Ham-Hock Trail Permanent Plus

Ice pack on knee. Bridge-out climb did it again!

Forecast for rain on Saturday, so I'm off to tackle the Ham Hock Trail today. Early temps in the upper 30's F here, so I waited to start at 9:00 AM at Mule Hill Chevron in Escondido. Arctic Guard long sleeve under layer, long sleeve blue jersey, wind vest, wool cap, long finger glove inserts with fingerless gloves and knee warmers over long wool knee-high socks. Plenty warm today in the cool wind. Sun was peeking out off and on behind the heavy clouds as I rolled along the trail eastward. On the ride over from San Marcos, felt like I was riding in mud! I put on the newer Tsalis tires from Forte. Nice tread pattern and some flat protection. But wider and it felt like it on the trail today.

Look back down Five-Dollar Climb.

Mud hole along the ag fields, as their watering system drained over into the Mule Hill Trail along the fence. No action in the Nursery off Highland Valley Road as I plodded up the steep climb. Shifting wasn't quite right, but after a slight adjustment is was just OK. No water in the portage ravine, but the banks were damp and slippery. Almost made it up the steep climb after the bridge out, so went back down and tried it again. Made it to the top this time, but got off track at the top, hit a big mound by the fence and the bike came over on top of me. Both bottles flew out as I landed on my back. OUCH! Had a few scratches on the side of my right knee. Put a glass cleaning wipe(alcohol soaked) under the knee warmer and kept on rolling.

New questionable tagger text under I-15. New rock band name?

Passed a horse rider carefully later down the trail. We chatted a bit and she said her horse isn't "spooky" Stopped at the park to clean up, pack my wind vest and long finger gloves and cleaned the knee. 7-Eleven was just down the street, where ice filled a sandwich bag, tucked under the knee warmer to keep the swelling down. Nice easier riding now down Poway Road and onto the Poway Creek Bike Path. I munched some goodies as the sun was finally starting to warm things up  to 50F.


Back on the Poway Trail, full pea-rock on the lower section again. It looks good but is poor for traction on those climbs. I walked up Five-Dollar Hill, stopped to take a few pics and headed up the trail. Route around the sewer pumping plant was wet, with some new tagging under I-15. The trail was also wet in the heavy undergrowth areas, making sections muddy and slick. I did stop at the Canyonside Park for water and reload my Garmin with a new route.

Bushy ravine crossing on trail to Twin TrailPark

I went off for a recon route on the trail that leads northward up to Twin Trail Park. Not a bad trail as it passes under the SR-56 Bike Path and goes up the canyon. Unfortunately, at the end of the first section, you have to HAB up this steep trail to the roadway. After a cross-over you're on the 2nd section, which was muddy in spots and ends in a bushy ravine! You cross on a 2x10 with metal pipe railings! Nice. After climbing up a steep slope, you're at the Park. I turned westward and eventually hooked up the the SR-56 Bike Path westward to the Control.


I sat in the sun at the Circle K, as the wind seemed a little cool. Installed the ice bag on my knee, had a Powerade for 89 cents as I ate my brought-along turkey/cheese sandwich. Nice there, but time to get back on route.

1/10 scale arrowhead embedded in my tire

Passing under Carmel Valley Rd, had a flat on the trail. It was a 1/10 scale arrowhead stuck in my tire! Unbelievable, but true. I stopped in the sun and changed the tube while sitting on a log. Still no trail under the new Camino del Sur bridge, but it has been graded and looks close to being finished up! The detour takes you across the road. I started to cross the sidewalk and noticed it was wet concrete! I went around. Strange, as the forms had been removed and the dirt packed in. My tire marks may still be there etched in history!


The long downhill on Lusardi Loop is FAST today. Seems it was smoothed out. At the bottom, dozers have cut across the trail in several places. Not a problem, I humped it over the dirt piles. Next trip, we'll need to use the other Loop. Artesian Road is the same climb, but with a stiff WSW wind blowing you along.

Doze-over trail on the outside Lusardi Loop Trail

Switchbacks downhill are a bummer for me. Right-hand are OK, but I never have gone smoothly around the left hand turns well. The rest of the trail was dry with only 2 hikers and 1 biker today. Fortunately the wind was at my back, not so with the other biker who was bundled up real good. Ice cream sandwich at the Chevron finish, before I headed to El Ku Lane for the ride home on the Inland Rail Trail. I jumped a curb 100 yds from home and had a pinch flat! Rode it in. What ever happened to the tubeless set-up I was dreaming about? No Santa Claus for me.


-randorides