Temecula Stampede Gravel Training

Temecula Stampede Route Map

I've spent some time in the last few rides up in the Temecula area, doing route recon for this ride. One time on the SCOTT+ modified MTB and the last time on my aging Fuji road bike. This route was based on the recent SPNDX Stampede route, with added gravel miles from local rides and a few mile I threw in there to bring it up to Rando specs. These recon rides also offered me some time to chat with Joe Morgan, x-Nytro manager, who was now bringing back to life a Temecula bike shop as manager and founder of new ideas.

Wolf Creek Park: Jim, John, Sam & Troy on cool, blistery day

I was slightly familiar with the route, but not the cool starting temps. John M. picked me up in San
Marcos around 0700 for the drive up to Wolf Creek Park. Nice little park we use on several rando routes up this way. The Phillips brothers couldn't make it this trip. Both were preparing their sand rigs for next week out in the dunes. Sun City Sam brought his new updated NORCO gravel bike. Troy Buss displayed his new Specialized Diverge Force 1 gravel bike he just got several days ago. Jim Robinson was bundled up for the cool start as was I, with 3 layers up top, but opted for no leg warmers today. Woolie cap should be warm enough for the next several hours till temps warm up.

We were off after 0800, as Troy was scurrying around getting his new bike ready. Good thing for Redhawk Pkwy. climbing to warm us up. Verde Trail and Anza gravel offered our first dirt, as I baited the others into some soft sand walking after floating over on my 3" tires. Several climbs and more gravel brought us to the official 2017 winery start of Stampede route.

Real nasty climb up Los Altos Road

Gravel riding on quick Buck Road, where we stopped to chat with a hunter in orange vest. Seems French Valley Preserve has small-game hunting now. Long road ride up to Washington Park, where at mile 20, it was our only refuel stop today. Another mile or two and we turned to Rawson Road, the real hi-lite of today's ride. This wanders thru French Valley, over to Crown Valley and then up knarly Black Mtn. Road before we on solid De Portoloa Road.

A whole lot of gravel climbing followed as the route took us thru Oak Hills to the route hi-point. Nice place to take pics and Troy captured some good pano shots here. As we wandered NE'ward, more climbing and a chance for several hike-a-bikes on rutted roads. After a jaunt thru "dog-town", we finally got some easy downhill roadie action on Benton Rd., before another turn up the soft De Portola and down into wine country. Sam was remembering his jogging days as we finished up along  dirty Temecula Creek Bike Path.

Nice view shot by Troy: John, Sam & Kelly

Cool, blistery weather all day today made for an interesting clothing day too! John & I stopped off at Carl's Jr. for fries and shakes to top off the day. Back home well before early darkness crept in. Tough day on the bike today, well worth it!


Temecula Stampede Video


- randorides