Tuesday Ride Report - Del Dios Loop

Nice turnout today for the Del Dios Loop: Mary Ann, Beth & Bob, Mike, Robert, and me, were joined by just-in-time arrivals, Raul and Manny, who were visiting from the cycling nirvana of Davis. For two flatlanders, they acquitted themselves nicely on the hills that we were able to offer them on today's route... you guys are welcome to ride with us anytime you make a return visit.
 
Weather was perfect today and it seemed like we were out of Rancho Bernardo and flying down San Dieguito Road before you could blink. The hill up from Fairbanks Ranch to Rancho Santa Fe was a nice appetizer for the Del Dios climb to Lake Hodges. On the way up to the lake we were treated to a helicopter hauling felled trees out of the riverbed below the dam - that was an unexpected sight. Up  at the top, we parted company with our visitors, who had to turn back there for a fast trip down to Del Mar while we got to continue on to the edge of Harmony Grove before heading into Escondido. In town we made a stop at Belen Bakery (yikes, two weeks in a row there), enjoyed their baked goods, and some of us packed out bread loaves for home consumption.
 
Next week, we go a tad longer and will start a bit earlier, 8:00AM...
Lilac-n-Back
Date: Tuesday November  29, 2011
Time: 8:00am
Out to Valley Center and Lilac, Old Castle to Old 395,  returning through Jesmond Dene and Escondido.
  
Happy Thanksgiving Day to All!
   
Cheers,
Steve