By: Lori Bledsoe
The Alpine Sun
By: Lori Bledsoe
The Alpine Sun
This year’s annual Alpine Bike Challenge was a true challenge due to dangerous weather conditions. For the past fifteen years, the Alpine Kiwanis organized this very popular event that challenges all levels, beginning with the shortest ride: Alpine (25), and then progressing with Descanso (50), Pine Valley (63) and Mount Laguna (100). Each of these rides are mountain rides with verticle challenges ranging in difficulty. The Alpine Challenge is an opportunity to explore East San Diego County’s mountain scenery. This is a charity ride benefiting Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego and the Alpine Challenge Scholarship Fund for at-risk kids. Visit our web site for ride details. Check-in begins at 6am.
Our goal for the participants is to provide fun and, for those seeking a challenge, to provide one. Two years ago, we added a ride of 100 miles into the Laguna Mountains. We call it the Mount Laguna Ride. The ride continues east of Pine Valley to Sunrise Highway and north into the Cleveland National Forest before returning to Pine Valley. Total elevation gain is 10,150 feet.
The Pine Valley Ride and the Descanso Ride is for serious riders who have been conditioned for long rides that have very difficult altitude climes. Our Pine Valley Ride (62 mile/6,400 ft elevation gain) was designed for strong riders who felt our Descanso Ride (50 mile/5,300 ft elevation gain) was so enjoyable that they just want a little extra riding time. It also adds some beautiful mountain scenery through the town of Pine Valley.
For the seasoned rider, we offer the Alpine Ride, a 25 mile ride with 2,000 feet of climbing. If you’re a “weekend warrior” looking to go to the next level, this challenge is also for you. Like the other three rides, it includes our signature climb, Dehesa Road: a 5 mile grade with 1,230 feet of vertical gain. All rides have well deserved, excellent down hills. The Alpine Ride will surely promote camaraderie and significant accomplishment for the weekend rider as well as for newer members of our riding community.
However, this year, because this event is a rain or shine event, the participants continued on even though the heavy mountain fog rolled in. On Japatul Road, Dehesa Road, Guatay, and the Laguna Mountains, the winding mountain roads don’t allow for much room for the bicyclists as well as the motorists. But the good news is that there was no reported incidents in the way of injuries.
According to the event coordinator, Ed Paul, he said in an email, “The riders naturally slow down in adverse conditions. We ended up picking up approximately 40 riders on Sunrise Hwy who felt it got too cold and windy to ride safely. Temps were in the mid 30’s with strong winds, rain and poor visibility. Two of our rest stops had fires going to keep the riders warm. There were also a few riders who warmed up by sitting in one of the 6 vehicles we had on the course to assist riders in need. We did have 2 ambulances provided by AMR just in case but there were no mishaps to report. I leave tomorrow for a friend’s wedding so should you need more info please reach out to Dick Brown. He would have the same details I have.
