23 Sep 2012

by Rob Verfurth

This was our last chance to really burn up the legs before Tour de Poway.  We had a great Descenders group ride on Saturday so we decided to hit the coast Sunday.  I thought I coordinated a group ride to meet on the bike path at Camino del Sur at 8 am.  I pedaled over and met up with Guido and Bob Proulx.  Bryan Jones and Jeff Cresap were maybe’s so when no one else arrived we decided to head west on the bike path towards PCH.  I unfortunately had mentioned to Mobil station/Circle K store and found out later that Jeff and Bryan were waiting for us there.  We did not connect and they rode a loop west and up El Camino Real to the Three Witches.

Guido, Bob and I pedaled into the fog heading towards Torrey Pines.  We climbed up the Carmel Country loop and back down towards Sorrento Valley Road, cutting through back towards Carmel Valley Road.  Unfortunately the bridge heading to TP was closed to all traffic so we just went north on PCH.  We rode to Loma Sante Fe and then back east towards Rancho Sante Fe.  The fog had cleared and the bright sun started to warm the day.  Bob was on point most of the time until Guido led us into RSF. 

We decided to loop the golf course and came out near Lago Lindo to start Stud Loop backwards.  After a brief sprint through Stud Loop we cruised down toward El Apajo.  We spotted Garet climbing up Via De La Valle as we left RSF.  He was out on his Sunday cruise through the county.  Bob continued to pull us to 3 Witches and then we cruised to Santaluz lower loop.  Bob peeled off for home to pack for his business travels to Athens and Bologna.  Guido and I cruised back to the bike path.

My mistake in not properly coordinating for Bryan and Jeff.  Guido, Bob and I rode 38 miles and climbed just 2,500 feet, but we were home just after 10 am.  Another fun Descenders Sunday ride.  Hope to see many of you next Sunday for Touor de Poway; party at Ernst’s following!