High Pressure system causes carnage at Borrego a go-go

Borrego Springs 10/20- Sunny. Areas of blowing sand and blowing dust in the afternoon. Winds northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph.

TCSD's first Borrego a go-go campout, based out of the Anza- Borrego State park campground, was met with a high pressure system in the area that brought some pretty tough conditions for the traditional ride as Saturday progressed. But more on that later.

Borrego Springs sits in the state park and is located in the north-east area of San Diego County. It maintains a year round population of approximately 2800 people and swells to roughly 10,000 in the winter. If you want to find a home for under $200k in San Diego county, Borrego Springs would be on your list. The most expensive currently for sale in Borrego is $1.35 million. Click here for more on Borrego Springs real estate.

I headed out Friday afternoon and after stopping to get a tankful of gas, a couple dogs and a Coke it was time to head out to the desert. The forecast had called for warm temperatures so I packed light, with just shorts and t's, some running and biking gear and the Bianchi.

The drive out was easy even though I had left after 5 and I arrived at the camp it was already dark. Checked in with Matt and offloaded what I had brought then proceeded to find the best spot to set up home.

There were about 30 to 40 people already enjoying the conversation and fire. I have to say it was great to the new faces in TCSD. I met so many people that I wish I could name them all, so I find myself hesitating to name any. But, Jennette with her astronomy knowledge stood out as she named off the constellations. As the night went on the crowd swelled and the fire pit was the place to be. About 12 most people went to bed and while all might not have been, I was entertained by the willingness to share opinions of the few left around the ring into the early hours of the morning.

Woke up about 7 to a beautiful sunrise, Karam G brewing coffee and Matt T and Dave B cooking breakfast. You will never go hungry at a Borrego a Go-Go and while Matt and Alison were rookie planners for this event they did an outstanding job!!! As the camp woke up had breakfast and more members drove in, we could already feel the possibility of how warm it might get and talk turned towards the weather.

The main ride got it together and rolled out to Christmas Circle at 8:45 for the 9:00 start. The wind was already starting to blow, so after asking for and seeing how any first timers we had we decided to have a quick talk. We stressed that the wind was going to be at your back on the way out and not to suckered in to feeling too good as once you made the turn, it was going to be a bear. I call these 'credit card' rides. On the way out it is nice and easy and you are lulled into feeling super strong. But then you make the turn and you are paying principal and interest to get back to the start.

The ride for me ended early as I flatted in the first couple miles. I fixed the flat and after about an hour decided to turn back and get ready to do SAG as the conditions were already starting to get ugly.

I made it back to camp and left with Eric and water to go out on the course. By now the temperature was getting in to the low 90's, so Eric and I stopped  and bought some bags of ice so that riders could have something cold. There was the Salton Sea Century ride going on at the same time on the route and I have to thank them huge for, possibly unknowingly, helping our riders. Once we got out of town and on the course, we could see how bad the situation was becoming.

The lead riders we left alone as they were close to town. We came across, Archie and Christy Fuston who are new members transplanted from Kansas City Tri Club, already picking people up. Then there was Kevin with bikes in the bed of his truck and after we stopped to give ice to some club members we were informed about members further back on the course that were done. Eric and I took off to the century aid station out by the county line. When we arrived we picked up two club members and our plan was to get back on the course and give ice and water to members on the course, drop those members off and head back out. Unfortunately, once we stopped we were informed of more members not doing well further back. So it was back to the aid station and unfortunately we had more people than cars. Fortunately, Gary who is a club member was working the aid station for the century, so we got his car also. Coming back into town, we had 3 SUVs, a van and a F250 full of bikes and/or people. The biggest contribution was the SAG van that was on the road in support of the century.

The wind now was up to a consistent 25-30 with larger gusts and the temperature gauge in Gary's SUV was reading 106. Kevin and I headed back out to drop off Gary's SUV, pick up who we needed to and head back to town. I think in all, of the 80+ that started, 25-30 needed help back in to town. It was ugly out there!!!

We're a resilient group and the weather and ride didn't bring anyone too down, once they got their shower, some food and had a beverage.

I personally had to leave early to get back to a sick dog and take care of some business stuff. I had brought the prizes for the Hill Top Challenge and would like to thank sponsors BnL and Nytro bike shops and Ironman coffee for their contributions.

Again, Matt and Alison did an outstanding job. I would also like to thank everyone who went out in support of the riders on the road and to all of you that brought food, gear or stuff to make this a great social outing!! I hope the challenge of the weather does not discourage anyone from our next trip. Lastly, if everyone could take a second and send a thank you to Larry Gitman and Jim Knight from Shadow Tours for not turning our members away that would be greatly appreciate by the club board.

See you in '08.

After this was first posted the fires started and are currently burning out of control. Our prayers are with the residence and emergency personnel.

Comments

[Brian]

Please`keep the residence of east county and the emergency personnel currently fighting the fires in your thoughts as you read this.