My Personal Quest

As I travel the country and work in different locations, I am always checking out what each place has to offer. Each corner of our amazing country is unique. Some have natural wonders, while others have history that is our primary draw. But there is more. When I come into an area, the first thing that comes into my head is, "can I ride there?"

Call it a character flaw.

I don't see the beautiful neighborhoods, but rather, the beautiful roads. Where do they lead and where can I ride?
So I have made it a point to plan (at least) one Epic Ride in each place I go.

Placerville, CA had two hundred mile rides into the Sierra foothills. Amazing!

Quincy, CA had a 60 miler that climbed a pass. (It was winter)

Libby, MT had the STOKR, a 95 mile loop that climbed 6000' or so. It wasn't the hardest century, but was definitely a challenge.

Ketchikan, AK lacked the roads to put in an epic ride, but it put on a decent off road race and more than made up for it with some incredible fishing.

Ventura, CA had several great coastal and mountain routes, some really big. My favorite was a 75-miler with three good climbs including the infamous Balcom Canyon.
And lastly, Palm Springs, CA had the Tour de Palm Springs, a nearly flat century, that left me wanting more.

So I am planning my Epic Ride for my last weekend here in SoCal. Call it my swan song. I have designed a route that starts in my home town of Moreno Valley, CA and will wind through the small towns I used to ride to when I was much younger. I have invited my long-time riding partner, Lyn, to do this with me. We will ride down to Lake Skinner and then turn East toward the ominous San Jacinto Mountains. It's here that the ride gets tough. We'll do a series of climbs that will take us up to about 4500', then it's 25+ miles descending toward the desert floor and our finish. I don't have a clue of the mileage, but it will surely be greater that one hundred, and could have 8000 total feet of climbing. I'll be sure to bring the Garmin to get the statistics.

So wish Lyn and I a good ride this coming Saturday and check back for pictures and details of our adventure!