Alternate long ride for Sunday, 5/5/13

[wbturek@yahoo.com]

I've been looking at riding the Dirty Devil in June, and am going to try a pre-ride of part of the course. I'm going to start in Alpine, ride up the graded dirt Viejas grade, then take on the graded dirt Boulder Creek Road to Julian for a water, pie and coffee stop. The return to Alpine will be all paved along Highway 79 and Japatul Road. 76 miles, 8800' of climbing, according to ridewithgps: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2390357 More info on the dirt sections is at CCSD's Dirty Devil site: http://www.ccsd.com/events/dirty-devil/, and the Rough Riders did a nice video slideshow of the area here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QA22Dge3a0. Be a nice follow-up to the Laguna/Pine Creek ride last week.

I'd like to make an early start - say 8 in the Apline Creek Shopping Center parking lot, at Tavern and Alpine? I'm going ride my road bike but will put my 25s on - if I can't do it with those, then I'll go back to the pavement!

Might be open for something at the Mexican restaurant there (La Carreta) afterwards, and/or ride sharing to/from the Escondido area.

[kellyjay]

Hi WT,
Nice route idea.
OH, for your preview, here is a video link to a close rando route we do that is called "Forgotten Roads".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2NjQ0hx0lY

You should be OK with 700x25 on the climbs, but there are a few downhills you'll be sliding down for sure. Expect some dirt road traffic from the Falls Trailhead toward Julian on the weekends.
Good route to ride with a partner.

Take care and have fun on this one,
kellyjay

[wbturek@yahoo.com]

Thanks for the heads-up, and the cool photos. I'll take some sliding on the bike and traffic vs. ducking barbed wire and the slide down the embankment onto the freeway shoulder! Will provide a full post-ride report!!

[wbturek@yahoo.com]

I'll still be going, but need to get an earlier start - 7:00 in Alpine. Haven't heard from anyone, so have fun, be safe, and I'll see you at the etape.