Hemet 202

Garmin stats from today's ride.

I sent out a few ride notices Thursday after chatting with John Fry during our OFR Gruppo meet-up during the Dana Point ride. Foggy, damp ride in to the start, where Keith Olsen, Mike Shaw and Dan Phillips (rode in damp from Oceanside) were waiting for me before 0600. Dan was feeling better after a bout with the flu last week, Mike changed his scheduled Saturday ride from "Crusin The OC" and Keith was good to go for his job retirement next week!


We waited around after 0600 for John Fry to show. Something came up with John, so we left into the dampness, lights a-blazing (except Dan, whose rear tailight was only visible from 2 feet away!) Fortunately for me, my early choice on a reflective vest & arm warmers came in handy for the early conditions.

Dan looks for coins. Mike & Keith stoic poise

Normal chit-chat as we paired up and rode thru San Marcos. Normally, the fog disappears around the Deer Springs hill, not today! I was trying to catch some shots with the new GoPro HB mount and my around-the-neck Canon camera. Nice easy pace as the overcast kept hanging on. Fast Champagne downhill as the pace picked up before the first real climb up and over I-15 to Day-Lilly Hill (I call it that because of the past Day Lilly Nursery at the top)!. It's a tough climb and we regrouped back together for a short stop at the Shaun Harrison Memorial on Lilac Road. 

Marine & cyclist Shawn Harrison Memorial

Another fast downhill to Hwy. 76 before the long gentle climb up toward Fallbrook. We made a bathroom break at the Rainbow Market as the sun broke thru the clouds. Ahhh. Sunshine again! More video shots as we made good time down Rainbow Cyn., meeting many club riders grinding up. Easy riding before a welcome stop at Wolf Creek Park. This is a great place to stop. Good energy, clean bathrooms and cool water. Kids were already on the playground as a Filipino family was looking for a picnic spot.


After a brief stop, we're off for a climb around Temecula via Redhawk and Butterfield streets. Group stopped at Hwy. 79 for a decision on a "lite dirt route" OR "regular road route". Road route won so we turned right onto Hwy. 79 eastbound. Not too far on the narrow shoulders before we turned off on Anza Rd. and lite traffic. I stopped to chat with a group of cyclsts at our De Portola Rd turn. They said they were doing a training loop today. One smart dude said they were going to Coronado. LOL on that.

Glen Oak Road: Fix my tire for me.

Nice pace-line as we climbed up De Portola Rd past many equestrian estates and vineyards, The traffic was unusually lite today. At the turn onto Glen Oaks Road, an across-the-road rider was asking us for help to change his tire. Another example of a rider way out here who doesn't have the knowledge or tools to change his own flat tire. GO FIGURE!


Group made the turn onto Mesa Rd, where Dan amped up the pace on the rollers. More of the same on Benton Rd. as a string of Harleys passed. The turn onto Sage Road brought more traffic on the climb and especially later on the fast downhill toward Hemet. Also good for the video shots! Keith had a breakaway out front on Cactus Valley Road but Mike paced us back up to him on State Street before Hemet. We pace-lined it up to 21mph for the smooth ride in. Time for a nice turn-around break at Hemet Carl's Jr.

3-amigos on Cactus Valley Road

Keith had the big burrito and shake, Mike his normal fries & cola with a side of rice cake. Dan & I opted to split a choc shake. I gave him a $1 bill and 1/2 of my banana (Which looked fresh after the trip from San Marcos). I  juiced mine up by adding a Vanilla GU gel and sliced banana! Dan poured on his Chocolate GU with a side of banana. Yummy Power! Patrons were eying us like we were more than a little Spandex WHACKOS! Nice place to stop with decent bathrooms, viewable security on our bikes and a fountain for freebies! After refilling out bottles, we left Carls Jr. in 33 minutes.


Ride south out of Hemet is slightly easier with the side winds blowing. Group made good time to the longish Sage Road climb. Dan and I led out for a photo op. I managed to get some good action shots of Mike and Keith spinning up the 14% section. Short regroup at the Sage Fire Station before the fast downhill to Benton Road. Mike made the big downhill pull there, with Keith studying the logo on the back of his jersey. Dan & I caught up on the 10% Mesa Road climb.

Starting the climb up Sage Road

More hi-speed DH work as Dan pulled strong down De Portola Road into a headwind, where Keith picked it up to our turn onto Anza Road. Wind was blowing stronger from the west now as we skirted Temecula again via Nighthawk and Redhawk Roads. Back at Wolf Creek Park, the play yard was full and the wind was blowing good. Keith went over to stretch out in the sun, while Dan, Mike and I filled our bottle and added some go-powder.


Mostly together pacing up the short Rainbow Cyn. climb we earlier blasted down. The downhill race was on as the downhill specialists led the way toward Rainbow. Dan & I spotted them 1/4 mile lead as we strategized to get em on the slight hill out of Rainbow. Those boys were packing the meat as we caught them before the I-15 crossover.

Mike's tire takes a hit from road metal.

Dan was turning off to Fallbrook for some nice downhill and headwinds back to Oceanside on the San Luis Rey Bike Path. Mike led the trio down Old Hwy. 395 at 35 mph, throwing up some metal pieces he ran over. Keith stopped for a cramp break on the way down and noticed Mike's rear Gatorskin was missing some rubber chunks! Group stopped at the Circle K at Hwy. 76 for a water refill.

Two climbs left today and the first one is the 8%. Mike led out and I paced up with Keith. Regroup at the top and a tire check for Keith (or cramp break)? More fast downhill and a nice pace past Lawrence Welk today in the shady side of the road. Mike and I paced up Champagne climb together, having a good chat. No 12 minute climb today. Regroup at the top and a fast run down Centre City Pkwy. before the turn to Nutmeg St. past the abandon golf course. My GoPro bracket broke on the rough Nutmeg downhill, sending the camera crashing down roadside into some leaves. I rode back and found it quickly.

FINISH: Mike & Keith hi-tech talk

Mike picked up the pace for the final run on Mission Road thru San Marcos and one last turn onto Las Pulgas. Back at the finish, Mike was all over the Ice Cream Sandwich with Chocolate chaser. I got a freebie Horchata drink and Keith filled his bottle with ice for his Ensure recovery drink. Still daylight left with the time change. Took a few photos and we parted company. Another good ride. I headed back on Las Pulgas Road and on to Twin Oaks and home.

Hemet 202 Route Video

Fog/overcast early, clear later
Hi: 89     Lo: 50
Winds: WSW: 12
Elev. Gain: 7800
127 miles


-randorides