Ride over to Dave's house for a 6:30 start. It was expected to get above 100 deg (it did), so we wanted to get out early. John and Jim rode too. We headed over to Highland Valley Rd via Pomerado Rd. On the flats, it was nice and cool, and it stayed fairly cool on the first climb until just near the top, when I felt a blast of warm air coming over the ridge. I was slow and steady up this climb and slower than normal on the ups-and-downs leading to the next climb. As usual, this second climb was tough but seemed shorter than I remembered. I kept going here and took a steady pace through the winding sections, again going pretty slow up the last climb. The apple trees along the road were fruiting. We all gathered together at the normal gathering place, where the wind was surprisingly calm. We generally rode together the rest of the way to the 67, with John going all out in the last half-mile stretch. I kept with him, but I was working hard. We then headed up toward Mt Woodson, and this time it was Jim and me at the front for awhile, until he fell back on the gradual climbing section approaching the steeper part. I couldn't keep my pace above 10 mph for the early parts, but then the wind got at my back and I had a good finish. Again connecting together, then downhill and over to Scripps-Poway Pkwy. Near the turn, we caught up with another rider, but he rode out as soon as John and Dave got near him. Both of them are able to take downhills much faster than me. They got out in front, Dave by quite a bit, on the downhill on Scripps-Poway Pkwy, and we caught the other rider. I caught up with them on the uphill section and got out ahead a little bit when the other ride came by. I jumped on his wheel, and we ended up riding together down to Pomerado Rd. At the turn there, I waited for the others, and we rode basically together back to Dave's house, with John throwing in a spring to the top of the little incline by the hospital and Dave pushing all out on the downhill section just before Rios Rd. I headed back home via W Bernardo Dr, as my quads had gotten a good workout during the day, what with all of the climbing and high-energy pedaling to keep up with John and Dave when they pushed the pace. Felt fine during the day, just a little headache from having to squint during the ride (I lost my red sunglasses on the way to Dave's house).
Avg speed = 17.3 mph. Total mileage = 42.0 mi
Total elevation gain = 2170'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/136923651
