Bike Stuff After Rain Ride

Good option in Salsa Cowbell bars

Had a few things to do early today and didn't get a chance to ride the Fix My Bike #2431 Rando route with John Fry and Keith Olsen. Rolled the SOMA out of San Marcos well after 0900 and headed for Rancho Santa Fe before catching a few racers up the Coast Hwy. 101 to Encinitas. Stopped by Nytro and checked out some bike stuff.

Ultegra 6500, 12-27 9 sp cassette and pricing on Salsa Cowbell #3 handlebars (slight flare out like my bent NItto rando bars) Also picked up more packets of WD-40 bike lube vials to hand out. Got a few of the 6mm bolt cap rubber plugs that work so good on the exposed headset bolt head. Finished off the headset cap. New guy at the counter and several customers wandering around. Midly busy for a Tuesday mid day. Also needed to pick up a "O" ring for the front Tektro 556 long reach brakes. Didn't have any, but Joe suggested I go down the street and check out ACE Hardware. I did that & found one that worked perfect. Cost a whole 23 cents too!

Picked up "O" ring for Tektro brakes

At my banana and rode north into a noticable head wind. Passed OFR rider Kwiw Stuart. We soon joined up and rode up to Carlsbad. I was going over to Perf. Bike and he was going home. I followed Stuart around several off streets and ended up on El Camino Real. Then we crossed Hwy. 78 and eastward on Vista Way. Stuart soon turned off to home and I cranked er up to the bike shop.

I was the only customer in Performance. Sales chief Dube was there working the clothing line on the racks. Two new guys behind the counter and another on the floor. Didn't know any of these guys, but they all sort of looked alike with beards. Mechanic Ed was also behind the counter chatting with Ex-Sorrento Mgr. Bill. I check out the cycling shorts, looking for the nice ULTRA style by Performance brand. NCCC rider Tony Long said they dont' make them anymore. He was correcto. Now they have labelled "ULTRA" a shiny pair with a 3" gripper band at the bottom. No deals on those and I didn't like them anyway. Checked over the dirt bikes, including several Charge models from England. Mostly aluminum instead of steel frames now. Said my goodbys and rode north to hook up with the SLR Bike Path.

Mini rubber bolt plug caps are neato!

Lots of riders out today after several days of rain. Made my way over to Bonsall and finally back to San Marcos. Air and roads were nice and clean after the rains of days past. Winds were 15 mph from the west.

Blue skies and sun
Hi: 69     Lo: 54
Wind: W-15mph
88 miles

-randorides