Pines To Cactus Brevet

Dan, Bill & John at Monty Overlook

Nice guy John M. drove out to the start in Pine Valley via I-15, Hwy. 67 and around Lakeside as a shortcut. Didn't miss any turns and got there at 6:15 for the 7:00 AM start! Enough time to ride around taking a few shots and even ride up Hwy. 80 for a warm up! 46F at start time.

Nice group at the start. I knew some of them and a few new faces to me. There was another group there and I later learned they weren't riding with us, but doing another shortie route. Mike Shaw and Sandy Ayala were supposed to ride with us, but I later learned they showed up 20 minutes late. Lots of chit-chat till we crossed the bridge and started up Pine Creek Road. The group broke up early and I was sort of riding with Amy, John, Bill and Dan Phillips from O'side. Tough to keep up on a 19% grade when you are taking pictures in the low clouds.

Wind was howling at the turn onto Sunrise Hwy. as the clouds were blowing by. Mostly side winds pushing us along into Julian and down Banner Grade. Sun was out now and temps gained 20F from up above. Big tailwind as we cruised at 23mph into Tamarisk Campground to strip and get local campground news from the rangers. Nice push up Yaqui Pass and into Borrego Springs. Passed Amy at the Pizza Place as we went further along and stopped at our normal Gas Station/Mart. Temps were around 79F as we started the climb up Montezuma Grade. I remembered a few years ago when John and I were right here climbing up at 1 AM and it was 31F. Horrible night as part of the Die Hard Double we met up and rode with Joseph Mauer from San Fran. area.

Bill, Dan & John at Ranchita

Ranchita was -19F colder than down in the desert, as we met Amy at the store. We all packed on the layers as the winds were kickin' butt here. Nice easy ride down to San Felipe Rd and up to the summit before the nice long downhill to Scissor Crossing. Met 2 riders there on the way to the Stagecoach Store for control stop. Took our time there and then reversed course and hit Banner Grade. Got a few nice video shots on the way up. We stopped by the roadside to check out Amy, who had a rear derailleur problem. We cleared that up in due order and she was off to the races.

John, Bill, Dan and myself stopped at the Cozens station in Juian for final layering before making good time through the Cuyamacas and back to the finish. On the last downhill into Pine Valley, I hit a massive hole in the road while racing Dan and got a snakebite flat front and rear. Hell, I rode 'er in the last few miles and called it a day. Got a overpriced choc shake at the PV Restaurant and chatted with Dennis and others a bit.

Overall, not a bad ride at all. Sandy and Mike made it in OK. One rider had broken spokes, another mechanical, so their rides were cut short.


Informational video of the entire route:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPy6IOIa0Yk

-randorides