Monday, May 30, 2011

5-30-2011 Ride

Memorial Day ride starting from Lake Henshaw up the East Grade to the Palomar Observatory (John's idea) with John, Dave, and Jim, along with Karl and Andy Walters. We got to the cafe, and it was really foggy and cold, about 40 deg. I had a light long-sleeve jersey and my jacket, but I wasn't ready to ride in this cold weather. While we were waiting for Karl and Andy to show up, the weather started clearing and it began to warm up. I started the ride with my jacket on, but it warmed up quickly, so that I took it off at the downhill section around mile 4. I started off fast, perhaps too fast, and never really got into a good rhythm. Toward the latter part of the first climb, my back was really giving me trouble. Legs were okay. I continued to have difficulties in the second climb and was really slow at the end, just waiting for the summit to appear. Made it to the summit in about 1:17 (Ugh!). We all gathered at Mother's Kitchen, but Jim got lost. Andy and Karl went on up to the observatory while Dave went downhill to find him (he was riding with a broken spoke), then John and I headed back down a little later. We were fortunate to catch him coming down the road leading up to the park, so we all gathered and headed back up to the observatory. I had done some stretching while waiting, and this helped my back. My legs were tired, so I was slow but not in too much pain. It seems like the two climbs (there and back) on the observatory out-and-back are the same, but the first one is longer and steeper. Dave and John pretty much stayed with me on the last climb. On the downhill, John and I hung together, and he was really feeling good. I had to work hard just to stay with him on the sections where we were pedaling. The motorcycles flying by were scary; they don't give you much room, and they're on you quickly. About 2/3 of the way down, my cyclometer magnet got out of alignment, so I could only estimate my average speed. This was a real tough workout for me.

Avg speed = 13 mph. Total mileage = 34 mi
Total elevation gain = 3810'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/35899388