New "Walkin' The Dog" Populaire

New "Walkin' The Dog" Populaire

New route for the New Year! San Marcos to Dog Beach (Ocean Beach) Sort of a adjunct to Keith's "Not On Weekends" ride, which starts at Dog Beach and goes to Carlsbad.

Another cold morning around here... 34 degrees... I'll wait to start when the sun comes up later! This would be a video project ride, so I loaded the Canon up with the same set of Lithium batteries as used on the last two rides. Well after 0900 when I checked in at Albertson's on Mission Rd. A route like this will take well over 1-hour longer when I'm taking pictures and video along the way.

Walkin' The Dog doesn't take the usual route to the coast and back. Nope. Back way to Palomar Airport Road and then follows El Camino Real down to LaCosta, where I took the popular LaCosta Ave towards the coast. SDBC riders in new black/green kits running red lights like there was no tomorrow! Next is a parallel Coast Highway ride on Vulcan St, before cutting under the RR Tracks and stop at Swami's. Today there was live music there, with a replica Sheryl Crow strumming along with battery pak amp and background music. Nice set up. I snatched a video for the YouTube project!

Fast cute hard-body along the coast.

Hooked up with several groups for the pull to Del Mar and stopped at Torrey Pines State Beach to get some video of the ocean. Low tide and not much going on there. Mixed it up with the climbers on Torrey and got a few good shots along the way. Normal Rose Canyon ride around a large puddle on the path, and lots of riders to mingle with on Rose Creek Trail too. Headwind from DeAnza Cove to Pacific Hwy., where I followed some local riders. Normal stiff headwind on the Ocean Beach Bike Trail westward. Stopped at the popular 7-Eleven, where Vitamin Water was a whopping $1.99 a bottle. Of course, didn't get any but opted for a 20 cent Reese Piece instead for RUSA receipt!. Rolled over to Dog Beach and took some more pictures. A little cool there with the winds and temps in the low 60's, at best. Warming up next week. Now for the round-trip.

Solana Beach couple walking the dog.

Route follows the Old Sea World Drive Trail and jumps over to the trail near Fiesta Island. Back onto Rose Creek Trail and up Rose Canyon Bike Path. Regular run up the coast into the normal headwind. Did hook up with several riders taking turns pulling. Big guy with all blue kit and bike from Ohio. Will be going back to cold-land tomorrow! Route then cuts off the easy stuff and catches Manchester over through Olivenhain. It's all climbing now as the route goes up Rancho Santa Fe and then the long climb up San Elijo Road. Real cool 40mph downhill into San Marcos, past the CSUSM Campus and back to Albertson's finish.

Route is 132km or 83 miles. The last few miles are all about climbing. I managed 206 good pictures and 5 video clips. Hopefully, they will become a route informational video soon.

Walkin' The Dog video

Clear skies all day
Hi: 71    Lo: 57 (Garmin Stats)
83 miles

-randorides