University Loop Permanent

University Loop Permanent route map

Rolled out of the house at 0530. Outside temp was 64 degrees with cloudy skies overhead. Wore arm warmers after the Tuesday ride and all the fog. Not today! Got a receipt at the local 7-Eleven and then rode over to the start near CSUSM.

Decided to add some early miles and rode over to Escondido where I picked up Centre City Parkway northbound. Deer Springs intersection red light doesn't trip for bikes so had to use the out of the way light button to cross over. Champagne downhill speeds todays was 32 mph. Decided to take off the arm warmers on Camino Del Rey as it was so nice out. Very few cars along there this morning. Stopped at the Bonsall AM/PM and got a packet of Belvita Breakfast Wafers instead of the usual cheapo candy thing. Filled my bottles with ice at McDonalds next door and hit Hwy. 76 westward.

Lots of usual early traffic along here. I did a turn around and picked up a lime green reflective vest. Have to wash it up and then decide if it can be used for cycling. Packed it nicely on the front bag with my arm warmers. No riders at all to hook up with on the San Luis Rey Bike Path today. Decided to take Coast Highway straight through Oceanside today as I was chasin' the clock. Needed to meet up with the Thursday OFR Gruppo at Magee Park in Carlsbad at 0830 hours.

Arrived at 0825 and they had just left early. I chatted with Dee Wells and her riding friend. They were riding to Swami's in Encinitas too, so we rode together. Picked up a new rider, Bob, along the way south.Bob has a PowerTap rear wheel, so he was ready to race! Also "crazy Doug" joined in for a bit too. Had a regroup at Poinsettia Lane, where another 6 riders joined up for the ride south. Got into Swami's at 0900 sharp.

Found reflective vest like this.

Another group of 10 riders were waiting there. Someone decided that they were riding to Ocean Beach today via LaJolla Shores. That's a nice ride and resulted in a group of around 20 riders total. They hung around for a long time, so I finally just rolled out a little ahead just to stimulate them leaving soon. The main group rides the back way through Del Mar and I usually take the Coast Hwy. Today a Sheriff Deputy had a girl rider pulled over by a stoplight and was writing her up for something. Her nice shiny Bianchi Carbon won't look so good tonight! Rode up Torrey at a locked in 10 mph and got water at the top. We all regrouped there.

A few riders turned around there, leaving a wholesome group for the rest of the route. They turned off at LaJulla Shores Dr. and I went straight down Gillman. Picked up some racer guy on a Colnago carbon and raced with him to the Mission Bay Dr. turn. I went straight and did the route quick link up to Morena Blvd for the ride southward, mission all the Mission Bay traffic. From Friars Road through Fashion Valley there were signs all over: "No Qualcom Parking" Preseason football tonight.. Chargers vs Dallas Cowboys. I'm sure Qualcom Stadium will be sold out. Rode up to SDSU and got my usual mini Hot Fudge Sundae at McDonalds. Price went up! Coated it with GU Vanilla Gel for a real power treat. Filled my bottles with ice and sat around a bit. Fall semester will be starting soon and this place will be packed around noon everyday.

Qualcom Stadium hosting Chargers vs Dallas today.

Easy ride down the hill and into a headwind as I rode west. Morena Blvd had it's normal side wind and it helps push riders along. I took the steeper Scholars Dr. through UCSD Campus. A few riders along this stretch. Big downhill at Torrey, as they are still working on the top end with some center median landscaping. Climbing up Del Mar got passed by a hammerhead! Couldn't hold his wheel this trip. Looked down and my rear tire was half-flat. Looks like it lost 20 lbs of air. Kept going up the coast and stopped at Nytro to check out Joe and fill my tire up a bit. Joe was at some big Cervelo conference. I filled my bottles and caught up with Jim Wisener on the ride north. He rode with the OFR group this morning.

Jimbo cut off at LaCosta Ave as I continued on to Carlsbad control. Iced up there and hit the rollers via the back way to San Marcos. Traffic around San Marcos Blvd. was a little busy, even at this time of day. 

Good ride today with the meet up at Magee Park. Nice to ride with others to break up the time and hear what's going on. The OFR Gruppo has a Grand Fondo in Mammoth ten of them will ride in September. Maybe Sam Thomas from Albany, NY will join in!

Route video at: http://youtu.be/Djf9eohXGws

Typical overcast inland early with clear skies later
Hi: 84   Lo: 65
127 miles with over 6500' elevation gain

-randorides