Supposed to be real cool this morning as I left San Marcos heading for the training ride start at Mule Hill in Escondido. Wind was blowing at my back as the 27.5 x 2.8 tires hummed along on the hard surface. I finally bought a digital tire pressure gauge and my tires were aired down to precisely 25lbs for this ride. Wasn't that cold at all as I caught a little trail dirt before meeting up. Keith Olsen, Troy Buss and Mac Imacsing were the only riders there today. Others said they would show, but too much Christmas OR they were a little shy on the dirt side.
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| Training route we took today. A few new trails in there |
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| Troy had the only carbon bike today |
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| Mac had the oldest, cracked tires today! |
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| Keith's bright Klein was the oldest bike here today! |
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| Kelly had the newest bike today: Cannondale 27.5 |
Made our way around Lake Hodges, checking things out before jumping onto Del Dios Hwy. for a short haul. Back onto the trail near the dam, we made good time up the switchbacks. Met two MTB"ers near the power towers and they followed us to Lusardi Loop. The Loop Trail was congested with tumbleweeds. Not the kind you can ride around, but the trail blockage kind. Often times we had to just blast thru! Met a small group of 5 riders after clearing the Black Mtn. Trailhead and the rocky downhill section. They didn't know which way to go and some had turned off trail. After telling them: "The pros go this way", some turned and followed our route uphill!
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| Kelly, Mac & Keith crusing along Lake Hodges Road Trail |
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| Mac contemplates trail bridge while reading sign |
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| Leaving Lake Hodges, Mac, Troy & Keith climb after crossing the trail bridge. |
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| Lusardi Loop: Under Camino del Sur. Mac called that a "water crossing"! Huh? |
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| Lusardi Loop: After "Cardiac Climb", Mac said his HR was 150. Ya Right! |
We managed a few off route miles by taking the long way to Camino del Sur and break time at Circle K. Managed to pick up a free banana at the usual SR-56 Bike Path watering station. Sat around Circle K for a while as several picked up a sandwich. Handy place and good stop here. After a bit, we were off on the Bike Path and a few new trails in McGonigle Canyon.
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| Mac & Troy chomping down at Circle K break-time. |
Troy & Mac took the "magic gate" route while Keith & I did the 41 steps down to the bushes route. Both ended up at the same place. Next time it's thru the gate for us too as the stair-step route was nasty and wet! Further up the trail it was HAB time. I had been this way before and appreciated someone cutting in some toe holds in the dirt. Troy & I scooted up quick, while Mac checked things out and backed up for a run-up. Well he got up about 10 feet and bailed to hiking up too. Keith followed. logically using the toe-holds. After crossing Sundance Street we were onto another trail and finished it off with a HAB thru some bushes and up a small hill to the road.
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| Stair step Trail: Keith takes alternate route to McGonicle Canyon below. |
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| Keith finishes off Stair-Step Trail with some "bushwacking" |
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| Troy & Mac took the "Secret Gate" trail from up there |
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| Mac contemplates 40% climb. Then backs up and let's 'er rip! |
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| Mac walking up: "If I had a bike like Troy's, I would had made it up!" |
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| "Is that a hole or a trail?" Yep, we have to go in there. Turn your lights on! |
Smooth riding now as we rode north on Black Mtn. Road. At mile 26, Keith wasn't feeling well and continued on back to Lake Hodges via roads. The trio took the old loop road down into Lusardi country. All we got was a dead end housing project. After walking around a bit, we hoofed it down some hill, thru new home lots and were soon back on the dirt road riding west.
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| Troy's old Lusardi Loop route took to a housing development. We trying to get out! |
Not to be deterred at the Coast To Crest sign, we by-passed the single-trak uphill and opted for a new single-trak sidehill. Several gnarly spots later we were at the water crossing. Of course, I think we all got a little damp on that crossing.. I know I got wet-footed as my foot slipped off a rock. Downhill switchbacks ahead. I was watching Troy cruising around each turn and managed to nip a post and fall over. A little dirt rash, but my Garmin took a hit from my camera and was now 1/2 blue screen of death! Bummer.
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| We by-passed Coast-To-Crest segment and took a new trail to Artisan Way |
Made good time on Santa Fe Trail over to the dam. This return route we added the single track to the parking lot. Troy led out making it look easy ( which it was! ) and was soon stopped by a rock hit on his lower fork. I stopped and got caught in the same rocks and we didn't see Mac again for a while. Nice riding along the lake as we took the roadside trail where John went down 2 years ago. Not to be deterred, we all blasted over the drop-off and up the climb this time. Met several riders thru here on some hi-powered rigs in addition to groups of hikers. Breezed thru the rock gardens with the wider tires. Cruised into the finish! Said our good-byes and I was off back to San Marcos after filling my bottle at the handy Chevron Station.
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| Troy's Garmin stats from today's ride. We did OK considering all the stoppage time. |
Clear skies
Hi: 68 Lo: 47
Wind: WNW gusty at times
78 miles
-randorides
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