Five Faces of Soledad Ride Report

22 July 2023

by Rob Verfurth

Riders: Oleg, John M, Mike H, John A, Bernie, Don W, Len, Larry, John S, Neil R and Rob V

I offered to host this club favorite ride, knowing I would need lots of help finding my way up Soledad. It was going to be a warm day inland so a ride to the coast seemed appropriate. Oleg rode from home early and met us at the corner of CDS and the 56 bike path. We already had a good group of Bernie, Hodges, Don, John M, John A, Oleg and myself when we headed for PCH. Oleg took videos and photos of the group as he rode. We all decided to ride inside Torrey Pines and got to the top to find Len waiting for us. There was a large group of Swami’s riders that rode with us on the climb and we saw many others coming up on the outside road. Big group for sure. Len told us Larry had gone down the outside so everyone planned to wait for Larry to ride back up.

I knew I needed a huge head start, so I grabbed a few guys to ride towards Soledad while the faster riders waited for Larry. I got Len, John A and Don to join me as we headed towards La Jolla Shores. John S was at the corner by UCSD and he went to meet the fast riders. Us slower guys headed down Calle Del Oro to La Jolla Shores and rode by the tennis resort to get to the base of Mount Soledad. The first climb is always the easiest and it is a fun route.

Len made sure we took the turn at Al Bahr Bridge and we slowly ascended to the top, with the cross still encased in the morning fog. I found Neil R waiting for us at the top. Our group had now grown to 11 riders; so good to see so many Descenders out riding. The rest of the fast guys came up soon after with Hodges a bit out of breath.

We took a few group photos and then headed off to tackle the second climb. After a fast descent of Nautilus we looped back through La Jolla and started the ascent by the country club. The group stayed mostly together, we took another photo at the "usual" dead-end overlooking the shores and made it through the gates. The group finished mostly together. Hodges had to turn left to get back the .25 miles to the cross while the rest of us just went right and back down Nautilus; even faster this time.

Things started well for the third ascent but fell apart when Oleg led us on a soft dirt section of road. Unfortunately Len fell over and Don was smart to walk given his recent hip replacement. John M and I got through the dirt and saw the fast group ahead but never caught up to the fast riders. John M, Don and I were flying down La Jolla Mesa Road when I hit some bumps causing my rear tube to pinch flat and have me do a controlled stop with a very flat tire.

Everyone stopped to help fix my rear flat. Hodges joined us and was mostly irritated that my pace of tire maintenance was too slow. I pretty quickly changed the tube and a local guy showed up with a floor pump. My rear tire was also a bit worn in a spot so John M provided a GU wrapper for inside protection. The tire was quickly pumped and we were on our way, a long way behind the fast guys.

We climbed back up to Soledad Road and Don was not happy that we only had finished three ascents. Len had disappeared; likely to have gone home after the fall. Hodges left us at the corner to again feel the need to circle the cross. John M, Don and I descended towards Pacifica. We saw a few of the "A" riders starting the climb up Soledad Mountain Road and knew we would never see them again. Don headed home while John and I slowly climbed this leg ripping road. I fell farther and farther behind John. Fortunately I knew the way back to Soledad Mountain Road so John had to wait for me. We continued our slow slog up when Hodges finally passed me. I told him my plan was to get water at the cross and then head home; no fifth face of Soledad for me.

I went through a couple of water bottles at the fountain. John M and Hodges headed off for the Via Valverde climb. Neil R rode up having just finished that ascent. Others were just a bit behind. I waved good-bye to Neil and spun down Via Capri, heading back to La Jolla Shores. Tired legs and rising heat. Calle Del Oro was packed with beach traffic and parked cars. I climbed and rode through UCSD campus to the bike path. I made my way back to the 56 bike path and home. 56 miles of riding with over 5K of elevation. Many of the guys did 65-75 miles and over 7K of climbing. I need to get training for the Monster Climbs trip in less than two months. Soledad is always a challenging and fun ride. Below are a few photos from the ride. Oleg took many more and posted some videos as well.