Rainbow 1.24 Permanent

Rainbow 1.24 map

This route is designed for a pre-dawn start. Based on the popular Rainbow 200 Brevet & Rainbow Prelude Permanent routes, this one starts up in North County close to home. Riding the stealth Fuji today with all the climbing. Switched over the HB bar. Same little seat bag with the tube repair goodies in there. Standard carry along food and 3 "clamshells" with the normal rando emergency components inside. Taking pics for possible video this trip, so added the trusty Canon A1100 and several extra sets of AA batteries. Camera was hanging around my neck for quick pics... however not too good for out of the saddle work, as its swinging around can have painful results.

Started later than I anticipated. Left the 7-Eleven start in San Marcos slightly after 0500. It's always nice riding with no cars around, as was the case northward past Welk Resort. I was dragging my "arse" through this whole area. Climbing at 8 mph isn't my idea of a good start. Steady climbing up Circle R, Lilac and Couser Canyon. CC is a little steep, but well worth the sonic downhill that follows. Rice Canyon climb is always a moment for me, but this trip I stopped and took some pictures along this section. Maybe "horses" and "flowers" were the theme for this ride? I usually target the Rainbow Oaks Store opening at 7 AM. Got there well after opening time. Bought a pak of Belvita healthy breakfast cookies for $1.39. Packed my vest, arm warmers and woolie cap neatly on the front of my HB bag, and away I went eating a banana.

Sparkle wheeled Fuji at the Rainbow 1.24 Start

Massive traffic on Mission Road out of Fallbrook this time of day. Everyone is driving over to I-15. I waited for a while to safely turn onto Live Oak Park Road. Nice downhill riding through here, except if you have a big truck trying to pass on the curves! That sharp turn up Reche Road hits you with an instant 9% grade. Green Canyon Road worked out perfect for some downhill video shots winding through the tree lined road. I stopped at Bonsall Micki-D's for a Yogurt to eat with my banana. After a long stop to refill the bottles, I was off with a tailwind on Hwy. 76, bound for the Pacific Coast.

On the San Luis Rey Bike Path, I re-took some pics of the burned-out house and adjacent river bottom damage from the recent fire there. No riders to cycle with along the 8 miles to Oceanside this trip. New path-side skateboard park was packed with the local schools out for the summer. Stopped by Chuck's Pacific Coast Cycles leaving Oceanside and did my usual "window shopping". They had a few Salsa Fargos sitting around outside too. Demand has kept the price up for these versatile wide tire bikes. Stopped at 7-Eleven in Carlsbad for a Reese Piece receipt.

UTC McDonalds Control: Worker scrubbing parking lot!

Hard body joggers were the theme along the coast southward today. Mixed in were the usual racers on their hi dollar tri-bikes all new-looking. Feeling a little better now with the slight tailwind. No stop at Nytro this trip. Joe M. is back east this week at a bike conference. A full week of demos, testing new stuff and armful's of free goodies for the cycling enthusiasts! How nice it that? Took some time documenting the route through UCSD. Quite easy to follow except the near-last turn on Voight Dr., where there is no street sign! Newbie rider to this area will surly get turned around? Took the cue-sheet back way into McDonalds for the Control break. Some worker was outside scrubbing the parking lot with a bucket of water and a brush! Anything to keep them busy? Poor diet at the Controls today. Cheapest thing they had was a ice-cream cone for $1! Loaded my bottles, sat outside and took some pics.

Fairbanks Ranch Country Club: "Victory's Gate"

Took the I-5 shoulder route to Sorrento Valley per the route directions. Thought about stopping at Cycle Quest and checking out bikes. They have a good inventory of big tire and touring stuff there. Keith like the owner operator Eric. Easy riding up El Camino Real and through Fairbanks Ranch area. Stopped to take some pics of the country club entrance and the bronze statue of Victory's Gate. Apajo and Via De Santa Fe are all new surfaces now and a real pleasure to ride on. Noticed a road sign that said: "No trucks over pick-up size. Ordance # 121.34". Just then a big Hertz rental truck rolled by! It was warming up under clear skies as I climbed up Del Dios by Lake Hodges. Lake is way down with the recent lack of rains. Looks green and algae like. Did take a off-route ride up Citracado Pkwy. to check out the Gamble Street vehicle gate. This street is part of the new "Lake Henshaw Century". No gate now, just a chain across the dusty road.

Riding through Harmony Grove fire burn area.

Sign for "Hale Street' turn is now in clear view. For many years it was covered by trees and bushes. Route turns 3X on Harmony Grove to continue. Definitely you need to be alert to street signs if you haven't ridden through here before. Harmony Grove is a mess down in the valley. Construction on a near-by bridge and the new housing in place of the chicken ranch. Took some pics and video of the recent burn area through there too. Stopped at the newish Chevron in Elfin Forest. Control stop for a few pics. Went westward per the route and cut over on Melrose Dr. No shortcut here for sure. Still some climbing left up Rancho Santa Fe Road to San Marcos. Traffic was very light around the major intersection with San Marcos Blvd. Traffic was also light on Las Posas under Hwy. 78. Later in the day riders would be buried through here. Great tailwind as usual back to the San Marcos Finish on Mission Road.

Interesting day and a tough little 200km route with a real 8200' of climbing. Felt slow at the start and got better as I warmed up to the day.

Overcast early, clear skies later
Hi: 86   Lo: 62
124 miles

-randorides