2021 Southern Transcontinental - Day 1 Julian CA

Cleveland National Forest

Debby took this shot, then headed  LA

Breakfast in the parking lot, throw the bags in the trailer, and roll out at 0700. Debby headed north toward LA and her sister, and I headed west in early morning traffic. We left as a small group, but with the many punchy climbs and traffic lights, the group would expand and contract many times until we were finally out of El Cajon, and the steady climbing commenced!

Did I mention the bear we saw along the way?

The first water break was in Alpine at about 27 miles, or about 2.5 hours into the ride. A bit slow, but we had already gained 2500 feet in elevation! Top off the bottles and grab some snacks quickly and get back on the road. Its already hot and getting hotter!

3 miles on the I-8

To make our way to Pine Valley and the start of the Sunrise Highway climb, we had to hop on the I-8 for about 3 miles. The surface was good, the climb was super steady, and traffic was light. Interstate riding can be quite scary, but today it wasn't bad at all!

Another rest stop in Pine Valley to top off bottles at 46 miles just before the turn onto Sunrise Highway. Its about 10 miles and a gain of 2,200 feet to the Mt. Laguna. Lunch is planned at the summit, so its time to settle into a steady pace, enjoy the views, and wonder just how hot it was getting. I set the Garmin to screen lock because the constant drips of sweat were making the touchscreen go haywire! (Editors note: The GPS file says it hit 104.)

Lunch Stop!

Finally reaching higher elevation, the trees returned, and with them some welcome shade! The lunch stop was planned at mile 56, but rounding the bend at mile 51 Susan and the lunch van/trailer pops into view. The planned stop was inside the Cleveland National Forest Boundary and the forest was closed.  Meaning that even scenic pullouts were closed with cones and police tape. The closure is to provide public and firefighter safety due to the multiple fire emergencies in the state. Also, Covid concerns were mentioned in the forest service press release.

Good news, it was a welcome stop. Of course there are a few more miles of climbing, so I had a light lunch (turkey wrap, chips, and a Coke), reload the bottles, and get moving before the legs tightened.

Two Velomobiles in the group!

The grade eases off

Soon the grade eases off and a few more rollers bring us to Mt. Laguna and the highest elevation of the day, just under 6,000 feet.

Huge views on the descent

Cuyamaca State Park

The huge descent levels out at the eastern edge of Cuyamaca State Park where the route rejoins Highway 79. Six miles of descending rollers bring us to Julian and the end of today's ride.

Bags out, pick yours and haul it up to the room!

I rolled into the Julian Lodge right at 3pm. Park the bike, grab the bag and head up to the room. Its nice and cool, so time clean up, do some laundry and head back to the bike to do a quick lube and clean.

Many restaurants close at 5 pm!

Back to the room to relax and look for some dinner ideas. The first two (Julian Pie, and Miners Diner) closed at 5. But...

The Julian Beer Company was open and just a few shorts blocks away. It seemed to have a magnetic pull, as several riders were already there, and more arrived during diner! The food was good and beer was cold!

Its downhill into the desert heat tomorrow. Lay out the white jersey and sun sleeves, find the tube sock for ice (more on that tomorrow), publish the blog and call this a day!

76 miles, 7,880 feet of climbing, 8 hours!

Thanks for keeping me company on the ride!