F*@K YOU PALOMAR

This past Saturday I finally rode the infamous MOUNT PALOMAR. It was quite the climb. Our intention was to ride a portion of the final stage of the Tour of California. But of course we cheated a bit, as many others did that day, and started at the Harrah's Casino... approximately 16.5 miles from the summit of Palomar. Although the distance was short to the summit, the climb would bring us from an elevation of 860ft to over 5,400ft... all in 16 miles. It would be a rugged start. From the moment we left the car it was on. Mile after mile had only more percentage points in store for us.

It was just a small group of 3, that decided to take on this endeavour. Myself, Steve (we can count on each other to take on anything ridiculous via bicycle) and his roommate Drew, who has been training for an Ironman. The only reason I mention this is because I need some validation as to why he dropped me at the top of the climb, but I hate to jump ahead. We started off in a nice group together, chatting and having a good time. Slowly but surely as the road continued to pick up the banter slowly came down. We had been climbing for quite a bit when we finally made the turn on to South Grade Road... which is, unfortunately, the official start of the climb. From the here we had 12 miles left... and I was already starting to feel the burn.

Drew and I kept a fast (in my opinion) pace... Ok lets call it brisk. We kept a brisk pace, keeping the chatting going and enjoying the beautiful views, as we rounded the switch backs. Little did Drew know that I have the ability to carry on conversation even when my heart rate is holding a steady 175BPM. So it was, I believe, a bit of a surprise to Drew when he dropped me toward the top of the climb.

The way it played out was quite interesting and completely exposed my farce of comfort. About a mile plus before the summit we were caught. As this 5 foot 5 inch, 135 pound, midget passed on a carbon frame with deep dish carbon wheels he glanced over and gave us the ultimate cycling f#^k you. In the most nonchlant manner he looked over and said... "hey guys" with out even the slightest hint of effort or even a bead of sweat on his brow. Oh, and not to mention at a break neck pace. Well we weren't gonna stand for that... Drew instantly grabbed his wheel and I did Drew's. It only took until the next switch back to drop me. As the grade pitched up once more this guy stands up and just starts bendin' the cranks. I was a goner... I lost contact with them instantly and Drew not much later. But Drew smashed me on the rest of the climb.

Mentally I was crushed and started to look over my shoulder to make sure no one could see my pathetic pace, or see me crying as I gasped at the ever thinning air. It was pretty brutal, I was bummed to come apart like that right at the top of the climb. Shortly, I came up on Drew standing just off to the left of the faded KOM line. It was a great moment... mostly because we had finished the climb, but also because of the work we did to get there. I picked up a lot of fitness at this mountain, and left a lot of sweat behind.

We refueled at the top with some water and calorie rich drinks. After topping off and regrouping we headed down a nice gradual decent toward Lake Henshaw. Which looks more like a snow melt swamp. We worked the decent well... despite the occasional cross winds that, at one point, nearly took us all down in a powerful gust. Then as the road flattened out we cranked the pace hard for about 25miles non-stop... taking turns to work the front. As we got to the final decision point where we would have to make the call, as to whether we hit the final climb up Col Grade Rd, I was spent. We stopped at Valley Center Rd and took a long look down to the car. Steve and I were totally down to cut it short. I could tell that Johnny Ironman was looking for more... but he was good with calling it a day.

This day was one of my harder days I have had outside of racing on the bike... I worked my ass off and it was clear I had a lot more fitness to pick up. Even before my heart rate monitor started to mess up I was churning at my max. The bottom line is this ride killed me. At the end of our ride we attempted to take some self timer photos, but it didn't quit work out. As you will see on the photo's attached.

FINAL THOUGHTS... This is a great ride, it offers beautiful views, great climbs, and fast descents. All the essentials that a cyclist craves in a good ride. Palomoar itself is quite the beast... it's a long, long climb and will never give you a place to stop and recover. Be prepared for steady grades of 6 to 9% way before you even get to the official climb start. It is a great climb to learn to pace and control your efforts for a sustained period. This isn't a climb for the dedicated crit rider or the Bettini's of the world that can sprint on short climbs. This mountain is for the GC wannabe's or rather the "all-arounder." Palomar will make you better and humble you as well.

RIDE DATA >>> MOUNT PALOMAR

Be on the look out for the next challenge. The ride from my pad to the top of Cloud Burst Summit... just above 7000 ft in elevation.