University Loop Permanent

I wanted to start this ride at 6:00 AM. When I finally got ready, I realized it was still dark out due to the messed up "daylight savings time" thing. I grabbed the helmet light and put on a rear blinkie. By the time I rode over to the start, it was 6:23! OH, well.

New Liberty prescription frames

Still dark and the little helmet light worked OK.. John picked up several of these online for $12 each. They
are 135 lumens and are bright enough to flash oncoming cars! Several AAA batteries don't last long. I put a velcro patch on the helmet visor and on the bottom of the little light. Works good! I imagine if you really were doing a long rough ride, then you'll need a second attachment method to be real secure.

Not much traffic in the dark riding through San Marcos. Hwy. 395 had a few cars as it skirts I-15 northward. A little cool down Champagne Blvd. I had on the wool arm warmers with the RWB Rando Jersey and a cut off underlayer. Also had on a new pair of prescription glasses. These were from Liberty and I had been working on this for a while... since September when I got the eye exam. With the advanced stronger prescription and the thick glass, they bowed out the frames somewhat. So I made some "adjustments" and it seemed to work. Not super, but only OK. With the polarized transition lenses, it makes a big difference in the sun and at night.

Was trying to meet up with the OFR rides at Magee Park around 8:30. Never made that, but was close as I met them on Coast Hwy. 101 as they were leaving for there ride north to Dana Point. Nice group ... around 15 this trip! I continue southward on 101. Not much going today. Few riders and I didn't recognize any of them. I was on the SOMA, still adjusting things getting ready for the big ride. Ankles and lower leg seem sore as I ride today. Maybe "ankleing" or need a different bike fit somewhere. Guess the old measurements don't work anymore. Long 9 mph slog up Torrey Pines. My climbing has been way off as has my riding power. Used to do a big ring at a steady 12mph up that sucker! Too beat up now.

Little traffic all the way down to SDSU. Headwind down, means tailwind back! Big push from the coastal breeze on Friars Road and up the Monty hill to the campus. Big ring riding now. 20 minutes at MacD's with a ice cream cone before the turn around into a normal headwind. Morena Blvd. started out with a sidewind, then as usual, changes to tailwind. I finally stopped on Santa Fe St. to adjust my seat. Lowered it 1/4" to the mark. Made an immediate difference to the ankle soreness issue. Slight tailwind up the coast.

Shimano 6701 directional chain...smooth

Stopped at Nytro to see Joe. Not very busy at this time of day...around 2 PM. Had Joe measure for chain wear with the Park gauge. Long gone. Way too long. Should have replaced the chain 3 months ago. Joe suggested a KDX Chain. I check them out. They were 4 dollars cheaper. Same plating on the outside plates as the Shimano 6701's. I thought about 1 of each, but the KDX were heavier and I know they wouldn't shift as well. Joe said they would wear the same as the Shimano chain. I got 2 of the Shimano 6701... Ultegra 10 speed chains for my 9 speed drivetrain! I've always done that. They are narrower and shift better. Also require special "tweaking" of the front derailleur for accurate chain-ring shifting. The Shimano are a directional chains and work best in one direction.

Needed to finish off this ride quick after the long break at the bike shop. Plodded northward and finally over to the finish in San Marcos. Big tailwind from the ocean, of course. Quite beat up and tired when I got home. Must have something to do with the bike fit, seat height and front to back adjustment. Joe mentioned he would give me a bike fit one their machine. He also mentioned he got with some expert guy on his own fit and ended up raising his seat 1.25 cm! Hope that works out.

-randorides