Palomar, shalomar
by Jimbo... on Feb 24, 2009 1:02 AM EST
Email
PrintThat is Palomar? You call that a mountain? ha. meh. piece of cake...
Park, suit up, check tires, put warm clothes, food, and Asian midget into my backpack (just kidding, she was actually native American), hop on bike and pedal.... steep road... ouch.... pedal, pedal, pant, pant, pant... sweat, sweat, drink, eat, drink, eat... what? I'm only half way? seriously?... ok, time to concentrate... pedal, pedal, pedal... elevation 3000 feet sign! victory is mine!... wait, I thought this mountain was only 3000 feet tall? It's 5000 feet tall? oh... crap... pedal, pedal, drink, wave at the fans, try to catch football thrown by drunken tifosi while pedaling uphill riding with no hands on a 7% grade... SUCCESS!... now try to throw football back to drunken tifosi... uh, not much of a ball sports guy really... ahem... pedal, pedal... take some pictures... smile at the fans... is that snow? why yes, that is snow... ride over some yellow Lance chalk... more Lance chalk... and still more Lance chalk... finally, a Jens! sign and a Flanders flag... turn a corner, look up the mountain and see many switchback still ahead... grit teeth, dig deep, attack!... not really... pedal, pedal, drink, eat, pedal, wave, sweat... elevation 4000 feet sign... guy wearing huge afro wig... cars parked everywhere... crowd getting thicker... weaving in and out of spectators... is that guy wearing green sequined hot pants? Why yes he is (is that Sui? Nope. Sui's hair was longer)... see antler guy, giant elf, a mexican wrestler, a viking, the pope?... pedal... reach KOM... pedal a little more to the true summit.... stop... deep breath... tweet my acomplishment (5329 ft. 11.4 miles. Avg speed 7.1 mph. 1:35 total ride time from base).. feel generally studly until someone tells me that they pros will do it in 45 minutes easy.... grab a $2 coffee, then a $3 beer, put on warm clothing and pick a spot to await the madness...
Thanks to Nikki, I had an idea that there was a break off the front with Jens! attacking from the peloton, but not much more. We could see the riders a mile and a few hundred feet in elevation below, and they were up to us in no time. Jens! was in front with his Jens!-will-hurt-you face on, with Levi close behind. The enormous crowd was going absolutely batshit nuts, screaming, hollering... The crazy fans running by, motos, team cars, cowbells, and pandemonium. It was totally fucking awesome. Some of the riders had pain faces like I have never seen. True suffering. Very impressive stuff. It was all a blur as to who and when, but I did notice that Fast Freddie was Last Freddie that day. But he was doing it. Chapeau... Once the broom wagon passed, I hoped on my bike and joined a few hundred other people for the descent. That was sweet. In no time I was back down at the intersection of highway 76 and East Grade Road waiting for the race. 10 minutes or so later, they came flying by with someone from Rock Racing off the front. But no Freddie. I still haven't watched the race, so I have no idea what happened really, except for who won, but it was still fun, fun, fun to see in person.
After attending multiple finishes of the ToC over the past few years, seeing numerous starts, one TT, three prologues, the inside of several VIP tents, the phtog scrum, and a whole lot more, standing on that mountain top, 50 meters from the KOM, after having rode up there using my own two legs? Now that was hands down the best of all... by a freaking mile. Jimbo's advice is that if you ever get the chance to watch a big climb, go for it. Do not hesitate.I can only imagine what Alpe d'Huez is like. Wow...
63 comments
|
1 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Excellent.
Well done.
"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."
by Rolls on Feb 24, 2009 8:59 AM EST reply actions
Awesome Report
LOL on those three dressed up guys.
Fun stuff Jimbo!
Your reporting and tweets were a blast this week! It was great meeting you! The VIP beers were great, dinner was delicious, and the party a great time! Make sure to thank the wifey for letting you come out and play for us!
"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."
great report
and the photos are well worth the scan !!
(I sense the suffering was the best part)
formerly known as cyclingchallenge
Seeing the riders suffering
was very impressive. And my suffering was fun too, though I have to admit that it was not that bad of a climb at the pace I was going. And all the distractions made it very tolerable. But I was glad when it was done I must admit…
The Dude will have a White Russian...
Palomar info
I just found this site with some info about the Palomar climb comparing it to the Alpe. Interesting…
The Dude will have a White Russian...
Sonny Jim,
How far is Palomar from Solvang? If it’s not terribly far I’d love to ride it with you in 2010. (Yes, the Drewd has recieved permission to go and is already planning his assault on the Brown Bear state. You have been warned).
And if it’s not logistically possible, SSmith assures me there are some tremendous climbs just a few miles outside of Solvang, so maybe we can wreck ourselves there as an alternative.
Riders note – I am 6’3" and 180lbs. Not, repeat, not a climber. But I can suffer for 90 minutes with the best of them.
"I didn't look for him and I didn't see him. If you base your race on another rider, most of the time you lose."
Tom Boonen
Solvang to Palomar is a 4-5 hour drive
defintely needs a transfer. SSmiths back road into Solvang secret helped Nikki and I get into town very easily, so much thanks to him. Although we had our doubts as we first turned off the highway.
"...The mind has to rule the body and tell the body, shut up and do what I tell you to do..." Jens!
Just like he anticipated :-)
Well there you go Jimbo – we’re climbing around Solvang.
I can’t be too far from the beer…or the hot pot…..or the wings…..or the enchiladas. You can see where this is going.
"I didn't look for him and I didn't see him. If you base your race on another rider, most of the time you lose."
Tom Boonen
We will ride them all
I have a feeling that there will be a mountain top finish on Palomar next year. The road up is pretty wide actually and there is plenty of space up there for them to park all of the necessary finish line crap. So plan on climbing it. And you get to carry the midget this time.
The Dude will have a White Russian...
I'm working on getting a Kitchen Pass approved
by itsmrswells for Cali next year. Initial negotiations have begun and so far, she’s been receptive. I gotta treat this situation with care cuz I’ll also need to finagle a new gruppo out of the deal (I ain’t traveling w/out my bike).
Flowers are good too, especially unlooked for.
"I didn't look for him and I didn't see him. If you base your race on another rider, most of the time you lose."
Tom Boonen
A night with out kids.
Quiet, romantic, relaxing. You could treat her to a spa day too. Start now. The more the better I say. :-)
"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."
That line is sure to work
He’ll end up sporting Lynn’s eye.
"I didn't look for him and I didn't see him. If you base your race on another rider, most of the time you lose."
Tom Boonen
I've been helping Chris's
sorry ass up hills for years, the midget should be a relief.
"I didn't look for him and I didn't see him. If you base your race on another rider, most of the time you lose."
Tom Boonen
And these are Mr. Lebowski's children.
"I didn't look for him and I didn't see him. If you base your race on another rider, most of the time you lose."
Tom Boonen
He's pretty liberal that way
"I didn't look for him and I didn't see him. If you base your race on another rider, most of the time you lose."
Tom Boonen
It's all a part of your sick Cynthia thing, man.
Boonen's a shark... choking on Livestrong chalk and FAIL. Go Cav!
What are you talking about?
I didn’t rent Dan a fucking bike, he’s not drinking your fucking beer, and he’s not sleeping in your fucking bed.
"I didn't look for him and I didn't see him. If you base your race on another rider, most of the time you lose."
Tom Boonen
I told those fucks down at the league office a thousand times...
… that I don’t ride on Shabbos!
Boonen's a shark... choking on Livestrong chalk and FAIL. Go Cav!
Next year the meat is being shipped for sure.
This year no one wanted to claim it with traveling but next year, beer, brats, and burgers!
"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."
Yeah, we need some of those Hamgrenades for Saturday morning
"I didn't look for him and I didn't see him. If you base your race on another rider, most of the time you lose."
Tom Boonen
See you guys really do need me at the house. Really.
I can cook while you guys go for your rides. And really, wouldn’t it be nice to have someone around to pick up after you, cook, clean, giggle. I’m so there for you guys.
"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."
Yeah, we both laughed and were like, oh yeah, he did say "trust me."
Great little road though. I could see why cyclists were everywhere. Some shade offerings in the summer heat, some nice scenery, little rollers, and a small climb or two. On the one, it would’ve been nice for a heads up sign that we were about to do a twisting down 90 degree switch. :-) Huge thanks for the short cut. Litterally took us into down town Solvang. We kept wondering if one of the riders on the road was SSmith. I have no idea what he looks like and I was like, well his pic is of a banana. A minute or two later we see riders in birght yellow jackets. Clydesdale comments on that we’re getting closer to finding him in that bunch. ha ha. :-)
"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."
He's little and he climbs like a scalded monkey
"I didn't look for him and I didn't see him. If you base your race on another rider, most of the time you lose."
Tom Boonen
He'd have to confirm if he was out on that road.
We saw a lot of riders on it. One even decided he wanted the whole road.
"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."
Party on Palomar?
Perhaps we need to do a group assault on Palomar if they use it next year. Supah fun.
And yes, Drew, there are pretty much climbs everywhere around here. Cali = oh so hilly.
I've always pictured it as
Nebraska, but with an ocean. I gotta get out more.
Any chance of luring you into climbing with us? I can promise Jimbo will set pace all the way up.
"I didn't look for him and I didn't see him. If you base your race on another rider, most of the time you lose."
Tom Boonen
the truth you have spoken, jedi
I don’t even bother, I just let her go. After all I know where the rides end…
by Christopher See on Feb 24, 2009 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
In our case it will be
at an ice cold keg of beer.
"I didn't look for him and I didn't see him. If you base your race on another rider, most of the time you lose."
Tom Boonen
Can't we just get through boring old
April and July and skip right to January 2010?
"I didn't look for him and I didn't see him. If you base your race on another rider, most of the time you lose."
Tom Boonen
We tried the keg thing...
… the only kegs available in the Solvang area were at an Albertson’s super market… and all they had was full kegs of Bud Light. No pony kegs of… well… anything else.
Guess I know what’s going in the back of the pickup truck in 2010.
Boonen's a shark... choking on Livestrong chalk and FAIL. Go Cav!
A pony keg of Boddingtons, I'll wager
"I didn't look for him and I didn't see him. If you base your race on another rider, most of the time you lose."
Tom Boonen
Is it wrong to make your Oatmeal with Boddingtons?
I mean, that’s incestuous right?
Boonen's a shark... choking on Livestrong chalk and FAIL. Go Cav!
LOL, yes
You definitely need to get out more :-)
I’m in. So much trouble we could cause.
And you know, you could come to Cali and ride bikes before next year ;-)
yeah, I'm working on that
SSmith has been nagging me to come out so he can pedal away laughing at me.
"I didn't look for him and I didn't see him. If you base your race on another rider, most of the time you lose."
Tom Boonen
Jimbo
a few other videos here from Palomar including the dressed up guy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46yK5vewMic
and Cav bringing up the rear
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JQy2opY8Bg
And one more
Can you count how many times that cop says “MOVE”? \o/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icwtZ—ysq4&NR=1
Cav! I knew there was a reason he's on my VDS....
…and believe it or not his climbing skills are lending me confidence (that he might win other sprint jerseys, that is).
Gavia
This guy rode up Palomar with his surfboard on his bike
Fun Velo News article/pics here on the fun party on Palomar
he said it was hard..
but he’s a trackie so what’s ha know about hills?
by Christopher See on Feb 25, 2009 1:07 PM EST up reply actions
Hey Jimbo, sorry I missed seeing you on Palomar day.
It looks like you were down about a half mile from me on 76, when the race came back around off Palomar Mt.
Your photos are fantastic! And it was fun meeting you at the PdC party in Solvang!
Hey Veloki
Nice meeting you as well. I was looking for Podium Cafe chalkage but missed yours on my ride up (must have been the oxygen debt/hypoxia). Sorry I missed you. How far up the Palomar road were you?
The Dude will have a White Russian...
I did the chalking after you went up the hill I'm sure.
I only walked up to the first big switchback on South Grade Road. Next year I’ll have to arrive earlier to go higher up. Looks like total mayhem up there!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Featured Stories
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
![This is funny on so many levels. [Html should open bigger]](http://cdn3.sbnation.com/fan_shot_images/239959/flagged_small.jpg)
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
