"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - TOC Palomar Climb...I'm riding it this Sunday

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merlin55
01-31-09, 10:53 PM
I'm going to ride the East Grade climb and Cole Grade Climb tomorrow so I can decide were to watch the race in three weeks. Palomar has 20 or so switchbacks, and no doubt will be the most popular place to watch, but it is possible that Cole Grade will be the place to see the attack that wins the stage, perhaps the race.

bikeride
02-01-09, 01:35 AM
Good luck on race day. Don't forget to bring lunch cause your gonna be there the whole day.
EventServices
02-01-09, 02:02 PM
... cause your gonna be there the whole day.

So? You make it sound like a bad thing.

There's nothing quite like hanging out with thousands of like-minded cycling fans all day waiting for the parade to begin.
I'd do it if I weren't in the parade.

bigdraft
02-01-09, 02:15 PM
I've ridden those climbs quite a few times and for my money, I think Cole Grade would be the place to watch the action. After the loosening up that will have gone on on Highland Valley Rd and Palomar..this climb will decide who wins the stage IMO
ted ward
02-01-09, 07:18 PM
cole grade takes me all of an hour. epic climb. you will find that there's little space on the side to camp since it's cut into the mountain, mostly.

east grade I don't care for so much. probably safer from sport bikes on the weekends, though.
merlin55
02-01-09, 10:33 PM
Ok did the ride today. Perfect weather, shorts and long sleeve jersey going up, pulled out the vest for the descent. The bottom 5 miles coming out of the valley were steeper, than the 7 miles on the south grade switchbacks. South Grade will be crowded I'm sure, but Cole Grade might be the place to see the winning break happen, that is one tough climb...

Wish you guys and gals were here to ride Palomar....the South Grade road was made just for the transport of the Hale telescope mirror to the Hale Palomar Observatory....so the slope of the road is the same on the switchbacks as the connecting straights....
bikeride
02-02-09, 01:43 AM
So? You make it sound like a bad thing.

There's nothing quite like hanging out with thousands of like-minded cycling fans all day waiting for the parade to begin.
I'd do it if I weren't in the parade.

Did I say it was a bad thing? I'm a volunteer. Eric wanted this particular info to be passed out.