I did the RTS (Riverside to Surfside) prelude this morning. Well, I didn't do the whole ride. I rode from the Riverside Medical Clinic on Arling & Brockton and rode the route to the beginning of the Sant Ana River Trail at the Green River Golf Course. It's 22 moles to that point. I got a late start, so I did the ride solo.

The century route starts at the Riverside Medical Clinic. From there it turns left on Brockton Ave. Brockton turns into Mary St. Then you turn right on Victoria Ave. Victoria Ave. is one of the prettiest streets in Riverside. One lane (plus a bike lane) separated by palm trees. Only two traffic lights along the route. A few stop signs, though. The City of Riverside is supposed to sweep the bike lanes before the ride on Saturday. Just past La Sierra there's some construction and there are some steel plates that take up over half the right lane.

Then there's a right turn onto Fillmore. That thkes you to Indiana Ave. where you make a left turn. just past Pierce Ave. there's a 1/4 mile strech of rough road. Probably best to take the lane here. Continuing on Indiana, you pass an indian burrial ground on the left.Then you make a right on Mckinley, then a left turn on Magnolia. The good news is that the construction has been completed on the west-bound side of Magnolia. The bad newsis there's still a couple of rough spots on the east-bound side.

Continue on Magnolia (turns into 6th St.) and turn RIGHT on Rimpau. Last year you turned left on Rimpau and climbed up the hill. This year the hill climb has been eliminates. Take Rimpau until it ends and turn left on Quarry. Be careful going onto Quarry since theres som holes. Then you turn right on West Grand. Be careful crossing Main St. There's a couple of troughs where the wheel of cars have worn down the blacktop. It took me by surprise.

Then it's right onto Railroad St. The good news about Railroad St. is that it has been re-paved and is nice and smooth. the bad news is that the bike lane is one of those half blacktop half concrete rain gutter things. I recommend staying on the blacktop side. It's smooth sailing to the first rest stop at the Metrolink station.

After the rest stop you continue on Auto Centre Dr. and cross the 91 freeway. When you get to the 91, the right lane is right turn only and you ceed to get into the left lame. Then the road turns into Serfas Club Drive. Then it's a right onto Palisades. It's pretty much downhill and smooth except for a deep six-inch hole I saw about 1/4 mile from the turn. I just had a glance at it, but I couldn't see the bottom.

Then it's right onto Green River. Don't gee to close to the line, because there's a two-inch drop-off onto gravel. There are also some srorm drains with wide grates as you get closer to the 91. After the freeway, there's a couple of fast-food restaurants and gas stations. Watch for cars exiting the freeway and going into and out of the stores. After that it's smooth sailing (cycling) and very little traffic to the entrance to the SART.

Hope this helps.

Jim

p.s. I hope the weather next weekend is just like today: perfect.