Chuck Bramwell organized another of his Orange County Wheelmen Saturday Century Group ride, this time from Oceanside up to Palomar Mountain. Jerry Brown, Michael, and Donato were there and all finished. I "finished the climb" as described in the "hardest climb's" book with the little extension just past the fire station, and then explored out by the state park near Mother's Kitchen instead of riding to the observatory. I went part way down a "mixed terrain" road (grade) that goes all the way down to the valley (very interesting...). Bonus riding: > (1) "finish the climb" from "Mother's" to Palomar Mountain Park: 1.6 mi & +341'/-310'; and > (2) rode out to Nate Harrison Grade and Boucher Hill fire lookout tower: 10.5 mi & +1270'/-1258' #1: http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/parks/picnic/palomar.html #2 comprised of: - ride from "Mother's" to split in road within state park: 3.2 mi & +280'/-374' - loop part way down "grade" (to 7 mi sign) and back: 2.5 mi & +355'/-355' - actual loop out to fire lookout tower: 1.4 mi & +270'/-253' - ride back from split to "Mother's": 3.3 mi & +364'/-260' Info on state park and Nate Harrison Grade: Boucher ("booker") Hill: http://palomarsp.org/pmsp/boucher_hill.htm Boucher Hill Fire Lookout: http://palomarsp.org/lookout/intro.htm park brochure download: http://www.palomarsp.org/pmsp/Park_Brochure.pdf More on cycling Nate Harrison Grade: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2002/jun/20/ascend-palomar-mountain-back-way-old-nate-harrison/ http://www.mountainbikebill.com/NateHarrisonGrade.htm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3e-98TSeJo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y91ADBq82Xo Mapped route for climbing the grade as an option: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4208479