RSF, Del Dios & HVR Ride Report-17 June 2017
by Rob Verfurth
Riders: Rick W, Bill W, John M, Guido, Larry, Peter P, Bernie, Hodges, Claus, Neil, Eric R, Sheehan, Bob P and Rob
Last weekend to train for the Monster Climbs trip. We had a good group out for our Saturday sufferfest, most met up at the Blk Mtn corner to start. We picked up Eric R and Sheehan at CDS, then Bob P met us closer to his Santaluz house. The weather was nice and warming quickly. We stayed as a group down Three Witches and over toward Stud Loop. Rick W picked up the pace since he was bailing early. He said his good-byes at the start of the loop.
Eric R hit out fast on Stud Loop, I followed his wheel. We were quickly swallowed up by Larry, Neil and Bernie. Everyone regrouped before riding Del Dios. The group spread out along the climb. We spotted Tony and Patrick O. flying down Del Dios doing a local ride. Most riders turned onto Lake Drive with some staying on S6 to connect over to Via Rancho Parkway. We all cruised to the gas station by the mall for a water break.
Things split wildly from there. Hodges got in his dirt fix by riding Mule Hill to HVR. The rest rode over the Lake Hodges pedestrian bridge. We saw Monica Taylor just finishing her MTB ride and gave her a hardy greeting. After the lake, John M and Peter P headed back toward PQ on W. Bernardo Dr. We rode over the freeway and turned onto HVR. Guido continued going straight along Pomerado and back to PQ.
We still had 10 riders climbing HVR. The group spread out on the climb with Larry and Neil setting the pace. We regrouped at Archie Moore. Bill W and Sheehan were still climbing when most of the guys headed out on a "civil" pace to the top of HVR. Sheehan and Bill W descended back down HVR to get home after they finished the climb. Eric, Bob P and I took Archie Moore Road to get back to highway 67. We cruised along 67, descended Poway Grade and took Twin Peaks back toward 4S.
I split from them at Bernardo Center Drive and climbed up behind Black Mountain to get back home. Short loop, only 56 miles, nice pace for me, about 17 mph, with some good climbing. Looks like the group is ready to tackle the routes Geoff and Dave Voris have planned for us this upcoming week. The link below shows some photos of the ride.
San Diego Descenders Cycling Club 