Ursa Minor Permanent - (iPhone Roadie Special)

Route map of the Ursa Minor Permanent

Time for some annual birthday miles. Prepped the bike up yesterday: charged the batteries, drink mix in the
Camelbak bottles, extra goodies ready and clothes laid out ready to go. Didn't know exactly which route I was taking. I have several options, but usually don't decide until I wake up. Early wake-up means a longer ride, depending on route. I got up at 0300 and decided to do the Ursa Minor route for August.

Rolled into the Mulberry 7-Eleven at 0445 to overcast, warmish humid weather despite the rain shower we had last evening. No clerk around so I went back in the beer cooler and got him. After a Reese Piece for a 20 cent receipt, I clicked on the Garmin "Start" and headed down Mission Road with blinkie blazing and the helmet light leading the way.Rolled down my arm warmers.

 I opted for a alt route over to Del Dios Hwy. this trip. I followed the "Fix My Bike" route and looped over to Barham Dr, Meyers and followed Country Club Lane to Harmony Grove and Citracado. I wanted to see if it was longer than the regular Ursa Minor route to the same place. Seemed to be about the same distance with no traffic. Del Dios around 0500 is almost void of traffic. You need good strong lights to see far ahead in case of falling rocks in the bike lane. The headlamp allows me to spot it far ahead, which was useful today. Slightly more traffic now as I approached Rancho Santa Fe. 90% of the traffic turns there onto Via Del A Via. Pleasant riding the rollers over to Solana Beach, with a solo pit stop. Did see one rider on a race set up who had those neat spinning lights in his front spokes. They really show up in darkness. Stopped at the Solana Donut control for a "Red Velvet" donut with choclate coating. Everything there is 75 cents, so I figured what the heck. I could munch that all the way to Carlsbad.

Bell Helmet, 2 iPhones, Camelbak cap from todays "road goodies"

Cruised up the coast in blah mode. Looped around and picked up a white iPhone in the traffic lane near San Elijo State Beach. Smashed glass, but it was working. No hook-up with a fast group today. Guess it must be too early? Went straight through Oceanside as in-town traffic was nil. When I got to the Harbor Drive turn, cars were backed up waiting for Base entry. I did manage to cut through and made the I-5 turn lane. Not long and I was cruising north amid the noisy highway traffic.

Stopped a the Rest Stop bathroom and had a drink from the fountain. A few minutes and I was turning off Las Pulgas and on the bike route northward. Construction crews were at work on the second rail line early today, and several trucks were using the road. Same gal as before at the tank tunnel, yelling instructions at riders. Don't know what she says, but it's LOUD! Several racers out today and I used them to pace me through the campground. No stop for water break there today, but I did stop at the stop sign by the ranger shack! I opted for El Camino Real route through San Clemente today. Bike way, State Park and San Juan River Trail were all quiet this morning. Stopped at Carl's Jr. for a IC Sandwich. Laced it with GU as I ate my tuna on ww crackers. Filled my bottles there and headed back.

Felt good now as I used the tailwind to rest up. Had a good strong climb up through San Clemente and Trestles Bike Path. Was passing San Onofre Power Plant thinking why there were 200 cars in the lot there. Heard someone yell out my name and quickly looped around and met "Goose" northbound sitting on the railing waiting. We chatted a bit about his ride with the mini-OFR ladies group today. In about 10 minutes several riders showed up and he continued north with them. I hooked up with 2 girl riders who pulled me to the Campground #1 bathroom. I hit the head and watered up there. Noticed a warm, filled regular Camelbak bottle someone left behind. I took the cap and headed south. (I'm way short on Camelbak caps for my large assortment of bottles.) Met 2 touring riders at Las Pulgas Road, deciding which way to go. I mentioned "turn left through the camp" and then decided to use the I-5 route this trip.

Yummy GU!

I-5 bike lane was full of trash. Saw a Bell Helmet and went back to check it out. Looked good, so I straped it to the front of my HB bag. Full time concentration just to miss the lane trash. After the Rest Stop pass-through, it wasn't quite so bad. With the tailwind, it was easy cruising at 20 mph all the way in. Saw a first time green light at Harbor Drive and took it straight across! Jumped the SLR at Cleveland St. and used the tailwind to push me eastward at 17 mph. Minimal traffic on Hwy. 76 late morning and the lane was clear of junk. Stopped at Bonsall McDonald's for a Chocolate Sundae. I added a pak of Carmel GU to juice it up! Filled one bottle with Coke. Ate the rest of my crackers and elevated my feet. In 10 minutes, I was gone.

Wow, nice to have a tailwind to aid your legs along Camino del Rey. Didn't feel all that great on the Hwy. 395 mini-climb so I backed off and paced up Champagne into a headwind and Garmin temps at 100F. Used the in-out of the saddle technique to make it up to the light in 12 minutes. Far removed from the years past! Centre City Pkwy. gets rougher every trip. Headwinds increased westbound on Borden Road. Finished up before 1400 hrs. Rode home and hit the home made recovery drink:
1 scoop Instant Breakfast
1 scoop Carbo-Pro
1-scoop Cliff Recovery
10oz Soy Milk
Lots of Ice
Put in 20 oz bike bottle, shake and enjoy!

Overcast early, sun later
Hi: 90's   Lo 67
124 miles

- randorides