The verdict is in–today was an outstanding ride and route.  It was long and hard.  Byran limped home at 89.7 miles and 6,100 feet of climbing; he was too pooped to pootle the extra .3 to top the 90 mile mark!  Most all of us did 85 miles or so–we have to do it again.  I was without my Garmin so I do not have any data on the ride.  The lower weight carry did not improve my performance either; I was at the back sweeping most of the way and exhausted by the time I crested highway 67 on the return leg.  I hid behind Bob P down Poway Rd and then grabbed a free ride back to my house.

For those that could not ride, Voris mapped out a new Descenders route through Lakeside and Alpine with a loop on El Monte to El Capitan Reservoir.  We did our usual start at Garden and Poway, then climbed SPP.  Cresap was out early and out ahead of us on SPP.  We caught Jeff and the group rode together at a very appreciated and relaxed pace to the top.  The descent down 67 was a screamer; loads of fun.  We headed southeast towards Lakeside and behind El Cap high school, continuing south and eventually going under I-8 to Old Highway 80.  We rode past the start of the Alpine Challenge this year and had another wicked descent down Harbison Canyon.  The Dehesa climb was difficult as always and the group spread out.  We regrouped and returned the same route back towards Lakeside, turning on El Monte towards the reservoir.  This was a fun road that led well into the park area by the reservoir.  After a few group photos and more stories/personal information provided by Mike Hodges to keep the levity up, we returned toward highway 67 again.  The climb back to SPP was brutal (see above comments).

It was definitely not a taper ride for the ToC next week but it was a great new Descenders route.

Here are a few photos from today.

See many of you Sat early for the drive up to Claremont for our ride up Mt Baldy.

Ride on-

Rob