shorter 72 mile option of the full 133 mile Belgian Waffle Ride, in much better shape than I did a year ago. Surely if I managed to survive last year's ride, this year's should be a given, no matter what on-bike shenanigans I'd have to pull along the way.<br />
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The BWR organizer had obviously learnt from last year's not-enoug-waffles-to-go-around glitch, and planned the catering process better. No half-a-block long breakfast line this time around, and no start time delay needed to facilitate my attempted transpeciation into a pig!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIwf7w3wH0XqqR87mtHeigPih_Snun9AYgIrttonih7evTsRMdWxF-yBOZ-icyt3pFgvQQjhMttX7d4XAFFGHl-JxsA21TzaTacwSOkyGm-GzS6RlvkDOPpr9LwVIfULDq7EEm9phQ4s/s1600/DSC03860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIwf7w3wH0XqqR87mtHeigPih_Snun9AYgIrttonih7evTsRMdWxF-yBOZ-icyt3pFgvQQjhMttX7d4XAFFGHl-JxsA21TzaTacwSOkyGm-GzS6RlvkDOPpr9LwVIfULDq7EEm9phQ4s/s320/DSC03860.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast of 'no-bonkers'. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSRxShNrDIrREBAvrQCLUsSfqHqhyphenhyphenw0EwsI88aVuxsRb_VKMnWqbR1_fnrcs1ziZCKOR_8xdHkwdIKYcgXZoxIkYMczmJkdmbMmz31o7fqFowF1DHRZs_wLQjk2AM3yvIh5NWUlw1erI/s1600/DSC03865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSRxShNrDIrREBAvrQCLUsSfqHqhyphenhyphenw0EwsI88aVuxsRb_VKMnWqbR1_fnrcs1ziZCKOR_8xdHkwdIKYcgXZoxIkYMczmJkdmbMmz31o7fqFowF1DHRZs_wLQjk2AM3yvIh5NWUlw1erI/s320/DSC03865.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mariacchi music to get us into the mood.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03CiVNuOYjgSJM0nW2hJmkd5pdo7D_ou4gsB9VWp0-apRH1-ciTPKHa-LMHDyiORRx34Rc6mFpoH9K-s1Xax6ZgsI7F530n2Nh94WEfIDDrsZ4L_dcAeOQpKaCoMS65CnmG5T2UTt3Ic/s1600/DSC03878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03CiVNuOYjgSJM0nW2hJmkd5pdo7D_ou4gsB9VWp0-apRH1-ciTPKHa-LMHDyiORRx34Rc6mFpoH9K-s1Xax6ZgsI7F530n2Nh94WEfIDDrsZ4L_dcAeOQpKaCoMS65CnmG5T2UTt3Ic/s320/DSC03878.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This year's field had doubled from the previous one, and well more than a thousand riders were at the start line for the Wafer ride, which went off in one giant wave half an hour after the first of the three Waffle waves. I meant to drop off the back of the pack early in order to not run into the inevitable traffic jam on the narrow track of Lemontwistenberg, but the Wafer wave was just endless., and I ended up just toward the back of the stretched out main bunch going over the hump on Del Dios Hwy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qjAmoJOXeYH3JtT5SAZrvwPyMxHpsfxfy1BquUe6mr_qMYcoOZAahl2J-Hok6argArRDrh1vMILGRXJTST-8ZmdcO3ro_MEuI3ianPitHCB73wWg6OhL-HgKgH9WzfNWMMCT0RMV6fI/s1600/DSC03906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1245" data-original-width="1600" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qjAmoJOXeYH3JtT5SAZrvwPyMxHpsfxfy1BquUe6mr_qMYcoOZAahl2J-Hok6argArRDrh1vMILGRXJTST-8ZmdcO3ro_MEuI3ianPitHCB73wWg6OhL-HgKgH9WzfNWMMCT0RMV6fI/s320/DSC03906.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
A big grateful thank you to all the CHP, local sheriff officers, and volunteers who were out directing traffic for us all along the route. They did a wonderful job of keeping everyone safe and were all so kind and encouraging to us riders. It just made such a taxing ride so much more enjoyable, especially toward the end when most of us were just riding on steam and could barely see straight. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMebGhTDyozp6p-fzQZFzTn32la_JyUj6xSO47kAvOJJPXvSCvzkbA2Clz03j7uOP1DBVoZa5zbZNPQdBy5LNN3d4pR0LNR-Kh4x1W54IxfhOAMKZA7iTC-Mw7Lw2f_G41c3_sN7IxN8/s1600/DSC03912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="1600" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMebGhTDyozp6p-fzQZFzTn32la_JyUj6xSO47kAvOJJPXvSCvzkbA2Clz03j7uOP1DBVoZa5zbZNPQdBy5LNN3d4pR0LNR-Kh4x1W54IxfhOAMKZA7iTC-Mw7Lw2f_G41c3_sN7IxN8/s320/DSC03912.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CHP-assisted U-turn on Del Dios Hwy at Calle Ambiente.</td></tr>
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<b>Lemontwistenberg (Eastbound Del Dios Gorge Trail)</b><br />
I'm glad I pre-rode this thing the Tuesday before (in the rain and all, since that was my only day off that work week). The little shallow concrete creek crossing on the access road to Lemontwistenberg had recently been filled in with fist size gravels, and it rode quite differently from a year ago. You really can't steer thru huge gravels like that. It rides pretty much like non-sinking sand... where momentum (and the willingness to leave the brake levers alone) is your best friend. Luckily for me, never being able to stick with a diet plan means momentum is the one thing I have no lack of...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbkI9AGdDGNSGgP9zRaH-UpgB_Psz6FSSTr8e8F7dpXL9wwoZl_EG_JZDxQtZGbTMmxQ4xzWx2Srbj64mO-CpFc53KMvFXWmoGPNjpc6mApD0N76PyRUPrdonBwLX8N3taPGDjQMCsWg/s1600/DSC03913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1408" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbkI9AGdDGNSGgP9zRaH-UpgB_Psz6FSSTr8e8F7dpXL9wwoZl_EG_JZDxQtZGbTMmxQ4xzWx2Srbj64mO-CpFc53KMvFXWmoGPNjpc6mApD0N76PyRUPrdonBwLX8N3taPGDjQMCsWg/s320/DSC03913.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We were
pretty much all strangers with unknown bike-handling abilities. I
trackstood for a while waiting for the crossing to clear before riding
thru. After all, I wasn't anywhere near the pointy end of the ride, and there really wasn't any point in 'racing' others thru crash-a-delic sections. A few others just plowed in right behind someone else, hoping that the person in front
didn't stall.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFjXbbcvE6Oafl6sVjXvMrSw7H2lmN-IB1PYuxgW3_C4stcU6peQfW0D9qN64P1FhvO9CuLcqF3B_s2u-3mFn8uVZz8UQvqjp7A0h3vvjx2Cw9VXhcZX9hjPwH5-jEQ6dxEwQNkksM58/s1600/DSC03917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="1600" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFjXbbcvE6Oafl6sVjXvMrSw7H2lmN-IB1PYuxgW3_C4stcU6peQfW0D9qN64P1FhvO9CuLcqF3B_s2u-3mFn8uVZz8UQvqjp7A0h3vvjx2Cw9VXhcZX9hjPwH5-jEQ6dxEwQNkksM58/s320/DSC03917.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemontwistenberg traffic jam.</td></tr>
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Though, stalled we did become on the twisty low-traction singletrack of Lemontwistenberg, except for the few that were off the front and/or the back of the bunch. Once someone gets off and walks, the rest pretty much has to follow suit. There just isn't enough room.<br />
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Not to say that some didn't try to squeeze people out of their way with nary a thought of whether those people who got squeezed past would end up in the bush (or cactus) or not, kind of like the way some drivers would speed squeeze pass a long line of cars to cut in up the line right at the freeway exit. <br />
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The vast majority of riders behaved like matured adults, however, and kept up good banter to past the time waiting for the line to move along. <br />
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<b>Hodgesmuurgate East</b><br />
After a stretch back on the pavement of Del Dios Hwy, we hit the dirt again on Lake Hodges North Trail. This was one of the more fearsome sectors last year with long stretches of jutting hard rocks on the ramp to Bernardo Mtn Trail turn off, and the dreaded downhill right turn toward Felicita Creek where tires were shredded and spokes busted. The thick new layer of packed top dirt had taken most of the menace out of Hodges North, however. The downhill right hook was now smooth, loose, and still banking the wrong way away from the turn; I'm not sure if that is a safer combination for biking than the previous de-facto-speed-bump roughness was, but it probably gave Velofix fewer business than it did last year. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIq59hErcmpnuw4n3hL4bubYmdsjtiE98jWv3sXYBO4pRYdoZIl1dpEiZFSfvbCS9GYe8SxViwxQav-aqrDD4XErtzMXKd4B9IjdzH_8WFXuynz4icRFYK9XDJWtTuLp5tyAJjWwsZio/s1600/DSC03922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1235" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIq59hErcmpnuw4n3hL4bubYmdsjtiE98jWv3sXYBO4pRYdoZIl1dpEiZFSfvbCS9GYe8SxViwxQav-aqrDD4XErtzMXKd4B9IjdzH_8WFXuynz4icRFYK9XDJWtTuLp5tyAJjWwsZio/s320/DSC03922.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLTDeqT6N0zDZeS2KJ3KQXw-X4g70ENKmHfCSS91Hzd1WSlvwQREOFSgtUtmrAZPHilOhUd_QjhovGrPCOL81zD9IgXImpDtYGd1RaC6MyWYz0z3QcW7ksZquTPuUTUykj6HuNd4BD0Q/s1600/GOPR1102_Moment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="1360" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLTDeqT6N0zDZeS2KJ3KQXw-X4g70ENKmHfCSS91Hzd1WSlvwQREOFSgtUtmrAZPHilOhUd_QjhovGrPCOL81zD9IgXImpDtYGd1RaC6MyWYz0z3QcW7ksZquTPuUTUykj6HuNd4BD0Q/s320/GOPR1102_Moment.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The now smooth downhill right turn on Hodgesmuurgate.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2O0gD8pIdr2wtRRCdzBvIshUosNcNeKihYp6Zv4SVXrImrKJ45KyM-b_cnei0runIjPS7N87aNO_gnh8evX1GcV_T90lbFlIlSoenFVxDaN2WToccCCEs-u-t931VVGizsk6YHtgmuc/s1600/GOPR1102_Moment%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="1478" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2O0gD8pIdr2wtRRCdzBvIshUosNcNeKihYp6Zv4SVXrImrKJ45KyM-b_cnei0runIjPS7N87aNO_gnh8evX1GcV_T90lbFlIlSoenFVxDaN2WToccCCEs-u-t931VVGizsk6YHtgmuc/s320/GOPR1102_Moment%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Felicita Creek crossing.</td></tr>
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<b>Modest Mule (Eastbound Mule Hill Trail) and Highland Arenberg (Highland Valley Rd climb)</b><br />
Rather than lingering at the Sikes' Abode pit stop at the start of Modest Mule like I did last year, I just grabbed a fresh bottle of electrolyte bottle and passed right on to the trail. You see, there's only one really rideable line through the deep sand pits of Modest Mule's mid-section, and it's on the westbound side. Last year I had to fishtail my way east on it because the lead Wafer riders were already heading back west through there as I headed east, and that rideable line wasn't available.<br />
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This time around, I had already gone through the sand pits when the first Wafer riders popped up on the opposite side of the narrow trail. From then on, I could relax a bit and take my time psyching up for the climb up the steep first mile of Highland Valley Rd climb.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKbqf43qRt3DR-juYNGbv2x1_3_fehrW9_W41tCGoXfCC2uR3RvuPCMq8t1Ax9Qj3XaMl0iew2cdsbPg30bWAXHomfuUCmpBjB5mOlbyyibUpwhq7AuBkmj0_r3TxzmU2AJ4ag2HkARw/s1600/DSC03926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="1600" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKbqf43qRt3DR-juYNGbv2x1_3_fehrW9_W41tCGoXfCC2uR3RvuPCMq8t1Ax9Qj3XaMl0iew2cdsbPg30bWAXHomfuUCmpBjB5mOlbyyibUpwhq7AuBkmj0_r3TxzmU2AJ4ag2HkARw/s320/DSC03926.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading east on Mule Hill Trail. Battle Mtn in background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilX7oB2KB68_lV-ZmdGovsRnTtyxvQ-67oOroO1RUCWPip1-DKmCO8O5BrgzDue78uVqLGqyFGK66Ue8R-N-IsmvaunR903ZTbWcxhpEAc5_vj6KPYM-zKxJRHnmxgQeaDawWOiEV_Q7w/s1600/DSC03928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilX7oB2KB68_lV-ZmdGovsRnTtyxvQ-67oOroO1RUCWPip1-DKmCO8O5BrgzDue78uVqLGqyFGK66Ue8R-N-IsmvaunR903ZTbWcxhpEAc5_vj6KPYM-zKxJRHnmxgQeaDawWOiEV_Q7w/s320/DSC03928.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lower slope of wiggly Highland Valley Rd climb.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWS5hPSBPoT5jnyjQ1roCh3vETsZUP377eWNBZAPYgEILX9dbDFL4bhJloTKLFCkFJEp148JB_gwMhhqkGVN3JRlsBClm9ODXfUgy-J2YII1PygCNTYM016xefL8kBx-iObCTmCtPms8/s1600/DSC03932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1188" data-original-width="1600" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWS5hPSBPoT5jnyjQ1roCh3vETsZUP377eWNBZAPYgEILX9dbDFL4bhJloTKLFCkFJEp148JB_gwMhhqkGVN3JRlsBClm9ODXfUgy-J2YII1PygCNTYM016xefL8kBx-iObCTmCtPms8/s320/DSC03932.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a couple more turns to the level out!</td></tr>
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Wafer riders don't have to climb all of Highland Valley Rd (HVR), thanks goodness! We only climb the first wiggly mile to the Bandy Canyon Rd turn off, where we indulge in a few miles of paved descents into the San Pasqual Valley. The sun had shedded its cloud cover by then, and I was starting to regret having on a vest.<br />
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<b>Sandy Bandy (San Pasqual Valley Trail) and Bandyweg (Bandy Canyon Rd climb)</b><br />
I did spend some time at the well stocked Sandy Bandy pit stop, where the kind volunteers from Olli and Tasco pumped me full of banana and electrolyte water. I'm afraid I passed on the beer, as I could barely ride straight when sober. Being able to stick to a narrow line is something necessary on a trail like Sandy Bandy, with its many unfriendly cacti hiding in the brushes lining the path.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2T7u-_10KPHFwPKtm-RlyH2D6CRxLKc4s-1XeUS7Rs7qpQOyoajRMfJM5C_6_r-D6a1KNG1ZlRtsOPC8REdDLtTRgNOUJ8GvYO_nQqU7nKHuxGGkV37dV-qtVR52zu2__TUFeZO79Qzw/s1600/DSC03939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2T7u-_10KPHFwPKtm-RlyH2D6CRxLKc4s-1XeUS7Rs7qpQOyoajRMfJM5C_6_r-D6a1KNG1ZlRtsOPC8REdDLtTRgNOUJ8GvYO_nQqU7nKHuxGGkV37dV-qtVR52zu2__TUFeZO79Qzw/s320/DSC03939.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandy Bandy Pit Stop</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkydjy9KG_ynC6kAPCyxLUnBTmCEqyg6oTFVCmwTnNG-8_IA2zIPfuCvjQxRWkUTbiPemOjyOMgdgQEBKEuKkHUhf2eAf0z_VACfJuizlSKiXQ0K0-RIkGUHxWI735MhS_2JAEay3ptg/s1600/GOPR1123_Trim_Moment%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1586" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkydjy9KG_ynC6kAPCyxLUnBTmCEqyg6oTFVCmwTnNG-8_IA2zIPfuCvjQxRWkUTbiPemOjyOMgdgQEBKEuKkHUhf2eAf0z_VACfJuizlSKiXQ0K0-RIkGUHxWI735MhS_2JAEay3ptg/s320/GOPR1123_Trim_Moment%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandy Bandy's deceptive sand singletrack</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHnXyD6VzlfvEytulYhWLtt_XIionHJP14YLNVYw0lvfyzTy8vj105ZEZZ1yBPhfqZLUNqxqNIe7Wfd1qD0UBxLEqJPiCeRXZCzevqmoXB_TOWr_T4HNdydPplfq3cReXImCQLOJZk8w/s1600/DSC03945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1258" data-original-width="1600" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHnXyD6VzlfvEytulYhWLtt_XIionHJP14YLNVYw0lvfyzTy8vj105ZEZZ1yBPhfqZLUNqxqNIe7Wfd1qD0UBxLEqJPiCeRXZCzevqmoXB_TOWr_T4HNdydPplfq3cReXImCQLOJZk8w/s320/DSC03945.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exiting Sandy Bandy onto the cracky tarmac ramp to Bandy Canyon Rd.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<b>Mighty Mule</b> (Westbound Mule Hill Trail) and <b>Hodgesmuurgate West</b> (Westbound Lake Hodges North Trail)<br />
I made it down the hill and onto Mighty Mule in pretty good time. The headwind wasn't too mighty, yet, and having the whole trail to myself through both of the sand pits was extremely nice. I grabbed a fresh new electrolyte drink bottle at the Sikes Abode, and took it pretty easy on the first bit of Hodgesmuurgate while getting some Bloc Shots in. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOBIvlgtNsHz7xveiyqnfc2VPu_nRKOz3lIl4NK3xTo9dQOZXiPar0X9iwbB7Qr1Go1ot-Av2jT8HGh6detSYDJwwGv-wZG307VsWWiWiBRiPDVvYq6DJIJGZmogww8no6JKHCGm9akg/s1600/DSC03949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOBIvlgtNsHz7xveiyqnfc2VPu_nRKOz3lIl4NK3xTo9dQOZXiPar0X9iwbB7Qr1Go1ot-Av2jT8HGh6detSYDJwwGv-wZG307VsWWiWiBRiPDVvYq6DJIJGZmogww8no6JKHCGm9akg/s320/DSC03949.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The firmer bit of Mighty Mule.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3paMPA5wx8wqkf85lgN6vbsoV2QDuU7ZnAV54DICL2Y5eE6T9U-3sljlE50hamY5WdU30tLeHxb3DXPHf9s7RNittnbKK1vyHiH_lhJIKdnWMhLHAD6KAX8YMl6eCfHuw2Z4z6hBGvE/s1600/DSC03950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3paMPA5wx8wqkf85lgN6vbsoV2QDuU7ZnAV54DICL2Y5eE6T9U-3sljlE50hamY5WdU30tLeHxb3DXPHf9s7RNittnbKK1vyHiH_lhJIKdnWMhLHAD6KAX8YMl6eCfHuw2Z4z6hBGvE/s320/DSC03950.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh cold electrolyte drink bottles being handed out at Sikes Abode.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-MDkceENgtrHgEUx4cfGoOagqH3RC3uWOl2838R_bX113LsUHICUGBBF97VX8QIQCyZpqDmh23G3uyAm8MNKGyAbqtrmIYzMF5LUk_yuxiaZNGCHeThJMBfjKNdzukZChwRwqleDIXU/s1600/DSC03957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1157" data-original-width="1600" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-MDkceENgtrHgEUx4cfGoOagqH3RC3uWOl2838R_bX113LsUHICUGBBF97VX8QIQCyZpqDmh23G3uyAm8MNKGyAbqtrmIYzMF5LUk_yuxiaZNGCHeThJMBfjKNdzukZChwRwqleDIXU/s320/DSC03957.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild mustard were abloom along Hodges North Trail.</td></tr>
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<b>Kakaboulet and Hodgendam</b> (Lake Hodges North Trail from gravel road to Del Dios Dam)<br />
Kakaboulet is the going Flemish word of exasperation we mutter under our dirt beards as we try to ride our way past the many rock field of various rideability on the Hodges North Trail between the access road and Hernandez's Hideaway.<br />
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I lucked out and wasn't stuck behind anyone on those crash-a-delic trouble spots, however, and rolled onto the Twistenlemonberg (westbound Del Dios Gorge Trail) at good speed. Last year the Waffle ride leaders passed me as I exited this sector. I was quite keen on getting through this narrow trail again before I'm caught this year. Gosh knows how terrible it would be to be struggling up one of its steep narrow ramps with the ride leaders stuck behind you. <br />
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As it turned out, I made it thru the sector uneventfully, had a good refueling at the pit stop, and was just about done climbing back up Del Dios Hwy to Citracada when a police cruiser came screeching to a stop in the middle of the intersection (a couple other riders and me were waiting for the left turn light to go green) and screamed at us to get out of the way. That could only mean that the Waffle leaders were hot on our heels, so we sprinted off, were passed as if we were standing still on Country Club Drive, and managed to tail the leading group through the Harmony Grove intersection before getting left in the dust, and back to riding a more humane tempo west into the Elfin Forest. <br />
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<b>Questhavenbergen (Questhaven Trail)</b><br />
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The Oasis ran out of bacon before I arrived! They had cold Coke and other good stuff, and they gave you colorful pats on the bottoms... but they didn't have bacon, and that's what I'm going to blame the double quads cramps that hit me while climbing the worst of the paved Questhaven Dr ramp to Attebury Drive on. If only there weren't a bunch of overly cheery dudes hanging at the top of the climb watching and egging me on, I'd have gotten off the bike and attempt to play dead. But I was spotted before the thought struck me, and was compelled to keep up appearances one agonizing pedal stroke after another until I cleared that ungodly bit of road.<br />
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I don't think I ever got above 5 mph from that point on all the way to the top of Double Peak. Muur van Dubbelberg is nasty enough on fresh legs. With both quads going crampy even before I got onto San Elijo Rd, I just did enough work to keep the pedals going around while cramming as much gels and electrolyte drink in as I could.<br />
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I think someone I knew was yelling out encouragement half way up the climb, and a penguin tried to offer me some tasty Twizzlers as I inced my way toward the green watertank (after which the gradient would drop significantly). A few friendly locals were stationed at the last bend giving out high fives. Everybody was just so happy. They totally made up for the lack of bacon!<br />
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I had a better time descending the Twistenweg (Ridgeline Trail) back to S Twin Oaks Valley Rd than a year ago, except that I didn't make it completely up the final ramp this year. It's a weird instance where prior knowledge hurt rather than helped. Last year I only spotted the uptick as I descended down the middle of the trail, so I shot for the right side opening as I swung back uphill, and made it up to the park. This time around I knew that the clear opening is along the right side of the ramp, so I lined myself up on the right side of the trail to slingshot straight up through the gap. Alas, I didn't account for the side bumps... which bounced me back to the center where I hit the last wood berm and stalled just before the top. Oh well. Sometimes one can know too much for ones' good!<br />
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So... I finished another Wafer! It didn't feel any easier (except for the Hodges North bit, of course), but having finished last year was priceless in mentally convincing myself that I'd also finish this year. I'd be surprised if the route stays the same, even though that would probably make life a lot easier for the organizers (I bet it's quite a headache getting approval from all the different agencies that are in charged of all the trails and roads along the route to put on an event this big).<br />
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Whatever it turns out to be, I'm definitely signing up for next year's ride!<br />
<br />Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-29994903620030939252019-03-06T23:49:00.001-08:002019-03-06T23:49:14.755-08:00BWR Training/Adventure Ride Near Warner SpringsThis winter has been so rainy that even a land animal like me has been wondering if I should ditch the bike for a boat to get around in. I know. Isn't that sort of thinking just positively insane? Luckily, though, we caught a now rare 5 days stretch of dry weather that coincided decently with my days off. I was very happy to get to spend one of those days on the road bike.<br />
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Whether the bike was happy about it, I'm not so sure.<br />
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<a href="https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29360829">The planned ride</a> was a 54 mile loop from Lake Henshaw Resort to the east of Palomar Mtn, but as no one else had signed up for it, I figured some mileage inflation was in order and changed my start/finish to Harrah's Casino in Rincon instead. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The W curve on Hwy 76.</td></tr>
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The sky was gloomy-looking when I set out from Harrah's, and Palomar Mtn was still sound asleep under a thick layer of cloud, but the road was dry and traffic was nice and light until I got east of the saddle where South Grade Rd branches out. Road crews were out and about setting up their work sites along the highway (they will be spending the next year or so relocating the roadside electrical poles), and the blanket of cloud turned into a sprinkly mist. By the time I rolled into the parking lot at Lake Henshaw Resort I was a drippy wet mess. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Henshaw, looking all misty and brooding.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Would not have seen the rainbow happening behind me had I not have my rear-view mirror on.</td></tr>
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Lake Henshaw Resort has a well stocked store and I spent half an hour there munching on a chocolate muffin and chatting with a nice elderly Indian lass who was hanging around waiting for her ride to pick her up as my lycra cycling kit worked its 'quick dry' magic. I'm afraid I don't recall much of our conversion since we were mostly drowned out by a bunch of hungry little birds in the nest just overhead.<br />
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The lake had grown quite large from all the rain we've had, and there were lots of swimming room for all sorts of water fowls to zoom around in. Herds of cows roamed around enjoying endless green grass, occasionally startling families of European starlings into the air. I could have sat there and watched them forever, but the hills called and I was supposed to get to Warner Springs by 10 am in case someone decided to pop up to join the loopy portion of the ride, so I said good bye to my new friend (and to more muffins) and got back on the road. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the lark sparrows hopping along the barb wire fence.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I thought he was a kite, but he turned out to be a juvenile ferruginous hawk instead.</td></tr>
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Road construction work continued Hwy 79. A series of road work from the 76 junction all the way to Sunshine
Summit. Three stretches of K-rail-lined one lane highway with road crew directing traffic, and a few more temporary speed bumps made the 79 quite a bit of an obstacle course (with built in interval sprint to make it through the one-laned bit without being too annoying to motorized traffic). <br />
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I made it to the Warner Springs Gas Mart just before 10 am, and was pleasantly surprised by the well kept store, the clean restrooms, and the very friendly attendant. It is way nicer than what the street view of it on Google Earth reveals. Definitely recommended as a cycling stop!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warner Springs Gas Mart.</td></tr>
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The sun was shining in Sunshine Summit. Just in time for the 'wander into the people-less hills' bit of the ride!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJuanQB7KIPDZ52gJUr4zg3uEyG48XtsZdQ3U-N3B0jOQ6KWsbf3nCdkYqvbbejCJKK-3iTraSiYJEj_cHnYD1cEIaMPlcioKJ6xnMKZ-3CUJaaFHRQ0DXKmwuDksuP07mRsAVIGQFYU/s1600/DSC02749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJuanQB7KIPDZ52gJUr4zg3uEyG48XtsZdQ3U-N3B0jOQ6KWsbf3nCdkYqvbbejCJKK-3iTraSiYJEj_cHnYD1cEIaMPlcioKJ6xnMKZ-3CUJaaFHRQ0DXKmwuDksuP07mRsAVIGQFYU/s320/DSC02749.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alder Ln made me feel old.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSjnOAkdy3TTP3j6aOcmVKUOazQ0YuDY4JTvZkNOS-570v8pionhDtUvfA1uuhaezRP13a0SUx2DP_5tFR6k_ZCmG42wiL78gSxQnipa5j6o77aBeqEpjwnD4mt1fdkDi24NisisvACc/s1600/DSC02756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSjnOAkdy3TTP3j6aOcmVKUOazQ0YuDY4JTvZkNOS-570v8pionhDtUvfA1uuhaezRP13a0SUx2DP_5tFR6k_ZCmG42wiL78gSxQnipa5j6o77aBeqEpjwnD4mt1fdkDi24NisisvACc/s320/DSC02756.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puerta la Cruz, where I traded steep gradient for looser traction.</td></tr>
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It started with the right turn into Warner Springs Estate retirement community. The road is called Alder Road, though it was unsigned off the highway. Boulders and gardens charm its mellow first curves before it straightens out and becomes positively beastly. The gradient is solid 9-. At the top of Alder Rd, a roped off old tarmac lane continues up the hill toward the community's water tank. I veered off it onto a dirt path branching off to the right. This is the unmarked start of Puerta la Cruz Trail. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_K2d3ws6U9zpEpMTUmnJ3H1NLmUS0a5K2YpaBk1Nwi9cz8oFaH6D7qv56d0Dy4QGhrsSVFWONNjziegA9rvvyQ0t66AYFI_fGUFN020jEXXuOGeI-b6vThVTjEVlXcpNAJl1u4TZh68s/s1600/DSC02768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_K2d3ws6U9zpEpMTUmnJ3H1NLmUS0a5K2YpaBk1Nwi9cz8oFaH6D7qv56d0Dy4QGhrsSVFWONNjziegA9rvvyQ0t66AYFI_fGUFN020jEXXuOGeI-b6vThVTjEVlXcpNAJl1u4TZh68s/s320/DSC02768.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More climbing was on the menu on Puerta la Cruz Trail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJXuNQNXiTu_D7ib_7ZuhWUGQ5nDe8VLxs5xq7iXvtMZbXqqdZaaCr5eUu29hyphenhyphenwZraN3llUIAlx45UMEJbY8DEJqf2GOnZpBlve7lV5aYB9Uql3dEYm2NIWs5EmcRV0l0hRRAHC1-Ohw/s1600/DSC02816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJXuNQNXiTu_D7ib_7ZuhWUGQ5nDe8VLxs5xq7iXvtMZbXqqdZaaCr5eUu29hyphenhyphenwZraN3llUIAlx45UMEJbY8DEJqf2GOnZpBlve7lV5aYB9Uql3dEYm2NIWs5EmcRV0l0hRRAHC1-Ohw/s320/DSC02816.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ooops, this bit of dirt proved much softer than it looked.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBW6ODhseZbXOBdjT3RRU2xA7Iol53_IHtR6KyuIpWpeSZ1sAxzls0KoiYQDAd-Oam28UQlqyGYj-Tj2YiF9kYQyABtaUtoQwblkrqzRadymlOiaCVFJg6S8pmMBqhItOgyoG4dBMfVs/s1600/DSC02821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBW6ODhseZbXOBdjT3RRU2xA7Iol53_IHtR6KyuIpWpeSZ1sAxzls0KoiYQDAd-Oam28UQlqyGYj-Tj2YiF9kYQyABtaUtoQwblkrqzRadymlOiaCVFJg6S8pmMBqhItOgyoG4dBMfVs/s320/DSC02821.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I dislike leaving tracks behind me, so I destroyed the evidence a bit. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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It's a bit confusing looking up this road on map apps and on the Forest Service map. On the ground, the portion from the top of Alder Rd to the lone intersection on the route is only marked as 'Hiking Trail', and then the rest is signed as '9S05' (except for the sign off Hwy 79 that calls it 'Indian Flats Rd'). On Google Earth, the hiking trail and the rest of the dirt roads (on both sides of the intersection) are called 'Puerta la Cruz Truck Trail', connecting Chihuahua Valley Rd to the north with Hwy 79 via Indian Flats Campground.<br />
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On <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cleveland/recarea/?recid=47550">the Forest Service map</a>, however, most of the 9S05 from Hwy 79 to the dirt roads intersection is called 'Indian Flats Rd'. Then the trail/road I took from Alder Rd to there is called 'Hiking Trail', and the dirt road from the intersection to Chihuahua Valley Rd is called 'Puerta la Cruz Rd', changing name to 'Old Mitchell Camp' north of Chihuahua Valley Rd.<br />
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So, if you are thinking of retracing this ride, do yourself a favor and look at the map and memorize the geographical landmarks before heading out. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiojTuO4Ktk0bxiRkha4-OoItAD6kPAzelTTEm4BjwH8kY1qLOtD_HBW-KWTh1MGcd7Le5RaGDkogwpfVKtov8R3DOVo6myWfLPaWexL3x3XBNl7buRofRxknMXfwmvnrHa4aox6t-24sM/s1600/Puerta+la+Cruz+TT+at+Old+Mitchell+Camp+9s05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiojTuO4Ktk0bxiRkha4-OoItAD6kPAzelTTEm4BjwH8kY1qLOtD_HBW-KWTh1MGcd7Le5RaGDkogwpfVKtov8R3DOVo6myWfLPaWexL3x3XBNl7buRofRxknMXfwmvnrHa4aox6t-24sM/s320/Puerta+la+Cruz+TT+at+Old+Mitchell+Camp+9s05.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The turn off to Puerta la Cruz TT North to Chihuahua Valley Rd.</td></tr>
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You won't find any 'Puerta la Cruz TT' sign along the trail. Just follow the one labeled <b>9S05</b>, and you'll be alright. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrixZk-sB2WWg4gU5_V0YM2vEDXI4zAvXE1CFdRzf86_saNdgbpTxvwCsMRLw8x9OzyMEMzcjkJbYtkQqqSrp4HcwekUpRz82m4NIhiZIlDdSadSYC3oY9bVfJgLyAW1j3Qg4lGyN9gs/s1600/DSC02826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrixZk-sB2WWg4gU5_V0YM2vEDXI4zAvXE1CFdRzf86_saNdgbpTxvwCsMRLw8x9OzyMEMzcjkJbYtkQqqSrp4HcwekUpRz82m4NIhiZIlDdSadSYC3oY9bVfJgLyAW1j3Qg4lGyN9gs/s320/DSC02826.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the junction, 9S05 dives downhill in a rather fun series of turns and bumps.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVO6Q_I6oHQgHC_QFrbRLTWzQYJhZuezGyE7VUV-kmjFTZvrXnLJe3CuG1GdOBhGs-i6NXdDP3LNSb78CMKkUpaZW55oWfSeQmv6quIAT4xcNHSrVjFUi3jjUGMEZFdiu7DeaTlqabOs/s1600/DSC02838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVO6Q_I6oHQgHC_QFrbRLTWzQYJhZuezGyE7VUV-kmjFTZvrXnLJe3CuG1GdOBhGs-i6NXdDP3LNSb78CMKkUpaZW55oWfSeQmv6quIAT4xcNHSrVjFUi3jjUGMEZFdiu7DeaTlqabOs/s320/DSC02838.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a while it sort of levels out and runs parallel to the creek.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovGvdOIfU9HylHAAcOr6_K5jJV_RAC7ZWPgMOhapC5x5nHHeq3S_iF1IAS-_gbBFiIdIYUzjckpnVUjVJRmVakmsAZEbwthjRbJlhUE8oxQct1KFDM4zDfXb0OfNlF28_7jDySjoiiao/s1600/DSC02844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovGvdOIfU9HylHAAcOr6_K5jJV_RAC7ZWPgMOhapC5x5nHHeq3S_iF1IAS-_gbBFiIdIYUzjckpnVUjVJRmVakmsAZEbwthjRbJlhUE8oxQct1KFDM4zDfXb0OfNlF28_7jDySjoiiao/s320/DSC02844.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the gnarlier creek crossings.</td></tr>
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This used to be called Lost Creek Rd, though I don't know how anyone could lose the creek. It's right along side, and even crosses the road every tenth of a mile or so, making for some bike handling trials for rigid road bike (and not so floaty 28mm tires). I was quite glad my bike is equipped with disc brakes. It would have been much less fun with traditional dual pivot brakes on, wet rims and bumps and sand and all that stuff.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMrMmqzv7YWRlRLF5tZ9J8_89iGnDCbO6ubNVVpR_90VaD11os5gig47oYeWSYlHhxdGChyphenhyphenBJM1qnuqL00kGAAYLC8NKtY7T4PsYOt_PmdGP0fTp0L-Jds5Rs5qaG31ju96B9eGcjHMg/s1600/DSC02872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMrMmqzv7YWRlRLF5tZ9J8_89iGnDCbO6ubNVVpR_90VaD11os5gig47oYeWSYlHhxdGChyphenhyphenBJM1qnuqL00kGAAYLC8NKtY7T4PsYOt_PmdGP0fTp0L-Jds5Rs5qaG31ju96B9eGcjHMg/s320/DSC02872.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cleveland/recarea/?recid=47550">Indian Flats Campground</a> in February 2019.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhA6cKvfyebVFpPO17FrNFpvw6tCAeCOS24dP6IbJzy33XgfJL0_j97FuOd1O3Zm7ryqz0_VUaXqzPM8AJaU-rqFfHu4zy1LIVQQpq5uHoU-L_g-wocsJcjuv6qgCJJAzXjYxtD58BHs/s1600/DSC02875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="1600" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhA6cKvfyebVFpPO17FrNFpvw6tCAeCOS24dP6IbJzy33XgfJL0_j97FuOd1O3Zm7ryqz0_VUaXqzPM8AJaU-rqFfHu4zy1LIVQQpq5uHoU-L_g-wocsJcjuv6qgCJJAzXjYxtD58BHs/s320/DSC02875.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Done dirt riding for the day!</td></tr>
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After much bike-surfing over cracks, creeks, ruts, and sharp ups and downs, the dark narrow pavement of Indian Flats Rd came into view from the top of one of the ups. It was a much welcome sight. <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cleveland/recarea/?recid=47550">Indian Flats Campground</a> itself has been closed since a fire in summer of 2017, so no useful facility to be had, there. Getting back to the pavement, however, was a big psychological boost.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmGqDNtMcrP7actY5K7r0yDuFyhmhK5OXBqWBH0jggzV5kMi5Sy_1U1AmB8jbvE26amoyLRJEa6_aP74lInJHMQ9AQCYl0vh_nCLKgFdjFlwvonr3p5MYiAQrULVi42tNktXmfo4R35s/s1600/GOPR0918_Moment%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmGqDNtMcrP7actY5K7r0yDuFyhmhK5OXBqWBH0jggzV5kMi5Sy_1U1AmB8jbvE26amoyLRJEa6_aP74lInJHMQ9AQCYl0vh_nCLKgFdjFlwvonr3p5MYiAQrULVi42tNktXmfo4R35s/s320/GOPR0918_Moment%25284%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indian Flats paved road.</td></tr>
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And, a much welcome ride! A well earned fun after all the road bike acrobatic on shifty ground it took to get here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_YRy2g-dBBUnj8kGrMI08kSshbRYL-pDIFeZeREmsWS8P9t9uBcaN4E5l6NQK1L8rfgU1CggpaaOFlRotQMAs_EHCJn7123zHj707bMkQoTEf_BStPoUQX-xG5j_NyXGc1dWMPjrJd4/s1600/DSC02905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_YRy2g-dBBUnj8kGrMI08kSshbRYL-pDIFeZeREmsWS8P9t9uBcaN4E5l6NQK1L8rfgU1CggpaaOFlRotQMAs_EHCJn7123zHj707bMkQoTEf_BStPoUQX-xG5j_NyXGc1dWMPjrJd4/s320/DSC02905.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back north on Hwy 79 south of Warner Springs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0mhX-ED10ehBHb4bLZbBy2UPQBsEIEiWWQr5bDLqnc6mV2_ELacnHjuI61advjX6eFl00Z62wJvWr31RqXdCFqBAxqtOhL2lSZOG5pw0joV_yTBNtxbeIfMxC5nLhTV-BjW7nrDMDEc/s1600/DSC02913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1181" data-original-width="1600" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0mhX-ED10ehBHb4bLZbBy2UPQBsEIEiWWQr5bDLqnc6mV2_ELacnHjuI61advjX6eFl00Z62wJvWr31RqXdCFqBAxqtOhL2lSZOG5pw0joV_yTBNtxbeIfMxC5nLhTV-BjW7nrDMDEc/s320/DSC02913.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hwy 79 at Mataguay</td></tr>
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Sad to say (not!), I wasn't missing motorized traffic much after having gone 14 miles without seeing one, but Hwys 79 and 76 back to Rincon were much better ridden in sunny weather than in a chilly mist. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhJ-0wSQljIK9-AhcNi_njr-ftmvaUrP98Qh-XICMBN4ct8pplEgWXXaqZ_4oaV87bV4CxONiUmdIeB-bCE6un3wU6WSAwYKiAu-Vb4_G3FGFL_IwS4uXdQpZ2RF_1RnuS-XOFVijmrQ/s1600/DSC02909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhJ-0wSQljIK9-AhcNi_njr-ftmvaUrP98Qh-XICMBN4ct8pplEgWXXaqZ_4oaV87bV4CxONiUmdIeB-bCE6un3wU6WSAwYKiAu-Vb4_G3FGFL_IwS4uXdQpZ2RF_1RnuS-XOFVijmrQ/s320/DSC02909.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I even got to drop in on the <a href="http://sohosandiego.org/warners/index.htm">Warner-Carillo Ranch House</a> along the way, and had a good chat with the nice rancher that lives next door. I'd love to drop in for more stories, though currently the museum is only opened from 12-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OJ4kIojbTUH1Jrrh8oUUjmmw6Dy1BSqa40g4hSTBlyDmVfP6MRVcDT2aK4lBx82J6LgQIf9_wD9tWz6b4VFyOi7FQxE0yoNfLTzVcXslGHl1GlupygkKQ-paisIKyEANrkHM5aqenNk/s1600/DSC02924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1600" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OJ4kIojbTUH1Jrrh8oUUjmmw6Dy1BSqa40g4hSTBlyDmVfP6MRVcDT2aK4lBx82J6LgQIf9_wD9tWz6b4VFyOi7FQxE0yoNfLTzVcXslGHl1GlupygkKQ-paisIKyEANrkHM5aqenNk/s320/DSC02924.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Henshaw looked quite photogenic in the afternoon sun.</td></tr>
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It was a good exploration ride, and one that needs repeating (with variations, of course. There are so many cool roads to explore out in the mountains while the air is still cool and clear of gnats) sooner rather than later... if only the weather would cooperate and stop raining so often!<br />
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Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-38911364244953616132019-02-09T19:07:00.002-08:002019-02-09T19:07:56.173-08:00January 2019: Putting some hills back into my cycling legs<br />
With the extended work hours (due to persistent human resource problem at work since November) and all the raining (my current living space isn't convenient for frequent bike-washing), I was very lucky to fit in a couple of proper bike rides in January. Gosh know I'm getting late preparing for the BWR again this year!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRzHc-q7kcYt_VspF_XAHFXGc6rqp7T6U_K_eO8r8iebDAY6W3a8_KONLcoFlfbsig293IrkUqy6G6MlERiREE_FlTx6RNziULFFAD86u85PIozCjK3pMK0Uf5owNCh-WTqWBkgeerXo/s1600/DSC01831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1214" data-original-width="1600" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRzHc-q7kcYt_VspF_XAHFXGc6rqp7T6U_K_eO8r8iebDAY6W3a8_KONLcoFlfbsig293IrkUqy6G6MlERiREE_FlTx6RNziULFFAD86u85PIozCjK3pMK0Uf5owNCh-WTqWBkgeerXo/s320/DSC01831.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDT9tKwKwrOvJnybgDWiAE68WIA2jon9PZ5YZIcP1rqMzw2Arb8h7b2I5PDuTq_GvULgromayqL59RIiYjKqYreG1TdyDELnjNGAo48lLIfdS3EQINtdco1gnq13ufTOlspbY-Fz7G7Ic/s1600/DSC01843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDT9tKwKwrOvJnybgDWiAE68WIA2jon9PZ5YZIcP1rqMzw2Arb8h7b2I5PDuTq_GvULgromayqL59RIiYjKqYreG1TdyDELnjNGAo48lLIfdS3EQINtdco1gnq13ufTOlspbY-Fz7G7Ic/s320/DSC01843.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once you get to Elfin Forest Rd, several alternative no-traffic paved routes opens up on the way to Double Peak.</td></tr>
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Double Peak is still the favorite haunt when I only have time for a short ride. Don't mistake me for any badass, though. I'm a bona fide heat-wimp and only enjoy that climb when it is cooler than 70F out. Most of the year I shed a million tear grinding my way up the thing. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view at the top of DP just doesn't get old.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFsmyAMc-XNTzaPrL2WLRltBF-mwg4i3wozDxu6OsGhQ536V4P3l52QueJruGWHXuB2hsPdjPxPqE5NtG3D_z74YuiK12Tf_BDrpN1IWShU17eozFWYjKJcGJGFxD4YLZv1xPx2yaOc8/s1600/DSC01882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="1600" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFsmyAMc-XNTzaPrL2WLRltBF-mwg4i3wozDxu6OsGhQ536V4P3l52QueJruGWHXuB2hsPdjPxPqE5NtG3D_z74YuiK12Tf_BDrpN1IWShU17eozFWYjKJcGJGFxD4YLZv1xPx2yaOc8/s320/DSC01882.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Elijo Hills, the neighborhood on the southern slope of Double Peak, is full of secret trails.</td></tr>
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I take a lot of photos of that whole area whenever I ride there now. The view is changing rather rapidly with all the new houses being put in. A new view for the year, tho, is one of water overflowing the top of Lake San Marcos Dam. San Diego County, with all the rain we've had so far, is still officially in level 1 drought, so seeing frothing water flowing in local lakes and creeks is a nice thing! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down on Lake San Marcos Dam and the surrounding greening hills.</td></tr>
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In mid-January the stars finally aligned and one of the few short windows of dry weather coincided with two of my days off, and I finally got to introduce the new bike to an old friend - Palomar Mtn. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjEiFvm7U_pLvNCod_yiURKFeGQvTtHQsKXXLEO-vXK3AXH0QnbjO-2XOsGvJVlreJsyqHB11G_60KcwmhiUEfjkUcIPAXsj3W4fp26tUdO-FfqwYnnzMsn6RzU66lxUZq5rd0syLWdY/s1600/DSC02012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1600" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjEiFvm7U_pLvNCod_yiURKFeGQvTtHQsKXXLEO-vXK3AXH0QnbjO-2XOsGvJVlreJsyqHB11G_60KcwmhiUEfjkUcIPAXsj3W4fp26tUdO-FfqwYnnzMsn6RzU66lxUZq5rd0syLWdY/s320/DSC02012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the nice things about riding with a helmet rear-view mirror is being able to spot a nice view happening behind me as I climb... so that I can stop and properly enjoy it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOXk734xs9cBfy3ZOoK-SrKSsJx4v5jS2Z-9hgLdFgBp_s3xYwzUY9Pw2ATnmgnqBwtd5zu-9CSRBr7BEDfPLG5yRvOWbYFbS3UibdiC9hJD-TfaQ5gCuZLs4aGIpsEYnhRMroG24g4c/s1600/DSC02055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1600" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOXk734xs9cBfy3ZOoK-SrKSsJx4v5jS2Z-9hgLdFgBp_s3xYwzUY9Pw2ATnmgnqBwtd5zu-9CSRBr7BEDfPLG5yRvOWbYFbS3UibdiC9hJD-TfaQ5gCuZLs4aGIpsEYnhRMroG24g4c/s320/DSC02055.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New bike at Lake Henshaw</td></tr>
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Some people climb Palomar for fun. I do it because it's a lot of hills to re-condition my legs in a hurry in just a few miles... And, of course, because of the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO7mIJmc2X8">12 wiggly all downhill miles</a> with just one stop sign descent. It's a kind of 'fun' worth paying/sweating for. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqy8BZl-ehggsv72Fw3f-D0t2IwBr86cYMjWmd83_w0MwW5wFNzhWriVlGdLwdxGjVWDZp2T-TGIlI1IeJ07YF9Kf6LXCdi4CXa2q3Tz1OQbE7fSiDXuhLt3iWTuoTqi162-BX-32WCI/s1600/DSC02017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1239" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqy8BZl-ehggsv72Fw3f-D0t2IwBr86cYMjWmd83_w0MwW5wFNzhWriVlGdLwdxGjVWDZp2T-TGIlI1IeJ07YF9Kf6LXCdi4CXa2q3Tz1OQbE7fSiDXuhLt3iWTuoTqi162-BX-32WCI/s320/DSC02017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These cute little Oregon juncos are quite worth climbing hills to see.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOYytaYBnLmZRogKieElt-ChLOgx_UAoxzpNhfKbdpSpsh8w3WoGz21kU46w4swGCMnDc0hCYZW2vQ_9VMB9zsAfLeBFBzaL0PiW7fArPMa0CWUvRY4qB-Hd-_ubHK8iPCViUcR9Nzhg/s1600/DSC02174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOYytaYBnLmZRogKieElt-ChLOgx_UAoxzpNhfKbdpSpsh8w3WoGz21kU46w4swGCMnDc0hCYZW2vQ_9VMB9zsAfLeBFBzaL0PiW7fArPMa0CWUvRY4qB-Hd-_ubHK8iPCViUcR9Nzhg/s320/DSC02174.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking west from Palomar Mtn almost to the ocean behind the Cerro de las Posas in the distance.</td></tr>
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There were loads of birds about, and a lot of time to gawk at them before dropping back into town again.<br />
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If only I could be out there every day... <br />
<br />Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-16471714452496060802018-11-10T10:33:00.001-08:002018-11-10T10:33:22.471-08:00Abusing the CX bike on the trails of Penasquitos Canyon PreserveIt's hard being my bicycles... Many of my friends are strictly mountain bikers, but as I already have two bicycles and am keen on resisting obeying the 'ideal number of bicycles to own = n+1' rule, I'd rather hang on to my road bike and my cyclocross bike rather than adding a proper mountain bike to my tiny little stable. Hence, the cyclocross bike is now serving as my 'go anywhere' bike.<br />
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I don't think it enjoys that role all that much.
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Gotta give props to KHS, the manufacturer of my entry level aluminum cyclocross bike. That thing is built like a tank (and weighs very much like one, too). I have been far from gentle with it, but it has survived all sorts of rough rocky and sandy trails. I'm running 33mm clincher tires, and have never flatted on the trails (I have caught 2 flats on paved road, though. Go figure!). The wheels are so sturdy that they are still running true after all the hard bumps.
Truth be told, my next CX bike will probably not be a KHS since I don't like how it handles all that much (and the severe toe overlap is really hard on my ankle during trackstand and other maneuvers). The bike is a good and sturdy entry level bike for those into adventure riding rather than racing, though. Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-72098863043518674492018-10-23T11:29:00.000-07:002018-10-23T11:29:24.049-07:00Post work de-compression rides on the trails of Carlsbad A wonderful thing about living in San Diego's North County is the easy access I have to many cyclocross-bike-friendly trails... and the fact that one of my adventurous pals works nearby and doesn't object to going out on occasional after-work-bike-rides with me to decompress from less-than-optimal days at the office.<br />
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Here's a favorite route (with no map or route sheet, I'm afraid. Some of these trails are better kept 'less ridden' than not... for continuing access purpose.<br />
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Lilting up storm in the background soundtrack is none other than the fabulous Elina Garanca singing the aria from Villa-Lobos' Bachianas Brasileiras #5, which is a star on her wonderful Deutsche Grammophon CD: <a href="https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/us/cat/4776231">Aria Cantilena</a>.Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-18301037659840204502018-05-15T16:12:00.000-07:002019-03-03T08:18:14.070-08:00Belgian Wafer Ride 2018A few months ago a few riding friends suggested that the bunch of us sign up to do a notoriously crazy on/off pavement cycling race in the coming spring. It has a degreasing amount of mileage, brutal elevation gain, bike/back-breaking miles of off-road segments, and best of all, all-you-can-eat freshly made Belgian waffle pre-ride breakfast. Having heard so many horror stories about the <a href="https://belgianwaffleride.bike/">Belgian Waffle Ride</a> from various survivors who still shudder as they recall the experience during Swami's rides, we opted for the Waffle's more humane shorter version, Belgian Wafer Ride, instead. We even attempted to train for the thing.<br />
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Alas, various illnesses put paid to our plans (a month long bout with the flu almost did me in in February, and various injuries did the others in) and I found myself alone in the crowd at the start line of the BWR on Sunday April 15th, wondering what I had gotten into.<br />
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It had been disturbing hot the day before while riding the trails of Penasquitos Canyon with a few friends, now I was shivering in the morning cold at the BWR breakfast line. The start time was pushed out almost an hour just to make sure that we hungry horde got all the waffle we needed. I'm talking freshly made waffle, too, not the frozen and then nuked ones. They were really worth standing in the long line for!<br />
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I set off near the back of the Wafer pack and dropped completely off about 7 miles into the ride when I stopped to start up my Garmin (of all the rides to forget to record, this one isn't it!). By the time the Garmin woke up and registered where we were, I was all alone and had the infamous 'Lemontwistenberg' AKA Del Dios Gorge trail all to myself. That worked out quite well!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZi7uPEPTrNYn2pFzn3Ve1IVCBHWaIRCq05hqZ5ssrWHkgLIFJZC4lh09RMmbU6KOtivG0rSjU_Quqvt-AS9z5qsuRUNckvPIrA8raWMyHQ3ccNYOFgMErQUdWHNfx7AYB7dqJDDlJjk/s1600/DSC07563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="1600" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZi7uPEPTrNYn2pFzn3Ve1IVCBHWaIRCq05hqZ5ssrWHkgLIFJZC4lh09RMmbU6KOtivG0rSjU_Quqvt-AS9z5qsuRUNckvPIrA8raWMyHQ3ccNYOFgMErQUdWHNfx7AYB7dqJDDlJjk/s320/DSC07563.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The speedy front of the Wafer pack was already heading the other way on Del Dios Hwy as I climbed west!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUobH2gfR9gjuh672sas7AHA5XPf9BIfxacGyp9IiesCHVowL_occ6V9IQqLc1R-tLTjqTahP4j6ZXie-pftQN6XNRGWuS5curX_Qxm21i7TLOSQlBFf7dZN-CSkrjQV_eqRIA2JKZ_TE/s1600/DSC07568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1214" data-original-width="1600" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUobH2gfR9gjuh672sas7AHA5XPf9BIfxacGyp9IiesCHVowL_occ6V9IQqLc1R-tLTjqTahP4j6ZXie-pftQN6XNRGWuS5curX_Qxm21i7TLOSQlBFf7dZN-CSkrjQV_eqRIA2JKZ_TE/s320/DSC07568.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The narrow and zesty (both horizontally and vertically) Lemontwistenberg.</td></tr>
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Getting to pick your own line, set your own pace, and use the entire width of the narrow fine-gravel trail without having to worry about anyone else makes a lot of difference! I was hardly a fifth of the way into the ride and had already passed more than a handful of riders on the Lemon Twist; they were sidelined by either a mechanical (flat tires being the most common, dropped and stuck chain being the next) or a crash. Some were able to fix themselves and get back to riding, others were doomed to hike their bike to the nearest trailhead in search of neutral support vehicle.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neutral supports were kept quite busy with the multitudes of mechanicals.</td></tr>
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A brief respite back on the pavement on eastbound Del Dios Hwy from the dam to Elm St was much welcomed before <a href="http://www.thecoastnews.com/del-dios-denizens-immortalize-lake-legend/">The Hodgee Monster</a> appeared on the side of the road to beckon me back to the sand and jarring rocks of Lake Hodges North Trail.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_laswMTHq6KsZ5a1BIKQTI78J8UJRXuAYW7GEP8WjCBS4LgsSOiukjo1gNBz_chWrO34vvux2EWakn29meOGSMYfO8Pq0PzOMxRq7YYQgFwNOenQeAqT6owz0tmrAiwa1IqLtPeSCvw/s1600/DSC07582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="1600" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_laswMTHq6KsZ5a1BIKQTI78J8UJRXuAYW7GEP8WjCBS4LgsSOiukjo1gNBz_chWrO34vvux2EWakn29meOGSMYfO8Pq0PzOMxRq7YYQgFwNOenQeAqT6owz0tmrAiwa1IqLtPeSCvw/s320/DSC07582.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Come back to the trail!', called Hodgee.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RR_3CG4WuDSxdGcPhpCesANN97mVnkF1wmzHSOoBe_GovSiakSz_-j2SnIU1uk5SEHYX-Emx543jW3xkGLWH5zJWTr0u3XCVtajtU1fDupp1e2jjCWulVbXZYJ9VRY7ux-7BSl5FQkw/s1600/DSC07594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="1600" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RR_3CG4WuDSxdGcPhpCesANN97mVnkF1wmzHSOoBe_GovSiakSz_-j2SnIU1uk5SEHYX-Emx543jW3xkGLWH5zJWTr0u3XCVtajtU1fDupp1e2jjCWulVbXZYJ9VRY7ux-7BSl5FQkw/s320/DSC07594.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastbound on Lake Hodges North trail, before it gets rough and bouncy.</td></tr>
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The North Trail on Lake Hodges used to be a lot more mild-manner than it has become since the winter storms at the end of 2016. Now the section east of the climb over Bernardo Mtn's south flank is a long expanse of exposed little rocks with special hatred for skinny road tires. I was running 32mm threaded cyclocross rubbers, and still bounced around like a pingpong ball slotting thru the narrow rut between the rocks. A few more riders littered the side of the dirt abusing their tire irons, and another group hung just below 'pinch-flat alley', cheering on other riders as they waited for their friends/teammates to catch up. This is one of the cool things about riding on the non-competitive end of the race. People encouraging others and stopping to help rather than just bickering about the amount of pulling they have to do.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UockVDPJYmvJORz8TRuFKfpb2ENRtkAxXhIobAgkeFBP7fk1jh7iicuK9ahiHAmK8rRFiLLCgWxR4hmXEm0oW7B1r-Cx6G7QACKV9AXsPjZ-ywPqc8qCALGiVzxoxXZ4b0SPVSI2g_Q/s1600/DSC07606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UockVDPJYmvJORz8TRuFKfpb2ENRtkAxXhIobAgkeFBP7fk1jh7iicuK9ahiHAmK8rRFiLLCgWxR4hmXEm0oW7B1r-Cx6G7QACKV9AXsPjZ-ywPqc8qCALGiVzxoxXZ4b0SPVSI2g_Q/s320/DSC07606.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The BWR course was really well marked!</td></tr>
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Rock-hopping (while carrying the bike, mind you. I'm no <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dABvshAulmY">Chris Akrigg</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhnauTuM3mw">Vittorio Brumotti</a>!) over Felicita Creek and onto the paved trail to Sunset Dr on the east side of I-15, the fabulous volunteers at the Mule Hill trailhead pit-stop insisted on filling my two almost empty bidons with ice-cold electrolyte mix while I attempted to eat all of their cut bananas and other good grubs. It was good to have fresh calories to burn entering the Moderate Mule sand and the climb up Highland Valley Road!<br />
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A lot of kudos is owed to the BWR organizers, support staff, CHP officers, and kindly volunteers! The course is exceedingly well marked and cheery volunteers were posted at all the trafficky key spots. There were also a bunch of CHP's out both in patrol cars and on motorcycles to allow us riders and drivers to share the road safely. <span id="goog_695039831"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGNxqR2TnMsqZB0hyphenhyphenjI-7p0I5HMDmWE3UrZX__xNiVkfcd_Edlr9CZrrwhJWlqkxwOmUY1bLtp7zakcbFGbdyccmsjC7J_QxCQIN7cq-JsbGbB4Qj4-zVN2iLy7aJ-GepRXZ5t-6DtQE/s1600/DSC07620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1187" data-original-width="1600" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGNxqR2TnMsqZB0hyphenhyphenjI-7p0I5HMDmWE3UrZX__xNiVkfcd_Edlr9CZrrwhJWlqkxwOmUY1bLtp7zakcbFGbdyccmsjC7J_QxCQIN7cq-JsbGbB4Qj4-zVN2iLy7aJ-GepRXZ5t-6DtQE/s320/DSC07620.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highland Valley Road is a serious climb!</td></tr>
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The first serious climb of the day was the '<a href="https://www.strava.com/segments/760562">Highland Arenberg</a>', of course. It isn't a long climb at just 1.4 mile, but its 6% average grade belies 11-15% grade ramps and twisty shoulderless nature. I normally avoid this patch of the road on weekends on account of non-local drivers, but with over 1000 other bikes on the route and a lot of CHP presence, traffic wasn't the main concern for me; the rapidly thinning of the cloud cover that was keeping the temperature below cooking point was!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending Bandy Canyon Rd into San Pasqual Valley.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoaV8D7vcqT36shhsbx914UBbNPOsl_1wXkB2sqGPnfmQTcbYMA7ig85O9tgdng5cc7gjdBEAzyWhxjja7WJEm5JWXG8_FoxX1FpUx86wScMSTQaItnGGxAsQeaZicMHdvCcbV2ZSLbnA/s1600/DSC07633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="1384" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoaV8D7vcqT36shhsbx914UBbNPOsl_1wXkB2sqGPnfmQTcbYMA7ig85O9tgdng5cc7gjdBEAzyWhxjja7WJEm5JWXG8_FoxX1FpUx86wScMSTQaItnGGxAsQeaZicMHdvCcbV2ZSLbnA/s320/DSC07633.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More awesome volunteers making sure we stayed on the route.</td></tr>
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At the bottom of Bandy Canyon Rd the route veered left into San Pasqual Valley trailhead for a very sandy section of the Coast to Crest Trail dubbed 'Sandy Bandy'. More cheery volunteers were on hand to refill both of my bidons as I downed some more cut bananas and PBJ sandwiches.<br />
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Sandy Bandy was relatively kind to me, though several tire tracks that ended in the brushes (and some brushes were more cactus-y than leafy) along the way gave good motivation to stay focused on the trail. I'm afraid several riders were either blind to the route arrows or had had enough of sand riding and opted to retrace up the pavement of Bandy Canyon Rd instead. At any rate, we all exited the trail back onto the road for the really only 'woohoo' bit of the day, the curvy steep descent of HVR.<br />
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Lest I got carried away Woohoo-ing, the fun came to an end at the start of the Mighty Mule back to Lake Hodges North. It's really just the reversed direction of the same trails I took east earlier. Somehow, heading the opposite way makes the Mule mighty rather than moderate. The wind was now in my face, and the squishier sand seemed bent on turning my bike into a squiggly fish.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggp4KdXqetiapjTdC-6GeFQ6M3MPbLCGdOb-1uUzdHbJcHXLTsNJR4gSF9QJp_Bnp9IhEEtqUADtlRoMCoWuHdD5ic8Oc5XSj9lNKyYSyBSOewuM4yo3YJt-rNaUS3toaL8iK6D9xOW_E/s1600/DSC07653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="1600" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggp4KdXqetiapjTdC-6GeFQ6M3MPbLCGdOb-1uUzdHbJcHXLTsNJR4gSF9QJp_Bnp9IhEEtqUADtlRoMCoWuHdD5ic8Oc5XSj9lNKyYSyBSOewuM4yo3YJt-rNaUS3toaL8iK6D9xOW_E/s320/DSC07653.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMng9LHp8vHoAasL9JyWC19gweLLc1P9zce-3aCVFxoHAmkmyQd1jV2NFajSt2Z_EZn4FeBxv6kXEzf3AJlATMCmey_VmsGnOnHcTLBCW1m63JrslxxWMdB62o4xp7EpegXT9aVziR9x8/s1600/DSC07654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMng9LHp8vHoAasL9JyWC19gweLLc1P9zce-3aCVFxoHAmkmyQd1jV2NFajSt2Z_EZn4FeBxv6kXEzf3AJlATMCmey_VmsGnOnHcTLBCW1m63JrslxxWMdB62o4xp7EpegXT9aVziR9x8/s320/DSC07654.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The route west stays on Lake Hodges North trail past the Hodgee Monster and through a series of rock fields of varying ride-abilities before a gate-crossing onto the gravel service road. I found myself at the tail of a small group of easy going guys and was enjoying a bit of on-bike conversation when the road turned into a narrow fenced-in trail that pitched straight uphill over a series of mini boulders. By the time I reached the summit (and the start of the <a href="https://www.strava.com/segments/14843088?filter=overall">Lemontwistenberg Omgekeerde</a>) I was all alone again and thankful for all the electrolyte drinks I've had along the way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXChya_ww6zlJjqM7G5PvXS1RSRMx9180WoC-ih2ribeak3YEm6DvnRzEk1HJtNOEhl5GIqVOpSZSzlVxwxXGQ8gDevDoLtSRfHfzRCN3mZ4D9HJmsWjjGC3sMkO9YxNkepwq2o6tvfKs/s1600/DSC07658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXChya_ww6zlJjqM7G5PvXS1RSRMx9180WoC-ih2ribeak3YEm6DvnRzEk1HJtNOEhl5GIqVOpSZSzlVxwxXGQ8gDevDoLtSRfHfzRCN3mZ4D9HJmsWjjGC3sMkO9YxNkepwq2o6tvfKs/s320/DSC07658.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lemontwistenberg Omgekeerde starts off with an OMG-inducing set of speed-scrubbing downhill zigzag.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBW6C6Iw7G6Ov7f3m6fRQgzRgmX2RzcxthlC6UZz5FBHedCL8ab6hlC4WEoPFGmRpIYhV5G6yYtxxqZlEncPN5AnMZcTL97rvN1epxtupAWY0jW6RIGlQ1e7serGBLhcxYTKjki4tRWc/s1600/2018.04.15+BWR+Nelly+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="993" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBW6C6Iw7G6Ov7f3m6fRQgzRgmX2RzcxthlC6UZz5FBHedCL8ab6hlC4WEoPFGmRpIYhV5G6yYtxxqZlEncPN5AnMZcTL97rvN1epxtupAWY0jW6RIGlQ1e7serGBLhcxYTKjki4tRWc/s320/2018.04.15+BWR+Nelly+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made it back to the Del Dios Gorge trailhead pit-stop with all our limbs still attached!</td></tr>
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Alas, summits came and went on this ride as the reversed Lemontwistenberg is full of false summits, zesty twists, and even a downed powerline cable. I took a long break at the trailhead pit-stop to sew all my limbs back on before taking a final ride over the Del Dios Hwy climb and heading NW to the enchanted forest of Harmony Grove.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_045CAaQfrJFIPB_XzS0wt3WNoBYcpbN-FX_XVv1mOlBeQRRYglgWW6RLSVL1Mb3xkau_R-e5QMvABuETziNauKdp9NW7rTPkAoOKaI4kGd1briKgScvnburkEpN09hm2ntL1MfeoeDk/s1600/DSC07665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="1552" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_045CAaQfrJFIPB_XzS0wt3WNoBYcpbN-FX_XVv1mOlBeQRRYglgWW6RLSVL1Mb3xkau_R-e5QMvABuETziNauKdp9NW7rTPkAoOKaI4kGd1briKgScvnburkEpN09hm2ntL1MfeoeDk/s320/DSC07665.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I took it way easy on the pavement of Elfin Forest Rd. People only talked about how hard it was going to be climbing up Double Peak at the end of the ride, but I've been this way before and was more in dread of how roughed up my poor legs would get just getting over the Atterbury hump on Questhaven Rd. The thought was enough to make me hallucinate bacon and bikini-clad dancing pixies...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgED4Wwo2ai6Aa98SDRY2oMkjAY3yDvOQKabSCphRewR3oJFoqCJxWpt5JkkyuYLrtsH9797TmHaSsI-lMJa5uycv7qcZmhx2rmXSQc5MRkbbfhUmzV9bLOF7BdymnoQFksZtOzg6jr5a0/s1600/DSC07668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1600" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgED4Wwo2ai6Aa98SDRY2oMkjAY3yDvOQKabSCphRewR3oJFoqCJxWpt5JkkyuYLrtsH9797TmHaSsI-lMJa5uycv7qcZmhx2rmXSQc5MRkbbfhUmzV9bLOF7BdymnoQFksZtOzg6jr5a0/s320/DSC07668.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_EKkn9Bom4e_fhHG-myR1FGOjKGZMlwXLioTPhjixkSjI-xNCiuc6z_XP3bC6I5oG1VLuJG8YAvL8NhKaIVODiTGi1Dgjv1gBwlmoeZ4bYP5AZFwX2GU-FqPHpbWSP2GfCHzGSQ5VDM/s1600/DSC07671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_EKkn9Bom4e_fhHG-myR1FGOjKGZMlwXLioTPhjixkSjI-xNCiuc6z_XP3bC6I5oG1VLuJG8YAvL8NhKaIVODiTGi1Dgjv1gBwlmoeZ4bYP5AZFwX2GU-FqPHpbWSP2GfCHzGSQ5VDM/s320/DSC07671.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcUz9SVOx9oJRQe2hICYYeQmqaSAY29tz2ElgbqkZm31a3HM6glvlmN3HwHYZFpgvabTwkfV57f6AEqxnScaqVL8TRLhmOHN-dhBXOKT4o2cuGIJvI-DmPhSVxQ5adCEW_gZrbABl47M/s1600/DSC07672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="1600" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcUz9SVOx9oJRQe2hICYYeQmqaSAY29tz2ElgbqkZm31a3HM6glvlmN3HwHYZFpgvabTwkfV57f6AEqxnScaqVL8TRLhmOHN-dhBXOKT4o2cuGIJvI-DmPhSVxQ5adCEW_gZrbABl47M/s320/DSC07672.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Questhaven Oasis apparitions</td></tr>
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Oh wait, that wasn't a hallucination?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyV2SpWbWXbwhu3j3zDdnG6Y8Tv4ED-YVTteAGNGp5Km0OViV-EdOKXnSgBiiYKZRdk4h5Oxm02aXPTTKcckQoEeeiAv20DHhP_ERUOgWoFbzs7u1lmXPuS54f_IDcT1LzF1Zw9AV4FF4/s1600/DSC07673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyV2SpWbWXbwhu3j3zDdnG6Y8Tv4ED-YVTteAGNGp5Km0OViV-EdOKXnSgBiiYKZRdk4h5Oxm02aXPTTKcckQoEeeiAv20DHhP_ERUOgWoFbzs7u1lmXPuS54f_IDcT1LzF1Zw9AV4FF4/s320/DSC07673.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhPssVNTq8OyJkbucON5_1LoPwsVqLqxt2-ZvLA6OOX6iQ74LH9lC63FAbFtGWM04ASAInngUAQNOM5zgk625ghuz-DRiQ2YA7Xxqv_aP1N_B_hcS3cmfw6EFGdFCP4Z3FS0DEFbzpj8/s1600/DSC07676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1246" data-original-width="1600" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhPssVNTq8OyJkbucON5_1LoPwsVqLqxt2-ZvLA6OOX6iQ74LH9lC63FAbFtGWM04ASAInngUAQNOM5zgk625ghuz-DRiQ2YA7Xxqv_aP1N_B_hcS3cmfw6EFGdFCP4Z3FS0DEFbzpj8/s320/DSC07676.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unless you can bunny hop like a Martyn Ashton, there are two mandatory bike-hiking spots on Questhaven Rd.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9TGIwtvOKZrO54lGRYIc0MbX7h3J_Ycal4NvLQAlO862HSI6dL0Fm7Q9GDEgD_7yYqTyFqQ-SFN4oD3qIh_run0UVA_P-Uhr1g-Zz1xNgT1ydd_wjNIOS3ykk-AxHt4gqLSAbUtD-ko/s1600/DSC07677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1173" data-original-width="1600" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9TGIwtvOKZrO54lGRYIc0MbX7h3J_Ycal4NvLQAlO862HSI6dL0Fm7Q9GDEgD_7yYqTyFqQ-SFN4oD3qIh_run0UVA_P-Uhr1g-Zz1xNgT1ydd_wjNIOS3ykk-AxHt4gqLSAbUtD-ko/s320/DSC07677.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anyhow, let's just say that there was an epidemic of two-wheeled zigzagging on the narrow pavement of Questhaven Rd even by guys much fitter than me. The lovely people of San Elijo Hills cheered us battered souls on up the climb to 'Mur van Dubbelberg' where more snaky and shaky climbing broke out to some rousing roadside rock music.<br />
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I squeezed the last ounce of glycogen from my legs huffing over the dirt top of the hill before starting down the dusty descent of the Dubbelberg Twistenweg, known locally as the dirt 'Ridgeline Trail' of surprises to Twin Oaks Valley Rd. For all the suffering already endured, we had to hop rock steps, anti-erosion beams, coyote poos, and punch up a steep final dirt ramp before we were allowed back onto the pavement!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6DWjVlOTqOxS_r0XyDjgsSpei_03jRc2_FF_9T_1hyphenhyphenf_6gyWYksQIi9rOXEqcOBlNWpUSDIKZA4SEBPTuN4gG-a4ogbU_0bZFqh-XcDLK3ejrx4ojF76Y6X_HnWXbmRAGKMHwdvjrEQ/s1600/DSC07681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="1600" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6DWjVlOTqOxS_r0XyDjgsSpei_03jRc2_FF_9T_1hyphenhyphenf_6gyWYksQIi9rOXEqcOBlNWpUSDIKZA4SEBPTuN4gG-a4ogbU_0bZFqh-XcDLK3ejrx4ojF76Y6X_HnWXbmRAGKMHwdvjrEQ/s320/DSC07681.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But at least the course arrow was pointing straight on La Moree at Coronado Hills Dr, so all is gratefully forgiven.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSq5EaqhYkqAe7c3GcBsGvTDsvbSopR4yL0Xg42hGhfai7dkSMaZZpDmIIn2ahRbTfx0NrVCeyC_Mv3MeRQgdUvbPouTUwmMGGRkkW7GWqDvXsBFxvObz18TJJE7P7YXTceiWdpKxh2I/s1600/DSC07689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSq5EaqhYkqAe7c3GcBsGvTDsvbSopR4yL0Xg42hGhfai7dkSMaZZpDmIIn2ahRbTfx0NrVCeyC_Mv3MeRQgdUvbPouTUwmMGGRkkW7GWqDvXsBFxvObz18TJJE7P7YXTceiWdpKxh2I/s320/DSC07689.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm not sure if the foray onto La Moree on the final stretch home was meant to be a reminder of what sadistic options were mercifully left off for the ride. I was just glad there were still plenty of food left behind the finish line for me to figuratively dive into (I would have literally dive... but my legs really didn't have anything more than a ginger walk left in them).<br />
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And I only did the Wafer...<br />
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Much kudos to everyone that finished the full Waffle. You guys are all aliens!</div>
Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-8785957713519671152018-03-30T21:15:00.000-07:002018-03-30T21:15:26.363-07:00The gorgeously gory side of San Marcos' little Mt WhitneyThe Cerro de las Posas is a prominent chain of low hills in between San Marcos and Escondido. You can see its distinctive trio of pointy prominences from miles away.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1bKMTA1eCM5fdxDpsRJTJyV7D9BNnaSgJAQZ4IY-u_4RcCOOhdpAF22rHH3Z04aFDPkX-29iB0FnrL5Q5dFIekjJ8DYednJpeJ9fH4Kb0Ue_eDN2taPn0xx9Ng_7fAK1k5OFqEmI3Kg/s1600/IMG_1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="1600" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1bKMTA1eCM5fdxDpsRJTJyV7D9BNnaSgJAQZ4IY-u_4RcCOOhdpAF22rHH3Z04aFDPkX-29iB0FnrL5Q5dFIekjJ8DYednJpeJ9fH4Kb0Ue_eDN2taPn0xx9Ng_7fAK1k5OFqEmI3Kg/s320/IMG_1374.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank's Peak, Mt Whitney and its Siamese twin.</td></tr>
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The best known of the peaks is Double Peak (1644ft), the lone round dome on the west side of San Elijo/Twin Oaks Valley Rd. Double Peak is accessibility itself and welcomes a lot of visitors each days via its many trails and the beautifully paved access road. My objective for the day, however, was the less social high point on the east side of San Elijo/Twin Oaks Valley Rd; Mt Whitney (1736ft), the range's tallest peak, seen in the picture above with the distinctive double crescents of mostly paved road curving up its southeast flank. Intimidating looking road, that is, and it took me long enough to work up the courage to finally have a go.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg201sSUgzrzulx5OVLE0L7k0zvXxKUQuhmeZKbIBLS_ZwHkovOlERsDunBvqZyhew1kC8FLD2MBW3XODmeInle1Z1L5srJ6AxLKaccX2DFQzou3IcHXIHUDXKDct3YzAhLsldjd2URzsk/s1600/DSC04269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="1600" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg201sSUgzrzulx5OVLE0L7k0zvXxKUQuhmeZKbIBLS_ZwHkovOlERsDunBvqZyhew1kC8FLD2MBW3XODmeInle1Z1L5srJ6AxLKaccX2DFQzou3IcHXIHUDXKDct3YzAhLsldjd2URzsk/s320/DSC04269.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The opening salvo on Wilgen Dr.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1600" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTvpGJ_suLJ6KVn-qwx5cBntOXjDDDCmDhyphenhyphenr1rAL_349AydwH3hue-z4SO-cmVJHEygPGNjSDVPwJnYAPWmZrrVqG4UJoHaTXtxLqa_EC3Hku0g9MjtT4-yMq05rc-NQ9qcQA-h3p3Ng/s320/DSC04265.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of the family of California quails roaming the Wilgen dip.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQk4PyvRGYBXTZFgF2xKlF6pXwgvkaHZ4duIKJKGW9hZ__jMa64p8dmr5zm-Et7RVsmstP7UZYGV1zzFVjunTbamu2FqPcYJc_U8UuStlfxrFXWWuPjO0e42i9fTxFMhPrcAn5eR09As/s1600/DSC04260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQk4PyvRGYBXTZFgF2xKlF6pXwgvkaHZ4duIKJKGW9hZ__jMa64p8dmr5zm-Et7RVsmstP7UZYGV1zzFVjunTbamu2FqPcYJc_U8UuStlfxrFXWWuPjO0e42i9fTxFMhPrcAn5eR09As/s320/DSC04260.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the dip, the climbing just got steeper and steeper. I was in solid double digit gradient country.</td></tr>
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I was grateful for the gentle warm up stretch on Harmony Groves Rd, since once I veered into the new development at Country Club Dr to pick up the bottom of the double crescents climb, it was gory from start to finish. That new development may feature a bunch of nice looking houses, but those houses are hiding quite a horde of steepie monsters...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6uGeZ4rp8e7vwCwe076jeU4W6LQfcXTC1EpHQhJaP_04_CDsWpNkHESFwC_jXrItqK80V6iIaI42h9ncHPTQvNswH6S06nwkfSc3tnEeBwpSKWmL0xYXhK_lXFLFyVWxN68RfRfoiHI/s1600/DSC04253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6uGeZ4rp8e7vwCwe076jeU4W6LQfcXTC1EpHQhJaP_04_CDsWpNkHESFwC_jXrItqK80V6iIaI42h9ncHPTQvNswH6S06nwkfSc3tnEeBwpSKWmL0xYXhK_lXFLFyVWxN68RfRfoiHI/s320/DSC04253.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijV76Z6ydmdktGn9PkkreGRUv9ab84ii4hl-M4eDmV-MEP9G7cONqedQ189k9OO66cmxqAfxi8f3W9Xg5mlwSW6f1FArSd5_k-5c7zD6L2ibyQDPUbZBzQ4HvRC5OgwJYC_MRuUOMTSJ4/s1600/DSC04248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijV76Z6ydmdktGn9PkkreGRUv9ab84ii4hl-M4eDmV-MEP9G7cONqedQ189k9OO66cmxqAfxi8f3W9Xg5mlwSW6f1FArSd5_k-5c7zD6L2ibyQDPUbZBzQ4HvRC5OgwJYC_MRuUOMTSJ4/s320/DSC04248.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every turn brings fresh new pain. I wasn't even halfway up yet and my legs already hated me.</td></tr>
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This is not a city-maintained area, of course, so there is no counting on signage. I was very glad that I had Google Earth-ed the heck out of the route before setting off, and avoided adding more psychological pain of taking a wrong turn to the inescapable physical pain of pedaling road bike gearing up ungodly steep (and often bumpy) road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xqdYXBCqAbBQSMhT3yv-sySENjVKlcKWVT5nbJYVGQzxio0A58uSWTIZgxK1wsJHfaf_FjuMq7BVPa7Fez0KwceQ9XT7DILSSAfzutoOnQSb-5JWTbyIpxjIh3UcXDeKfFBACyPA4ps/s1600/DSC04244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="1600" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xqdYXBCqAbBQSMhT3yv-sySENjVKlcKWVT5nbJYVGQzxio0A58uSWTIZgxK1wsJHfaf_FjuMq7BVPa7Fez0KwceQ9XT7DILSSAfzutoOnQSb-5JWTbyIpxjIh3UcXDeKfFBACyPA4ps/s320/DSC04244.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the saddle between the houses, pavement gave way to rough dirt.</td></tr>
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There wasn't much wind on Crestwind Dr that morning, which was just as well since I was kicking up a lot of dirt all by myself hike-a-bike-ing my roadie up the steep and pebbly section. This is the lower curve just below the two visible paved curves that marks the mountain from the distance.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCIHVK7FSaxA5JSMq6vk3YYKY8Fht44ZXfsUZN4zwmxqN2qijGtwdI0XSzbzHY2hl2_QfxzJFKcYvxSeLCE5z68ji2jk5XbsTAUpE1OOiLi9CYvCNBhF9hf0eW73PosvCGTiRZCZAeQ4/s1600/DSC04242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCIHVK7FSaxA5JSMq6vk3YYKY8Fht44ZXfsUZN4zwmxqN2qijGtwdI0XSzbzHY2hl2_QfxzJFKcYvxSeLCE5z68ji2jk5XbsTAUpE1OOiLi9CYvCNBhF9hf0eW73PosvCGTiRZCZAeQ4/s320/DSC04242.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gory, gory, what a heck of a way to climb...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoFTItyvmkQoXEWCv7Lk524viRUxTj8xG83uNmqSRzDOwV4s6n0zC9yc5DnfpRhkwO795XU2409BKsB9ZnoSddAFHOweKX0wxMA2iquPK-Fot2IOKFvjeg6GhCoZU1V803EpwPwoV0h4/s1600/DSC04238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoFTItyvmkQoXEWCv7Lk524viRUxTj8xG83uNmqSRzDOwV4s6n0zC9yc5DnfpRhkwO795XU2409BKsB9ZnoSddAFHOweKX0wxMA2iquPK-Fot2IOKFvjeg6GhCoZU1V803EpwPwoV0h4/s320/DSC04238.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You'd think that it'd all get better once the pavement returns... and you'd be wrong.</td></tr>
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After much grumbling and huffing and puffing I rounded the far corner ready to rejoice at the return of the paved tarmac... and was reminded of the sinking feeling I got when I first laid eye on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVeLSwGBaf4&t=2m34s">the main climb of San Bernardino Ave</a> on Dictionary Hill after having gotten up that tiny little steep block immediately up from the top of already chain-stretchy Apple St. There aren't many things in cycling life as demoralizing as the view of three solid blocks of 21% grade pavement, but the view up from the bottom of the paved double crescents on Crestwind Dr gives quite a similar sucker punch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTeUzovKBFKaWJcU29syDlICsd7Ts1boaLuUUNdxMVzrmQwualSExYCMZzwSAXlqfRGjkxO6MB3KI9R8NsS_KOJoanNYtUvov7k8dzjBXnu5ypSrDzNWDnI8ymjqPkq6EdAmc_Cq5jDo/s1600/DSC04232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTeUzovKBFKaWJcU29syDlICsd7Ts1boaLuUUNdxMVzrmQwualSExYCMZzwSAXlqfRGjkxO6MB3KI9R8NsS_KOJoanNYtUvov7k8dzjBXnu5ypSrDzNWDnI8ymjqPkq6EdAmc_Cq5jDo/s320/DSC04232.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A backward shot back toward Country Club Dr development from the 2nd crescent.</td></tr>
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Really, what do folks here do if their car ever breaks down???<br />
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Even though I knew there's another icky double digit ramp to the Mt Whitney saddle overlook, it was still a mighty relief to finally crested Crestwind Dr and turning onto Washingtonia. Actually, I was so elated at having survived such a gnarly series of steepie monsters that I went on past the overlook and up the curvy ramp to the Mt Whitney tower. It still hurt, but not as bad as it usually does when I'd tackle it after coming up the standard Coronado Hills/Washingtonia route. I guess I had overwhelmed my pain signal receptors and turned into a two-wheeled zombie. The pain would come later, but at the top the air was cool and the view surreal... and it was all downhill from here. Not such a bad trade off for a little bit of madness on the bike, ay?<br />
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Oh, of course, the downhill bit was the best.<br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3ykkWCdV3Mc" width="560"></iframe>Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233448095611235541.post-87981242920112551432017-12-03T09:26:00.000-08:002017-12-03T09:26:02.164-08:00CalaveraEarlier this year yours truly rented a room in a house whose back porch opened right onto the north trail of Carlsbad's Calavera Preserve. It was quite a treat going to sleep to the sound of the wild almost every night, and enjoying the view of an open stretch of land while nursing the morning coffee before heading off to work, where I'd spend the day dreaming of my days off when I'd get to take the Smorgmobile 2.0 out on the dusty trails in the 'backyard'.<br />
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Calavera Preserve has many many trails to explore. Currently just about all of them on the Preserve are open to bicycle. You do have to know the lay of the land quite well before heading out, though, as none of the trails in the adjacent Dept of Fish and Wildlife's Carlsbad Highland Ecological Reserve is open to bike (although I've seen a lot of mountain bikers on it). Generally you are fine if you stay north of the white concrete barrier/fence on the south side of the Cerro de la Calavera.<br />
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My pad being on the north side of the Preserve, I generally roamed well north of the boundary.<br />
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Most of the trails are quite road-bike-able... until they are not (bwahahaha). You just have to invest a bit in practicing your bike-handling skills, and stay quite vigilant on terrain awareness (so you don't suddenly find yourself in the weed (or rut... or even well hidden drop off!).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, yeah, mtb shoes also work way better than road shoes...</td></tr>
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Getting to the Volcano is quite a nice riding skills challenge when you aren't on a full suspension mtb, but the view is quite worth the effort.<br />
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Enjoy the view, but never lose sight of what you are riding into!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFA-jQa7axjdOEV288FWqj_ITklPGZPokjkv0Nl_hCNSzzKXcAcNEKKVsuVfia_yQ-oGTMz_meuD_pGo8YSwF1Nqm_LyF4v2gW30Za9fkoaNC6PFotCdw44xq920Iik1f9FT6pOyHByk/s1600/IMG_2376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1029" data-original-width="1600" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFA-jQa7axjdOEV288FWqj_ITklPGZPokjkv0Nl_hCNSzzKXcAcNEKKVsuVfia_yQ-oGTMz_meuD_pGo8YSwF1Nqm_LyF4v2gW30Za9fkoaNC6PFotCdw44xq920Iik1f9FT6pOyHByk/s320/IMG_2376.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of the Skull</td></tr>
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The top of the 'Skull', the Cerro de la Calavera, is a wacky place...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some rocky fun on the trail.</td></tr>
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No matter which set of trails you venture onto, any day on the bike is a perfect day!<br />
<br />Smorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01604438508775705758noreply@blogger.com0