Drizzle at Peet's! Big weight loss on the road.

Today's route with a early fog start

For some reason, I awoke real early and laid around for a bit. Checked outside and it was overcast, which means temps in the 60's for sure. Then decided "why not ride"? Did my normal prep up after the oatmeal/banana breakfast. I'll take the Fuji carbon today, as I just changed the tires over to baldy G'skin Hardshell yesterday. They're on the long side of 3000mi and counting. Took off my new set I had on yesterday and stored them away for some "big" future ride. Put on my "road trash" workers reflective vest and left the house at 0430.

I quickly proceeded to drop my helmet light on the road. It popped open on impact and the batteries rolled away downhill on the 10% grade. I went back inside and got a regular headlight and searched for the batteries... found 2/3. Went in and replaced one of the AAA rechargeables. I was finally off. By now the weather had deteriorated into a heavy fog/drizzle. No problem, I'm heading east to Escondido and it will clear up riding away from the coast. Sorry buddy, not today. Weather closed in as I couldn't get my left shoe clipped in. I pulled into a 7-Eleven on Centre City Pkwy and checked my shoe out under the lights. Looked OK to me as I wiped the "fog" from my glasses. Proceeded south under crap weather and gritty brakes. Finally stopped again under the Mule Hill Chevron canopy. Left cleat looked off, so I got out my handy multi-tool and lined it up straight. I was off to the races clipped in now!

Can you see me now? Early start meant damp FOG-OH riding

HUH? Pedestrian Bridge over Lake Hodges was gated at 0615! Just great. I back-tracked over and around to the uncomfortable I-15 route . Soon I was on course and getting wetter. Took the "more climbing" Martinal Rd. short cut as the weather was easing up a bit. Starting to get light now as I saw some blinkie lights far ahead on Camino Del Sur. Not to be left alone, I cranked 'er up to 19mph and closed in. Caught two Filipino racers on TREK carbons going up the longish climb. Followed them a while before the thin climber guy had to check me out. On the next climb up to San Dieguito Road the big guy took off, shortly followed by the climber guy trying to drop me on a break-away. Sorry, guys... not today. I reeled in the climber and went around. Just then he eased up and reached for his bottle before turning around and looking for his buddy. I cruised into the Del Sur Circle K for a blow and receipt.

Sat around a while and filled my bottle before riding over and picking up a nice banana from the pile on the SR-56 Bike Path table. I think Mobil Bike Mechanic puts them out every Saturday for riders. Then I followed this strong long black-haired girl rider on a new Fuji along the Bike Path. She was grinding in the big ring/small cog the whole way. Left her on the climb up to Del Mar where I got behind 2 fast racer guys. I drafted them along the coast cruising at 24mph. Another short older guy on a small yellow TREK carbon joined in later. I know this guy form other rides. He hammers from Del Mar to Carlsbad all the time. I pulled off the train at Nytro, where I refilled my bottles with outside Gatorade Lemon-Lime feebie. Rode north and met a big rider in a blue jersey.

How big? Huge guy on a TREK bike. We chatted all the way to Carlsbad riding a good pace. He started out at 290 lbs. and was now down to 250 with cycling and lifestyle/diet changes. His wife is losing weight by swimming and running. That's another good cycling story. I told him how great he was doing and nice to see him on the road.

Lose weight cycling? YES, but need lifestyle change too!

Picked up another group and rode to the Pier with them. Left them as I turned off on the SLR. Headwind-like performance here as I slogged along at 17mph. TT rider was closing fast, so I amped it up to 19mph just to irritate him! Pulled into the College Ave bathroom for a chamios creme pak(the old transparent bibs were rubbing!) and some water. Chatted with a few older guys there about how fast they were. Pulled over onto the shady sidewalk on Andrew Jackson St. and flipped my bike over. The chain was making noise from the earlier road dirt-wash, so I broke open a handy WD-40 vial and soothed it out. Chomped my banana as I finished off the SLR extension path. Waited at the Hwy-76 light when this Rando guy rolled up behind.

Rando Mike Shaw was finishing off the Fix My Bike Populaire. We rode together over to Bonsall, where a small group of NCCC long riders were milling around. Mike & I were both wearing NCCC jerseys today! ( I was wearing a too large blue/gold retro version, which I feel was the best simple design ever). Mike talked to ride leader Dianna, as I ordered up my reward Choc Sundae. Leaving Bonsall, Mike and I chatted a bit about his new Permanent "North County Loop" as we rode along Camino Del Rey eastward. We split up on Hwy. 395 and I paced over past Lawrence Welk and up Champagne climb. No record setting pace here as I enjoyed the new section of Centre City roadway on the way to San Marcos. Maybe some day they will resurface the whole road? Pulled into the finish 7-Eleven to a large Saturday crowd.

This ride was a definite 2/5. After the cleat adjustment, my side left ankle tendon/ligament pain went mostly away. The unexpected drizzle weather made for crappy drive-line performance and damp feelings. Next time I'll sweat it out with a jacket. Got in some good hi-speed training work climbing with the Filipino racers and speed work along the coast. Not a total bust.


Suck conditions at the start, clear later
Hi: 86     Lo: 62
84 miles

-randorides