Amgen Tour of California 2009

February 22, 2009. Rabbit and Map Boy were among the 300,000 spectators who lined the route for Stage 8 of the Amgen Tour of California, the Queen Stage which covered 98.6 miles from Rancho Bernardo through North San Diego County leading to the finish in Escondido. Windbreaker Base Camp (Map Boy's Car) was set up just below the summit of the 3rd KOM climb of the day; the 4,000 foot hors categorie ascent up Palomar Mountain peaking at 5,123 feet above sea level. Many say this climb is on par with the greatest climbs in Europe.

Map Boy sampled a 30-mile portion of the day's route, starting at the summit and following a loop on E. Grade Rd. toward Lake Henshaw culminating with a 7-mile climb up the S. Grade Rd. portion of the Palomar climb back to the top. This wasn't enough for our Rabbit, however, who apparently was feeling more eager on this day. He joined friends Vince with others at the I-15/SR 76 junction (36 miles from the summit), following a meandering route to experience the 12-mile full flavor of the Palomar climb from the base at Rincon! Believe me, this is not flat countryside; I know all will join me in saying "Ride On Rabbit!!"

The day had a Tour de France feel with 20 switchbacks, snow along the roadside, and rabid cycling fans turning out to see the biggest names in the sport. A great day!!

Tour de Palm Springs 2009

Map Boy joined Windbreaker brother Steve and friend Rich at the 2009 Tour de Palm Springs. A crisp morning chill and crosswind gave way to a beautiful clear day in the Coachella Valley. Ride On!

Quote of the Month

Starting this month, a new Ride On! feature debuts. Each month we will share a great quotation-this month's is one that Dave, Brad and I viewed at the Embers Brew House in Joseph, Oregon while on Cycle Oregon 2008. The quotation is from Abraham Lincoln: "Live a Good Life. And in the end, it's not the years in a life, it's the life in years. RIde On!

Windbreakers California Roll IV-Ride to the Roses

Sunny skies and perfect temperatures accompanied the Windbreakers as they cycled to Pasadena to meet the 125th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena on New Year's Day, January 1. Upon returning to Upland, we met for lunch at the Upland Bulldog. A great day...Ride On!

Tour de Foothills 2008

November 8, 2008. Rick the Rabbit and Johnny Map Boy carried the Windbreaker banner joining approximately 700 other riders in this years Tour de Foothills. A beautiful ride in our own "backyard"!

More Cycle Oregon 2008

Of course, no bicycle tour would be complete without a sampling of the beers from the great state of Oregon. You could always find us at the Widmer beer garden.

Cycle Oregon 2008

Wrench, Map Boy, and Bell Boy have returned from a great week at Cycle Oregon. This year's ride, a 7-day circuit around northeastern Oregon's Wallowa Mountains, offered fantastic rides through the Grand Ronde and Wallowa River valleys, a ride over Flagstaff Hill near the historic tracks of the Oregon Trail, a day of climbing in the Wallowa Mountains, and a ride in Hells Canyon on the Oregon-Idaho border. Ride On!