Santa Rosa Plateau Saturday Afternoon

[quaestionis]

I'm planning on riding the Santa Rosa Plateau on Saturday around 1:00 or so in the afternoon. I'm anticipating doing it solo, but if anyone is free and wants to join me, you're welcome to do so. I'd love the company.

I know it will probably be very hot, but I have a conference in Murrieta that ends at 12:30, and I don't want to hang out up there all afternoon waiting for it to cool off, so I'm just going to suck it up and wear lots of sunscreen.

I've never ridden there before, so I'm anticipating following this geoladders route.

Can anyone tell me where on that route the "Superman" trail would be? It doesn't appear to be part of the route as described, and I've heard its worth riding. The more detailed your description, the better, I can be a little navigationally challenged.

If its easier, you can describe where Superman is in relation to this map instead.

Thanks,

James

[Docklobster]

I should be good to go, I will be doing 40 miles on the road early then have to meet up for a short get together for the kids until 12:30 or so, if I can get away in time I'll join you.

Oh yeah and superman is the trail with all the crazy squiggles/switchbacks at the top of the santa rosa map.

[OldDogDan]

James, that's a fun ride. I recommend to keep going up Stevenson Canyon to the top of "Harold Davis Hill" (don't want to skip that climb) then turn around at the horse corral on paved road and return.

Dock, I wondered about Superman. Where does it bottom out?

[PacMan]

I'm a definite maybe. I'm still not sure yet what's all on tap.

[JOx2]

Its going to be very hot, bring a portable mister to help cool you down.

[Docklobster]

It bottoms out down in the lower neighborhoods, then you either have to ride back up the trail or up the main road or up slaughterhouse. I would probally start at the firestation ride up the road do SRP and then finish down superman, too much poison oak on slaughterhouse for me.

Please post on where you plan to start from, visitor center or firestation, I'm still a maybe but if you see a GMC blue diesel truck that'll be me.

[quaestionis]

Originally Posted by Docklobster

It bottoms out down in the lower neighborhoods, then you either have to ride back up the trail or up the main road or up slaughterhouse. I would probally start at the firestation ride up the road do SRP and then finish down superman, too much poison oak on slaughterhouse for me.

Please post on where you plan to start from, visitor center or firestation, I'm still a maybe but if you see a GMC blue diesel truck that'll be me.

I had planned on starting from the spot at the beginning of the geoladders route, which I guess is "across the street from the Santa Rosa Ecological Reserve Ranger Station." Is that the same as the visitor center? Seems like it.

I was on google maps trying to get creative, and was considering parking on Single Oak Way, riding the trail that leaves from that culd a sac up the mountain, then down the Washal Multi Use Trail to Clinton Keith for a short bit, then riding the geoladders route from the trailhead at the visitor's center.

I'm not at all certain that I'll do that route. Just looked possible from google maps. The biggest problem is how to get back to my car, since I won't feel like climbing that hill again. I'd probably ride Clinton Keith over to Calle del Oso Oro to Calle Cipres, but that doesn't sound like fun either.

I don't know what or where Slaughterhouse is. And I don't fully understand how to make the squigglies at the top of the map (which is apparently Superman) link up with the Plateau, but my google map route was my best proposal.

As you can probably tell, I'm groping here. I'm looking for something a little longer and more challenging than the 7 mile geoladders route, but don't want to get lost or over my head exploring around an area with which I am not familiar. Especially with the heat likely being a factor.

At the end of the day, I'll probably just do the geoladders route, and if I'm feeling strong at the end, just loop it again.

I'll be in either a Navy Blue Tahoe or a Anthracite Acura TL. I'm trying to pry the Acura from the wife for gas mileage purposes, but we'll see.

James

[PacMan]

I was going to join you and bring my 12 year-old son. But, I just checked Weather.com's forecast and it's supposed to be 102 degrees at 1PM at SRP tomorrow.

I believe I'll ride early morning or later that evening. Have fun and be careful in that heat!!!!!

[schleppp]

Originally Posted by PacMan

I was going to join you and bring my 12 year-old son. But, I just checked Weather.com's forecast and it's supposed to be 102 degrees at 1PM at SRP tomorrow.

I believe I'll ride early morning or later that evening. Have fun and be careful in that heat!!!!!

Where are you riding if you go in the evening?

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by schleppp

Where are you riding if you go in the evening?

I'll be sticking to the trails by my house.

[quaestionis]

Thanks to all for the advice and concern about the heat. I'm still planning on sucking it up.

I have a goal list for 2008, and one of the items on it is an out of town ride. With gas prices, I don't know when the next time I'll be able to ride outside SD will be, so I'm taking advantage when I can.

I'll be bringing lots of water. And doing the shorter loop, I think.

At least if I survive, I should have a good RR!

[Blue Rat]

James, I might be able to meet you there at 1:00. I'll see how my day goes.

[quaestionis]

Originally Posted by Blue Rat

James, I might be able to meet you there at 1:00. I'll see how my day goes.

Excellent, Scott! It would be great to ride with you again.

[Blue Rat]

Dooood, where were you!? I waited about 20 minutes before I had enough of the heat and headed out to enjoy/sweat through a solo ride throughout the Plateau.


My official Ride Report would go like this: "It was hot!"

I hope to catch up with you the next time you're up this way.

Scott

[quaestionis]

Originally Posted by Blue Rat

Dooood, where were you!? I waited about 20 minutes before I had enough of the heat and headed out to enjoy/sweat through a solo ride throughout the Plateau.


My official Ride Report would go like this: "It was hot!"

I hope to catch up with you the next time you're up this way.

Scott

Aargh, I am so sorry. My conference ran interminably long, and I didn't get there until about 1:35. I saw your Element and hoped I could catch you, but obviously never did. Next time I'll have to make sure we exchange numbers so I can let you know if I get delayed.

Thanks for waiting as long as you did, and I hope you don't let this missed connection color your willingness to ride with me again in the future...

My RR will come tomorrow or Monday. Really fun trail.

[Blue Rat]

It's all good James ... I'll see you on the next ride.