Potato Chip Grinder

Our route for Potato Chip Grinder

Time for more gravel training. This time we'll chase the Ham-Hock Trail route, subtracting difficulties for the gravel bike riders. Jim Robinson just finished up his Specialized Crux build. Slick red carbon frame with some decent gravel tires. John rode his SCOTT Addict 10-G for this one. He seems to get along well with that 16lb gravel bike. I managed to get a first look at Bruce Phillip's new Salsa Cutthroat bike packing rig. Of course, I was riding my modified SCOTT Scale 710+, with carbon rigid fork and gravel 2.8" tires. Troy rode over from Carlsbad on his TREK full-sus MTB. He said he weighed it the other day and it came in well over 30lbs!

We left San Marcos Ralph's parking lot just after 0800. Weather was clear and supposed to be in the 70's today. I dressed light with only arm warmers and a single layer under the jersey. Worked just right all day. Jumped the Inland Rail Trail over to Escondido and then on down to Lake Hodges Mule Hill Trail. Loaded with runners along the valley, but we soon climbed up and out up the >14% road to Old Coach Trail. This led us around to the Poway Horse/Alley Trails and a short break at Garden View Park.

Troy in search of rattlesnakes!

Quick ride thru Poway and we hit the short Poway Creek Trail, which led to Hill Country Trail. Road riding was next from Pomerado over to Mercy Road. There is was 11 miles of dirt and we entered the Los Penasquitos Canyon network. Canyonside Park was a nice break, where John had his "stomach bloat" stretch out on the bench. We watered up and soon were climbing up Del Mar Mesa Trail. Several side paths and soon we were flying down into Deer Canyon.

Great single-trak riding as we entered Gonzales Canyon. Nice riding there, where we only met a few hikers on the trail. Narrow climbing as we finally were back on the roads again. El Camino Real over the bridge and Coast To Crest Trail was next. Straight to McDonald's for our final break. A few burgers were on order while I sucked down my Choc. Shake. Pumped my tires up to road pressure, 26/28psi with the handy Lenzyne foot pump. In short order, we finished off the Coast To Crest Trail to the coast.

Trail check: Troy, Bruce, John & Kelly

Busy along the coast today. Cyclists everywhere. We hit the Swami's tunnel and then the RR-Track Trail. Two miles of road riding brought us to the Rec. Trail around the golf course. Troy dropped off for his route towards home. A few neighborhood trails and old Rancho Santa Fe Road to the Tunnel Trailhead. Short regroup and we entered the rocky tunnel, then the loose powerline trail. The usual route up to Double Peak via San Elijo Trail around the town.

Once past the Trail Monument, it was all downhill on busy Lakeview Trail to Discovery Lake. Jim bid adios as he short-cut toward home. A short trip thru CSUSM and we were finished!

Looks like we all had a tough, fun ride today.

 Potato Chip Grinder Video

- randorides