R&B Bicycle Club is putting on the Palomar Challenge based out of the Lake Henshaw Resort. Rides of 24, 33 and 62 miles in length with fantastic riding and great scenery.

1. We are also offering a hill climb competition with trophies and prizes for the top male and female riders.
2. The 33 mile and 62 mile routes take you up to the Hale telescope, which at the time was the largest telescope in the world.
3. The last half of the 62 mile route takes you through fantastic ranchland.
4. Pre registered riders get an event t-shirt and a catered meal after the ride.
5. It you pre register before 7-15 you get a free long sleeve t-shirt upgrade.

For complete details including ride details maps, printable registration form and pictures visit our web page at http://www.julianactive.com/Palomar%20challenge.htm

This sounds like fun.

What doe the t-shirt look like?

Hey Julian, I might be up for the hill climb. I enjoyed the Montezuma climb despite the cold wind, so this one should be even better. Are you going to leave some water up the hill like you did at Montezuma? I've never been up the East Grade Rd. Is it comparable to the South Grade?

The hillclimb is actually part of the main ride, so there will be a rest stop at the top complete with water, ice, fruit, energy drinks etc.

Post ride meal at the Lake Henshaw resort for all who pre register.

The east grade is less steep than the south grade. We feel that the east grade is a safer route with better sight lines. There is a map and elevation profile on our web site.

Julian,
Are motorcycle drivers as excited about the East Grade as the South? It's on a Saturday, so I'm just thinking of traffic. August is the hottest month of the year what is your turn out like? Also, any pictures of the t-shirt? I'm thinking I will go for it. I've done East, South and Nate Harrison Grade -just not in 100f temps.

Traffic is usually not to bad on the east grade. The South grade is the motorcycle playground.
We will have bicycle advisory signs out on the course.
Temps can be warm in August. 100 degrees? Perhaps, but it depends on the weather patterns. I live in Julian which is a similar climate and if you get a west breeze it cools things down nicely. Also at the top it will be cooler. The ride back from the top is almost all downhill so one should not overheat coming down. Since the start finish area is at the halfway point, you can decide if you want to do mesa grande at that point.
T-shirt design is not settled yet but we might do the graphic on the Palomar Challenge Page.