Bike Path X Two Populaire

Older shot of Bruce Tipton on his Kestrel racer

Usually start this route well before 0600 and most times on a Thursday. Why? If I time things right, I can hook up with the OFR riders from Magee Park in Carlsbad at 0830. Today they are riding south somewhere. They will regroup @ Swami's in Encinitas for the final decision. Time for the Madison SS. See what I can hurt today. Also looking for the elusive chain oil this trip.

Felt a little stiff as I climbed up Centre City Pkwy. The nice long downhill on Champagne Blvd. is always nice to stretch out on. Had some rhythm on Camino Del Rey crusing at 18mph.  Did my normal stop at the Bonsall McDonald's, where I refilled my solo bottle with ice. Got a 40 cent sweet for a receipt. Riding past the freshly replanted tomato fields along Hwy. 76, passed through a radar trap. Officer said I was going 17mph. I told him "I'm cooked!". He laughed at that.No buddy system on the SLR today. No headwind either. I did turn off onto Benet Street and took Hwy. 76 to Canyon Dr. Nasty uphill for my gearing, but I finally made it up. Cruised on Bush St. and stopped by Bussey's Auto. Had to drop off some WD-40 Dry Chain lube packet to Dan. Didn't stay long as he was busy and it was 0810 by now. Took the lite traffic route through Oceanside downtown. Arrived at Magee Park at 0826. Only Kiwi Stuart and this new girl Lisa were there.

Lisa was pumping her tires and getting ready. Left a little late and thus missed the pickup on Poinsettia Lane too. Finally cranked er up and arrived at Swami's. I stretched out some and chatted with Bruce Tipton. Troy said they were going via Manchester to Rancho Bernardo somewhere. I figured I would ride with them and then hook up with the route somewhere. I drifted back from the main group and rode with Bruce on his carbon Dura/Ace Focus. He had a flat, so I yelled at the back of the group. Held his bike in a sandy roadside spot as he made the change. The D/A Cassette and chain were a greasy mess! Soon, Steve Ring came up and stopped. He got a late start and was trying to catch up. We chatted as Bruce was having quite a time getting his wheel off. Finally Steve took off the tire. They couldn't find the cause of the flat. Bruce finally got the tire on the rim and shot it up with a large cartridge. Soon the foldable bead popped off the rim! Didn't blow the tube though! Bruce let out some air and I rolled the tire on the roadway. He tried to refill but his new cartridge and device wouldn't work. Finally, I had enough and ask if I could fix it. Got out my pump/CO2 and got the job done. Wiped down his dirty greasy rim and tire. 20 minutes later he was back on the road. Good job Bruce!

A few things at Nytro this trip. Chain oil ampules on bottom.

I decided to reverse course and go back to Nytro. Got some WD-40 Dry Lube and chatted to Joe about the Cygolite specs. He'll see if he can swing a deal on one of those lights. Got a few other goodies and a handful of samples and away I went, eating my carry-along sandwich. Not much going on up to Del Mar and around the SR-56 Bike Path. Never did see the OFR Gruppo again, as they were supposed to be out this way somewhere. Finally got back to San Marcos just after high noon.

Lots of things going on on this short ride. Hope Bruce T. learns how to remove and replace his rear tire soon. Also his 700x23 tire was over filled with the full big CO2 cartridge. Got in a nice ride, was able to ride with the ODF Group and picked up some chain lube. Not bad!

Clear skies
Hi: 78   Lo: 63
81 miles

-randorides