The Top of Orange County

Since my half-Ironman race and the Traverse are quickly approaching, I've been doing lots of training on the weekends. After the first OC Chili Winter race, Skyler and I headed out for a mountain bike ride. This wasn't just any mountain bike ride. It was a ride to the highest point in Orange County - Santiago Peak. I see Santiago Peak almost every day, so why not see what's up there? (You can see it in the background of this post-race pic)




We rode up Maple Springs to Four Corners, then up Santiago Peak. It took about 2-1/2 hours. It was a good preview of the Traverse and now I know what I've gotten myself into.

So what's at the top of Santiago Peak? This.

And this.

And us.

We could see everything! Catalina, downtown LA, San Clemente Island, Lake Elsinore. Everything within a 100 mile range (?). It was beautiful!

Skyler is the best husband. Why? Because he's patient. He didn't have to devote his afternoon to riding (slowly) up a mountain with me, but he did. And although I'm a brat, he still loves me.




Although I love to climb, the descent was incredible! I couldn't believe how fast we were flying down the mountain. I felt like I was on a roller coaster. I think it took us about 30 minutes. The last few miles were cold, as the sun was just setting. Usually Del Taco accompanies the end of our rides, but this night it was Oggi's Pizza. Yum!