Crusin' The OC Permanent BONUS

Clear skies
163.8 miles
Hi: 106F (Garmin)
Lo: 47F (Garmin)
5346' climbing (Garmin)

Time to prep up for the Furnace 600 on Saturday, May 17.  AKA, the Temecula 600. Loaded the SOMA up with the dyno wheel, Supernova light, new attached seat bag (replacing the one ripped off with my C'dale MTB in December), triple rear blinkies and all sorts of other stuff to weigh it down! Wanted to get an early start to get in some night riding with lights. I figured I would start whenever I got up in the morning. Read myself to sleep around 10 PM reading the John Howard cycling book: "Pushing The Limits". Woke up at 3:00 AM and did my usual stuff. Left at 4:00 and rode to the Sprinter Station for a lift to Oceanside. NADA. Train never showed up! After 20 minutes, I rode over instead. Darn cold, even with the paper vest  and arm warmers/woolie cap. Poor prep. Next time some leg warmers! Huh, for 1 hour? Looks like lots of extra miles today.

Nothing cheap at the Oceanside Circle K anymore. They sold out of the 35 cent stuff and don't carry the tiny Reese cups either! That place is going to the dogs.Got some cheapo thing for a receipt and headed north on the I-5. Some how I blocked out the car noise as I rode along with a strong wind from the east.  Did a stop at bathroom #1 at the San Onofre Campground for water. No one around by Trestles except surfers. Stopped by Carl's Jr in San Clemente for a freebee water refill.

A few cyclists along the bikeway near Doheny Beach, light wind from the east here too and all the way up to Newport Beach. Got hit with the warm Santa Ana winds as I turned onto the Bayshore Bikeway riding east along the lagoon. Temps were up to 86F now. No wonder there were lots of riders heading westward! Only a few Asian ladies with children on the Peters Bike Path today. Wind and temps were both picking up as I plodded northeast, left the bike path and rode over to Jamboree. Trees were swaying over as I needed a lower chain-ring to make progress against the wind. Middle cog on the rear as I dodged blowing branches and dust at a whopping 8 mph. Finally reached the turn to the Orange control, amidst a shower from the wind blown sprinklers. Whew! Bought 2 Mineral Water for $2.50 at the top of the hill Chevron. Put one down and the other went in my ice filled bottle. Had my tuna/cheese sandwich with banana kicker as I stretched out my legs. Wind was howling from the NE, as trees were bent over in relief.

Santiago Canyon Road. Downhill with a tailwind! Wheee!

Started over to Santiago Canyon Road into a massive headwind. There was a roadie ahead on a tri-bike, but I was gaining on him. Also spotted a MTB guy as the road slowly turned southward. Now had a tailwind in cruise control. Chatted with this pro-type rider on a carbon Specialized 29'er. He was totally covered in white for sun protection, even his face with a mask. Not a bad idea today. Makes my sunscreen seem ineffective. He was telling me of his MTB races and I felt like I should be there too! Hot chick on a fast bike slowly passed us, but had a hard time on the rollers as we approached Cook's Corner. I gave the MTB guy a rando card and said "thanks" as he turned around. I opted for the Aliso Bike Path instead of the Oak Canyon climb in the heat.

I love this Bike Path... tailwind and downhill through the curves, trees and underpasses. Soon by a golf course and into Lake Forest Park. This is the ending route for the super tough rando route "Trail To Santiago Peak". Temps were moderating to mid 90's now as I left the Aliso Bike Path and rode past Laguna Hills High School. Soon I was over on another dirt path to the Mission Viejo Train Station. This route goes through the station over to Camino Capistrano. I followed that down to San Juan Capistrano with a nice tailwind. Still had a nice tailwind push in the big ring up through San Clemente and my last stop at Carl's Jr. for a chocolate shake. Had a coupon for $1 off this time! 15 minute break as I refilled by bottles with ice and sat down. Soon I was off with southbound with a strong tailwind! Nice!

Aliso Creek Bike Trail. Nice riding here to Mission Viejo

Cruised through the campground at 20 mph. Strong tailwinds always help. Stopped to ask the ranger what bathrooms would be open this weekend (Temecula 600, May 17-18). She said they would all be open because the campground is "opening" on May 16. Good news for a northbound nap. I turned left at Las Pulgas and rode back through Camp Pendleton. Longer but nice this trip with a tailwind. Temps were still in the mid 90's when I got my receipt at Circle K in Oceanside. I hopped over to the SLR and rode over to Vista, where I took South Santa Fe to Mission Blvd and back to San Marcos.

Felt good all day in the heat and wind. Head down, in the drops at 7mph for strong headwinds the middle of the route and a easy tailwind the last half of the Crusin' route. Not a bad day on the road and last training day for the Temecula 600 on Saturday.

-randorides