Ursa Minor (Box Staple-O-Rama)

Box staple from early flat tire!

Didn't find out till late yesterday that the ladies version of the Thursday OFR group was riding north to Dana Point today. Thought I might hook up so I plugged in the Ursa Minor schedule. Rode over to the 7-Eleven start on the SOMA with headlamp and rear blinkies. Arm warmers would come in handy later on.

After the usual Reese Piece (which I didn't eat) receipt, left just after 0530 and headed eastward. That didn't last long as had a flat front tire as I was on a right hand turn. Those are bad, but didn't loose it this time! Just happen to be a lighted driveway where I pulled into to fix things up. Used the arm warmers to lay on the curb to sit on. Finally pulled this big box staple from my tire. I always wonder how those things manage to get in there? Used the cartridge pump for the final fill up...it seemed a few lbs low.Might refill when I get to the Harbor Dr. parking lot (where the gruppo was meeting for the ride north).

As usual, after a flat repair, one is a little skeptical on air pressure and on the look-out for more flats. Same here as I rode toward Solana Beach. Headlamp was good enough as the sun was making the roads lighter by now. No stop at the Solana Donuts as usual. Trying to cut out some of that stuff on the rides now, along with hi-octane colas with the sugar "kick"! Stopped at the Carlsbad 7-Eleven on Oak St. for a ice refill. Next up was the Magee Park bathroom for relief. Rode on Pacific Street for a final stop at the Harbor Dr. bathroom, where Thursday rider Joe was. We chatted and then rode across the street, under the RR tracks for the meet up at 0830.

Group went through main gate, then turned right

Not much going on there, as a few riders were lurking around. One was fixing a flat while the others were waiting for him. Steve Ring rode in and a few others. At 0845 we rolled out for the ride northward through the Camp. Just after the main gate, we took a right and looped around through housing and a big downhill to Stuart Mesa. They called it a "short cut", but in fact it is much longer. I was thinking of riding "easy" today, but after a bit 3 of us broke away and got into the "hammer mode". Regroup at the Las Pulgas gate, where Ben Hassel and Eric Rix were waiting. Nice to see them back in the saddle again after both had Sciatic Nerve surgery and had been off the bikes for months. They were all excited to be riding with the group again and related all their latest stories.

Stopped at the usual San Onofre Campground #11 for a regroup. I left a little early and stopped at the Surf Camp just ahead. Noticed they had a fly trap but it was full of bees dying. No wonder there is a shortage of pollinating bees reported the last few years. Regrouped after Trestles Bike Path, where several went to Carl's Jr and then  return trip back. I hadn't noticed any reported super waves up here from the Pacific hurricane. Much bigger ones were in Carlsbad. Group rode through the neighborhood and to Doheny State Beach. There was deep sand over the path there and Dee and others stopped to walk through. Not me. I grabbed a few gears and powered through. They commented that they were taking the highway when they came back this way! I turned east on the San Juan Path and would meet up in 50 minutes for the return trip.

No big hurricane waves at Doheny State Beach today.

On the return, I did a slo roll through Doheny Park and on to San Clememte, hoping the group would catch up later. The big-ring climb up the hill through town was good and I was catching my stride. I realized that a nice tailwind always makes you feel fast and fit. Stopped at #11, where a bar of soap allowed me to wash up my hands. I figured no use waiting around for the group, so I proceeded south to the Las Pulgas gate. About a mile in, I came across a older rider on a silver Cannondale with one pannier on the back and a roll under his handlebar. We started chatting and he was on his way back to Hemet. Says he was a racer and now was getting into longer rides. Said he was helping his brother build his house there, but also stated he didn't get along with his brother. When he said he had to stop in Oceanside to get his mail, I began to wonder where he actually lived! Gave him a rando card with links to Hemet routes and bid "good riding" . After a stop at the Harbor Drive bathrooms, I was off on the SLR to finish up the route. Felt quite good on the rest of the ride and the climb up Champagne Blvd. A heck of a lot better than the Tuesday ride, with only 1 day rest!

Full sun most of the day
Hi: 90's   Lo: 64
129 miles

-randorides