Coronado XPress

Judy, Keith, George, Jeff & of course me showed up at the sunny Oceanside Pier before 8:00 this Saturday. Got receipts as proof of start early. Too cold early just loafing around so we left promptly to keep warm. Slight headwind riding down the coast. Was to remain that way all day.. south wind from 8-11 mph. Stopped at Swami's well before 9:00 AM. This middle age gal was playing the guitar there again. Nice voice, but need new songs. Quite enjoyable in this holiday season.

Coronado Ferry Landing

Jim Wisener joined up there. I call him "Pirate Jim" due to his glasses. One lens is dark, the other is missing! He had eye surgery on the left eye, so it is perfect now. Not so for the right one. Cracked a snappy pace along the coast and up Torrey Pines. Regroup at the top at the Porta-Potty. Judy said she couldn't keep up the pace and would ride around a bit before heading back. She later went out on the O'side SLR Bike Path and returned into the rain. So she got wet too!

Nice and sunny around Mission Bay. Picked up a jumbo MTB rider in tights. He didn't want me to pass, so I tucked behind his big ass and drafted him down the coast for a few miles. He turned off at Washington St. The group was crankin' hard to make the 11 AM Ferry across. We got the SD Landing with 5 minutes to spare! HUH? The ticket place was moved. We found that further south by the Midway Museum. The Landing was also moved to accommodate the Hornblower Cruises all at one dock!

When we got on-board, Dave Horwitt was waiting for us. Nice pleasant surprise. Dave is a very strong cyclists on his heavy steel touring bike. Jeff & George brought their sack lunch, Keith & Pirate Jim relaxed and I took a few video shots on the move. At the Coronado Landing, Super Rando Tim Sullivan was waiting for us. He gave us the pit-stop tour and  guided us around the golf course and onto the Strand Bike Path. He pulled most of the way down into a headwind, before turning off and riding back home to Coronado again. I thought that was a nice gesture from Tim.

We stayed together around the Bay and up to the welcome JIB Control stop in National City. Good fun there. I suggested we take the back way around through the "neighborhood" instead of the construction zone on Harbor Dr. by NASSCO. Real busy at the downtown Convention Center... Auto Show! We went around on a few bike paths by the railroad tracks and then northward past Santa Fe Station. Raindrops as we approached Mission Bay. Raining heavier as we entered Santa Fe Ave toward Rose Canyon Bike Path. We stopped and put on some semi-rain gear. Rained heavier the more we cycled north. Went through the UCSD campus, which was empty during holiday break. Not bad riding along the rainy coast up to Encinitas, where Jim left us.

Randos ride through wet Del Mar

Just the four of us now as we plodded to O'side and the wet finish. Got a final group picture before going for "proof of finish receipts". Keith and I got ours at Circle K north of Town Hall. I was quite wet, but warm when I boarded the Sprinter Train for the ride back to San Marcos. HaHa. It moved 200 ft and then stopped! Brake failure. Waited a cold 20 minutes, until we finally started moving east again. I stripped off my jacket and dried it out on the baseboard heaters. Warm and toasty again , I cycled home from the San Marcos Station.

Wow, one long day. I hopped into the warm tub laced with Epson Salts and Lavender when I got home. All my clothes also went into the sink for a overnight soak. Felt great after that. Washed all the cycling clothes on Sunday as I put together the ride video.
Thanks to the riders who showed for this one. As I told George: "There is strength in numbers on a ride like this!" Not a bad ride to finish up the year.

YouTube Video: Coronado XPress 


-randorides

Thursday Coffee At Peet's Populaire

Bike Bridge over Lake Hodges

New Michigan Rando, George Freeman, indicated he would like to do a Permanent today, lieu of the normal Thursday OFR group ride. Just the ticket... we could start the Coffee At Peet's route and ride over and meet the group at Magee Park in Carlsbad at 8:30AM. Of course George never showed up at the right Circle K and I later met him at Magee park. We carried on from there.

Dee, Joe, and a few others were there at Magee. We rode out with crazy Doug, George, Mike Shaw and I. The other were waiting for Bert, who was truing his rear wheel. His Mavic blew a flat blade spoke! Picked up 4 more at Poinsetta Ln and rolled into Swami's at 9:10. Lots of riders there. Troy had finished up the picture frame presentation for the departed Joe Haring. Joe was the OFR group founder many years ago. Ben Hassell was going to take it over to Joe's wife later today. Must have been 20-25 riders there. Real nice.

Mike Shaw wanted to do the Rando route also, but at the turn to Peets, he turned around and headed back. Mike was recovering from the flu and didn't have it today. Good choice. George and I refueled at the Circle K, then went over to Peet's to say adios to the group.We had a nice pace over through Rancho Bernardo and over the Bike Bridge to Escondido. Something new for George. We hit Jesmond Dene and rolled into Bonsall AM/PM into a breeze. More headwinds on the SLR Bike Path into O'side.

I've been suggesting to George we do a Coronado experience before he returns home. Might be Saturday.

-randorides

Ursa Major Birthday Ride

Dan Phillips turns 50 ride!

Riding buddy Dan Phillips turned the big 5-0 yesterday. Guess that means his cycling days are over now? Met up in Escondido for the Ursa Major Permanent to celebrate his birthday. Kinda a shortie ride of 202km/128mi and less than a mile of climbing. Posted the ride on SDrando message board and also the NCCC board.

Nice email response and questions about this ride. Dan, Bill Stevenson and Phil Auchter rode in from Oceanside. Ed Shepherd rode in from Rancho Bernardo. I rode in from San Marcos with help from the Sprinter train. Also at the start were strong rider Dave Horwitt, randos Sandy Aniya & Robert Abraham, George Freeman from Michigan, new rando Keith ? and strong-girl Andi Ramer.

After a lot of story telling and braggos, we got our start receipts and off we went. Andi opted out due to the "cold" temps. Heck it was a little cool at 36 F, especially since we were hitting the big downhill of Del Dios straight away. We had a regroup at Rancho Santa Fe and after the turn onto Coast Hwy. northbound. Stopped over at Swami's for a delayering and were serenaded by Gloria. She played quite well.

Chit-chat at the Escondido start

Near Oceanside Pier, George's son and son-in-law joined up. Were supposed to pick up several more riders from the OFR Thursday Gruppo, but they were no-shows. Rode through the Camp at a moderate pace, and chatted on the way up to the #11 bathroom at San Onofre Campground. Met Dave Horwitt before that. He had a flat tire in Carlsbad and used the I-5 option.Trestles was a busy bike path. We met Ed at the turn onto El Camino in downtown San Clemente (He didn't stop at Swami's and rode I-5 north). George Jr. and Jeff left us at the coffee shop/Metro Station in north San Clemente. They both rode well today but still couldn't keep up with new grandpa George! New guy rando Keith was hangin' tough too.


San Juan Bike Trail took us over to San Juan Capistrano and Carl's Jr for a short break. I had a ice cream sandwich for a receipt and others a burger. Dan sat in a daze in the sun. Guess his age is catching up with him.
Back over the bike bridge and on to the San Juan Bike Trail in to a light headwind. Doheny State Beach is a calm place to ride through. We all took the back way through the San Clemente neighborhood. Dan had a flat on his new G'skin Hardshell! Glass. We regrouped at the Trestles bike path.

We all decided to go back on I-5. It would give the newbies a chance to experience it! We rode through the Rest Stop and made a 20 mph run back to Oceanside. Regrouped at the Harbor Dr. bathrooms and crossed over the bridge and onto the San Luis Rey Bike Path.Nice little tailwind there and we were rolling along at a comfortable 18 mph. Robert had a flat tire near the end. Dan went back to check and inform him we would regroup at Bonsall McDonalds.Dan cut off and headed back home. He got in his 125 today.

Gloria serenades Randos at Swami's

We all joined up in Bonsall McD and put a layer on. I got a yogurt and fruit for $1.08. Need that receipt. It's always cooler in Camino Del Rey Road river bottom. Rode together till the Champagne climb, where we rode our own pace up. Short regroup at the top, before we cooled off! Dave and Robert had the dyno lights on. Keith's battery pak light wouldn't work. I had my frogies and George kept in between. Group of five rode together to Escondido and over to the finish. Ed and Sandy were right behind us. Robert, George and I stopped at Wendy's. Dave and Keith at Albertson's.

No records were targeted this trip. It's usually more fun in a group. Lots better for pictures too! Seemed to be a lot of flat tires for some reason. Must be the recent rains. We stayed together most of the route and had a good time. George Jr. and Jeff were glad they could catch the Metro back to O'sde after hammering up to San Clemente. New Randos George from Michigan and Keith rode very well. I think Ol man Dan would be proud of us!

Ride Video with great blues music on YouTube

-randorides

Shortie Populaire after rain delay...

Lazy Lizard Brevet was last Saturday. Been raining off and on for several days and temps have dropped somewhat. Needed to get in a ride before the posted Ursa Major Permanent this Saturday. Temp was 29 degrees at 6:00 AM this morning, so that negated a early start and longer ride today. Guess I didn't want to put up with the super clothing layers and later take them all off. I opted for John M.'s Bike Path X Two route.

Due to delays, I didn't start till around 9:30. Warmed enough by then for just a wool underlayer and a SD Rando wool short sleeve jersey with knee warmers and long wool socks. Stopped by Bonsall Mickie D's for a cookie run and reload bottles. Slight tailwind on the SLR Bike Path to the coast. Stripped down at Magee Park in Carlsbad. Picked up a gruppo paceline riding south on Coast Hwy. 101. These 4 guys were crankin' on new tri-bikes till they hit the small roller in So. Carlsbad. I got 2 of em. They turned off at LaCosta Ave. Good thing for me. Then picked up a hot chick on TT bike into Encinitas.

Rolled through Del Mar and on to the 56 Bike Path over to my normal stopping place at Camino del Mar and ARCO-AM/PM there. The 89 cent drink machine was broken again, so I opted out of Sobe refuel. Sat and ate a banana and bar. Was a little sleepy, sort of HO-hum feeling. Continued on and stopped by the new bike shop off Centre City Blvd in Escondido to check out MTN bikes.. Not much there, only cruisers and BMX stuff. Still lookin' for that Rando trail MTB set up for dirt routes. Took the Rail Trail back to San Marcos. 6 hour ride at full BLAH mode. Felt sleepy-tired.

-Go Figure
randorides

Lazy Lizard Lodown Brevet

Lazy Lizard Lodown Route

This 207km Brevet started way out in the Anza Borrego Desert at Ocotillo. John Mestemacher was nice enough to pick me up in the rain at 5:00 AM. We were both back and forth on adding fenders and rain gear for this ride. I did some deep research on The Weather Channel and the best I could do was rain everywhere west of Ocotillo! No fenders for me. John put his on. We'll see what happens when we get there. Our Nytro friend Joe Morgan and buddy Daryl bailed as did super rider Andi Ramer.

The ride out was wet and rainy all the way till we dropped down to Ocotillo, where it was overcast, but breaking up. Arrived 10 minutes early for the 7:00 start. Enough time to set up and take a few pics. Greg Olmstead did the pre-ride instructions with a group of 9 riders. John & I were the first to leave at 7:05. Group of 4 caught us in the new wind-farm outside Ocotillo on Hwy. S-2. Not a nice sight, all those huge wind turbines. I thought it really ruined the landscape. That's progress? The construction crews had their own little trailer camp outside town. A least it must have boosted Ocotillo's economy a little for a short time. Lazy Lizard Saloon must have done good!

Never did rain on us at all. We did pass through areas on S-2 that were wet. Jacques and Donna Boutet from Alaska flew down for this event in "sunny California". It ended up being sunny, but only 59F for a high. Jacques was a good strong rider and rode with Gary most of the way. However, after chatting with Donna, I didn't feel she was prepared for this ride. She took off up the first 12% climb and cracked half way up. She did turn around near Scissor Crossing to get in her mileage. Rode off and on with Jacques, Gary, John and Jeff Cole.

I brought my Canon camera around my neck and was trying out a Wingman Sports camera on the Fuji carbon bike. Both seemed to work OK. Rendering a ride video was a little "iffy", due to the different .avi and .mov formats from the cameras. After some quality issues, I did get it all together in a 18 minute route video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVbRNEIrhB8

John riding S-2 toward the rainbow

Our group of 6 rode off and on together most of the way up. John said he was "cooked" after the turn up San Felipe Road. We were going into a nice headwind all the way up. Plus his new "diet" of lo-carb... 50gm a day didn't help at all. I also mentioned to him I thought he didn't drink enough with only 1 bottle used to Ranchita. That's 64 miles. He felt a little better after the turn around at Ranchita. That first downhill to San Felipe Road was a little cool. Lots of easy downhill riding with just the 3 climbs on the way back. John had a wire flat just before the Sweeney Pass climb on the way back. Even an Aramid layer doesn't stop those little wire pieces.It was just dark when we got back. I was planning on getting back around 4:30, and brought just my "Froggie Lights". John had a helmet light, which was more than enough in the dusk light.

Not a bad ride, weather turned out to be quite nice. Did have some good conversations with Donna Boutet, Gary Kanaby and Jeff Cole. Donna was stating that with the few roads in Alaska to ride on, they have to compete with cars most of the time on local rides. Gary said he works for the company that furnishes those 300' blades for the wind turbine farms. Jeff wants to make up his own Permanent to ride north toward Frisco!

For a Finish receipt, I got a bottle of Bisquick Lo-cal milk drink at Texaco. $2.99!!! NOT. Got a Milky Way instead. Of course the register didn't work and a hand written receipt was in order. We stopped by Alpine on the way back. John refueled the Element and I got my usual after ride energy booster choc shake at Carl's Jr. The shake was thinner than water. Not good. Not mixed. John got solicited by a dude in a SUV from Temecula, who's 2 credit cards wouldn't work in the gas machines or inside either. He left his cash at home and wanted advance bucks now, which he would mail back when he got home. Ya, OK.

What a day... good ride, good friends, good time, bad shake.

-randorides

Ursa Major Permanent

Georges new Scott Carbon

Rode the Ursa Major today. Weather was a little nippy early for the ride-in, but later warmed to the mid-70s. Didn't start till 8:00 AM. New guy George from Michigan joined in. He said the 120 miler was the longest he's done since he was 13. George is riding much better on his new SCOTT carbon ride with Ksyrium Elite wheelset. No fitting problems and stiff joint free for him! His white bar tape will be black in a month.

 Stopped by Nytro for water. George bought his new Scott from Joe Morgan. Joe was trying to talk George into this Saturday's Rando ride in Ocotillo.
 Met Robert Leone around Escondido. I always called him "DeLeone". A little out of his area up in North County. Robert's big with the SD Bicycle Coalition, even though he still wears boots and rides a rusted bike. You can recognize him by his black matte BMX pot helmet.

-randorides

New SR-600 route in the works

Prelim map of new SR-600 SoCal route

With the recent announcement by RUSA of a new and exciting challenge at the 600km distance, I figured I better check it out. It's called a Super Randonnee 600K Permanent and is ACP-sanctioned(vs. RUSA Permanents) Not only a distance of 600km(619km max) but must include at least 32,800ft of climbing. Mmmm, around SoCal that shouldn't be a problem. Ya, right!

After working on this off and on for 2 months, I finally sent in a SR Route to Crista Boras (RUSA Permanents Co-ordinator) today. Real tough to make a viable route under those parameters around here! It ended up being 618km and around 33,200 ft of climbing. I'm sure there will be some fine tuning in the weeks ahead. I'll keep updating as required here.

-randorides

New SR Permanent in the works

Sent in the paperwork to Crista at RUSA for the special SR-600 route. 

Aztec Century

Aztec Century goes up to San Diego State

Aztec Century was on order for today. I started over at Chevron on Benet Street, O'side. Hit the bike path and met up with the OFR Thursday Gruppo at Magee Park. Kiwi Stewart, Dr. Bill, Michigan George and son-in-law Jeff were there. Left at 08:30 and rode south for 6 pick-ups at Poinsettia and then on to Swami's. Loafed around there for 30 minutes while they decided where they were going. Group was around 18 by now.

Gruppo rode up Torrey Pines and then split. Most going to Cabrillo Monument. Bill, George, and I rode over to San Diego State. Jeff rode to work around Sports Arena.

Not much traffic through Mission Valley and on up to Montezuma Hill. Quiet there for a school day. Weather cleared and was quite nice. We cranked it up some on the backside climb up to UCSD campus. George was gassed by then, but gave er' a great effort. Stopped by Nytro to see if George's replacement 11-28 cassette came in. Not yet.

Rode back to O'side with George and then alone on to the finish at Chevron. Not a bad day at all.

-kj

Busted In DeLuz Permanent-R

Busted In DeLuz Garmin Stats

A little foggy for the ride-in to LaCosta. Left the Circle K at 0700 and hit the coast easy like. Only picked up one racer going north and tagged along to Carlsbad. Met Michigan George at the O'side Pier at 0800. We rode the O'side Bike Path all the way to Hwy. 76 and jumped on for the quick ride to Bonsall. Since we were doing the "reverse" route, no real jumbo climbs on the way to Rainbow and Temecula.

Took a short break at Carl's Jr for Ice Cream Sandwich(cheapest thing they have for receipt) and headed the back way around up to Rancho California Rd. Did the DeLuz Road under perfect weather. George kept saying the weather was so great... He's here for a month from Michigan, that's why!

On the backside of Sleeping Indian climb, George ran out of gears on the shortie 15% climb. He kept saying he had a 11-28 cluster on the rear. That didn't look right, so we stopped at the SLR Bike Path and I check it out... SRAM 11-25! No wonder he was gassed! Back to Nytro for a real 11-28. Just under 100 miles. George said he never rode this long in decades. He's feeling good on his new Scott carbon.

I left George near his daughters home in O'side and picked up a racer guy on a Masi Carbon hammering south. He took off and was keeping ahead at 25mph. Young dude with cargo shorts. After he was cooked, I went around him before LaCosta Ave and told him how fast he was. He said "It was really fun"!

At LaCosta finish, I took off and went the back way via Rancho Santa Fe climbing back to San Marcos before dark. Ultegra 6701 chain is stretched out 1/8" already. Re-lube with Beoshield with quiet it down some. Prob. need to rebuild new 13-30 cassette too. Front chain ring doesn't look too great either$ Seems like stuff only lasts a few months anymore.

-go figure

North County Club Ride

North County Cycle Club meets every Saturday in San Marcos

I had invited Michigan George to ride with the North County Cycling Club on Saturday. I met George last week along the San Luis River Trail riding into O'side. He was out from Michigan to stay with family while his daughter gave birth. He may be here till mid-January, depending on what happens.

He actually showed up on his son-in-laws FELT. I figured I would introduce him around and ride a bit... nothing too long. Maybe 15-18 riders showed, due to 'iffy" weather earlier overnight. We grouped up with Bill Stevenson and Mike Shaw. Riding the longer route, we somehow got out in front and kept on hammering. George seemed to enjoy it and was riding well. Back home he rides during the week with a group for 30 miles so anything longer is a real treat for him.

A few mile after the Bonsall regroup, I cruised off and rode over to Performance Bike in Oceanside to check out deals before riding back home. Weather turned out to be just right.

-randorides

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

PIE Ride (Camels To Yaqui Pass Permanent)

PIE Route plus Camels To Yaqui Pass Route

John M. drove us out to Ramona to start the Camels To Yaqui Pass Permanent. We'd meet up with the OFR Thursday riders at Santa Ysabel and ride with them part way before branching off and going down to the Borrego Springs. Rare chance to ride with John on a weekday!

Damp, foggy and cool in Ramona when we left around 6:30 AM. Fog was off and on heavy as we wound our way up Old Julian Hwy. By the time we reached Hwy. 78, it had cleared and the sun warmed us up a bit. Temps near 50 as we rolled into Santa Ysabel at 8:10 and mingled with the North County riders who were getting ready for the ride. Good time to hit the head and take a few pre-PIE ride snapshots. A few riders arrived late, so we waited around before rolling out well after the announced 8:30 AM start time. 19 riders made up a nice group.

John preps up at cool, damp Ramona start

Great photo ops riding up the Mesa Grande climb under bright blue skies. Coolish downhill to Lake Henshaw and a regroup at the bottom near Hwy. 76 and the biker bar. I took some nice pace-line photos and video rolling down to the Hwy. 79 turn. That section to the Hwy. S-2 turn is real tight with traffic as there is very little bike lane outside the "fog line". Had a nice regroup after the turn and chatted with several drivers who were pulling trailers to the desert. Bill Stevenson, John Mestemacher and I turned left to Ranchita at the junction. The PIE group went straight up to Teofulio Summit and a long 10 mile downhill to Scissor Crossing before the climb up Banner Grade. They regrouped at the Banner Store before riding up to Julian and the nice downhill back to Santa Ysabel. Judy Richwine had a flat on that section and no one noticed. She later got help from some Harley riders and got on her way. They ended up with a nice 55 mile loop with nice weather.

The rando trio rode up to Ranchita and then down the FAST Montezuma Grade. Today there was no wind, which made the descent half-way safe. We had a nice break at the station store before the long trekkie climb up Yaqui Pass. Of course we had some cross wind near the top. Stopped at Tamarisk Campground. It is now open. We chatted with the rangers there and got the latest update. Never liked riding the next section of Hwy. 78 to Scissor Crossing. It gets real tight in the "narrows" with no bike lane. This is direction you want to avoid on Sundays when the "desert rats" are going home.

Frenchie and John chat at Campground

We also stopped at Banner Grade at the store. I got some water around the left side at a hidden fountain. Never did find the "perfect" gearing for that climb. Lots of tourists having pie in Julian as we rolled through on our way to Santa Ysabel. Bill left us here and loaded his bike up. John and I finished the Camels To Yaqui Pass Permanent and arrived back into Ramona before November darkness set in.

This is a ride the OFR Thursday Group does every year around November.
They start at 8:30 AM, every Thursday at Magee Park in Carlsbad, CA 

Good time and nice weather too!

Here is an interesting video of this route on YouTube

-randorides

MTB For Rando Bike-Packing Routes

Cannondale Trail 29'er SL4 - $1000 retail

Here are a few of the bikes I've been researching. They all are 29'ers, have 9 speeds, hydraulic brakes and are the lower end of a series. The same frame is used in much more expensive bikes, the difference being in the components. Looks like one of the main differences is in the front suspension. Of course they all have lockout forks, some have rebound adjustment. Some of these seem real heavy... around 32-35 lbs! Wheels and tires make up a whole lot of this weight. Even going tubeless would save over 1 lb. (2x220gm).

My present thinking is of getting the basic good framed bike, then changing out components as I went along riding and testing things out. As long as you get the same frame as the much more expensive and upgraded models in a series, there is daylight ahead.

2013 Felt Nine60 - $1029 retail

Right now the Cannondale and the Felt looks good. I may be able to get these at a BIG savings. The Trail 29'er SL4 by C'dale has a 1.5" steerer tube on the fork. This could be a problem upgrading. Would need a adapter bearing set to convert to basic 1.125 steerers on common replacement forks.

After testing on several future Rando Route trails, I may opt for a solid front fork. Two which come to mind are the Salso Fargo fork and the Surly Ogre fork. Both have a whole bunch of braze-ons and can handle tires up to 29 x 2.5". Both around $100 retail. Another good future option.

Of course, in additon to the basic bike, more money would have to be thrown at the project: Bikepacking stuff from racks, bags, bottles, holders, etc. Whew!

Motobecane 29'er - $699 - online

Motobecane Phantom 29'er - $699 delivered

Gt Avalanche 3 Hydr. - $585 -Perf bikes

Bautista Conservation Camp36 Permanent

BCC 36 logo

A tough 222km route, Camp36 hits several dirt roads on the way to and from Anza.

Some of my favorite instrumental background music on this route video:
Complete route video on YouTube.

Technical DePortola downhill

Forgotten Roads Recap - Turkey Hunter's Delite!

Garmin Stats from today's ride

RIDE RECAP:
We left Albertson's parking lot a little after 0800, and warmed up before we climbed Viejas Grade. We ended up riding together most of that dirt section. Downhill on the hard surfaced section, we did meet a rugged looking Asian chic, riding a loaded up Mtn Bike. John said she looked just like she was finishing up the Stagecoach 400 route! We regrouped at the Descanso Store, 40 minutes over control cut off time. What else is new? Store was busy.

After a lengthy stay and a few stories, we were off to tackle Boulder Creek DIRT! One 12% climb before we turned onto Boulder Creek for a nice downhill before the water crossing.. Hardly any water there, but lots of slick algae! A few more climbs and we came to the "hard surfaced roads ends 300' sign". We were noticing quite a few cars and trucks on the road ahead. Must have been a Easter weekend thing going on at Three Sisters Trail-head?

Don was riding ahead, but not to worry, for he was using 700 x 23mm tires. Not that great for downhill dirt roads. Boulder Creek surface was the best I've ever seen it! It had been graded and lots of black gravel was trucked in for fill. A little loosie in places, but quite ride-able. We grouped up with Don before the hard surface section and the creek crossing. More water there. Turkey hunter trucks are tough when you are trying to climb 14% on washboard roads and it was a little close in places. Must have been 25 cars at the trail-head. Snow white dudes were lathering up with sunscreen to impress the bikini clad soft bodied girls before they walked the trail to the Three Sisters Falls with backpacks full of BEER!. It was like a parking lot there. Temps were in the low 80's now.

One dude said he passed us and felt sorry for us, riding all that way and eating their dust.  We felt sorry for us too and we hi-tailed it out of there, pronto! More steep climbing ahead, some 14%, but the roads weren't bad at all.. for dirt! We did two regroups and climbed the last section to the Engineers Road Fire Station for cool water and a blow!

Hard surface and tree lined roads were in order during more climbing up to highway 78/79. Then off to Don's fave gas station and market in Julian, among the many touristas and bikers. Too many cars and motos at the station for Dave, as one van kept backing toward him as he was devouring a sandwich pak! Dave hit the Mtn. Dew hard, and I got a can of that too! Tasted like aviation grade gas!

We were soon out of there and took a jaunt down Old Cuyamaca Road, before more climbing toward the Lake. Good spirits for us as John pulled and I took over with a nice tailwind around the Lake and a big ring climb up to the Fire Station, where we hit the cool water at the 24/7 faucet. John led out on the long, fast downhill on Hwy. 79 toward Descanso. Quickly on Hwy. 79 and on to Wildwood Glen Lane and across the bridge.

Nice road with no cars as we hopped the gate and continued down real Old Hwy 80. It got narrower and narrower. Soon we were on a trail, which turned to a rocky path between boulders. No fence to climb this trip and some packed their bikes to the steep downhill walk to I-8. Time for tire clean and exam. Good thing. O-Man pulled out a small wire in his rear tire.

Nice downhill to Willows road and a left past the Viejas Casino, with several disgruntled loosers waiting at the cross walk. Don pulled the train into a slight headwind as we motored into the parking lot... just 17 minutes from cut-off! Whew! Crazy Dave rode in from around HillCrest, and didn't look in too good of a condition to ride back home again, so John and Don coaxed him into a co-op ride and bike lift caravan back to his house. I'm sure he enjoyed the ride home!

Another classic Saturday ride.. Shortie but toughie with 6768' of climbing, a lot on dirt roads. We saw lots of turkey hunters, Harley riders, short short hikers and white bodied college bail-outs!

Thanks to Dave, Don, Osvaldo & John for the nice "camaraderie of long distance riding" Special kudoz to Mike Berry for the route. He couldn't make it on this ride, due to a "mechanical"?

If you missed this one, see you on the next ride,
kellyjay
sandwich pak! Dave hit the Mtn. Dew hard, and I got a can of that too! It's like aviation grade gas!