Veterans Day Rando Route

Veterans Day "Not On Weekends" route

Arranged with Keith Olsen to do his "Not On Weekends" Rando Populaire today. Loaded the SOMA and rode down to the train station. Hopped the 0614 bound for Oceanside, CA. Arrived at the Coast Highway station around 0650 and rode south to the Carlsbad start at 7-Eleven.

Quite light out by 0700, but I had both rear blinkies on anyway. Came up on a MTB rider hammering along the coast on a hi-end Giant 29'er full suspension ride. Looked new to me. Had some tubeless 2.5 tires and a dropper seat-post. Said "good morning" but the asian had no answer. Must have a bad attitude today? He ran the red light at Poinsettia Lane. I caught him again near LaCosta Ave. He ran that one too! Caught him again and shadowed him on his left. He got nervous and was out of the saddle crankin' up to 18mph. I had enough of this red-light runner and ramped it up to 19mph as I passed him. He followed, sucking wind.
I notched up to 20mph. He was sucking air.
Clicked up to 21mph. He was dropping!
22mph. Gonzo!
I was planning on a nice casual ride south, but didn't appreciate this red-light runner at all. Thank goodness I never saw him again.

Didn't climb Torrey pines well at all. Had the big ring thing going, but kept dropping speed and sucking wind. I finally got my lungs blown out after UCSD. Not many students around. Must have Vet's Day off? Made good time down Gilman under overcast skies. Did the Mission Bay route, but cut off on the old Sea World Dr to the bridge and Ocean Beach Bike Path. Arrived at 0920 and didn't see Keith at the 7-Eleven yet. Went in and got a receipt, filled my bottle with water and ice. Hung around outside till I saw Keith across the street near the coffee drive thru. Went over there and sat at the table. Keith came over and we chatted for 30 minutes about rando Permanent stuff.

Nearly 1000 when we left. Took the bridge over to the Old Seaworld Dr. and cut onto the bike path, entering Mission Bay Dr. at Fiesta Island. Had a nice easy pace going till Keith's rear Planet Bike Blinkie fell off and broke apart on the rough Rose Creek Bike Path. We stopped and managed to find only one battery. I hooked Keith's blinkie up with a rubberband so it wouldn't come off again. Super long light crossing Mission Bay Dr. Finally we were climbing up Gilman Dr. and decided to ride through UCSD Campus. Only students we saw were Asian. No classes today. Road construction so we detoured out onto N. Torrey Pines Rd.

Use only this for SDrando wool jerseys!

Nice riding till we got to Solana Beach. We picked up some racer guys and diced it out with them to Encinitas. Hit Swami's bathroom and I went over to Nytro for water. Keith soon joined up for the ride north. Had a flat at my usual place by the mobile home park. Sat on the ledge and changed the tube. Thorn in my worn out Gatorskins. After a short nap, headed north to the finish in Carlsbad. Keith was headed on his homeward leg now. We said our "adios" and I rode north to see Dan Phillips at his shop.

Chatted with Dan for 20 minutes and handed over some "White Flower" balm in the tiny bottle. This is good stuff for those on the bike aches. Invited Dan to the Saturday Brevet in Pine Valley. He might come? Nice of John to give me a ride out. Left Dan and rode over to the Oceanside Train Station headed back to San Marcos. Got off the train and rode to the University to check out the Ralph's store for Ivory Snow. This is the only recommended thing for washing Woolistic Jerseys. Didn't have any. Wallie-Mart was out. Stater Bros had none. None at Albertson's either. Bummer.

Average short day on the road. One Advil day for the ankle tendon. Felt good the rest of the time with the exception of the Torrey climb. Bad climb for me. Overdue for some dirtwork!

Overcast all day
Hi: 70     Lo: 63
78 miles


-randorides