Rainbow 200 Brevet

First Brevet of the year brings many riders. 40 riders at the start, under clear cool skies as the sun was trying to come up from the east. John M. drove down, arriving at 6:40 for the 7:00 start time. We had time to chat and catch up on the latest life things on the way down. That's always nice since the last ride we did together was the Lazy Lizard Brevet in December.
Many regulars were there, along with a few new randdos, ready to give er a go! A little cool before the Doyle Park start, so I threw on a wind vest. Thought about the long fingered gloves, but gave it a pass. Temps were to be near 80F today. Rode around saying "hello" and picked up a card from RBA Dennis Stryker. Went over to the mens bathroom. It was plugged up to seat level, so I opted for the ladies side. Much nicer over there as things were in order.

Rainbow 200 Brevet Route

Was planning on riding with John M., Dan Phillips, Bill Stevenson, maybe Mike Shaw, etc. That never happened, as the big group starting splitting up after some missed the first few green lights. I sort of hung around, as I knew the break up would really happen after Del Dios and San Elijo climbing. George Vargas had to stage his entry at the El Camino Real turn, riding the wrong way till picking up the group. He had a riding "partner/girlfriend" Lori riding the route. George would turn off in Encinitas after leading her around the course. She rode very well. George didn't look well, rather thin and lanky.

I was stripping off my vest and arm warmers while climbing up Del Dios. We hit a warm pocket, as the temps took a 10 degree jump and the headwind was stronger. I tucked in behind some big racer guys and motored along. Harmony grove had a fast paceline, which I hung on to at 27 mph. A few riders missed the San Elijo Control and came back after a bit. George and Lori rode through. Left the Control early and picked up Mark Toliver on the climb up San Elijo. Later on Robert Abraham join us in San Marcos and we rode up to the Deer Spring Control together.

5 minutes I was 'otta there, as I yelled at Robert I was leaving. Red light had a group of 7 together riding down Champagne Blvd. The racers turned on Old Castle, Robert and I went up Circle R. I had a brush riding up Old Castle last week and didn't need it again. We met up with a NCCC older rider, Don McClain, so I gave him a Rando card and told him to check it out. We had a relaxing ride up Lilac Rd., Cooser Canyon and on to Rice Canyon. Rider from Phoenix passed starting Rice Canyon, and the newbie guy on a new Trek joined up before we rolled into Rainbow and Ed Shephard's Control.

After a nice water bottle refill and bathroom stop, Robert and I left quickly as the racers were coming in. Phoenix joined up for the ride over to Fallbrook, where he took off ahead. We went into a recovery ride mode, just relaxing and cutting back on the downhill speed along Oak Park and Green Canyon through Mission Road to Bonsall. We opted for the Hwy. 76 to Guajome Park, the onto the SLR Bike Path. Never saw any Randos anywhere as we pacelined at a steady 17mph into O'side. We saw Phoenix just ahead as we stopped off at Magee Park for a "blow".

Racers boys joined up there, after a 22mph paceline into a headwind on the SLR Bike Path! Wow, those guys are fast. 3 riders went ahead, as Gary K. and Jeff Cole joined Robert and I along the coast. We did a slo roll for regroup at the top of Torrey Pines, as Gary and Jeff didn't know the way through UCSD. Bad route through there, easy to make the wrong turn. We rolled in together just after 3:00 PM.

Had a chit chat with other riders at the finish as Osvaldo's wife was checking us in. I waited around for John and his group to come in and we laughed a bit, told big riding tales and hit the street. Not a bad day, the weather was nice and I felt OK.

next trip....randorides