Five Face of Soledad Ride Report

31 August 2024

by Rob Verfurth

Riders : Bernie, Hodges, John M, Cresap, Mike H, Rob V, Ernst, Oleg and Quoc

Another good preparation ride for the upcoming Monster Climbs trip. It was also the Mike Hodges Birthday ride. A bunch of us met on the bike path and CDS at 8 am; Hodges was late to his party. Once he showed up, we headed off on the bike path towards Torrey Pines.

John M & Cresap must have thought we were racing to the beach as they grabbed the wheel of a strong rider that passed us within the first half mile. Things eventually settled down as we rolled past the sunken neighborhood and the pond. There were a number of large cycling groups out on the bike path as well as plenty of runners and walkers; it was definitely Labor Day Weekend! We stayed in a nice controlled paceline to the end of the bike path before turning onto Carmel Valley Road.

Traffic was heavy up to the light at PCH. Parking at the beach was a madhouse with cars in the bike lane and plenty of walkers in the lane as well; we survived the hectic run to Torrey Pines. John M continued outside while the rest of us took the safer route, inside climb. It was only marginally safer with walkers all over the road and cars coming from both directions. We got to the top to find John M there and now joined by Oleg and Dave Ernst, our group swelled to eight riders.

We cruised along Torrey Pines and past UCSD before the terrifying descent past the Scripps Pier and down into La Jolla Shores. The mile long descent is steep and curvy but the dangerous part is the awful road conditions with holes and cracks and bumps on the road everywhere; it is a bit of an obstacle course that we all passed with flying colors.

Down along the shores the group cruised past the Marine Room and climbed up to the main road heading into La Jolla. Let the climbs begin. We started as a group, split left at the fork and turned onto Al Bahr Drive. There were even cars following us up the small roads on Soledad Mountain. I was quickly at the back sweeping with John M just ahead of me. It was only the first climb and the legs were already feeling the stress. The first climb has a bit of an off road section beyond the closed gate, at least in this section there were no cars anywhere. It comes out just short of the top and the turn to Mount Soledad Memorial Park.

Everyone was waiting for me by the water fountain. I was in need of a bottle refill and then ready to descend Nautilus Street to head towards the second climb. I was cruising at 40 mph when Ernst flew by me on his beautifully painted Ridley rig. The group headed towards West Muirlands. We all made the turn back towards downtown La Jolla and then to Country Club for the second ascent. I was again sweeping as we rode by the golf course. I could see Dave Ernst spinning his gears up ahead of me as the boys spread out on the climb. Fortunately the guys all stopped at the lookout for a group photo, well everyone except birthday boy Hodges. He says you have to go all the way to the Soledad cross on every climb. I usually only make it to the cross on the first climb. We took a few photos overlooking La Jolla and Torrey Pines beaches before the final ascent on Upper Hillside.

Hodges had returned from his spin around the Soledad Cross and Quoc joined us as we descended again down Nautilus for the third climb. Oleg led us down
La Jolla Mesa Drive until we turned and headed up Candlelight. I was again at the back sweeping with Quoc as we made our way up another climb. We discussed the out and back routes of the upcoming Monster Climbs trip and to just keep spinning. I made my way back up to the light and descended towards Pacifica, the fourth and dreaded climb!

I was all alone but I got a glimpse of a blue jersey up the road. Pacifica is steep and unending. I was out of the saddle lots, tearing up what was left of my quads. I finally crested the hill to find Bernie, John M and Mike H waiting for me. Hodges had again gone to the cross so he was still behind as was Quoc somewhere. I assumed Cresap and Oleg were well out front as I never saw them again. I thanked the guys for waiting but said I will keep going as I knew they would catch me soon. Sure enough, all three screamed by on the final hill. Hodges passed me as well and told me to meet him at the cross. Normally, I would have descended down Via Capri just before the cross, but it was his birthday ride.

It got to the top and Hodges was patiently waiting for me. Everyone else was gone, heading back home via various routes. We started down Via Capri and almost got stuck in a line of cars with a slow student driver on point. I passed a half dozen cars and saw an open road to the bottom. Hodges followed and we quickly flew down to the light and crossed it to begin Hodges’ new route back up towards UCSD campus. Another gnarly ascent on Esterel and we cruised through campus before hitting the bike path down to the Sorrento Valley train station. We made our way to the new bike path extension, went under I-5 and I said good-bye to Mike. I slowly made my way east on the bike path and Hodges finished his much longer route home, disappearing out front.

It was a good test of the legs in preparation for the Monster Climbs trip. Hodges, Cresap, Oleg and John M all passed the test. Bernie, Ernst & Mike H will not make the trip but they rode great as well. Quoc & I will be sweeping all weekend in Kernville, but we will not give up. I finished with 56 miles and about 5,500 feet of climbing. Hodges & Bernie had over 70 miles each and about 7,000 feet of elevation. Great job boys. Below is a link to photos Oleg & I took on the ride, along with a couple pictures for the website.

View my shared photos:

https://share.icloud.com/photos/05fm81Tlyq0PgZsu4UkLqJTUw

iCloud link available until Oct 1