Dirt Devotion Derby: 60km/100km Combo Route

Cycling memorabilia inside Rouleur Brewery

Late start from home as I spun up the hills on Palomar Airport Road toward the 3D start at the Brewery off Faraday/El Camino Real. I finally arrived and cruised around the parking lot, checking out the hi-end gravel hardware most riders had. For sure, not only was I the only rider on a MTB, it was a 27.5" Plus too! John was sitting on the curb next to this Eric guy, chatting about Randonneuring. I handed over a Rando Card and had a few word to say on Eric's shiny GT titanium ride. He just put on a set of Schwalbe Big One tires, 35mm. Just like what John was running on his SCOTT Addict 10 Gravel bike.

Great signage on trail to Questhaven Rd.

Riders all looked slim and tall as I checked inside for water. A few bikes and many wheelsets on the wall as I waited in line at the bathroom. Rouleur Brewing Company... neat place with lots of cycling pics on the wall too. Wandering outside, organizer Dave said we would start a little late.. not a good sign. Different groups went off as we waited for the last 60km group. Soon we were on our way for the first section of the 60km route.

Group soon split up as we hit different traffic lights on the road. At the first gravel section, the main guru rider led his minions off course. John & I just smiled and followed the Garmin track ( plus we had a Pre-Ride last Saturday), commenting on the advantage of a course recon first. We were alone and enjoying ourselves when the group finally caught us at a stoplight. "Guru-man" soon led the group off course again, leading the clones off toward Copper Creek trails.

Deep Attebury Pond. Dan fished for bass here long ago!

"Adios Amigos" as we picked up a few others riders ( who shortcut) before the steep trail up behind San Elijo Albertson's. John & I had commented earlier on how many riders would HAB (hike-a-bike) up here. Two dudes just ahead of me couldn't make it and I managed to ride around both of them. Same with John. Alone again as we wound upward on the gravel path toward Questhaven Rd.The group following some distance behind.

Short regroup as we climbed toward Double Peak. One lone hard-body woman made the gap and we chatted a bit. Her legs were ripped and cut like a gym instructor. She had no computer and didn't know which way to go. We were giving instructions as we met a few more 100km riders heading the wrong way. These guys had a cue slip too small to read!

Near SeaQuest Trail

We quickly made our way over toward Ridgeline Trailhead thru a busy trail packed with dog-walkers, hikers and a guy with his fishing pole, looking for a way down to the pond below. Short water break at the Trailhead, where there were a bunch or riders grouping up. We left them there.

Fast ride down Attebury, past the deep pond and a large new home under construction. More riders ahead at the Seaquest Trail entrance hanging around waiting for their buddies, who were coming in from another direction. We rode around them at the gate and continued on the dirt trails. Time to pick up the 100km route down San Elijo Road. Others were following a few hundred meters behind. At the bottom of Harmony Grove Road, we made the turn to catch the Escondido Trail. Others were not far behind.

Start of Escondido Creek Trail

Horses! We waited at a trail turn for them to pass. Cowboys were friendly enough and after some small talk, we were off on the fire road again. Can't get lost here, so I dropped back of the group to check out the equipment. Lots of carbon and 35mm cross tires. One quiet girl was riding well on her new blue gravel bike.

John was pulling the load as we offed the trail and on to the rough, water district steep downhill road, cross Escondido Creek and more rocky fire roads to end up at a residential guard shack. Back on roads again, I opted for the horse path along side. Other soon followed as we turned on Camino del Norte and more roadside gravel.

John & I pulled off as the others rode by. We would now ride over to pick up the 60km route again. After a few road miles, we spotted a few 60km riders ahead! Huh? We weren't dragging way behind after all. Next up was the neighborhood gravel paths near John's house. Even though we pre-road these, John lost sight and missed a turn. Trail-side sawgrass cut my right thumb as blood covered my shifters/brake lever. We came across the group again looking for a water stop. We mentioned that we were stopping at the Circle K near mile 25.5.

Buba The Security Guard at end of Escondido Creek Trail

More gravel and we ended up at LaCosta Ave./El Camino Real. The others soon joined up. I chatted with the green jersey "leader" and mentioned the next stop was Sage Creek High School/Calavara. Calavara? He didn't like the sound of that and indicated that he didn't know the 60km route went there. John & I went to Circle K. We think the others went to Starbucks.

Wildflower Trail near Coast Hwy. 101

Two'fer sale on Vitamin Water today. I grabbed a few and two ice-cream sandwiches as John patrolled outside while phoning home. Ice'd up and ready to leave, I saw three riders riding north on El Camino Real. I sure thought it was our 60km comrades? Enough already?

John amped up the speed as he tried to chase down two TT riders westbound on LaCosta Ave to Coast Hwy. 101. We made good time to the jump off for more trails and RR side-roads. Someone had mowed down the trail-side flowers, which made riding much easier, but I was a little disappointed in not having wildflowers stuck all over my bike again.

Knarly Calavara Trails. Took a header near here!

Roadie ride on Canon Road brought us to Sage Creek HS, where Joe Morgan was waiting with
water/Official Aid Station. We chatted a bit before other riders started to come in. We were off to the not-beloved Calavara trails. John dumped here last week, so he was especially careful. Not me, as we missed a turn and backtracked down to the wooden walkway over the marsh. I barrelled down and did a endo. Buggered up my elbow and right shoulder. All body parts attached, we continued on with the rest of the rutted, knarly ride thru Calavara. Several 17% climbs and we were finally out of there.

Next up was a spell of road climbing and then the peaceful trek thru Buena Vista Park trails. We got passed by two dudes on cruiser bikes to start off. After the peaceful U-turn ride thru the tree lined trails, the Elite 100km riders passed us as we jumped onto Melrose Ave. Those guys were lone gone. We opted to follow them for an additional mile of final trails off Melrose Dr. At the first steep trail climb, I missed a gear shift and added a HAB to my repertoire. Another group of riders also couldn't make it and also HAB. John & I follow mercifully behind as we finished the trail onto FaradayAve. and finally to the FINISH.

Tree lined Buena Vista Park trails

I went inside Rouleur Brewery searching for water. Looked like some riders had been there for hours, as they were already rowdy. Some lady asked me what route I rode, when I signed up, etc. If you signed up before a certain date, you got pizza and free beer. If not, you were out. I disappointed her as I stated: " We rode a 85km route today. Thanks anyway, but I don't drink beer!" I was out of there. Not a good set-up at the finish.

John & I rode around the lot a bit before heading out for the ride home. We hopped the El Camino sidewalk southbound. We soon bid "ado" as John was riding south and me eastward. Heavy traffic as I finally made my way to McDonald's on San Marcos Blvd. Choc Shake $2 Special for me. Soon I was home, put the dirty MTB in the garage and went inside for a couple of Tylenol.

John checks rotor alignment on his SCOTT Gravel Bike

Interesting riding today. We had a 53 mile route.. which is 85km. Then the ride in/back of 16 miles. Looks like a 70 mile day for me. John had similar. With a fly-in from Phoenix Friday afternoon and dog-sitting all night, John had little sleep. I fared little better, with the 100km preride on Tuesday and a Fuji road route on Thursday (mixed in with 100km sections). Rode a bit on Friday.. so I wasn't rested at the start. Then take into account my Calavara header and I would be a sore for a week or so.

I thought for Dave's first adventure into route organizing, he did only OK. A little over-zealous with the emails and so many route revisions and notes. Might be best to just do one final route the week before. At the finish, there was no check-in. How did they know who went where? Crashes? DNF's? Forget the early registration for free beer. Either all riders get it or none.

John & I noted how ill prepared most riders were. Especially the ones we were in contact with. Cue sheet? Forget it on a trail route like this. Pre-ride preparation was solely lacking in some cases. It was follow the leader.. even if the leader didn't know the route well.

I found that the recon rides I did, along with the training route last Saturday really helped with a carefree ride, not having to wonder where you are. I'll attempt to make some of these trails/paths into a decent Rando Certified route soon.

- randorides