Keeping It Light

The author with his mascot, Gumby, during the 1987 Race Across America. What could be more fun than having my sister-in-law crawl inside my inflatable 6" tall Gumby to surprise me?

It astounds me how overly seriously so many people take their cycling and endurance sports. It's like they just literally want to suck the life and the fun out of the whole experience.

Not me!

I honestly believe I enjoy cycling, and getting "out there" under human power, more intensely, and more intently, than just about anybody. I do this largely by "keeping it light."

When I'm out on my bike, when I'm "out there," I make a point of taking everything in, all the time. Some people stare continuously at the white line, or the butt of the rider in front of them, all the time. I don't get that. I prefer constantly using my peripheral vision to soak in as much enjoyment, information, inspiration, and light as possible. Not ony is this fun and smile-inducing, but it helps me to notice little roads or trails off to the side of the road, or way off in the distance on some hillside, giving me inspiration for more places to explore. I'm also more likely to notice weather changes in the offing, or aggressive drivers, or historic markers, or viewpoints to check out. If I don't pay attention, I'm liable to miss that glimpse of wildlife along the way, or a waterfall, or a dolphin in the ocean, or a classic car in somebody's yard or driveway, or a funnily decorated mailbox, or a funny sign, or a funky café or mini-mart. I've got to take it all in!
You noticed those wild turkeys over there to the right, on the way to Lake Cuyamaca, right?

Yes, I really do stop during my rides. It amazes me how many people just blast right over the summit of a big climb, without even stopping to enjoy the view or take photo at the summit. Seriously? Likewise for those who have ridden past some historic marker placed by the county, some historical group, or the Clampers a million times, but have never stopped to read it. I pretty much always stop for those signs. In fact, I want to find an area in California that is thickly covered in historic markers and viewpoints and then create a cycling event that specifically involves stopping at all of them! (Any suggestions?)

California Registered Historical Landmark No. 858, along Sunrise Highway on Mount Laguna.

If cycling isn't about embracing the world around us and getting to know it, why not just ride indoors on a trainer?

Naturally, I at least nod at all the other cyclists I see, and sometimes I wave at them. Amazingly, I even verbally greet those riders that I catch along the way! (I know, I know, that's so uncommon anymore. Sad.) Of course, I don't discriminate based upon their type of bike, clothes, or anything else. Anybody on two human-powered wheels is fine by me, and automatically "on my team." (I make a point of chatting it up with motorcyclists, too, treating them as fellow two-wheeled lovers of the world. Being a human is the best way to be respected by another human, I believe. However, if one slides off the pavement because they are driving their motorbike like an idiot, I will ride on by.)

When I meet somebody to go for a ride, I am actually there to ride with them. I know, call me crazy, but it's not my idea of fun to "half-wheel" a friend. The friendship, conversation, and mutual enjoyment are paramount when I ride with somebody. I also keep it light by talking a lot - generally about non-cycling stuff - with my friends when I'm riding. All that sullen silence so common in group rides is not for me. (Quite boorish, that is.)

Of course, I enjoy a silent jam with friends sometimes, too: Let our pedals do the talking! But when I really want to "train," which isn't often, I join a racing type club ride, enter a race or timed event, or I just go ride on my own and use my heartrate monitor and personal records on various stretches of road to push myself.

My late friend and mentor, Willard Bascom, said "The whole point of life is to enjoy it." By keeping it light, I do that as much and as often as possible.

Yeah, I stop to check out these kinds of signs, too. That's my Ritchey Break-Away. In this case, they explained the devastating, but natural, fire which had swept through this area of Mount Laguna.

OK, we all stop to get water at National Forest Visitors' Centers, but how about going inside? They often have neat pins, postcards, books, and maps which I'll buy during a ride. Nice volunteers, too!

Just one of many displays inside the Visitor's Center shown above, atop Mount Laguna. Want to visit this amazing Mount Laguna? Come ride our Mount Laguna Bicycle Classic in April! Info.

If Seven Riders Go on a Nice Ride, and At Least Five Don't Blog About It, Did the Ride Really Happen?

On May 1 I joined a group organized by fellow Rough Rider Dustin Sharp for a 42-mile adventure in eastern San Diego County (near Mount Laguna, of course) with 5600 feet of elevation gain. Officially, it was a ride of the "Southern California Rivendell Appreciation Society." We spent six hours out there, four of them actually riding (with a route this unusual and in the back-country, you have to regroup often so that some riders don't end up as vulture dinner.) The route was a version of the ride we did out there on July 5, 2009, except this version had even more dirt: about 80% of the May 1 ride was off-pavement, some of it on true "mountain bike trails" with rock gardens, mud, single-track, portages, and more. But of course, I cycled 99.7% of it. I want to thank Dustin for putting together this fine route and organizing and promoting the ride. It's nice to not be in charge! It's also nice to not have to write up a comprehensive blog report and post tons of photos, since Dustin, along with Esteban Del Rio, Sky Boyer, and David Estes already did such a fine job of it!

Here's my favorite shot, taken by Dustin Sharp: Yours truly (L) with Sky Boyer, the proprietor of Velo Cult and a bike racer since the age of 9. He rode his first century at the age of ten and competed on the track, plus mountain bike, cyclocross, and road. We had lots to talk about. (I rode my Rivendell Roadeo with 700x33.3mm Jack Brown tyres, while Sky rode his Mark Nobilette demountable - it breaks in half for travel - with 650Bx40mm Grand Bois Hetre tyres. Wool jerseys by Woolistic.):
For Dustin's Garmin download (map, stats, and more), click here.
For Dustin's report on his Paleo Velo blog, click here.
For Dustin's Flickr page of photos from this ride, click here.
For Esteban's report on his Velo Flaneur blog, click here.
For Esteban's Flickr page of photos from this ride, click here.
For Sky's report (all images) on the Velo Cult blog, click here.
For David Estes AKA "Cyclotourist's" Flickr page of photos from this ride, click here.
For the Rivendell List discussion of this ride, click here.
For the Southern California Rivendell Appreciation Society Flickr group, click here.

Here are the only shots I took, since I was there purely to enjoy the ride:

Mount Laguna: Rides and Hike

Above: Chris Kostman's Rivendell Roadeo along Kitchen Creek Road.

On March 20 and 27, 2010 we enjoyed some excellent adventures on and around southeastern San Diego County's Mount Laguna. Both days we encouraged fellow cyclists to join us, especially if they are in training for the upcoming April 17 Mount Laguna Bicycle Classic. Here are some photos from both Saturdays out there.

As we have opined before, truly one of California's best kept secrets of the outdoor world is the area on and around Mt. Laguna, the 6,000' peak in eastern San Diego County. The cycling there, on and off road, as well as hiking, bird watching, flower-spotting, animal-seeking, camping, and much more, are just unparalleled. Encompassing Anza-Borrego State Park and the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area of the Cleveland National Forest, it's a beautiful, gorgeous, wondrous place to explore, enjoy life, and get way out there - all the while just 4 miles east of San Diego!

Above: Group shot in Pine Valley on 3/27Above: Basketball Legend and AdventureCORPS Fan #1, Bill Walton, with 11-year-old Moriah Swan on 3/27. Bill rides a custom ti-carbon exogrid by Bill Holland and Moriah rides a Trek with 650C wheels. Both will participate in the upcoming Mount Laguna Bicycle Classic. Moriah and her 13-year-old sister Hannah are both incredible riders, just smooth and beautiful on their bikes. It was pleasure to ride with them, and with our good friend Bill, today!

After today's ride (3/27), we hiked up and back on the Pacific Crest Trail to enjoy the waterfalls on Kitchen Creek (the actual creek, not the nearby road of the same name). The water was flowing beautifully and the flowers were starting to sprout, so it looks really good for a fantastic flower show on April 17!

Rough Riders News & Mount Laguna Rides on 3/20 and 3/27

Sorry we've not been up to speed with this blog lately. We've been too busy riding, plus hosting 80 For Haiti on February 13, then CORPScamp Death Valley (as seen above) on Feb 27 through March 3, followed by the Death Valley Century & Double Century on March 6. (Click those links for millions of photos, video slideshows, results, etc.)

Coming up soon are Hell's Gate Hundred on April 3 and Mount Laguna Bicycle Classic on April 17, both of which we are hosting. (Both have registration still open, however all the hotels in and near Death Valley for the HGH ride on April 3 are sold out. Both currently have about 200 riders signed up and we are very excited.)

The next two Saturdays, we plan to ride the MLBC route, starting from Major's in Pine Valley both days. Saturday the 20th we'll start at 700am and ride loops 1 & 2, then Saturday the 27th we'll start at 800am and ride loops 2 & 3. All are welcome to join us. No support provided, not even a route sheet. Just come ride!

Here's a preview of my new Rivendell Roadeo in its first incarnation. A full report and lots of photos will be posted soon:

We got a cool email from fellow Rough Rider Dustin Sharp, a regular at the Rough Rider Rambles and the Rough Rider Semi-Epics which we'll share here:

We (Esteban Del Rio and I) rode the 80 for Haiti course last Saturday (January 30) with a Kitchen Creek Finish, making for about 90 miles and 7500 feet of climbing. We pushed our bikes through over two miles of snow at the top of Kitchen Creek before hitting sunrise highway. Don’t ask why we weren’t smart enough to turn around and go the other way. Suffice it to say that Sidi shoes are not waterproof and my feet were like two numb bricks coming down Sunrise and into pine valley. It was a different sort of “rough riding” for sure. Check out the pics!

That's all for now! Keep on rolling! Thanks for your support!

PLEASE RIDE 80 FOR HAITI: FEB 13

Fellow Rough Riders, please join us for this important cause on February 13. It's an awesome route, and, more importantly, represents our collective effort to do something on behalf of the 150,000 dead and 600,000 homeless in Haiti.
L'Union Fait la Force = Strength Through Unity

(National Motto of Haiti)

LA JOLLA, CA - AdventureCORPS, Inc., an athlete-run firm producing some of the world's toughest sports events - including the Badwater Ultramarathon and Furnace Creek 508 races in Death Valley - will host "80 FOR HAITI," a cycling benefit ride for Haiti relief supporting Mercy Corps on Saturday, February 13, 2010. The event will feature an 80-mile ride along Old Hwy 80 in southeastern San Diego County. There will be an $80 entry fee and 100% of the entry fees will go directly to Mercy Corps, one of the most respected relief organizations worldwide. AdventureCORPS will absorb all costs, but food, drink, and support sponsors are being sought.

The "80 FOR HAITI" cycling event start / finish line is just 44 miles east of San Diego, in Pine Valley, CA. The route is spectacular, on absolutely quiet roads through rolling terrain.

As international relief efforts continue in Haiti, a Mercy Corps earthquake response team is in Port-au-Prince responding to urgent needs.

Registering for this ride - or donating to the cause, if you can't do the actual ride - will help families in Haiti recover from the most powerful quake to hit the country in more than 200 years. Mercy Corps relief workers with experience in disaster responses ranging from Hurricane Katrina to the Myanmar cyclone are converging on Haiti from Africa, Asia, and North America. They're focusing first on the immediate needs -- for water, food, temporary shelter supplies and much more -- and expanding their work to three areas: clean water, post-trauma support for children, and job creation.

The needs in Haiti are immense. Its capital lies in ruins, as many as 200,000 may be dead, and survivors are increasingly desperate for food, clean water and shelter. Please ride "80 For Haiti" and/or give what you can to help families recover.

Cycling participants in 80 FOR HAITI must pre-register for the event, so that we can plan accordingly. PLEASE register prior to February 6 for the ride. Donations will be accepted through February 13, and beyond.

You Want to RIDE on February 13? Great! Please join us, and tell your friends!

You Can't Ride on February 13, but you want to donate to the cause? GREAT! Use this link to our fundraising page:

80 FOR HAITI HIGHLIGHTS:
• February 13, 2010
• Held along Eastern San Diego County's Old Hwy 80: Minimal traffic, no traffic lights, and just a few stop signs.
• Three well-stocked checkpoints, plus roving SAG support vehicles on the course.
• The entry fee is a minimum $80 donation: 100% of ALL entry fees will go to Mercy Corps.

ABOUT THE HAITI EARTHQUAKE
The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake with the epicenter near Léogane, approximately 25 kilometres (16 mi) west of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, striking at 16:53:10 local time (21:53:10 UTC) on Tuesday, 12 January 2010. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 13 kilometres (8.1 mi). The United States Geological Survey recorded a series of at least 33 aftershocks, fourteen of them between magnitudes 5.0 and 5.9. The International Red Cross estimated that about three million people were affected by the quake, and the Haitian Interior Minister believes that up to 200,000 have died as a result of the disaster, exceeding earlier Red Cross estimates of 45,000–50,000. Several prominent public figures are among the dead. The Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive recently announced that over 70,000 bodies have been buried in mass graves. Source (and more details): Wikipedia.com

OFFICIAL CHARITY
The Official Charity of 80 FOR HAITI is Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps is a team of 3700 professionals helping turn crisis into opportunity for millions around the world. By trade, they are engineers, financial analysts, drivers, community organizers, project managers, public health experts, administrators, social entrepreneurs and logisticians. In spirit, they are activists, optimists, innovators and proud partners of the people they serve. According to their website:

"Mercy Corps has long been recognized as an excellent steward of the resources entrusted to it. Over the past five years, more than 89 percent of our resources have been allocated to programs that help people in need. Ensuring that resources are wisely spent is the cornerstone of our values, vision, and strategy for growth in the future. We are proud of the awards, endorsements, memberships, and honors that substantiate our track record of accountability."
More info about Mercy Corps' Efforts in Haiti.

MEDIA COVERAGE
Lots of media coverage of the event is being published, including:

Los Angeles Times Blog | Bike San Diego | Xtremesport4u | EcoVelo |

Velo Cult | Biking Bis | Bike Radar | Active.com

ROSTER OF RIDERS, DONORS, MEDIA, AND SUPPORTERS
Click here (and let's get YOUR name on this list!)

Route Description

The 80 For Haiti event will start and finish at Pine Valley County Park at 28810 Old Highway 80 in Pine Valley, CA 91962. It's an extremely easy location to reach. All participants should park within the Park, NOT along the highway or in front of local businesses.

Click here for Google Map of the start/finish location. Click here for more about Pine Valley, CA.

We'll use the same start lline as our April 17 Mount Laguna Bicycle Classic: Pine Valley County Park. From the park, we'll ride a four-mile loop around Pine Valley to warm up, then we'll head east on Old Hwy 80 to La Posta Rid. Next, we'll head right / south (mostly downhill) on La Posta to a left / east on 94. CP1 will be located here, at the intersection of La Posta and 94, at mile 30.4. Heading east, 94 will rejoin the 80 as we enter the town of Boulevard. We'll continue east on 80 through Jacumba to the end of Old 80 at the Desert View Tower, which sits above Inkopah Pass with a commanding view of the Anza-Borrego Desert. CP2 will be located here, at mile 44.6, the turn-around. We'll then beeline straight back to Pine Valley on Old Hwy 80, with a third and final checkpoint located in or near Boulevard at approximately mile 60. We hope to be able to serve a finish line meal at Pine Valley Park. There will also be roving SAG vehicles on the course to support the riders.

EMAIL OF THE WEEK

Thanks for doing this, it is the right thing to do! Karen & I will ride the 80 for Haiti, below is what I sent to our riding group.

Hello fellow riders sorry for the interruption in our riding schedule hopefully weather permitting we can start our weekend rides again this next weekend. Originally Karen and I were going to ride in the Tour de Palm Springs, however we have decided to do the 80 for Haiti ride on February 13, 2010 instead. It is an 80 mile out and back ride in East County. 100% of the proceeds will go to Haiti relief. We have all done this ride or portions of it. Realizing that 80 miles is a long way and I have never rode that far myself, Karen and I plan on riding out as far as we can then turning back when we feel it is time. So my thoughts are let’s try to get as many of our fellow riders that we know to participate in this worthy cause. If you want to do a portion of the ride and turn around early then maybe you can if willing, provide a roving SAG support to your fellow Alpine Riders, i.e. You can haul my fat ass back to the car if I give out.

While I did not deploy to Haiti I have been involved daily in the USA Urban Search & Rescue response. The US&R task forces that did deploy were from the east coast (they were closest) with the exception of the LA County task force. Many of my friends are still in Haiti as of today 1/23/2010; the stories they have shared with me about the people of Haiti are of their strength and bravery and of their sadness at losing whole families, dozens of friends etc.

- Gerry Brewster

ABOUT ADVENTURECORPS (the home of the Rough Riders)
AdventureCORPS, Inc. is an athlete-run firm producing and promoting ultra-endurance and extreme sports events, lifestyle, and media. Adventure is our way of life. AdventureCORPS’ world-class events for athlete-adventurers include epic races such as the Badwater Ultramarathon and Furnace Creek 508, muiti-day cycling lifestyle adventures known as CORPScamps, the annual Rough Riders Rally in Marin County, plus several 100- and 200-mile cycling events in Death Valley, and on and around San Diego County's Mt. Laguna. We also host and develop our adventure-related websites and blogs and provide a variety of adventure-related services. Founded in 1984 by Chris Kostman, this group effort is dedicated to exploring the inner and outer universes, seeking adventure, energy, and insight both in daily life and "out there." AdventureCORPS is a member of 1% For The Planet and the Conservation Alliance, and supports three Official Charities: Challenged Athletes Foundation, Death Valley Natural History Association, and Major Taylor Association.

Below: More photos of the 80 FOR HAITI route,

including Desert View Tower

New Logos, New Adventures

We are very excited to share the Rough Riders Rally logo with you here! This is an important step for us as we don't like to really move forward, publicly and officially, with a new event or endeavour until we have the logo ready. Well, the logo is done and the official RR Rally page is online here, so we hope you will mark your calendar for July 23-25, 2010 and plan to participate!

We've also revised the original Rough Riders logo: it has an updated Spanish Bayonet, the distinctive yucca plant which is featured on the logo and which we encounter so frequently here in Southern California on our cycling adventures. The original RR logo's Spanish Bayonet never quite "worked" for us; the new one is much more accurate. It will take a little while to get this new logo online everywhere we use it. If you're got the RR logo on your site or blog, thank you; please contact us to get the updated version to use (or just grab it from here, with or without the URL at the bottom)!

Finally, also here is a first look at the new Mount Laguna Bicycle Classic logo, which you will note incorporates the Spanish Bayonet, since they are to be found all over the Mount Laguna region and the route for this event. Although this event takes place entirely on paved roads, it is EPIC and it will be held in one of our favorite rough riding areas! Please also mark your calendars for April 17, 2010 for this exciting new event in southern San Diego County! More info about the MLBC.
All of these works of art were created by Bill Oetinger, a life-long endurance cyclist, charter member of the Rough Riders, and one of the main driving forces behind the legendary Terrible Two Double Century in Sonoma County. Thanks, Bill! Here is Bill's website; he's also an excellent bike tour organizer and purveyor of bike touring routes.

Semi-Epic Planned for Sunday, July 5: YOU Are Invited! Route Sheet Now Posted!

Mark your calendars and join us for a most excellent Rough Riding adventure! This semi-epic ride is planned for Sunday, July 5. The 58.4 mile loop we will ride starts and finishes at the relatively new Starbux located at 2963 Alpine Blve in Alpine, CA 91901 (along the I-8 corridor in eastern San Diego County). (Start location and mapping here.) We will meet there at 730am and roll out no later than 800am.

The route will include the dirt sections (and some paved sections) from two different rides we've done out in this amazing area before. Basically we'll ride a sort of "Greatest Hits" route which includes the dirt sections at the start and finish of this route (click these links for the full reports, but also check out the videos embedded below):

http://www.xo-1.org/2008/12/rough-riding-eastern-san-diego-county.html

along with the entire dirt Boulder Creek section featured in this route:

http://www.xo-1.org/2009/01/rough-riding-south-eastern-san-diego.html

We're hoping you will mark your calendar and join us for an AWESOME ride!

Note: This ride is unhosted, unsupported, and everyone who shows up is on their own. Neither we, nor anybody else, is responsible for anyone who rides. If you ride, YOU are responsible for YOU and YOUR bike. This is not an "event" - it is just a ride on dirt and paved roads for like-minded people.

Recommended Bikes / Tyres: In our opinion and experience, this route all rideable on a road bike with 28mm or wider tyres, although we have used 32mm and 35mm tyres. The wider your tyres, the more comfortable and safer your ride should be. Certainly a full-blown mountain bike will work, too. "Any Bike, Anywhere!"

Route Sheet Is Below (If you plan to ride this route, we suggest you print this section and bring it along. We will not be "guiding" this ride, as we are not in charge, nor "hosting" this ride. This route sheet should be about 98% accurate, but we make no guarantees. We suggest you consult a map and your own sense of direction. We accept no responsibility for safety, utility, nor legality of this route!) Dirt sections are noted in bold.

0.0 Start at Starbux in Alpine and head east on Alpine Blvd. (El. 2080')
1.1 Cross over I-8 at West Willows Rd.
1.3 Continue east on the opposite (north) side of the freeway.
2.1 Veer left shortly thereafter on Viejas Grade Rd. into the Indian Reservation.
4.7 Road turns to gravel - head uphill into Rough Rider heaven!
8.6 Summit Viejas Grade (still gravel).
9.0 Pavement resumes: Continue straight and downhill to Descanso.
11.2 Left on Oak Grove Drive (at Perkins Store in Descanso: GET WATER!)
12.8 Right on Boulder Creek (but first check out the llamas on the left at the turn).
16.6 Pass Sherilton Valley Road (Need to investigate this road. Looks interesting.)
16.9 Pass Dubois Truck Trail on left (Need to also research this dirt road). (El. 2780')
17.9 Pavement ends! (El. 3340')
23.6 Bottom of the canyon. Careful for water running across the road. (El. 2500'; 2:30 elapsed time)
24.0 Pass Ranchita Margarita: watch for ostriches.
24.5 This is the very bottom of Boulder Creek Canyon, during 1/3 mile of pavement.
25.7 Pass two truck trails on the left at a hairpin. (Need to research them, too!) (El. 2780')
29.5 Tiny church and a cemetery on the right, within the Inaja Reservation.
29.8 Mile Marker 17. (El. 3630'; 3:40 elapsed time)
30.8 Pavement resumes: Right (uphill) on Engineers Road at Pine Hills Fire Station (where you can get water if you need it).
34.7 Summit.
36.0 Right on SR 79 (Stop Sign, T-Int.): Go around Lake Cuyamaca.
36.6 Lake Cuyamaca Store on left; Food and drinks for sale. Bathroom down and around in back. (El. 4410'; 4:50 elapsed time)
39.0 Pass the Paso Picacho State Park on right; begin descent.
44.3 Pass East Mesa Fire Road on left (Must research this dirt road!) (El. 3770')
45.0 Pass Oakzanita Springs / 1000 Trails on left. Bathroom and store.
47.7 Pass Viejas Blvd on right (or you take it and get to the same place after passing the Perkins Store in Descanso); fruit stand.
47.9 Right to continue on SR 79 (Stop Sign, T-Int.). (El. 3390')
49.3 Pass Riverside Drive (our outbound route earlier). (El. 3210')
49.8 About a mile before hitting the I-8, turn right on Wildwood Glen Ln (AKA "Mad Max Road").
50.8 About a mile later, there is a gate across the road and then the pavement starts to disappear: keep going to the end!
52.1 Hike down onto I-8 and continue west on I-8 (this is a bike-legal shoulder).
53.5 Take first offramp, then left over the freeway, then right on Alpine Blvd, continuing west back to Alpine.
56.8 Cross West Willows Rd. (the way we headed out this morning); continue straight west.
58.0 Finish at Alpine Starbux. (El. 2080'; 6:20 elapsed time)

Video of 2008 Rough Riding (cycling) Viejas Grade and Eastern San Diego County:
(Note: YouTube disabled the soundtrack. If you want to hear the music, and see the video much bigger and clearer, watch it here instead.)



Video of 2008 Rough Riding (cycling) Descanso - Boulder Creek - Lake Cuayamaca:
(Note: YouTube did not disable the soundtrack on this video, but if you want to see much bigger,and clearer, watch it here instead.)

In Praise of Thumb Loops! (Huh? Thumb Loops?)

Above: Yours truly with the Ibex Sidewinder Long-Sleeve Zip top.

Dig them thumb loops! (Or are they "thumb holes"?)

Google has 44,900 references to "thumb holes" and 37,900 references to "thumb loops." Unbelievably, within a few hours of putting this post online, this page right here is the fourth Google reference to "thumb loops!"

Recently I got two long-sleeve tops from my two favorite clothing companies, Patagonia and Ibex, which feature thumb loops. (In fact, I pretty much only wear clothing from these two fine American companies. I just love their products and equally I respect how they operate and what they stand for.) I'd never used thumb loops before, but I am totally sold on them now for cool-to-cold weather because they keep the sleeves in place and the wind from blowing up the sleeves. I love both of these tops and wear them all the time now!

This past weekend we enjoyed three days of cycling and hiking on Mt. Laguna, an area just 50 miles east of San Diego, CA which features world-class desert alpine terrain with quiet roads (some of them closed to car traffic), practically off-the-map and car-free back-country roads, and fantastic trails for hiking, "mountain biking," or both. It's Rough Rider paradise! As it's early April, the weather was brisk, so long sleeves were in order and the thumb loops really came in handy, you might say. I definitely plan to use both of these tops in various cycling events and adventures in the future, but I also wear them out and about off the bike and when not hiking. They look good, fit well, and are really well made. Here are some shots and details from Mt. Laguna:

Above: Yours truly with the Ninja hood up on my Patagonia R1 pull-over on a chilly morning at Lake of the Woods
Above: Dig them Patagonia thumb loops and the wool Ibex gloves!

The Night Blue / Green top is the Ibex Sidewinder Long Sleeve Zip: "A versatile piece designed specifically for aerobic activities. Semi-fit with self-bound sleeve openings and thumbholes, the Sidewinder keeps your body temperature regulated and odor-free during intense workouts."

• 18.5 Micron New Zealand Merino; 150 g/m2
• Semi-fit
• 10'' front zip with locking zipper pull
• Self-bound sleeve openings and thumbholes
• Contrast panels; raglan sleeves
• Built for aerobic pursuits
• Machine washable
• Made in the USA

Best Uses: Everyday, Running, Hiking (and cycling, I would add)

Fabric: 18.5 Merino Jersey +
Made from superfine 18.5 micron New Zealand Merino wool and 5 % Lycra®, our super soft, lightweight jersey fabric outperforms synthetics and cotton in warm conditions. The temperature regulating and moisture managing properties of Merino give you superior next-to-skin comfort. The Lycra® gives this fabric extra stretch and recovery for support and mobility. We use this fabric for warm weather tops and baselayers in the cooler times of the year. Easy care, quick drying. Machine washable.

Fiber Source: New Zealand / Fabric Source: New Zealand / Garment Source: USA

Click here for more info or to order online.

The black top with the Ninja hood is the Patagonia Men's R1® Hoody: "Spotted round the globe from high alpine ridges to backcountry bowls, our R1 Hoody earns raves from our most active customers and ambassadors alike. Warm, breathable and mobile, it has the minimalist detailing that avid climbers and backcountry skiers need – from the stretchy and 60% recycled R1 fabric to the snug-fitting balaclava-style hood. With low-grid stretch polyester at the wrist cuffs and around the long bottom hem for minimal bulk under a harness. Recyclable through the Common Threads Recycling Program."

Details:
• Versatile R1 fleece provides excellent stretch, warmth, wicking and breathability in a variety of temperatures
• High/low interior grid-structure enhances compressibility, airflow and dry time
• Jersey microfiber face allows non-binding layering
• Capilene® 4 stretch panels at cuffs and hem
• Snug-fitting balaclava-style hood; deep, center-front zipper offset for next-to-chin comfort
• External pocket: one mesh chest
• Raglan sleeves for comfort under pack straps; Capilene® 4 cuffs stretch and have thumb-loops to hold sleeves in place

Fabric:
R1: 6.5-oz Polartec® Power Dry® 93% polyester (60% recycled), 7% spandex. Capilene® 4 stretch panels: 5.3-oz 98% polyester (50% recycled), 2% spandex. Recyclable through the Common Threads Recycling Program
309 g (10.9 oz). Made in Colombia.

Material:
Regulator® Insulation provides phenomenal compressibility, light weight warmth and moisture transport, whether used alone or as part of a layering system.
Recycled Polyester: We recycle used soda bottles, unusable second quality fabrics and worn out garments into polyester fibers to produce many of our clothes.

Click here for more info or to order online.

Also, our friends at Rivendell sell some tops with thumb holes.

Check out the Patagonia Blog, "The Cleanest Line."

Check out the Ibex Blog, "Ibex Buzz."

PS: We are now posting all of our Rough Rider videos on our Youtube Channel. Be sure to click "Playlists" when you get there, so you can check out all the Rough Rider videos in one spot. You can even watch them all as one continuous stream!

Rough Riding Eastern San Diego County: Viejas Grade, Pine Creek, Mt. Laguna, and More

We love the whole Mt. Laguna region for cycling on- and off-road, for its beauty, its diversity, its flowers, its waterfalls, and so much more. It's truly an outdoor paradise, and it's located just 50 miles east of San Diego, along the I-8 freeway. We've ridden every road out there, and many of the trails, but we never tire of creating new ways of connecting together the various pieces we know, interspersed with some new treats along the way. Such was the ride we did on November 8, 2008, a 59.5 mile loop which started and finished at the relatively new Starbux located at 2963 Alpinie Blvd in Alpine, CA 91901. (Start location and mapping here.)

This route included the fabulous Viejas Grade ascent (pictured above), a gravel and dirt road which is a wonderful alternate to riding on I-8 just to the south (the corridor that 99% of all cyclists use out here for some reason to get between Alpine and Descanso). Viejas starts behind the Viejas Casino and climbs up to the top of the mountains immediately west of Descanso. It's a great climb, not that steep, and doable on road bikes with 23mm tyres if you're careful, though 28mm or wider is advisable. This ride then goes through Descanso, Guatay, and Pine Valley, then climbs the little known and truly EPIC Pine Creek Road (again, 99% of cyclists bypass this road and just climb Mt. Laguna on Sunrise Hwy for some unknown reason). Pine Creek is one of the very best climbs anywhere on the planet. At the top you go south on Sunrise Hwy, either directly to the summit - where you'll find a nice little Forest Service visitor's center, bathrooms, store, and rental cabins - or you can have some extra fun and a bit more dirt by cutting through the campgrounds instead (as we did, which you'll see in the slideshow and below), still ending up at the store and bathrooms.

From the summit you actually climb a bit more, then enjoy a very long descent down Sunrise Hwy back to Pine Valley. From Pine Valley there is a short amount of retracing one's steps in reverse to Guatay, but then we head south towards the I-8, instead of back to Viejas Grade. Then it gets extra interesting again where we investigate an alternate to either riding the I-8 shoulder or Viejas Grade to get back to Alpine. I had seen this third option, a clearly abandoned road, from the freeway over the years and finally checked it out on this ride. You can see what happens in the slideshow/video, but it's pretty neat. You do end up back on the freeway shoulder, but only for a downhill mile or so, before exiting back into Alpine. This was a really great ride and we highly recommend it! Post your comments about your own adventures on this route below!

Here is the route sheet. Note that not every turn is measured in. Bring a San Diego County map for reference, though if you have a good sense of direction and have plenty of time, you should be able to figure out this ride with what is below. Plan on about six to seven hours, total time.

0.0 Start at Starbux in Alpine and head east on Alpine Blvd.
Cross over I-8 at Willow Glen, then continue east on the opposite (north) side of the freeway.
Veer left shortly thereafter into the Indian Reservation.
Follow that road until it becomes Viejas Grade and turns to gravel - head uphill into Rough Rider heaven!
7.8 Summit Viejas Grade (still gravel).
8.8 Pavement resumes: Continue straight and downhill to Descanso.
Turn left at the T-intersection at the store and stop sign.
Turn left at the next T-intersection at the 79 / Old Hwy 80 stop sign.
Pass through Guatay, then drop down into Pine Valley.
17.8 Pine Valley Park (water and restroom; use these facilities!)
U-turn back a half-mile, then turn right on Pine Creek Rd (north); get ready to start climbing in a few miles.
After an extremely steep section (see the comments below), you'll cross a cattle guard, then make a hard right straight uphill (not straight onto the dirt there).28.2 Turn right/south on Sunrise Hwy (T-intersection; stop sign).
33.0 Visitor's Center at the summit of Mt. Laguna (water and restroom); there's also a store next door.
Continue south on Sunrise Hwy, dropping down towards the I-8 and Pine Valley.
At the bottom, turn right on Old Hwy 90 to Pine Valley.
Pass through Pine Valley, including Pine Valley Java and Major's Café.
44.2 Arrive back at Pine Valley Park (water and restroom).
Continue west on Old Hwy 80 through Guatay.
Continue onto 79 - not back to the Descanso Store, unless you want or need to.
51.5 About a mile before hitting the I-8, turn right on Willow Glen.
About a mile later, there is a gate across the road and then the pavement starts to disappear: keep going!
54.0 Hike down onto I-8 and continue west on I-8 (this is a bike-legal bike lane shoulder).
Take first offramp, then left over the freeway, then right on Alpine Blvd, continuing west back to Alpine.
59.5 Finish at Alpine Starbux.

Here are some photos (click any of them to see them much bigger):

Above: On Viejas Grade, looking west; You'll see lots of "Spanish Bayonets" in this region, as featured in the Rough Riders logo!

Above: Starting to climb Pine Creek Road.Above: Further up Pine Creek Road. What a view, in every direction!

Above: Near the top of the first main summit of Pine Creek Road. The previous photo was taken in the far left of this shot, looking up to where we are now. This road rules!Above: Cutting through the campgrounds, and enjoying all the fall colors, as an alternate to part of Sunrise Hwy, on the way to the Mt. Laguna Visitor's Center.Above: Ready to rumble! On Willow Glen, heading to where the pavement turns to dirt!
My Bike: 1994 Bridgestone RB-1 with 700x by 32mm Vittoria Cross XN Pro tyres and 38/28 low gear. On me: Major Taylor jersey and Moeben sleeves. (Her bike: 1974 Williams with 650B by 35mm Panaracer Col de la Vie tyres and 34/32 low gear.) Above: Willow Glen rough riding - pavement is overrated!

Below: Here's a video of the whole ride. There are 85 images, plus a soundtrack (turn up speakers), so it should be pretty fun and interesting. Let us know what you think by posting a comment below! Thanks for your support and interest!