Not On Weekends

Garmin ride stats from Keith's new "Not On Weekends" Populaire

Looks like it's a last minute GO for Keith's new Populaire today. Rode the 0444 Sprinter over to Coast Highway Station and cranked 'er up down to the Carlsbad 7-Eleven start. Riding the carbon Fuji with aging Gatorskin Hardshells on. Dan Phillips was waiting along the road in Carlsbad. Got my Reese Piece for a 20 cent receipt and we started south on Hwy. 101 after 0530. I was starting the Popularie here is Carlsbad and we would meet Keith around 0800 at the Dog Beach 7-Eleven. We'll ride back up to Carlsbad together. Keith would return solo for his Populaire out and back route. Sounded good.

Riding along in the dark by the ocean was great this morning. Temps in the mid-60's and no wind. Dan set a seemingly brisk pace (always seems fast when riding in the dark). My headlamp beam was crapping out. Earlier this AM I recharged 2/3 batteries OK. Went to recharge the #3 and it wouldn't take a charge from my Lenmar charger. OH, well. Put it in and now it was fading quickly. In Encinitas, a NB rider yelled at us, we yelled back. He did a U-Turn and caught up. We thought maybe it was John Mestemacher or some other rando. Nope. Some guy looking for a group he was supposed to meet up with early. He did another U-Turn and continued north. We blasted through Solana Beach to all green lights in this early hour. I slowed to chat with a red/white wool jersey rider. "Montf Palomar" is what the jersey read. He was going down to Carmel Valley to meet up with some buddies. Dan & I pulled away, but he continued to gain as we stopped at each red-light and stop-sign, whereas he didn't!

"Lost his mind" dude gave away his Pugsley

Sun was rising yellow from the east as we climbed up Torrey Pines at a 9mph pace. Stopped at the top and grabbed a banana from the Mobile Mechanic table set up there. Great idea for bike business! It was 0650 and we were on a early arrival pace. I wanted to hit the bushes on the Rose Canyon Bike Path, but nixed the idea when I saw there was construction equipment there. No traffic pace as we rode along Mission Bay and was hoping to stop at one of the bathrooms there. Nope. Not yet 0730 and we were on the Ocean Beach Bike Path. This place was loaded with "campers" near the highway. Most were getting up now and rolling up their stuff. A full homeless encampment along there as we dodged people on the path. Arrived at the turn-around Dog Beach 7-Eleven Control at 0750. Keith rode up a few minutes later. Keith got double receipts with the purchase of two Reese Pieces. We were good to go now.

Chatted outside and waited around for 0800 to come. Some guy starts talking with us about all his Surly bikes. How he gave away his Pugsley and all! Ya right. Asked why he isn't cycling now, he simply said: " I lost my mind"! We rode off through the Park and onto the Ocean Beach Bike Path eastward. We were half done and Keith was just starting his Populaire.

Keith's Egret in the SD River Channel

Keith was telling Dan about the egrets around here and Dan responded with stories of hydroplane races on this
same San Diego River channel. Made good time around Mission Bay and even the traffic merge without any close calls. Lots of riders out now and I hooked up with a racer guy on a white Litespeed going up Santa Fe Street. Said he was waiting for his fast "Chili's ride group to catch up. Saw a few SDBC riders as we rode together up to UCSD Campus. Riders out in force now and we played around with a few groups while climbing up to Del Mar. As I got out of the saddle to hammer a little, a branch hit my nose and almost put me out! After a regroup we moderated the pace some.

Dan's Hydroplane races in the SD River

Dan paced us through Solana Beach at 20 mph and we hooked up with a racer guy and his girlfriend on lite bikes. She dropped off at the first rise and Dan & I held on as he cranked 'er up to 24mph. With my 13T cog I was out of gears and bouncing on the saddle till I finally eased up. Dan held on to the pull up to Swami's. We stopped there for a blow and a refresh. Two guitar guys were set up there serenading the bikini clad surfer girls. Good idea. Dan set a quick pace up to the Palomar rise, where he tried to match a real racer guy. Said he didn't have the form today. Enough said. Keith pulled us into our final stop at Oak Ave. 7-Eleven. Dan & I were finished with Keith's Populaire for the day. I filled in my card, ate an Ice Cream Sandwich with a side of banana and gave Keith a few tips on mailing Cards in to Crista (RUSA). Looks like Keith had a tailwind all the way back to Ocean Beach. After final kudoz on the ride today, Dan & I rode north. I was jumping the Sprinter and Dan was going over to his workplace for Saturday memories.

Looked like a decent day today on the bike. Maybe a 3/5. Two Advil and double rub of "White Flower" day for the left ankle tendon thing. Had some good hi-speed work and need to correct my battery recharge thing for my headlamp. Looks like Keith's new Populaire is a pleasant 5 hour route. Good job Keith!


Partly cloudy day
Hi: 77    Lo: 61
68 miles

-randorides