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AlpineChallenge3.jpg |
This ride took place on April 24, 2004. Stella came with me and did some quilting and visited some quilt shops while I rode. I did the "Metric Century" (62 miles) from Alpine to Descanso, plus an 11 mile extension to Pine Valley. Total elevation gain was, according to Sue Booth's GPS unit, 6,939 feet. Total mileage was 73 miles. The ride started at 7:00 am, and I finished about 2:30pm. That's 5.5 hours. The ride was well supported with 3 sag stops, two of which were located on return legs, so more like 5 stops. There were generous sport beverages and food. I was surprised how many really fast riders there were on this ride. Even at my speed, I thought I'd be in the first half, but there really were not all that many riders who came in after me. There was also a picnic lunch for the riders. I met Lowell Lindsey, an SDAG past president, on the ride. After the ride, there was a bunch of SDAG members, including current El Prez Monte Murbach, and we hung out for a couple hours. After coming back from Pine Valley and Guatay (elevation 4,100 feet), the ride got warm. Fortunately, there was a big downhill from that point. I was glad to get back. The ride from Alpine to Descanso was mainly on Japatul Valley Road. I hadn't ever been on most of the ride. It is really beautiful. I felt fortunate to see the beauty of unspoiled San Diego backcountry, at the time of year when it is at its most verdant. I was delighted to see a whole swath of my own backyard I hadn't seen before. I hadn't been on the Pine Valley loop before either. There are many homes nestled in the pines and meadows of Pine Valley. It really was a gorgeous sight.
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