Originally Posted by
Rick@OCRR
Good timing on this post! Thanks for all the good advice. I'm heading into a ride (well, it's timed so kind of a race) with a 70% chance of rain and a high temp of 48 Deg. predicted at 5,000 ft. of elevation but we're going to 8,400 ft. so it will likely be colder there (at the finish line).
Then we have to descend back into Redlands, about 40 miles and to about 1,000 ft. of elevation. Climbing I generate some good heat. Descending, not so much . . . not much at all. Should be mid 40's at the start in Redlands (5:30 AM) get a bit warmer through Beaumont and up Oak Glenn (steep climb that one).
May be cold on the Oak Glenn descent but should be okay (mid 50's) climbing up Damnation Alley to Forest Falls, then the temps should start dropping again and probably rain falling by Angelus Oaks. From there it's only 20 miles and 3,400 ft. of climbing to the finish line but I expect ever falling temps as I climb. Could be snow at the summit.
Hopefully I'll make it by the cut-off time (3:30 PM) but should have some epic (if not tragic) stories to tell after it's all over.
Rick / OCRR
Good luck Rick. April 9th was the first time I had a chance to ride after being away form home on business for 2 weeks, and I had only 5 day before the Hemet DC staff ride. Even though it was not raining when I left home, I knew it would. I needed the saddle time, and I needed some saddle time in the rain. 20 min into the ride I felt sprinkles. I pulled over and put on my rain jacket, but it felt too warm to put on arm warmers. 5 minutes later it was a steady shower, but I continued on my planned route of 36 miles. About 15 minutes later I was starting to get cole, but there was no place to pull over, get out of the rain, and put on my arm warmers, so I decided to change my route. By the time I got close to some buildings I had warmed up, and kept riding. I ended up wit 36 miles. I rode my old bike, and old shoes and shorts. The only thing I would change about that is the shorts. as the old shorts got wet they moved around more than newer ones might have.