Bike Path X Two Permanent

Hit this route hard today... stopped at Nytro.

Last minute route for training. Hit it hard till the legs ached. Wore the wool SDRando jersey. A few
comments about that from riders along the route. Met up with a rando guy along the coast who wanted to ride the Rainbow, but missed it! Might have talked him into the Corona 300 instead in February.

Met up with another fast guy named Ben Hian just entering Encinitas. Said he cranked er up good on the Rainbow 200 (7:36 time!). Wanted to ride the Corona 300 next month. Mentioned that it would be nicer if the ride gpx file was posted earlier so he could recon it. I mentioned I might be doing a pre-ride video next week! Hope so. Mentioned I might say "hello" to him at the start! hehe.

Stopped at Nytro to see Joe and pickup some chain lube. He said he had some packages from Mavic.. maybe the Open Pro rims came in .. finally! I got some more of the WD-40 Dry Lube. It's not bad, sort of like the Prolink stuff. Hit it hard to finish out the route. Felt good, but legs hurt! OH, well... training ride, right?

-Devin Mortensen will ride the Rock & Road Trail on Monday, Jan. 27th. Leaving at 3:45 PM. So should be some night riding in there.

-randorides

Aztec Century Permanent

Garmin Stats from today's ride. Nothing too great, but fun!

34F when I left San Marcos today. Time for jacket and woolie cap, for sure. Arrived at the Benet St. Chevron well before 8:00 and Keith Olsen was pumping up tires near his car. After the small talk, we went for start receipts and stated how nice a start place this is with bathrooms, taco shop and lots of good stuff available to buy. We headed out for the SLR Bike Path in due time. DETOUR!

Corps of Engineers has been closing the Bike Path at Benet Street for some time now and today was no exception! Reverse course back to Hwy. 76 for the noisy ride to Oceanside along glass cluttered bike lanes! We cruised through town to minimal traffic along Hwy. 101 and stopped for some window shopping at Chuck's Pacific Cycles. Something to dream about? 8:20 found us at Magee Park in Carlsbad for a quick refresh and some water. Also a few OFR riders were lurking about, so we chatted a little and headed southward with them. Foggy along the coast in places and near Poinsettia Lane several other riders joined us as we cruised southward at 17mph.

Regroup at Swami's Park. Plenty of surfers out today, as the swells were supposed to be around 10' high. We rolled toward Torrey Pines and set a nice pace up the hill. Regroup at the top under heavy police presence. Farmers Insurance Golf Tourney for the next 4 days. First major of the year and the buses were lined up with guests. After clearing that area, we eased off the stress and cruised by UCSD and down Gillman Drive to Rose Canyon Bike Path.

Short cut along the sidewalk is the only section that is a little "iffy". Need to watch the traffic from the left coming down the looping off-ramp from Morena Blvd above. After a short climb, Keith and I were cruising down Morena, chatting about using mirrors. Keith says "It's a crutch". I say "It's a safety!". Not a lot of traffic all the way through Mission Valley this time of day. After the climb up to Monte Mesa, we took the alley to McDonalds and the half-way Control stop.

We were there a full 30 minutes, as Keith had a Choc. Shake and I a Parfait Yogurt. We discussed the upcoming Corona 300, along with using a mirror while doing rando routes. Not very busy there, as Keith said that school had just started for the Spring Semester. Soon we were off down the hill and back to Mission Valley. We looped through the Fashion Valley Mall, just for a change of scenery. Frairs Road was the usual headwind and the turn to Napa was uneventful.

Not a lot of traffic around UCSD this trip, and the golf tourney was still on as we passed at 1:30 PM. Last climb up to Del Mar and then a quick stop at Nytro for some chain lube. Not to be as Joe was sick and sitting in his car on the way home! Oh, well, we paced up the coast at 17-18mph, being passed by a racer or two. One dude in yellow did a nice job of stopping at a red light, then riding through! Guess he felt the rando pressure from behind! Soon we were all slowing down for a panicked small white down running along the bike lane and holding up traffic. Several attempts at catching him were to no avail! Finally he ran away off into a side street, safe from the traffic! Good. Smashed dogs aren't good for the ride karma!

The Oceanside detour found us stopping by to see rider Dan Phillips at his Bussey's Auto Shop. He was busy, but had time to say "hello" . We did the short cut, downhill and along Hwy. 76 to Benet Chevron for a under 8 hr finish. Not bad for a day that started out cold and warmed up to be real nice. So much for SoCal weather. Keith offered me a ride back to San Marcos, but I opted for the ride-out instead.

-randorides

Rainbow 200 Brevet

My Garmin Stats for the Rainbow 200

First organized Brevet of the year and I was out of riding shape, 8 lbs over and didn't feel that great at all. Just right as I got up at 3:30 AM for partial ride down to the start. Jimbo Wisener was nice enough to meet me part way and load up the bike for the drive down. It all helps as the 39F temp about froze me on the downhills. I forgot my correct glasses and had to turn around and ride back home to get them too. Good start to the day. We arrived at Doyle Park with plenty of time to meet up with a few people, get the card and hit the head. No dehydration for me like the Tuesday Permanent. ( Ya, right, check in later on this!)

Great group at the start... I say well over 40 riders and looked like a half-dozen racers there. We were off at 0700 and I led the group. I do this so I can do my part and hit the light buttons for the rest! Soon riders were bunched up together at the Sorrento Valley red light. As soon as we hit the hills, the gruppo broke up and the racer group of 6 pulled ahead. I rode with new guy Mac Imacseng, Dan Phillips, Bill Stevenson, Dave Horwitt and a few others as I hid behind them up Del Dios into a early stiff headwind! Harmony Grove paceline Mac and I hooked up with a few good climbers including Robert Abrahim. I dropped a chain just before the Elfin Forest Control.

I was in and out of the Control in 2 minutes! Tim called me back to ask about doing a few routes for him and to sign the Randonneur Mag! Nice. I labored up San Elijo climb alone. Mac caught me at the top. Real fast downhill with no brake red lights. I told Mac and Doug Levy to go ahead, as I was stopping at the 7-Eleven to meet Zaharah to pick up my 2 fresh bottles. She wasn't there yet, so I hit the local bushes and continued on with my present empty bottles. I refilled with water at the Mike Shaw and Sandy manned control and took off after 4 minutes there.

All alone on the Champagne downhill. Some big rider caught up before Old Castle Road turn. I told him the directions to Lilac Road and Couser climb. He took off. Mac caught up to me and we stuck together up to Rainbow. I was starting to hurt a little and my right hammy was pulling by then. Out of riding shape and no good long rides will do that. We chatted and he zig-zagged up to the top of the Couser climb. His 25 rear cog wasn't working correctly. He liked the nice downhill after! I dropped my bottle crossing the bridge. We chatted some more on the pseudo-relaxing climb up Rice Canyon. Jerald Cook and Doug Levy were leaving the Rainbow Control as we entered.

Fuji Carbon rando bike set up for the Rainbow 200

Maybe 5 minutes there as I left along. Mac caught up soon as we rode with this Turner fast guy up towards Fallbrook. Robert joined up with us until Bonsall. Nice downhills along Live Oak Canyon and Green Canyon roads. The turn at Bonsall found a light headwind to the coast. Those guys were pulling 23 in a paceline. I knew I couldn't keep up with that as my hammy was pulling when I was in the drops and in a big gear. I had enough enery to motor along at 19 mph to the SLR Bike Path entrance. Mac was waiting for me. I told him he should have rode on with Robert and Turner a  a faster pace.

SLR Bike Path saw me taking the first pull at 16mph. Then Mac took over at 17 most of the way. We caught Turner before Oceanside. He said his quad was cramping up . We rode along the pier and did stop at Magee Park to use the bathroom and get some cool water. I was dehydrated and hadn't been peeing much at all. I also had been drinking a lot with the electrolyte stuff in there. I didn't feel that good as we motored along the coast at a comfortable 17mph. Mac kept saying " I can't believe it that Bill and Dan hadn't passed us yet." "Just wait", I responded!

I knew Torrey climb would be a chore in the usual big ring, so I dropped to the 34T and spun up. Hammy in check, we cruised to the UCSD campus turn. I said: "They're back!". Dan and Bill pulled up alongside. They must have hit it hard all along the coast and had a great Torrey climb too! I tried to get them lost riding through the campus, but to no avail. We all rode into the finish together near 3:30 PM.

Not a bad ride for me. 30 minutes slower than last year, but I rode better this year! How? I was in lousy shape this trip and had the hammy thing didn't help. Got through it OK. Mac rode well for a climber and first timer! Bill and Dan rode really well, much better than last year.

We hung around the finish and chatted about how well we did. Bill lost his card and Dan & I didn't acknowledge who he was to Greg O. Just a joke so we all laughed it off and told a few stories. I waited around for Jimbo. Maybe I could hitch a ride with him back to San Marcos. I was real tired by then, standing around, doing nothing.. all part of it.

I rode really well and missed my target time by just a few minutes! Corona 300 next month. I hear it's a reverse course. Should be interesting. Need to be in better shape for that.

Good Stuff,
- randorides

Coffee At Peet's Populaire

Garmin Stats: Oddball overlay of last ride too! DUH!

Been a week since I did a longer ride. This moving stuff has taken it's toll. 4-18 hour days and lots of lifting did the job real well. All for 2 months and then move back upstairs. Moving is good? You get a chance to clean up all your junk, papers and stuff you have been hoarding for years. Still work to do, but most of the heavy things are done... except the garage!

Time for a quick Permanent from San Marcos, up to Bonsall, over to Oceanside, down the coast to Del Mar and then finish up with a ride to Camino Del Sur and back through Escondido.

I was on the SOMA rando bike with 28mm G'Skin Hardshell on. I have always liked the downtube Dura-Ace shifters on any bike, but they work really quiet with this setup. Didn't start till after 9:00 AM and felt the time off climbing up Old Hwy. 395 into a headwind. High wind warnings today and temps in the 80's expected! Picked up the tempo along Camino del Rey into Bonsall. Fire truck and paramedics were attending to somebody near Bonsall on Hwy. 76. Quick stop at AM/PM and off to the races with a nice tailwind over to the SLR Bike Path part way to Oceanside. The last few miles were the usual headwind stuff.

Quick stop at Circle K for receipt and a chat with the Indian guy who wants to ride, but his new TREK just sits in the garage every day. Same story everytime I stop there. Down 101 to Magee Park for a refresh. I took only 1 bottle today and hadn't drank enough so far. Later I would pay the price for the high temps. Picked up a shirtless buff young guy on a white Specialized racing down the coast. I sort of ridden with this guy before.. young, fast and strong. I cooked him good on the little climb south of Carlsbad toward Poinsettia Lane. He was trying to catch up all the way to Encinitas. Didn't happen as I was crankin' it up! Stopped by Nytro to see Joe Morgan. No Open Pro Rims yet for the wheel rebuild. Christmas is a bad time to order anything, for sure.

John Bruce or Joe can't ride on Saturday's Rando "Rainbow 200". Looks like I'll be hauling alone. John Mestemacher is up north and can't ride either. Long ride in to Doyle Park.. about 32 miles, I think.

Rode with some racers up to Del Mar and headed east on the SR-56 Bike Path. No enough fluids and the temps were in the 80's by now. I was dehydrated and poured it on at the bike path Circle K. Limped back through Rancho Bernardo, Escondido and the Inland Rail Trail to finish in San Marcos.

Great start kept a high tempo and speed to Nytro. After that things got slower as I got weaker from lack of proper hydration. Bagged a 5:01 time for the route, which was super for me after limping in.

OH well, next time,
kellyjay

Bike Path X Two Permanent

Had to sneak in a short Permanent amid all this moving stuff. Long days throwing things away, packing and re-organizing stuff takes it's toll on the body. Whatever your age!

Didn't leave till later in the morning. Weather was good and I rode a more relaxed pace. Stopped by Nytro to check see if the Open Pro rims came in for the Rando Bike relace and true. Guess they still are shut down for the holidays?

Did the usual ride around both bike paths . Handy route for training, as you can go as fast or slo as you want. Do a reverse for the Champagne climb or the other way for tailwind on SLR Bike Path.

-randorides.

311 Archipelago Trail is in the works...

Accurate pelim map of the new 311 Archipelago Trail RUSA route

Finally finished up the video of the route. Packaged up everything and sent it over to Crista, the Permanent Co-Ordinator at RUSA. I called it the 311 Archipelago Trail. One big loop from Mule Hill all the way around to San Diego. Also a ferry ride in there. It took weeks to complete just the video. I wasn't very happy with the layout, map and detail of explaining the route to others on screen. Also redid the soundtrack several times. The first and last parts are quite OK with me.

311 Archipelago Trail Video

I would expect to change a few things, add some more INFO controls and other things to get it listed. Quite difficult doing trails, when a mile away is a road that goes to the same place! Can't just stick in some INFO at every corner where there is a shortcut. Never work and too much hoopla.

The route recons, check-ups and plotting took a few more months. Really a drawn out route. Almost 200 miler. Real tough route with 96 miles of dirt and 30+ of Bike Paths. The rest on mixed roads and smooth stuff.

happy trails!
kellyjay

Coffee At Peet's

SOMA rando bike. Still waiting for Open Pro rims for rebuild.

After New Year's ride. Finally got going at 9:30 after two trips back home to get stuff... like correct glasses and Garmin 500. Ended up being a warm day today. Wore sleevless underlayer with Arctic Guard long sleeve underlayer and NCCC jersey. Rode the SOMA rando bike with the same 'ol Gatorskin Hardshell tires. Nice riding at this time of day. Very little traffic up old Hwy. 395 and even Camino Del Rey. One super smash-up accident at the intersection of Del Rey and Mission Road(Hwy. 76). It was on the bridge side and looks like a massive rear-ender. Looked like 1 totaled and one rear end smash to me. Both were being towed away.

Short stop at AM/PM for ice and a 40 cent treat for receipt and off I went. No wind to speak of so I made good time to the SLR Bike Path. Averaged a solid 17 mph into a headwind, stiffening the further west you go.  Slowly pulled up on a tri guy. He had a mirror and kept moving his head to check on my closing the gap. He picked up the pace as I hooked up. Holding at 21mph off his wheel into the usual stronger headwind.. SOMA was rollin' good! He couldn't drop me, so he gave up and we chatted a bit. I said he had a loud clicking noise from the rear cassette, like the chain isn't all the way over. He said it was "dirty". OK? He peeled off to Harbor Drive on his sleek tri bike. I motored over to Circle K for receipt.

Headed down Coast Hwy. through Oceanside to Magee Park. Chatted with some dog lovers there and was hoping to hook up with riders down the coast. No to be, as they were all going northward. Saw Frank Quan from NCCC. He lives just next to the Angelos Burgers on Eaton Street turn. He'll probably ride the Rainbow 200 next week. Good rider.

I cruised down the coast with no headwind! A few rider passed me as I strolled into Nytro to check things out. Not much going on in there after New Year's Day. No rims came in yet for the SOMA replacement lost in the rear-ender. OH,  I did see a new bike shop in Oceanside called "Endurance something?". Just across from the Civic Center on Coast Hwy. 101. Had some new hi-tec carbon bikes outside. Don't know what's up with them.

After chatting a while with Harvey and Joe, I hit the road when a hi-end customer strolled in with a old Cervelo TT Bike, looking to upgrade into a hi-end ride. Just need a few of those riders per week to make things go real good. Stopped over for tuna-cracker snack at Swami's. Nice and warm. The older lady was there with her 20 plastic shopping bags filled with her belongings. She been there for years and doesn't say a word!

Time for an option, so I turned off on Loma Santa Fe and rode up to Rancho Santa Fe, Del Dios and Harmony Grove road. I clicked over by the hospital where I picked up a new trail off Citracado after the new Escondido Hospital. I've seen that trail for years and wondered where it went. I chatted with some overweight walker from Palomar Hospital and asked him where this trail went. He didn't know anything after it passes behind the hospital. I took off and hit a near walk hill or two on the way. It comes out at the corner of Andreasen and Citracado Pkwy.  Right at the light. Never seen that before. Took the inland rail trail to the finish and then rode home with a 3 pak of cookies for a treat!

Weather was nice with the usual on shore breeze as you get close to the ocean.

-randorides.

The next day my front tire was flat! I checked it out and had one thorn in there! So much for dirt riding on 28mm tires! Quick fix, chain clean and lube and the SOMA is good to go again.