9-City Gravel Recon

New Rando Route called: "9-City Gravel"

Been working on this new "gravel" rando route for some time and never really got all the footage and images together for a route video. With a few days break in the rain showers over the last few weeks, today was it.

This rando route was designed to start in North County at Ralph's in San Marcos. After further mods and reviews, I changed the start location over to Albertsons store on Woodland Pkwy to meet RUSA distance specs. Not as good of start location with the extra road traffic to get to the first gravel section.

Left after 0900 and rode over to the Mulberry 7-Eleven. Chatted with pseudo-randonneur owner Najib. Talked about his sore back and lack of cycling. Finally made my way over to the Albertsons start before 10:00.

Rolled the video and still pics as I made my way to Lakeview Park (Discovery Lake) for the first gravel section. Managed to pick up some bushes as I picked a new line down to the first gravel path. OK, take#2 on that video entry. Went back and re-rode with cameras rolling again. Perhaps this was a omen for the day?

Guard Shack INFO Control. Trail starts just behind shack.

Around mile 11, decided to swing by my buddy John Mestemacher's house and see what was up. Persuaded him to ride along today, taking a break from his "work from home effort". Chatted wit his wife Gabbie while John was getting ready. He'd ride his Charge "Cooker" steel MTB today. Matching my Scott Scale 710 hard-tail.

Route videos are much better when you can capture riders ahead following the route. Such was the case as we made our way over to Swami's on the coast. Low clouds meant lo-quality images today. Didn't spend much time at the Coast To Crest Trail Mc'Donald's for sure as the sun was out full force now. Los Penasquitos Canyon South Trail was muddy in places, but we managed to use the single-trak trails around these spots. Met only a hand-full of hikers today and no bikers!

ECTConservancy Jeff Swenerton & Rando John on Trail

Short break on the route at Circle K, where John grabbed a drink and I a IC Sandwich. More trails followed, including some single trak, which was is near dry condition. Took a few snaps and chatted with the Security Guards at the "Guard Shack" INFO Control around mile 55. Just after entering Escondido Creek Trail, met ECTConservancy volunteer Jeff Swenerton. He chatted with us on the Conservancy purpose and handed us some information.

Slow slog up Questhaven and said our goodbyes at the top of Twin Oaks, as John was heading home from there. After the 35mph plunge down Twin Oaks Valley Road and a peaceful ride thru CSUSM Campus, I was finished for the day. Now for long hours putting together a informational route video.

- randorides

9-City Gravel Video

Temecula Stampede Gravel Training

Temecula Stampede Route Map

I've spent some time in the last few rides up in the Temecula area, doing route recon for this ride. One time on the SCOTT+ modified MTB and the last time on my aging Fuji road bike. This route was based on the recent SPNDX Stampede route, with added gravel miles from local rides and a few mile I threw in there to bring it up to Rando specs. These recon rides also offered me some time to chat with Joe Morgan, x-Nytro manager, who was now bringing back to life a Temecula bike shop as manager and founder of new ideas.

Wolf Creek Park: Jim, John, Sam & Troy on cool, blistery day

I was slightly familiar with the route, but not the cool starting temps. John M. picked me up in San
Marcos around 0700 for the drive up to Wolf Creek Park. Nice little park we use on several rando routes up this way. The Phillips brothers couldn't make it this trip. Both were preparing their sand rigs for next week out in the dunes. Sun City Sam brought his new updated NORCO gravel bike. Troy Buss displayed his new Specialized Diverge Force 1 gravel bike he just got several days ago. Jim Robinson was bundled up for the cool start as was I, with 3 layers up top, but opted for no leg warmers today. Woolie cap should be warm enough for the next several hours till temps warm up.

We were off after 0800, as Troy was scurrying around getting his new bike ready. Good thing for Redhawk Pkwy. climbing to warm us up. Verde Trail and Anza gravel offered our first dirt, as I baited the others into some soft sand walking after floating over on my 3" tires. Several climbs and more gravel brought us to the official 2017 winery start of Stampede route.

Real nasty climb up Los Altos Road

Gravel riding on quick Buck Road, where we stopped to chat with a hunter in orange vest. Seems French Valley Preserve has small-game hunting now. Long road ride up to Washington Park, where at mile 20, it was our only refuel stop today. Another mile or two and we turned to Rawson Road, the real hi-lite of today's ride. This wanders thru French Valley, over to Crown Valley and then up knarly Black Mtn. Road before we on solid De Portoloa Road.

A whole lot of gravel climbing followed as the route took us thru Oak Hills to the route hi-point. Nice place to take pics and Troy captured some good pano shots here. As we wandered NE'ward, more climbing and a chance for several hike-a-bikes on rutted roads. After a jaunt thru "dog-town", we finally got some easy downhill roadie action on Benton Rd., before another turn up the soft De Portola and down into wine country. Sam was remembering his jogging days as we finished up along  dirty Temecula Creek Bike Path.

Nice view shot by Troy: John, Sam & Kelly

Cool, blistery weather all day today made for an interesting clothing day too! John & I stopped off at Carl's Jr. for fries and shakes to top off the day. Back home well before early darkness crept in. Tough day on the bike today, well worth it!


Temecula Stampede Video


- randorides

Potato Chip Grinder

Our route for Potato Chip Grinder

Time for more gravel training. This time we'll chase the Ham-Hock Trail route, subtracting difficulties for the gravel bike riders. Jim Robinson just finished up his Specialized Crux build. Slick red carbon frame with some decent gravel tires. John rode his SCOTT Addict 10-G for this one. He seems to get along well with that 16lb gravel bike. I managed to get a first look at Bruce Phillip's new Salsa Cutthroat bike packing rig. Of course, I was riding my modified SCOTT Scale 710+, with carbon rigid fork and gravel 2.8" tires. Troy rode over from Carlsbad on his TREK full-sus MTB. He said he weighed it the other day and it came in well over 30lbs!

We left San Marcos Ralph's parking lot just after 0800. Weather was clear and supposed to be in the 70's today. I dressed light with only arm warmers and a single layer under the jersey. Worked just right all day. Jumped the Inland Rail Trail over to Escondido and then on down to Lake Hodges Mule Hill Trail. Loaded with runners along the valley, but we soon climbed up and out up the >14% road to Old Coach Trail. This led us around to the Poway Horse/Alley Trails and a short break at Garden View Park.

Troy in search of rattlesnakes!

Quick ride thru Poway and we hit the short Poway Creek Trail, which led to Hill Country Trail. Road riding was next from Pomerado over to Mercy Road. There is was 11 miles of dirt and we entered the Los Penasquitos Canyon network. Canyonside Park was a nice break, where John had his "stomach bloat" stretch out on the bench. We watered up and soon were climbing up Del Mar Mesa Trail. Several side paths and soon we were flying down into Deer Canyon.

Great single-trak riding as we entered Gonzales Canyon. Nice riding there, where we only met a few hikers on the trail. Narrow climbing as we finally were back on the roads again. El Camino Real over the bridge and Coast To Crest Trail was next. Straight to McDonald's for our final break. A few burgers were on order while I sucked down my Choc. Shake. Pumped my tires up to road pressure, 26/28psi with the handy Lenzyne foot pump. In short order, we finished off the Coast To Crest Trail to the coast.

Trail check: Troy, Bruce, John & Kelly

Busy along the coast today. Cyclists everywhere. We hit the Swami's tunnel and then the RR-Track Trail. Two miles of road riding brought us to the Rec. Trail around the golf course. Troy dropped off for his route towards home. A few neighborhood trails and old Rancho Santa Fe Road to the Tunnel Trailhead. Short regroup and we entered the rocky tunnel, then the loose powerline trail. The usual route up to Double Peak via San Elijo Trail around the town.

Once past the Trail Monument, it was all downhill on busy Lakeview Trail to Discovery Lake. Jim bid adios as he short-cut toward home. A short trip thru CSUSM and we were finished!

Looks like we all had a tough, fun ride today.

 Potato Chip Grinder Video

- randorides

Gravel-Itis Training

"Gravel-Itis" route we rode today

I've been researching out "gravel bikes" for a year now. It comes down to several models which meet my requirements, all which are hard to find and try out. 1x11 gearing, wide tires, buried cables, carbon or steel frame and of course price were my main parameters.
- Salsa Cutthroat
- NORCO Search XR
- Specialized Diverge Expert
- Ibis Hakka
These bikes meet most of my requirements.

Rando Sam Thomas has a NORCO Search XR on order.
Rando Jim Robinson is building up a Specialized Crux for gravel.
Bruce Phillips just got a Salso Cutthroat for bikepacking.

I always enjoyed doing dirt recon rides. Do some research online... you know, search RWGPS, Strave and any local blogs for new and interesting routes. Late 2016 and early this year, I did have the opportunity to do several road tests/reviews of the latest "gravel bikes". A mix of road and dirt technology with comfy long distance frames & wider tires. Do to price constraints, I did change my SCOTT Scale + 3" MTB hardtail over to a carbon fork and smoother tires. A little slower on the roads sections, but it has the gearing, traction and minimal comfort with the Al frame. Lots of interest lately in "gravel" riding, so I had been putting together several mixed surface routes. Doing the recon rides and making up the routes on RWGPS takes loads of time, but gravel riders seemed to enjoy it and it makes for excellent training.

Today we rode the Rando Gravel-Itis Training ride. It was around 65 miles with about 1/2 gravel/dirt and the rest made up of road and bike paths. John Mestemacher, Jim Robinson and Mac Imacseng joined in for the ride. Weather was warmish for this time of year and the route was much tougher than it looked on RWGPS. Fortunately, I knew all the dirt/gravel sections having ridden them before, so it knew where I was going. I tried to hang back to catch the riders in the GoPro shots, but that didn't always happen.

We all had a good time, getting back to the finish just as the sun was dropping in the west. At the Ralph's parking lot, rando Bill Stevenson just happen to drive in to get groceries as we were finishing up. Nice time to chat with him on the days events... namely a young skateboarder taking a header on the Discovery Lake bridge. Looks like he broke his arm. Of course, I happened to catch it all on video!

Next Saturday, we'll be doing another "gravel route" in the area. Riders interest looks good, but the weather is supposed to turn much cooler. That means mid-30's at the 0800 start time! Brrrr. I hope to do another video of that advenutre.

Gravel-Itis Training Video

- randorides

Wind & Fire 202

Regular rando Hemet route

Mild temp Santa Ana scheduled for today. What a great time to ride north to Hemet! DUH? Cool temps and light winds from the east as I left San Marcos in the dark and headed northward. Triple layers and knee warmers were adequate for the cool Champagne Blvd. downhill. Quick warm-up as I slogged up over I-15 and finally the fast downhill on new road surface to Hwy. 76. A little breezy sidewind as I climbed past Nessy Burger on Old Hwy. 395 and made my way up past Rainbow.

The sun was up as I looped around Temecula on Wolf Creek Dr. and managed to do a little gravel on DePortola before it passes the vineyards. Time to strip off some layers as I turned on Benton instead of the knarly DePortola via the quiet narrow road I sometimes take. My 28mm tires on the road bike don't like that gravel downhill.

Winds were picking up as I crested Sage Road and starting to gust on the quick downhill toward Hemet. State Street was a real chore into Hemet, so I opted to "get out of Dodge quick" and turned left on Domenigoni Pkwy westward. Weeee! A free pass on the speed as the winds were pushing me along at max speed.

Detour fire route back to San Marcos

A turn on Antelope Rd. landed me on Clinton Keith and California Oaks into Murrieta. Wind blocked Jefferson Ave led to Old Town as the dust, dirt and leaves were blowing everywhere by now. Next stop was at The Bike Shop, where my buddy Joe Morgan was now working. Time to check out gravel bikes. Thirty minutes later, Joe had my list and I was on my way south.

Everything was blowing now as I stopped by Wolf Creek Park. Filling my bottles, I looked at the hills
to the west, sun baked and dimmed by blowing dust. I thought: "Boy, a fire would go right up that hill with nothing to stop it". Palm branches and blowing leaves greeted me as I started the climb up Rainbow Canyon. Big winds were blocked by the surrounding hills. I was in the mid 30mph as I passed Rainbow.Wow, what a fun trip to Escondido on Hwy. 395 with this tailwind! NOT!

My turn southward after crossing I-15 brought unmanageable speed. With the side gusts, I had to brake hard to get the speed down to 12 mph or I'd go over the side. A lone fire truck passed me and then I noticed some smoke to the south. OH, OH. With few options, I decided to continue down Hwy. 395 to the junction with Hwy. 76 (Nessy Burger). There is was.

From the north, I could see smoke on the route

Fire burning from I-15, under the 395 bridge and up thru the mobile park and hills above. Also the fire was raging westward down the San Luis Rey River Valley along Hwy. 76. Option time. Go West! I did at super speed. I left the fire behind but not the smoke. Traffic both ways on Hwy. 76 was heavy. After a few stops, I made it to Bonsall McDonald's were I got a water refill and some fire chat.

Smoke was high above by now and time for me to plan a route back to San Marcos. Lilac Rd. and Camino del Rey wouldn't be an option as fire/smoke looked to be heading that way. Bonsall intersection was a mess with fire trucks, police cars, horse vans and car traffic.

OFR Group ride picture from Las Plugas           -Paul Nevin

I finally made my way west and turned south on N. Vista Way. Into Vista town, I followed Santa Fe Avenue eastward back to San Marcos. The smoke was all north of me now. Late afternoon and the smoke covered the sun... but I was home at last!

Yes, I left one bottle at the Temecula Wolf Creek Park water fountain! 

- randorides

Don't Forget "Forgotten Roads"

"Forgotten Roads" Map

A few weeks back, rando John Fry asked about Boulder Creek Road.. the part-gravel road from Descanco up to near Julian. I mentioned why not do a Rando route called "Forgotten Roads"?. I mentioned this to my buddy John Mestemacher and soon posted it up on the SDrando board for a 0800 start today.

John picked me up around 0630 for the drive up to Alpine. We some how managed to work my SCOTT gravel MTB into the back of John's Honda Element next to his gravel bike. John didn't get lost on the new way via Hwy 52 either! Plenty early, we saw Mac Imacsing getting ready, along with Jim Robinson. Soon Dave Horwitt rolled by on his heavy laden, fendered bike. After some chit chat, mini muffins from Mac and a trip to the local McDonalds, we were off before 0800. Temps were supposed to be 58F at the start and warm to the 70's today. So it was!

Viejas Grade Road look-back toward Casino

Stiff legs on the downhill were met with the short 13% climb up to Willows Rd. Soon Mac & I were chatting about how long it was since he cycled last.. Ya, ya.. heard that before. Nice roads and no traffic thru the Viejas Reservation were soon interrupted by breezy winds and gravel climbing up Viejas Grade to Descanso. The road was in excellent condition and we only met a few cars and one construction crew. The headwinds were picking up around each corner as Dave was out ahead.

Our little gruppo of 4 was motoring along on the 4-7% grade when Jim hit some loose gravel and slid down as a SUV approached. All dusty, no loose skin and a little embarrassed, Jim rode on with no side effects except "caution ahead". SUV driver stopped to see if all was well. Of course it was. Finally we reached hard road and some pleasant fast downhill to Perkin's Store, Descanso. Time for a mini break.

Descanso Perkin Store. Last stop for a while!

Dave was outside eating chips, John over by the Post Office nibbling his carry-along sandwich, Jim wiping off his dusty shorts and Mac was stretching out his sore back. I stole away inside the store for a little chit-chat with the grumpy looking lady about some water from her sink. She was quite nice and offered better filtered water/ice at the cola machine! Great. Getting ready to roll, several visited the porta-potty/wash station by the gas pumps. I offered Mac some "White Flower" Chinese medicine, but he indicated he had a hot/cold pack on his lower back already. Go figure. Away we went for more climbing.

A few steep rollers greeted us on worn out Oak Grove Road. Then it was a whole lot of fast downhill on Boulder Creek Road. The water crossing was dry, but the wind picked up to full headwind style as Dave and I fought it off the front of the pack. We had a regroup at the transition to gravel. Up and down we went on washboard and soft sand corners. I made a stop near the working ranch to chat with a deer hunter getting beer out of his roadside truck. Chug-a-Lug time.

Typical climb up Boulder Creek Road: Good condition today!

More gravel climbing with a few hunters trucks before we regrouped at the Three Sisters Trailhead. John and I had a short flashback to another ride thru here when he was lying on the dirt under the sign, sick as a dog! We were soon off with Dave out front. I was full out on the gravel downhills with my 3" tires biting well. A few more double digit climbs before the final assault up to the junction of Engineer Road. We stopped at the Forest Service Station there and I finally found water around behind one of the buildings. Looked like the vintage fountain out front hadn't been used in years.

Mac's back was really hurting by now and I offered the solution: Chinese "White Flower". The only problem was I didn't pack it in the bag! DUH! A couple of Vit. B-6 would have to do. More low digit climbing as we were on smoother roads now... Eagle Peak over to Pine Hills. A nice downhill as Dave was almost taken out by a deer herd scampering across the road. A final regroup and the last climb up to Julian on Hwy. 78. Tourist time!

WOW! This place was packed, as usual on a weekend. Thirty person line-up at the pie place and Harley's galore. Dave picked up a sandwich at a shop as the rest of us cruised over to Cozen's Station. Water, Dr. Pepper and Vitamin Water was the liquid of choice. After sitting around for a while, most hit the outside porta-pottys and we finally left the crowds behind.

John was zipped-up from the caffeine kick and led out up the busy Hwy. 79 toward Lake Cuyamaca. Near the Lake, the gradient eased and the pace picked up. I was geared out on my 30x10 ratio, as Jim and Mac slipped away. I was sucking wheel @ 120 cadence. Passing the Cuyamaca Store, I pulled up to John and ask him "where the fire was"! Final regroup at the Ranger Station at the top before the quick downhill back to Descanso on busy Hwy. 79.

Dave, Jim, Kelly hike-a-bike!

Dave and Jim were long gone as I shadowed Mac on the way down. Spin-O-Rama time! Soon we were back together and cruising on Hwy. 79. Fun time ahead as we turned onto Wildwood Glen Ln and crossed the bridge. Old Hwy. 79 ends up with a gate. Riding around, we soon noticed  the old Hwy. deteriorates to a path as it passes several San Diego wells. Then to a rutted gravel path and finally the fun part of a hike-a-bike down a embankment to I-8. Dave managed a butt dirty, slip-slide down the dirt to cap off this section.

Following a short clean-up, it was mostly all downhill past the Viejas Casino, over I-8 on Willows Road and Old Hwy. 80 back to Albertson's parking lot. After a few slaps on the back on how great we all were, John, Mac and I wandered over to McDonald's for the reward. I'm buying!

As I walked up to the counter to order, John was ushered over to the digital kiosk and promptly persuaded to order. Shake time: vanilla for John, strawberry was Mac's choice and I opted for chocolate. Mac & I were chatting as John dialed home. Suddenly a woman leaving the bathroom, slipped and hit her head on the metal corner wall-edging on her way down. John was up quick offering assistance as we waived McDonald's staff over. Some old lady was quick to point out one tile was a bit higher than the others and might have caused the fall. The lady was rubbing her head and didn't know where she was. Looked like the makings of a lawsuit. We vacated the premises in due order!

- randorides

Bike The Coast/TCSD Meet-Up

Richard invited me for a short TCSD ride today.

Richard Duquette sent me a form email about the Tri Club of San Diego doing a short ride to San Clemente today. Richard is the lawyer who helped me out way back in 2007 (road rage accident) and again last year (SUV run over in San Marcos town). They were leaving from Las Pulgas parking lot at 0830. Thought I would plug in a rondo route to hook-up.

Ursa Minor it was. Temps have been "cooling" of late with hi's in the low 70's. That's called a "cool off" around here this time of year! I layered up with a T-shirt & long sleeve shirt under my RUSA jersey. On top was my home-made reflective vest for the early start. Knee warmers for the first time this year too! I rolled out dark-early.

Normal route around thru Solana Beach. Along the coast I noticed more and more cyclists as I approached Oceanside. I pulled over and chatted with several ladies. They had numbers on their carbon bikes. Part of the "Bike The Coast" event today. Looks like it started at the Oceanside Pier. Thousands of riders massed in the area. I couldn't wait to head northward.

It was warming up by 0800, so I stripped off my outer layers at the I-5 NB Rest Area (took NB I-5
instead of thru Camp Pendleton route). Quite a few motorists sleeping in their cars there. Chatted with a few people before blazing north to Las Pulgas Exit.

Richard was there with others TCSD members. Chatted with him a bit and noticed a "fast" group doing a U-turn at the parking lot gate. I figured I could hook up with them so I left Richard and finally bridged the gap to the gruppo. Easy riding into a slight headwind from there to San Clemente. Made my way to the Donut Shoppe in SJC for a receipt.

Positive energy at Oceanside Pier: Bike The Coast

On the way back, had a slight hope of a tailwind. Instead it was neutral to the campground. After a refill had some easy peddling back to Las Pulgas hammering it out with a tri-rider. Left Richard a RANDO Card on his car before turning onto I-5 for the quick trip southward. Stopped at the Rest Area to strip off my long sleeve layer. Ahhhhh! Made quick work of the clean bike lane to Oceanside.

Massive "Bike The Coast" riders awaited me as I passed the Pier. Live music was blasting as I sat on a bench overlooking the amphitheater, enjoying the tunes. Hundreds of cyclists were milling around, paying homage to the food vendors. Lots of positive energy around here today. Chatted with one rider who said there were 500 signed up for the 100 mile ride and thousands signed up for the other distances. I could have sat in the sun for hours, but needed to head east to San Marcos instead. What a day.

- randorides