Coronado Training Ride

$4.75 trip on the Coronado Ferry

After starting out July with a big "bang" on the 1st with the University Loop Permanent, followed by a Fourth Of July Populaire and a recovery shortie, it was time for a post up ride on the 9th (Thursday). I got beat up bad on the Madison SS with the wrong gearing (or lack of legs) last week on the University ride and now for some easier training miles along the coast.

Posted this route up earlier in the week on the sdrando board, and got a few replies. Doug Church from Riverside wanted to "Metro" it down for the 0745 start time in Oceanside. He later emailed me to say he didn't make it due to overextending on his last rando route. Keith Olsen usually show up for this route too. OFR riders would be doing Coronado from Swami's also. Looks like some good camaraderie here.

Took the Sprinter Train over to Oceanside, arriving at 0726. Hit the bathroom and then over to Circle K for a pre-start receipt. Keith was waiting at the Pier in his newish black checkerboard jersey. Rode around a bit looking for pick-ups and left on time at 0745. Weather report said big chance of coastal drizzle so I packed my vest and arm warmers on my front HB bag. They missed that one again, as it was partly cloudy on our way southward. Just more weight to lug around and stuff to loose roadside.

Debarking Ferry at Coronado

Stopped at Swami's for water and the OFR Gruppo was waiting to leave around 0840. Quite a group of 21 riders with 6 ladies included! Said our hellos and local chit-chat on the way to Torrey Pines, where Keith and I paced up the outside in good rando style. Hit the water and bathroom at the top while regrouping. Chatted with a rider on a Soulcraft/Brooks Saddle... good rando material and said I would give him a rando card at the ferry. ( Guess he turned off somewhere; he wasn't on the ferry to Coronado.

Keith was off the front with no mirror thru UCSD and Rose Canyon. Group split up on Mission Bay Drive. I took the safer Rose Creek way and ended up with Paul Nevin on his new Kona CX bike. Met the Gruppo at the MB bathrooms and rejoined forces before Old Town. Randos took the straight shot on PCH while the others did the Old Town route to Washington St. Never saw them again till we got down to the Broadway Ferry Ticket Kiosk.

The whole group loaded on the Ferry and enjoyed the view across. I noticed two other larger ferries I hadn't seen before. Must be for the Comic-Con crowd this weekend. Bruce Tipton had a low tire and borrowed Troys Lenzyne pump. He aired it up and while unscrewing, also screwed out the valve core! He borrowed another pump and finally got the job done. A few crackers, banana and lots of liquid, we finally debarked on Coronado. Keith stopped on the pier to chat with a old buddy from the County Assessor Office. This guy was a little heavy, like Keith used to be. (Good job Keith losing gobs of donut weight!). Group hit the bathrooms and I filled up my bottles at the local BBQ place.

Sunny day on Bayshore Bikeway

OFR Gruppo were going to the Burger Haven so we bid "adios" and motored along the busy Coronado Strand. SoonNice place to drop a load! Keith was leading along the Bayshore Bikeway  around the Bay. Keith needed a longish bathroom break at the Frontage Road Porta-Pottie and noted no more double breakfast for him!


We finally made our way to the Control Stop at AM/PM-JIB on Roosevelt Street. Girl tried to charge me for ice and I said I would "put it back"! Sat outside and watched the pan-handlers. We took Harbor Drive instead of the back way to downtown San Diego. Seems they added a 3/4 mile of isolated bike path almost to NASCO. Unfortunately it was the same mess after that... crap bike lane, rough roads and massive car parking. We finally arrived at Comic-Con.

A new Comic-Con hero?

I luv to see all the people energy around the Convention Center. Yes, heavy traffic was controlled by officers while we had a chance to observe all types of costumes. What a huge impact on the local economy! Slight headwind now as we traversed northward. Chance to get in some hill "training" by cranking it up at every opportunity... Scholar Dr., climb to Del Mar and every other bump along the way to Oceanside. Picked up a slo leak early in the rear worn-out Gatorskin, but kept rolling anyway. Had about 20 lbs left at the Circle K finish! Gingerly rode it over to the Transit Center where I bid "good ride" to Keith.

Walked over to the next Sprinter Train headed eastward. Got off at San Marcos and gave the rear tire a quick CO2 shot. Now with full air, I cranked er up for the ride home. Next day found the culprit: small piece of green glass. Time for those corded G'skins to retire.

Partly cloudy early, clear later
Hi: 75     Lo: 67
Wind: W-12mph
103 miles

-randorides