Palomar.....

Palomar. That word alone seems to conjure up images of pain and suffering beyond what most of the riders I know are willing to experience. I've made it my mission to climb up that mountain more then I ever have before. Of course I'm not doing this all in the name of fun, there is a purpose. Mt. Charleston is that purpose. In less then two weeks I'll be loading up the car, heading out to Vegas, and subjecting myself to a 17.5 mile road race, all uphill. The only climb I know of in the San Diego area that will allow me to come close to that amount of climbing is Palomar. Today's ride stats...Stage at Valley Center Road and Highway 76. Climb South Grade Road, descend down East Grade Road. Break for a bite to eat at Lake Henshaw, climb East Grade Road, descend down South Grade Road back to the car. All in all, not alot of miles (50), but half of them climbing. Excellent!!! Now anyone who has climbed Palomar on any given weekend day of the year knows all about the high-speed motorcycles that continually race up and down the mountain. Normally I find them nothing more then an annoyance as I make my way up or down the mountain. But on our descent down Highway 76 today, we came in to a turn marked 30mph I believe, and as we approached I noticed a motorcycle rider laying down flares in the road. That can only mean one thing. Sure enough as I rounded the corner I saw an ambulance and about four other motorcycles pulled off the side of the road. The next thing I saw was the reason for all this. Wedged underneath the guardrail was someone's motorcycle, looking like a twisted heap of scrap metal, and my immediate thought was "where is the rider?" I figured I'd make my way down to the next switchback and look up from there and see if I could spot him, assuming he went over the guardrail when colliding with it. As I approached the next switchback I stopped and asked my teammate if he'd seen the rider. Yes, unfortunately he did see someone lying on the ground, covered with a blue tarp back at the scene of the accident. That too can only mean one thing. Why is it these "weekend warriors" feel the need to race up and down this mountain at break neck speeds risking not only their own lives, but the lives of others driving cars, or riding bicycles?!!! And more importantly, where is the local law enforcement? I know the road and highway are under the jurisdiction of the Highway Patrol, because a few weeks back as I was climbing South Grade Road there was a massive sting operation underway utilizing everything from numerous cars, motorcycles, and even an airplane to ticket these riders at just about every turn. The state must of made a fortune that day! So why is it, that on almost any given weekend there's not a Highway Patrol in sight? Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating that the Highway Patrol get rid of each and every motorcycle rider on the mountain, I would just like to see some enforcement of the exisiting speed laws that are in effect. The way these riders are choosing to ride is reckless, and I understand that most of them when asked, would probably say it's their life, and if they want to risk it that's their choice. I fully agree, but not when it's putting other lives in danger. Did I mention that this last Wednesday was the final night of my Speech class? Finally, I took and finished the class that has been my college nemesis! I honestly never thought I would ever, ever get out of Palomar College because of that class. I'm down to about five classes left before I bid farewell to Palomar and hello to Cal State San Marcos. I still don't know exactly what it is I want to do with my life. Kinesiology peaked my interest, my wife has mentioned a degree in Liberal Studies to teach as she does. All these are great options, and no matter what I choose, just having a college degree would be a huge accomplishment for me. I've never imagined myself ever earning one, and I don't want to get excited about it yet, because it's still pretty far off in my future, but it's fun to dream. Every since I can remember I've always wanted to write. When other kids were saying they wanted to be a firefighter, policeman, or president, I was the wanna-be author. Of course with my lifelong history of procrastination I've never pursued that dream. This blog is actually my feeble attempt to rekindle that spark. I would really like to pursue a degree in Literature, but what could I do with it? I'm not fortunate enough at my age, and with my responsibilities to friviously chase a degree that would be of no use to me once I've earned it. If anyone out there accidently stumbles across this blog in their search of more interesting and important events in the world, and may have some information to lend in this matter, please do. Thank you, and until next time.....

IT'S OVER!!!

Hi All. Well the dreaded Speech class is over for me! Actually, the class officially ends this Wednesday, which is the night I was suppose to present my final speech, the persausive speech, but I was able to present last night, going last with a room full of six people. I really don't know if that made it any easier, but I was able to get it over with:) Next up, Spanish and English!!! I noticed in my last post I mentioned that Aliso Viejo was the next race for me. Well obviously that race and come and gone, and not too soon! Aliso result = DNF. First DNF I've ever had, and hopefully the last. Ended up getting such as bad side-stitch cramp that I couldn't go on. I could give a full race report, but let's just say I was not prepared to race a race that brutal after having not raced for five weeks prior, and in those five weeks, not really exposing myself to any high-intensity training. Needless to say, after my Aliso experience it was back to hitting the training hard which resulted in me riding REALLY strong, but stupid at San Marcos. I've decided that when the legs feel as good as they did at San Marcos this is when I either need to attack and try and get away, or sit in near the front and see what happens in a field sprint. I really don't think I possess a very competitive sprint, so I'm leaning towards the attack theory. Next race on the calendar, Ontario #5. I'll be racing two races that day, Masters 30+ 4/5, and the Cat 4/5. I plan on trying two different strategies that day. In the Masters race, I'm going to try and attack halfway through and see if I can stay away. Then in the 4/5 race, sit in near the front and wait for the sprint. But it's the week after Ontario that I'm really focusing on. The Mt. Charleston Hill Climb. For those of you that don't know, I LOVE to climb. This race delivers that. 17.5 miles of all climb, from 3300 some odd feet, to 8600 some odd feet. Great race, did it last year as a Cat 5 and placed 24th out of a hundred I believe. The goal for this year is a top ten. We'll see what happens. Well, off to work for know, until next time................