Wind, Heat & Petaluma Cyclist

Lake Wohlford in the early hours

Temps are warming up of late and this week there is a High Wind Advisory for the foothills (wherever that is). Sounds like a good time to ride east! Loaded up the SOMA and left San Marcos before 0600. Traffic was nil thru Escondido and I noticed right away the new road surface on East Mission Ave to Nordhal Rd. Decided to climb up Lake Wohlford instead of the ride thru Valley Center. Not a factor with only 4 cars passing me up the climb. I was still trying to clear my lungs as I passed the Lake. Seemed normal lake level with all the recent California drought. Guns were popping at the Sheriff's Gun Range even at this early morning hour.

For cyclists, the worst major road in the county is still the "Rincon Grade" down to Harrah's Casino. Every year it get worse, even with the great addition of the newish 7-Eleven near the Casino. After a brief stop there to refill bottles with ice, I headed northward in the "bike lane". Every 6 feet there is a big bump from expanded roadway. Now there are chunks busted off and holes there too. I try to ride out in the traffic lane, but this section is really busy. Couldn't wait for the climb up Hwy. 76 to begin.

New road surface for the first several miles. Sound good? Well not quite. They added rumble strips and also a curb. In several spots you have to jump over into the traffic lane due to no where to ride. Also overgrown bushes force you to move left over the rumble strip. Paced my way up in 34T ring for a change. Headwind was picking up on the way to Lake Henshaw. I did stop at the porta-john out back. Nice and clean for a change. You could hear the Forest Service outside speaker nearby talking about the wind warning and fire danger.

Dropped my helmet light on road, just past this sign

Rolling out of the stop, I decided to get a banana out of my rear seat bag. No problem with that while riding, real handy. However this time I also pulled out my helmet light and it went flying down the roadway, splitting in pieces. I did a quick safe turn-around. Saw it lying in the eastbound lane with a SUV approaching! Oh NO! Whew, just missed. I swung over, dropped my bike and went looking for pieces. The main body was OK, but the impact opened up the back panel and batteries. I looked around and found one battery a little flattened. Soon I found the other 2 batteries along the roadside and the back panel too. Lucky stars.

Feeling better now, I made the Mesa Grande climb to winds at the top. Easy pace down the hill and met a strong headwind over to Santa Isabel. Saw another rider in a PI lime green jersey riding around like he was lost. He soon parked behind me at Don's Market. He asked the local grocer about the road to Julian. I listened to the reply. Rider came over and started chatting. I said the road is good climbing with a wide bike lane and he should try it. He was camping up at the Palomar Campground, in from Petaluma, CA. I went inside for a banana. Looks like they are adding new shelves. Filled one bottle with ice and talked some more with the Cannondale rider. Went outside, hopped on the SOMA and I was off into the wind. Temps were in the mid 80's now.

Opted for the 17% climb up Gamble Lane back to San Marcos

It's always a nice fast ride down to Ramona via the Old Julian Highway. Sometimes I mix it up and take Hwy. 78 all the way. Not today. Some power line construction on OJH with several stops. Traffic was almost non-existent both ways. Strong winds from the south into Ramona. I went straight thru town to the McDonalds for my usual HFS and GU on top. Sat outside at a table in the shade. Some young dude was texting on his cell while smoking a cig. Said he rode his MTB down to Miramir last fall. Almost didn't make it back. Too heavy. I gave him some words of encouragement for a road bike. Flags weren't flapping now, they were just straight out! Took off into a loaded headwind.

Wind wasn't as bad as I had expected on Highland Valley Road. Seems it was blowing from the SW. Made good time thru the rollers and down to the river bottom. Not much wind crossing the Hodges Bridge either. After El Ku bike path, I opted for the climb up Gamble Lane. Wasn't too steep this trip, grinding up in 34x28 with a cog left in reserve. Followed the normal route thru Harmony Grove and the business park back to San Marcos.

Clear skies
Hi: 88    Lo: 52
Wind: SW-20mph
99 miles


-randorides