It was a bit cool and overcast at Valle Verde Park at our roll-out time, but as usual things changed as we climbed into Valley Center.  It was all blue sky once we made our way up there.  The descent into Valley Center and down Lilac Road went quickly and the cars weren't too bad.  The Old Castle Road climb and descent were super.  Old 395 and Jesmond Dene were also on the agenda today and those roads brought us back to the Heart of Escondido, aka Petersons Donuts.
 
A topic of discussion lately has been the idea of a VVV club jersey... I'm for it, but we need to generate a design.  I'm for keeping it simple, although I haven't any preset ideas about it. Except that I think we need to have some green in the scheme, for the Verde in VVV.  Mike C suggested an oak tree logo, like that used by the city of Poway which sounded nice to me.  Any artists out there?
 
BTW: The starting eleven riders today were joined en-route by an additional three to bring us up to another all-time high of fourteen riders. 
 
Next week we again go with Group Choice...
ACHD Ride
Date: Tuesday April 2, 2013
Time: 9:00am
Anything Can Happen Day. Group choice for route... Usually easy??
 
Finally, the Borrego Five-O ride is still planned for Saturday, April 13th.  We should be able to get some carpooling going to save gas.  In the past we have allowed about two hours driving time from Poway to Borrego Springs.  So, if we leave around 6:00AM there is plenty of time to get to Borrego, setup, and be ready for an 8:30AM clip-in.  The ride takes about 5 hours and will be followed by lunch in Borrego Springs before heading back.
 
Cheers,
Steve

VVV set a ridership record today with 13 cyclists rolling out for the Highland Valley Loop, along with the regular riders we had a guest from Oregon (Dan) and a new rider (Gigi.) Welcome  aboard!
 
The weather certainly couldn't have been much better for riding than it was today: lots of sunshine and blue skies. And it seemed like everyone was ready to have hills for breakfast today - Scripps Poway Parkway, Mount Woodson, Highland Valley - Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!  And all that climbing meant we got to spend more time having fun on the speedy downhills.
 
The only down note: back-to-back flats just before we finished Highland Valley Road - one pinch flat and one thorn! Only six of us were able to visit Starbucks in RB after the ride, but seating there was at a premium so that actually worked out OK. 
 
Next week's challenge...
Lilac-n-Back
Date: Tuesday March 26, 2013
Time: 9:00am
Out to Valley Center and Lilac, Old Castle to Old 395, returning through Jesmond Dene and Escondido.
 
Planning ahead, the plan for Borrego Five-O is still on for April...
Borrego Five-O
Date: Saturday April 13,  2012
Clip-in Time: 8:30AM
Start/Finish: Borrego Springs (Christmas Circle)
Distance: 50 miles
Elev. Gain: 4,600'
 
The write-up for our last riding of B50:  
http://www.vvvelo.com/1/post/2012/11/borrego-five-o1.html
 
Cheers,
Steve

Well, we discovered today that the POTUS is taking time off from DC and riding through RB, going incognito as a baseball bat toting skinhead. I chalk it up to the Sequester: no White House tours and Secret Service lay-offs, yeah, that's gotta hurt.
 
Despite the odd start to the ride, we did manage to enjoy the trip to Del Dios, which featured a drop down Lake Drive and then a way-too-steep ascent to get back on the DD Hwy.  The swing through Rancho Santa Fe was scenic and swift, followed by the climbs to San Elijo Hills, where we stopped to chat with Veso Mandaric of Mandaric Bicycles. The Elfin Forest/Harmony Grove section was the usual: Great Riding; and we followed everything up with carb-dense treats at Petersons' Donuts.
 
Next week the mileage is dialed back for the...
Highland Valley Loop
Date: Tuesday March 19, 2013
Time: 9:00am
Scenic riding on Highland Valley Road, with plenty of hills.
 
On the long-range radar: April means it's time for a Borrego Five-O, and April 13th is the tentative date.
 
Cheers,
Steve

The cloudy skies and cool temps didn't hurt our ridership too badly - ten of us rolled out of VV Park - including a new rider, Damian (Welcome!) and long-missing Pam (Welcome Back!)  
 
The ACHD route evolved as we went along. We started off to incorporate some of the roads from the rained-out February ride, and we did pick up parts: mainly the hill sections. The Rancho Santa Fe Farms Road climb was the steepest, but we had plenty of other nice inclines to help burn off some calories - which those of us who went for the scones or cinnamon rolls at the Belen Bakery stop could use to justify the indulgence.  
 
The photo slideshow is a bit thin: sorry, but the overcast skies tend to make the scenery look too somber!
 
Next week's ride...
Del Dios & Elfin Forest
Date: Tuesday March 12, 2013
Time: 9:00am
A rolling route featuring Del Dios outbound (downhill) and Elfin Forest inbound.
 
Cheers,
Steve