Bike Path X Two Populaire - "Easy Rider" Helmet Day

New "Easy Rider" helmet I found along Hwy. 76!

Guess I call this a "recovery" ride of sorts. Wanted to take the unused spokes over to Nytro, so might as well make a "route" out of it. Right knee still hadn't felt a whole lot better and Saturday's ride didn't improve it one bit! Duh. Mounted up the SOMA early with the rebuilt rear wheel. Used 16 of the Swiss "Revolution" 2.0/1.8 on the rear drive side for now. Didn't true up with even tension on the Park Meter, so we'll see. Ended up with about 23 on the drive side and 15 on the non-drive side. Wore the green SR jersey from the PCH rando grouppo. Fits a little tight!

Short sleeve riding weather today, as the "spring-foreward" time thing gets me all messed up. Left the start control at 9:05, which was actually only 8:05! Huh? SOSA today... which means sort-of-santa-ana winds. Felt warm anyway as I checked out the knee on the road. Forgot the spokes in my garage, so looped back home to get them. Rode up Deer Springs instead... that would be a great rando road if they only added 2 feet to the bike lane, especially around the upper curve at the guardrail (which has no bike lane at all).

Monday isn't a day when you see many cyclists riding. Saw one rider with yellow jersey on Camino del Rey. I waived and he looked and then yelled "kellyjay"! I don't know who that was. He looked thin and fit though. Seemed to be warm out as I stopped at Bonsall McDonalds for some water and a receipt at the next door AM/PM. Rolled westward on the usually fast Hwy. 76. Stopped and looped back to pick up a "Easy Rider" moto helmet I spotted 20 feet from the roadway. This sucker was brand new... minus  a few slide marks from the asphalt! I finally figured how to attach it  behind the seat, where it wouldn't hit my legs or rub the rear wheel. Stopped at the SLR Bike Path to re tighten the helmet and check the size...Medium, just right!

Not much action on the SLR Bike Path today. A couple of joggers and some solo TT riders heading east. Stopped at the Circle R on 101 to pick up a receipt. The Pakistani manager said he rode 35 miles over the weekend on his TREK! "That's good news", I answered. "Keep after it". He usually ask me how far I'm riding today. Returned back to the Pier route. Stopped by Chuck's bike shop. Not open on Sunday or Monday. Still construction at the new "circle" on 101 entering Carlsbad. Stopped at MaGee Park for a water break. Headed down the coast. Hooked up with a few riders along the way. Too fast for me today. Stopped at Nytro.

Joe was hiding downstairs. No car out front. He rode in his converted Cervelo carbon SS today. Huge 53 chainring on the front, with a 17 on the rear. Has a "tensioner pulley at the rear. He says it weigh 16.5 lbs and is just right for the coast ride in... not going up Torrey Pines climb! Returned the unused 286 spokes and gave Joe the Easy Rider helmet for his collection. Maybe somebody needs a new helmet? Doesn't look like my 'ol 77 Beamer will be on the road soon. Also added to his order to Giro for another "Feature" helmet for me. We placed an order direct to Conti for some 28mm G'skins Hardshells too. We'll see what happens. Picked up a few shot blocks and headed out the door.

Hit Swami's and checked the surfers out. Slight tailwind down to Solana Beach. Didn't want to ride the Del Dios alternate route again so looped around and came the back way along the lagoon and Rancho Santa Fe before heading back to San Marcos. Noticed the Garmin had shut down way back at Encinitas. Don't know if it lost the signal or I shut if off while putting it in the handlebar bag. OH well. Quite breezy from the west around San Marcos. Knee wasn't too bad and only took 2 Tylenol today! Still feels a little "heavy" in that area.

-randorides