Lake Henshaw Century Populaire

Lake Henshaw Century Populaire Garmin Stats

Off we go! A few minutes after 0600, Mac Imacseng, Sandy Aniya, Keith Olsen and I were on Mission Road eastward for this new populaire (rando term for a route under 200km/124 miles). Bill Stevenson was taking the Sprinter train over and would arrive around 0620. We scheduled to meet up en route at Harrah's 7-Eleven later on. Weather was the usual low overcast as Sandy picked up the pace through Escondido town. Car traffic was no problem this early on a Saturday. Today I was taking pics for a route video. Like to do that either before submitting a route to RUSA for approval, OR on the inaugural riding of the route. Picked up a pair of designer glasses on the climb up Valley Center Road. Mac and I rode up together, as did Sandy and Keith. Low clouds in the surrounding hills made for some cool riding and good photos through here. Turned on Woods Valley Road in lieu of the more traditional rando routes through here. Big downhill BLAST on Rincon Grade. This road is still real rough and bumpy as an infrequent car passed us going down. Also a TT rider rolled past us in some big gears (probably 56x11!). Smoothed out at the bottom in time for the Control stop at Harrah's 7-Eleven.

Refill at Harrah's 7-Eleven Control

I hadn't been here before, but Sandy said it is a great place for a stop. Bathrooms and water are the key. Most got a few bananas (2x$1) for the trip ahead. Bill rolled in to join the fun. Said he figured he could make up time on the climbs. He did! We were there 15-20 minutes chatting and noting how this would be a good overnight rando stop too!. Seems Keith and Mac are going up to NoCal for a Santa Cruz Surf City 600K in September. A lot less severe climbing than the local 600K here in May. Both wanted to complete their RUSA SR Series for 2014.

Left on the real bumpy bike lane climbing up past Stage Stop Market. For years, this was the usual refuel stop for riders around here. Weird service, old stuff and no bananas! They did have a outside bathroom, but it was opened by the Taco Shop next door. Mac, Bill and I rode up Hwy. 76 to So. Grade together. Bill and Jimbo Wisener are going up to Taos next week to prep up for a long ride, so we chatted about that. Mac was explaining all the different routes he has ridden up there. I just listened. We stopped for a regroup at So. Grade Road.

Mac hits on cycle-chic at So. Grade Road regroup

Some cycle chic was unloading her newer bike and spraying on sunscreen. Mac was hitting on her as Sandy rolled in for a shade stop. No Keith? We waited around a while chatting with the gal. Still no Keith. We decided to go back down and see what happened. He finally showed up. Said he had a goat-head flat just after starting the climb from Stage Stop Market. I was sucking Macs Colnago wheel as he cranked it up to 19 mph for the run in to the Lake Henshaw Store. Keith was a bit behind us. We were there for a while before Sandy and Bill rolled in. Sandy had a goat-head flat along the way. That was a quick tube change!. Sat around in the shade, as 3 racer boys rolled in. Keith said they had come up Mesa Grande Road via Black Canyon Road. That's a washboard dirt road. Bet they were beat up good on those racing bikes. Keith was looking for water, without buying any.

We're soon off to climb the steepish Mesa Grande Rd. I rode up partway with Bill and Mac. Pulled off to take some pics of the overview of Lake Henshaw. Managed a few shots of Keith and Sandy grinding up. Sandy had the zig-zag thing going across the road. After a regroup at the top we were soon riding through shade covered roads winding along the mesa. A short stop at the INFO Control mailboxes for a picture. Group rode together to the fast downhill to Hwy. 79. God some action shots following Mac down. Mac was impressed with the road and hadn't ridden the mesa before. Welcome stop at Don's Market in Santa Ysabel.

Ready to roll from Don's Market Control in Santa Ysabel

In my books, the #1 rando stop in the area. Out of free water in the cooler today. We sat around for 25 minutes in the shade. Quite a bit warmer here. Probably in the high 80'sF. Mac, Bill, Keith and Sandy each had a big sandwich. I hit the Vitamin Water and ate my tuna/cheese carry along. Picked up a banana. Ice up the bottles. Took a few pics and chatted. Mac was trying his cellphone. His blueberry and coffee pre-ride feast didn't last long this morning! He said he loaded up on antioxidants early!

Once you clear the first hill traffic on Hwy. 78, the 30 minute ride down to Ramona goes real quick. Sandy specializes in downhill routes, so he took off, followed by "cross the yellow lines" Bill. Keith is usually reluctant on downhills and Mac and I rode together. We took "D" Street for a back way to the 7-Eleven Control stop. Keith got a huge 32oz Coke, Bill a Payday, me a dark choc Milky Way as Mac scarfed down a tall can of Coconut Water! Sandy carried 3-24oz bottles today on his new TREK. 10 minute stop. Bill took us the back way over to the Albertson's red light, where it was much safer to enter Hwy. 67 westward.

Mesa Grande INFO Control at the mailboxes

The ride out of Ramona is usually real "dicey" at best. With the traffic and swerving to miss the recessed storm drain grates, we were happy for the headwinds on Highland Valley Road. Mac pulled us along past the buffalo pens before more roller climbing ahead. Mac hadn't been this way before. Bill and I knew each downhill turn and bump, so we cranked it up. Had a regroup after Bandy Canyon Road. Road down the curves section amidst yelling and kicking from the local moto butthole. Tried to kick me and run us off the road. Rolling regroup along the river bottom. Soon we were crossing the pedestrian bridge onto the bike path for our last Control stop of the day at the Via Rancho Chevron. I iced up my bottles here. Hung around for 10 minutes.

OH NO! Last 16% climb of the day on Gamble Lane

Took the Bike Path over to El Ku Ave., climbing up alongside Centre City Pkwy. The route deviates from the norm, as we now turn on Citracado westward for a few nasty steep climbs. The first one is a surprising short 17%. Followed by a nice downhill, under I-15. The road soon changes to Gamble Lane and the final climb starts as a straight up 16% grinder. Regroup at the top, under a vehicle stopping chain and quickly we were downhill on Citracado Pkwy. to more familiar neighborhoods again. A double Harmony Grove turn, jog through the business park, Barham Dr. and the final headwind on Mission Road to the finish in San Marcos. Keith and Mac rode back to Albertson's lot to Keith's car. Bill was taking the Sprinter train back to Oceanside. Sandy drove in and I rode home.

Interesting day and route. Garmin Stats and RidewithGPS both indicated a true 6785 ft. of climbing on this one. Seemed to be more than that. Nice cool morning ride in the 60's leading to hotter temps in Ramona near 88F. Not that windy riding in a group. Seems we all had a good workout and a fun time today! Nice route for a 0500 start in the summer.

Video of this ride can be seen at: http://youtu.be/DGJnEC2f38k

Low clouds early, clear at Harrah's
Hi: 88   Lo: 61
97 miles

-randorides

Rainbow 1.24 Permanent

Rainbow 1.24 map

This route is designed for a pre-dawn start. Based on the popular Rainbow 200 Brevet & Rainbow Prelude Permanent routes, this one starts up in North County close to home. Riding the stealth Fuji today with all the climbing. Switched over the HB bar. Same little seat bag with the tube repair goodies in there. Standard carry along food and 3 "clamshells" with the normal rando emergency components inside. Taking pics for possible video this trip, so added the trusty Canon A1100 and several extra sets of AA batteries. Camera was hanging around my neck for quick pics... however not too good for out of the saddle work, as its swinging around can have painful results.

Started later than I anticipated. Left the 7-Eleven start in San Marcos slightly after 0500. It's always nice riding with no cars around, as was the case northward past Welk Resort. I was dragging my "arse" through this whole area. Climbing at 8 mph isn't my idea of a good start. Steady climbing up Circle R, Lilac and Couser Canyon. CC is a little steep, but well worth the sonic downhill that follows. Rice Canyon climb is always a moment for me, but this trip I stopped and took some pictures along this section. Maybe "horses" and "flowers" were the theme for this ride? I usually target the Rainbow Oaks Store opening at 7 AM. Got there well after opening time. Bought a pak of Belvita healthy breakfast cookies for $1.39. Packed my vest, arm warmers and woolie cap neatly on the front of my HB bag, and away I went eating a banana.

Sparkle wheeled Fuji at the Rainbow 1.24 Start

Massive traffic on Mission Road out of Fallbrook this time of day. Everyone is driving over to I-15. I waited for a while to safely turn onto Live Oak Park Road. Nice downhill riding through here, except if you have a big truck trying to pass on the curves! That sharp turn up Reche Road hits you with an instant 9% grade. Green Canyon Road worked out perfect for some downhill video shots winding through the tree lined road. I stopped at Bonsall Micki-D's for a Yogurt to eat with my banana. After a long stop to refill the bottles, I was off with a tailwind on Hwy. 76, bound for the Pacific Coast.

On the San Luis Rey Bike Path, I re-took some pics of the burned-out house and adjacent river bottom damage from the recent fire there. No riders to cycle with along the 8 miles to Oceanside this trip. New path-side skateboard park was packed with the local schools out for the summer. Stopped by Chuck's Pacific Coast Cycles leaving Oceanside and did my usual "window shopping". They had a few Salsa Fargos sitting around outside too. Demand has kept the price up for these versatile wide tire bikes. Stopped at 7-Eleven in Carlsbad for a Reese Piece receipt.

UTC McDonalds Control: Worker scrubbing parking lot!

Hard body joggers were the theme along the coast southward today. Mixed in were the usual racers on their hi dollar tri-bikes all new-looking. Feeling a little better now with the slight tailwind. No stop at Nytro this trip. Joe M. is back east this week at a bike conference. A full week of demos, testing new stuff and armful's of free goodies for the cycling enthusiasts! How nice it that? Took some time documenting the route through UCSD. Quite easy to follow except the near-last turn on Voight Dr., where there is no street sign! Newbie rider to this area will surly get turned around? Took the cue-sheet back way into McDonalds for the Control break. Some worker was outside scrubbing the parking lot with a bucket of water and a brush! Anything to keep them busy? Poor diet at the Controls today. Cheapest thing they had was a ice-cream cone for $1! Loaded my bottles, sat outside and took some pics.

Fairbanks Ranch Country Club: "Victory's Gate"

Took the I-5 shoulder route to Sorrento Valley per the route directions. Thought about stopping at Cycle Quest and checking out bikes. They have a good inventory of big tire and touring stuff there. Keith like the owner operator Eric. Easy riding up El Camino Real and through Fairbanks Ranch area. Stopped to take some pics of the country club entrance and the bronze statue of Victory's Gate. Apajo and Via De Santa Fe are all new surfaces now and a real pleasure to ride on. Noticed a road sign that said: "No trucks over pick-up size. Ordance # 121.34". Just then a big Hertz rental truck rolled by! It was warming up under clear skies as I climbed up Del Dios by Lake Hodges. Lake is way down with the recent lack of rains. Looks green and algae like. Did take a off-route ride up Citracado Pkwy. to check out the Gamble Street vehicle gate. This street is part of the new "Lake Henshaw Century". No gate now, just a chain across the dusty road.

Riding through Harmony Grove fire burn area.

Sign for "Hale Street' turn is now in clear view. For many years it was covered by trees and bushes. Route turns 3X on Harmony Grove to continue. Definitely you need to be alert to street signs if you haven't ridden through here before. Harmony Grove is a mess down in the valley. Construction on a near-by bridge and the new housing in place of the chicken ranch. Took some pics and video of the recent burn area through there too. Stopped at the newish Chevron in Elfin Forest. Control stop for a few pics. Went westward per the route and cut over on Melrose Dr. No shortcut here for sure. Still some climbing left up Rancho Santa Fe Road to San Marcos. Traffic was very light around the major intersection with San Marcos Blvd. Traffic was also light on Las Posas under Hwy. 78. Later in the day riders would be buried through here. Great tailwind as usual back to the San Marcos Finish on Mission Road.

Interesting day and a tough little 200km route with a real 8200' of climbing. Felt slow at the start and got better as I warmed up to the day.

Overcast early, clear skies later
Hi: 86   Lo: 62
124 miles

-randorides

Coffee At Peet's Populaire

Madison SS set up for SR Series long rides

Madison time! Great foggy morning for an early ride. I happen to check the website and turns out the NCCC
grouppo was riding a similar route as the Coffee today! So I just hung around and figured I would meet up somewhere along Borden Road after 8:00 AM. One thing led to another... went down to the garage at 6 to prep the single speed bike. Transferred the HB bag from the SOMA, aired up the G'kins 28mm, wiped and lubed the chain. All set now. By the time I left home and got over to the 7-Eleven start it was 8:20, well after NCCC riders left Old California Restaurant Row.

Just happened to catch the tail end of the group at Borden. The race was on to catch the main body. Latched on to them at Country Club Drive in Escondido. Not many riding this route today. Only about 10. Chatted with Tony Long of Wild Animal Park fame. He was recovering from a broken clavicle a few month back. Club crash... touched someone' wheel and bang! Rando Robert Abraham leads this group now. Chatted with him on some new rando route to the desert and up Mt. Laguna. All North County starts. Left the group at Camino Del Rey. They were going up Day Lilly Hill to Hwy. 76 for a turn around at the store there.

Another NCCC rider was stopped under the I-5 overpass. I chatted with him and discovered the NCCC "long riders" were coming this way too. Only about 7 of them. Sandy Aniya was riding with them on his new TREK Domane! I cruised over to Bonsall Control amongst a group of hammerheads! I was spinning real good by then. Got a treat there for receipt, hit the head and refilled my one bottle. I left alone, as the other riders were all standing around talking about how fast they were.

Nice ride along Hwy. 76 eastward. Hit the bike path for a slight headwind to the coast. Rode with a Cervelo Tri bike guy named "Mitch". Seems he knows Dan Phillips from Bussey's Auto. We talked about Dan. All kinds of usual weekend riders by the Pier. Rolled past my fav. stop at Magee Park. Met a nice looking lady on a road bike. Ask her about her rusted chain! She says she always forgets to lube it. Can't save it now. Time for a new chain. Opted for 7-Eleven stop in Carlsbad. Ice cream Smores Sandwich. Something new and ate it while rolling southward along the coast. Hooked up with a guy on a older Focus. Says he ordered it from Germany before they had dealers here. Likes it a lot. Also likes to run red lights. We soon parted company when he turned off at LaCosta Ave. Rolled into Nytro for a water refill.

Saturday goodies at Nytro Multisport

A few riders were outside chatting. Hi-end guys riding the latest and greatest carbon. I like going in there, since I
am so out of place. Especially today on the blue Schwinn. Filled by bottle and headed down the coast with some racers. Stopped by REV Bike in Solana Beach to check out Keith's Fargo. Seems rando Tim Knowles bought the only one. Medium size too. Miki talks a lot and said they get one in every few weeks. Nice? Diana W. and Larry were there from NCCC group. Diana was looking at Colnago's, women size. High pressure sales dude was they could order one with Di2 electronic shifting for around $6600. What a deal? No Salsa Fargos. They did have 2 Vaya's there. Interesting bike... looks like it might take a 1.75" tire too. Disc brakes. After a lot of bull crap, rode out for a receipt control.

Mucho riders along the SR-56 Bike Path today. Good sign as everyone is out in the sun away from the maddening crowds of the Del Mar Fair! Single speed hurts you on those climbs if you're not used to it. Passed over burned out rando dirt routes along Camino Del Sur on the way to Rancho Bernardo. Soon crossed the pedestrian bridge over Lake Hodges and thinking I should be riding a dirt bike instead. Edged through Escondido, along the Inland Rail Trail into stronger headwinds to the San Marcos finish.

Felt good today on the SS. Nothing hurt too bad for a change. Felt the SS strain on the legs. Good feeling!

Foggy start to clear skies
Hi: 85   Lo: 56

-randorides

Sandia Creek Century Inaugural Ride

Sandia Creek Century Official Route Map

Leaving at 6:00 AM from San Marcos, Keith Olsen and I followed the route through town amidst light early traffic.
This route is best started just slightly earlier to miss all traffic. The intersection at SM Blvd and Rancho Santa Fe is usually busy, even at 6:30. Keith was taking a day off his county job to log a few more miles in his quest for the Rando 5K Award. Maybe even bumping it up to "K-Hound" designation this year?

I was taking a few pics this trip, in hope of doing a route video. My battery situation was lame indeed. I brought along 4 spare AA cells from my Garmin Battery Booster. For some reason, the Canon 1100 works best with a full charge battery set. So I was stopping a few times along the route to LaCosta. We rolled into the Circle K control on El Camino Real and opted for a cheapo treat for receipt. I stripped off the my vest and we were soon off on the new repaved LaCosta Ave to the coast. Just a few riders along the coast this morning. Clear skies and no wind made riding comfortable. We did stop at the bathrooms at Buccaneer Beach in lieu of Magee Park in Carlsbad. Pappy's control was still closed this early as we passed by.

SLR Bike Path had the barriers up (actually lying flat on the ground) today, so we chanced traffic and finally managed to get over onto eastbound Hwy. 76. Off at Benet St., we're soon on the Bike Path. Keith once again didn't have a mirror, so he rode out ahead, unbeknown what was happening behind him. Stopped to take a few pics around the recent river bottom brush fires. Easy riding on Hwy. 76 to Bonsall, where we made an optional stop to load our bottles. I did manage a parfait yogurt with berries for fun. Gentle climbing up and around Fallbrook with little traffic on those roads.

Keith grinds up Sandia Creek climb!

Green Canyon turn met up with early rider. He was telling us he rides this 4 time a week. Sounds like he is a teacher around here somewhere. Gave him a rando card. He turned around before Reche Road . We continued on chatting as we climbed up the pleasant Live Oak Park Rd. and past Rainbow before the several downhill curves into Temecula. We waived the listed Shell Station Control for the "back way" into Carl's Jr. instead. I had my usual Choc. Shake and Keith added some protein to his diet! We sat around there for 30 minutes, filled our bottles and we soon back after it.

Nice little jog around to miss the confusion of riding through "Olde Towne" before we were climbing up Rancho California Road. More traffic than usual on this one. Even a flatbed tractor pulling a D-9 Cat! Fortunately, there was a slight breeze to cool the air. Temps were in the high 80's. Stopped at the Sandia Creek turn and chatted with Keith as to the climbing ahead. Lots of rollers topped off with a shorter 17% section at the end before heading along the Santa Margairta River thru De Luz. That section of road had some recent repairs to fill a few of the nasty holes. Tough little climb up to Fallbrook, with a max of 9%. Keith noticed a rear wheel noise, so we stopped to check it out. It was coming from inside the hub. Time for some internal lubing? We skipped the Fallbrook Control and opted for a longer stay at Bonsall instead. Jog over to Heller's Bend was a welcome relief from the Mission Road downhill traffic.

SOMA & Holland take a shade break at Bonsall McDonald's!

Another parfait for me at McDonalds. Keith had a burger and fries. They finally filled up the ice machine, so we topped off. Keith called home to tell the Ms. to get the IV's ready later! Wind was blowing the trees around good. Fortunately, we weren't riding west.Leaving Bonsall, the strong tailwind made cruising at 16 mph effortless. Last climb of the day is Champagne Blvd. Slight breeze blowing so the slow paced climb wasn't too hot this trip. Fast downhill on Centre City, cut off on Sunset Dr. took us past the now defunct Escondido Golf Course. Everything was brown there, soon to be followed by rows of condos! Too bad for the home owners there. Rolled into the finish and got a big cookie to take home for the Ms. We chatted a bit and Keith rode back to Albertson's for his car.

Video of this ride can be viewed at: http://youtu.be/IL7g2ntN6ZM

Clear skies
Hi: 94   Lo: 57

-randorides

New Rando Permanents For Summer!

I've been working on a few new Permanents of late. Mostly to alleviate the need to go so far just to start an official rando ride. Distances range from 156km to 400km., all starting in North San Diego County. They are all easily accessible for cyclists using the Sprinter train daily, even for early starts. There is no fee for riding these and they are all reversible! (Use discretion when choosing a "reverse route". Sometimes they are surprisingly difficult!) These are not listed on the SD Rando website yet. Here's a short list and description of each:

Lake Henshaw Century #2377
156km., 6785' climbing.

Lake Henshaw Century Map

This is a nice route that starts in San Marcos and takes the not-so usual route via Escondido & up Valley Center Road to Woods Valley. New Control is now at Harrah's 7-Eleven instead of the lame Stage Stop Market with dated foodstuffs. Haven't checked out the bathroom situation yet around there. Past Lake Henshaw, of course we'll climb the nasty Mesa Grande Road to a INFO by Black Canyon Road.

Next up is the best rando stop around: Don's Market in Santa Ysabel! They've got it all there from multiple bathrooms to a water cooler and free ice. Bananas are cheap there too and aren't brown and speckled! The usual route back to Ramona via Old Julian Hwy. with a stop at the JIB/7-Eleven there. Next up it's the nice Highland Valley Road rollers to the pedestrian bridge over Lake Hodges. Follow the Bike Path around to the Chevron Control on Via Rancho Pkwy.

The usual climb up Beethoven Dr. and the bike path to El Ku Street, which becomes Escondido Ave. Now a nice change as riders will turn left on Citracado Pkwy. This soon turns into Gamble Street and has lots of hills in there. This is a "shortcut" instead of going through Escondido proper. The usual Harmony Grove loop-e-doop over to Barham and back to the finish near the City Hall and Sprinter Station. Close to 100 miles


Sandia Creek Century #2366
157km., 5660' climbing.

Sandia Creek Century Map

This route sort-of follows a reverse of the DeLuz Populaire. The starting place is at 7-Eleven. This time we'll do a NCCC route and head over to LaCosta via Rancho Santa Fe. Very nice Circle K Control there and also a Starbucks! Next to the coast and up through Oceanside past the Pier. The lowly Pappy's Market is the Control on the way to the San Luis Rey Bike Path. At the true end of the Bike Path, turn left onto Hwy. 76 for a real fast ride to Bonsall, where we turn north toward Fallbrook.

Green Canyon Road is a real nice gentle climb with lite traffic. Jog on Reche over to Oak Park Rd. and climb up to Mission Rd. before the downhill and across the usual I-5 route up to Rainbow on Old Historic Hwy. 395. In Temecula the Shell Station with the huge flag is the new Control. The back way around avoids the "Old Towne" celebrations. The not too long climb up Rancho California Road soon take us over to Sandia Creek Dr. There are several shorter 12% climbs through here, topped off by a 14%'er before some nice riding along the Santa Margarita River. Toughie little climb up to Fallbrook on DeLuz Road before the stop at JIB or local business.

Instead of blasting down Mission Road, there is a short jaunt onto Heller's Bend. Nice and quiet here before the Bonsall Control at AM/PM. Now the route takes a major change and heads east on Camino Del Rey and up the last climb of the day; Champagne Blvd. It's downhill and some easy riding back to the finish. Near 100 miles, depending if you get lost or not!


Rainbow 1.24 #2376
200km., 8208' climbing

Rainbow 1.24 Permanent Map

This reads "Rainbow one-point-two-four "!  It's the same route as the classic "Rainbow Prelude" and "Rainbow 200 Brevet", with the exception of a few safety changes and a North County start. No more deathly Deer Springs Road! We'll follow another Club escape route out of town and ride up Country Club Lane to Centre City/Champagne Blvd. No turn onto busy Old Castle Road this trip. Instead, we use the quiet Circle R climb to both Lilac roads before the steep, but short Couser Canyon Rd. Five mile climb up Rice Canyon takes you to the Rainbow Oaks Market, which opens at 7:00 AM.

Easier riding now as we use the traditional route around Fallbrook to Bonsall, then follow the SLR Bike Path into Oceanside. A cooler coast ride takes us up through UCSD to the UTC McDonalds for a break. Familiar route back through Sorrento Valley and up past Lake Hodges. More riding on Harmony Grove Road to Elfin Forest. Control stop at the newish Chevron there. No big climb this trip, as we then ride over to Rancho Santa Fe through Lake San Marcos to the finish. Always a nice route and designed for a very early start to beat the heat and take advantage of the early sunrise!


Palomar Mtn. Sampler #2380
202km., 10627' climbing
Yes, another Palomar route, but this one starts closer in. This is a take-off from the popular "Training Ride To
Palomar", but with a different ending. Also designed for a very early morning start (preferably a weekday to miss the screaming motos on Palomar Mtn.) with the first Control at the Harrah's 7-Eleven (open 24/7). The usual steady climb up 76 & So. Grade Road to the Control at Mother's Kitchen OR the Post Office (my favorite and opens at 9 AM M-Sat!). You can buy a stamp and still use the bathrooms and water!

Nice downhill on East Grade Road and past the Henshaw Store. Yep, we head up Mesa Grande grade too! Don's Market stop makes up for all the climbing with a cool one!  Though Ramona on this one and on to Highland Valley Road. Next up is San Dieguito to Rancho Santa Fe where we stop at Stump's Village Market Control. A few twists and turns an we're on to Lake San Marcos, through the CSUSM campus and on to the finish. No coastal riding on this one, but still a whole lot of climbing!


Ocotillo 400
397km., 15105' climbing
Several randos have asked about a North County to desert ride, so here is one. (Also there is "Rincon Del
Diablo", check it out!) This is a near take-off of the original Temecula 600 Brevet scheduled for 2014.(later replotted due to high desert temps and gale winds). The top has been chopped off!

We take off from North County and do the usual routing around Palomar Mtn. past Lake Henshaw. Then it's a left turn to catch S-2 as it plunges down into the desert. INFO control at the Montezuma-Borrego Hwy. Ride along the base of the mountains to the Butterfield Store for a refresh before Sweeney Pass, the wind farm and a welcome stop in Ocotillo. Expect some winds along here somewhere on your 12-mile climb up to In-Ko-Pah Pass. I recommend a break at the Mtn. Sage Market in Jacumba before some more climbing up to Tierra Del Sol Summit. A welcome plunge down into Campo for a Circle K stop. (Largest Circle K in San Diego County!)

Lots of hills and curves as you ride through Potrero, Barrett Junction and Delzura. More Otay Lakes riding and also the Sweetwater Bike Path are included. Routing takes Main Street in lieu of the bumpy Harbor Dr. section toward downtown San Diego. Basic coastal riding around Mission Bay, up Torrey Pines and on to Encinitas. There the route turns inland with some more climbing through LaCosta over to Lake San Marcos, CSUSM campus to the finish. This is an interesting route and riders are advised to check the mtn. and desert wind forecast before riding!


Laguna 400
393km., 17402' climbing
This is one fun tough route!  Similar to the actual replotted Temecula 600 Brevet route done this year, without the long loop up to Corona and the Pine Valley miles.This one starts in Oceanside, where all trains & buses go early. It's off on the SLR Bike Path and the Sandia Creek Century route up to Temecula. After the Circle K Control, we'll jog over to the interesting De Portola Road and follow it through horsey wine country. A little dirt riding is mixed in there, but not to worry! Soon riders are blasting downhill on Sage Road. More climbing ahead up through Aguanga to Sunshine Summit, before the nice downhill through Warner Springs and over to Santa Ysabel for a stop. You'll need it soon enough!

A whole lot of altitude now as you climb up through Julian and on to the Mt. Laguna Store. Rest up for the super-duper downhill on Kitchen Creek! Yep! More fun on the lightly maintained road as you pass around two-vehicle gates while trying to keep your grip. A short jog on Hwy. 80 and then it's more nice riding on LaPosta Road to Campo for the Control break. More downhill than climbing ahead as you'll soon be passing through the Border Patrol Checkpoint near Otay Lakes.

Route takes Main St. through National City over to Harbor Drive. Pacific Highway turns into Mission Bay Dr. and follows the Bay up to Rose Canyon. A short climb up to UCSD campus before more coastal riding through Torrey Pines, Del Mar and the finish in Oceanside. Promising route with several lightly traveled roads mixed in. Plenty of timely stores open for night-time refueling.

-randorides

Coronado 300 Brevet

Coronado 300 Route.

Not a too-early start on this one. John M. picked me up at 4:45 in San Marcos and we arrived around 5:40 at the start area. Lots of familiar faces there as I rode over and hit the bathrooms before the 6:00 start time. Of course RBA Dennis Stryker was signing in this little racer guy and we started 5 minutes late again. Weather looked good with overcast skies along the coast and temp of 62 F. Dave Horwitt & I did the ride out and soon we were all chatting about our Temecula 600 experiences on the Bayshore Bikeway at 19mph.

Catherine Shenk from Colorado was there too. John said she is a "celebrity" of sorts with some long rides and even started the Iditarod snow bike race in Alaska a few years back! One tough cookie and rides the real mountains in Colorado land. Sandy had his new TREK Domaine all dolled up. Black and white. Similar bike to Mike Shaw's ride.

Paced pick-up at a too fast 21mph as we rounded the Footage Road and headed east. Small group drifted back as we started climbing up Otay Lakes Road. Further past the lake, more small groups raced to Honey Springs. Seems there was some charity ride we got mixed into at the Hwy. 94 turn and rode with some of those riders up Honey Springs. Tim Sullivan had a water stop half-way up where a bunch of riders were. That's where the road pitches up to around 11%. Rode with John, Catherine and Brian T off and on through Lyons Valley Road. Brian would ride ahead and then pull off with some mechanical or something. Too bad he didn't waive us over for advice, we could probably fixed him up?

Bayshore Bikeway on sunny day

That section up to Descanso is a long haul. 6 or 7 the riders were there at the Descanso Store at the Hwy. 79 turn. I hit the Porta-Poty for a pee and discovered it was almost in gel form! We la-de-dah'ed around for a while and finally left with Dave, Catherine, racer guy, John and me. Tim Knowles came in as we left. I was riding with John today. He was having the almost cramp-itis here, so I paced him up to Cuyamacha Lake. Real nice riding around there with all the fishing boats there and the fact that the route just got a whole lot easier. We had a nice ride to Julian and through Wynola road. We had planned to stop for lunch at Don's Market in Santa Ysabel. I had told other riders about that earlier. Dave, Colorado Catherine, Linda, Bill, Mac, Sherman, Mac were there. Bill, Sherman and Linda left first. The rest of us left a little later.

Real nice fast ride to Ramona, where we waived the Daniels West Market stop in lieu of 7-Eleven in town. Most of us got a bottled drink. I chugged some Vitamin Water and put the rest of the bottle in my side mesh holder for later. Catherine was really showing the sun burn by now. She was packing on the zinc oxide all ride, but it didn't seem to do much good. She said the heat was bothering her too. I don't think it got to 90F all day. Hottest part was right there in Ramona in the afternoon. We all rolled out together (Mac, Dave, Catherine, John and I) Climbing on Hwy. 67 out of Ramona, my hamstrings were getting tight after sitting around.

We did a regroup at Poway Road and blasted down to Lakeside. John and I were doing an extra stop at BK before the climb up Old Hwy. 80. Catherine and Mac stopped to! Dave rode on to Carls Jr in Alpine. John applied some White Flower rub to his legs and it seemed to help some. Mac took Catherine up to Alpine, and John and I paced up a bit later. We all rejoined up at Carl's Jr. The service was awful! Only 4 people in line, but we waited for 15 minutes just to get a chocolate shake! Even John commented on the slow poor service. Dave, Catherine and Mac were walking around, not really wanting to ride on. John finally got his Green Burrito and me my shake. We said "adios" to the others and indicated they should make sure "Colorado" got back OK. We followed them about 10 minutes later. As we were leaving, Hector M. rode in. John chatted with him and noted:
Hector: " It's was all downhill now! No more climbing!"
John laughed and said "Really?"
Hector: "OH, it's only a Cat 4 climb"
John: "Ya, right, when's the last time you were out there?"

Off we went at a measured pace. Drew Peterson stopped and chatted with us on Tavern Road.

Lyons Valley Road with "cattle guard"

Japutal Valley Road is a nice downhill followed by some double digit climbing. Never did like that road, since I got "bushed off" by a car years ago. We were in the climbing section when Sherman drives alongside with Drew Peterson and girlfriend. The stopped up the road and took some pics of John and I riding up. We told them another group was up the road and they took off in pursuit. Lyons Valley Road never looked so good. Fast riding now and almost all downhill till the last section climb to Honey Springs Road.

We stopped at the top of Honey Springs to put on arm warmers and get our lights ready. Still good light out to see the long cool fast downhill. John did the lead out on the downhill. We stopped at Pio Pico Campground Store as usual. Outside machines weren't taking dollar bills. Warmish water at the outside fountain. We weren't there 10 minutes before turning on our lights and pacing westward on Otay Lakes Road. I soon discovered by batteries were a "used"set and didn't do much. Nice ride along there and temps were real nice for arm warmers, jersey and a woolie cap.

Catherine Shenk during the '09 Idatirod

Olympic Pkwy. was mostly a fast downhill ride. Just a few little climbs mixed in there with lots of traffic this time
of evening. Found the Hilltop St. turn and made quick work of the rough Main Street and over I-5 to the Bike Path.
John was feeling it on the loop around the Bay. Missed the correct turn onto 10th Street to the Finish. (I confirmed at home later that we just went past the turn by a short block, well before the tennis courts.) We rode around and I didn't know where the hell I was, since the streets all go in a loop. John asked some lady standing by a bus stop if she knew where Spreckes Park was. She said she was new to the area, was lost and waiting for a bus. I didn't know if buses ran that late on Coronado Island! After another 15 minutes, we finally found "C" Street and raced to the finish! Gary Kanaby was there with local help. Catherine and others were milling around.

Weather was nice today. No real big winds and temps weren't that hot. The only caveat to the whole route was that I didn't feel good at all about missing the turn into the Finish. In fact it really sucked! We loaded the bikes and were off to home, chatting about how lousy we did today and still finished! Hehe! Happy Father's Day  to John M. for the lift in and back.

Overcast to bright sun.
Hi: 87   Lo 62

188 miles

-randorides

Coffee At Peet's, RAW & Coronado 300 thoughts...

Tuesday, June 10: RAW start in Oceanside

Planned to do the Coffee At Peet's Populaire in reverse today and also stop by Nytro and the RAW start in Oceanside. Wore a new 2009 set of Ultra Bibs I bought a long time ago. Warm morning, so I left after 7 AM on the reverse course through Escondido, Lake Hodges and around to the SR-56 Bike path. Saw a few riders along the path. Stopped at the usual Circle K at the end of Camino Del Sur. Got a .15 piece of Reese candy for the receipt.

Lots of field clearing along the Bike Path now. Too bad, looks like they cleared through a bunch of good MTB trails there for new housing. Hit the coast and cranked er up with a tailwind. Feeling good on the Fuji this morning. Stopped at Nytro just after they opened.Wanted to get a bike fit due to sore ankles/tendons/etc. Fortunately, Joe was there and I put the new rr skewer on and loaded the Fuji in the trainer. Said it didn't look right, so we moved the seat 2mm higher. Angle measures just right now at 145 degrees! Got a few samples and headed out at 10:30. Picked up the pace some... needed to get to the Oceanside Pier for the 12:00 noon RAW start.

Picked up a older rider on a Giant. He was going to RAW, then meet his wife at 1 o'clock at the Crab Shack for lunch! We chatted on the way up about RAAM and different riders. He seemed to know all the older guys and Pete P. too! Nice to ride with and got to the pier at 11:15. Went to the pits and chatted with Mac Imacsing. He says he'll be at the Coronado with the group.. Ahhhh. we all know he'll be "racing" anyway! Said his wife is crewing for RAW! Nice.

Also chatted in the pits with rando Paul Torkin. He is back from the FC 308 and has a nice jersey to prove it!

Met up with John Mestemacher while checking out the pits. Chatted with rando Greg Sherman. He looks like he is concentrating on sprinting work now! His legs are bigger than my waist! He said he may ride but also might be in Vegas!

Positioned just after the start line and got a good view of the riders. Rando Tim Knowles will be riding the Coronado too. John & I chatted with Tim Knowles near the line.Tim's always a good steady rider too. We talked about Brooks saddles. I got one of those Brooks Cambium rubber saddles on the SOMA now. Not too bad and I'll see what happens.

Randonneur group from Cayman Islands at the RAW team start. Wearing just plain white jerseys with "Randonneurs"  on them. They probably don't do much climbing down there~
Also a team from Texas wearing nice green jerseys. Dan Driscoll heads up that Rando group. He is famous for starting the K-Hound gruppo in Randonneurs. This guy logs the miles!

 John & I stopped by Pacific Cycles and chatted with Chuck yesterday. He said Devin has his new Soulcraft now and lookin' good. Devin got sick on the Temecula 600 a few weeks back, so we hope he is OK now. Chuck said Devin is usually a little "wild" on rides! We concurred and John related the story of Devin's airborne crash-bang during our dirt ride through Penasquitos Canyon. Quite an exhibition for the hikers there too!

Maybe it was the new Ultra Bibs today?

After the Pacific Cycle stop, I rode with John to COSTCO for a yogurt. We chatted about things and soon left. John showed me through the fire damage around his Air Products building area off El Camino and Poinsettia Lane. Quite something when the wind drives those fires. It was getting near 3:00 by now so I split out and finished up the route to make the cut time. Ended up I just made it by 5 minutes! Whew. Picked up my receipt and rode home.

Felt great on the Fuji today, hitting the hills hard. Don't know what it was, sleep, diet? bike fit? Maybe it was the new bibs and chamois? With the tight compression and new padding? Hope to duplicate that feeling on the next ride too.

Overcast clearing to full sun
Hi: 83    Lo: 61

-randorides

 

Coronado 300 pre ride stuff:
Looks like a nice gruppo for the Coronado ride on Saturday.

This has always been a tough route for me... one year I stopped 4 times to shit from Lakeside to the Finish.
Next year I rode with Albany Sam Thomas and coaxed him all the way around to Alpine. There he bailed and I had to race back solo in the dark just to finish before the cut time!

Talked with John M. yesterday at the RAAM. He sort-of has agreed? to lead us on a sensible pace for the route, so hope you'll join in. We won't be racing this tough one for sure!

Should only need some lights for a little bit of the finish. Expect to finish in the 15-hr range. Not many extra clothes needed either, as low temps will be 60F. It might get to 90F around Ramona. Expect some winds here and there. That what groups are for. We miss Jaime Gurrola!

I see a few are signed up already:

Sandy will be riding his new TREK Domaine with his buddy Mike. Sandy did a good job finishing the Temecula 600 last month with almost a 40% DNF rate. Mike works using the CAD cutter on nice metal things for bikes! Check out his bike.

Robert didn't seem too interested in this route when I chatted with him on last Saturday's NCCClub ride, but we'll see. He keeps a good perspective on things. Robert has since emailed me and won't be riding.

Bill Stevenson will be riding with us. He's back from a month in Vietnam and has lost another 10 lbs! Can't catch him on the climbs now. He looks more and more like  "pirate" Jimbo Wisener everyday!

Hopefully his buddy Dan Phillips will be riding some or all of the route too! No telescope work with the full moon out on Saturday for him!

Keith Olsen just finished up the OC Bike Path Brevet last Saturday. He is thinking about riding the Coronado 300 or a like route Permanent. So we'll see him at the start. for some reason, Keith rides much better when in there are women in the group!

Andi Ramer didn't ride the 308, not long enough! Haven't seen her in a while. Understand she is hitting the Trail circuit for some 100 mile trail runs.She is signed up for the High Country 1200 in Colorado next month.

Got a few more Permanents approved recently:
Sandia Creek Century

Rainbow 1.24

Lake Henshaw Century

Palomar Mtn. Sampler

In the works are take offs from the Temecula 600 per request: the Ocotillo Loop and the Laguna Loop ( Both options)

Nice loop up through Temecula via DePortola Road, but getting up there is the question.

These are all nice routes a start in North County, of course!

Might not list them, but we'll see.

John M.and I discussed some more night rides again. Either Friday or Sat night, starting around 6 PM.

Those were always very popular rides, but no one does them anymore.
We used to do the Kitchen Creek Figure 8 route. That was a classic at night.
PCH has one upcoming in Antelope Valley soon. Too far for me!

That's a recap.

-randorides

Sandia Creek Century

Route map of the Sandia Creek Century Permanent route.

New route.. actually a take-off from the "Busted In DeLuz" permanent, minus the full DeLuz road section. This one starts in San Marcos, which was custom designed for North County randos!

Was on the road at 3:45 for a 4 AM start time. Nice and quiet this time of morning. SOMA was decked out with 3 blazing rear blinkies and just the 2 watt Planet Bike light in the front. Plenty good for it starts getting light around 5 now-a-days! All green lights as I made my way on Santa Fe Ave with the short climb up to LaCosta Blvd. Rando John Mestemacher lives just a stones throw from the first control at Circle K by the lagoon. Always a little cooler there and my arm warmers seemed a touch too warm this trip. Also had on the woolie cap for a while till it warms up. Couldn't find my usual 20cent Reese's cup, so I looked around for 5 minutes looking for something cheap. OH, on the counter were carmels 3 for $.99. Of course 1 costs 39 cents! That was good enough for a receipt as I loaded up my bottles with ice and headed westward toward the ocean.

I was rolling along at 17mph and saw this weak bike light approaching from the rear. I upped it a bit, but this dude was crankin'! Zoomed by me at 22 mph on a tri bike. Had a weak red blinkie on the rear AND a white strobe light that was really working strong. I was impressed with that for night-time vehicle visibility. Don't know if it's legal or not. I could see that blinking 2 miles away along the Coast Hwy. Several other riders out early along the coast. Oceanside was a dead duck early, so no traffic problems there. Hit the SLR off Pacific St. Stopped to use the porta-potty at Benet Street. Stripped off my vest, woolie cap and arm warmers. Folded them up nice and neat and strapped them on the from HB bag. Slight headwind all the way to Bonsall. No stop at the McDonald's this trip.

I checked out Rainbow's Vintage Marketplace!

Turned onto Mission Road toward Fallbrook. Traffic was picking up now till I turned onto Green Canyon Rd. Great place to cycle here, as it winds among the trees on a 2-4% grade up to Reche Road. Oak Park is another nice ride, but the road needs a resurfacing in a bad way. Climbing gets a little steeper here, just a few cars and maxes out at 7%. Did meet a group of 4 riders coming down in no great hurry. A few riders on Historic 395 to Rainbow. Saw a whole bunch of "tents" set up at the Rainbow Market. Rode through there and checked things out. Seems it is a tri annual Vintage Marketplace. Must have been 40 vendors set up there. Traffic lined 395 through there. Finally made it to Carl's Jr. in Temecula for a control stop. Took the back road and sidewalk, omitting any riding on busy Hwy. 79 or Pechunga Hwy around there.

Nice stop at Carl' Jr. Had a breakfast plate instead of the usual choc shake. More bulk for the climbing ahead! Met up with 3 riders for the long climb ahead. We started up together.. then I passed one guy then another. The big leader guy saw me coming and kept up the pace. He kept looking back as I was gaining. Finally he eased up and we rode up together. He was sucking wind real strong as he stopped at the top, waiting for his buddies.

After Bonsall, the route goes over to Champagne Blvd. By Lawrence Welk Resort, a NCCC rider came across and said he was lost and wanted to ride back with me. ( I just happened to have my NCCC yellow jersey on that day!). I told "Chuck" I would ride with him, but I was finishing up the Sandia Creek Century rando route. We chatted as I paced him up the climb. Soon I saw Robert Abraham coming up from behind. He leads the NCCC Saturday Regular Ride. We chatted a bit as he raced by. Next up was Tony Long and his big buddy. We chatted up to the regroup at Deer Springs Road. Had a nice break there as other riders arrived. Soon I left with them blasting down Deer Springs in a paceline, with the SOMA pulling.

Left them soon and rode eastward to Circle K for a finish receipt. Didn't feel too bad, but the knee was acting up. Hope to get into Nytro for a Joe SOMA fit soon. ( Actually did that on the next Monday, June 9th. Moved the seat forward 6mm and up 2 mm. Leg angle is now 145 degrees instead of 143! Feels much better now with the Cambium saddle. Rode home after that)

Overcast early to sunny skies later
Hi: 84   Lo: 58

Bike Path X Two Populaire

San Luis Rey River Trail fire. Burned a house here too!

Took a couple of days off the bike to rest up the Tibialis Anterior muscle. The one above the calf on my right leg. Use the ice/heat therapy and it seemed to lessen the pain there. No hurry to start this ride, as when I looked outside early AM, it was super foggy around here in San Marcos. Had to go to Nytro today to get some Carbo-Pro and give Joe a bike referral. Left home before 7 and gingerly headed northward on Centre City Pkwy., soon changing to Old Hwy. 395.

Not much going on as I rolled into Bonsall for a control stop. Picked up a 40 cent thing for a receipt and filled my bottle with ice. Left under clear skies and warming temps. Took off my woolie cap and arm warmers here. Headed westward with a slight tailwind, making the ride real fast on Hwy. 76. Speeds of 25 mph were no problem here. Stopped to help a lady who did an turn/slo crash on the SLR, just after the residential area. Checked out the burned out house by the bike path and followed some MTB rider under College Blvd.

Not much wind on the SLR today. Few riders going toward Oceanside. Passed a gal on a Fuji road bike. Her jersey said: "Ride Like A Ninji". Said "Good Morning" to no response. Real friendlyl!. Rode up on an older lady riding a 80's model woman's bike. She was trying to get up this little rise toward the end of the Bike Path. Dropped a chain. I stopped and offered help, till I saw her chain/driveline gunk! The chain was wedged between the frame and the 1st cog! She said her husband was coming. I suggested he get her a new bike. She like that as I pedaled off quickly.

Stopped by 7-Eleven in Carlsbad. As I was going inside, Bill Stevenson came up to chat. Bill is just back from a multi week trip to Vietnam to visit family. He was with the Thursday ride group, next door having coffee! Nice to see him again. He looked real thin and said he lost 10 lbs over there. Now he looks like Jimbo Wisener! Really go up those hills now. Got a receipt and popped an Advil. Off down the coast. Magee Park bathrooms were closed again. I don't know what's up with that. Picked up a group of "Old Spokes Riding Club" members and rode down the coast with them. Sometimes they would cruise along at 18 mph, next they would slo to 10
mph. I finally went around and stopped at Nytro in Encinitas.

Filled my water bottle there. No Joe. Don't know where he was. Others weren't very friendly, so I sat outside and ate my sandwich and now brown banana. Rolled down the coast among a few racers. Lite bike traffic along the SR-56 Bike Path today. Did my usual stop at the AM/PM @ Camino Del Sur. Proceeded over toward Poway and northward across the pedestrian bridge to Escondido. Need to check out the left turn on Citracado Pkwy. and the back way on Gamble Street to San Marcos. Got a piece of pizza for the wife at San Marcos 7-Eleven and called it a day. Noticed some pain on the right lover Achilles Tendon while riding today. Maybe the sore spot has shifted downward? Just what I need.

Fog to sunny skies
Hi: 84   Lo: 59
81 miles

-randorides

Busted In DeLuz Populaire

Modified Busted In DeLuz Garmin stuff.

Being Sunday, needed a early start. Left home after 4:00 AM. Didn't get too far and the heavy fog kicked in. Decided to turn around and pick up my vest. More mileage. Using my white Planet Bike rear Blinkie and 2 watt front light attached to the inside of my left drop bar. That seems to work well on those shorter trips. Decided on the Fuji carbon with the somewhat questionable rebuilt 9 speed brifters. Doing the reverse route today.

Slight light in the east as I got a receipt at the LaCosta Circle K. Fog had all but disappeared by now. Nice easy riding along the coast up to Oceanside. San Luis Rey Bike Trail was almost void of riders this early. Stopped at the Bonsall McDonalds to top off bottles with ice. Nada. No ice in machines yet! They hand bucket it over instead of the built in ice makers. Tried out some different gears climbing up Mission Road. Usually this bike takes 1 or 2 less gears for climbing vs the SOMA. Same gearing on both bikes: 50/34 compact on the front with 13/30 Rando Special cassette in the rear. Green Canyon Road is always nice and quiet. Sunday makes it even more so!

Foggy early morning start.

Live Oak Park was another quiet road today. Did see several riders coming down Hwy. 395 near Rainbow. I took the back way into Carl's Jr. on Hwy. 79 in Temecula for a break. ( I usually bypass Pechunga Pkwy by cutting over to the sidewalk and around through the neighborhood and sidewalk to 7-Eleven or Carl's Jr.) Saw an advertisement for "Carmel, Sea Salt Shake". Thought I would try that one instead of my usual Choc Malt thing. It was too sweet for me and had small chunks of butterfinger floating throughout. With my feet up, I cut up my banana and added that to the mix.

Took the back way over to Rancho California climb, bypassing the busy "Old Towne" section. Three riders came up behind on the side streets. Buff climber girl in white riding a carbon Specialized with Di2 electronic shifting. 2. Racer guy on a red Pinarello. 3. Older guy with accent on a nice yellow/orange Lemond Ti bike. We started the climb up Rancho together. I soon passed the older guy, who took off his helmet and put on a cap on the way up! I noticed he was already out of cogs. I mentioned that and he just said: "It's my f_)*&*&*ing legs". Thought he had on the usual 11-23 road set up. Thought I could pace him, but he was weaving all over and dropped out of sight. The  girl in white was pacing up ahead and I chatted with her at the turn to Sandia Creek Road. Pinarello guy turned around and went back to check on the Lemond rider. I continued on, figuring they would catch me somewhere along the road again.

Nice riding up Live Oak Park Road near Fallbrook.

Saw one rider heading along Sandia Creek Rd., heading the hard way to Rancho California. Sections of new road through there now makes blasting those downhill real fun! Used up all my gears on the last 14% climb, before the fast, bumpy downhill along Santa Margarita Creek. Real nasty curve is now rougher than ever. I braked hard, thinking about loosing grip on the hoods here and doing an endo! I ate a bar and chugged some fluid as I rolled along the creek bottom. The group of 3 riders soon passed me, just before the climb started up to Fallbrook.

Same thing as last time... passed the Lemond guy, mentioned his gearing again. Caught the Specialized girl this time part way up the climb. We chatted a bit and she said: "We can't seem to drop you". Said I was going back to San Diego and passed her. Racer guy was turning around looking for the older guy, who had once again dropped back out of sight. Never stopped in Fallbrook as usual, but continued on to the McDonalds in Bonsall. Took the little side road of Heller's Bend to break up the Mission Road traffic noise.

Sucked a gel, spiked one of my bottles with iced Coke, packed the other with ice and away I went. Saw 2 riders ahead as I was waiting to cross Hwy. 76. Later on Camino del Rey, one had a flat and I stopped to chat along the road. They were in the shade. One riding a carbon TREK, the other a Specialized. They said "We'll see you down the road". I couldn't do anything for them and continued on toward Old Hwy. 395.

Sight headwind now and temps were in the high 80's. Didn't set any records climbing through there. Saw the 2 racers boys coming fast as I started up Champagne Blvd. climb. I did the leg-releasing in and out of the saddle routine at 10 mph up the climb. They were gaining on me! I kept my same tempo and speed as the wind died and it got hot. After the curve, I could see they were dropping back. Guess their adrenaline was fading. No way these dudes could catch me now! Timed the light at Deer Springs Road perfect and blasted through. Downhill now back through San Marcos and on to the finish!

Decent day on the road today. Did my recovery drink at home and rolled out my legs. Felt quite good. Monday morning the right tendon above the calf hurt and was swelled up some. I hit the ice and muscle rub. Must be my cycling shoes where I added on the soles. This doesn't allow any movement on the flat pedal surface. Don't have this problem with the wider platform looser pedals on the SOMA. Need to watch it close.

Early fog followed by sunny skies.
Hi: 94   Lo: 51
97 miles

-randorides