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RR: Tour de Julian (long)
This is my first post for an RR, hope you like it.
I signed up for the Tour de Julian last week on an impulse. I am back in the saddle again after a 5 year hiatus (broken collarbone and a desk job) but three months ago borrowed a Giant XTC hard tail and started riding the trails in my back yard of Poway. I started walking and running last spring and felt in pretty good shape considering I'm a 46 year old, sedentary ex-smoker. I've had my Rockhopper Comp for about a month and had done a few upgrades as needed. LX gives way to XT, riser bar is trashed for a straight CF bar and a front disk is added because I wanted it. Put on a Marzocchi Marathon to have the freedom of an air shock and to be able to adjust on the fly. I had been on a few rides with a local club and I felt ready to tackle a more challenging trail with a group of like minded riders. I received the number placard and other course material, including an insurance waiver and a course map with elevation profile in only two days. There is almost 2000 feet of elevation changes in the 20.4 mile course. See map link at http://www.julianactive.com/mtbmap.htm Since I had completed a 17 miler the previous week (but I gassed one mile from the end) I felt almost ready for the challenge. One of the local riders has been on the Tour several times and gave me some tips about the course and assured me I had enough skill and endurance to finish it. I got the kids covered for baby-sitting so making the ride became a probability. The weather forecast was for low of 32f, high of 45f with a good chance of rain and gusts of up to 50mph. Just the thing for my first organized event. I shuttled down to the Canari discount outlet on Friday and picked up a pair of leg warmers and a rain jacket. About 6 AM Saturday morning I left Poway and started the drive up Highway 67N to 78E. Before entering Ramona I saw some of the worst of the fire damaged areas in my locale. Many tree trunks were surrounded by blackened earth and I tried to take some snapshots through the car window which did not turn out well due to glass reflections. Entering Ramona I remembered that I wanted safety pins to attach the number to my Camelback. I picked some up at a liquor store then headed up to Julian. I followed signs as I saw them but missed the turn to 79 South. I drove about 2 miles before realizing the error and turned around. I didn't miss the sign from this direction. I arrived in the parking area of Jess Martin Park about 7:15. There were already five cars there but registration hadn't yet opened. I chatted with some people as they came in. At registration a worker said there were 160 entrants and about 120 showed up. The no-shows were probably expecting the bad weather that never arrived. About half were there for the 40 mile road ride and the rest for the 20 mile MTB ride. Air temp was about 40f and I put on the leg warmers as the hair was standing on my legs. A rider a few cars over came by asking everyone he met for a shock pump. I tossed him mine after he pointed out his truck. He brought it back in a few minutes saying the exercise was hopeless as he couldn't get rid of the bob in his bike. I didn't know about his shock but mentioned that I need 150# in my Fox for me (165#) and he was only using 50#. Since he was heavier he tried a higher pressure and the bob problem went away. He related how he had discovered cracks in the frame on Wednesday and rushed around to various LBS for a replacement frame from Giant. I forget the model but he ended up buying an upgraded frame (a VT?) just in time to make the ride and had spent the previous evening transferring all the parts over, except the from derailleur which wouldn't fit the frame. We spent some time trying to get the bike in order and he (Chris) was pleased he would make the ride after all. He decided to use the front gear as it was starting on the middle ring and stopping to change to another ring if needed. We discovered we were both veterans and traded stories until the time to line up. I donned my raincoat then the camelback and did a test run around and through the ditches surrounding the parking lot. I adjusted my cleats outward on the shoe about 1/8" which solved the release problem I was having last week, as in not releasing the left foot. Now I could pop in and out with ease. I checked every thing that could be tightened then inflated my tires to road pressures, 40 front, 36 rear. I figured I could let out air if the trail got too sandy. The roadie ride started about 8:35 and MTB got the call to line up at 8:55. I knew the hardest part of the course would be the last 4 miles which gains 1800 feet. My goal this first time is to finish the event even if I walked the entire route. The mix of riders was about 50 FS, 45 HT and a SS. There was a recumbent and one tandem but they left with the roadie pack. After a few preparatory comments on trail conditions due to recent rains and the fire damage we were told about the hike-a-bike section starting at the toll road around the 16 mile mark. We started the run at about 9:05 and followed the major road segment of the course which went about 6.5 miles, mostly uphill. I started out in about 10 position of 60 riders or so as I knew I would start falling back early. 5 straight miles of shallow uphill is not what I count as fun, I prefer the single track and undulating trails over a continuous climb. About 2 miles into the run I was surprised to see a rider flying toward me going in the wrong direction but then around the next corner I saw a pair of bikes which appeared to have a mechanical breakdowns of some sort. I hope they fix it quickly and can continue. The road continues up but now there is some shade provided by the trees lining the road. I am gassing hard now because of the altitude, I am guessing. I come from 400 feet and haven't felt this out of breath in a long time. I am passed by virtually the entire pack and I start to feel I am not prepared for this! I grunt out the uphill in low gears until I reach a crest after about 3 miles. On the first downhill of the day I am signaled to stop by the wild gesticulations of an SBC (telephone) cable repair flagman with a stop sign holding up traffic. His animated gestures indicated he had wanted all the riders in front of me to stop but none had. His concern was the safety of the riders and traffic as there were large cables stretched along and across the roadway. I was joined by the last rider and we waited what seemed an eternity (which was actually about 3 minutes) for the go ahead from the flagman. I was becoming disappointed that we might not catch up to the other riders at this rate and climbed off the bike when my legs started tensing up. Gary introduced himself and we chatted about how much we like our new bikes. As I was climbing off the bike to stretch my legs the flagman signaled to go and Gary sprinted off ahead of me. I had fallen back to last place but kept up with Gary. He had the most amazing attitude and had a steady pace that matched mine but his continual smile and attitude showed his buoyant attitude and his drive to finish at his own speed. I matched his pace and cadence as we hit a downhill portion of the road about mile 5. I worked my way up through the gears and hit the biggest for the first time. On the next downhill I switched the computer over to indicate max speed and it showed we hit 28 mph on that section. Then just like that we were directed off road for the first time. We negotiated a narrow passage through a gateway and up a quick steep climb. I didn't leave enough room ahead of me and almost hit Gary as he stalled at the top. First near miss of the day. We popped back onto the bikes and single tracked following the arrows stapled to 6" high posts. There is almost no vegetation but this area was unburned semi-arid desert. About a mile in we met a group of riders deliberating over which way the course ran at the 'Y'. No one had brought a map and there was a little confusion about taking a right or left. A wrong turn out here sends the rider east out into the desert. The group were a bunch of Gary's friends from East County who had all come up for the ride. After a little more discussion we pressed on to the left trail. The single track turned uphill slightly and then through another narrow gate passage which the rider in front of me clipped with his pedal. I had left more room this time but his bike hooked the post and came to a complete halt. He couldn't go forward or back until he dismounted and cleared the bike. When he cleared I squeezed through the opening and took off ahead of the group to reduce the chance of another near collision. The tral turned into a very rocky downhill with lots of ruts. The rocks were very sharp and I spent most of my time avoiding the largest, meanest looking ones but I was gaining on the two riders in front of me. That is until I turned into a rut and upended into a pile of rocks. I drew an inch of blood from my right calf but no other injuries so I hopped on the bike and continued down only a little slower than before. I had lost sight of the riders in front so I just continued down to the level area at the base of the fire road. This is where I noticed I had the shock set for uphill instead of downhill. Oops, don't want to make that mistake again. I passed a couple riders and was passed by others on the 1/2 mile or so of flat section, turned a corner and arrived at the first rest stop at the Mason Valley Truck Trail. About 20 riders were there, eating oranges, bananas and refilling water bottles. Chris was there and told me he had already fixed his first flat and was ready to go. I munched a half a Powerbar and sipped water from the camelback. I had only filled it with 2 liters to save a little weight because I knew I could refill at the rest stops. It seemed to hold out fine so far so I let it go for now. I adjusted my shock and let out a few pounds from the rear to help on the sandy stuff. Chris and I took off as a pair for the next section which I cruised through except for one steep section where I ran out of gas even in the lowest gear. At this point I started to doubt that I would actually finish the event when Chris rode back and goaded me on telling me how soft Air Force veterans were compared to Marines. His technique worked and I 'grunted it out' and continued the next uphill section without stopping. Next was a technical narrow fire road with deep ruts, long sand pits and sharp rocks but it was up and down which I could ride all day. I could feel my second wind coming just in time. I started to notice my seat, which is never a good thing, so I adjusted the position lowering the front and the soreness became somewhat less of a distraction. We finally hit the downhill section which was just fantastic. 8 miles of downhill on rocky (again very sharp), sandy, and rutted switch backs. I barreled down as fast as I could go, just touching the brakes entering the switch back then turning, releasing and pedaling several huge, longer than 30 foot, sand pits. On one I entered wrong and I was pedaling straight toward the cliff edge instead of down hill so when brakes had little effect and steering just laughed I dumped it on my right side like I had done so many times before on motorcycles and came to a stop. Struggling to gain momentum in the middle of a sand pit isn't easy but I pedaled out and continued down to the bottom of the hill where another 10 riders or so had gathered at the second rest stop in Banner. Chris congratulated me and I returned the favor. He has been running in the middle gear all day but reached down and 'hand' shifted into his small front gear for the uphill section coming next. We are at the 15.5 mile mark and all that is left is the 4 mile climb to the finish. I decide to press on the MTB course. I finally remember to remove my rain jacket and leg warmers as the temperature is around 60f and comfortable. We haven't seen any rain and the scattered clouds have made it a perfect riding day. I remember to set the fork to uphill setting before downing an orange, a banana and a Balance bar, all provided free by the Tour. Water level is fine so I pass on the refill. People are arriving until a group of about 25 are standing around the refreshments. I am tempted to take the shallower, longer road course but Chris convinces me I should at least try the hill and have something else to be proud of when I finish. Chris and I take the short downhill with about 10 riders. There are only 4 miles to go but it is the roughest part of the course. We take a short road section to the entrance well marked with a barricade and arrows. This is the Toll road 'Hike-a-bike' section that they have foretold us. It is covered forest and the air chills noticeably but I appreciate the shade. Everyone dismounts for the 6 foot uphill section then mount to ride up the Toll road. Looking down we see MTB riders who had missed the signs and were taking the road course. We yell directions and they turn around to join us on the uphill. For about a half mile the pace is good until we come across the first of several large washed out sections at a switch back. The gap is about 10-12 feet across and drops about 3 feet next to the face of the mountain. Everyone dismounts to walk across then rides up the next grade. I swap positions with the rider in front who is having trouble staying on the bike forcing me and others to walk behind him on the very narrow trail. I can't get any momentum to spin up so I end up walking behind another 5 'riders' or so for the next few miles. The trail was a beast because it would tempt us with a section of perfect fire trail, only to turn a corner to a much longer section of steep, very rocky, rutty and sandy patches. Sometimes we were lucky and only had to deal with one of those but mostly all hazards were represented on the trail. Chris is up ahead and I hear him yelling at me for being a slowpoke. "Grunt it out!" had become a familiar phrase today. What a pal. Some sections I was able to build momentum enough to ride for a way and I rode past a couple, the lady in a recliner, obviously rebuilding home owners. They had parked an RV on the side of the hill and the man was building a brick retaining wall near where his house used to be. His burnt out husk of a pickup was parked in what used to be a driveway. Puffing a cigarette and toting a concrete brick he was yelling at all the riders "You the Man!" for tackling the trail. I yelled back, "No, You Are!" and he laughed and we exchanged waves. Another steep rocky section awaited us then as the trail started lessening we neared the top. A downhiller cruised by and he had the demeanor of someone who had to slow for 40 riders going uphill but he nodded as I said "Good morning" as I always do. I finally passed the rider ahead with whom I had exchanged positions for the last hour. I mounted the bike and was able to finish the rest of the hill in granny gear before reaching the top of the hill which was flat. Altogether, I estimate I walked 3.5 miles of the 4 mile section but I did make it to the top. And I was not alone for I could see walkers still coming up behind me. I passed a disabled bike and rider who politely refused help. I passed a rider who couldn't straighten his leg and was massaging himself to work out the kinks. A father and son were waiting for the youngest son to top the hill. I rode out onto the road and continued on a slight downhill leading to the last mile of the course. We had been warned that some of the residents were upset about the event and might move some of the signs in protest. I made some lucky guesses and found an arrow pointing to the finish of the course. Following the road I was hit by a gust of headwind which took me by surprise but I stayed on course and felt no more wind. The end of the course was a straight slight uphill road and a couple riders passed me in a duel to the finish but I was in cruise control and a little surprised at the speed of my recovery on the final leg. Chris was standing by the side of the road and yelled congratulations and "Hoo-Yah" as I crossed the finish line. He was already packed up but had stayed just to see me finish. I have rarely felt the feeling of accomplishment and was thankful he stayed to press me on just in case I ever thought of giving up. We chatted a few more minutes and promised to see each other the next year at Tour de Julian before he headed off in the opposite direction to Lake Elsinore. I invited him to join me anytime he wanted on Sunday rides with NCCC. I stayed for the pie and ice cream and considered the hill climb but figured I had accomplished what I had set out to do today. I was satisfied and happy and the only thing left was to pick up a real Julian pie before heading home. I even bought some chocolate from the King Leo chocolate factory in Wynola, west of Julian. I had a great day, had earned my T-shirt which I will wear proudly and it was only just past lunch time. Time to head home and prepare for tomorrows ride with the local club. I hope you enjoyed this RR as much as I enjoyed the ride. I'll be there next year and might try to work the May event into my schedule. There is a 4 mile section of hill climbing that I need to try and beat next time I am up here at 4000 feet. Regards, Doug aka Cone Killer. |
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RR: Tour de Julian (long)
On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 at 18:50 GMT, Cone Killer penned:
[snip] I hope you enjoyed this RR as much as I enjoyed the ride. I'll be there next year and might try to work the May event into my schedule. There is a 4 mile section of hill climbing that I need to try and beat next time I am up here at 4000 feet. Regards, Doug aka Cone Killer. Wow, that was long! But I enjoyed it. Thanks! -- monique PLEASE don't CC me. Please. Pretty please with sugar on top. Whatever it takes, just don't CC me! I'm already subscribed!! |
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RR: Tour de Julian (long)
"Monique Y. Herman" wrote in message ... On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 at 18:50 GMT, Cone Killer penned: [snip] I hope you enjoyed this RR as much as I enjoyed the ride. I'll be there next year and might try to work the May event into my schedule. There is a 4 mile section of hill climbing that I need to try and beat next time I am up here at 4000 feet. Regards, Doug aka Cone Killer. Wow, that was long! But I enjoyed it. Thanks! -- monique PLEASE don't CC me. Please. Pretty please with sugar on top. Whatever it takes, just don't CC me! I'm already subscribed!! You're welcome. I noticed it was getting long so I shortened it. Next time I'll try to be less wordy. Regards, Doug aka Cone Killer |
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RR: Tour de Julian (long)
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RR: Tour de Julian (long)
"mtbchip" wrote in message ... On 11/25/03 10:50 AM, in article , "Cone Killer" wrote: This is my first post for an RR, hope you like it. I signed up for the Tour de Julian I did too, I walked that WICKED uphill section as well. That was a great ride, but I think I'll have a car waiting in Banner next time ;-) Mtbchip Hey chip, Sorry I missed you there. I really loved 16 of the 20 miles but that hill needs work. Supposedly the trail was a lot worse than most people remembered and other years they rode down it. See you there next year. Doug aka Cone Killer |
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