Hemet 202

Route starts at this sunny day AM/PM

New route I made up for Mike Berry, based on the toughie "Toughrider 185". Over a similiar route from San Marcos to Hemet and return. No dirt on this route.

Thought I would catch a warm-up route for this weekends Corona 300. Rode over to the San Marcos AM/PM for a 7:00 AM start. Drizzling and fog. Had both lights in blink mode. That nasty weather followed me all the way until the downhill on Raninbow Canyon Road to Temecula. I didn't really dress for wet weather, with a regular wind jacket, knee warmers and my fav. long knee high wool socks. Did have a wollie beanie on that covered my ears plus long fingered gloves inside my fingerless riding gloves. It all got slightly damp by the time I climbed up Old 395 and stopped at the Shawn Harrison Memorial at the top near Lilac Road.

Lots of new construction around the Hwy. 76 junction. I see they had a new mini-transit center behind the Circle K. Several road plates and piles of dirt along the road. Cleared that area and road up and over to Rainbow. Didn't see any cyclist at all. Can't imagine why. Starting the downhill into Temecula on 395, I could see clear skies ahead! Nice. By the time I rolled into the Wolf Creek Park, it was warming up enough to take off the jacket, knee warmers and LF gloves. Filled the bottles and headed out to a few mild climbs as the route winds around to Butterfield Stage Rd. A turn on Hwy. 79 and then onto Anza Rd a short distance before the final turn onto DePortola Rd. It's nice here as you gently climb through horse ranches and wineries. Not much traffic at all on a weekday. Saturday and Sundays are a different matter. The wineries were cutting back the vines for the spring growth. Temps were up to 65 degrees now. Riding was very pleasant.

Damp, cool overcast ride up Old Hwy. 395

Turned onto Benton Rd for the climb to Sage. It was actually a town. All that is left now is a old adobe building frame at the junction and a few other foundations scattered through the area. Short little climb up Sage Road, past the Fire Station before the nice fast downhill into a headwind. Did meet a rider on State Street while approaching Hemet. Just before high noon, pulled into the Carl's Jr. Control. What a joke. Line to the door and still coming! I filled my bottles, went to the head, searched the trash for a receipt (none without ketchup all over it)  and left. Went over across the street to a donut shop just for "proof of passage". Temp was up to 72 degrees as I left Hemet with a slight cross wind.

Saw another rider rolling toward Hemet as I started climbing up Sage Road with a tailwind. Didn't feel too bad and had plenty of cogs left from the 13-30 home-geared cassette. One 14% grade on Sage, and several 8-10% on Benton before the nice long downhill on DePortola Road into Temecula. I saw a rider ahead and decided to go straight on Hwy. 79 through town. Mistake.. Big butt headwind all the way to the turn.

Climb up Sage Road with 72 degree temps!

Fog and mist rolled in as I climbed Rainbow Canyon Rd. I was already chilled as I stopped at the Rainbow Market for a pee and to put back on the warmer clothes. Felt warmer after that. The climb up 395 to Day Lilly Hill was another matter. I always liked this climb, because you can get in a rhythm and just cruise up! I never did. First I got real hot, sweat hot. So I stopped and opened my jacket. Then I felt like shit. Anyway, I finally made it to the top, stopped, buttoned up and hit the rough downhill toward Escondido. Sucked up a GU gel and cruised up Champagne Blvd. feelin' much better. Rolled into San Marcos. Lot's of evening traffic, so I stopped near at the McDonalds instead and got a choc sundae for receipt! Nearly 5 o'clock so I turned around and rode home!

Fog and mist the first 1/4 of the route. Then sun and nice the middle portion followed by cool and overcast the last 1/4. Quite a day. I felt good till I got chilled climbing up Rainbow Canyon Rd. After that is was hang in their stuff. Oh well, rain in the distant forecast for the Corona 300. We'll see what happens.


-randorides