Hi All,

From the looks of Strava we had riders out all over CA both days this weekend.  The NORCAL Descenders team did their first official ride near the Redwood Regional Park.  Voris and Keith climbed over 4,000 feet during their 50 mile ride.  Look forward to joining them on a club ride soon.

The group ride on Saturday was 14 riders strong and a full international contingent.  We had two Aussies-Bill and Pete, two Germans-Rick and Claus, one Brit-Jeff S and one Taiwanese -Yi-Shiou; along with a handful of mutts with mostly European background.  Jeff S rode over from Del Mar to meet Guido and me on the bike path.  We pedaled over to normally busy Spring Meadow to find it all quiet; no one came to ride with us!  The group got together by the 7-11 and we rode up towards SPP.  The pace of the climb was reasonable until the double dose of Matt–Baab and Davis–decide to test their legs.  The fast guys flew to the top and we regrouped along 67.  

Everyone stayed together past Mt Woodson towards Mussey Grade.  It was a bright and beautiful morning as we sped down Mussey.  The climb back up was fairly fast and a number of us got blown off the back.  At the top of Mussey Cresap decided to head back home.  He wanted to save some energy for his planned European vacation starting this week so he skipped Pamo.  The Dye Road pace was even faster than the climb up Mussey.  Fortunately for me, I got a first class ticket on the Bienias Bullet Train.  We picked up a few others that could not keep pace and flew to the end of Dye.  The remaining 13 riders went through Ramona and over towards Pamo.  

Jeff S and Pete took off from the group.  I hung on their wheel and we motored to the fast descent of Pamo.  The group rejoined and started the steep climb back up.  A much needed water break took place at the gas station, followed by another "too fast for me pace line" along Dye Road.  Back at 67 the group split with Eric, Matt B, Clause and Farkas heading down HVR while the rest of us went towards Poway Grade.  Matt D, Guido, Ernst, Jeff S and I sped down the Grade while Rick took Bill and Pete back down SPP.  Our newest Rider, Yi-Shiou, hung great for most of the ride but his leg cramps slowed him down some as we headed back down Poway Grade.  At the bottom Matt D and Ernst went along Espola while Jeff S pulled Guido and I back towards the 56 bike path in some strong gusty winds.  I was beat after 70 miles and 4,500 feet of climbing.  A fast and fun Descenders group ride.

Here are a few photos.

ride on-

Rob

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