Adventures on a Bike

I haven’t been riding like I need to. I’m headed to France in just over 3 months and I have not been focusing on the big mountains. So, when Mike called this morning asking if I was interested in heading to Julian for some pie, I was IN. Even though I just rode 40 miles yesterday.

It was a beautiful day for riding, very cool and overcast at first. We headed out Poway Rd to the 67 straight off. I’ve never ridden Poway Rd. before and I highly recommend it except for traffic. It’s a very nice, long climb. We took our usual detour around Ramona via Dye Rd and Old Julian Hwy before rejoining Hwy 78 into Santa Isabel. Once up the grade past Santa Isabel we turned onto Wynola Rd to avoid most of the Julian traffic. Wynola was empty and is a beautiful climb through oak and pine forests. Finally, just as my legs began to complain loudly, we turned right on Farmers Rd and hammered the last 2 miles into town for fresh coffee and apple pie at the Julian Pie Company. The pie was good but didn’t last long

After pie, we began the trek back. We had climbed almost 4,000 feet into Julian and it felt good to give that altitude back. Mike and I split up at the 67 in Ramona - me escaping towards Scripps Poway Pkwy and him finishing through Highland Valley. I’d have loved to join him, but frankly by this time I did not have the legs. Rolling up Pomerado Rd at mile 85 was enough joy for one day.

I’ve been so paranoid that I haven’t been riding hard enough or in the mountains and it felt good to be going long and hard. Mike even said we made good time which pleased me quite a bit (he is the hard man). If I keep this up, I’ll have the fitness I want in July.

Thanks to Mike for inviting me on this ride, leading me most of the way and generally making it happen.