Sandia Creek Century

Sandia Creek Century Map

This route is a take-off from the true-tested "Busted In DeLuz" route, with a San Marcos start and taking Sandia Creek Rd. instead of DeLuz Road. However. the option still remains to use DeLuz if you want some variety! Started the route at 0600 on the dot with receipt in hand. Riding the Fuji for this one. Headlamp and one rear Planet Bike blinkie. No arm warmers of late, as the start temps have been well above 60F in the mornings.

Uneventful ride over to LaCosta via Mission Road, La Posta and Rancho Santa Fe. Lite traffic and no other riders in sight. Hit the bathrooms at the trusty Circle K there and got a 39 cent Carmel for a receipt. Put some ice in one bottle and hit the road. One Swami rider blasted by on the way to the coast.  I closed a little on the climb over I-5, but he turned off on Vulcan. Nice pace up the coast to Oceanside, with overcast skies and hi humidity making it feel real hot already. Did the pier route looking for a bike path hook-up. Not to happen today nor was there any tailwind this early. Stopped at Bonsall for a ice refill. They had ice in the machine this trip. If not, crushed ice is better to fill bottles with at AM/PM.

Lite traffic still makes the turn onto Mission Road northward a little tricky at times. Geared down for the climb up to Green Canyon Rd. It's always a nice ride there and better when I spotted a rider up ahead. Just as I approached, he turned off on a side road. I see a lot of riders going that way.. must be for the climbing? 34T up Oak Park and saving up for later. Never did like the climb to Rainbow. Don't seem to have the right gear combo for that anymore. Passed by a tri-rider just after Rainbow. As soon as we hit the 5% section I was closing fast. Caught him just as we started the downhill into Temecula. He was long gone. I wasn't done yet however. I did the sidewalk switch-a-roo and missed all the turn traffic unlike him on Hwy. 79. Pulled into the 7-Eleven instead of Carls Jr. Had a ice cream sandwich and laced it with GU Gel. Sat next to the propane tanks stacked in a rack by the front door. Filled my bottles with ice and rinsed them off under the outside faucet. I later realized I had several $1.00 off coupons for Carl's Jr. shakes! Next time?

Rainbow Cyn. Road. 90F already in mid morning

Really warming up now and it was only 10 o'clock! Big side-wind going up Rancho California. Near the top there was a tailwind. I noticed the Garmin reading 104F now. No wonder I was wet! Turned onto Sandia Creek with lots of car traffic. Geared down for that last 14% climb and took a breather at the top before the fast downhill ahead. Of note: after the last trip they had filled in many of the big road holes and the downhill is only half-ass now. Still rough on some corners and you'll need to hang on tight. Also noticed a "NO TRESPASSING" sign at the roadside parking on the path to the nudie pool. Saw many burn out spots there from a wildfire. Real hot going up the climb to Fallbrook. Didn't stop at the listed Fallbrook JIB, but instead opted for the Bonsall McDonald's instead.

My mistake. No ice cream for sundaes, just for high priced shakes! Nice policy. I didn't get anything there, but opted over to AM/PM instead. Iced up there and soon

New Mtn. Dew refuel. Not bad

was back on the road just after high noon. Always a pleasant ride along Camino del Rey. Held a steady 10 mph up Champagne, a long way from the old days when I could relax and go up at 12mph! Must be the heat and wind? Ya, right. Centre City Pkwy. has really become bumpy and rough of late. Especially since it's downhill and normal speeds are in the 30's. No traffic and no riders this time of day to the finish. Got a 20 cent Reese Piece for proof of passage and a freebee Mtn. Dew Solar Flare in the bottle. I was quickly otta' there and heading home. F
elt good at the end and no Tylenol today for tendons.
What the heck, I'll make it up on Thursday?

Overcast early and clear later
Hi: mid 90's    Lo: 67
98 miles

-randorides