Nate Harrison Beat-Up

"Nates Way" rando route. I did part of this one today.

Thursday OFR Gruppo were doing a little ride from Lake Henshaw, up East Grade to Mother's Kitchen, then on up to Palomar Observatory with a return via So. Grade Rd. back to Henshaw. I figured I could ride Lake Henshaw Century rando ride and hook up with them at Henshaw parking lot for a short early morning "hello" before riding on to Santa Ysabel. Good Idea.

I prepped up the SCOTT MTBG bike and rolled out in the dark. Hit the 7-Eleven for a start receipt and headed eastward toward Escondido. Noted a "grinding rub" on my front brake rotor. Played around with that a bit before finally stopping and doing a full front pad adjustment. Thirty minutes later, things were fine and I was running real late. Time to rethink my options as I ground up the hill and down into Valley Center. Wouldn't have enough time to do Rincon/Harrah's and Hwy. 76 climb to Lake Henshaw for the 0930 meet-up. Time to change the route... How about "Nate's Way"? I'd go up Nate Harrison dirty grade and meet them at Palomar Mtn/Mother's Kitchen. Sounded good as I balanced on the mini-bike lane towards Valley Center High School.

Look-back shot of Nate Harrison Grade

After the hi-speed run down Cole Grade Road into Pauma Valley, things were starting to heat up as I turned onto the placid Harrison Grade Rd. thru orange groves. The minute you're on this road, you start to go up. It sort of sneaks in to 5% grade where you think it's level! Up, up and away?

Gears weren't the problem today. With a 30T ring on the front and a 10-42 cassette on the rear, I had plenty left over. I was grinding up the 12-14% dirt grades, making a few stops for water breaks along the way. Finally reaching the tree line, I was welcomed by the stop at Nate's Monument in the shade. BIG MISTAKE! Black flies and swarms of mosquitoes were on me in a flash. Oh, crap. One hand on the bars, the other one fanning my face as I crept up the rutted, rough, rocky road. Looks like they hadn't graded this section since the last time I was up here last year. I was about gassed as I finally reached the stop sign and hard surface again. Don't know where the flies and mosquitoes went.

Ex-Memorial plaque on Nate Harrison Grade

More uphill as my legs ached and I wondered if I would ever get over to Mother's Kitchen. Made it. OFR gruppo was over by the bathroom. After a few pictures and brief chat, several of them left for the 5 mile jaunt up to the observatory. I couldn't wait for my ice cream sandwich and drink at the Store. Stretching out in the porch chair, I was  relaxed enough to enjoy the moment.  OFR'er Tom Hanson finally left for So. Grade. Several old Harley riders arrived and we passed around some bull about how great we weren't. Refreshed a bit, I was soon off downhill on So. Grade Road.

With my 3" rubber, I was flying down the rough road when I noticed a rider walking up. Pulled over and chatted a bit. He said he was with a group that spent the night in Carlsbad and were doing Palomar Mtn. today. He was cooked and was cramping. I gave him some lame advice, 2-B6 tabs and answered a few questions. "Is there a liquor store at the top?" Amazing!

As I rolled downhill, I noticed another rider walking up. He was a short stocky guy... built like a sprinter. Being a good rando guy, I pulled over. No cramping, but out of water. I mentioned a spring fountain up the road a bit for his near refill. He had a much better attitude and mentioned "they bit off more than they could chew today"! Really?

Down near the bottom of East Grade, another Asian member of the group was pulled over under a tree. After a brief chat, he had only one bottle of water and asked: "where does it level off" Haha. I said "it levels off at the top by Mothers Kitchen"! Soon the other two riders rode down and met up. I suggested they go to the nearby Campground and see if they could get some water before riding any further. They mentioned several more riders way behind climbing Hwy. 76. LOL. I turned the corner and headed eastward on Hwy. 76.

Santa Ysabel TTr. closed due to dirtslide

Made a short refill stop at the Henshaw Store. OFR cars were parked quietly on the side lot. Mesa Grande was a slog, even with the super gears. Nice and quiet with bits of shade today. Couldn't wait for the Black Mtn. dirt.

BM Road was in good condition, with some washboard at the top and only met one car. Upper Santa Ysabel Trail was shut off and under repair near the bridge. Looks like dirt slide. Went back to BCRd and headed for Ramona instead. Did the double jog and soon arrived in downtown Ramona. Time for a $2 Choc. Shake at McD's with my water refill. Nice. Finally got out of town and all the sewer grates and traffic. Some traffic on Highland Valley Road, but I could handle that with the end in sight. Took the back way thru Hodges via dirt path to catch a little more dirt before jumping on El Ku and making my way back to San Marcos.

Interesting day and a whole lot more miles than Nate Way- I'll call it "Nate Harrison Century Trail" instead.

- randorides