Palomar Mountain New Year’s Day 1-1-11

Ok, I somehow held on and finished the climb. I enjoyed the holidays far too much to take on Palomar on New Year’s Day but will probably be doing it again in a month or so.

Todd, @gman92069 was kind enough to ride at my snail’s pace and keep me going forward. Thank you my good friend I may have taken another thirty minutes without you. Thank you.

Glen, @rideescapade, and Jeff, @bikecrave, and Joel, @joelprice, were out of sight by the time I had gone 2.5 miles from the casino parking lot. Thank goodness we were on a social pace or I wouldn’t have held on for a single mile. What can I say about three guys who sat at Mother’s and waited for me and then acted as though I was only just a little behind. I did see the breakfast dishes my friends and Mother’s isn’t exactly fast food. Thank you for waiting and making me feel like I belong in your peloton. You are very gracious and I can not thank you enough for all the times you have waited and eased the pace to keep me with the group. Thank you!

Joel, Jeff and I headed out to the observatory while Glen and Todd headed back down south grade for home. That almost turned out to be the best decision of their lives. We were forced to turn back from the mission to the observatory because of icy roads. Skinny tires do surprisingly poorly on black ice. As we picked our way back up to Mother’s, crossing from side to side to avoid the ice, we decided to stop for some snow pictures. When we were just about to get moving a pickup truck, coming up the hill toward us, lost traction and began fish tailing. It careened across the road about three times before stopping 50 feet down hill facing us. Two girls in the truck looked frozen in shock. We joked about how bad it could have been, wiped off the mountain because of some fool driving too fast for conditions.

We came through unharmed but reminded how fragile we are compared to the other road users.

Anyway, I’ve posted some pictures on the right just click to go to the flickr photo.

My ride data is here. Click

Join us for the next San Diego Velo Social ride. We will be having some good ones coming up, riders visiting from the east coast, mid-west and europe in the next couple of months.

Day after Christmas ride

Ok, so after spending half the day trying to clear the
packaging and wrapping paper from the house I decided at 2:30pm to
squeeze in a little ride. Here is the data: http://bit.ly/gEUxyQ I
didn’t break any records but I feel better for having gotten some
miles.

Bicycle Dreams – Trailer

Rancho Santa Fe ‘Adventure Ride’

OUCH! If that doesn’t say it maybe the ride data from Strava will help.

Data

Here are some photos from today. I have just started to carry a camera so it will take a little time for me to remember to take pictures and to take some of quality.

Photos

 

HTFU (Not Safe For Work)

The Rules from Velominati

The Rules

SD Velo Social Century Ride September 18th 2010

Map

This is a two lap ride. Each lap is as follows.

Distance	53.64	miles
Ascent	4052	feet

This will be semi-supported, which means water will be available from SAG wagon. Emergency number for the SAG support will be provided at start of ride. The ride has been designed as a two lap century allowing people to do a half by completing only one lap. (see how that works, clever huh)

That’s all, everything else is self-support please try to stay in groups and always have a minimum of two riders. This helps ensure a higher level of safety and support. Wear your Road ID and make sure someone has your emergency contact information.

I am most likely the weakest rider so will probably be riding broom or Lantern Rouge if you prefer.

SD Velo Social rides are self-support. Riders must carry spare tubes, tire repair kit, air pump plus critical water and nutritional bar. HELMETS ARE MANDATORY. SD Velo Social has no liability all riders participate at their own risk.

9-4-10 Palomar SD Velo Social Garmin Connect – Details

OK here it is the data detailing the long slow slog to the top and the rapid descent back to the furnace below. 2:16 from Harrah’s to the general store and 27 min to sail back down the same grade. Could have been a faster return but it was my first time so I was hesitant on some of the switchbacks.

7:00am it was 66* at Harrah’s, at 12:25pm it was 107* and the iPhone said it was 97* at the summit. Can you say ‘water please’. Leaving Valley Center a pace line of three was on their way in and the lead rider was in full Team Radio Shack kit with two Swammi’s riders I think it is safe to assume it was Chris Horner, I asked him on twitter we’ll see if he confirms.

Now it is done and if I had any real feelings I could share in my friends euphoria. Jeff, Glenn, Todd and Warren seemed very pleased to have shepherded my fat old butt to the top. Alas I was Lantern Rouge again. I wonder what they would think if they knew I only felt that I had climbed a really long hill and returned. Suffering on the bike is what I really like, up hill only makes it sweeter.

Here is the data for you to obsess over. I am not fast but I am steady. I am improving all the time and one day I will make it to the top in under 2 hours, I wonder if I will feel a sense of accomplishment or only wonder if it is possible to make the climb in 1:45.

9-4-10 Palomar SD Velo Social by bmwojcik at Garmin Connect – Details.

9-3-10 Garmin Connect – Details

Loosening up before the Palomar ride tomorrow.

9-3-10 by bmwojcik at Garmin Connect – Details.

Sept 4th Palomar Mountain Ride

September 4th 2010 we will meet at Harrah’s and once again assault our local HC climb.

8:00am roll out from Harrah’s.

RSVP

SD Velo Social rides are self-support. Riders must carry spare tubes, tire repair kit, air pump plus critical water and nutritional bar. HELMETS ARE MANDATORY. SD Velo Social has no liability all riders participate at their own risk.