1 Before. See how clean, dry and shiny everyone (and their bikes) are?
2 A cold but dry start in Escondido heading toward Valley Center.
3 Anthony, not yet regretting the day.
4 Steve cresting our first cat 3.
5 Nerius
6 Sean summits.
7 Wade and Ursula, our early leaders, at the top of the Valley Center grade.
8 Cruising along Lake Wohlford Road, with no idea of what lies ahead.
9 Do those clouds look like snow to you? Me either!
10 Nerius enjoying the cooling effect of taking his helmet off climbing out of Rincon on hwy 76.
11 Hmmm. Looks a little grim up there . . . Ursula on 76 before the fateful turn up the South Grade.
12 Anthony approaches the turn . . .
13 Ursula, Anthony and Nerius start the climb up South Grade.
14 Still dry, but that would change.
15 And gives it a go!
16 Sean and Steve approach. This is the last we saw of Sean, who opted out of the climb of Palomar, slogged solo through Mesa Grande, and called for a pick-up from Santa Ysabel. Who's the smart one?
17 Steve making his way into up South Grade.
18 Suffering? Not yet!
19 Anthony actually stopped in the snow to glove up. I was too cold to stop!
20 See the snow? It looked like a Christmas card from inside Mother's Kitchen.
21 Steve carefully descending Mesa Grande.
22 Mmmm. Wet chamois at Santa Ysabel. Stepping back outside for another two hours was one of the bravest things I have ever done.
23 Dutch apple pie and hot coffee - thanks Nerius!
24 Look - the sun came out again! We made it! ! Let's do it again in March!!
