HVR, Ramona Grade and Pamo Loop

31 March 2013
by Rob Verfurth

Dave Voris called for a group ride on Easter Sunday. We met at 8 am at the corner of RB and Pomerado Roads. Bob Proulx and I rode over to the start where we met up with John M, Ernst, Bernie, Len (TE) and Voris. Bob was only going to ride short and planned a turnaround before we hit Bandy. We all missed the fun ride to Old Julian the previous day so we set a similar route; not that anyone was looking at Strava segments! We rode up HVR and turned down Bandy Canyon. Bob headed back at this point. We cruised along towards the Ramona Grade attempting to get into a pace line. The plan was to ride down Pamo and regroup on the way back up.

Voris led the way up Ramona Grade before Bernie took over, followed by Len and Ernst. I fell off the back and John swept up the group. At Haverford Road we turned towards Pamo. It was a beautiful morning and the descent was picturesque. At the end of the road we stopped to talk to the bird watchers for a few minutes before starting the climb back out of Pamo Valley. Ernst took a liking to the cows in the field so he stopped to chat with them. I took off to get to the top of the climb before the guys and was able to capture a few good photos of them riding to the top with the valley floor in the background. John met us at the top of Pamo.

We cruised through Ramona and kept up a fast pace line along Dye Road before hitting HVR. After the turn near Archie Moore, Len showed us a new route onto a road called Sky Valley. We rode a bit on dirt and then lots of curvy road back over to the top of the HVR descent where we regrouped one last time. I headed out first to get a lead. I was quickly swallowed up by Bernie, Voris and Ernst by the time we rode past Starvation Mountain. I held their wheels down to the flats of HVR. A young rider had damaged his tire so the guys stopped to assist.

I pedaled out and turned west on Pomerado, over I-15 and rode toward 4S. I circled behind Black Mountain and got home before noon. I estimated my mileage since I forgot to recharge my Garmin. A great way to spend Easter morning, riding with the Descenders.

Ride on-