Southern California - Tour De Poway Reports

That was tough ride, our pace really didn't help on help. Our ride time was 6h10mins with a 16.5 ave overall. Our pace to San Marcos Aid station was 17.2mph!! I just abouit died on that last El Camino hill. I'll up load the few pics I took a lil later. There was about 5-6 BF riders that rolled. I rode with a couple of my friends, one being the hammer head on the climbs and rollers. I pushed it alot today on the flatter sections where my power can do something. Over all it was fun, my legs are hurting a bit, my friend had knee problems a lil before the 50 mile mark. He's a tough guy and rode through the pain. We did some awesome pulls on Palomar Airport Rd. Was in front of the pack and I see his bike computer fly through the air. Somehow the 15 or so riders behind me didn't run over it, but a car did and killed the glass screen and reseted the data DOH.

Whoa man. That's pretty fast.

it was fun, but my only compaint other then the cold start was not enough miles (3) in before hitting the base of poway grade.

You forgot to mention the wind. Yikes!

I finished up in about 6:50, and felt every minute of it. Climbing a 74 story building Friday night was not a good idea.

I got to meet a few BF guys, and rode with them for a while. Nice guys.



it was fun, but my only compaint other then the cold start was not enough miles (3) in before hitting the base of poway grade.

Just got home. My times are much, much slower; but I'm still happy since I did much better than last year by more than 30 minutes! I didn't die too, like I did last year. My 1st century anniversary. :lol:

Total time: 8h
Ride time: 6h56m including traffic stop - although sometimes I forgot to stop the clock at rest stops
Avg speed: 15.1
Mileage: 105.13
Ascend: 4501 ft

My legs are a little sore, but otherwise still feels pretty good.

I got to meet a few BF guys, and rode with them for a while. Nice guys.Yeah, nice to meet you, Chris (I hope I got it right :)).

the wind only bothered me in a few areas. I ride in Escondido, home of headwinds and dry heat so I'm sorta used to it.

Fun ride because I saw and rode with some BF people; not because of the route or aid station food. Started off cold. I was shivering and my teeth were chattering at the start. Warmed right up on the climbs.

We hooked up with some fast groups so the first half was faster than usual. Then we got a tailwind from San Marcos to the coast.

IanInSD and I got separated from the group on Palomar Airport Rd. so we did the last 40 alone.

I started getting congested at some point. Hopefully it's just due to the Santa Ana and will go away tonight.

Nice riding with everyone. I took a few pictures that I'll download tomorrow.

It was nice to see Frank and Dan again and to meet Dave. Nice bike Dan, congratulations! I wanted to sucker you guys into something - check that Shadow Tour thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=351214) and let me know if you'll be up for it.
By the way - the 60-miler was much better than the century :D

IanInSD and I got separated from the group on Palomar Airport Rd. so we did the last 40 alone.


Grumpy fails to mention that "separated" means "dropeing the hamer" on the rest of us and engaging in a to-the-death punishfest with IanInSD. We need to keep those to separated on future rides.

I had a great time. I had the chance to meet Snuddy and ride with her most of the way. A great lady and fun to ride with. This was the first time I have done the full Poway Century - last time I did the Metric, and I thought the course wasn't as "meh" as I expected. There was traffic to be sure but that's hard to avoid in SoCal without sticking entirely to the backcountry. This was also my first long ride on my new Look. I remain impressed. It really does climb better :) and the handling on the fast descents down Highland Road and Bandy Canyon was great.

Just got home, report and a few pics to come. My new sig and title says most of it though. :)

Yeah, great ride everyone!

I met lots of bikeforums.net folks and it probably helped that I was wearing my bikeforums.net "Fifty Plus" jersey from the "old folks" forum here. Also met the very attractive Shuddy at one of the checkpoints! Not sure about names, but Grumpy Pig was not at all grumpy (he said "You should see me in the morning!"), and was jsigone on the red Felt? If so, I rode with him off and on all day.

I rode the century (don't know why Jimmy NH doesn't like it), and had a great time. Poway grade was fairly easy, really! Rode with a guy from Madison, WI who rides with a friend of mine from Madison, and also with Liz, a very sweet respiration therapist from San Diego, so that was fun.

Other than a flat front tire at about the 25 mi. mark, it was all good. The course was very well marked and the checkpoint workers were all happy and did a great job. The food wasn't wonderful, but not bad either. Kind of the "Usual checkpoint fare" in my opinion.

Haven't looked up my photo on "Photocrazy" yet, but hopefully my bikeforums jersey shows up well!

Rick / OCRR

A few pics:

My first time to meet most of these guys and they were great. Especially this man, Indolent58. He is my hero!
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w24/Shnuddy/Indolent58.jpg

DaveSANYYZ and Rick@OCRR in profile
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w24/Shnuddy/DaveSANYYZ.jpg

Grumpy Pig (and I'll repeat like everyone who meets him, not at all grumpy!)
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w24/Shnuddy/GrumpyPig.jpg

IaninSD
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w24/Shnuddy/IaninSD.jpg

And, especially for you ME, my view from the rear
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w24/Shnuddy/Viewfromtherear.jpg

Nice reports (I meant to comment earlier) and great pics, Shnuddy!!! But we need one of your pretty face. ;) :)

yah Rick that was me, my friend was upset that his computer flew off when it did cuz that lil group we were in on Palomar was a good group to ride in. That Incycle guy had some nice pulls on there too. he said you are a strong rider. If you can't tell, I like to take off on the down hills:D We were hoping to see you guys at the next aid station but no luck. Rode the next leg with the ADOBO guys before I fell off on the hill before Del Dios.

Nice reports (I meant to comment earlier) and great pics, Shnuddy!!! But we need one of your pretty face. ;) :)

Shnuddy
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n135/jfquan/IMGP0942.jpg
Indolent
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n135/jfquan/IMGP0935.jpg
IanInSD
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n135/jfquan/IMGP0941.jpg

Dave
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n135/jfquan/IMGP0938.jpg
JimmyNH
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n135/jfquan/IMGP0937.jpg
Dan & I
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n135/jfquan/IMGP0936.jpg
Jeff
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n135/jfquan/IMGP0943.jpg
Rick
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n135/jfquan/IMGP0952.jpg

Thanks, Frank! :) Great shots, and nice to see Shnuddy and IaninSD (not seen him in awhile).

yah Rick that was me, my friend was upset that his computer flew off when it did cuz that lil group we were in on Palomar was a good group to ride in. That Incycle guy had some nice pulls on there too; he said you are a strong rider. If you can't tell, I like to take off on the down hills:D We were hoping to see you guys at the next aid station but no luck. Rode the next leg with the ADOBO guys before I fell off on the hill before Del Dios.

Okay, good, I'm finally putting some people with their bikeforums names! :)

That's real progress for me, since I often have trouble with bikeforums names, that is, remembering them and to which actual human they're attached.

Yes, you are a very strong rider, and you do attack the downhills. I'm more likely to attack the climbs and rest on the descents. In any case it was inspirational to ride fast with that group, but then I remembered that I was supposed to be taking it easy on this century, somewhat resting (while training!) for the Solvang double on the 20th of Oct.

I'm guessing your friend whose computer popped off . . . what he the guy with the KHS and downtube shifters?

Rick / OCRR

When we were at about mile 70 yesterday, I think still on La Costa, we passed what looked like an accident, a paramedic, cops, a couple cars pulled over and a group of cyclists. Does anyone know what happened? I saw the cyclists pull into the park as I was getting ready to leave, so some at least finished the ride.

That was eastbound on La Costa. I don't know the details either. Quite a few Adobo people were there. I didn't see anyone on a stretcher except for a cyclist with hand/palm bandages walking around.

That was eastbound on La Costa. I don't know the details either. Quite a few Adobo people were there. I didn't see anyone on a stretcher except for a cyclist with hand/palm bandages walking around.

Hopefully just a road rash. Just hate to see that, although I took the fact that they finished the ride as a good sign.

Okay, good, I'm finally putting some people with their bikeforums names! :)

That's real progress for me, since I often have trouble with bikeforums names, that is, remembering them and to which actual human they're attached.

Yes, you are a very strong rider, and you do attack the downhills. I'm more likely to attack the climbs and rest on the descents. In any case it was inspirational to ride fast with that group, but then I remembered that I was supposed to be taking it easy on this century, somewhat resting (while training!) for the Solvang double on the 20th of Oct.

I'm guessing your friend whose computer popped off . . . what he the guy with the KHS and downtube shifters?

Rick / OCRR

Yah he's was the one that took off after my pull turning onto San Marcos Blvd. He has the KHS with downtube shifters and flying computer. I'm donating my Felt to him in a few weeks when i get my new bike. Has Sora shifters but more reliable this his KHS (breaks alot of spokes cuz he's strong). The KHS is bit small for him, I think it's a 54, he need a 56-58max and I ride a 58. It was his first century, his longest ride before yestuday was a metric. We really didn't pace our selfs either, but was able to rest when there was alot of riders around on narrow roads.

Yah we saw the rider down on La Costa on the steacher too. Judging by the impact I saw on the front car, looks like the rider came out on the cars lane trying to pass and didn't catch the car in his blind spot and landed on her hood. She in turn got rear ended by the car behind her. I think there was 3-4 cars banged up there.

Broken clavicle, hit the wheel in front of him, bounced out into traffic. First driver hit brakes, slid, missed rider. Second driver hit first car, third driver hit second car. A doctor (from out of state, happened to be on the ride) stopped and attended the injured rider until paramedics arrived.

Overall, the rider was very lucky, and he was vocally very thankful to the driver of the first car for their exceptional avasive abilities whilst at the wheel of a motor vehicle!

I saw the wreck after it had happened, but all these details provided to me by said doctor after the finish.

Rick / OCRR

Nothing in today's North County Times.

Wow!

the guy riding in front of my friend went down in a corner of Highland Valley Road. Near the top rock section before the long DH strech. Looks like it missed judged the speed and saw the corner and locked up the tires crossing the center line. My friend said he saw blue smoke and he ran into the dirt wall on the other side. There was a 4 runner comming that stopped. I locked up my rear as I came into the corner, cross the center line and saved it. I was looking at the guys down, that my bike was heading there, then looked at the truck to change direction. Still going over 30 on these steep section. The guy that crashed, popped up quick and seemed OK. I wasn't really able to stop for him, but looked back as other riders were coming down and pulled over to help him.

Broken clavicle, hit the wheel in front of him, bounced out into traffic. First driver hit brakes, slid, missed rider. Second driver hit first car, third driver hit second car. A doctor (from out of state, happened to be on the ride) stopped and attended the injured rider until paramedics arrived.

Overall, the rider was very lucky, and he was vocally very thankful to the driver of the first car for their exceptional avasive abilities whilst at the wheel of a motor vehicle!

I saw the wreck after it had happened, but all these details provided to me by said doctor after the finish.

Rick / OCRR


Extra props to the nameless driver. When I saw the cars stopped along with the ambulances I feared that a rider had been hit. It could have been so much worse.

the guy riding in front of my friend went down in a corner of Highland Valley Road. Near the top rock section before the long DH strech. Looks like it missed judged the speed and saw the corner and locked up the tires crossing the center line. My friend said he saw blue smoke and he ran into the dirt wall on the other side. There was a 4 runner comming that stopped. I locked up my rear as I came into the corner, cross the center line and saved it. I was looking at the guys down, that my bike was heading there, then looked at the truck to change direction. Still going over 30 on these steep section. The guy that crashed, popped up quick and seemed OK. I wasn't really able to stop for him, but looked back as other riders were coming down and pulled over to help him.

Whoever organizes the Tour de Poway should probably try to urge people to be cautious on Highland Valley/Bandy Canyon. This is the second time I have done the TdP and both times riders have gone down there.

yah that was an unmarked corner, I KNOW to slow down there cuz I drive my car ALOT on that road. The DH speed is tempting but you gotta know whats coming up.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w24/Shnuddy/Viewfromtherear.jpg

:eek::eek: I always hate it when I see a fat guy on a cool new racing bike. Really he should hire a stand-in to ride it for him.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w24/Shnuddy/Viewfromtherear.jpg

:eek::eek: I always hate it when I see a fat guy on a cool new racing bike. Really he should hire a stand-in to ride it for him.

You saw a fat guy on a new racing bike? When? At Poway? Did you take a pic? Was his bike like yours? You know some of us can't help being fat...so you might want to be a little nicer. :rolleyes:

Whoever organizes the Tour de Poway should probably try to urge people to be cautious on Highland Valley/Bandy Canyon. This is the second time I have done the TdP and both times riders have gone down there.

Umm...you DIDN'T notice the BIG BOLD print on the ride instructions: "CAUTION ON HIGHLAND VALLEY RD, STEEP DOWNHILL WITH SHARP TURNS." as well as on the route slip? Only other thing would be to post someone wavoing a sign at the top of the hill. Even then there will be people that will blast the downhill.

Umm...you DIDN'T notice the BIG BOLD print on the ride instructions: "CAUTION ON HIGHLAND VALLEY RD, STEEP DOWNHILL WITH SHARP TURNS." as well as on the route slip? Only other thing would be to post someone waving a sign at the top of the hill. Even then there will be people that will blast the downhill.

Actually I didn't read the ride instructions since it's a local ride, and I didn't have a route slip with me :rolleyes:

On the Cruisin the Conejo and Stagecoach Centuries there actually were people waving signs and I'm sure it helped for those if us who are slow learners.

That is a pretty cool new racing bike.


http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w24/Shnuddy/Viewfromtherear.jpg

:eek::eek: I always hate it when I see a fat guy on a cool new racing bike. Really he should hire a stand-in to ride it for him.

Actually I didn't read the ride instructions since it's a local ride, and I didn't have a route slip with me :rolleyes:

On the Cruisin the Conejo and Stagecoach Centuries there actually were people waving signs and I'm sure it helped for those if us who are slow learners.On the Grand Tour Lite before the 2nd descend down Latigo (not sure if that's still Latigo), there are large warning messages to "slow down", "have fun and be safe", ":)" spray painted on the bike lane. That was quite fun.

Actually I didn't read the ride instructions since it's a local ride, and I didn't have a route slip with me :rolleyes:

On the Cruisin the Conejo and Stagecoach Centuries there actually were people waving signs and I'm sure it helped for those if us who are slow learners.There are regular road signs with the sharp turn symbols at the top of the hill. I still misjudged my speed on one section and crossed the yellow a little.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w24/Shnuddy/Viewfromtherear.jpg

:eek::eek: I always hate it when I see a fat guy on a cool new racing bike. Really he should hire a stand-in to ride it for him.

:eek: I didn't say that! Actually, I was enjoying the view. :D

We refer to it as Aero Belly on the recumbent. :)

Hey Dan, you prolly won't like this but I saw like 6 LOOKS just like yours and they were all spotted at climb up Poway grade. One guy had a nice red and carbon LOOK that stood out more. I was looking at everyones bike as I passed them and their gearing LOL

On the way up Poway grade, Dan and I bumped into Travis; but then he just zooms up and I didn't see him again.

Hey Dan, you prolly won't like this but I saw like 6 LOOKS just like yours and they were all spotted at climb up Poway grade. One guy had a nice red and carbon LOOK that stood out more. I was looking at everyones bike as I passed them and their gearing LOL

Not so. Mine was the only one with a triple.

there was this one chick that had when I came up her she was fighting GOOOD on that climb, looked in and she had one gear up front and 10 in the rear. Hardcore chick!!!!!

there was this one chick that had when I came up her she was fighting GOOOD on that climb, looked in and she had one gear up front and 10 in the rear. Hardcore chick!!!!!

Haven't seen that one. Is it a Tri thing?

nah not on a tri bike, the front gear looked a bit smaller then the one I have on my SS, so I'd guess 46t range.