This morning California fulfilled it’s promise of sunny skies and warm temperatures.

Today’s ride was wondrous. At 7:45 this morning, 15 of us rode as a group out of Julian and onto the back roads south west of town. Joanne and I rode along side of our new friends marveling at the pastoral scenery around us. The group finally broke us as we climbed Engineers Road which had some very steep pitches. I took it very easy heeding my coaches advice – ride at a level where you can talk, but not sing. Little does he know I can not sing even when standing still. We climbed up high and were rewarded with views to the west that would have included the Pacific Ocean, if there not been no marine fog.

Looking west from Engineers Road

Climbing Engineers Road in the sun.

Soon, we reached Lake Cuyamaca where we came upon the big, white AdventureCORPS van. Several Fig Newtons later, Joanne and I were riding along on a very lightly traveled road heading toward Pine Valley. We passed many racnches and we stopped to visit a friendly inhabitant.

A ranch inhabitat

In Pine Valley, the big, white AdventureCORPS van resupplied us in preparation of the big climb of the day to the summit of Mount Laguna.

The AdventureCORPS van in Pine Valley.

The climb to Mount Laguna was eleven miles long and we gained over 2,200 feet. The grade was not too steep so that we could keep a good rhythm. We rode with three cheerful French Canadians who kept us company as we climbed. Once we reached the top, we stoped at the small store (‘No Bikes on the Porch’ read the signs) and were looking forward to our last 20 miles back to Julian. There may not have been any bikes on the porch, but there sure were hikers everywhere.

As we began our descent, the views opened up causing me to stop several times to take them in and record them with photographs.

Looking down onto the Great Southern Overland Stage Route Road

Looking north from Mount Laguna

We finished the ride with 62 miles and over 6,000 feet of gain.