Tour de Poway - Final Note

[Joe Strafaci]

John and Judy, David (Judy's brother from LA), Chip, Steve, Rex, Tony and Joe all toed the line on Sunday morning and rode the course in near perfect conditions; the cup cake icing clouds kept the temps mild and the roads were clean and dry. At a comfortable 10mph, the 4 mile 8% Poway Grade prepared us for the hammerfest known as Ramona. This year's route through town was the best ever. Safe, smooth, scenic open roads with minimal stops made the urge to surge additive. We lined up and shared pulls with whoever could keep pace and enjoyed a few minutes of quiet harmony where bulging veins communicate intentions. Over the next 6 miles we recovered at 23+ mph down HWY 78 without turning a pedal. Relaxed and tucked in across San Pasqual Valley, a gorilla on a Madone took the sharp end and led us to the foot of the climb into Escondido. A quick scoot across Hodges (we took the freeway and avoided the bottle neck at the bridge) allowed us our only stop at the West Bernardo Drive aid station at 39 miles. Refueled, we rode over lumpy RB, breezy 4S Ranch, panoramic Del Sur, lumpy RB again, then rolled the last 5 flat miles into Poway and ducked under the ballons at the Park: 61 miles, 18.9 ave, 3700 accent. Hung around the bike expo a bit, did the Chipotle regroup and called it a fine day.   

See you soon,
Joe

[Fltplan]

Great time the ride was and a cool write up.  Haven't ridden since.  Hoping to get a ride in tonite on the mtb.  Joe, I have a picture from the photographer if you're interested?  Send me an email steven@jetaeronautical.com.  Always great to ride with "the group".

Steve

[raleigh]

Good seeing you guys out there on the TDP!  With an average speed like that it's lucky for me that I took a different route from Ramona.  

Tony