"Fix My Bike" Blast-Off

Garmin stats from the short Populaire ride today

Short ride today to check out ankle status. Did a muscle rub/stretch out and fired up the SOMA at 0700. Headed over to the local 7-Eleven for a cheapo receipt. Temps in the low 50's and the sun was just warming up. I could always wrap my bananas in the take-off arm warmers later on. Mike and Sandy were riding the Ursa Minor today and they would probably start around 0700. I might bump into them on today's route.

Big ring ride today with mid-cassette gearing. Saw one rider on Del Dios Highway and 2 more as I took a stop on Loma Santa Fe before Solana Beach. No stop for Red Velvet Donut at the shop today. I turned onto Coast Hwy. 101 and picked up 2 riders hammering along. Short racer guy and a taller, blue clad, white legged guy on a steel bike. I chatted with him a bit.. seems he is a defunct Tri rider with a bad ankle, which prevented him from running. He set a fast pace up the coast as I hit the Palomar roller hard. We caught a real racer with a BMC kit flying at 23mph. Followed him up to Oceanside, where I turned off onto the SLR. Good thing.. I was sucking air!

Picked up a big guy with a Brooks Saddle. We rode ahead of his wife and lady friend while chatting. He was from Minnesota and looks to do some long riding out here while working this winter. Gave him a Rando card as we waited for his wife to catch up. Proceeded solo over to Bonsall with a nice wind aid. Had my usual HF Sundae laced with GU. Ate a carry along banana and stretched out. No riders around there this late in the AM. Filled my bottle and hit the road. Saw some riders at the intersection of Hwy. 76.

Felt good on the 17mph leg over to Hwy. 395. 3 racers pulled in front near Old Castle Road. I figured if I could maintain loose contact with them, I might be able to pace up Champagne climb. Not to be as they cranked er up to 20 mph past Lawrence Welk Resort. They had a 1/2 mile on me as we started the climb. I almost caught one dropped rider before the top. A little under 12 minutes for that climb in the big ring. I welcomed the rough Centre City downhill. Caught some remnants of the NCCC ride at Country Club Drive. Brad said they were coming in from Valley Center. Drafted them over to Mulberry where I said "adios" . I was finished up for today.

Good ride today. Lots of speed work all the way up the coast. Made it up Champagne after a long week of riding in the sore tendon ankle. Probably a 4/5. Kitchen Creek next Saturday. Might go if John rides. Keith O. is talking about a Veterans Day ride along the coast. He is hesitant about riding with someone.

Clear skies and sunny today
Hi: Hi 80's    Lo: 54
67 miles

-randorides