University Loop (How To Get SPF-50 Out Of Your Eyes!)

This stuff burns the eyes!

Wow, another great day for riding. Heck yes, I can do a route and hook-up for a chit-chat with the OFR along the coast. Sounds good.

I didn't get the SOMA prepped up and on the road till 0630. By the time I got over to the Ralph's start it was nearer 0645. So much for planning. It usually takes 2.5 hours to get over to Magee Park on the route course. I'll just take it easy and get there when I get there. I can keep rolling and meet up down in Encinitas at Swami's where they usually leave around 0930. Wore my arm warmers and found that they were only useful for a few downhills.. after that they had to come off as did the headlamp. Eyes started to water and burn almost from the start. I thought it must be the sunscreen. Stopped on Country Club Lane and wiped them off good, cleaned my glasses and kept going. Centre City was the next stop. Same thing. I used my carry along damp washcloth to wipe everything off real good again. Going down Champagne my eyes started to water and burn a bit. I stopped after the Camino del Rey turn and repeated the exercise. Finally I arrived at the Bonsall AM/PM. The intersection was loaded with traffic, most turning onto Old River Road. Iced the bottle and wiped down with water for the last time. Got a cheapo receipt and went west on Hwy. 76. Eyes were OK by now.

BMC's basic hardtail MTB. Reviews say 2/5 for $1500! Sorry.

It was 0750 by now and I thought it time for me to check out the new 76 surface to the coast. I cranked 'er up a bit and rolled westward with speeds up to 27mph. Went through downtown Oceanside, by-passing my planned stop to see Dan Phillips at Bussey's Automotive. Sparse traffic at best along the coast to Carlsbad so I made good time. Magee Park was empty as I continued southward without hooking up with anyone this trip. Got a sharp pain on the outside of my left achilles tendon for a bit before it went away. Added some Chinese White flower and spin class for the overuse! It was almost 0930 when I passed Swami's. The group had just pulled out and I could see them far ahead. Came upon 2 loaded tourers and chatted with them a bit. They were going to San Diego from LA. They stayed at the San Elijo Campground last night and looked it! Their helmets were strapped to the bags and replaced with caps. A raggy bunch for sure!

Caught the tail-end of the gruppo (14) and chatted with new guy John (the guy who several weeks back touched my rear wheel and went down hard in the middle of Torrey Pines Road) and old guy Dale. At Del Mar, the OFR gruppo took the "neighborhood" route as I went up straight through town, as usual. I dropped to the unusual 34T rings as I spun up Torrey Pines at a steady 10 mph. Pulled into the top parking lot and went over to the water fountain, which was working again! Rinsed things off and filled my bottle. Hit the newly cleaned head and waited for the gruppo to arrive. We chatted a bit before riding on. Several turned around and rode back down the hill, per schedule. I bid "adios" to the group as they turned off down to LaJolla. I kept on Gillman Dr and the Rose Canyon Bike Path. Took my usual route via Morena Blvd to Friars Road and on to SDSU campus. Stopped at the 7-Eleven instead of the packed McDonalds. Sat outside and ate the traditional "Smores" sandwich. Headed back into the usual headwind. In the drops and grinding along.

Surly "Ogre" steel framset for bikepacking. Options galore.

Along Coast Hwy again, I saw this John guy up ahead in his orange jersey. I didn't catch up, but instead stopped off at Nytro and refilled my bottle. Joe was there sitting at his desk, so we chatted a bit about dirt bikes. They're not a dealer for Salsa, but are for Surly. I had him check on a Ogre frameset with fork. Reasonably priced for me. Also prompted to check the BMC TE03 niner. It's BMC's basic 29" hardtail. It spec'd in with some good stuff and has the same geometry as their carbon hardtails, but retails for $1500! (Later, when I got home, I checked the on-line reviews for this model.. not good at 2/5. Seems the rear end is too harsh with the design and the big seatpost.) Out of my price range. Guess the Swiss think their bikes are "all that"! Joe will check into a "demo" version for me to try out for a week. Picked up a few goodies and hit the road after hanging around too long.

Extra weight on the handlebars made riding a little "lopsided". I plodded along with the left tendon spiking up now and then. Finally got over to San Marcos for the final receipt and the welcome ride home. Long day and the left ankle was feeling it! Overall, not that great of day. Got a late start and played "catch up" all morning. With the tendon thing, I'm due for some off the bike rest time. I still made it back OK. I'd call it a 2/5 day, just like the MTB review on Bike Radar!

This route on YouTube:
http://youtu.be/Djf9eohXGws

Overcast early, clear lateron
Hi:81     Lo: 64
125 miles

-randorides