Bike Path Run-Around, NCCC, SOB's & Rancho Racers

Bike Path Run-Around with NCCC, SOB & Rancho Racers. Whew, I'm cooked!

Ahhh. I see NCCC riders are doing a take-off of a rando route. I figured I would give back-to-back ride days a go. I could put it in cruise and save it up!

Aired up the worn G'skin Hardshell on the Fuji stealth bike and added the front bag for my stuff. Arm warmers is all I needed for the ride in. Thought I could get in some early riding and then swing by the NCCC regular riders for a bit.

After riding around and returning home, I finally got over to Restaurant Row at 0820. Chatted with rando Robert and Tony Long and the other riders. This Greg guy from Fallbrook was measuring chains for stretch. Said mine was long done and would be skipping on the big climbs today. Ya, right.. guess I'll have to cancel the ride and go get a Shimano 6701 chain right away!

Fast pace around soon we were doing some steeper climbs up 11th street in Escondido. Tony and Robert were blasting by me easily. Could be a real long day for me. I did the cut around after Lake Hodges and hooked up with this big guy with aero bars. He was crankin on the flats & downhills. I was right there. We dropped everybody except 3 riders who were long gone. I said "adios" at the San Dieguito Road turn.

Rolled into the SR-56 Bike Path stop at Circle K. HUH? NCCC long riders were there! Said hello, filled my bottles and got out of there. I stopped for free bananas at the Del Sur/Bike Path table. One NCCC racer guy went by. I chased him down and cruised with him. Soon the others were hammering by. I picked up with them to the coast. They stopped for a walk-up regroup at the dirt ramp to El Camino Real. Time for a rolling break for me.

SOB riders from Fallbrook.

Felt good on the Del Mar climb on 101. Ramped it up some and joined a group of 6 riders wearing SOB jerseys. "Seniors On Bikes" These older guys were from Fallbrook and you know what that means. They were hauling the mail. I notice one rider's seat bag was open and told him. Oh, OH! Keys were missing? He and his buddy stopped and checked. I sprinted ahead to the other 4 riders. They didn't ride in a neat group, but were scattered along the road. I chatted a bit with all of them. Said they were going to Fallbrook. Guess I'll draft along. We were cruising the SLR at 23mph with a slight tailwind. At College Ave, these guys turned off to the parking lot. HUH? Either they were taking a break or getting their cars? I rode solo to Bonsall.

Arrived at McDonalds and several Ranchos riders were there. I took a break with my usual. Soon more Ranchos came in. I knew they were going back to Via Rancho Pkwy in So. Escondido the same way I was. These guys would blow me away. I got out of there quick awaiting them storming up from the rear soon.

Ranchos Team is fast!

Two Ranchos  caught me before Lawrence Welk. I recognized Lee Swartz from years past in the NCCC group. She was riding with her husband. We chatted and talked old time on the climb up to Deer Springs and on to Centre Center. I said "thanks for the pull" and turned off at Nutmeg and back to San Marcos. Day done.

Another good day on the bike. Felt only OK with the fast regular NCCC riders early. Warmed up good the NCCC racers on the bike path. SOB's were hitting it good and I was pulling by then. Nice ride with the Ranchos to finish out the ride. Wearing my old nice yellow/red NCCC club jersey from 10 years ago.

Mostly sunny all day
Hi: 88     Lo: 56
88 miles

-randorides