Ursa Minor Permanent

Ursa Minor -Reverse route

Doing the Ursa Minor in reverse. Haven't done that yet, so today will be a good test-see. Riding the SOMA with the re-laced Open Pro rims. They are true, but not quite centered up yet. I adjusted the brake lever hoods back 1/4", dropped the bars a 1/4", added a strip of gel tape to the topside of the bars and rewrapped with some cork tape. I'll need to get 16 new DT-Revolution DB spokes/brass nipples for the drive side. After really checking things out, I discovered that all the original spokes are too long! Probably 5mm! No wonder it took so long to bring them into true. DUH!

Started way over at Ralph's near CSUSM around 6:15. Warm out this morning..around 54F at the start. Decided to ride back home on the way Champagne Blvd. Then took Deer Springs up and over. Fortunately, traffic leaving San Marcos is extremely light in the morning, making the zero bike lane section at least tolerable. What a great road for cycling if they would just add a 3' bike lane! Had the new cheapo helmet light on blinking mode. John bought 2 of these lights online for $12 each. Spot beam is 134 lumens bright. I sort of use it on the Corona 300, but now am able to simply "stick"it on my helmet using velcro strips. Seemed to work OK. I did try the wide beam the other night, but it was too diffused for much road visibility use.

Rolled into Bonsall for some water at AM/PM and a bathroom break. Not much going on there, so I jumped on the 76 westbound to a nice tailwind. This lasted to the SLR Bike Path, where the usual headwind takes over after 8 .-8:30 AM. Stopped at Harbor Dr a minute and then headed northward on the shoulder of I-5. Did a reverse and picked up a broken bike pump along the way to the rest stop. Nice looking pump, with a built in gauge. maybe I can Super Glue the head back on and make it work? ( I later glued it back together and filed and straightened out the pump tube, which looks like it was run over by a car! Seems to work OK if you're in a pinch.) A lady almost walked into me while cycling through the Rest Stop! Had to lock them up!

Massive Swami's group caught up to me after Las Pulgas turn. I only managed to drop 8 riders as we rode through the Campground. Meanwhile, the other 27 riders with deep dish and carbon left me behind! Chatted with another lady rider from Fallbrook who has something to do with the Tour de Cure in San Diego. Swami's gruppo turned around before Trestles, so the road was safe again!

Swiss Rev DB spokes were too long.

Did some recon work with an alt route through the San Clemente "neighborhood". Somehow missed a sign-turn and ended up at the downhill beach again. Climbed out of that mess and finally found my way over to the 7-Eleven and back northward on 101 again. They were all finished up with the San Juan Bike Path repairs near the bridge. Looks like they added a sea wall to keep the path from flooding out at high tide. There was a detour at the end of the Bike Path near SJ Capistrano. Hit the Carls Jr for some calcium food. Lingered around for 15 minutes, watching the flag blow eastward!

Headwind to the coast and southbound from there. Went through San Clemente the Carl's Jr route this time. Chatted with a 63 year old man and wife through the Campground. Wife looked really good. Guy said I had a new drive-train on the SOMA cause it looked so shinny! HaHA on him. Told him I needed a new drivetrain, for sure. Esp. the chain. I use Beoshield lube. Headwind to Las Pulgas and some relief on I-5 to Oceanside.

 Hooked up with a  "rode everywhere" older guy riding south from Oceanside. We chatted about Randonneuring and local stuff. Says his long rides now are 60 miles. Too old, he says. I know what you mean, buddy! Didn't stop at Nytro to see Joe, since he doesn't work today and I saw him on Monday anyway. (Come to find out, he got rear ended on the drive in to work on Thursday!) I pulled off at Swami's to take a break before the push eastward from Solana Beach and up Del Dios to the finish.

Seems this is a good alternative to the Ursa Minor regular route, with the hard stuff coming at the end, just like the other way. Weather forecast is for rain the next 4 days. That will never happen around here. A few extra miles riding around today. Maybe I'll give the reverse route a go next time too?

-randorides

Bike Path X Two Populaire

Pro-20 Function Mini-Tool

Quick ride to keep the joints movin' Got a late start...still working on the Salton Sea Flatlander video. Rode
the SOMA with the re-laced new Open Pro rims. Front one is spot on, the rear is another matter. Seems some of the old spokes were too long! Might have to pull all the drive-side DB spokes and replace with 4mm shorter ones. We'll see if they hold true today. Park gauge 20/15 on the rear.

Slight headwind on the SLR Bike Path. No detour at Benet Street today (Monday). Met up with a older fast guy and we raced down the coast to Encinitas. He at least knew what a Randonneur was, after seeing my wool SDrando jersey. Chatting about his "rando" exploits from years past... the 400km from Malibu to the inland hills. Nice riding with someone to pass the time. He also commented on the downtube shifters. Wish I had them on all my bikes!

Stopped at Nytro to see Joe Morgan. Fire Cpt. John Bruce also stopped in. His repaired shoulder was acting up and he was seeing the Dr. today. I picked up a Pro 20 function multi-tool to replace the one stolen with the C'dale 29'er in Dec. Also got some other goodies for fuel.

Rode south and did some climbing on Del Dios Hwy. Slight tailwind and not much traffic in early afternoon. Met only one rider on that stretch today. Got home to San Marcos early and finished up the "Flatlander" Video. Posted it up at:  http://youtu.be/slrQmr60IXI

SOMA rode OK. Slight "tweak" needed on the rear wheel now. 

-randorides

Salton Sea Flatlander

Garmin Stats from Salton Sea Flatlander

Keith Olsen was nice enough to meet me at the Escondido Transit for the early drive out. We rolled out at 5:10 and drove the Hwy. 78 route to Westmorland. Troy Buss was picking up Sam and Ben from Escondido and meet us for the rando start. Troy and Ben would drive to Calipatria and do the ride from there. OFR rider, Bruce Tipton was to meet the group at Mecca for the one-way south.

We arrived at the Westmorland start before 7:30. Keith unpacked as I went to the Circle K and got a start receipt. A quick cell call to locate Sam on the way. Soon he was unloading his bike and we were off on the bumpy road northward. It's about a 13 mile ride to Calipatria on farm roads of different texture passing through acres of cropland. A few trucks and vehicles passed us as we skipped from smooth roads to rougher stuff on the way to Calipatria. Once there, Ben and Troy were still getting ready. After about 15 minutes, we were able to finally get underway. I had stopped to get a overpriced bottle of Gatorade at the local Circle K for a total of 3 bottles for the ride to Mecca. Keith, Sam, Troy, Ben and myself were ready for the ride to Mecca.

Sam & Keith on "crackola" road

Soon a left turn onto Hwy. 111 put us into a unwelcome headwind! It seemed to pick up power as we shuffled into some kind of pace line, of sorts. After passing Niland, the road slowly swings westward along the RR tracks. Now a menacing headwind from the right as we took a break in the bushes and soon passed Bombay Beach. A short section found us some quartering tailwinds for a relief of some note. Soon the Sea was in plain view as the road followed it around westward. Now the winds were from the West, mostly driven by the mountains to the west and the narrowing valley ahead. Date palm plantations and citrus groves blocked most of winds and soon the end was in sight. Bruce Tipton rode a mile out from the AM/PM turn around to greet us. Ahhh, 12:30 and the halfway point at last.! Garmin temp was 84F, with high overcast.

Shimmering Salton Sea

Nice busy truck stop with different food stores inside, including Subway, a burger place and the usual large AM/PM stuff. I opted for some ice, a bottle of Vitamin Water and a ice cream bar. I was still carrying the super sweet Gatorade, which I diluted down again. Ben packed in a big burger and a jumbo Gatorade. Sam was munching chips while sitting in the shade. We were there a good 30 minutes. Ben and Sam were asking Bruce if his wife was still around to ferry them back to Calipatria! No such luck. Suck it up, boys!

We finally rolled out together, with fresh-legs Bruce leading the way. Two miles down the road, Ben pulled over near a shop. Bruce and Sam followed. Keith and I slowed up a bit, stopped and then rode southward. Ben seemed OK, no flat. I'm sure they would work it out.

Keith checked out Fish Fry!

Keith and I motored along the Sea southbound. No anticipated tailwind developed. Soon the headwind diminished. We took a roadside breather 12 miles in. I stopped at the Bombay Beach turn to take a picture of the unique sign. Keith rode past me kept going seaward! Guess he was checking out Bombay Bay? A slight tailwind and magical downhill ahead. I calculated it was around 13 miles to Niland, our next break stop. I cranked it up to a steady 19mph with the tailwind. Later down the road, I soon discovered the mileage was off... 3 more miles to Niland! Bummer. My camera batteries sucked, so I did a quick stop for replacement.  I must have taken 30 pics of all the different "Washes" signs.

At Niland, I stopped at the market. Lots of stuff in there. I got a ice cream sandwich and waited in line. Seemed everyone was buying beer there. Six-packs, twelve-packs and carts full of beer! I rode across the street and chatted in the shade with a guy in a wheel chair. Seems he just took the cast off after having some foot tumors removed! Keith soon rode in and sat down, took off his shoes and said he hadn't drunk enough water, but feeling good now.  I don't think he needed the water as bad as the break off the bike. The headwinds and rougher roads eventually take their toll on the body.

Palms near Niland

After 10 minutes we left Niland for the smoother ride south to Calipatira. More late traffic southbound than earlier in the day. We turned at Calipatria on S-30. 13 miles to go. Troy's car was still under the flagpole. They wouldn't get back till dusk. Hope they had enough rear blinkies!

More traffic on the farm roads back to Westmorland. Field workers were off work now and farm implements were being moved field to field. Sunset over the hill was yellow nice, so I took a few shots as we paced in to the finish at 17mph with our rear lights blinking. This Circle K didn't have the usual cheap item for receipt. Guess I got a pack of gum instead. Time was 5:40 and the sun just set in the west. We loaded up Keith's SUV, iced up the recovery drinks and headed west. A long eventful day at the Salton Sea. Thanks to Keith for ride and the chocolate recovery boost at the end.

-randorides.

Corona 300

Corona 300 Garmin Stats

Much awaited reverse route is upon us.

 

John M. was riding this year and nice enough to give me a lift down to the start. Good idea but now warm up. Arrived at 5:35 and had just enough time to pee and say hello to a few riders before blasting off. John had bought some strong helmet lights and gave me two.. one spot and one wide beam. Cost was $12 per online from somewhere. I ripped open the package and took one with me! Didn't know how I was going to hook it up to the helmet. I would figure that out later on.

Rode the climbs from the start with the usual riders. Big headwind on the Del Dios climb into Escondido. I tucked in behind Dave Horwitt. No helmet for him, but rides a big heavy bike.

I dropped a glove on the Champagne downhill and had to turn around in traffic. Group got separated on the pee break just before the big 395 climb over I-15. I did my usuall stop at the Shaun Harrison memorial at Lilac Road. Got separated from the group at Hwy. 76 red light. John Mestemacher came up to Andi and me. We all rode together to Rainbow. Andi asked how long at Rainbow. I said "3 minutes with a bathroom break". Greg set up before the park, citing mad roaming dog up the road. 3 minutes later I was out of there headed to the Rainbow Market bathroom. Someone shit on the walls, seat and floor there! Real nice!

Mac Imacseng, Bill Stevenson and Robert Abraham and Dave Horwitt finally got together the the ride up to Lake Elsinore. We agreed that we should take a short stop at the Circle K there. While there, Andi, Mike Shaw and John Mestemacher rolled in. We left together, minus John, who was sitting down eating a sandwich.

 

We stayed together up to the Corona JIB stop. Mike Shaw rolled in a bit later. John and Dave when we were leaving. Andi was antsy to leave, left 5 minutes ahead of the rest of us. New Jersey Joe joined up too. He was leading to Featherly Park and led the unwary on a off route tour. Not me. I kept the route in my head and yelled them back on course. We later caught Andi on SART, and made the circle loop to Memory Lane and the Control at Shell Station. Devin was just ahead of us, but Paul Torkin was there. After a short break, we all left together: Andi, Bill, Paul, Mac, Robert, NJ Joe and me.

 

Paul was lead out and once again missed a turn. We yelled him over and continued on. Mac and I rode this route last week so we knew where we were going. Mac just got a new Garmin Friday night, so didn't figure out how to load the route on yet. Paul new Garmin 810 was out of juice, so he plugged in a booster.. which didn't work. Nice to try things out before a big ride.

My route calc said we should be in Carls Jr., San Clemente around 5 PM.  After a regroup  and bathroom break at the LaPaz running track, we finally arrive a bit late at 5:20. Paul and I raced up the hill in San Clemente. After a 50 yard lead out, he still lost! Bill was real late to leave Carls Jr., so I coaxed the group to wait for him. I had sort-of put on the new helmet light with a rubber tube strap. It sort of worked, but I couldn't click it up enough for a far beam. I'll fix that when I get home.

 

SART River Trail into a moderate headwind.

We rode together at a high pace to the Las Pulgas, where my hamstrings were screaming for a stretch out. I bid adios and stopped to stretch out and re arrange my hastily mounted rear seat bag. Feeling better, I hit the I-5 at 22 mph.. of course there was the usual tailwind. Bumper to bumper all the was to Oceanside. 

 

Mac was waiting for me at the Harbor Dr. turn. I scolded him out good and then thanked him for waiting. We rolled southward at a too fast pace. Passed Robert, Paul and Andi at the Magee Park bathroom. Later on before Encinitas, the caught up and all left me for good... maybe. I continued on trying to stretch out on the bike. I took a gel pack and Tylenol. I continued by southward push, seeing their tail-light over a mile ahead.

"It's never over till it's over". In Solana Beach, I cut over on the East sidewalk, turned off my lights and rode over the pedestrian bridge to the finish! Guess what? The gruppo was just arriving, so I clicked on my lights and joined them to the finish. Don't count me out, just yet. We arrived under 14 hrs. I had ridden a few extra miles to make up anyway. (Greg later told me he and RBA Dennis did the same thing!)

Bill offered me a lift. He was taking Mac home on his way north. I said I would wait for John, who would be about 30 minutes behind...WRONG! I chatted with Greg for a while, as NJ Joe came in after getting off course in O'side. I chatted with Greg while freezing my butt off. John came in just after 9:00 PM with Dave and Mike Shaw. He had a good ride.

I felt good the whole route at the advanced pace... till Las Pulgas turn. After stretching out, it was much better.

Notes:

For some reason, this reverse-inland route took 30 minutes longer than last year. Andi says it was do to all the red lights and stop signs, not us riders!

Nice to see New Jersey Joe Kratovil out here riding with us! And once again he kept his SoCal record perfect with a lead-out tour of Featherly Park AND got turned around-off route after the Harbor Drive Exit. Being a experienced rando and all around good guy, he corrected quickly and finished up in good order.

Dave Horwitt (rando with the pink cap) flatted before Corona(now we know where he went, not for a coffee break) and flatted again  on I-5 (John M. and Mike Shaw were with him and offered gobs of advice how to change a flat)

Kudos to Devin M. (bearded guy with white jersey) for leaving cool water for us at the Memory Lane control. He also sent out his big clone white jersey riding twin climbing on Margeurite Pky. to lure us into a false sense of catch-up riding!

Andi's fab. riding partner Amy Snyder  (in all black) rolled in to the finish at 9:15 PM with her riding partner. Of course, she sprinted away in the last 300 meters to finish ahead!

Possible new order upcoming for the nice wool SD Rando jersey (worn by Robert A yesterday). These are very nice and can be worn 19 times before laundered! These are very nice and go well with the long orange knee high socks. If you're doing PBP next year, these are highly prized trade items there.

-randorides

Aztec Century

Garmin Stats from today's Aztec Century Route

Time for a "see what condition you're in for the 300km" ride a few days before the Corona 300. Started at the
Benet St. Chevron. Getting there was the tough thing. San Marcos was clear. Vista mostly clear and Oceanside was socked in with dense, damp fog. Good thing for the wool rando jersey. Had a long sleeve base layer on underneath with a woolie cap and long finger gloves with the orange knee high wool socks. Just right, but damp. When it's foggy like this, the crap on the road combine with the moisture to make a gritty mess on the wheels and brake pads. I was riding the SOMA with the ALEX 200 heavy wheels. Never got the Open Pros rims with MTB XTR hubs  laced up in time. Still working on that.

Fog-itis at the start. Of course Benet access to the SLR was closed again, which meant backtracking to Hwy. 76 and massive traffic noise. Along the coast it was foggy too. Stopped at Magee Park for a break and water and was feelin' good riding south. A few racers passed me. Too fast to keep up with. Stopped again at Swami's for a break, clearing up a little. Torrey Pines climb was less than great. Light fog and heavy set-up. Still made it up OK in the big ring with 3 cogs to spare.

Clearing up some as I headed inland along Friar's Road. Warm climb up to the mesa and McDonalds. Sun was clear by then and temps in the 70'sF. Yogurt and cookies at MacD's went up 50% in price since last time here. I cancelled the cookies (was 3x$1...now 3x$1.69) Guess the hike in minimum wage is really paying off.. Not for me.

Route goes up to SDSU campus on the mesa

Left just after 11:00, downhill and into a headwind as usual toward the coast. Caught up to a big racer guy,
trying to dump me along Friar's Rd. Not to happen as I sucked his wheel. He didn't like it much and backed off to chat. Good thing as I was out of gears with the 50 x 13cog. He was going to Fiesta Island for a spin around, then back home. A slight side wind up Morena Blvd and up to CSUSM where is was still sunny. The trip down Torrey was laced with fog and it stayed with me up to Oceanside to 2:00 PM. Short cut back to the finish.

I felt really good to the Mesa and turn around. Guess the headwind took it's toll on the way back as I felt like I should be taking a nap instead of slogging up the coast. Not a good sign. Also both hammies were sore. Guess the seat is too low on the SOMA?

Oh well, not a good sign for the Corona 300 in 3 days.

-randorides.

Anaheim To Oceanside-Corona 300 recon II

Recon route from Anaheim to Oceanside

Nice small group boarded the Metro at 8:15 headed north to Anaheim this Saturday. Dave Voss, Troy Buss, Keith Olsen, Mac Imacseng and Sam Thomas(in from snowy New York) and myself. I botched the exit from the Anaheim train station through the stadium lot and we ask some rider which way to the bike path. I missed the exit from the stadium lot by one turn.

This ride was to check out the new section added to the Corona 300 just this week. It leaves SART early and heads inland through Santa Ana, Irvine, Mission Viejo and San Juan Capistrano before picking up the 101 southbound at Dana Point.

Break time at Carl's Jr in San Clemente

After a little traffic congestion on 17th street(no bike lanes) and traffic on Grand Ave., the rest of the ride wasn't too bad. at all. Through Irvine was the best with many local riders, wide bike lanes and few turns. Camino Capistrano is always a little "dicey" as usual, but nothing a good rando can't handle.

The group stopped at Carl's Jr. in San Clemente and refueled. Time to this point was 3 hours.
After that is was hammering down the bike path and onto I-5 to Oceanside. I rode a little extra to Vista before jumping the train to San Marcos.

Good weather and nice to review the new route before next week's Corona 300.

Good riding,
randorides

Coffee At Peet's Populaire

Today's Populaire route. Just made the time cut.

Sam Thomas is back in town from New York for a three week training session, among other things. Last minute idea from Keith Olsen to have a short ride. Turned out it was a long time ride.
Met at San Marcos 7-Eleven at the warmer start time of 8:00 AM. Sam looked good and his Pinerello was looking good (chain still wasn't cleaned from last trip)

Did the usual stops along the way. Also stopped by to see Dan Phillips at his Bussey's Auto Shop in Oceanside. Also stopped at Nytro for 30 minutes to see Joe Morgan. Guess Sam wants to buy some new wheels again.. Ya, right. My long awaited Mavic Open Pro rims came in... price was real good on this, including shipping too! $83 for two rims, both 32H. Now to lace them up with the spokes off the smashed Open Pro wheelset.

Sam was real out of shape, more so than other times. Work, moving and now a new job in upstate New York have taken it's toll. Maybe next time. We barely made the time cut on this one, but we all finished up in good order.

-
randorides

Corona 300 CCW Training Ride 2

SD300CCW training route-Garmin Stats

Short notice training ride from Anaheim to Oceanside or Solana Beach. Posted it up on SDrando message board and OFR message board on Wednesday. Keith Olsen and I were planning on riding some of it anyway, so might as well invite others.

Nice turn out at Oceanside train station early. Keith and Andi greeted me near the bathrooms and John had already bought his ticket at the Metro Kiosk. Quite a line there as a few of us doubled up on ticked buying. Nice turn out for this ride including: Andi Ramer, John Mestemacher, Mike Shaw, Bill Stevenson, fireman John Bruce, fast guy Devin Mortensen, Keith Olsen, Doug Levy , Tim Knowles and young friend Mike on his Fuji. Dave Voss later revealed he tried to get a ticket, but didn't make the train in time. Bill Schleffer also didn't make it.

Chatting on the train

Had the whole train car to ourselves up to Tustin, where hundreds of travelers boarded. Most were
celebrating the Chinese New Year going northward. Standing room only! All had a chance to chat and tell tall tales of their cycling exploits. We were all glad to get off at Anaheim, and away from the crowed train. Leaving the station, we passed under the tunnel and rode around the Anaheim baseball stadium before we figured out the way to the Santa Ana River Trail. Once there, the racers opened it up to 23mph to the coast!

Leaving Anaheim on SART

Keith, John M., Andi, Mike Shaw, John B, Devin, Doug and I rode together most of the way down the coast to San Clemente, where we stopped at Carl's Jr. for a refuel. Andi went to the campground to use the bathroom and we later joined up to O'side. Devin, Doug, John B and Bill stayed over at Carl's Jr a bit later. Just John M., Andi, Mike Shaw and Keith Olsen finished up the last section more-or-less together to Oceanside. Mile long line of cars backed up on I-15 northbound for some reason.

John and I rode south together along with Andi and Keith(they both turned around at Carlsbad). We chatted
until the LaCosta Ave turn, where John went east back home and I continued on to Solana Beach. From there it was welcome tailwind through Del Dios and around back to San Marcos.

Keith & Mike looking for chicks!

I managed a few pictures along the route, but not good ones for a Solana 300 CCW info video. Hopefully,
soon we'll know the exact route and I can finish up a pseudo accurate pre-ride video for other to see.

Good training ride

-randorides