Walkin' The Dog with OFR

Route today to hook up with OFR along the coast.

OFR gruppo leader Troy posted up the ride info a few days back. Going down to Quivira Basin for lunch/snack. John Fry indicated he wanted to do a rando ride today also, so I offered the "Walkin' The Dog" route. Not too long and could start later to hook up with OFR at Swamis.

Left the house at 0645 to warm temps. Winds was howling from the east as I rode slowly into it. Made the Albertson's start at 0700 and followed the reverse route up the big Twin Oaks climb. Wind was buffeting around as I climbed a steady 8mph pace. Starts out at 7% and jacks up to 12% for a bit. Finally made it to the fire station and started the hi-speed downhill toward San Elijo. Traffic was very heavy this time of day. I opted off and caught the hard surface bike trail alongside the road. No car traffic, but  the few joggers made riding difficult. Soon back on the road and skirting traffic thru town over to Rancho Santa Fe Road. John Fry lives here and I was supposed to meet up with him. I was early so I rode around on some side streets for 15 minutes. John showed up and we headed south with the tailwind.

We made our way to the coast via LaCosta Ave. Decided to ride northward and meet up with OFR at Poinsettia Ave. Waited another 15 minutes before Dan Marks showed up, followed by Stuart Smedley (Kiwi). Rode together to Swami's. I did make a stop at the Encinitas 7-Eleven for a cold water refill. Need it today, it was already 73 degrees! Nice group at Swami's. Chatted up a bunch while waiting for Troy and Bruce. They never did show or respond to Dan's phone messages, so we decided to leave anyway. wind was very strong from the East as we rode the coast.

From Del Mar on, the wind  completely stopped! I hit the Torrey climb at a steady 10mph in the big ring. Felt good. Must be a tailwind? Hit the head and sucked some water at the top. Andrea was meeting the group there, so chatted with her until the others arrived. Stuart decided to return north due to his bronchitis of late. Good move with the very dry, hot day. The rest of us rolled southward through UCSD and turned off down to LaJolla.

Strong Santa Ana winds blow the tops at Torrey Pines State Beach

Heavy road construction in LaJolla. Roads are a joke here for cyclists... holes, rough bumps and jammed traffic. Paul and Dan led us around and down by the beach. Tourists aplenty here on the rail, looking at the birds and one lonely seal as waves were pounding the rocks. We finally rode the bike route to Pacific Beach and on to Quivira Basin. John Fry and I continued on route across the bridge and the Ocean Beach Bike Path to Dog Beach 7-Eleven. Time for a break. I grabbed an Ice Cream Sandwich and filled my bottles with ice water. John gave some panhandler a note to ease his mind. We hung around a while before slo-rolling out to the bike path.

Took the same route back over to Quivira Basin. The guys were in the sun chomping down some double stacks. I thought they would be leaving soon, but John said not the case. He pulled up a chair. I rode around the harbor, checking the boats out. Finally, they were ready to leave. We hooked up with the OC Bike Path and I led on a cut-route to Fiesta Island. Nice change that Andrea liked! Paul led out around Mission Bay and back through the rough Rose Creek Bike Path. Time to pick up the pace.

I led out up through Rose Canyon. Our group of 4 slowly pulled away as we picked up the pace. Regroup under the Gillman underpass. I led out and big Tom soon picked up the pace. I was holding his wheel till the steeper stuff, when I blasted off and went around. Didn't know where the group would be turning, but finally figured it out as we went through UCSD campus and stopped at the usual Gym. I refilled my water there while waiting for the others to show. Soon we were off into heavy student traffic.

Mostly birds and shit at LaJolla Cove this trip!

Nicer riding as Paul and I raced it out on the Torrey downhill. Just a few of us together now as we slowed the pace thru Del Mar. Lite police action here today. Paul picked up a hard-body racer girl and held her wheel. We hung back before making our move to hook-up. Before we could do so, she pulled off! Bummer. Paul and Al turned off at Swami's. Rando Bob, John Fry and I kept on Coast Hwy. northward. We held a nice pace line before John & I said "adios" to Bob. We were off eastward back on route. Bob was returning back to Magee Park in Carlsbad.

I followed John ideas on how to get back to Melrose. We did stop over at the LaCosta Circle K for a cold water refill. It was hot out and we were both a little dehydrated. Nice climbing now as we stayed together up LaCosta Ave. More traffic at the turn onto Rancho Santa Fe. Finally a fast downhill. John turned off for home @ Melrose. I rode straight ahead to San Marcos. Only 2 more hills left today. I went straight ahead and finally turned at Linda Vista Dr. Turned on Las Pulgas and then past Palomar College on busy Mission Ave to the finish.

Got in some climb training today and several sections of hitting it real hard (Torrey Pines Rose Canyon & Gilman). Felt good with no tired legs. Needed to drink more water today as I was dry when I got home.  Don't forget the electrolytes!

Clear skies all day
Hi: 95     Lo: 69 (Garmin Stats)
Wind: E 25mph
91 miles

-randorides