Hi Vic,

Big Bear area. I started out from our cabin (Fawnskin), took Northshore drive to the dam, turned right and headed up the climb to the area locals call "The Arctic Circle." Dark, cloudy and windy on Northshore, hit fog on Hwy 18, light rain a short time later.

This was shorts, jersey, base layer, arm warmers, knee warmers, wool socks but no shoe covers. I was okay to the summit but it was very dark and me with just a small helmet flasher (not smart). It was (visually) cool the way the thermals lifted the fog almost vertically over the roadway. Would have made a great photo by Vic Cooper!

At the summit I put on my Showers Pass jacket (so, hopefully, the drivers could see me before they ran me over). So yes, a scary fast (and wet) descent but back at lake level the rain stopped and fog decreased. By the time I got to the Discovery Center on Northshore the sun had come out so I took off my rain jacket and rode over to Starbucks (on Big Bear Blvd.).

Funny, but the barrista there advised me not to ride up to the Arctic Circle (too late buddy, been there, done that) since the fog was so thick! After coffee I took off on South Shore climbed Boulder Bay climbs, descended (new pavement, yes!) to the dam and took North shore back to the cabin.

You should ride Tour de Big Bear some day! Jackie, Rosanne and I had ridden to Onyx the day before.

Saturday's ride on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/415904668

Sunday's ride on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/415904671

Rick / OCRR