Almost Solo To SJCap

Met Troy Buss at Las Pulgas lot.

Yesterday afternoon, the Magee Park Gruppo (OFR) sent out their route for today. Yep, north to Dana Point. That's a auto Thursday rando ride of Ursa Minor #2084 for me. I quickly emailed several rando buddies, John Fry & Keith Olsen for a meet up. John had his annual Dr. appointment and Keith was a maybe. Haven't heard much from Keith of late.. I figured he was resting up after his OC 600 Brevet a few weeks back OR maybe he was just trying to figure out his new retirement schedule?

Didn't get a early start with the SOMA. 0620 as I left the San Marcos 7-Eleven with econo receipt in hand. Weather was mild enough for just arm warmers. Massive traffic down Del Dios, as usual for this time of weekday. A little earlier OR later and the traffic thins out a lot. Not to worry, wide bike lanes and riding with the traffic. Would be checking out my breathing on the short climbs. Since last spring, when I did the ash ride-in for the Temecula 600, I've had some lingering windage problems.. like you can't get a full lung of air at higher HRates and there is always something forced up. NP when I was at the Dr's last. My diagnosis is asthmatic bronchitis! Of course, I'm an expert at this! HaHa. It comes and goes, but of late, it is starting to clear up.

Made good time over to Solana Beach, where Keith was waiting at the Solana Control right on time at 0720. He looked good in his new green Irish jersey & new pair of SIDI mega size. Quite a shoe and they will last 10 years. We chatted around a bit before riding north for the OFR meet-up at Magee Park. Nice chat and ride up to Swami's. Keith said he shaved his legs when he reached his weight goal of 160lbs! Good job. More to go. Also cleaning out his garage he found all sorts of cycling goodies, including some insoles for his new shoes. Arrived at Magee Park at 0825. Only 4 OFR riders there... they didn't look too happy either.

Seems someone reported high winds up north and they were a little "iffy". After a bathroom hit, we rode northward, leaving the OFR's contemplating a southward journey instead. Riding thru Oceanside, we chatted about planning the AZ ride next week. Yesterday, I had noticed a weather window for the desert... low west winds and temps in the 80's! Keith turned around at the Main Pendleton Gate. Good to chat with him and hear what he's up to of late. I turned to the I-5 on-ramp, past the "NO CYCLISTS" sign. Needed to check out if it was real.

Another heavy day for surfers at Trestles Surf Championships

NO construction or anything else NB up to Las Pulgas Road. Wish they would remove that dated on-ramp sign. At the parking lot, I saw OFR ride leader Troy Buss and stopped for a chat. He was waiting for the group to arrive. Not to be. We proceeded northward at moderate clip talking about a new planned Thursday ride from Orange County back to Oceanside. After a brief stop at the Campground bathroom #1, we encountered no wind at all as we rode north. Big surf championship this weekend at Trestles Beach. All set up and the bike detour was the usual crap-around path. Pleasant riding with the aid of a slight tailwind on the Bike Path to San Juan Capistrano for a stop at Carl's Jr Control. I sneaked over to Micky D's for my $1.18 HFSundae while Troy waited in line. We sat around a while, looking at the people. 20 minutes later, we were on the road again.

Took a different route to the SJBike Path. Wow, they sure need some new wood flooring on that bridge! 15 mph headwind to the ocean. What? A tailwind made easy work of 20mph into San Clemente town. We did the usual "neighborhood" route with all the turns and stops. Police were out in force today! More surfers cycling to Trestles. Guess nobody around here works anymore? Most have the side mount on their old MTB's, but a few have those neat pull-behind single wheel trailers. Stopped at Campground #1 again for a refill. Met a few lonely cyclists fighting the headwind northbound. Troy cranked 'er up to the mid 20's back to the Las Pulgas parking lot. Ate a banana and chatted with Troy while he was loading his car. Perfect play on the wind today... too bad the other missed the fun! I turned left and entered Camp Pendleton.

Stopped by Air Products in Carlsbad to leave John M. a note.

 Most of the construction is completed. Just one traffic wait while chatting with the flagman. 26" water line roadwork is mainly done. Now for the valves and hook-ups. Made good time with the intermittent tailwind. Stopped at Harbor Dr. bathroom and water fill. Roadwork there too.

Opted for a stop at Pacific Cycles on Coast Hwy. to window shop and check out his used dirt bikes. Chatted with a couple of riders on the way southward. Decided to swing over and leave John M. a note on his SUV window at Air Products. Put a rando card and a new NUNN Electrolyte Packet for him. John turned 60 last week and now is chasing me! Left his place and headed east along some odd-ball roads with a bunch of climbing, gaining mileage. Finally made it home with the winds blowing the lite trees around. Good ride today, chatting with Keith, Troy and got in some fast lung clearing work too. Felt much better breathing the last few rides.

Clear skies
Hi: 91     Lo: 52
Wind: NW: 12
124
miles

-randorides