We came to the desert for hill training. But what we will do is wind training.

Woke up to a very windy Borrego Springs – with the National Weather Service issuing wind advisories to prove it. After a conference, the group decided to ride a 50 mile loop I calling Yaqui Pass / San Felipe Road loop. We would climb nearly 6000 feet up to an altitude of 4000 feet at the top of the Montezuma Grade. The weather up there was reported to be below 40 degrees and raining. Joanne and I looked at each other and shared the same thought, “Let’s find a short cut!”

We headed west out of Borrego Springs on Borrego Springs Road but soon turned south on Yapui Pass Road. As with any road with the word “Pass”, it began to climb. The incline was slight, perhaps 5 to 6 percent with no steep pitches. The sun was out keeping us warm; the climbing was good. I did the first third easy, the second third hard and the final third at a recovery pace so I could finish with a sprint. It was fun.

The descent was short and windy. The descending lane was next to the hill side so I did not feel that I would get blown over the guard rail. At the bottom was the junction with CA 78. If you turn to the right, you follow the route to San Felipe Road. If you turn to the left, you can descend back down to Borrego Springs Road. If you turn to the right, you ride into the head wind. If you turn to the left, you ride with a tail wind. Joanne and I turned to the left while the rest of the group turned to the right.

Traffic was light and we flew down the road at 30 miles an hour plus. But soon we had to turn back toward Borrego Springs and into a fierce cross wind. Descending down into “Texas Dip”, the largest dry wash I have ever seen. 9% down with a fierce crosswind, along the bottom for 100 yards, and then 9% up which I did in the big ring by mistake.

We now had about ten miles to ride back to Borrego Springs with a cross wind. It was slow going, but we labored on and soon arrived in Borrego Springs. We had lunch at the local bar and then decided to climb another hill – Montezuma Grade.

The Montezuma Grade starts just outside of Borrego Springs and climbs up to the west at a steep grade. Joanne and I started together, but I soon pulled ahead. My intention was to ride it hard, so I kept my effort high. Soon sweat was dripping into my eyes. As I climbed, the wind got stronger. At one point, I came around a corner to be hit by a very hard wind. It was all I could do to stay upright! Luckily, I was already in my inner chain ring so I shifted down to my lowest gear and I could barely turn the peddles. After a few feet, the wind let up and I could continue on. But, the higher I climbed, the windier it got. Shortly, I decided it was time to turn around to avoid the wind and the mist that was coming down the canyon.

The descent was not fun. Wind pushed me and the bike around. With a cliff on one side, the wind on the other side and a very concerned rider in the middle, brakes were used.

Happy to say, I made it back to Borrego Springs without incident.