Dudley’s Dream Ride Report

12 August 2023

by Rob Verfurth

Riders: Dave Voris, Eric Rehberg, Rick Bienias, Mike Hodges, John Moran, Larry Murray, Len Nathe, Tony O’Gorman, Jodie Lawston, Ruben Murillo and Rob V

The Monster Climbs trip out of Bishop is only a month away and we all could use more mountain climbing rides. Voris was back in town for a bit and he suggested we ride our Dudley’s Dream Ride. It is a classic Descenders climbing day, taking in both sides of Palomar Mountain and starting off with Mesa Grande. The Observatory is in there for some gratuitous mileage and another 1,000+ feet of climbing. There was some discussion as to the historical route with Hodges claiming that the ten mile out and back to the Observatory happens before the descent of South Grade. Most riders wanted to go to South Grade first to get the hard climbing out of the way in cooler temperatures and then consider the Observatory if the legs felt good enough.

I went back to one of our Descenders group rides from 28 May 2016 on Strava when we DID ride to the Observatory ahead of the South Grade descent. Perhaps Hodges was right. That ride from 2016 was a bit sobering upon review as I had lots of PR’s on climbing sections and rode the 74 miles, which included the Observatory, at over 2 mph faster than my shorter route yesterday. Nine more miles, 1,500+ feet of additional elevation in fifteen fewer minutes of riding back only seven years ago. My average wattage was 195 vs only 128 watts yesterday. Father time is cruel and it is clear that my anti-doping program is working too well. It was still a great day to be out riding in the mountains.

We took a couple of group photos at the start. Yesterday was John Moran’s birthday as well. Hodges graciously volunteered to buy pie for John and any other riders who went to Dudley’s Bakery after the ride. Len had started out ahead of us and was already up over Mesa Grande by the time we got going. Tony O, Jodie & Ruben started out from the Henshaw store at about the same time we left Dudley’s. It was a bright, sunny day as the early morning mist burned off the mountains. With Voris in town we had a great turn-out with Larry, Rick B and Eric R all showing up for the ride. We had seven riders head out from the gravel parking lot with a total of 11 riders counting those out ahead.

The pace was in control as we rode north on highway 79 in a line and planned to regroup at the top of the Mesa Grade climb. Larry pulled us much of the way to the turn and we all climbed as a group. The regroup allowed us to stay together all along the Mesa Grande Road rollers and then the fast descent down to Highway 76, near the biker bar, Josie’s Hideout Saloon. Many riders stopped for a nature break, we continued on towards Palomar. John M pulled me along past Lake Henshaw to the start of the East Grade climb. John has been riding well and I quickly fell off his wheel on the first bit of incline. It was a much cooler day than our last ride on Palomar a few weeks ago as I settled into my slow spin.

Eric R blew by me fast and was quickly going to close the gap to John M. He was followed by Voris, Larry, Rick & Hodges who were all in a small group together making good progress on the ascent. The roads were pretty quiet, the views of Lake Henshaw stunning and the mountains above were beautiful, yet ominous. I was alone and quickly losing sight of any Descender. East Grade is less steep than South Grade but is about 40% longer; I settled into my rhythm. The miles slowly clicked by; the effort eased some by the beautiful views. A solo rider passed by about mile 5. A few motorcycles flew past practicing fast turns on tight corners. I made it up to about mile 9 when I saw Rick B and Eric R descending down towards me. They must have flown up the climb and were heading back down and over Mesa Grande for a bit shorter ride. A quick wave and they were gone.

By the time I reached Mother’s everyone had left for more riding except Tony, Jodie & Ruben. They were getting ready to depart. Tony was heading up to Boucher Hill while Jodie & Ruben were descending South Grade. I joined them. The upper half of South Grade is so much fun with the new tarmac. It is a few years old now, but still smooth as butter. We flew down with no traffic and only a couple of motorcycles coming up. Len was the first to come into view as he was climbing back up South Grade; his early departure lead from Dudley’s still intact. Next we saw John M who was also on his way back up the climb. Voris & Larry were together climbing up a mile or so later. Jodie, Ruben & I stopped for a minute at the Y and then proceeded to start our ascent up South Grade. Jodie asked if I was in a bad mood since I was not talking. I told her I was just suffering in silence. We slowly climbed up the switchbacks.

About 3 miles into our climb, my rear wheel locked up. I got off my bike and could not figure out what was wrong but my wheel was hitting my brake pad with every turn. I had installed the 28 mm tire a few weeks ago and it was tight but there was room with the brake pads open. Something was amiss and we could not fix it. I fully opened the brake lever and the wheel only hit one pad every rotation. I just rode up even a bit slower with the thump, thump, thump of the wheel rim as I spun up the climb. Ruben rode behind me and said my wheel was true so no issue there. We saw Hodges heading down as we were well up the climb. That told me he did the Observatory out and back already. He was smiling and seemed pleased as he headed down towards the Y split. Jodie & Ruben helped pull me along the rest of the climb and at the top I finally got out my tools and loosened the rear brake cable completely. The wheel now turned fine but I had no rear brakes. Who needs a rear brake with the descent of East Grade ahead?

Jodie was on point while Ruben swept in case I had any issue. We did not stop at Mothers and had enough water to make it back to the store at Lake Henshaw. I sat up plenty to keep my speed in check and feathered my front brake a bit as we flew down the mountain. We sped down at a respectable 30 mph, four minutes slower than my PR. I was parched by the time we got to the Henshaw store. Jodie & Ruben were done for the day. Tony O was not yet down the mountain. I went into the store and grabbed a gallon of water. The check-out line was a bit lengthy so I drank almost half a gallon of water before paying for it; the best $3 I spent in a long time. I came out of the store and Tony was there at the cars. They were heading home and I was still a ways from Dudley’s.

Mesa Grade was not in the cards for me. I stopped for a nature break near the bar and pedaled off along highway 76 with a plan to avoid the climb. It is a bit narrow and cars fly by but I quickly made it to the intersection of highway 79; now my life was really in danger. The seven mile stretch back to Dudley’s Bakery is narrow and car traffic is busy in both directions. I saw Voris and Larry turn out from Mesa Grade as I was just going by Santa Ysabel Reservation, a half mile farther south. They had done the Observatory after the South Grade climb and were finishing up their longer ride. I never caught them as they pedaled back to the parking lot. I had to do a bit of a loop past the highway 78 intersection to get to 65 miles before going to the parking lot.

John M and Len were having pie and coffee on the deck of Dudley’s Bakery. They both came back over Mesa Grande to finish with almost 70 miles of great riding. I said good-bye to them and then Larry & Dave as they drove out. Hodges had strategically finished last and no one was left for him to buy pie. He did complete the full Dudley’s Dream Ride in its original construct. Good for him. It was a great Descenders group ride.

The link below goes to the photos from the ride.

https://share.icloud.com/photos/01cBiltMRcQQAzr81BChKKCrQ

iCloud link available until Sep 12