Saturday Palomar Ride

[Sanford Aniya]

For those of you going on the Century training ride, the La Jolla Indian convenience store/gas station is a place to top off your water.  It is 8.5 miles from the Taco shop at Valley Center and hwy 76.  There is a good amount of climbing in the 26 miles from the taco stand(Stage Stop) to the top so bring your big water bottles or camel back, especially if it is warm.

I just rode this section on Saturday, it was 85 degrees climbing 7% on Hwy 76 up to South Grade road, then cooled off to about 70 degrees after cresting and enjoying a nice decent and then mild ascending to the east grade road.  It took me 1:21 and two bottles of water for that 14.5 miles section at a moderate (double century) pace. I consume a higher than average amount of water, 2 to 3 bottles for me on the usual 11.9 mile trip up the SOUTH grade.  I figure 4-5 bottles for the 26 mile ride from the Stage Stop across to East grade and up to the top. Your mileage may vary (YMMV).

I have never ridden UP the east grade, so I plan to join you.
Hope to see you all on Saturday.

-Sandy

[Jeff Gross]

Thanks, Sandy, I will add the gas station to the route slip.

Start at 7:00 AM!

I talked with Dan and Sue Crane on yesterday's Tuesday ride around Black Mtn & Rancho Penasquitos. It was a really pleasant rolling route. Sue asked for an alternate if the temp keeps creeping up, but Dan said ride Palomar regardless. I made an alternate 90 mile route around Rancho Santa Fe to La Jolla Shores file:///G:/1J/_fullcommitmentnet/SanDiegoBike/PageManager/NCCC%20Routes%20this%20Month.html. I will bring both route slips if the Palomar forcast increases, and we can decide as a group Saturday morning

Start at 7:00 AM!

I am asking that this be a closed ride - I have been asked by multiple riders if they could join the ride, and I am saying "No" on this ride and the century. Please do not invite friends who have not been biking with the group.

Start at 7:00 AM!

[robert#5639]

The store at La Jolla Amago is always a great stop. The store on 76 might be too early, though it's a nice break to stretch and re-group before starting up Hwy 76. I say we do Palomar no matter what the temps. Besides, I have a new Garmin I need to play with.

[Robert Brown]

I vote Palomar

[Sanford Aniya]

Jim,  Thanks for picking up my water bottle as it was rolling down Valley Center.  It was critical to have all three bottles today.

[robert#5639]

The weather forecast was a bit on the low side today. Regardless, I think it was a great ride and I hope everyone made it back safe. In the heat, East Grade can be pretty dang tough, but the lack of traffic removes the stress factor. Super thanks to Joan for buying a bag of ice to share. Getting into Valley Center, my bottles were slightly cool, rather than very warm. Dale showed true class by going back down with water to check up on some of our mates. For those that struggled a bit, consider this - even if you had to stop for a break on the climb, or even walked a bit, you still made it. As a randonneur, I've learned that it is always ok to stop and walk. In fact, sometimes it's safer, sometimes it just feels good, and sometimes it's actually faster!