Borrego Double Ordeal

At precisely 166.3 miles and 12,500 feet of climbing, I came to understand why the Borrego Double Ordeal is named as such. Six miles shy the historic mining town of Julian, California at 4,000 feet elevation — outside of San Diego — I had a huge cramp.

In my brain.

“At the base of Mountain Dew, I had to change my rear tube twice! The climb on lower Mountain Dew really hurt. It was awesome.” Blank looks from volunteers at rest stop #6 greeted me over the smell of warm soup and canned fish, placed among energy bars, fruit and Hammer products to help provide an extra kick of salt. Seconds later, I realized what had just happened. I had called a real mountain (Palomar) by the name of a real soda.

Yes, the Borrego Double Ordeal is my favorite Double Century, no doubt. It’s not because I’ve done a bunch of doubles (this was only my third). It’s because the roads wind through my home field, over some of my all-time favorite terrain. The route, expertly put together by Mountain High Club out of Los Angeles, captures a tableau that is uniquely San Diego County. Desert. Ocean. Foothills. Mountains. Even Legoland. Throw in the best team of ride-support volunteers anyone could ask for, gale-force winds and unseasonably brisk air in the back country, and you’ve got an ordeal of magnitude to remember. I knew it would be a good day when two signs appeared before the first pedal was turned. (1) A full moon, and (2) The 33 degrees on my car thermometer as I drove to the start area about 3:30 a.m.

In all, 20 of us from as far away as Denver, Colorado, rolled out at 4:30 a.m. to tackle the first dramatic section: Montezuma Grade, an 11-mile climb out of the desert and into the town of Ranchita. Sunrise over the desert now behind and below us prompted me to stop and click a picture. The other photos snapped along the way can be found here. Some 18 hours after the start, the last rider would complete the course about 11 p.m. There were no DNFs. Each finisher received kudos and a warm plate of food, prepared by the organizer, Anny Beck. My kind of ride. My kind of people. I bet yours, too.

I was fortunate to share the road with an eclectic mix of talent and stories, both on and off the bike, including: a jazz drummer from Northern California with an encyclopedic knowledge of doubles; an internationally traveled Ironman; a San Diego brevet rider who has lost 150 pounds through cycling; and the couple from Colorado whose luggage didn’t arrive (tandem bike) but who gritted it out on a borrowed tandem from volunteers (bonus points!). As riders came in, some dazed, others euphoric, we sat back at the Hacienda Del Sol motel, broke bread and re-winded and re-played the day. It’s a highlight reel we won’t forget. Doubles imprint themselves on you that way. Especially this one. If you have thought about “going big” on a ride in San Diego, I recommend considering the Borrego Double Ordeal. It has both a spring and fall version. A few key ride points:

Bring plenty of gear. Volunteers take or collect on course. No burden of pockets overflowing.
Be ready for Highway 76, lower Palomar Mountain. The 5-mile section 145 miles in is testy
Don’t forget the climb to Julian. Miles 166 to 173 from Santa Ysabel can sting.
Yaqui Pass isn’t as bad as it looks. This short climb comes at approx. mile 195.
The breeze. Banner Grade. Julian. Highway 76. It can help you — or hurt you.
Descending! This ride has wonderful descents you can carve.
Very strong headwind. Mile 199 to mile 201. In your face. Up to 30 mph gusts.
Volunteers. Top-notch. Friendly. Happy. Fun.

Like I said, my kind of ride. My kind of people. Hope to see you out here for the next one. You won’t be disappointed.

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