Southern California - Oct 1: Tour de Poway

Official website (http://www.tourdepoway.com/). 104 mile, 62 mile, 44 mile, and 18 mile routes available. Cost of registration goes up after Sept 23.


Who's in? Seeing as there's very few big Sunday rides, I'm almost certainly in. Probably for the century. If anyone else is up for the century, I'm happy to ride with you. I'll probably be going at it at a relatively relaxed pace.

century
jschen
gmight
voltman
mateo44
mel44
Nachoman
chimivee
heresy
TCR (maybe)
blue_nose
markw
DaveSANYYZ
Grumpy Pig

metric
shrimpeater
jsigone
markg

75%

If I go, it will be for the century.

Oh no. Not this game again. What if there's ice cream in my back pocket? :p

Oh no. Not this game again. What if there's ice cream in my back pocket? :p

Hahahaha.

77%

Oh no. Not this game again. What if there's ice cream in my back pocket? :p

somehow it just doesn't seen like it will have the same appeal to him coming from you!!!!!!!!


http://www.smileycons.com/img/animals/04.gif

Hahahaha.

77%


YIKES! it worked! who knew!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.smileycons.com/img/dogs/23.gif

YIKES! it worked! who knew!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.smileycons.com/img/dogs/23.gif

Maybe he'll actually have it. A certain someone else didn't have any.

Of course, she did introduce me to Mr. Serious.

Maybe he'll actually have it. A certain someone else didn't have any.

Of course, she did introduce me to Mr. Serious.

well.... yes.... jason does appear to be a man of his words!!!!!!

I was planning on this, but got talked into the Rosarita/Ensenada ride that weekend....






Waiting for star #12

Melissa and I are in for the century, 95%. Hopefully that will bump Voltman up by 1% or somethin...


Official website (http://www.tourdepoway.com/). 104 mile, 62 mile, 44 mile, and 18 mile routes available. Cost of registration goes up after Sept 23.


Who's in? Seeing as there's very few big Sunday rides, I'm almost certainly in. Probably for the century. If anyone else is up for the century, I'm happy to ride with you. I'll probably be going at it at a relatively relaxed pace.

I'll be going, unless I do a Colorado River trip that weekend. I've done it many times (Tour de Poway, not the river) and it's fantastic!

Melissa and I are in for the century, 95%.
Would you two mind someone tagging along? I don't have any ride buddies for this ride.

Of course we wouldn't mind (assuming you can hang with our slow pace)!


Would you two mind someone tagging along? I don't have any ride buddies for this ride.

Would you two mind someone tagging along? I don't have any ride buddies for this ride.


Your not tagging along....BF people stick together!;) And like Matt said, as long as you are ok with our slow pace.....:D The last leg of Cool Breeze Chimivee, Voltman and Brandy too off- it was pretty awesome. We were just aiming to finish. Which we did- so we were happy. However, we would have loved to do a sub 7 (were were just over 7 hours) like the dynamic trio :) .

So Voltman has speed going on. And if Chimivee does it(which we hope he decides to- no pressure or anything!:D )...well....He is freakin' fast. Just look at Extorts pictures from our ride yesterday. :p They both were hauling A$$ with Extort. :)

Anyway, the short of it...I would love to ride with you!:p

Sub-7? Let's see... 4500' vertical, 30% of it pretty early on. I think we could do it. If you're only counting ride time, it should be no problem. If you're counting total time, it's a bit harder, but still doable. (We just have to minimize time off the bike.)

I'm sure she was only counting ride time.


Sub-7? Let's see... 4500' vertical, 30% of it pretty early on. I think we could do it. If you're only counting ride time, it should be no problem. If you're counting total time, it's a bit harder, but still doable. (We just have to minimize time off the bike.)

We'll manage sub-7 ride time. You and Melissa climb plenty fast enough to get the job done. We'll just paceline at a nice steady 16-17 MPH on flat ground. And stick together on uphills, too, more for psychological boosts than for the small aero effect.

BTW, Melissa, Cool Breeze was 4700' of climbing (the elevation chart was WRONG!).

I'm considering Poway... I'll give it a 66.6% :p .

I'm considering Poway... I'll give it a 66.6% :p .
My, aren't we scientific? Three sig figs, huh? :p

My, aren't we scientific? Three sig figs, huh? :p
Touche! :D

im in for the 66 miler cause i got school the next day

I just did a quick glance at the routeslip. Matt and Melissa, if you want to be comfortably sub-7 hours, you'd better get some climbing practice in. There's no killer climbs, but the first half isn't exactly a cakewalk, either. And descending practice. The rollers on Highland Valley are pretty big in places, and descending without touching the brakes (in straight line descents, anyway) will mean more speed carrying you further up the next incline.

What's there to do in Poway? My wedding anniversary is October 1st but the wife said I could do the ride as long as we make a long weekend out of it. We'd be bringing the kids along too so I'm thinking maybe we should stay closer to San Diego and hit Sea World, Disneyland, LegoLand or something like that the next day. Or maybe something along the beach? Is the beach weather still nice in October? I dunno. Suggestions from the peanut gallery?

Poway would be closer to Sea World or Legoland than Disneyland. I think it's close enough of a drive to the first two where they could be in play.

San Diego's Wild Animal Park is very close to Poway, and great for kids. It's like a zoo, but in a more "free" setting -- animals roaming simulated African plains, etc.


What's there to do in Poway? My wedding anniversary is October 1st but the wife said I could do the ride as long as we make a long weekend out of it. We'd be bringing the kids along too so I'm thinking maybe we should stay closer to San Diego and hit Sea World, Disneyland, LegoLand or something like that the next day. Or maybe something along the beach? Is the beach weather still nice in October? I dunno. Suggestions from the peanut gallery?

Yup -- climbing practice for me begins today. I'm looking forward to trying my new 12-27 cassette.



I just did a quick glance at the routeslip. Matt and Melissa, if you want to be comfortably sub-7 hours, you'd better get some climbing practice in. There's no killer climbs, but the first half isn't exactly a cakewalk, either. And descending practice. The rollers on Highland Valley are pretty big in places, and descending without touching the brakes (in straight line descents, anyway) will mean more speed carrying you further up the next incline.

San Diego's Wild Animal Park is very close to Poway, and great for kids.

Yea, but we just did the Animal Park a few months ago.

What's there to do in Poway? My wedding anniversary is October 1st but the wife said I could do the ride as long as we make a long weekend out of it. We'd be bringing the kids along too so I'm thinking maybe we should stay closer to San Diego and hit Sea World, Disneyland, LegoLand or something like that the next day. Or maybe something along the beach? Is the beach weather still nice in October? I dunno. Suggestions from the peanut gallery?September and October are the nicest months here. It's usually still warm but the crowds have mostly gone home. Beach attendance is about 1/3 this week compared to last week because of school starting.

San Diego's Wild Animal Park is very close to Poway, and great for kids. It's like a zoo, but in a more "free" setting -- animals roaming simulated African plains, etc.

Your right Mateo, and actually the century route cruises right in front of the entrance. I took the liberty of taking a picture last year. :)

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k129/gvirrueta/Poway/IMG_0722.jpg

I am in for the century. I did it last year and had a good time.

What's there to do in Poway? My wedding anniversary is October 1st but the wife said I could do the ride as long as we make a long weekend out of it. We'd be bringing the kids along too so I'm thinking maybe we should stay closer to San Diego and hit Sea World, Disneyland, LegoLand or something like that the next day. Or maybe something along the beach? Is the beach weather still nice in October? I dunno. Suggestions from the peanut gallery?

This ride actually begins and ends in Old Poway Park. The park has an old steam engine that you can ride on. We take our kids there a couple of times a year. This is not a whole day thing, but is good for an hour or so. I would recommend this if your kids are young.

There is also a really cool old style ice-cream / soda shop across the street from the park that is a must with kids. You can get some great floats, sundaes and other ice cream treats. I imagine it will be very busy during the century though.

Poway is about 20 minute drive inland from the ocean, so checking out La Jolla Cove is also a really good bet as well. Some great scenery, good parks, shopping and you can even check out some seals.

Torrey Pines State Park/Beach is also about 20 minutes drive and has some really nice hikes, a cool glider port and a cool museum.

Legoland is also really good if your kids are in the three to ten years old range. Anything older than that, I would consider something else, as the rides a geared for younger kids.

October can still be quite warm down here, but you never know. I have seen days in the 80's in early October and as cool as the low 60's. Your best bet is to check the weather a few days before hand.

Hope you have a good anniversary.

Almost forgot, I am doing this century as well. I ride many of these roads (inlcuding the Poway grade) almost every week, but this is the first time I am riding in this event. Should be fun.

Bluenose, great info! Thanks!

Melissa and I are now in. 100%.



Official website (http://www.tourdepoway.com/). 104 mile, 62 mile, 44 mile, and 18 mile routes available. Cost of registration goes up after Sept 23.


Who's in? Seeing as there's very few big Sunday rides, I'm almost certainly in. Probably for the century. If anyone else is up for the century, I'm happy to ride with you. I'll probably be going at it at a relatively relaxed pace.

participants
jschen
gmight
tprevost
voltman (77%)
mateo44 (95%)
mel44 (95%)
Nachoman
chimivee (66.6%)
shrimpeater (metric)
heresy
blue_nose

Cool. I really should sign up sometime since otherwise, next thing I know, Sept 23 will come and go and I'll be paying more.

I would love to go, but I don't think I will have the money by then... must save every penny for the next few months :cry: ... gas + ride = 60 dollars plus... but it is ok :) - Will soon be back in the classroom! :D

We haven't signed up yet either. But we will in the next few days.

Did I mention how nice it was climbing Newport Coast yesterday with my new 12-27 cassette? Who knew how big a difference two teeth would make? (probably you all knew, but I sure didn't).


Cool. I really should sign up sometime since otherwise, next thing I know, Sept 23 will come and go and I'll be paying more.

Who knew how big a difference two teeth would make? (probably you all knew, but I sure didn't).
It made a huge difference for me. Now I don't have to use a blender to eat dinner.

I'm considering the metric...but I just had my kid (!...actually, my wife...Aug 21) so I've been out of training and living off the meals my neighbors and family have been providing. All carbs and desserts. I'd hate to pass it up, since the route will pass 2.2 miles from my house (78 and Cloverdale: 1 mile West of the Wild Animal Park), and I grew up in Rancho Bernardo...where the Metric passes and the Century bypasses. Any chance to descend Highland Valley without having to climb the damn thing sounds good to me.

Put me down for a definite maybe. If I can get 2 of the next 4 weeks freed up for some training, I'll do it and bid y'all adieu at Citrus.

Lots of intersections and stoplights on this route (plus one 1/2 mile stretch on the shoulder of the freeway) are the police going to be doing traffic breaks?

TCR: You should definitely check out the Wild Animal Park (I've got Zoo passes to both the Zoo and WAP) and it kills the Zoo. Much more organic experience. Some good walking, very interactive exhibits (you can actually have poo thrown at you by the gorillas and chimps), all without the "I'm looking at a bear in a pit" vibe.

I'd skip Legoland...unless you can get cheap tickets through some...cheap...ticket selling place...it's WAY TOO FREAKIN' EXPENSIVE for a park that's geared to kids. Rides are lame for adults, lines are too long, and you're stuck thinking "I could have rented an Astro jump for the day and the kids would've probably liked it more".

Sea World's awesome.

Coronado is the best 'Kid Friendly' beach.

Go to Children's Pool at La Jolla to smell the seals.

Go to Belmont Park in Mission Beach to ride a classic wooden coaster and do a pseudo carnival thing.

blue_nose The last two times I went to the Old Poway Park Train, they were using an old tram engine thing...not quite the big Steam Locomotive, but cool for the kiddo anyway.

blue_nose The last two times I went to the Old Poway Park Train, they were using an old tram engine thing...not quite the big Steam Locomotive, but cool for the kiddo anyway.

They actually have three restored trains they use for public rides at different times. They have an old steamer, a turn of the century trolley car from LA and an old mining speeder.

All are enjoyed by the little ones. You can get more info about the engines used here:

http://www.powaymidlandrr.org/default.htm#equipment

Congrats on the new born!

The grandparents have offered to watch the kids for the weekend so it's just my wife and I now. The ice cream / soda shop in Poway still sounds good and I think I'll look into La Jolla Cove as well. Any suggestions for a nice dinner in the area? Thanks!

For your anniversary? Forever Fondue or George's, both in La Jolla.

For your anniversary? Forever Fondue or George's, both in La Jolla.

Forever Fondue looks good! Will have to look at George's now.


EDIT: Wait a second. We cook our own food?

"Please don’t touch the fondue pot or handle – they are HOT!
We HIGHLY suggest NOT cooking the beef more than 2 minutes!
Remember – All your food needs to be cooked before you eat it or put it on your plate."

I'll be there, most likely doing the 62 along with about 6 of my co-workers. I want to TRY the 100, just not sure if my butt can take the ride time.

Yes, you fondue at Forever Fondue. (Imagine that! :lol: )

You get a salad to start. (You don't need to cook anything there.) Then a cheese fondue to dip bread and some dipping veggies and fruits into. (They prepare the fondues for you. You just dip things in the pot.) Then a main meal of fondue'd meats and vegetables. Then chocolate fondue with pieces of cake and fruit.

Yes, you fondue at Forever Fondue. (Imagine that! :lol: )

You get a salad to start. (You don't need to cook anything there.) Then a cheese fondue to dip bread and some dipping veggies and fruits into. (They prepare the fondues for you. You just dip things in the pot.) Then a main meal of fondue'd meats and vegetables. Then chocolate fondue with pieces of cake and fruit.

You gotta remember now I live in the desert. If I have to cook my own food it's because my pickup truck broke down out in the middle of nowhere and all I could catch to eat was rattlesnake. ;)

Have you eaten at either Fondue or George's before?

George's.


That's it.

Hit it at sunset and it's the best view/meal/experience in San Diego. Done it plenty of times. Also, Top O' The Cove is really nice.

/c'mon, guys...Forever Fondue? compared to George's? Pssshh..

You could always just hit La Jolla in the afternoon, walk up and down Prospect, look at all the menus and just choose which one. Most don't take reservations anyway. When you're done with dinner, go to The Whaling Bar at La Valencia Hotel, and bask in the cherry wood and candlelight ambience...then get knocked on your ass by a Whaler (frozen Baileys, coffee, Kahlua, and a few other unmentionables).

I've eaten at both. George's only for lunch, though. The many times I ate there for dinner, I opted for the oceanside terrace on the top floor, which is good, but not of the level of the main restaurant. (But it's cheaper.) When eating with friends, the terrace makes good sense. On a special date, I'd splurge for the main restaurant. I've been to Forever Fondue twice, and I really like it. That's where I would go for a romantic dinner if the girl didn't express any preferences. But either would be great, depending on the type of experience you want. A traditional elegant meal, go to George's. An alternative fun dining experience, more casual, go for Forever Fondue.

By the way, you might hear about Donovan's, the steakhouse in La Jolla. Don't go there. The ambiance is nice, and the wine list superb, but the steak is very disappointing.

I've been to Top O' the Cove. Pretty nice, but I understand George's is better. Certainly the upper terrace at George's is better than the upper terrace at Top O' the Cove.