Coronado Express - R

Coronado Express rando route

Earlier this week had switched the new Hardshells off the SOMA for some well-used regular G'skins 28mm. Now this trip would try out the new Brooks Cambium saddle. My seatpost has only grooves for up/down adjustment, so never felt I got it "perfect". Quite comfortable as I rolled out from San Marcos before 6:30 AM. I started the actual route at the Oceanside Pier after 7:30, getting a receipt a the usual Circle K on Coast Hwy.

I was planning on meeting some OFR riders at Magee Park at 8:00 for the ride down. Nobody showed up! There were the regular guys at Poinsettia Lane: Dan, Bruce and his new recruit Tom, Troy and the senior rider, Alan. Arrived at Swami's around 8:30. I didn't stop too long there and kept going solo up to Torrey Pines regroup. Got some water at the golfers fountain, ate a banana and hit the porta potty. Noticed something in the parking lot. $5 folded bill lying there! Looks like a good day to me! Others finally arrived. Around 12 in the group, as we chatted and made our way down to the Broadway Ferry landing in San Diego. I did take the route straight past SPAWAR, while they ventured around through Old Towne.

Bruce Tipton bought all the tickets and we paid him back cash. Probably a business thing for him. Busy place around there with all the construction and fenced walkways. We went to get onto the 11:00 ferry and were told that they were already loaded full weight! Bummer. Only 4 of us bikers didn't make it on board. I told Bruce, Tom, new guy Tom that there was another ferry leaving in 20 minutes over behind the Convention Center. We rode over and waited a bit there before loading at 11:25 AM. It's a shorter trip over to Coronado from this spot. We arrived as the larger ferry was just leaving. The boys were meeting the group at the Burger Shack, so I said "adios" and hit the bike way around Coronado.

Great day at the Ferry Landing

Had a partial headwind riding down the strand on the Bayshore Bikeway. Passed a shirtless rider, struggling on a black Cannondale Niner MTB. Looked like the one that was stolen in December. Didn't slow to look over the details, but thought later I should have. Nice tailwind around the salt ponds, as the saddle felt much better by now. Long delay at the trolley crossing and road detour on Civic Center Dr. Finally made it to the JIB, where I used a $1-off coupon for a chocolate shake. Ahhhhh.

Took my usual off route on Main Street through Barrio Logan. This eliminates the bad, busy stretch of Harbor Drive by the shipyards. Crossed the bridge and picked up a big, fast commuter on a hybrid bike on Pacific Hwy. through downtown. Followed this guy, till he ran a few red lights. Side-wind around Mission Bay loaded with signs for Sundays Rock & Road Marathon. Stopped to talk to Robert Leone on the Rose Canyon Bike Path. He was taking pictures of a construction crew purely blocking the path. Made good time up through the campus and over to Torrey Pines.

New Brooks Cambium did OK today

Another big median construction project going down Torrey Pines. Instead of fixing the bike lane, they are making the center median pretty for tourists? Just great. A few cyclists were out riding up the coast. Didn't stop at Nytro this trip, but lumbered along up the coast. Finished up the route with a receipt from a gas station. Felt OK this ride. Saddle seemed to work out OK. Only paced up Torrey at 10mph. Heavy bike = pace-oh-rama. Took along 1 full tuna sandwich, 2 bananas, couple of bars and some sunflower butter on whole wheat crackers. Did get the shake at JIB and a few water refills along the way.

Cloudy early, clear in PM
Hi: 84, Lo: 61
103 miles +

-randorides