Dirt Devotion Recon Training

75km gravel training route

John signed us up for the Nytro sponsored "Dirt Devotion Derby- 100km/60km ride on April 22nd,  so why not a recon training ride thru some of the same gravel? I rode the route earlier and added a few dirt paths and roadside gravel paths. The ride was around 75km and mostly followed the 3D 60km route.

We left the Vista Business Center Dr. 7-Eleven/JIB slightly after 0800.  Dan had his 29'er and brother Bruce his Surly Fat Bike. John Mestemacher rode from home on his new SCOTT Addict 10 Gravel and I my SCOTT MTB-27.5"+. Late to arrive is hard core MTB'er Greg Armstrong with his Ti gravel bike. Off we went!

John, Kelly, Dan, Greg, Bruce at gravel regroup

Riding north on Business Park Dr. we hit a trail over to Melrose with a HAB (hike-a-bike). Then following the 60km route, we added several gravel path sections as we worked our way toward Double Peak. Picked up Troy Buss and his TREK full sus MTB near Poinsettia Ln. Met Rando John Fry jogging on the Melrose gravel path.

Nice trail riding as we rode near Copper Creek, behind San Elijo Albertson's and follow the path up to Questhaven Rd. Instead of following the road upward, we opted for the roadside gravel path to the Double Peak "Y". Then onto the nice, busy path up to Ridgeline Trailhead for a bathroom break. The 13.6 miles we rode seemed like 30! Reload with water, a bike check and off we went.

Troy pushes back!

Lots of downhill now, as Attebury turns into Questhaven, then Seaquest Trail. Having pre-ridden this multi-turn section, I sort of knew where I was going. The Garmin 500 was a little lagging on the turn info, so we often waited for it to relay the correct route. Multiple "neighborhood" paths found us over by John;s house off Levante St. A quick path parallel to El Camino Real took us to another break at LaCosta Circle K-Mile 25.5.

We lingered around a while before some road riding took us to Coast Hwy. 101. Not for long. We were off thru fields of wild flowers and a gravel road alongside the RR tracks before turning on Canon for the longish road ride toward Sage Creek High School.Troy had turned off for home by the rails. Just before the school, it was pleasant riding on the gravel path alongside Canon Rd. Next up was Calavara trails.

Private dirt road thru neighborhood

I wasn't that familiar with Calavara, but Bruce was. The only thing was he was so far behind on his heavy fat bike, so no easy traks for us. Nice bathroom break before the rutted, bumpy climbs found John a bit scratched up. Greg & John had several HAB's here. A few 17% climbs finally found us out of there. Not really a fun gravel bike route there.

Road riding on Shadowridge Dr took us to Buena Vista Park. Nice trail riding thru here, passing by a pond, under roadways and over a bridge. Finally out on Melrose Dr., we were soon heading for the finish. Most of us had 45-47 miles on the Garmins for this ride.

Flower field trail near Coast Hwy. 101

After some chit-chat, the brothers Phillips packed up, as did Greg. John and I headed home for a few more road miles. I managed a stop at McDonald's for a cone reward! I was a dusty mess, as was the MTB! Next up is the Dirt Devotion Derby next Saturday. I've got some better "roadie" type tires ordered: Schwalbe Big ONE 27.5" x 2.8". Hopefully they will come in before the ride. (Never did)

- randorides