OK Nerius - I guess I'd better do this BEFORE you hit all the training camps in the world . . .
Anyone up for PIE?
This ride starts/ends in Escondido, with a jaunt to Mother's kitchen via Valley Parkway, Rincon, and Palomar's South grade for the first slice, then to Dudley's in Santa Ysabel for a second slice via Palomar East grade and Mesa Grande (possible dirt detour down Black Canyon to Ramona if you want to change things up), then cashing out from the gravity bank with a descent of old hwy 78 and Highland Valley road. Around 100 miles, lots of climbing. Definitely a gran fondo kind of day.
I'm off the week of Dec. 19, so could do it Monday th 19th or Tuesday the 20th if those work for anyone else, but perhaps the 18th would be better for the more work-challenged among us! Last year, there were only three of us on the ride, and more makes merrier, so reply and let's see if we can get this together!
Bill Turek
I'm up for the 18th. 19th or 20th not so good.
Bill,
If you do this ride on the 18th, I will be there.
Sounds like a quorum for Sunday the 18th. Hopefully we can recruit a couple more "long" riders. How does a 9:00 start from Kit Carson Park sound? Maybe a beer at Stone Brewing afterward??
Sure.
The weather must be decent however.
This will be a good chance to put in some slow-ish miles before the Christmas Trip, although I'm planning on going at a brisk pace up Palomar only.
Oh and by the way doing this ride on a weekday is a bad idea because the restaurant at the top of Palomar is closed on weekdays [I believe]. Even Dudley's may be closed.
I would prefer an earlier start. 9 am is way too late!
Bill - is this the same route that you posted earlier but from Kit Carson instead of OCRR? I'll see if I can get a "hall pass" for this, of course, my participation will slow you beasts down. With the Chargers game Sunday night and Pittsburgh game on Monday night, maybe tall Anthony will want to join in on this ride.
The shorter and slower - Anthony :D
Ursula, are you going to do any races next year? Like USA Cycling races?
Hey Bill, count me in. Sounds like Sunday is the best for all. But, I've never been up Palomar before, so you may have to wait awhile.
Hmmm. I'm 75% down. 7 AM start would be better , although I don't really care. Make it noon if you want. I have lights.
Sounds like a fine ride, Bill. I will keep the Sunday, Dec 18 route as the primary route, but will list the Pie ride as an alternate. Note that I will be in Altadena that weekend with cycling friends going back to 1972, so I had enlisted "tall Anthony" to lead the Dec 18 route. I'll get another alternate ride leader if TA opts for pie. Discussion to be continued at this Sunday's ride. We could even do two groups and abandon the RSF, Elfin, Twin Oaks route - a Palomar only (one slice) ride, along with the multi-slice full monty.
-Karl
I think 8 would be a nice start time.
Sounds like Sunday the 18th at 8, then. Meet at Kit Carson by the adult softball fields (the southernmost entry to the park off Bear Valley Parkway). See http://www.escondido.org/Data/Sites/1/media/pdfs/KitCarsonParkMap.pdf (http://www.escondido.org/Data/Sites/1/media/pdfs/KitCarsonParkMap.pdf). Looking forward to it!
Karl,
If there's still a Dec 18th ride through RSF, Elfin, Twin Oats- I'll be there to lead it. I think it will be too cold for my tolerance level to do Palomar. Plus, by the time I make it up the mountain, I sure Bill & Nerius will have eaten all the pies :D
I plotted the ride out on mapmyride - here it is: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/60246238 (http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/60246238). Bad weather will cancel, but stay tuned!
Thanks Bill. I never trust mapmyride for accurate elevation and was bored so I mapped (I think) the same route on RidewithGPS and got 9400 ft elevation gain. Ouch, my legs hurt already. Here is that route if anyone is interested but I haven't written one before so I'm not sure I did it correctly. I'm hoping to join you all but as Tall Anthony warned/suggested - don't eat all the pie waiting for others (me) to get to the top.
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/846056
Short Anthony
I am very interested in the PIE ride but will base my decision on 1) weather and 2) if more people join as I will not be able to keep up with that doper Bill and his sidekick Nerius.
Bill, change the ride to go up Wolford please.
Hmm. Was trying to stay true-ish to the ride I did last year with robertkat - http://ridewithgps.com/routes/215989 (http://ridewithgps.com/routes/215989) - without quite so much of the VC traffic, thus the Woods Valley "detour." I prefer the Valley Center grade to the Wohlford, especially with a group - Wohlford is steeper (not a problem, but also not great for the start of a ride with a lot of climbing) and also single-file narrow. We're going to get spread out enough on the big climbs - I don't feel the need to blow the group apart in the first ten miles. I'd like to stay together as much as possible. Valley Center will also (I hope) be sunnier and warmer at 8:30!
OK.
Sean, if you need a performance boost call up my buddy Joe Papp. He can provide you with some "Chinese herbal remedies". :-)
Sean - I don't think we have anything to worry about, look at the thoughtful and conscientious reply of the ride leader to not breaking up the group too early. If that doesn't assure you, I'm sure us tempting him with you paying for his pie if he waits for us at the top will definitely ensure we won't be dropped.
Besides, shirley, Ursala will wait for us at the top and wouldn't leave us up there on our own. :P
If all of that fails then it will be just like the Temecula Century, you and me. If that happens, I say we have a quesadilla before we have our pie on Palomar. ;)
Anthony
Come on out, Sean - we won't leave anyone behind (well, not too far behind)!
Good chance I'll be there once I get some of that Chinese herbal that makes Nerius so fast, well assuming there will be no drug testing at the top of Palomar.
Clearly Anthony S has had some of that herbal if he thinks Ursula will be waiting for any slow pokes.That girl takes no prisoners. Nerius, does your buddy have any herbal that could slow her down?
Anthony, great point about the Temecula century. As I recall we were the only ones not to get lost, we were the first overall riders at the lunch stop, but then again, you kicked my ass up Palomar.
Maybe I'll just watch the chargers lose that day and eat quesadillas on the couch.
Quote from: seanb on December 10, 2011, 10:14:54 AM
Good chance I'll be there once I get some of that Chinese herbal that makes Nerius so fast, well assuming there will be no drug testing at the top of Palomar.
Clearly Anthony S has had some of that herbal if he thinks Ursula will be waiting for any slow pokes.That girl takes no prisoners. Nerius, does your buddy have any herbal that could slow her down?
Anthony, great point about the Temecula century. As I recall we were the only ones not to get lost, we were the first overall riders at the lunch stop, but then again, you kicked my ass up Palomar.Maybe I'll just watch the chargers lose that day and eat quesadillas on the couch.
No excuse. The game's not until 5:20 p.m.
Definitely no excuses Sean. I was only ahead of you by 10-15 minutes, and even if I beat you to the top, I'll need you to drag my tired butt through to the end. Besides, from what I've heard the Chargers are liable to be blacked out again next week. Show up Sean!! Ursala said she wouldn't ditch us.
I'm so glad we're gonna have a big group! This is lovely! <3
Oh nice Frank, thanks for calling me out.....no one else knew it was a late chargers game. A guy can't get away with noth'in.
OK, if it's nice out, and Anthony buys me a quesdilla, and if Nerius gets me some performance enhancing herbal and if Ursula promises to wait at least twice during a 100 mile ride and if Bill gives some of his patented uphill pushes and if Frank brings a radio to listen to the chargers (in case I am slow and do not finish by 5:30 kick off) and most importantly, if Diana gives the OK for this rouge NCCC non-sanctioned ride, then I'm in for the Pie ride:)
Anthony, can you bring gloves AND trash bags this time, thanks buddy.
Sean & Anthony,
I promise to wait for you. Just remind me though ;) Advancing age brings on memory loss at times. But just make it snappy and don't keep me waiting too long. It gets cold at the top. Should be a fun ride. Looking forward to it.
Remember guys, if we leave at 8:00 we only have nine hours of daylight to get this ride done.
I am willing to start earlier. 7:30 is also good.
I think 8:00 might be fine, but just bringing up the point that we can't "diddle daddle" too much.
Let's stick with an 8 start, but make it a sharp 8:00 roll-out. That gives us eight hours of daylight until 4, which is sufficient for almost two hours of stoppage at a 16-17 mph average, which should be doable.
"Official" route:http://ridewithgps.com/routes/852730 (http://ridewithgps.com/routes/852730) and/or http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/edit/60246238/# (http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/edit/60246238/#). Avoids ugly part of Bear Valley Parkway. Will bring copies of route sheet to the holiday party. Looks like weather should cooperate - sunny with little wind!
Well I wore my new Nalini bib tights for the first time this morning and... I know what I'm wearing on Sunday's Pie Ride! The only setback is that these cost me 200 bucks, well at least I'm helping to stimulate the economy.
Is the ride still on for tomorrow with the snow that's fallen in the local mountains? If so, who's still planning on going?
Anthony
I'll claim "ride leader" for this one. Not sure I can speak authoritatively for the others, but I for one WILL be leaving Kit Carson park tomorrow morning at 8:00 for points north-, east-, and upward. As far as I know, Nerius, Ursula, and possibly Sean and/or Wade will be there. Susan will not be riding. Currently, the yahoo forecast for Palomar calls for rain/snow showers in the am with a high of 49. I would not be too upset if conditions dictate staying on 76 rather than continuing up the mountain on the south grade if it looks grim. I want to do an epic ride that will provide memories, not something I might not live through!
Anyway, the mountains will be there next weekend, and probably after that. If I don't see you tomorrow, hopefully I'll see you next time!
I will be joining the Pie ride tomorrow. And I am with Bill, if the weather looks bad on top of Palomar, and we can assess as we get closer, then we stay on the 76. This still gives us plenty of climbing but could avoid the cold, rain, snow, blizzard, locust, tsunami. We can also climb up Palomar and try to make the summit and turn back if the weather/road conditions warrant.
And yes Anthony, you are still doing the ride :)
Bill,
Map My Ride says your second mapped route for the pie ride has not been shared by you and I cannot access. I have access to the first one. No big deal just a heads up.
I will be there and packed up like a.....mule.....to cover some/most weather conditions. Sean - the quesadilla entree and pie for dessert is on you.
See you tomorrow!
Anthony
I'll probably catch you guys in Valley Center or at the store before going up. I'll be on my Soulcraft. If you don't see me at the store before the climb, it means I slept in. ;D
So what is the ride tomorrow?
I'll be there for sure. I'm prepared for the worst, in fact I would especially like to go up Palomar if the weather is bad, because I want to test my equipment for the Christmas Trip.
All right time's up. Let's do this. Mhhhh-Leeeeerooooooy Jennnnnkinnnnnnnsssssssss!
Palomar Weather :)
... WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON ABOVE 5000 FEET...
THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY ABOVE 5000 FEET IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON.
* ELEVATION: ABOVE 5000 FEET.
* SNOW LEVELS: 4500 FEET... RISING TO 5000 FEET IN THE AFTERNOON.
* TIMING: SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS THROUGH THIS MORNING... DECREASING IN THE AFTERNOON.
* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: LOCAL ADDITIONAL SNOWFALL OF 3 TO 5 INCHES IS POSSIBLE THROUGH EARLY AFTERNOON ABOVE 6000 FEET WITH LESSER LOCAL ACCUMULATIONS DOWN TO AROUND 4500 FEET.
Awesome!
We're all on pins and needles, awaiting a ride summary...
That was an epic ride, indeed! Thank you Mr. Turek for being a great ride leader! We're planning another Pie Ride in March.
Now we're waiting for the photos to be posted *wink* *wink*.
How many souls did this Trek? Nerius details, details and more details please.
Eric ride - snow, rain, cold, climbing and suffering (at least for me!!) Started with 7 - Bill, Ursala, Wade, Steve, Nerius, Sean, and me. Sean had a brain and stayed on 76 and avoided the snow, rain, and scary decent. The rest of us finished together. Bill was great and thanks to him and Wade for checking on me at the end as I was struggling. IT is so odd to suffer, and wonder why in the hell did I start this ride and then at the end......that was great, when can we do it again.
I had pumpkin wide with whipped cream and hot chocolate at Palomar and Nerius bought us all an apple pie at Santa Ysabel.
My face will be wind, snow, grim from non fender bikes burned for days!!
The detailed report.
The start was surprisingly uneventful. A quick photo and then Bill led us out with Ursula, Sean, Anthony Sc., Nerius, Steve, and me trailing.
We were all bundled up, with Nerius wearing some bib tights with a slightly disturbing hole in the back. But I gave him a pass on that because he was nice enough to lend me his extra set of toe warmers.
We headed out of Escondido full of confidence with Sean and Ursula helping Bill with the pulls. By the time we reached the top of Valley Center Parkway all of us were starting to get a little warm. Ursula was first to the top showing no sense of moderation. Sean was not first up the hill and he mentioned something about a nonexistent flat.
For some strange reason we put the hammer down through Rincon arriving at the store at the bottom of Palomar in a lather. By this time, I had created a micro climate in my jacket and was beginning to wonder if I had remembered to put on deodorant this morning. We loaded up with some water and everyone stripped down except for Steve (who never strips down). I would also like to point out that Bill had a very stylish tartan jersey.
The start of the climb was fantastic. It was pretty cool but this made for good cycling and we were all keeping a pretty good clip. At about 3000 feet everything changed when the drizzle started. By 4000 feet we were in the clouds and the rain was a bit more intense, I was beginning to think this was not the smartest thing I have ever done. Thankfully, at about 4500 feet the rain turned to snow which was awesome. All those who attempted it arrived safely at Mothers. Special props to Nerius and Ursula who went store to store in under 1:20. Some had breakfast and some had pie. Nerius had both. Ursula mentioned that she wished she had toe warmers, feeling slightly guilty that Nerius loaned me his I offered them up {secretly figuring there was no way they would fit her). Ursula seems to have unusually large feet for a woman.
After a nice break although still extremely wet we set out down the east grade into a snowfall that quickly turned to sleet. I know that everyone?s hands and some of our toes went immediately numb. The wet cold was so intense that I got a horrible Slurpy like brain freeze type headache. (My aerodynamic position seems to force an abnormal amount of air right onto my forehead.)
After a slight wrong turn, we headed toward Mesa Grande. At this point Anthony Sc. argued that in this weather, climbing anything with a ?Grande? in the name was sheer madness. His point was conceded all around ? and then we headed up the hill. The climb was difficult but not horrible with Nerius and Bill leading the way. The cold drizzle continued as we rode through some pretty, but poorly fenced rolling terrain with cows, and dogs making themselves a nuisance on the road - including one little dog that really didn?t like Nerius.
Arriving at at the Julian Pie Company in Santa Ysabel we were thoroughly soaked and cold. With Dutch apple pie and coffees all around, we were soon off to Ramona (thanks Nerius). The weather began to ease to a light drizzle that completely stopped by the time we arrived at the 67. The roads here were fantastic ? fast, no traffic and almost dry. The Highland Valley climb and decent went smooth although no one but Steve showed any sense of moderation.
We arrived back in at McGee Park en mass, took a quick photo, made promises to do it again and then we were off to the showers.
All in all pretty darn epic.
Wade's synopsis was spot on. Had me laughing all the way through. It was a terrific ride and once we were in the dry I think all of us had already forgotten how cold and wet it was at the top of Mt Palomar. The mind has a way of forgetting the suffering. Bill promised to lead the ride again in March and I am sure we will all be there with him. And Wade, my feet are not unusually big for a woman. Size 9 is normal! :)
Congratulations to you all. I will be there in March. I was thinking about you all day.....I know the weather conditions were tough!!!!! I rode up and down Berthoud Pass in Colorado last year and do remember well those numb hands and nose. And, Ursula, you don't have big feet. Iwear a size 10. Congrats again.
A very funny and great synopsis, Wade. Sadly though not completely accurate. The Mesa Grande climb was brutal, thankfully I was bringing up the rear and no one heard the wimpering and crying.
When will me feet warm up? I've got two pairs of socks on and I feet are cold, everything else is warm but my feet.
Hmmm... a pie ride in March. I vote for a March 14 ride, 3.14... for a true pi ride (have to wait until 2015 to do it on a weekend, though).
Okay, tried the ftp thing to the NCCC website to no avail, so here's my facebook album from yesterday: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150402115472644.338401.726177643&type=1&l=e9606d9ca7 (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150402115472644.338401.726177643&type=1&l=e9606d9ca7). Unsurprisingly, the photos on't quite capture the achingly cold reality, but that's why you had to be there! What a great ride, with a great group. You guys (and girl) rock. Looking forward to next time! Now, just gotta clean my bike . . .
... and Bill's photo album is now slotted into the NCCC Photo Gallery. Just click the Photos tab from anywhere on our site. You guys gotta give your ride leader a break and take the photos next time. Thanks, Bill
-Karl
BLIZZARD RIDE 2011
What a great re-cap from Wade but I thought there were a few details worth mention. Seven riders left the parking lot at a chilly 8:00AM following our fearless, dressed in layers, impromptu leader, Bill the Adventurer.
For a promised casual 100 miler the pace started out brisk but welcome as we all needed to warm our bones. But that all changed when we hit the Valley Center climb and Ursula put the hammer down and put us all in our climbing places. And while true (Wade put it so eloquently) I was not the first to the top, more like dead last, I would have been fine had I not been singled out and asked if I stopped on the way up the hill.
Trying to save face I may have mentioned a non-existent flat to make up for my lack of climbing prowess. Not to name names but, the first person up the hill (see paragraph above) should not be questioning the last person up the hill. Bill can you check the by-laws for an etiquette violation and possible club expulsion for this hazing, taunting behavior.
Through Valley Center the ride progressed without incident while the anticipation of climbing the beyond category mountain finally settled in which made us all that more determined.
We fly through Rincon and finally stop at the market to water up, strip down and fuel up for the climb. At this point we are in the shadow, of Palomar Mountain. OK not exactly a shadow as there is no sun and the mountain top is shrouded in a heavy cover of clouds looking all the part of the WINTER STORM WARNING that had been predicted.
Did I mention WINTER STORM WARNING? And yes my handy IPhone, weather.com app indicates rain and snow above 4,500 feet and remind me again why we want to ride in rain, snow, and blizzard?
As I climb the lower portion watching the six other riders pull away once again, I begin to contemplate??..why do I want to subject myself to being A) last up the mountain, B) cold, C) wet, D) most likely hazed again by the first rider up the hill, E) subject to no pie left, F) subject to the unusually large woman getting the toe warmers, or was that unusually large feet on a woman or was Wade delirious from the cold and saw a Big Foot???
At this point I decide to invoke one of my two bicycling theorems the first is?.if I were meant to ride in a blizzard I would have fur. And the second?.well more on that later
So, I decide not to climb into the blizzard, I split at the ?Y? say my sad farewells to Bill and Steve as Big Foot, I mean Ursula, did not wait once again. So I head on the 76 towards Mesa Grande and/or to the east grade thinking I can climb up to the blizzard and wait for the 6 other psycho, wet, cold, snow covered, riders.
This plan quickly falls apart as I climbed the east grade hitting rain at about 3,500 feet and decided, I am chicken, I am not cut out for riding in the rain, I wish I had cool Nerius fenders or at least Bill's sporty Tartan jersey to keep me dry and I start to descend thinking the rain will subside as I head for Mesa Grande.
My Plan B quickly became a bad idea as the rain did not subside and it got worse. As I climbed Mesa Grande (and Anthony is right on this??there is nothing grand about that climb) the rain picked up and at this point I evoke my second bicycling theorem?if I can fill a water bottle by ringing out my socks, it?s time to call for a pick-up. I ride Mesa Non-Grande to Santa Ysabel, where I am met by a warm, dry heat blasting SUV for a pleasant drive home.
Lastly, there is some conspiracy speculation that the other 6 riders never really made it to the top and the whole thing was staged in the same studio they used for the supposed lunar landing. I never saw the other 6 on the top of Palomar. The ?looks like a Christmas card from the inside of mothers? photo looks very suspicious. If you look closely you can see fishing line holding up each snow flake. The ?snow? on the side of the road looks amazingly similar to vanilla shave ice. The photo is currently being forensically reviewed for alterations. The photo of pie and coffee looks eerily similar to the bakery department in the Del Mar Vons. Lastly, I have climbed Palomar side by side with Steve and I know from our conversations that he is not crazy enough to ride in a blizzard. Also note that Wade?s description of the ride there are several inaccuracies the first ?we arrive back in Mcgee Park? come on that is in Carlsbad not Escondido. I expect that from Anthony and his sense of direction but not a government employee. And come on, ?a little dog that did not like Nerius? who can?t like Nerius. Raises some questions doesn?t it ???can you say conspiracy. I am just saying??
Quote from: seanb on December 22, 2011, 08:32:06 AMRaises some questions doesn?t it ???can you say conspiracy. I am just saying??
Its time to change the tin foil under your helmet.
Sean,
Have to say that was a most interesting and amusing recap of your side of the story. Lots of LOL moments while I was reading it at work. Couldn't explain to anyone...they wouldn't understand in between all their potluck eating. Glad to see that your Creative Writing skills from English 101 were finally put to some good use.
"sporty tartan jersey", "tinfoil". LOL
Sean is on to us though. He's pointed out the inconsistencies in our story. I did get the park wrong. And Ursula, you did also mention that you couldn't remember the pain of the climb.
I'm starting to doubt us myself, guess we'll have to do it again.
PS. My freaking knee is KILLING me. I've tried everything I know (and can google) to stretch out my IT band but nothing is working. The pain has now climbed up to my left butt cheek. If anyone knows how to beat this please let me know.
Wade, sounds all to familiar. Remember how hard it was for me to keep up with the pack in april-june (especially on climbing). Sciatica/IB problems . It took 3 months for it go away. I was told (by my doctor) to take up cycling.