Old West Trails 50K canceled!  Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon canceled!  Giro di San Diego Gran Fondo canceled!  Pacific Endurance Festival canceled!  Leadville MTB Canceled!  2020 canceled!  Criminy!  This situation is not one I am comfortable with.  Without a near term goal, I languish.  I get lazy.  I get lost.  I literally stare at the walls without purpose or reason to move forward.  And as endurance athletes, it’s all about moving forward damn it!

Endurance athletes are all struggling through 2020 for sure.  Our twisted world that we have convinced ourselves is an enjoyable hobby has been derailed by COVID-19.  A small price to pay in comparison to how the virus has negatively impacted the lives of over a million people afflicted with the pandemic or have died from it.  We have no reason to whine.

How can we grumble when we can enjoy two out of the three sports on our bike or in running shoes easily out in the open air?  The swimming has been the difficult part.  Closed off to many due to the closure of pools, swimming has been elusive until summer has finally imposed itself upon our lakes and oceans.  At least those bodies of water have opened up to offer refuge to the neoprene clad over the past month.  Only in the last week have the chlorine lovers been able to begin to reacquaint themselves with their old friend the endless and unforgiving black line.

I finally came to the conclusion that I needed to take control of the situation and create my own destiny.  I wasn’t into joining the Zwift virtual world.  I wasn’t into Ironman in my garage.  I wanted to be outside with the elements.  I wanted to battle with the unknown.  I wanted to deal with the cold in the early morning before the sun comes and the heat of the afternoon.  So, I made up my own stinkin’ race.

I had been training for the Giro di San Diego Gran Fondo already.  It was to be 105 miles with 11, 100 feet of climbing.  I hadn’t backed off that training.  I had discontinued running due to some planters fasciitis figuring it was a good time to heal.  I had discontinued swimming because of closed pools and a cold ass ocean.  But, I had kept grinding it out with substantial climbing both virtually on my Cyclops Hammer 2 and outside in the elements on the road through the mountains of North County San Diego.  With that, I invented the Giro di Hackbardt Gran Fondo!

The Giro di Hackbardt Gran Fondo would be an invitational only race.  The difference in this race is that there would be only one invitation to ensure strict social distancing during COVID-19.  Fortunately, I was lucky enough to win the lottery on that invitation distribution.  Let’s just say, I know people who know people.

Keeping in step with my previous race, the metrics for Giro di Hackbardt Gran Fondo would be similar at 100 miles with just over 10,000 feet of climbing.  The route would be different stringing together a number of training routes to add it all up.  It would start in Escondido, get a few quick miles in San Marcos then head to Fallbrook, turn around in Temecula, return through Rainbow and Valley Center to ultimately end back at the house.

To be a legit race though, you need a race logo.  You need some social media buzz.  So, I teased the race on social media with these graphics including the line “A self imposed race because there are no races.”

Additionally, a legit race needs a legit looking race bib.  Once again, I headed back to the design department of one and whipped one up.

With design finished, the question was where could I find sturdy paper so it would survive the trip?  After digging around my home office for a while, I found some old 8.5″ X 11″ thick photo paper.  I printed off a few copies, found a hole punch, scavenged some twist ties, and I was in business.

Eventually, 7:30am rolled around on June 7th, 2020.  Race morning start time in other words!  Appropriately, on this day of massive climbing, I pulled out my Alpe d’Huez jersey for the ride.  The same cycling jersey I bought after climbing the famous 21 switchbacks of Alpe d’Huez, France twice in one day back in 2016 for a total of 12,000 feet.  Plus, it has cute Marmots all over it.

Off down the hill, I went to get in the first easy six miles in around San Marcos.  Kind of garbage miles to help me get to 100 eventually, but a good little warm-up.  Unfortunately, only 4 miles into my 100-mile adventure I flatted.

Talk about depressing!  96 miles to go and I am already behind schedule.  I picked myself up emotionally, fixed that flat, put some air in it, and got back on the road.  Fortunately, I had to ride back past my house so I stopped in and properly pumped up the tires instead of riding on slightly deflated psi for the next 96 miles.  I hit the restart emotions button, headed back down the hill, and back on the route.

Five miles later, the first major climb presented itself.  Somewhat short, the Hidden Meadows climb is a constant grinder.  There is no break.  1 mile of solid climbing between 8% and 13% grades.  Let’s just say this is not one you organically want to do that soon, but afterward, you feel great.  It wakes up your whole body!  You are pretty much ready to get it on after that.

The next 10 miles took me past Welk Resort on Old Highway 395 and across Highway 76 as well until there is a left turn that begins to climb up into an area South of Fallbrook filled with small ranches with citrus groves.  It is here where I often encounter one of those many amazing North San Diego views from Citrus Drive.  It was especially spectacular as on this day the weather was perfectly clear and was forecasted for a high of 76 degrees.  It doesn’t get much more perfect of a day for what I was going to spend the whole day doing.

This section of the ride winds through these ranches on mostly private roads with more amazing views, breathtaking roadside floral arrangements, and some unbelievable homes that most would have no idea were there unless you knew to look or got an invite to visit.

This section eventually falls back down to Reche Rd which leads into Fallbrook.  This is not my favorite section since it is a highly trafficked road with little shoulder to speak of.  Fortunately, I only need to stay on it for a short amount of time before I am able to veer off of it onto Live Oak Park Rd which features a few miles of riding under oak canopies.

The next section leads me directly into Fallbrook.  However, before I hit downtown, it takes you past some unique properties that are clearly owned by independent thinkers and are outside the zone of control by the city.  I stopped for a quick pic with these guys.  There are about a dozen of the bears in front of this house in various poses and expressions.

After bearly escaping that den of wood carvings, I rolled quickly into downtown Fallbrook.  This is a combination of agriculture and art haven town.  It is one of those places we always say we need to come back and visit and get to know but never do.  Just a few 5 or 6 blocks of cute shops, galleries, watering holes, and some local theater groups.  Additionally, there is a small grocery store that has meat smoking outside on a cart every weekend taunting me as I ride by.  Gotta stop there someday.  This would not be that day though.  Only mile 34 and I’m still behind schedule.

From Fallbrook, there is a long and fast descent of switchbacks down De Luz Rd to the Santa Margarita River.

However, what goes down must come up.  Once you cross the bridge over the Santa Margarita River, the first truly long grind begins.  In the summer it gets really hot back here.  However, on this day it’s perfect.  Plus, virtually no traffic other than a few other cyclists passing Oldguywhotris slow but steady pace.  I tell myself, “It’s ok…they probably couldn’t ride 100 miles and you can.”  I always like myself!  He is a very reassuring and motivating fellow.

After a mile and a half, I crested at Harris Trail where I took a well-deserved refueling break only to notice that 10% grade sign behind me.  A simple explanation of why it was time for some serious amounts of Clif bars and Tailwind Endurance Fuel.

From here, Harris Trail meanders up and down through even more remote ranches with mostly avocados.  This photo gives you an idea of how thick it gets up there with the creamy fruit.

Speaking of green fruit, just a little further up the road I found these guys growing on a fence.  I had no idea what they were.  They kind of looked like tomatoes, but the were hard as a baseball.  I was told later they are passion fruit.

This part of the route is on almost a one lane road through rocky terrain.  Utimately, you come to a point where there is a winding descent down to a lake.  At the top of the descent around mile 40, there is a spectacular view of mountain top homes and the Cleveland National Forest looming behind them.

At the bottom of the descent at mile 41 is a man made private lake.  The signs say it belongs to members only.  It is dotted with boats and on this day a few fisherman and some kids trying to land a few themselves.

A few weeks ago I had rode past this lake and saw a black swan.  Once again, I was greeted by the bird who was obviously looking for a treat.

The next few miles are shaded by old oaks as Daily Rd follows a river.  Then, the grinding begins again.  For the next two miles it generally ranges from 5% to 10% grades.  At the top, there are more views of the Cleveland National Forest and large agricultrue operations mostly featuring avocados and other citrus.

From here it becomes De Luz Rd which begins to transition from agriculture to high end homes on large parcels letting you know you are coming to the outskirts of Temecula.  After I turned onto Rancho Califorina Rd, I spotted this new one around mile 50 complete with a plane mounted over their pool.

After this, there is a long and fast descent into Temecula for a well deserved break from all the climbing.  As I rolled into Old Town Temecula, it was packed.  Lots of cars making me slow down to a halt as well as all the outdoor patios were full with people eating and drinking on one of the first weekends after California allowed restaurants to open up again during the COVID pandemic.  There were few masks and one patio at one bar was shoulder to shoulder and no masks to be seen.  Let’s just say I got out of there as soon as I could.

After leaving Temecula, it was back to Old 395.  By this time I had put off eating and drinking for too long.  I stopped at the Rainbow Oaks Restaurant.  This is a common stop for me as it connects to various routes.  It also has a hose bib where I can discreetly fill my water bottles.

By this time I was at mile 63 and had climbed 6,500 feet.  Past the halfway mark on both accounts.  After inhaling two Clif bars, a GU with some caffeine, and reloading the water bottles (One with an ample amount of Tailwind Endurance) I was feeling my third wind.  In fact, I was feeling pretty darn good.  Once again, a good lesson that one needs to eat during these long endeavors.

I was off on my way with a little bit of concern that it was getting late.  My rough calculations told me that if I didn’t speed things up, I might be getting close to nightfall at mile 100.  That late start and flat tire seemed to be adding up on me.

In the back of Rainbow came my next steep grind.  It is 2 miles long where the last half mile is all over 10% upwards of 13.6%.  The switchbacks are fun and the views are amazing.  Additionally, there is very little traffic.

Once you summit this area, you turn right and mostly ride a few rollers until there is a quick descent on the back side of this mountain.  You take a right onto almost a single lane road with a brief climb.

At the end of the climb, there is this amazing endless view of Palomar Mountain and the valley below it.  I always stop here to appreciate it and appreciate that my ability to complete rides like this and go to places like this is a true gift to be thankful for.

After this moment of peace, there is a descent into more citrus orchards and past nurseries.  Along the way, there are more great views.

At the end of this, there was a left onto Rice Canyon.  I was not able to catch any photos of what was about to happen, but right at that moment a Volkswagen club drove past me.  There must have been 50 vintage Volkswagens that passed by me.  I rode along with them until I got to the 76 Highway and then crossed to continue on Couser Canyon.

Couser Canyon is my favorite set of climbs.  It starts with passing by a heard of cattle and beginning the climb through a canopy of oaks.

It then has a steady 1 mile climb with grades around 4%+.  There is a break, and then there is another set with grades up to 7%.  It is important on this ride to look back from where you came.  Because it is truly a canyon, the views are rewarding if you stop to look behind yourself.

You will be additionally rewarded after you summit with a swift descent.  After you pass the Yellow Deli, you will come to your last set of switchbacks up Lilac Rd.

After this quick set, all will encounter an aroma.  That signature smell lets you know you are near a pig farm.  That also lets you know that you should soon turn right on West Lilac Rd.  This turn is one of my favorites.  It always signals that I am truly starting home.  It leads West toward Old Highway 395 eventually and that is my final leg home.

Once on Old 395 Highway, the next big mental cue is passing Welk Resort named for and formerly owned by the famous bandleader and television show host Lawrence Welk.

This was a sign that my final climb was ahead of me.  I always hate this climb.  It isn’t hard for most of it, but it is just long.  4.5 miles in total, the road is rough, straight, and kind of boring, noise from the 15 freeway right next to you, and it ends with a 7% grade.  However, I was in a good mood as there appeared to still be plenty of daylight left and I knew I was about 9 miles from home.  I tried to think of other things than the climb so I would just get through it and that tactic worked perfectly.

The final 5 miles were pretty easy and I arrived home to no fanfare, no finish line, and no announcer calling my name.  You see, the Giro di Hackbardt Gran Fondo has a tight budget and can’t afford those things.

Instead, the race committee of one spent the entry fee proceeds on steak and local craft beer.  My wife was kind enough to rustle up the rib-eye and obtain the suds earlier in the day and even grilled it while I was cleaning up.  A fitting meal for my first race where I placed first.  Sure it was a field of one, but there could have been a DNF!